There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
Currently in my bag are the following:
Left to Right in first photo:
(6) 1960s Parker Ballpoint with the Blue Gel Parker Refill (my personal favorite) (Retail ~$100). I have a bunch of these, but I always keep at least one in my bag and one in my office. It looks classy, but doesn't have a nib that a client can mangle. Thus, this is the pen I lend the most often. Every fountain pen user needs a lending pen--trust me.
(5) 1944 Parker "51" single jewel with Sterling Silver cap and fine nib (almost XF), Ink is Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo (I think, it's been a while since I filled it). (Retail ~$150 with a Sterling Cap, less for many other variants). This is my signature pen. This is the only pen I own that can handle my fast/flowing signature consistently, so when I have things to sign, this is my go to pen. Plus, it can sit for two weeks with the cap on and write instantly afterwards--really a fantastic pen, everyone should own one. Overall performance wise, you can't really beat it.
(4) Grifos Bog Oak - totally stock (for now) with a Medium Bock stainless steel nib. Ink is Mont Blanc Limited Edition JFK Navy (which half the time looks gray). (~$200 on Massdrop, Retail is higher). I use this pen to take down phone messages quickly. Its no-nonsense firm medium makes it perfect for quick on-the-go jotting down of notes.
(3) Wahl-Eversharp Decoband in Lapis Blue with Fine (almost M) "Superflex" nib. Ink is Limited Edition Mont Blanc Honore de Balzac (laugh it up, that's the name) blue/turquoise, possibly my new favorite ink (which had been Waterman Inspired/South Seas Blue). (Retail $850). This is my "WOW FACTOR" pen. the bright red feed and enormous size (it's bigger in every dimension than a Mont Blanc 149) screams work of art. I use this pen for client meetings/note taking. It's definitely a pen "to be seen with," but it helps that it's also a dream to write with.
(2) Pelikan M205 Aquamarine "FrankenPelikan" with a 1910s size 2 Sheaffer "long tines" wet noodle nib. Ink is Pelikan's Edelstein Aquamarine which came with the set. Also a fantastic ink (although a little on the dry side, like many Pelikan inks). (~$150 on Massdrop for the set, retail is higher, another $300 for the custom nib job). This pen lives in my Levenger international pocket briefcase--so anytime I have that out, this is the pen I use.
(1) Pilot Custom 912. This is the newest edition to the EDC bag. It has a custom ground FA nib which got some extra flex treatment and a nearly needlepoint nib (XXF). I think they also worked the feed because I've seen no issues with railroading even with heavy flex use--and railroading is a common problem in the stock pen. Ink is the same as in the Decoband, Mont Blanc Honore de Balzac blue/turquoise (amazing ink for a flexible nib pen...SHADING and even a little sheen sometimes). (~$370 including the extra nib work). This pen has replaced my trusty 1920s Wahl Pen in my Levenger Pad Folio for in-court note taking, so it will be getting lots of use--although, it is the least smooth out of my EDC pens due to the extremely fine nib, usable every day, but not butter like some prefer.
Photo with Caps off!
You'll note the Grifos and Decoband are not posted--deliberate. The Decoband is obnoxiously large when posted, practically the length of a lightsaber, so I never post it. The Grifos doesn't post carefully enough around the wood for me to be comfortable posting it--never a scratch shall be risked!
For some reason the Pilot sample looks like a broader line than you'd see in real life--it's unbelievably thin in person. Color is slightly off as well, colors are a little more vivid in person. Otherwise, the below shows you a pretty good comparison. Paper is a lined Rhodia pad, letter size--bright white.
So, what pens do refuse to leave home without?
Do you have suggestions for pens I should be carrying, but don't (yet)?
Leave it in the comments!