Disposable fountain pens make me feel connected to great writers of the past but without the inconvenience of spilling bottles of ink everywhere or feeling guilty for not cleaning my nibs. Sekaido in Shinjuku has a good selection if you’re in the market for a new pen.
Mitsubishi Boxy has an unusual name, but it’s nothing special as far as writing goes. It’s shaped like a slightly thick Bic ballpoint—a long straight line with a cap. It writes well, but without the balanced grace of a fountain pen.
Platinum E-pen is similar in shape to the Boxy, but it has an ever-so-slightly thinner nib and its ink seems a touch more translucent. The ink doesn’t wick very much at all and it lays down a consistent line.
Pilot V-pen is slightly stubby, similar to a proper fountain pen. It feels good in the hand and its classic shaped, slightly rounded nib that deposits the ink in a pleasantly uneven line—or maybe that’s just my handwriting. I like this one the best of the three.
The V-pen is available in six ink colors: black, blue, red, green, cyan, and pink. I have a black one and nearly bought a pink one tonight. But then I’d have four disposable fountain pens and doesn’t that seem excessive?
Posted by kuri at March 07, 2004 09:36 PMYou can never have enough fountain pens I say…
/stationary addict
Posted by: mj on March 8, 2004 09:35 AM“stationary addict”, it’s a good and useful for me. I’ll tell it to my husband.
Posted by: Mieko on March 8, 2004 10:08 AMI rarely write anything these days.. plus my writing is terrible. :-(
Posted by: Tracey on March 8, 2004 02:23 PMLovely. Some of my most trustworthy and long-lasting pens are the ones I know I can lose without being heartbroken over the financial loss. The Uniball Gelstick 07 is a favorite - they come in a pack of five. I detest ballpoints.
Posted by: on March 8, 2004 08:58 PMI used to use the V-Pen, but I found it rather scratchy and a little too thin for my liking.
I like fat-nibbed pens. In the house I keep a non-disposable fountain pen, but I carry disposable pens when I’m out and about.
Currently, I favour the Uniball Signo Broad and the Impacts.
You can never have too many pens.
Posted by: jon on March 9, 2004 04:19 AMI use Uniball Visions in micro (also Saddam’s choice of pen, which rather scared me when I saw him doodling during his interview last year…). I’ve really wanted to try a fountain pen, but didn’t know where to start… this helps muchly. Thanks!
Posted by: Becky on March 23, 2004 11:48 PM