Yea, but how do you use that? The fabulous, insightful mundanity of ‘how I’m using my collection’ posts
Pens and inks and papers make the most sense to me when I consider them in combination with one another; in the combinations within which I use them together. I often have to consider backwards.
For instance, if I know I will have a sequence of fast moving meetings at various tables, which nib shapes, inks and papers will combine to let me write rapidly, clearly, and without distracting those around me? Each combination of pen and ink and notebook can work well for a specific kind of thinking. The fun in planning a currently inked set is in puzzling out the right combinations of pens and inks and papers for the kinds of writing in my near future. Stationery in situ.
Fellow stationery bloggers are wonderful resources when I’m bereft of creative currently inked plans. Some of my favorite post series highlight how folks apply their currently inked outfits. I often see my own collection in a new light after reading“what I’m using” posts. I come away with ideas for my own new combinations. And, of course, stepping into someone else’s world for a bit is worlds of fun.
I follow at least four active “how I’m using” series. Folks sharing what they have inked and how each fits within their stationery habits. They bring the contexts they anticipate for their pen-and-ink pairings to the surface.
A Fleeting Ripple has an ongoing “weekly carry around” series. The pen-and-ink pairings focus on how each ink and pen gets along. Thoughtfully written and touchingly photographed.
dapprman has a periodic reflection on how he is using each of his currently inked pens. It’s fabulous to see someone with different aesthetic preferences than me ask similar questions of his own collection. A sophisticated sincerity of thought.
Extra Fine Writing took a foray into four workhorse pens that are, themselves, the life of every party. Delivered with a wit that is well worth checking out.
inksharks has a recurring series outlining what pens they have paired with inks from their collection. A healthy focus on nib choice keeps me thoughtful about my own nib selections.
The Pen Addict also recently started an excellent currently using series for members called, TPA Chronicles. Pens, pencils, notebooks and how each is being used. Yes, please.
I’m presently on the hunt for more folks who are writing about what they’re using and how they’re using it all. Who am I missing?
This week’s Inked Tines update includes last week’s currently inked writing tools.
Toolset
Pens. I, for the life of me, cannot choose a standout combo from last week’s penvelope. Each pen fulfilled its role well. A true team effort.
Able Snail Powder Blue Classic (B) — Empty. Big pen. Bold nib. Shady purple ink. Borderline too-wet and so relegated to ink-resistant papers like Tomoe River. Excellent for long-winded brainstorms and lesson plans.
Lamy Safari Dark Lilac (B) — Feed. It was an odd experience to see an empty converter after leaving this pair largely unused last week. I suspect the cap was left slightly uncapped and so the pen aired out. However, a quick feed flood led to smooth, shaded inking throughout Friday’s reflective journaling session.
Hongdian N23 White Rabbit (M Long Blade) — Feed. I actively sought out excuses to use the fun Long Blade nib. Copper Noir served well for both accenting notes and driving lesson plan outlines.
Nahvalur Nautilus Primary Macchiato (Mini-Cutlass) — 1/3. Slow, planned writing tasks played to this nib grind’s strengths. Lesson plan outlines, some targeted analytic journaling, and D&D notes.
Pilot Custom Heritage 912 (SF) — 3/5. Using 40% of a converter in a week is a powerful testament to the reliability and joyful spring of this pairing. A true daily driver: task management, meeting notes and reflections.
Jinhao x159 (EF) — 2/3. I used this combo to subtly accent my demo lesson’s lecture notes. The teal stood out against printed black printer ink without calling my observers’ attention to my paperwork. The muted, professional black colorway fit right in during administrative meetings throughout the day. I dig when a plan plays out as hoped.
Notebooks. Work bujo. Odyssey Neptune 200 (A5). I marked up ten new pages in my second Odyssey notebook of the year, pages 58-67. A week dominated by five pages of meeting notes in the SF grey lines from my Pilot 912. Meeting notes from before, during, and after my interview day.
The week kicks off with my trusted two-week task list spread. A teaching calendar adorns the top six rows. The remainder of the spread is partitioned into six areas: one list area for each day of the work week and a sixth marked “Later.” All written with a smooth, forgiving SF in Sohayanotsuruki’s green-grey. Clean, clear narrow lines.
Clearly got work done on Wednesday
Three pages of lesson outlines organize my plans for guiding high school students through Norway’s separation from the Swedish monarchy. I rotated through three popping pen-and-ink combinations: the Able Snail’s shady Edo-Murasaki, the White Rabbit’s giddy Long Blade nib, and the Nahvalur’s shiny Olive Swirl.
A little bling for my old-timey reflection
Journal. Midori MD (B6 Slim). Last week proved a frenzy of brainstorming. I added four pages of loosely scrawled process notes. Thinking directly into the Midori. The way of the universe for an analog-minded person like me.
More specifically, my journal holds my thinking through the sequence of activities and content for a sample lesson during a job interview. Clear lessons grow out of unclear, incomplete brain jottings.
Gold plated brain jottings
The Pilot 912, inked with Sohayanotsuruki, drove all four pages of brainstorming. The SF nib is a no-nonsense writer. The soft nature of the nib teases more shading out of Sohayanotsuruki. A side of fun with my planning.
The remaining six pages of journaling are a pair of reflective entries. I switched pens each time I changed topics. Differentiating ink colors renders my reflection searchable — so long as I record which ideas correspond with each color in my journal’s index.
In all, I added ten new pages to the Midori last week. An odd combination of planning, reflecting and analytic journaling. Odd journaling weeks are fabulous opportunities for testing the bounds of my writing routine.
Written dry. Three of this week’s six currently inked pens are either empty or now house ink only in their feeds.
The Able Snail ran dry while sketching comments onto a course outline. Leaving a teaching position involves leaving pacing schedules for the educator who follows you.
What starts in purple ends in staid black Times New Roman
I consider a pen “empty” when it enters a work week with only the feed inked. The Safari and N23 both still write along happily. However, I prefer to enter each week with a full cadre of writers that will survive the first day of note scrawling.
And I’m eager for new pairings this coming week. Consider me a recovered completionist.
A close-enough-ist
Newly inked. Blep.
The collection
Incoming / new orders. A new ink sample flowed onto my desk last week: Diamine Celadon Cat.
Celadon Cat is Diamine’s latest collaboration with the (in)famous fountain pen subreddit, r/fountainpens. A whispy, smoky, green-blue with powerhouse shading when paired with a wet nib.
“A rose is still a rose, even hidden under different petals.“ — a different, more-cheshire cat
Outgoing / trades or sales. My attention was spent writing and reading this week. No complaints.
That said, I do have pictures and prices worked out for three more pens that should move on to new homes. Writing this reflection reminds me that I could easily post said pens for sale.
You three deserve some loving attention next week
Currently reading and listening
Fiction. I accepted a pen friend’s book recommendation and began reading Hugh Howey’s Wool. I am nine chapters into the novel. Reading Wool is my new evening winding-down activity.
Howey crafts a grim, human story. A story with a clear central ethical question about societal responsibility. I’m eager to continue reading.
Nonfiction. I have yet to crack the next non-fiction book on my to-read list. Soon I shall explore how inequality is reproduced in the United States, care of Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America.
Music. GoGo Penguin is a talented trio and a favorite band of mine. A favorite band of mine that just released a new album: Everything Is Going to Be OK.
They’re high energy jazz with intricate melody lines. A great balance for creative endeavors that need momentum without distracting vocals. Definitely worth a listen when creative writing and manuscript drafting are on the agenda.
