Some Wood Cased Pencil Philosophical Discussion

October 10, 2014

When it comes to reviewing or talking about anything wood cased pencil I am a complete novice. This is actually quite odd if you consider the fact that I used wooden pencils through nearly a third of my life during childhood almost every day at school. How can I be so intimidated by something so simple?

The truth is, I really enjoy the idea of using wooden pencils: simple, cheap (compared to most pens), "eco-friendly-ish", and they usually smell awesome when you sharpen and use them. And, they take you back to a time in your life where you had wide ruled paper, wrote gobs of book reports, and took spelling tests. All good things...

There is a definite satisfaction that comes through the seemingly old fashioned idea of using pencils. Even just holding them takes us back not necessarily to specific memories, but they just feel right.

With the digital world consuming a lot of how people's thoughts are recorded out of "convenience", this is bad for even basic click pens, but imagine how this has to be for the wooden pencil!

Let me explain: To use a pencil not only do I have to carry around a seemingly fragile stick of wood but I also have to carry around an apparatus with a blade to actually make the stick usable. And then, to continue writing with it I have to keep sharpening the stick. And then, I have to find a place to dump the excess debris (shavings) to dispose of them. Within this context the pencil doesn't even stand a chance against the hardcore digi folks.

But, the truth remains that the pencil is living on and they are being made by probably the millions every year. We live in a digital age and yet we still produce tools to write with that could probably trace their lineage back to the cave drawings of the Paleolithic Era. Usually with "antiquated" products, they end up on Etsy or specialty shops for high premiums being styled after vintage or retro. Not the pencil. You can still buy a dozen pretty good pencils for less than $5. So, if you really want to get your retro on, pick up a pack and start sharpening.

I want to thank my friend Tim from The Writing Arsenal for sending me not one, but two care packages of pencils over the last year or so ranging in all different colors and brands. They all look so nice that I feel almost afraid to use them. They are like a little treasure waiting to be found and used. Also, he and the fellas from The Erasable Podcast made mention that it might be fun to hear me write about pencils, so, here we are. Thanks guys.

Being primarily a pen guy that is not used to erasing anything, I find that even if a pencil has an eraser, I don't use it. I will usually cross things out or simply disregard the mistake and move on. Hopefully this doesn't say something deep down about my personality...

With this practice, aesthetically I think I prefer pencils without an eraser at all. If a pencil has a really beautiful lacquer/paint job, the solid cap just looks stunning. I guess it could partially be that when you use an eraser it instantly makes the pencil look a bit dingy. Removing the eraser means removing the dinginess. The other thought is if I'm not going to use the eraser than why have one at all?

Even in writing my known likes/dislikes, why am I so intimidated by these things? Perhaps it is that I'm still finding out on a deeper level what things about pencils intrigue me? I'm not there yet, but I think I'm on my way.

This is probably enough rambling for now, but I am committed to digging deeper into the world of wooden pencils. I've even considered going an entire month as a bit of an experiment using only pencil (unless absolutely necessary...). I doubt I would survive, but would be fun. More pencil goodness to come over the next few weeks.

Pilot Stargazer Fountain Pen Review - F Nib

October 9, 2014

The Pilot Stargazer fountain pen is one I've wanted to review for awhile and is one that I feel doesn't get a whole lot of exposure. If it weren't for Keegan from One Star Leather Goods telling me about it nearly a year ago I probably wouldn't have even taken notice!

The Stargazer stands out in Pilot's lineup not only due to its super awesome name, but also for its size. It is very small in comparison to some of its counterparts, but I wouldn't quite put it in the category of being a "pocket pen". If you are familiar with the Prera, it runs just slightly smaller, which makes it quite petite.

The first time you pick up the Stargazer, one thing that takes you by surprise is the weight of it. Unlike the nearly all-plastic Prera which is extremely light, the Stargazer barrel and cap are mostly made of metal which provides some considerable heft. Its like picking up a little kid that you think will be light due to their size, but then they feel like a tank. I would say this adds a point or two to the scoreboard for the Stargazer as it creates a sense of perceived quality like it isn't going to fall apart.

I picked up this pen from Pen Chalet and received great service as always. They have such a great selection!

The barrel is coated in what appears to be a lacquer or enamel of some kind which creates a shiny and glossy finish which looks great. Again, adds a bit to the curb appeal of the pen.

The downside to this finish is that it also makes the pen surface very slick. With the small size, a slick and smooth surface mixed with large hands (or if you are prone to sweaty hands) makes the pen slightly difficult to hold. Writing hasn't been uncomfortable, but the finish and size do not create an ideal size for my hand I think.

One of my main reasons for wanting to give the Stargazer a review was due to the inclusion of a 14k nib. A pen the size of a Prera, but with a gold nib was intriguing. As can be imagined, the fine nib writes great and I'm finding that this size nib from Pilot is becoming my sweet spot for the brand. The lines are so crisp and dark and I have yet to have a problem out of the box with one.

I have been using the standard Pilot/Namiki blue/black carts lately, but also ran a converter with Shin-kai through it which made for a great experience.

In Japan, this pen is also called the Stella 90S. Personally, Stargazer appeals to me more...

Overall, I really like the Stargazer. Great nib and solid feel. There aren't really any negatives, but the only thing I can point out is that it is simply a small pen with a slick surface. These aren't really "flaws" per se, but are something to consider if you find smaller pens less appealing.

Pen Chalet has the Stargazer in four different colors. I decided on the Sapphire (blue, but looks darker than on Pen Chalet's site), but the white is also stunning (almost bought that one). Give them a look if it caught your eye and fits your hand...

Vintage Pilot MYU Fountain Pen - 1976 - F Nib

October 4, 2014

My first step into the world of the vintage Pilot stainless steel lineup was my recent review of the Murex. Such a neat pen and, frankly, I'm hooked. Receiving, using, and reviewing the Murex kindled in me a rOtring-esque excitement about all things vintage Pilot steel. The next pen on my list after the Murex was to acquire a vintage MYU, the predecessor of the Murex.

The MYU 701 pens were originally produced in 1971 and had a production run all through the 1970's. The Murex was produced in the late 70's on into the very early 80's and was what many considered an improvement over the MYU due to being larger in size and better for longer writing stints. The Murex design is far less exciting and captivating than the MYU in my opinion, but they both have their own unique feel and experience and are both an absolute pleasure.

When capped, the MYU is a short, almost pocket sized pen that is lightweight, but sturdy. Similar to the idea of the Kaweco Sport lineup, the cap plays an important part in the overall functionality of the pen. Once posted, it extends the pens length to that of a "normal" pen which allows the pen to rest on the fleshy part of the hand rather than being too short.

What makes the MYU stand out in a crowd is how the nib is formed as part of the grip section from a single piece of steel. This sleek and seamless design against a brushed stainless steel is so striking. The overall shape of the pen is one continuous curve from the tip to the tail which is incredibly beautiful and I find myself in awe at just how fantastic it is. I'm sure if the pen could talk it would be embarrassed by my awkward stare while writing...

The integral nib design in modern pen making is pretty much extinct, although Pilot did a limited edition remake (with some improvement/adjustments) back in 2008 called the M90 or MYU90 for Pilot's 90th birthday. We can all cross our fingers that in 2018 for the 100th birthday they will do something equally as amazing.

As mentioned above, once I'd received the Murex I was on the hunt to find my first MYU. Oddly enough, I purchased my pen from a seller on Etsy of all places. He lives in Japan and seems to always be on the lookout for vintage Pilot pens and he had this particular MYU listed for a great price.

This specimen is not perfect, but the price was extremely fair for the condition. The barrel had no dings or dents, but the nib needed some adjusting and the chrome clip and center connector ring were showing some slight signs of oxidation.

In all honesty, I would usually hold off and try and find a more "pristine" example, but I decided to dive in and I've actually found the slight oxidation against the steel to be a bit appealing. In discussing the pen with Thomas Hall, he educated me a bit on the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi which is an acceptance of the idea of transience and that things wear, fade, and over time become imperfect. Very fitting and is something I need to be more considerate of with my things in general.

The nib did write, but was a bit out of alignment so I sent it off for repair to a gentleman named Dillon on Thomas' recommendation. He recommended Dillon specifically as he has an expertise and the tooling needed to work on pens like the MYU, so I felt safe. His turnaround time was very quick and he was extremely pleasant to work with. The pen came back writing great and I'm glad I made the investment to send it off. If you are in need of service for your MYU, feel free to email Dillon at fpninkvials@gmail.com.

The MYU can accept either the standard Pilot/Namiki cartridges or the CON-20 squeeze converter. I have to admit that I had never given the CON-20 the time of day, but I decided after a cart or two that I would ink it up with my bottle of Kon-peki using the converter. The experience was surprisingly easy and it was one of those moments where you feel dumb because you had built up in your mind the experience was going to be subpar, but I will use the converter almost exclusively from this point on. The only real downside to the CON-20 is your inability to see how much ink you have remaining, but other than that it is great. For larger Pilot pens I generally use the CON-50.

The nib on the MYU is surprisingly smooth and lays down a nice crisp line. The F nib is definitely a Japanese fine, but is becoming my preferred size for the brand for everyday writing and note taking. I love the experience of writing with this pen in both looks and feel.

Along the lines of vintage rOtring pens, the vintage Pilots are quite collectable and can fetch a hefty price for NOS or rarer models like the striped MYU. If you are serious about wanting a MYU, budgeting around $200 will probably get you one in good shape that you can enjoy. The nice thing about these is that if you decided it wasn't your thing it will hold its value and there is always a line of buyers looking to pick one up.

Stay tuned for more vintage Pilot reviews to come...