Author | Lightnews

Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 23m

That’s what happens when the political class doesn’t have to answer to their constituents, or fear for accountability. We have let democracy erode.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 3h

Agreed. Five years ago they were a hot brand, with lots of new models and reviews, but not anymore. And I agree on Asvine, add Hongdian and about Majohn, they do some great pens, but I still find sume duds from time to time.

Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 5h

I just ordered the same pen and wood (their ebony and verawood at also very good looking). I’m glad to read that it is a good pen.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 5h

Fountain pen of the day:

From Chinese PENBBS brand, one of their well liked model, the 308, a cartridge converter pen, with a nice nib. This pen comes in a big variety of colors and is a very good writer. I don’t know if something happened to this brand, that I don’t hear much about anymore.

The PENBBS 308 model in clear red acrylic and, with a converter. This pen has the cigar shape of many other models, like the Sailor 1911 or the MB 144 pen. It had a silver colored clip and cap band.

The same pen, uncapped with a steel fine nib. The nibs are quite reliable. The pen is very comfortable to use.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, but the Preppy has cats on it…

bsky.app/profile/javo...

Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 1d

Fountain pen of the day:

A cheap and cute one, the Platinum Preppy New Maki-e Wa Neko, in purple with white cat details. With the Pilot Kakuno, it’s one of the best beginner pens, with the converter more expensive than the pen. It’s a good writer, with the same nib of other models.

The Platinum Preppy, in their New Maki-e Wa Neko, clear and purple model with cat imprints.

The same pen, uncapped with a fine steel nib.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 1d

Fountain pen of the day:

A cheap and cute one, the Platinum Preppy New Maki-e Wa Neko, in purple with white cat details. With the Pilot Kakuno, it’s one of the best beginner pens, with the converter more expensive than the pen. It’s a good writer, with the same nib of other models.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 3d

Fountain pen of the day:

This is another of Majohn’s homages, the M700, made after the Parker Duofold. Even with a Bock nib, this was very scratchy, and one of the reasons Majohn isn’t as good as other brands like Hongdian, Asvine or even Jinhao. And that’s a pity, considering some models are great

The Majohn M700, a Duofold inspired pen in purple acrylic. The pen is a cylinder with flat ends, and golden bands in the body and clip.

The same pen, uncapped with a two toned steel fine Bock nib. The nib is subpar, too scratchy.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 5d

Fountain pen of the day:

A recent addition to my collection, the Asvine V800, a big pen inspired by the MB 149. This one is a Vacuum filler in amber acrylic and a big number 8 nib. The pen is a good writer, although I have been unlucky with Asvine’s vacuum pens.

The same pen, uncapped with a big number 8 fine steel nib. The pen posts safely but it’s more comfortable to use it unposted.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 6d

It’s faceted, but you can only find it in secondary markets, between $570-990 USD, so I don’t know if it is really affordable…

Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 7d

Fountain pen of the day:

A classic and fancy one, the Montegrappa Nero Uno, a nice writer with a tiny but great quality 18k gold nib. It’s a very good writer, even if I recently saw some hairline cracks in the body…😱

The same pen, uncapped with a 18k gold medium nib, palladium plated. The pen is on the heavier side, but very comfortable to use. It was my first fine Italian pen.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 8d

Nope. For 250 years it promoted USA supremacy, many times destroying freedom and equality of the countries it intervened or invaded. The tale about freedom and equality was just the propaganda to send young people to die abroad and to convince Americans it was okay.

Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 8d

Beautiful!

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 8d

That’s a beautiful pen. Very nice example of art nouveau.

Curiously, not long ago, I got a vintage 1935 Parker Vacumatic, in a more art deco style…

bsky.app/profile/javo...

Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 9d

Fountain pen of the day: (vintage)

One recent discovery, a Parker Vacumatic from 1935. This beautiful piece was in perfect condition, and even a coworker thought that it was a new pen. It has a little feedback and I have to carry an ink bottle since it keeps very little ink, but it’s worthwhile.

Parker Vacumatic Silver Pearl, from 1935. A beautiful art deco style in celluloid with two jewels the Parker arrow clip and three cap bands. It was in almost perfect condition, with only the engraving on the body a little faded.

The same pen, uncapped with a fine two tone gold nib. This type of nib was soon replaced by a simple gold nib.

A detail of the Vacumatic system. The first edition of this pen had a short blind cap, and the button could be secured, at the cost of less capacity for ink.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 8d

This artesanal brand from India has literally hundreds of options from the models, the materials and the nibs. Their prices are very reasonable and the customer service is excellent.

rangapens.com

Ranga Pens

Handmade pens, Ranga Pens, Ranga We make hand made pens.Handmade Fountain, Roller Pens. We are Ranga Pen Company involved in making handmade pens(Ebonite,Acrylic and Celluloid Pens) for the last 50 ye...

rangapens.com

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 8d

I do the same with my Ranga pens…

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 9d

Brutalist tank😮

Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 9d

Yes. I would say that it has enough for one page, but not much more…

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 9d

Fountain pen of the day: (vintage)

One recent discovery, a Parker Vacumatic from 1935. This beautiful piece was in perfect condition, and even a coworker thought that it was a new pen. It has a little feedback and I have to carry an ink bottle since it keeps very little ink, but it’s worthwhile.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 9d

Perhaps the best pocket pen out there… I tried to get the burgundy, but I had to settle for the black. Nice pen anyway…

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 10d

Looks like an aerial photo of the Antarctic…

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 10d

Fountain pen of the day:

A popular pen among my female coworkers, the Hongdian N23 year of the rabbit. It’s a nice pen with a long blade nib, that gives line variation. Although it comes in four different colors, this white was my favorite. The nib has the engraving of a rabbit.

The Hongdian N23 year of the rabbit, in white enamel metal with silver engraving of trees and rabbits. The pen has a cigar shape and a silver colored clip.

The same pen, uncapped with a steel long blade nib, that gives automatic line variation.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 11d

But now you should buy some new demonstrator pens so you can show all your new inks!

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 11d

And this is the reason your cat laughs at you…

bsky.app/profile/jlka...

JL Kaufmann @jlkaufmann.bsky.social · 12d

I do plan to go to the London Pen Show tomorrow.

I tell myself it's to take photos of gorgeous fountain pens and admire ink samples and I won't be buying anything because I have lots of nice things already thank you.

...

Even the cat laughed at me.

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 11d

Totally understandable. I’ve got an orange and a golden one…

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Javier @javolabor.bsky.social · 11d

The Plaisir are very nice! They are a good alternative to Pilot Metropolitan or Lamy Al Star…

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