Finding Nemo … Have you found it?

Sailor Pen released a Limited Edition series -"The Creatures of the Deep". It is a collection of 10 marine creatures. Each one is delicately and beautifully painted using the traditional Japanese maki-e techniques by the famous artisan Mr. Koushu Nishihara on Sailor Classic 1911, with each pen fitted with a 21K solid gold nib giving absolute writing perfection. There will be only 88 sets worldwide, with each pen individually numbered.


This is the first part to a 10 part articles regarding the marine creatures of the Sailor pen. The objective of the article is to help our pen lover not only appreciate the art, but to also the marine creatures …

Clip, Clip ... who got a better clip

After taking lead for years, Graft Von Faber Castell finally has a competitor. Cross released a range of C-Collections which has a clip that look similar to the Graft von Faber Castell Guilloche collection. The Cross C-collection design details and finished was inspired by fine sport cars which give it a high-tech look; lug-nut appointment, rhodium plated solid 18kt gold nib, twist-off cap and rubberized front section on Fountain pens. It also come in roller ball and ballpoint pen. It is available in four finishes: Manoco Blue, Performance Black, Champagne and Carbon Black.

While both clip asthetically look similar, the devil is in the details. The Faber Castell clip look like a 'S' letter, and Cross clip look like a bridge. If you look closer, the Faber Castell clip end pointed upward, which is likely to give little or no problem when you slip it into your pocket; it will not pin down the fabric. The Cross C-collection is the opposite. It cursed inward into the pen cap. It might give you problem when you slip the pen into your pocket at a angle.

Next, the spring used by both manufacturers are very diferent. Cross used a long steel bar type spring which sit underneath the entire clip. Fabar Castell used a very small spiral spring which sit undernearh the join of the clip and the cap. Which is a better design? Only time will time. Faber Castell design has been around for years, as compare to Cross new industrial design, we have to wait for users feedback or result from our stress test.

Share with us and other your experience....

Rumour, Rumour ...

There is a rumour that Montegrappa is having a promotion. Spend S$1000 nett and above to receive a single pen case, S$600 to receive thumbdrive and S$450 to receive a notepad. The promotion is from May 15 to June 14, 2009.


Check it out at Aesthetic Bay Pte Ltd or Fook Hing Trading Co.

The nibs shown is from Amedeo Modigliani LE (Limited to 3500 fountain pens, 2500 rollerball pens and 4000 ballpoint pens). Montegrappa launched the pen with Aesthetic Bay last year (2008). There was a article in the pen craft magazine issue 6.

Pilot, Concorde, quill and rocket

Is it the Concorde, quill or Parker that inspired the Pilot designer back in the 1970’s that make the integral nib so popular that makes the launch of the sexy and sleek MU701 successful. Have you wonder why it was label Mu or M? What does Mu represent?

Nowadays with so may bad news everyday, the release of the Pilot M90 bring back some good old memory of the ‘70 back for some of us... The M90 was released to commemorate Pilot 90th anniversary of establishment.