pens

Montegrappa Creates New Pen To Celebrate Bruce Lee

With a new version of "The Green Hornet" about to hit theaters a lot of people are remembering Bruce Lee and his portrayal of Kato in the short-lived television series. Italian pen manufacturer Montegrappa has created a re-interpretation of one of the company's most coveted pens, "The Dragon" to honor the star on what would have been his 70th birthday.

Tags: fountain pen, fountain pen collecting, fountain pens, montegrappa, pens, roller ball pen, writing instrument, writing instruments

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Birth Of A Montblanc: Making The World's Finest Pen & Why You Should Write With One

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

Visiting Montblanc's headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, I experienced how the world's finest pen is brought to life, and learned a little something about culture. Let me make you an instant expert on fine writing instruments.

I never thought much about fine writing instruments. The life I tend to live is practical and versatile. Much like my fellow Americans I shed tradition for convenience and economy. The practice of writing words has been done with half dollar ballpoint pens and pencils purchased from a drugstore. My finest "writing instruments" were dutifully sourced from hotels and other easy giveaways. Perhaps this is why I tend to prefer the keyboard. A bit of that changed when I discovered that for just a bit more (and at the right store), I could get pens made in Japan that worked better. With them I wrote more, and seemed to enjoy drawing and taking notes in a new way. Good tools are always appreciated and help you be more productive, but are writing instruments are more than just that?

Is writing like language? Does the process we use to write change what we say and the culture around us? Some academics posit that "language is culture." Then, by that accord is the way we write language a function of that culture? People worry heavily that the popularity of instant messaging via computers and text messaging via phones leads to a distinct degradation in our writing and language. It is hard to argue with this if you have any experience with these communication mediums. So what about the opposite? If casual ways of writing harm formality, do more formal ways of writing increase one's level of sophistication, even temporarily?

Gallery: Montblanc Pen Manufacture images

Tags: factory, hamburg, how made, manufacture, montblanc, pen, pens, writing instrument

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Montblanc Now Offering Bespoke Pen Making Service

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments, Luxury Shopping

A new service by traditional fine pen (among other goods) maker Montblanc will offer customers the experience and opportunity to order custom made pens suited to their particular writing style. Montblanc has always offered a number of pen nib sizes depending on a writer's preferences, but the new service will include a unique personalized writing evaluation to designed to identify how someone writes, what the best type of pen size is for them. It also involves the creation of a one-of-a-kind fountain pen nib made for you at the Montblanc pen manufacture in Hamburg, Germany.

I had the opportunity to experience the writing "exam" myself first-hand. The process is simple and informative. Montblanc sits you in front of a computer with a large digital writing tablet. You are given special paper sheets that are placed over the tablet and asked to write preselected text as you normally would. Your writing is digitized via software on the computer in real time, which tracks variables such as how hard you write, the angles you make with the pen, and when you lift a pen off the paper when writing. It is quite interesting to see an analysis of your own writing – the test feels a lot like a vision exam.

The computer makes a recommendation as to what type of Montblanc fountain pen nib is best suited for your penmanship style. A fountain pen nib is the tip of the pen that actually does the writing. At one time these tips were part of specially cut feathers, but have since been made out of metal. Montblanc is known for making the highest quality, most effective pen nibs around (and they look quite nice as well). Montblanc pen nibs are constructed from solid gold, with the ends of the tips being made from a complex metal alloy (that is actually more expensive than gold). This alloy is used because gold is a relatively soft metal, and Montblanc designs their pens to last decades, even with constant use.

Tags: bespoke, custom, instrument, montblanc, pens, writing

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Montblanc's Personal Code Ink Prevents Fraud

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

Montblanc has long been an icon of luxury in the writing world and that tradition continues as they plan to release a new kind of cutting edge ink. Personal Code Ink contains a special botanical ingredient that gives it a unique DNA code of sorts that can be identified and linked to its specific owner. Each ink is unique and impossible to duplicate, being heralded as unique as a fingerprint and inspiring the slogan "Only one person will own this ink -- you." Each Personal Code Ink set comes in a wooden box finished with black lacquer and includes a felt-tipped Meisterstück Signature Pen, a rollerball Meisterstück Solitaire Barley, and ten ink cartridge refills for months and years of forgery-safe writing.

In the event of signature or other handwriting dispute Montblanc with use forensics to authenticate whether Personal Code Ink was used and if so by whom. Look for Personal Code Ink in Montblanc boutiques worldwide starting May 2010.

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Tags: custom ink, ink, montblanc, pens, personal ink, signature, writing

S.T. Dupont Limited Edition Neptune Gift Set

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Writing Instruments

Inspired by mythological Roman figure Neptune, God of water and of the sea, this set from S.T. Dupont pays tribute to ancient times with a contemporary design that beautifully represents waves, water, and serenity in deep blue Chinese placed lacquer. Great for a collector or lover of Roman mythology (or of course anyone who just likes to use stylish writing instruments), the set comes in a numbered limited edition of 888 and includes a Ligne 2 lighter plus three Olympio Large pens -- one each fountain, roller, and ballpoint. $1000

Via Bornrich

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Tags: mythology, neptune, pen, pens, s.t. dupont, S.t.Dupont, st dupont, StDupont, water

The Montblanc Sale of the Century at Bonhams & Butterfields

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments, Auctions

On Feb. 15 in Los Angeles Bonhams & Butterfields will present an auction exclusively dedicated to writing instruments from Montblanc, makers of fine pens with the famed "snow cap" motif. The sale, timed to coincide with the annual Los Angeles International Pen Show, will contain more than 130 lots of exceptional models from several of the major Montblanc categories including rarely seen examples. Highlighting the auction is one of the most sought after Montblanc pens ever produced, the Magical Black Widow Skeleton limited edition fountain pen (above), estimated at $18,000 - $24,000. Encased by a web of white gold, the instrument features a filigree spider studded with black diamonds on the clip.

Also on offer are the Diego Rivera limited edition fountain pen, crafted from white gold with a partial black lacquer finish in Aztec design, a cap overlaid with a white gold windowpane with elaborate Mexican etchings and a black sapphire set in the clip, estimated at $12,000 - $18,000; the Thomas Jefferson fountain pen, decorated with solid gold rings, petrified wood inlays, and a clip bearing a mandarin garnet, engraved with a portrait of the former president and estimated at $21,000 - $24,000; and a diamond studded Greta Garbo model crafted from solid yellow gold with mother-of-pearl inlay, estimated at $14,000 - $16,000.

Tags: Bonhams Butterfields, BonhamsButterfields, Diego Rivera, DiegoRivera, fountain pen, FountainPen, Los Angeles, LosAngeles, Montblanc, pens, Thomas Jefferson, ThomasJefferson

The Surefire Pen

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

Here we have a pen for those who want a writing instrument that's top notch but still masculine and, most importantly, durable and functional enough for regular use. It's the SureFire Pen, from SureFire (of course), and among its list of features you'll find that it has a sleek, aerospace-grade aluminum body, a "virtually indestructible" stainless steel tip, and a tail cap that's designed to function as a window-breaker in an emergency. And how does it write? The SureFire pen is fully adjustable to accommodate almost any of your favorite ink cartridges, but to make things even easier it comes standard with its own easy flow cartridge featuring high-performance Schmidt® Technology.

A perfect gift for that hard-to-buy for guy on your holiday shopping list! $125

Via acquire

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Tags: gift, gift ideas, GiftIdeas, gifts, pen, pens, surefire, surefire pen, SurefirePen, writing instrument, writing instruments, WritingInstrument, WritingInstruments

F.P. Journe's First Pen Collection

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

Watchmaker François-Paul Journe has created his first line of writing instruments. The F.P. Journe pens are made in platinum PT 950 and 18K gold, the same metals used in his watch creations. His fountain pen uses an original retractable system, registered with patent Number EP 07 405119.4. The bottom of the pen has six flaps that open and close like flower petals to reveal the nib. The first collection of F.P.Journe first writing instruments, a fountain pen and a roller, will be available in December 2008 at the five F.P.Journe boutiques in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Geneva, Boca Raton and Paris. Each is a limited Edition of 500 with a hand guilloché barrel. The nib of the fountain pen is in 18K red gold and is engraved with the F.P.Journe logo. The platinum version is lacquered in blue while natural color lacquer is used for the gold version with 18K red gold inserts as shown above.

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Tags: fountain pen, fp journe, FpJourne, pens

Lux Tip: Pen Intervention

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Writing Instruments, Lux Tips

Look at the pens on your desk. Maybe you have an especially nice one, one that means something sentimental to you, and another one you especially like. What on earth are the rest of them doing there? You don't even like those pens! Why do you make yourself use them every day when it would be so easy to have something you like?

Pen Intervention Steps:
1. Throw out all pens with names of prescription drugs on them. Seriously.
2. Try to give away away the pens you don't like. Does your yoga studio want pens? Your local school?
3. Give up and throw out the pens you don't like.
4. Look at the pens you have left. Why do you have each pen? "I have to have a red one" is not good enough. You will be getting a red pen you like.
4. Decide how many pens you need and what kind you like. Ballpoint? Felt tip?
5. Go shopping. A good pen lasts a long time. Get good pens. Broke? Start stealing them from hotels. A pen with a story is better than a Bic.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

Tags: desk, lux tip, pen, pens

Park a Maserati on Your Desk

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Writing Instruments

Perfect for those who love their Maserati, wish they had a Maserati to love, or are just all about all high-end sports cars, the latest writing instrument from OMAS is a silver, sleek Maserati pen. The inspiration from the Italian auto can be seen in the aerodynamic design, in the grille pattern on the upper half of the case, and of course by the Maserati logo engraved on the pen's silver nib. Made of sterling silver the pen will be issued in a limited edition of only 1,914 in honor of the year Maserati was founded, 1914. Available in fountain or rollerball styles, $2,750

Via Bornrich

Gallery: Automobile-inspired Luxury Pens

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Tags: fountain pen, FountainPen, italian, maserati, pen, pens, writing, writing instrument, WritingInstrument

Giorgio Armani Pens

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

Giorgio Armani is now making pens and it seems fitting in today's world of computers, internet, and email, since true luxury and designer style can often be found in something as simple as a handwritten note. The Regal Collection, released this month, is the first series of writing instruments from Armani (in collaboration with Tibaldi) and will be available in ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pen styles. Each pen is limited to 199 pieces and features the initials "GA" on the cap and a rhodium-and-ruthenium-plated solid 18-karat gold nib. The barrels are hand-turned to create individual and unique rippled patterns on each pen, which are then covered by nine layers of translucent enamel and embellished with a choice of either natural or ruthenium plated sterling silver trim. $3,114

Giorgio Armani Pens are available now at Giorgio Armani boutiques and Tibaldi stores worldwide.

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Tags: armani, giorgio armani, GiorgioArmani, pen, pens, tibaldi, writing instrument, writing instruments, WritingInstrument, WritingInstruments

Conway Stewart's 'The Evolution' Pen

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

The latest pen from Conway Stewart features technology that took 3 years to develop: it can shift its weight from front to back to suit the individual's writing style. Used extensively the pen is said to reduce writing fatigue and improve writing consistency, and if in today's world of computers and email you don't find yourself facing "writing fatigue" you can simply use the pen's adjustable gravity feature to enhance your personal writing by varying between heavier and lighter strokes.

Made of pattern-engraved solid silver The Evolution is available in a limited edition of 200 pieces for $2700 each.

Via Gizmodo

Gallery: Conway Stewart Pens

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Tags: conway stewart, ConwayStewart, evolution, pen, pens, stewart, the evolution, the evolution pen, TheEvolution, TheEvolutionPen, writing, writing instrument, writing instruments, WritingInstrument, WritingInstruments

David Beckham For Sharpie?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

You'd think, with a five-year soccer contract worth over $250 million, David Beckham wouldn't need any additional money. But he has just signed another big advertising deal, this time for Sharpie pens. Yes, the man who poses for Armani and has his own fragrance deal is now the face of the marker you use to mark cardboard markers. Becks is quoted as saying "I love to use Sharpie markers, so it's a natural choice for me to partner with them." I would have guessed that Beckham would be a Montblanc man. Perhaps they wouldn't pay him enough.

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Tags: david beckham, DavidBeckham, expire-images:2009-3-7, pens, sharpie

Conway Stewart Isaac Newton Pen

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

The latest limited edition pen from Conway Stewart celebrates Sir Isaac Newton. The pen features hand painting on the cap and barrel of Newton and one of his most famous mathematical theories. The barrel shows the laws of motion and universal gravitation on the barrel and the cap has a likeness of Newton himself, taken from a portrait by Godfrey Kneller in 1689. The pen has an 18-carat gold nib which is available in a choice of eight grades. The pen is 25 numbered pieces available in fountain pen or roller ball and sells $2,450.

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Tags: conway stewart, ConwayStewart, fountain pen, ink pen, InkPen, isaac newton, pens, rollerball pen, writing instrument, WritingInstrument

David Oscarson Trophy Pens

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

The elegant pen from David Oscarson is the Henrik Wigstrom Trophy pen. This is the first in a series of limited edition writing instruments inspired by Wigstrom a master who worked for Peter Carl Fabergé. The pens are crafted from sterling silver and have a guilloché design.The pens are made in Heidelberg, Germany and bear the monogram of Henrik Wigstrom. They use an 18-karat gold nib which is rhodium plated and tipped with iridium and coupled with an ebonite feeder. The Henrik Wigstrom Trophy Pen Collection comes in four colors, powder blue with sterling silver and violet, black with rhodium vermeil and red with 18K gold vermeil. Each color is limited to 128 pieces (100 Fountain / 28 Roller Ball). The fountain pens are $4,200 and the roller balls sell for $4,000.

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Tags: david oscarson, DavidOscarson, fountain pens, pens, trophy pen, writing instruments

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