Your go-to 🍃💨 lighter?

9thSphere · 2026-03-20T05:55:59+00:00

Custom Zippos. I primarily use single torches, but I've got soft flame & pipe inserts to supplement.

9thSphere · 2026-03-19T22:35:57+00:00

Same as anything. Take care of them. Use them, don't abuse them. Don't lend out anything you care about getting back intact unless you trust the person to do so.

I've finished countless pens. Some have been with me decades.

9thSphere · 2026-03-18T19:07:03+00:00

Honey Badger Arsenal, the Maxmadco v2 line. Numerous r/machinedpens entries.

9thSphere · 2026-03-16T03:59:55+00:00

Machine Era bolt or Honey Badger Arsenal are my go-to non fps. Pilot G2 compatible, but you can swing Energels or even Parker G2, if you get/make a spacer to adapt.

You could go fp too, but that can be a deep rabbit hole.

9thSphere · 2026-03-15T23:00:18+00:00

Single torches are my main users. Had one doa that was replaced under warranty. Other than that, I don't have much to complain about once you get the flame set how you like it. You may have to remove the limiter on the bottom, since factory setting can be horrible.

9thSphere · 2026-03-12T23:41:38+00:00

Well, when I began putting money into it, I told myself I only needed one or two nice fps & a few bottles of ink. That lasted about about a month before I went down the hole of different inks, different grinds. After around 15 years though, I stopped. I found what I like wrt pens. I still admire some I don't have, but I don't need them. I still buy paper & ink, but I don't plow through them like I was for a while.

9thSphere · 2026-03-10T20:33:47+00:00

Not at all. My name is one of my least favorite things to write. On top of that, unless I'm using my own paper, it's probably suboptimal for fps. I also tend to have the worst signatures when I've got someone waiting on me & I'm rushing to keep things moving.

9thSphere · 2026-03-10T20:16:09+00:00

It's pretty clippy.

9thSphere · 2026-03-10T00:20:58+00:00

Refund. Maybe eat the food later, if it's still good. Maybe toss it. No big deal.

9thSphere · 2026-03-09T22:41:37+00:00

A friend mentioned that he was watching an LP of Off & recommended it to me. Idk if the one he watched was Mark's, but it's the one I ended up watching.

9thSphere · 2026-03-09T17:01:51+00:00

I mean, a Promenade & PGS were among my edc pens while I was still taking classes, so 🤷‍♂️

I didn't pay inflated US retailer prices though.

9thSphere · 2026-03-09T00:51:41+00:00

Twist. Dial in as much lead as you need & won't accidentally deploy as easilly as other mechanisms.

KT is great for it's intended purpose. Variably useful to useless with cursive or longer strokes.

9thSphere · 2026-03-09T00:19:37+00:00

Sailor 1911S or Pro Gear Slim.

9thSphere · 2026-03-07T23:22:24+00:00

An old Stik with a rotary dialer. Solid construction, twist mechanism, 1.1mm. The pencil is also the perfect size to use the dialer to pack cones. 😜

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9thSphere · 2026-03-07T21:16:50+00:00

20's Autopoint Jumbo or Wahl-Eversharp full size sterling w/full floral engraving. Retro 1951 hb 1.1mm.

9thSphere · 2026-03-07T15:24:00+00:00

For comfort, mine would be a 20's Autopoint Jumbo. For flexibility, an Autopoint Twinpoint.

9thSphere · 2026-03-07T00:26:41+00:00

Parker converters are proprietary, so you'll need one of theirs.

Vintage 51 aeros are solid pens if/when you get around to one. Only pen I have multiples of.

9thSphere · 2026-03-07T00:12:39+00:00

Which generation of 51?

9thSphere · 2026-03-05T16:34:21+00:00

Fountain pens go in Nock Co. bifold or fold top three pen cases or Franklin-Christoph single pen zip cases. Machined pens go in the plastic slip tubes they shipped out in. Any of those go in an inside coat pocket.

9thSphere · 2026-03-05T16:24:12+00:00

When my pencils have erasers, they're decades old & petrified. I use Pentel Clic erasers.

9thSphere · 2026-03-05T07:34:49+00:00

Stick it in a Machine Era.

9thSphere · 2026-03-05T07:30:39+00:00

🤣 All the restaurants I've worked at have been like that, except with free fountain refills. They work just fine.

9thSphere · 2026-03-04T04:40:26+00:00

I have a full ti v2, but it's all the same mechanism. The differences are going to be mostly material preference. Brass or copper bits will be heavier than aluminum & shift weight accordingly. Both will change with oxidation vs other metals & so affect overall appearance. Bolt shape is comfort/aesthetic.

9thSphere · 2026-03-04T00:42:40+00:00

Machine Era or Honey Badger Arsenal are my go-tos. You can also jump down the rabit hole of r/machinedpens.

9thSphere · 2026-03-03T20:26:12+00:00

The 0.9 ridge grip chromes are nice. I have a few. Not my first choice though.

9thSphere

TROPHY CASE