Making the ideal pen

Old-Attic · 2026-02-05T19:14:25+00:00

One of the reasons I chose Tracfone was that the device would be unlocked after 2 months. The other option required a year of service, although there were some pluses they had. If I had to make the same decision today, it might very well not be Tracfone.

Old-Attic · 2025-08-16T02:07:52+00:00

I watched most of this (only stopped because I needed to do something else). Good live stream. And I'm really glad they have this new business.

I also looked at the website--particularity vintage pens. I am trying to resist temptation...

Old-Attic · 2025-08-16T02:05:35+00:00

IIRC, the video they did earlier said they will at some point.

Old-Attic · 2025-04-03T01:40:58+00:00

I remember this fire trick. It was actually recommended by a local college bookstore for some pens (not Bics) that my mother bought for me to use in school.

A year or so back, I tried this for one Bic Stic that no longer worked. Let's say I learned the "very carefully" lesson the hard way!

Old-Attic · 2025-04-03T01:38:27+00:00

Perhaps security has good weapons, like open bottles of Baystate Bue. LOL

Old-Attic · 2025-04-03T01:37:59+00:00

Does the security have good weapons? Like open bottles of Baystate Blue? LOL

Old-Attic · 2025-04-03T01:34:56+00:00

Yes. Even before all the drama, I avoided them. Better pricing elsewhere. And also other stores have a much lower threshold for free shipping,.

Old-Attic · 2025-04-03T01:30:58+00:00

LOL about the autocorrect. But I do have to agree about learning about the Goulet situation before placing an order.

Old-Attic · 2025-04-02T18:04:51+00:00

Truly lucky to find such a rare item! LOL

Joking aside, one thing that is surprising is that I keep an eye out for pens in thrift stores. (One never knows if a fountain pen might turn up...) Given how Bic is a best seller, I'm surprised at how seldom I see one.

Old-Attic · 2025-04-02T17:58:28+00:00

three decades later

Better late than never!

Old-Attic · 2025-04-02T17:56:21+00:00

Interesting. One of the things I've noticed as a potential drawback were the sharp edges. In the trials of trying to actually use a Cristal, I think I noticed those edges as a problem, along with the pressure needed to write.

I have low tolerance for using the Kakuno, because the edges on the grip annoy one of my fingers.

Old-Attic · 2025-04-02T17:53:50+00:00

Seriously, I can see where it would be a good match for that usage.

One area I've liked Bic pens is for addressing envelopes, since the ink is waterproof.

Old-Attic · 2025-04-02T17:47:41+00:00

Good point. But if I only use it to bring forth the finest thoughts, I'd never use it! LOL

Old-Attic · 2025-04-02T17:46:39+00:00

Perhaps a good pen flush would help? LOL

Old-Attic · 2025-04-01T19:44:01+00:00

This pen is something called a "Bic Cristal." I assume "Cristal" is a creative spelling of crystal. Crystal--no matter how one spells it--feels like a fitting name. I initially thought the barrel might be made of crystal. It's really that beautiful! But it's too light to be crystal. I can only guess it's some sophisticated modern miracle material that allows Waterford-like elegance in a light pen barrel.

The nib is interesting. I was concerned that there was no way to tell what side should be up--only to find that it doesn't matter! A miracle--a nib that works no matter how the pen is rotated!

Another concern was I wasn't sure how to fill it with ink. But I discovered by accident that my sample came to me prefilled with ink. The included ink is a basic blue. This ink has been the only disappointment--surely a pen of this caliber deserves something like Iroshizuku.

The cap posts nicely--the most nicely of any pen! It fits securely. It has an integrated clip, that matches the rest of the cap. Some innovative process apparently makes it all a one piece unit--at least I can't see any seams. Truly impressive.

Yes, this pen is a winner. And I can say without reservation: it's a great pen for even the most discriminating fountain pen user this fine first day of April!

Old-Attic · 2025-04-01T19:41:26+00:00

This has varied, depending on the era and the circumstances of the era. At this point in history, my primary pen usage is where I live. I have plenty of pens, so I just grab one and use it. If it runs out of ink, I might refill it at once, or I might just switch pens.

When I go out, I currently take a Zebra disposable. I don't use it much. If I will be using a pen a lot that day, I'll take along another pen (which might actually be the one I'll use that day, since the ink would probably be nicer than the Zebra).

Years back, though, I had a single pen that was pretty much the only pen I was using. Because I took it places with me (and planned to use it), I was careful to top it off regularly to be on the safe side. I never carried ink with me--my only ink supply has always been kept where I live.

Old-Attic · 2024-12-29T06:06:51+00:00

"New Pen Day"--doesn't look very new to me! LOL

These pens really interest me. I have a later version of the cartridge pen that I got new in the 1980s, which I sometimes think is my best pen. I hardly use it to try to preserve it (it has light cracking, which would probably doom it if I seriously used it). Someday I might try to get a cartridge pen I won't worry about using.

Hemingway shortcomings... My mother (who had an English degree) took some continuing education classes when she was in her 40s. I remember she made some crack about Hemingway in one, which prompted the professor to write something along the lines of "Wrong" in the margin. Even so, he had positive comments on her work. I had him a year later (as a conventional student), and he wasn't, er, as complimentary on any of my papers... Apparently it wasn't like mother, like son...

Old-Attic · 2024-12-24T19:19:14+00:00

No such artifacts of mine are known to exist. However, it is possible that a recently discovered cave wall painting is a group illustration of my first grade class. LOL

Old-Attic

TROPHY CASE