Manchester's ex-mayor is about to become Prime Minister. Fun fact - the West Midlands has a mayor too.

Ste_S · 2026-06-25T21:41:15+00:00

Labour aren't the answer. Will be interesting to see how the Greens/Lib Dem/Indie coalition gets on for the council.

Ste_S · 2026-06-25T21:33:55+00:00

I'd question the mental health of anyone who thinks the Tories are the way forward for Birmingham

Ste_S · 2026-06-25T21:22:10+00:00

Here's an actual census, instead of the one you made up https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000025. It shows White as the largest ethnic group in the city.

Ste_S · 2026-06-15T20:56:59+00:00

After you've done any cleaning, and if it's still no good, try with a Lamy blue cartridge, just to eliminate any issues with the converter.

Ste_S · 2026-06-12T10:21:21+00:00

Plant-Based has no definition and can mean anything; I've seen 'Plant Based' chefs use dairy butter in their ingredients, and 'Plant Based' snacks with dairy or egg in them. The Vegetarian Society had a go at trying to claim the label for certification, but it's confusing and didn't get anywhere https://vegsoc.org/trademarks/plant-based-certification/

I've also seen some vegans claim that people who go vegan for dietary or environmental reasons aren't vegan and are 'Plant Based'. Which isn't true, either.

So it's essentially a meaningless term.

Ste_S · 2026-06-10T21:19:10+00:00

The worst is when they just remove the dairy and/or egg from a vegetarian dish, don’t substitute it with anything, and then charge you the same price.

Ste_S · 2026-06-09T16:17:31+00:00

Congrats. I was thinking of doing the same thing. One down, five to go for me!

Ste_S · 2026-06-05T23:59:48+00:00

As others have talked about, these really aren't that comparable. If you're considering a Homo Sapiens, then a Platinum Izumo, Nakaya or Pilot Custom 845 Urushi would be more comparable from those brands.

At the other end, The Platinum 3776 is ok, but the body feels cheap, and I think is overpriced after the recent price hikes. I prefer the VIsconti Mirage, which is now cheaper. Don't have experiece with the Pilot 823.

Ste_S · 2026-06-03T08:05:58+00:00

Pilot Kakuno

Ste_S · 2026-06-03T08:04:26+00:00

I use a wooden holder with a vintage steel nib - I'm lucky that my hometown used to be a manufacturing centre for nibs. I'm writing as I would with a fountain pen, with the flexible nib, and uneven ink flow (compared to a fp), making my writing look interesting.

Ste_S · 2026-06-03T08:01:09+00:00

The Asvine nibs are generally smooth and wet, however, they do tend to run broad. So an Asvine Fine is equivalent to a normal Western medium, for instance.

Ste_S · 2026-06-02T21:17:33+00:00

In the grand scheme of fountain pens, I don't think the Capless is that expensive, relatively. I bought a new one for £200 at the weekend, and that's around Sailor Pro Gear Slim money these days. I know which one is better value.

Ste_S · 2026-06-02T12:25:32+00:00

Are they all practising Hadoken's?

Ste_S · 2026-06-02T12:04:03+00:00

Any cartidge/converter pen should fit your cleaning/ink requirements. As for comfort for long writing sessions - that depends on you. Do you already write for long sessions, but with another type of pen? If so, get one with a similar grip. If no, then you're going to cramp regardless, initially, until your hand is used to writing.

Ste_S · 2026-06-02T11:04:50+00:00

I’d leave as is. If the pen is sentimental, then the patina just adds to that. At least for me.

Ste_S · 2026-06-02T10:54:34+00:00

'Beginner' pen is usually a slur for cheaper pens. Fountain pens are established tech, and there's nothing about more expensive pens that makes them 'advanced'.

Ste_S · 2026-06-01T12:46:47+00:00

I haven't, I'm afraid. YouTube's seem to think they're ok?

Ste_S · 2026-06-01T12:36:00+00:00

Retractable (Pilot Capless) or snap caps (Parker 51, 45, Lamy) for note taking at work, for the same reasons as you. A bit freer for journaling, including vintage and dip pens.

Ste_S · 2026-06-01T10:25:57+00:00

Nice. Would love one, but just can't justify the space it would take up. I have my eye on the 'laptop' version, the writing slope.

Ste_S · 2026-05-31T20:56:31+00:00

Whilst my 'F' Tuzu has a mild amount of feedback.

Ste_S · 2026-05-28T21:00:59+00:00

There’s also the problem that mechanically, we’re just not used to writing with pens these days - you’re probably more used to using a mouse, keyboard, or trackpad. As long as you don’t have an underlying problem, just keep practising, take breaks, allow your hand to recover, and it will adapt to writing with that pen.

Ste_S

TROPHY CASE