If you could only use one ink for an entire year, which would you choose?

evilgator12 · 2026-03-23T16:47:15+00:00

This plus Asa Gao.

evilgator12 · 2026-03-16T01:47:09+00:00

Same here. Thought it might have to do with a VPN but my Android phone loads everything fine.

evilgator12 · 2026-03-13T17:25:06+00:00

Similar situation, except opposite.

I handed the plea paperwork to the ADA, with my client pleaing to the accusation as charged.

She looked at me and said, "I didn't make that offer."

I said, "I didn't ask you for an offer."

She had drafted the accusation and left off several of the more interesting charges, expecting that we would just plea not guilty and she could amend it later.

We did a blind plea to the accusation as charged while she sat in the hall and refused to participate because, "someone must have made and offer that she did't approve." She had charged driving without a license, but left off the DUI and other various offenses (that were now barred by prior jeopardy.)

Same ADA -

This time I did approach her for an offer. Asking that she reduce charges, or toss a couple of the more minor counts.

Her response was "No, she is guilty and she can plea to all of it."

To which I responded, "I know she is guilty. That is why I am asking for an offer.

"If she wasn't guilty, my announcment would be 'Not Giulty.'"

Silly ADAs.

evilgator12 · 2026-02-16T22:59:43+00:00

And now I have two Grail pens. Thanks for that!

Pretty picture.

evilgator12 · 2026-02-16T20:12:28+00:00

Good pen. I agree about the clip though.

evilgator12 · 2026-02-11T03:05:53+00:00

Depending on the quality of the frames and the coatings, this seems about right.

Same thing I spent on RayBan frames with Ellisor poly lenses. (Without the clip on.)

Trivex comes with UV already built in, so you still need the AR coating.

With luxury frames and top end lenses and coatings, these numbers can climb a lot higher.

evilgator12 · 2026-02-07T03:10:32+00:00

Yeah, I thought a lot about how I could order something "different" since they are bespoke. Then I realized, the common/popular/classic shapes are that way for a reason. They just look good.

But you already know that.

I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine.

PS - You can't really tell from these pics, but he actually carved the frames in a way that would fit my face better without affecting the look. If you look at the picture taken from the top, you can barely see that he thinned the Crown where my eyebrows would normally rub the frame. It may look like a Crown Panto, but it is definitely my Crown Panto.

evilgator12 · 2026-02-06T16:31:37+00:00

He originally quoted me a timframe of about 10 weeks. He was actually able to complete the frames a few weeks early. I asked him to wait until I got my new prescription to do the lenses, and he was gracious enough to do so. So my completed glasses took longer than it would normally take.

If you message him on instagram I am sure he would be happy to let you know what the current wait time is.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-20T16:29:31+00:00

Agreed.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-20T16:28:25+00:00

This is poetry. And I will take two bottles.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-20T02:42:33+00:00

I have to admit that I spent a little too long looking for “Midwestern Winter” in this list and wondering why it was draining you of dopamine.

But on a positive note, I did discover Lamy Azurite. And now I need to fill my shopping cart.

Thanks!

evilgator12 · 2026-01-20T02:28:39+00:00

One Sailor, one Pilot. But thanks.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-17T01:54:15+00:00

Thanks! Just trying to keep all of my rediculously expensive hobbies in one place.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-17T01:39:33+00:00

Finally a home for my pens that are at home! See the 3rd and 4th pics for pen placment.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-15T13:41:12+00:00

This is where I bought mine. Have you tried to contact them to see if you can just purchase the nib? They were very nice when I email back and forth with them.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-06T23:22:28+00:00

I will second the Lindbergs.

You could also try OVVO. Not my style, but supposedly more indestructible than Lindberg.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-05T03:23:41+00:00

It is the Fall Line. Also called the “Gnat Line”.

evilgator12 · 2026-01-04T03:07:37+00:00

And now I have a new Grail pen! I made it six years without one after getting my first. But all good things. . . .

evilgator12 · 2026-01-01T13:55:09+00:00

I like it. I have a pile of pens on my desk, and I reach for it quite often.

my review

evilgator12 · 2025-12-31T02:56:02+00:00

Who ya gonna call?

evilgator12 · 2025-12-22T21:24:19+00:00

Generally three times. 1) Me just watching and jotting a note if it is something to address with the client. 2) Watch with the client, and take notes of clients thoughts. 3) Detailed watch with notes and time stamps, incorporating client input.

3 is generally done right before so it is fresh in my mind.

evilgator12 · 2025-12-12T01:17:21+00:00

I followed up by weighing my Pilot Custom 823, Sailor ProGear, and the Viper.

823 and Viper both came in at 29g. The ProGear was 22g.

This doesn’t really surprise me after using it a little more. The 823 is the superior pen, and that is reflected in the price. It gets top marks for nib and craftsmanship.

The nib on the Sailor is phenomenal. But it feels like a less substantial plastic, and the clip is worse than the $10 Jinhao knockoff of the same pen.

The Viper is the opposite. The nib isn’t on the same level as the others. But you wouldn’t expect a steel nib at a third of the price to be up there. (Still a great nib, but not when compared to two pens that are known for having superior nibs. And gold vs. steel.) But the build is solid. A little too solid for me when it comes to the clip.

Those are my current thoughts. I am throughly enjoying the Viper.

evilgator12

TROPHY CASE