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Montegrappa pens UK 2025: The Montegrappa “Monte Grappa” fountain pen might not be perfect, but mine holds a special place in my heart. Montegrappa’s distinctive nib imprint and the “tunnel entrances” Monte Grappa cap ring. I first purchased one of these, in the pretty lilac colour with 14k gold medium nib, from Harrods in November 2019. It was an impulse buy, for which my conscience later suffered and I took it back a few days later. The story was told in my brief encounter post, for those who like fountain pen love stories. At home, I filled it with Diamine Conway Stewart Tavy, my go-to blue black, which immediately became its forever ink. A feature of the pen is the clicky piston filler which sounds and feels like winding a mechanical watch. You cannot see how much ink the pen is holding but can measure it by slowly ejecting the ink again and counting the drops. I am not sure whether purists call this a piston or a captive converter filler. I recall watching a short video from Montegrappa, proudly showing the patented new filling mechanism on its own, and explaining the various different materials that it comprised, (as related in my brief encounter post) but unfortunately I can no longer locate the video. See extra info at Montegrappa elmo 01 black fountain pen.

Most fountain pen manufacturers issue their new pens with a medium grade nib. There is no industry standard to define the specific width of a medium grade nib, and so nibs will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Medium grade nibs are generally suitable for the majority of people who choose to write with a fountain pen. However, alternatives are available. People who have small handwriting can struggle to write with a fountain pen whose medium nib will be simply too broad for their penmanship. The problem? When they form the letters e, a, and o, the letters will look the same, while the circular elements of the letters d, p and b will fill with ink. Exchanging this person’s medium nib for a fine grade nib will transform their writing experience and allow them to write with the definition and the style that only comes from writing with a beautiful fountain pen.

In today’s environmentally conscious world, selecting sustainable gifts is essential. Many brands now offer eco-friendly pens made from recycled materials or sustainably sourced wood. Choosing such options not only reflects your appreciation for the recipient but also demonstrates a commitment to the environment. At PenShop, we prioritize sustainability and offer a selection of eco-friendly pens that make perfect gifts for the environmentally conscious individual. Gifting a sustainable pen shows that you care about the recipient’s values and the planet. One of the most appealing aspects of gifting a pen is the opportunity for personalization. Many companies, including PenShop, offer engraving services that allow you to add names, initials, or special dates to the pen. This personal touch transforms an ordinary pen into a cherished keepsake.

Disposable stick pens are simplistic yet effective writing tools characterized by their straightforward design. The term “stick” alludes to their slim, straight barrel, which is typically made of lightweight material. Being disposable, they are intended for use until the ink runs out, after which they are generally discarded. Felt pens, often known as marker pens, are defined by their dynamic, bold writing and porous tips made of compressed felt fibers. Because these fibers absorb and distribute ink well, your brush strokes will be evenly saturated and consistent. The ink has a direct effect on the pen’s ability to write. Permanent inks last longer than water-based inks and don’t smudge as quickly, but they can still smear. These pens are excellent for taking notes and drawing because of the felt tip and vivid ink.

How to write smoothly with a rollerball pen? The key difference between rollerball and ball pen types is that rollerball pens use water-based rather than oil-based inks. Like fountain pens, then, their ink can smudge for a while, before it dries. With two line thicknesses, fine and medium, rollerballs write in a style that’s similar to that of a fountain pen, making them a popular and convenient alternative. All rollerball manufacturers offer either black or blue ink refills. Very few companies offer alternative colours, which is worth considering if you like to write with different coloured inks. We recommend that any ballpoint pen refill that has sustained damage to its writing tip be thrown away. This is because leakages of oil-based ballpoint pen ink happen slowly – but any stains they create can be difficult if not impossible to remove and can cause items to be beyond repair.