Review by Tina Koyama “Play your notes, to hear the sounds of pencil on paper.” It’s hard to resist an invitation like that! Under the MD Paper Products name, Midori makes understated pens, notebooks, letter-writing paper, planners and other products. It also makes colored and graphite pencils to match that muted esthetic. Today I’m reviewing…
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Link Love: In A Friend-zy!
I’m not the only person at The Desk who has had a change in career this month. Ms. Jesi also started a new job this month and, much to my delight, the company she is working for is headquartered here in Kansas City. So, this week, Jesi had to fly to KC to come to…

Preview: Cult Pens Japanese Product Advent Calendar
First, I have to honest with you all, I have been a terrible advent calendar buyer. I didn’t open my first Diamine Inkvent calendar until the following July. And last year’s Inkvent calendar? It’s still in the packaging. I feel like I was intimidated by needing to swatch and sample 24 inks in the month…

Pencil Review: Vintage EF Blackwing 602
This post will hopefully answer the question: Is it worth it to seek out a vintage Blackwing 602? I have wanted a vintage Blackwing 602 just to try it out, since before this blog was even a twinkle in my eye. At the same time, I’ve never really wanted to spend $100 for an unsharpened…

FPD Giveaway Winners!
Thanks to everyone who entered our FPD Ink and Col-o-ring Giveaway. I hope everyone had an awesome Fountain Pen Day! Here are our 5 winners: Each has been contacted directly via email.

Link Love: We Love Cats and Ink! And Cat Ink!
This week is full of delightful tidbits from across the pen community. There is a link to an illustrated Pen Zine, Dominant Industry made custom ink colors for Wonder Pens in colors inspired by the shop cats (of course), Crónicas Estilográficas writes about the Kanji nib for the Japanese Lamy and A Fleeting Ripple lists…

Fountain Pen Review: Platinum Plaisir Aura (Special Edition 2022)
I can’t believe, in over 12 years of blogging about fountain pens, I’ve never reviewed a Platinum Plaisir. Thanks to Gentleman Stationer for sending over this extra special Platinum Plaisir Aura 2022 Special Edition ($41 available in 3 colors). This model of the Plaisir is a little bit fancier than the standard model (approx. $18)…