Retrospective: Retro 51 Fountain Pens & Rollerballs

Retrospective: Retro 51 Fountain Pens & Rollerballs

By Jessica Coles The Retro 51 news hit me hard.  If you haven’t heard yet, Retro 51 announced that they would be retiring and closing the business at the end of the year. I’ve loved Retro 51 pens since I first became enamored with pens and the first two pens I purchased in a brick-and-mortar pen…

Fountain Pen Review: Ensso XS Minimalist Pocket Fountain Pen

Review by Laura Cameron Being of small hands, I’m always up for trying cute pocket pens. So when Ana sent over the Ensso XS Minimalist Pocket Fountain Pen in Silver Aluminum ($59) that she backed on Kickstarter, I was excited to give it a try! Ensso is committed to building “Sleek, minimal, and modern pens…

Pen Review: Esterbook Lilac Slim Estie

Pen Review: Esterbook Lilac Slim Estie

I couldn’t resist styling the new Esterbrook Estie Lilac Slim (MSRP $185US) with my most matchy-matchy handbag. Can you blame me? Seriously though, I was very excited to hear about the new Estie Lilac and to find out that they had introduced a smaller, slimmer version was an added bonus. But first, let’s cover all…

Fountain Pen Review: Aurora Duo Cart (“Vespa” Green)

Fountain Pen Review: Aurora Duo Cart (“Vespa” Green)

The Aurora Duo-Cart in “Vespa” Green (okay, they just call it green but really it’s vintage Vespa green ….. if you want to get specific, its early 50s All-State VBB green. But, let’s not be that scooter nerdy, shall we?) Suffice it to say, that when I saw the new Aurora Duo-Cart colors, I knew…

Fountain Pen Review: Esterbrook Estie Honeycomb (Medium Nib)

Fountain Pen Review: Esterbrook Estie Honeycomb (Medium Nib)

Both Jesi and Laura have already reviewed the Easterbrook Estie already but I was feeling left out so I wanted my chance to try this new incarnation of the Esterbrook brand. I was able to get an Esterbrook Estie Honeycomb with gold hardware and a medium nib. I won’t talk much about the history of…

Fountain Pen Review: Opus 88 Fantasia (Broad Nib)

Fountain Pen Review: Opus 88 Fantasia (Broad Nib)

After enjoying the Koloro and Picnic, I decided to try another Opus 88, the Fantasia ($104USD). It is a pen designed with a similar combination of ebonite and resin materials as the Koloro line but put together in a rainbow of variations. The cap features stripes of colors while the barrel is translucent, revealing the…