Is there such a thing as an ideal size and shape? Probably not, not even for a pen. However, there may be an ideal shape for a purpose. For me, a pen is more than just a pen. It is a productivity device, a quintessential tool of a knowledge worker before computers. The tradeoffs easily explained …
The appeal of bigger pens
Small, medium, or large pens? Which are better? There are pens in every size. Which should one choose? In this discussion, I favor the bigger options, but I will try to stay fair. Big or heavy? What is the optimal weight of a pen? The number is somewhere between 10 and 50 grams. Anything lighter …
Choosing your inks
If you have a fountain pen, you are trying to find the perfect ink for that pen. If you have many pens, you mix and match. This is a sort of art, chemistry, and something else… Why should you do it and how to do it properly? Three colors everyone needs If you have a …
Calligraphy with kids
One of the most rewarding experiences I had with my kids was practicing calligraphy together. The activity is good training for motoric skills, creativity, memory. And it is also not very expensive but very rewarding. Disclaimer I will be honest. It has very little to do with actual professional calligraphy. We do not care if …
Calligraphy tools: dip pen vs fountain pen
So, suppose you want to learn more beautiful writing. Now what? Do you take several calligraphy courses, or simply practice with a font? Are you buying a fountain pen or a dip pen? Is the new hobby worthy of your investment? This and more in the head-to-head comparison… Why even learn calligraphy? We need to …
Continue reading “Calligraphy tools: dip pen vs fountain pen”
A pen captures the sole of the writer
A pen is more than just a tool, it is a vehicle of enlightenment. This is not a smart branding of a pen manufacturer, it is ancient wisdom common for many cultures. Just like a sword is a continuation of the warrior’s will, a pen is a continuation of the philosopher’s soul. Can this idea …
Pen holders and racks
One of the points in having a premium pen is proudly displaying it on your work desk. Pen holders can have additional functions, for example as a paperweight. Why do we really need pen holders and how well do they protect our pens? Pen in the drawer Let us start with the alternative. While a …
The history of fonts
Where do the fonts we use come from? Which fonts are easier to read? Why are there so many fonts? Let us discuss the history of fonts and what it means for us. Typeface Fonts do not exist alone, they are a part of a larger family often called typeface. And the typeface is a …
The rise and fall of cursive writing
Up until recently, in all English-speaking countries children learned printed and cursive letters. Reading and writing flawlessly cursive texts was a sign of penmanship. Today it is being replaced by typing. Our kids do not understand the journals written by our parents. Is it such a big deal? What are we actually losing? Who stopped …
The role of the pen in your pocket
This is another creativity exercise. What exactly is the role of the pen in your life? How do you separate function vs fashion, culture vs individual need? A pen is one of the most basic devices of a knowledge worker. That’s why I find it almost mesmerizingly interesting. Sell me this pen The article started …