TonyJones
February 13th, 2013, 05:39 AM
With my job, I needed a sturdy and reliable pen that could handle a little bit of bashing around when not in use, wasn't too expensive in case of damage or loss, and provided me with reliable service.
It accompanies me up and down the railway as I search out failures on the electrical and signalling equipment, writing notes and keeping a track record of my progress. It is there to write down whatever information is required when I am maintaining equipment, so there is a record of the voltages, resistances, timings and currents.
1699
Not me in there, by the way.
When problems arise, and there is a need to divert circuits, or bypass contacts on relays, I'm required to amend the technical drawings in red to show what it is I have done, to ensure that any other worker that may have a hand in the equipment knows that there are amendments.
At the end of my day, I need to complete an entry into my work diary detailing the activities of the day, a concise account of any faults, and anything that would require following up. I write the hours that I've worked. This diary is important, it is my go to source of accurate information, and at times has helped me when trouble would rear it's ugly head.
Historically, it has always been up the humble, cheap, and utterly crap ballpoint pen to complete this. What a bore it was. I'd have 4 or 5 pens in varying states, from appearing full of ink but bone dry, or smashed, or just not putting ink down at all. Frustrating and annoying.
Then, I used a fountain pen. It felt real good to write for once. Flowing, light, and a whole plethora of adjectives could describe what you know these pens are. The smallest excuse to write is enough!
Well, my workhorse is a Lamy Safari, which I think rocks! When I bought it with a medium nib and cartridges, it was pretty sweet. When I bought a fine nib, a converter and some Diamine Onyx Black, it was even better! My brief foray into Asa Blue was lovely, but I had to come back for a while.
Writing has slowed down for me. Rather than being a recorder of tasks, it is now a task that I take time with. I enjoy using my pen, regardless of my shitty handwriting, and use it at every opportunity. No longer do I use Evernote for my shopping/to-do list. Pen and paper is back.
Hell, I've even just bought a Lamy Vista and some Diamine Poppy Red, purely for technical amendments.
I eagerly await the release of the TWSBI 580, which I hope looks as good as the clear 540. Next, I save for my first £100+ pen, the Visconti Homo Sapiens. I love the fact that it is partly made using lava from Etna, a more earthly material that any metal, and has a nib made of Palladium, the metal that the partner and I have decided to use as our wedding rings.
1698
Add to this, my wanting of inks. The beauty of Iroshizuku and Pelikan bottles, the Noodlers and Conway Stewart colours. I need to buy a writing desk for all of this!
1697
I am truly sold on these little writing instruments.
It accompanies me up and down the railway as I search out failures on the electrical and signalling equipment, writing notes and keeping a track record of my progress. It is there to write down whatever information is required when I am maintaining equipment, so there is a record of the voltages, resistances, timings and currents.
1699
Not me in there, by the way.
When problems arise, and there is a need to divert circuits, or bypass contacts on relays, I'm required to amend the technical drawings in red to show what it is I have done, to ensure that any other worker that may have a hand in the equipment knows that there are amendments.
At the end of my day, I need to complete an entry into my work diary detailing the activities of the day, a concise account of any faults, and anything that would require following up. I write the hours that I've worked. This diary is important, it is my go to source of accurate information, and at times has helped me when trouble would rear it's ugly head.
Historically, it has always been up the humble, cheap, and utterly crap ballpoint pen to complete this. What a bore it was. I'd have 4 or 5 pens in varying states, from appearing full of ink but bone dry, or smashed, or just not putting ink down at all. Frustrating and annoying.
Then, I used a fountain pen. It felt real good to write for once. Flowing, light, and a whole plethora of adjectives could describe what you know these pens are. The smallest excuse to write is enough!
Well, my workhorse is a Lamy Safari, which I think rocks! When I bought it with a medium nib and cartridges, it was pretty sweet. When I bought a fine nib, a converter and some Diamine Onyx Black, it was even better! My brief foray into Asa Blue was lovely, but I had to come back for a while.
Writing has slowed down for me. Rather than being a recorder of tasks, it is now a task that I take time with. I enjoy using my pen, regardless of my shitty handwriting, and use it at every opportunity. No longer do I use Evernote for my shopping/to-do list. Pen and paper is back.
Hell, I've even just bought a Lamy Vista and some Diamine Poppy Red, purely for technical amendments.
I eagerly await the release of the TWSBI 580, which I hope looks as good as the clear 540. Next, I save for my first £100+ pen, the Visconti Homo Sapiens. I love the fact that it is partly made using lava from Etna, a more earthly material that any metal, and has a nib made of Palladium, the metal that the partner and I have decided to use as our wedding rings.
1698
Add to this, my wanting of inks. The beauty of Iroshizuku and Pelikan bottles, the Noodlers and Conway Stewart colours. I need to buy a writing desk for all of this!
1697
I am truly sold on these little writing instruments.