Mechanical pencil lead might seem like it’s the same from brand to brand, but the graphites are actually quite varied. Some brands use better lead than others and even sell high-end aftermarket lead separately from their pencils.
Think of mechanical pencil lead like a pen refill: the one that is included with your pencil might be fine, but it isn’t the only one you can use and it probably isn’t the best one available!
Lamy’s standarized fountain pen nibs aren’t particularly complex, but there are some basics concepts to know if you want to get the most out of them. Additionally, there are some long lists of details you might want to refer to that aren’t worth memorizing but will help you with your purchase.
This article will help you get your head around Lamy’s steel and gold fountain pen nibs.
Ever been handed a Tul pen or found one at the office and asked yourself, what kind of pen is this? Who makes Tul pens? Where do I buy Tul pens?
It happened to me and I know other people have had the same questions. So, what’s the deal with Tul pens?
Many people see fountain pens as occasional writing instruments, maybe for doing some journaling or writing a letter, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The right fountain pen can be a great everyday tool, even if it never approaches the tool-like functionality of a ballpoint pen.
Continue reading “How To Choose An Everyday Fountain Pen (And Some Recommendations)”
The Parker-style “G2” refill is one of the the most common pen refills sold today. The long-standing design is not only an internationally accepted standard, but it is a size and shape that is conducive to making great pens.
So with thousands of different pen bodies to choose from, which Parker-style G2 refills should you be buying?
The German company Schmidt makes some of the world’s best pen refills. Unfortunately it can be difficult to understand which one you need. This guide will help you work through your Schmidt pen refill problems.
If you are in the market for a short pen, there are many options. You can opt for a short fountain pen, a ballpoint, hybrid or gel… they are all available in small, stow-able sizes. And many of these pens will be quite usable thanks to some way to expand the pen is in use, so you can have comfort and convenience.
If you are in search of a great rollerball you have a lot of work ahead of you. There are many brands of rollerball pens and many styles of rollerball inks, as well as many sizes and colors.
We’ve done the testing and done the research to fine the best rollerball pens and rollerball refills available today.
As the saying goes, the best pen is the one you have with you when you need it. In keeping with at that, this is our guide to pocket pens — small, portable pens that you’ll never leave home without.
If you are looking for a great fountain pen under $50 you are going to have a lot of options. You might feel the pressure to spend more, but you certainly don’t have to!
This article will run through some of our favorite sub-$50 fountain pens sold today.
The modern ballpoint, which has a long and fascinating history, is still quite relevant. While many other pen types have come about and fountain pens have seen a serious resurgence, ballpoints have gotten much better as well.
Ballpoints are no longer the default writing utensil they once were, but they are still useful and pretty great.
One of the most popular questions we get asked here at Unsharpen.com is which pens people should buy, specifically which fountain pens under $100. This guide will attempt to help people with this popular problem.
2021 might feel off, but it’s September which means it’s just a third of the year away. Our 2020 Hobonichi Techo explainer was quite popular so we are following it up with a look at the Hobonichi Techo 2021 lineup.
This year is quite auspicious as it’s the 20th anniversary of the Hobonichi Techo lineup!
Continue reading “Hobonichi Techo 2021: The Information You Need”
There are few writing experiences that are more satisfying than a great gel pen. The right gel pen is buttery smooth, has an ink color that really pops, and is a pleasure to write with on all sorts of different paper. Gel pens are truly one of the best and most versatile ways to write on almost all paper types.
Mobile phones and laptops are great at a lot of things, but they have yet to surpass pen and paper for quick note taking. For that task you’ll want a notebook that is small, light, and readily available. We call those pocket notebooks.