My brother bought me a Faber-Castell similar to this one when I started a new job (getting on for 20 years ago)
rollerball and no lid so it actually gets carried and used where a fountain pen (for me) simply wouldn’t. I also like that compared to a gold montblanc it’s really discrete but every single time it’s been passed to someone in a meeting it gets a nod of “ooh that’s a nice pen”
Nice to hold and use. Not to showey
https://www.faber-castell.co.uk/products/Ambitionpearwoodrollerballreddishbrown/148111
When I graduated Uni in 2004 my dad got me a Montblanc Meisterstuck Ballpoint and matching Mechanical Pencil which are still in use to this day and actually in front of me as I type this, they are used every day and now my son also uses them for his school work - also to add my Ballpoint works perfectly and it’s quite a while since I bought a refill
"If fountain pens the order of the day then the TWSBI is hard to beat without spending silly money."
I'd have agreed every time (I've got 3 or 4 TWSBIs)... until I got one of these with the 'Architect' nib. Very much the best fountain pen I've ever used (and I'm a bit of a geek on this and probably own around 40 of the things!). They do a full-length version too.
Pocket Fountain Pen – Compact, Balanced, and Versatile – Tom's Studio
Haha, same here, gone through all the usual suspects as part of the journey but haven’t added anything to the collection or kept up to date with news for the last few years. They look awesome. Studio Pocket with pro flex when they come back looks a nice way to get back into things for me…
Reading this thread has cost me £100 on a vintage fountain pen I didn't know I needed or wanted, got to love STW
Pen always sounds like a nice idea. Until you misplace it or can’t get refills. I had a nice Mont Blanc set, which I lost, and seldom used. Instead and for left-field, if you want something practical and will always be used, I presume she will work at a desk? How about a nice classic desk lamp like an Anglepoise? I bought one for a significant work milestone anniversary. Practical, used every day, not going to lose it (it’s sits on the desk), stylish and classic. I love it.
Work practices may change, but there will always be a need for light.
Instead and for left-field
Speaking of left-field,
IME, pens with a nib - fountain pens, cartridge pens - are awful to use left-handed. Right-handed you pull the pen across the page, left-handed you push it driving a sharp nib into the paper. Also depending on your writing style you might wind up dragging the heel of your hand through the still-wet ink.
Got a Mont Blanc Meisterstück from my wife for the graduation, that‘s now almost 25 years ago. It‘s great, feels perfect in my hand and I love to use it even though it‘s not very often. If she loves to write, a luxury pen is a gift she‘ll never forget.
