Whiskers & Paws: December 2016 Edition

Just letting you know it's time for breakfast.

Why do they always help with the sheets?

A pensive morning for Tyco.

Thinking time is over. Time for naps.

Peaches chooses to be alert at all times BECAUSEYOUNEVERKNOWWHATCOULDHAPPEN.

Nakaya Nibs & Video: Elastic, Medium, Medium Soft, Broad, Music @Iguana_Sell

Iguana Sell, one of my kind sponsors, recently lent me a set of their Nakaya nib testers. These are the pens Iguana Sell has in store - when you visit their boutique, you can try out these Nakaya nibs. They are raw black ebonite bodies with the nib grade engraved on them. They're actually quite interesting, but that's not the focus.

Check out Iguana Sell's selection of Nakayas - many of which are IN STOCK.

The nibs here are: elastic fine (modified), medium, soft medium, broad, and music stub. The elastic fine is the only nib that has to be modified by Nakaya, with the wing cut outs in the shoulders of the nib. The others are available from Nakaya without modification.

ELASTIC FLEXIBLE FINE

Nakaya describes the elastic flexible fine as the same line size as the soft fine (0.28 - 0.34 mm), but with more flexibility, and slightly more line variation. It has a very elastic sensation to it, and it takes less pressure to achieve line variation than with the soft nibs (or regular nibs). A light hand will not produce any line variation, but mild pressure will give a bit of flex. It bounces back pretty quickly. 

MEDIUM

Nakaya describes the medium nib as a smooth writer, suitable for general writing. It is a firm nib, with a line of around 0.34 - 0.44 mm. It's on the firmer side, but it's not very, very rigid. It is a lovely nib, and is indeed suitable for general use. 

MEDIUM SOFT

Nakaya describes the medium soft nib as a smooth writer, like the medium, suitable for general writing, but with a touch more variation. It is a slightly soft nib, with a line of around 0.4 - 0.5 mm. If you don't want an elastic nib for a more bouncy writing experience, the soft nib is nice because it feels a little cushioned.

BROAD

Nakaya describes the broad nib suitable for manuscript and address writing, with a line of 0.44 - 0.54 mm. I like this nib as it is smooth and wet, and for my style, is still perfectly usable for daily writing. It is not super rigid, but it's not all that soft either. 

MUSIC STUB

Nakaya describes the music nib as one with two slits, so you can write with a stub without a scratchy sensation. It produces a line of around 0.9 - 1.0 mm, and I must admit, it's a lovely, magical nib. I have a hard time deciding between this one and the elastic flexible modifications. It is smooth and wet, and an absolute pleasure to use. It's on the firm side, though, unlike flexible vintage music nibs.

ELASTIC FLEXIBLE FINE VS. SOFT MEDIUM

What do you think? Which might be one that interests you? I love the two tone nibs. I think they look so classy!

Reference:
Nakaya Nib Information Page

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These nibs were lent to me so I could review them and share them with you here! I was not compensated monetarily or in any other way for this review.

Wordless Wednesday

Ink Shot Review: Montblanc Miles Davis Jazz Blue @couronneducomte

The new Montblanc Special Edition Great Characters ink - Miles Davis Jazz Blue ink! Thank you to La Couronne du Comte for sending a bottle for review!

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ABOUT

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Color: Blue
Bottle: 1 oz/30 ml
Price: €15,60
Where to buy: La Couronne du Comte

DISCOUNT CODE for 10%: GOURMET10 (excludes Montblanc)

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PROS

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• Pretty bottle.
• Very easy to clean.
• Shades nicely in wide, wet nibs.

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CONS

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• Somewhat expensive for 30 ml of ink!
• Fairly unsaturated.
• Not very legible in very fine or dry nibs.
• Almost no water resistance.

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OVERALL

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I'm not wild about this ink. I like the bottles a lot and I don't mind unusual colors, but this one is just too unsaturated for regular use in my rotation. One of the most positive things about it is that it's very easy to clean out of pens, which is great if you have a hard to clean pen, or a vintage pen that is difficult to clean thoroughly.

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I received this item free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion.

Sunday Reads: December 25. 2016

Merry Christmas!

Stuff I Looked At Elsewhere

• Frogs are fascinating little creatures - Bored Panda.
• SBREBrown's GOAT pens for 2016!
• Top influential photos - Bored Panda.
• Whimsical storybook beasts and birds - Colossal
• No knead cloverleaf rolls - Shutterbean.
• Tiny animal sculptures - Bored Panda.
• Graham cracker toffee cake - Averie Cooks.
• Moist and fluffy vanilla cake - Life, Love and Sugar.
• A day in the life of baby coral - Ted.
• The benefits of controlled breathing - NY Times.
• Ditch your smartphone for a planner - Buzzfeed.
• Rare deep sea ghost shark - Twisted Sifter.
• Mongolian throat singing - Twisted Sifter.
• Cats have a mysterious power - CNN. 

Stuff I Apparently Did This Week

• Madrid Pen Show 2016: Close Ups!
• Wordless Wednesday
• Magpie Syndrome: My Favorite Pens of 2016

Stuff I Read This Week

• Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ - Julie Enders
• Make it Stop - Louise Fox
• Scars - Cheryl Rainfield

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Thank you to everyone who supports my weirdness.

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