September 2024 pen challenge

[Farmer X]

Apologies for posting this in the 11th hour, but I've decided to undertake the pen challenge for September. (I'll need to double up in September if I want to meet my goal of 50 badges earned by year's end; I already have the the Delémont.badge.) Dictionary.com defines "pen" as follows:

1. Any of various instruments for writing or drawing with ink or a similar substance.

So, for the purposes of this challenge, if it's a (usually) cylindrical hand-operated instrument used to put ink on (again, usually) paper, it's allowed. Bring out your ballpoint pens, fountain pens, and even quill pens and Sharpies. Matters not if they cost $1 or $100. Mix it up or use one throughout the challenge; just post a photo every day in September. And yes, there is a badge for this challenge.

I'd sure be honored if I have another participant in this challenge!

1. Farmer X

[nate j]

Well, I was going to take September off of challenges.  But I can’t let you go it alone.

I only have a few pens, but will endeavor to keep it interesting.

1.  Farmer X
2.  nate j

This thread/challenge might get more play if it gets moved to the Gadget Freak & EDC subforum:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?board=11.0

[Farmer X]

I couldn't let you go it alone for the Giants of June challenge. Thanks for returning the favor! I'll see about getting the thread moved to the Gadget Freak and EDC subforum.

[Farmer X]

Day 1

Here we go!

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I anticipate having a lot of things to do this week and the following week. The freebie pen from VA Compensated Work Therapy was used to start making lists of those things.

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[nate j]

Day 1

As previously stated, I only have a relative handful of pens, so won’t be able to do thirty different ones in 30 days or anything like that.

So, part of what I’ve decided to do (particularly for the pens I do use regularly), rather than write one long (probably TL;DR for a lot of folks) post in a comprehensive review type format, is to pick one feature per day to highlight that contributes to the pen being one of my go-to options.

This, of course, is the Fisher Bullet.  This particular one is my EDC.

Looking at the closed form factor of the pen, its relatively short closed length of around 3 3/4”, as well as complete lack of any sharp corners, edges, or points, allow it to ride nicely and comfortably down in a pocket.  Anything from a watch pocket to a cargo pocket will generally work in my experience.

[nate j]

P.S.  I know we have at least a couple of fountain pen collectors here.  I’m surprised none of them have joined this challenge.

[Farmer X]

This, of course, is the Fisher Bullet.  This particular one is my EDC.

If memory serves me correctly, I had one of those during my enlistment.

I know we have at least a couple of fountain pen collectors here.  I’m surprised none of them have joined this challenge.

There was a challenge just for fountain pens a couple of years ago. It was fun to follow. Luckily I managed to dodge that rabbit hole.

Day 2

One thing got accomplished, one thing got added.

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[nate j]

Day 2

When open (with the cap on the back), the Fisher Bullet is nearly 5 3/8” long.

This makes it effectively a full-size pen.

[Farmer X]

 

Day 3

Things are getting done, as evidenced by the strike strikethrough marks. I got an action shot of me completing a form that has to be mailed back to California, but had to discard it due to just enough sensitive information being shown.

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[nate j]

Day 3

Most pens rely (at least in part) on gravity to get the ink out, so must be held at some approximation of vertical with the point down in order to work properly.

However, thanks to its pressurized cartridge, the Fisher Bullet is able to write consistently at any angle (including upside down, i.e. vertical with the point up), or even in zero gravity.

Now, I haven’t had the privilege of experiencing zero gravity, and I can’t recall a need to write upside down.  However, whether I’m filling out work permits, writing checks for my kids’ various activities, or signing up for the church picnic, I do find myself needing to write on vertical surfaces (i.e. holding the pen roughly parallel to the ground) fairly frequently.  Or perhaps it’s just that the nearest flat surface happens to be vertical.  Regardless, this causes problems with most standard ballpoint pens, but no issue at all for the Fisher.

[Farmer X]

I have no desire to experience zero gravity. But it's nice to know the Space Pen can handle it.

Day 4

Today I did something I haven't done in years: paid for pens.

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Neither store I visited today had my favorite cheap pen, the Zebra F-301, in stocks. But I did get a few other Zebra pens. Clockwise from left: a fountain pen ($2), a Z-Grip Flight ($1), and a bLen ($3.47 for a 2-pack).

Oddly enough, the Dollar General nearest my house has a rack full of loose pens, rather than more common carded packaging.

[nate j]

Day 4

The Fisher is rated to function anywhere between -30 F / -35 C and 250 F / 121 C.

So, it can withstand much more extreme temperatures than I could.

I do appreciate, however, that when I’m working or playing outside in the PA winter, I never have to worry about the Fisher quitting because it gets too cold (as lesser pens are prone to do).

[Farmer X]

I'm guessing you feel about extreme temperatures as I do. That is to say...

Day 5

The bLen was used to update the ol' to-do list.

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I had plans to make that a traveling pen, but I discovered a little issue there: the white finish has high potential to get dingy, and it's tough to clean. But as luck would have it, I may have found a better traveling pen.

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[nate j]

Day 5

With regard to water resistance, the paper is often the weakest link.

I don’t EDC it, but this small Rite in the Rain notebook rides in my hiking pack.

Even using standard paper, the Fisher ink doesn’t run at all when it gets wet.

[Farmer X]

  And a good reminder that I promised a fellow MTo member that I'd look for a RITR product.

Day 6

Don't worry...I was waiting on a delivery.

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That may well be the worst haiku ever, but at least I got some practice in.

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[nate j]

Day 6

All Fisher Bullet pens are machined from brass.  Perhaps the most common version is chrome plated, but a wide variety of coatings and platings (as well as raw brass versions) are available.

I carried and used a chrome-plated model for years, until it went MIA at work.  (It’s possible I lost it; I think someone stole it, but I digress.)  I do wish I still had it, or at least some pictures, as the chrome plating had started to wear off in spots and show the brass underneath.

The model that I carry daily and have been showing in this thread is gold titanium nitride plated.  It’s a bit salty at roughly twice the price of the chrome-plated version (which isn’t terribly cheap to begin with), but worth it IMO.


Why titanium nitride?

The main reason is that it is extremely hard, i.e. HRC 79+.  It withstands years of carry and use while showing minimal wear.


Why the gold color?

Personal preference, but it’s classy, timeless, and looks good whether you’re pulling it out of the pocket of a pair of jeans or a tux.  If the gold is too flashy for you, Fisher offers black titanium nitride.  And, if it isn’t flashy enough, there’s rainbow titanium nitride.

[Farmer X]

Black titanium nitride appeals to me, but my bank account would likely veto it.

Day 7

A revised to-do list wad written. Whether I get all that smurf done remains to be seen.

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[nate j]

Black titanium nitride appeals to me, but my bank account would likely veto it.

Day 7

A revised to-do list wad written. Whether I get all that smurf done remains to be seen.

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I’ve seen the black titanium nitride in person, and it’s a  shiny, almost translucent black, understated but nice.

Your to-do list only requires that you complete one item per day to get it all done by 9/16.  I think you got this!

[nate j]

Day 7

Changing the ink cartridge in the Fisher Bullet is easy.  Simply remove the cap, unscrew the two halves of the pen, replace the old cartridge with the new one, and reassemble.

[Farmer X]

Your to-do list only requires that you complete one item per day to get it all done by 9/16.  I think you got this!

I'll have to double up on a couple of days. The 13th and the 14th are days for celebration.

[Farmer X]

Day 8

An item crossed off the to-do list.

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[nate j]

Day 8

These ink cartridges are, of course, the heart of the Fisher Bullet pen, and a big part of what makes them special.

Fisher estimates the cartridges have a shelf life of 100 years.  I’m not sure how they came up with this estimate, considering the company was founded in 1966.  Regardless, I somehow doubt I will be around long enough to personally put this claim to the test.

[Farmer X]

I won't last that long, either!

Day 9

I'm pretty sure I used the pen in the photo to write the list of hiking trails. The list of badges I might be able to earn needs some updating...

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[nate j]

Day 9

Black medium is the standard cartridge that is provided with all Fisher Bullets, and has always been sufficient for my needs.  However, Fisher offers refills with fine, medium, or bold points in a wide range of colors.

[Farmer X]

During my enlistment, I was restricted to black ink. I've come to appreciate different colors since then.

Day 10

I used the fountain pen to write out a revised to-do list, in part because my start date was pushed back.

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I spoke to a VA Compensated Work Therapy counselor earlier today. She seemed surprised that the fountain pen came from the factory with green ink.

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[nate j]

During my enlistment, I was restricted to black ink. I've come to appreciate different colors since then.

In addition to common colors, Fisher offers some more unusual ones, including purple, brown, and silver.

I worked for a company years ago that only allowed blue ink to be used.  Photocopies were only to be made in black & white (never color), so it was easy to tell at a glance if a document was an original or a copy (because this was important for some reason).
🤷‍♂️

[nate j]

Day 10

Fisher claims that their refills last “3X Longer” than a standard pen.  Further digging reveals that they “will typically write more than 12,000 feet”.  I, of course, have not personally verified this.  Also, I have not been able to find any information on exactly what the comparison pen was.

[Farmer X]

12,000 feet is a little more than 2.25 miles. How did they arrive at that conclusion?

Day 11

An item off the to-do list and a snide comment made. This is a brief check-in for me, as I returned home from my errand to find my Wi-Fi OOC. That forced me to go to the library.

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[nate j]

12,000 feet is a little more than 2.25 miles. How did they arrive at that conclusion?

Unclear.  Perhaps they actually ran refills dry with some sort of testing and measuring apparatus.  Or it could be a calculated value based on a smaller sample.

[nate j]

Day 11

A Fisher ink cartridge can be used to open the type of privacy lock that has a small hole in the middle of the knob.