September 2024 pen challenge

[Farmer X]

My guess would be: quite a lot!

Day 23

Used the bLen to jot down a few quick notes during orientation. I'm on my way to the garage now!

 

Pen Challenge Day 23.jpg (Filesize: 126.74 KB)

[nate j]

Day 23

So, is the Bullet or the Infinium ultimately the better choice?

Well, it depends…


The Infinium may be the better pen for you if you:

• Prefer a thicker pen
• Write ALOT
• Generally don’t lose things
• Aren’t put off by the price tag

Conversely, the Bullet is probably the better pen for you if you:

• Prefer a slimmer pen
• Write a moderate amount (or less)
• Have a tendency to lose things
• Are more budget conscious

[nate j]

Day 24

What do I personally do with the Bullet and Infinium?

The Infinium lives at my desk in my home office.  The odds of it being lost from there are slim, as it never travels anywhere.  I fully expect it to last the rest of my life in that capacity.

The Bullet is the one I carry in my pocket every day.  It’s less expensive to replace if lost (which has happened at least once in the years I’ve been carrying a Bullet).  I only write a modest amount, so the extra ink afforded by the Infinium wouldn’t be a huge advantage for me.  And, one never knows when one might need to open a privacy lock.
 

[Farmer X]

I tend not to lose things, luckily. Yet I'm not sure which would be the better choice for me. The new job sees me doing more writing than I'd expected...and things get oily there.

Day 24

Making up a day, due to Wi-Fi being OOC. The Z-Grip Flight seems to be the work pen of choice.

 

Pen Challenge Day 24.jpg (Filesize: 116.15 KB)

[Farmer X]

Day 25

The Z-Grip Flight is posing with another useful work carry.

 

Pen Challenge Day 25.jpg (Filesize: 104.06 KB)

[nate j]

I tend not to lose things, luckily. Yet I'm not sure which would be the better choice for me. The new job sees me doing more writing than I'd expected...and things get oily there.

Fisher claims their pens write through grease, but this isn’t something I’ve personally had occasion to test.

Fisher makes other pens in addition to the Bullet and Infinium.  Most use the same ink cartridge as the Bullet.

There’s the Stowaway.  I had one, but I think my wife appropriated it and subsequently lost it.  IMO too small and not comfortable to write with, anyway.

There’s also the AG7 Original Astronaut Pen.  If you plan on using it to stimulate conversation at dinner parties, cool.  If you just want a clicky pen that uses the Fisher ink cartridge…

[nate j]

Day 25

Fisher’s ink cartridges come with a plastic adapter piece that allows them to be used with Parker-style pens, including the popular Parker Jotter.

[Heywood Floyd]

Day 25

Fisher’s ink cartridges come with a plastic adapter piece that allows them to be used with Parker-style pens, including the popular Parker Jotter.

Hear hear NJ

[Farmer X]

Still thinking about a Fisher space pen...

Day 26

I wonder what the bLen might look like after a few days as a work pen? I get pretty well covered with oil at work. (3-In-1 is seen simply because it was the only oil in my house.)

 

Pen Challenge Day 26.jpg (Filesize: 118.92 KB)

[nate j]

Hear hear NJ
(Image removed from quote.)

HF

That’s a beautiful old Parker too!

[nate j]

Day 26

Since we’re on the subject of Parkers, here’s my all-stainless Parker Jotter.

IMO, it’s a classy and well-made pen for around $12.

The included ink is fine for “normal” writing.  Alternatively, as noted above, you can get a Fisher cartridge for under $10 and swap it in.   So, you could have the benefits of Fisher ink in a good-looking and durable retractable pen for around $20 - $22.

[Farmer X]

I think I just might have to find me one of those Parker Jotters!

Day 27

My handwriting in the photo says it all.

 

Pen Challenge Day 27.jpg (Filesize: 68.28 KB)

[Farmer X]

Day 28

Used the F-301 to jot down a list of stuff that is no longer welcome in my life (or my house). Luckily I had enough good sense to snap a photo before I wrote the family-unfriendly heading.

 

Pen Challenge Day 28.jpg (Filesize: 119.62 KB)

[nate j]

Day 27

This is the Valtcan Titanium Pen.  I think they are going for about $60 - $80 ATM.

It’s a solid pen and feels good in the hand.

The bolt action makes it an outstanding fidget toy.

It will take Parker-style refills, including Fisher.


So why don’t I carry it more?

• Being a full-length pen, it is a bit challenging/uncomfortable to carry in a pants pocket (as I prefer).
• At 44 g, it is at least twice as heavy as every other pen I’ve showed in this thread to date.
• Even the lowest rent security guards are wise to the whole tactical pen/“glass breaker” thing.  I don’t often have to go through security checkpoints, but if I did this pen would be one more thing I would have to remember to leave at home.

[nate j]

Day 28

This no-name stainless steel pen features a functional handcuff key on the end.

[Farmer X]

A pen with a handcuff key...I'm unsure what to think of that one.

Day 29

Two essential items for fleet maintenance.

 

Pen Challenge Day 29.jpg (Filesize: 58.34 KB)

(Yes, I'm working today.)

[nate j]

Day 29

This, of course, is the Vic 91mm plus scale pen.

I may be in the minority, but I’m not a fan of these.

Can they be used to scrawl a few words in a pinch?
Yes.

However, they are so smurfing uncomfortable and awkward to use.  My handwriting suffers significantly, and I can’t really afford that, as it isn’t great to begin with.

YMMV, but I don’t have much use for these.  Rather, I find carrying a full-size pen to be well worth the weight.

[Farmer X]

  Not a knock on those who like the scale tool pen; I just prefer a dedicated writing instrument.

The pen challenge is ready to wrap up. It's been a fun one. Thanks to Nate for joining in, and to all who followed along!

Day 30

A group shot of all the pens I used, plus one I meant to use.

 

Pen Challenge Day 30.jpg (Filesize: 138.23 KB)

[nate j]

The pen challenge is ready to wrap up. It's been a fun one. Thanks to Nate for joining in

  FX

I agree it’s been a fun challenge.

[nate j]

Day 30

Here’s my group shot, to wrap things up.

[Farmer X]

  And there is a badge available for this one, too!