Montegrappa extra 1930 red fountain pen UK 2025: Picking up this pen after an interval, is always a joy. Its contours and weight all suggest quality, although in terms of Montegrappa’s range of fountain pens, it might be ranked as entry level to the upper echelons. Unusually, it was available with a choice of steel or gold nib. On re-inking the pen recently I found in the following days, that the pen always left an inky stain on my second finger where I had rested the pen – rather like a smoker’s finger. Despite wiping the section carefully, this continued. I deduced that the ink was coming from behind the flared metal ring at the point where it meets the black resin section. Initially I thought that perhaps the ring had not been glued and sealed sufficiently such that ink would get trapped behind it when dipping in an ink bottle. To investigate, I flushed the pen and then unscrewed the nib and feed unit. The nib housing simply unscrews from the section. To my surprise, the metal ring then came off the section: it was not glued on at all. (Note: if disassembling a pen over a basin, be sure to have the plug in). Monte Grappa nib disassembled. Note that the metal ring is not glued into place. Note also that the rubber O ring sits on the back of the nib housing. Read extra information on https://www.penshop.co.uk/product/montegrappa-extra-otto-butterfly-fountain-pen.
Most fountain pen manufacturers issue their new pens with a medium grade nib. There is no industry standard to define the specific width of a medium grade nib, and so nibs will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Medium grade nibs are generally suitable for the majority of people who choose to write with a fountain pen. However, alternatives are available. People who have small handwriting can struggle to write with a fountain pen whose medium nib will be simply too broad for their penmanship. The problem? When they form the letters e, a, and o, the letters will look the same, while the circular elements of the letters d, p and b will fill with ink. Exchanging this person’s medium nib for a fine grade nib will transform their writing experience and allow them to write with the definition and the style that only comes from writing with a beautiful fountain pen.
Consider gifting a high-quality pen alongside a handwritten note. This gesture elevates the gift, showing that you not only value the recipient but also the art of writing itself. It’s a simple yet profound way to convey your appreciation, whether it’s for a colleague’s hard work, a friend’s support, or a loved one’s kindness. Pens are versatile gifts suitable for various occasions. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, wedding, or a simple “thank you,” a pen can fit the bill. Here are some occasions where a pen makes an excellent gift: Graduation Ceremonies – Graduations are monumental milestones in one’s life. A pen symbolizes the knowledge gained and the journeys yet to come. Gifting a pen to a graduate encourages them to write their future, set goals, and document their experiences. A personalized pen engraved with their name or graduation date adds an extra layer of sentimentality.
Like traditional ink pens, gel pens consist of a barrel housing the writing mechanism, a cap, and a reservoir that can be refilled with ink. A “follower” of more dense, gelled material – typically transparent – follows the water-based ink at the tip of the ink tube. Ink leakage and reverse flow are key problems the follower helps to solve. The barrels can be made with different designs, with some featuring rubber or plastic finger grips. Nib or pen tip dimensions are between 0.18 and 1.5 millimeters (0.0071 and 0.059 inches).
Ballpoint pens manufacturers supply their pens with a medium grade point in either blue or black ink. The most popular colours for ballpoint refills are black and blue. Red and green are common alternatives. A key difference between rollerball and ballpoint pen types is the ink the two pens use. Rollerballs use water-based ink, which can easily smudge, while the oil-based ink in a ballpoint pen dries quickly. Oil-based inks, then, are harder to smudge on the page – but ballpoint ink leaks and spillages can be difficult if not impossible to remove. Ballpoint pens work when the small ball bearing at the tip of the nib is rolled onto paper. The casing of the ball bearing is so tight that the rolling motion creates friction, and it is this friction, which makes the ink inside the pen flow onto the paper.