Welcome to Glenn's Pens
Your pen, an expression of you.
In an era of toss away and replaceable items, your fountain pen becomes one of your permanent possessions. From the moment you select your pen, to the pleasure of its ongoing use, there is an attachment you build with your pen. Your pen is personal. After all, your pen so very personal. The writing experience is personal and depending on the nib, it actually changes to reflect how you hold and use your pen.
If communication is a personal experience, a fountain pen is a fine accompaniment to this process.
Not only does the nib responds to your use, but the selected ink gives your writing a very personal characteristic.
I am an avid user of fountain pens, and Glenn's Pens is all about fountain pens, inks, stores and companies and the pleasure of owning and using a personally selected fountain pen. I hope you find the information on this site useful.
Your Writing Experience
Your writing experience is a combination of your pen, the selection of ink and the paper you use. Fountain pens bring these three elements together seamlessly.
The pen, its size and shape determines how you hold the pen in your hand. A pen too big or small impacts how the nib rests on the paper and the writing line you will create. Fountain pens have a variety of nib options. While the ball of ball point pen is very similar; here, the fountain pen stands unique. From fine, medium, broad or stub the pen nib gives character to your pen strokes. Nibs can be firm or have flex... more options to make your pen and reflection of you.
Inks come in a variety of colours. The writing results vary from colours and tones that show shading as you write to a consistent line of colour. The colour! Oh the colours that are available enhance the writing experience.
Paper has its own characteristics and is an important part of the writing experience. The tactile experience of the receiver in the holding the paper is never to be underestimated.
Pen Stores
I visit pen stores when I travel, and I find some to be what I consider a great pen store. In my earlier travels, when I would arrive in a city, I would be looking in phone books, or asking at the hotel front desk about the possible location of pen stores.
I started collecting names and addresses of pen stores and published a listing - Directory of Stores. The first list was created some 20 years ago.
I also created a list of Great Pen Stores/Stores of Note. Recommended as such because of the selection, service, product line or atmosphere of the store.
I thank those who visit the site and provide recommendations of pen stores they have come across. Please send me a note with your thoughts on stores, pens or inks. Updates are greatly appreciated. Things change, in terms of store locations, and sadly, stores do close. All updates are greatly appreciated.
Inks
Fountain pens require ink.
Luckily, there is a wide selection of ink and not every ink performs the same with every brand of pen. I provide Ink Reviews to try to help.
Of course colours differ by monitors, but hopefully the reviews will be found helpful.
Plume et Bille - The art of the card
Plume et Bille, in Paris, brings together the style of pens, paper, ink and related accessories. The art of writing and connecting with others. When I received a card at Christmas, complete with a Plume & Bille stamp - well a new level has been attained! Christmas is a time when we reach out to others, but that can take place at any time. Use your tools, a pen, ink and paper. Need inspiration with the tools, next time in Paris, visit Plume & Bille.
Edelstein Ink of the Year
For 2019, Ruby Star is the Ink of the Year. This is a beautiful bright red ink.
Vancouver Pen Club Leonardo Officina Italiana Memento Zero
When the pens arrived in Vancouver there was a common response: più bello di quanto pensassi. The colour of the Sand resin have many variation of tones. The stripes, Salvatore referred to this as spagetti, accent the length of the pen.
scribo ink - a standout ink
Scrittura Bolognese, simply abbreviated to SCRIBO has a created a standout line of inks. I was excited when I had the chance to see ink samples when I was at the SCRIBO studio in Bologna in 2019.
During 2020 the ink has become available through a number of leading pen retailers. This is a good think, as now more people can enjoy writing with this ink.
In my review I talk about the experience you will have with the stunning ink bottle as well as to writing with the ink. Bravo to SCRIBO with their dedication for the experience of writing to create an ink of this quality, and package the ink within a stunning ink bottle, within a high quality box contained. This is the full meal deal.
In 2020, COVID-19 gave us all time to do other things than our normal lives. Mine was the search for the perfect grey ink. I tried many brands, used the inks in many different pens. While I have a list of inks ranking at the top, the ink I consistently like the best is Grigio Scribo by SCRIBO. Scrittura Bolognese, simply abbreviated to SCRIBO, had an ink produced with a rich colour. The ink has excellent writing characteristics. I like the flow. There is a reasonable dry time. The ink dries to a nice flat finish. No glisening. No shinny finish that often remains sticky. Just a beautiful rich toned grey that comes in an incredibly attract ink bottle. Bravo Scrittura Bolognese. Molto bene.
About Pens
This section of the site includes general information about fountain pens.
I also include photes and reviews of my Pens of Note. These are the pens in my collection that I particularly enjoy how they feel to hold and my writing experience.
Crevinia Trasparente
I now own the stunning Crevinia Trasparente fountain pen. I will be add my review shortly to the site. This is an 80 year old celluloid pen. When at Novelli Pen in Rome when I saw the Crevinia Trasparente I just knew that had to be my pen.
The Leonard line of pens is a fine example of high quality Italian craftmanship. The pens are excellent value. The Grande line was added in the Fall 2019. I provide a review of the Momento Zero Grande, Sand.
Leonardo Officina Italiana, Momento Zero, Vancouver Pen Club
Leonardo Officina Italiana creates an exclusive pen for the Vancouver Pen club.
Leonardo Messenger
Leonardo Officina Italiana continues to be an innovative pen company. At the beginning of 2020 they issued the Messenger Collection. Since 2020 has 366 days, the production is limited to 366 pens in each of the five colours (green, red, carmel, aqua and orange).
SCRIBO, formed by former employees of OMAS, have created the Feel line of pens. A great writing experience.
I have had the pleasure of meeting with Luca Baglione, CEO & Co-Founder. Information about the company is included at the link below..
» About Scrittura Bolognese - SCRIBO
Momento Zero Grande Girasole
Oh the Italian connection. My Girasole - Sun Flower. Close my eyes and I see endless fields of sunflowers. Open my eyes and I see a beautiful Leonardo Momento Zero Grande pen in my hand.
Returned from Italy at the end of the September 2018 brining back an exciting new pen by Leonardo Officina Italiana - the Furore.