Sigma of England

Someone might say I have a liking for tortoise finishing. It would be true since this is the second pen I own with that particular design. What I do know is that this new pen, a Sigma of England Style FP, looked very atractive with this mixed polished resin. It has an italic nib and it is surprisingly heavy, although not as long as I thought when I saw it for the first time: probably my sense of measurement is not very acurate!

Other things are equally suprising. First, the converter is in fact a plain piston. Initially you would think it will not hold well and that your Armani shirt (not that I own any of those!) will go to the waste bin because of some unfortunate leakage. Nothing of the sort. The converter holds well and the ink flows only through the expected exit: the excellent 14 carat nib, with an italic finish that allows you to create different thin-and-thick traces. Mind you, I own also a recently acquired second hand Conway Stewart and the Sigma nib is much less flexible. Even so, you can manage your calligraphy quite well.

I am thinking of making a table with several measurements and my own evaluation of writing comfort: I think length and weight are two essential aspects for selecting the right pen. But this will have to wait: for the moment I am busy with other things and can't devote much time to this blog neither to my little but ever growing fountain-pens collection. It will be enough for the moment to note down the main figures of this Sigma: 135 mm (total length), 115 mm (barrel length) and 139 mm (cap posted).

I purchased it at The Writing Desk for GPB 122,50 (excluding VAT and P&P). It took less than a couple of weeks top arrive and the parcel was a very well done to avoid any damage. A impeccable service throughout.

Bexley Simplicity

Received just yesterday, my new Bexley Simplicity is very atractive to the eye. Its Tortoise finish gives it a chameleonic appearance. It is made of acrylic resin with a couple of golden rings, one around the main body, the other near the end of the cap. Both ends are straight cut and the material is somewhat transparent so you can tell at a sight whether you have ink or not. The clip is golden material also and ends up in a small ball surrounded by a metallic arch in a shape similar to a stirrup: Bexley brand signature, so to say.

To the touch is smooth and grip-friendly. However it is lighter than expected, even when is completely refilled with ink; the converter is supplied at no charge. Length is 13,2 cm when closed and 12,4 cm from nib to top without the cap (I never write with the pen capped). A closer scrutiny with a magnifying lens reveals where pieces have been glued, which does not favour the general look of the pen. Fortunately, the very mixture of colours of the resin helps to conceal the glue traces. Otherwise, there are no inscriptions on the pen.

The writing itself is more than smooth: the nib (I ordered an F) runs over the paper with no effort at all and leaves a full trace, even if you write quickly and at very different angles: nothing similar to those heavy nibs that seem to stick to the paper (instead of stick to the bushes, if I am allowed a little joke). The nib is also gold-plated and reads: "Schmidt Iridium Point" with an Italic F to mark its width.

The price is not high: $ 95 (7o €) which is what I expect to pay for a pen with a characteristic style in its design and a good writing approach.

I bought it at Bertram's Inkwell which has a user-friendly webpage, and a good service, delivering their goods in almost no time, although you have to allow a couple of weeks for the pen to reach you in Europe by ordinary US post.