When it comes to congenital defects, time always tells. This past week we have had four Parker pencils on the bench, and each had the same problem. And that problem was the result of a design flaw that would only reveal itself over time. The Design From the time Sampson Mordan first patented the propelling […]
Hey, Where Is Your Contact Info?
Many people in the pen community, and in society in general, like to make a direct connection with each other. They want to personally get to know others with their interests. And this is especially true if they are considering sending off their valuable and sentimental pens! Some time ago, we made the choice to […]
Book Review: Estonian Knitting 2: Socks & Stockings
Anu Pink Estonian Knitting 2: Socks & Stockings Saara Publishing House (2018, Türi, Estonia) 36.80€; isbn: 978-9949-7268-2-0 384 pages, illustrations, photos, diagrams; hardcover. With the huge popularity of knitting, hundreds of books are published on the subject each year. Many of them are similar, and our eyes begin to glaze over just looking at them […]
Scriptus Toronto Retirement
As many of you know, for the past four years I have been heavily involved in the creation and organization of Scriptus, Toronto’s Pen & Writing Show. It has been with great pride that I have seen it grow to nearly 100 exhibitors this year, from across the continent, with over 1,000 visitors enjoying the […]
Solved: Who Made the Pens of Birks Jewellers?
Like most Canadian jewellers at the turn of the twentieth century, Henry Birks & Sons, of Montréal, sold pens. While they don’t often turn up today, occasionally we have one cross our repair bench. While a Birks pen is usually not of the highest quality, they are good, solid pens, usually with the nice flexible […]