The Most Innovative Fountain Pen – Pilot Capless

by JC | Jul 13, 2020 | Home Office

Opening Thoughts

As promised at the end of my Lamy 2000 review, today we talk about what I consider it’s only true competitor: the Pilot Capless. You may find models with the same look referred to as the Vanishing Point, they are in fact the same as the Capless. The Capless and the Lamy 2000 is comparable in terms of their uniquely modern designs, extreme performance, and overwhelming popularity. The Capless is what I would consider the most innovative fountain pen every produced. If you are familiar with fountain pens but don’t know about this model, I promise that it will blow your mind.  

As possibly one of the oldest writing instruments still utilized today, fountain pens have already formed a specific image in many’s minds, on how it is supposed to look and operate. Traditionally, every fountain pen, even ones as unique as the Lamy 2000, has a cap. Most of them also utilize a built-in piston-fill mechanism for an ink refill. The Pilot Capless, as the name already suggests, is a completely different beast. It doesn’t have a cap nor does it utilizes built-in piston filler. While the Lamy 2000 is most unique in its material choice and design, the Capless is unique in every single aspect. Without further ado, let’s get right into the exciting details. 

The Disruptive Design

The design of the Pilot Capless probably evokes the most extreme emotions of any mainstream fountain pens. For most, the unique design will be either love or hate at first sight.  Looking at it, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that the Capless is no ordinary pen. I once described the Makrolon Lamy 2000 as stealthy, this black Capless of mine is even more so.  The Pilot did the black pen flawlessly down to every detail, at least on the outside. Without the nib out, everything you see, the clip, the barrel, and the end cap are all black.

What about the nib, you may ask. When I said Pilot did the back flawlessly, I really meant it. Pen manufacturers usually leave the golden nibs exposed to display their natural luster. Some may go a step further, coating parts of or the entire nib with rhodium for. The pilot did something completely different here, ionizing the 18-karat nib into a luxurious black color. This ionizing treatment is something I’ve never seen before on a non-Japanese pen manufacturer. Not only does the black ionization gives a unique look to the solid gold, but it also hides minor scratches. For me, these black nibs along with the ones Sailor make are by far my favorites on any fountain pen. But if you prefer other colors for the nibs, Pilot makes everything. From rhodium-plated gold, gold, to various special alloys.

Now on to the elephant in the room: how does a fountain pen operate without a cap? Surprise surprise, this is why I think the Capless is the most innovative fountain pen, it’s a click pen. Though extremely commonly seen on more modern instruments, the Capless is the only click fountain pen I’m aware of existing. The Capless has the largest end cap I’ve seen on any pen period as if it is making a statement. Though the large end cap actually serves multiple reasons as we will discuss in further detail later.

A Feel Like No Other

Have you ever find yourself instinctively fidgeting with your pens’ clicking mechanism? I find myself doing it all the time if I had a click pen at hand. If you also find yourself enjoying, or simply uncontrollably clicking, I believe you will love the Capless. As I mentioned earlier, this pen has the largest end cap I’m aware of existing. To support the large and heavy clicking mechanism, the pen utilizes the heaviest spring I’ve felt on a click pen. The heaviness of the spring makes the clicking mechanism extra loud, satisfying, and outright therapeutic (for yourself only). So please try to control your strong urge to clicking the pen non-stop if you are in a quiet public place.

Another strange thing about the Capless you may notice is its pen clip, another reason why it’s the most innovative fountain pen. Pen clips are usually on the pen’s cap. For click pens, all most all models have the clip place on the rear end of the pen. Either way, the pen’s clip usually never gets in the way of the actual writing. Well, this is not the case for the Capless. The pen clip on the Capless is placed directly behind the pen’s nib, right at where writers hold the pen. This is the only pen clip I’ve seen the serves an ergonomic purpose. The clip has a very specific curve to it and is positioned at an angle to aid the writer to hold the pen correctly. In my personal experience, I also find it helpful in reducing fatigue during prolonged writing sessions.

Heart of the Beast

The Capless is possibly the simplest pen to take apart. A twist + a pull, your pen is now completely disassembled. The pen is really made of only two parts: the shell and the writing mechanism. The writing mechanism portion is available as a standalone product in all combinations of nib size and colors. Thus allowing the owners to make their own unique Capless fountain pen. Since we’ve already touched on the shell of the pen in detail, lets now get into the heart of the beast: the writing mechanism.

The piston-filling converter needs no introduction as it works the same way as every other piston-filler. What’s special about this pen is its versatility: since the converter can be easily separated from the unit, the pen also works with Pilot’s IC50 sized cartridge. Additionally, since each component of the writing mechanism is individually replaceable, this pen is extremely self-serviceable. This is extremely useful since the Capless comes in hundreds of different shell variants, many of which are extremely expensive and limited. If you worry about the nib or ink filler breaking in collector grade pens, there is no such need for the Capless.

So how does the Capless actually writes? Surprisingly with its ultra-modern nib design, it captures the traditional writing feel of fountain pens perfectly. Unlike the Lamy 2000, nib on the Capless isn’t hooded thus making it very flexible. The flexibility brings a lot of possibilities for creative font designs, something unique to the fountain pen genre that the Lamy 2000 lacks in. Though the Capless is available at a cheaper starting price, it comes in fault with 18-karat gold nib compared to Lamy’s 14-karat. It is harder to compare the two nibs of the two models since I have them in different nib sizes. Though the medium nib Capless is surely a smoother write than the fine nib Lamy 2000, which already has some of the best feeling nibs I’ve ever experienced.

Purchasing Options

If you wish to pick-up a Pilot Capless for yourself, the option is limitless. Amazon usually has the basic models on sale for around $100 (non-gold nibs), true bargains in my honest opinion for the most innovative fountain pen available. If you are interested in a slimmer, lighter version of the pen, there is also the Capless Decimo available in more limited color options. Pilot’s premium collector’s line, Namiki, also makes the Capless model. Though extremely pricey, the Namiki pens are breathtakingly beautiful. Expect to see my fellow Nonessentialist Kevin’s beautiful Namiki pen review in the near future. Different ink filler/nib sets are also available for purchase on Amazon priced at around $85, or half the full pen’s retail price.

Finishing Thoughts

I think I might have lied when I said the Pilot Capless is the Lamy 2000’s only true competitor. In reality, the two are both unique in their own rights, and neither of them really has a true competitor in the fountain pen market. The only arena the two compete is in the historical significance. They represent the pinnacle of German vs Japanese modern fountain pen designs and material innovation vs complete disruption of fountain pen design. You really can’t go wrong with either one of the two options.

The Best Starter Fountain Pen – Lamy Safari

by Kevin | Jul 12, 2020 | Home Office

Kevin, KC, KS

July 11th, 2020

The Best Starter Fountain Pen (Lamy Safari)

Before we dive into my initial impressions and review of the Lamy Safari I want to provide a little background on myself, Lamy, and the Safari.

To elaborate on my experience with writing instruments, I have always been an enthusiast. However, I do not possess the same depth & breadth of knowledge as my counterpart JC. With that being said I thought it would be wise to give my initial opinions on arguably the most well-regarded starter fountain pen, the Lamy Safari. My other fountain pen collection consists of mostly Montblanc pieces. But I have a Platinum #3776 as well as a Namiki Yukari Nightline Moonlight Raden. So this is my first experience with Lamy and the Safari.

For most familiar with fountain pens, Lamy doesn’t need an introduction. However, for any beginners out there, Lamy is a legendary fountain pen manufacturer out of Germany. Before Lamy was founded, the namesake founder C. Josef Lamy had begun building pens in 1930. Then in 1952 the first Lamy branded pen was produced, the Lamy 27 which helped advance pen technology in the era. By 1966 Lamy had launched the Lamy 2000, reviewed here. It  became an icon in the world of fountain pens, cementing the brand as a leader in the industry.

Lastly, the Safari is probably the go-to starter fountain pen for numerous reasons. For the price of $20-$30 there really isn’t many options in the fountain pen market that can compete with the brand’s cachet as well as outright quality.

Kevin’s Lamy Safari

Photograph by “The NonEssentialists”

Design

This is what initially attracted me to the Safari. It is unlike any other pen out there, with a very minimalist modern design, yet stands out from the crowd with its clip & cap design. I have only had the pen for one afternoon and three coworkers, as well as a client commented on how cool this pen looks. I usually don’t bring my nicer pens to work, as people often will “borrow” pens to never return them. I never want to be in a position where one of my collector’s pieces were lost or stolen. 

Which brings up another point. The design of this pen stands out in the crowd, but the materials that it is made out of feel very sturdy and the fitment is tight. It really is a pen designed to be used day in day out for whatever you need it to do. 

“[The Safari] not only looks beautiful, but feels excellent in your hand.”

Hand Feel

Not only does this pen look great and have an outstanding presence in the office, but it also feels marvelous to hold. The materials used to build the pen are high quality. While it is made almost exclusively with plastics, it has a decent weight when posted.

A unique aspect of the Safari is that it has a special grip that has a specific spot for you to put your index finger and thumb. What this means is for beginners it forces you to hold the fountain pen correctly. But even for someone who uses them frequently, I didn’t find it bothersome. Though it did take a few minutes for me to get used to it.

All in all, this pen not only looks beautiful, but feels excellent to hold in your hand. This combined with the weight and special grip make it an excellent well rounded first fountain pen.

 

Writing Feel

 I meant to order the fine nib, but ended up ordering the medium nib by mistake. However, this may be the best oversight I have made. The medium nib is incredibly smooth and doesn’t feel overly scratchy. For being a steel nib, it actually feels really nice to write with. The customers who commented on it actually used it and said it was one of the nicest writing instruments they have used. 

This is what is amazing about this particular pen, it really can be enjoyed by the entire spectrum of pen users, from completely inexperienced to people who have been using fountain pens for years. It has this way of being effortless to use. The pen writes relatively dry, maybe a 4 on a scale of 1-10, which makes it great for a variety of papers and writing applications. You don’t have to wait more than a second for the ink to dry. The dry speed is essential if you’re looking for a pen that can be used for every application at work. 

Branding Is Very Nicely Applied by the Ink Window

Photograph by “The NonEssentialists”

Ease of Use

The Safari is an extremely easy to use pen for a number of reasons. First, it takes ink cartridges which are easy to swap for beginners. But it is not limited to cartridges, you can upgrade to a Lamy Z28 converter if you prefer a piston style converter. Not only can you change that but there are tons of customization options for the Safari since it has remained relatively the same since its 1980 debut. You can even exchange nibs for different sizes easily, or even upgrade to gold nibs if the steel nib just doesn’t cut it for you anymore. All you have to do is pull the metal nib off the tip of the pen with a little force.

Another immensely convenient feature is the ink window, which allows you to check how much ink you have left. I don’t know about you, but one of the most frustrating things is running out of ink mid day and either having to switch back to using a normal ball point or hoping you have another cartridge or ink bottle nearby.

Truthful, this pen is excellent right out of the box. It isn’t just excellent for its price, but an excellent pen irregardless of pricing. It can be enjoyed by anyone, enthusiast to someone just starting out, and that is what makes it so special.

Overall First Impression

Well, you might be able to tell what think if after one afternoon with the Safari, I decided to order a second one in white. I haven’t been able to use my fountain pens while at work due to the risk of theft or loss because I frequently see clients and move around doing presentations. Having tried the Lamy Safari, I now know the solution to that problem: buying a few simple black & white Lamy Safaris to use daily so I can continue to enjoy the finer aspects of hand writing without the risk of loss/theft or damage to any high value pens.

I wish I had tried a Lamy Safari years ago. Being able to use a fountain pen every day at work already is getting me excited. There is nothing like being able to enjoy every time you have to write while working. It gives you something to look forward to every time you take notes or work out a deal. Please click the link above to get current pricing from Amazon, this is the same one that I purchased.

The Best Vertical Paper Stand

by Kevin | Jul 11, 2020 | Home Office

Kevin, KC, KS

July 10th, 2020

Before reading about the best vertical paper stand, take a second to read this disclaimer :This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

The Best Vertical Paper Stand: The Page-Up

You may be asking, why do I want a vertical paper stand, let alone a Page-Up, but we will cover why you really will want one. The Page-Up is a piece of inexpensive modern desk art that serves a very ergonomic purpose.

Kevin’s Page-Up

Photograph by “The NonEssentialists”

What is a Page-Up?

Pictured above is my personal page-up. It is a multifunctional piece of modern desk art. It adds a three demential item to your workspace that can be used as a paper weight as well as for holding documents up so they are easy to read and input data into your computer.

As crazy as it seems, I have been using these since I was in Elementary School. I was actually introduced to them during Computer Basics back when floppy disks were the premier method of storage. 

“Simple Beauty matched with exceptional functionality.”

Design – Not Just A Vertical Paper Stand

 

This is probably the most stand out feature of the Page-Up. Depending on what colors you get it has a very classy, upscale & modern design that feels at home on a nicely furnished desk. Once more they fill the inside with sand so it has a very nice heft to it. It has a simple beauty matched with exceptional functionality.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of it is observing how the light reflects off the area around what I call the “mouth.” I have always called it this because to me it is reminiscent of a shark with a slightly opened mouth.  

See Pricing on This White One On Amazon

However, if you are a big fan of having a colorful desk, there is what seems to be an endless sea of choices for different colors. These include some transparent options where you can actually see the sand inside.

Functionality

 

What I really enjoy about the Page-Up is not just the design but the ability to hold papers vertically next to your monitors for transfering data from physical mediums to spreadsheets or my CRMs.

Because it holds your papers vertically, it also frees up space on your desk and keeps it from looking cluttered. Also, if you’re like me, I use a print out that has my schedule for the day, my goals and tasks I need to complete on it. The Page-Up allows you to put this in your view throughout the day to help you keep on track without having to look down at your desk, or in a folder/notebook. By having documents like this in your sight constantly, it can help keep you on track.

The functionality doesn’t stop in the office either. We use ours at home to hold up kitchen recipes/shopping lists. It holds music when my wife uses our portable electric piano keyboard instead of the Kawai Piano. The Page-Up can hold instructions while you assemble things at a table. My wife even uses it when she is sewing to see the diagrams (or whatever they call sewing instructions).

Durability

The Page-Up is made exceptionally well. Despite being inexpensive, the simple construction and shape really hold up against the test of time. 

Mine has been dropped, knocked over, etc. and while it has a lot of little surface scratches (the drawback of liking black…) it still feels solid. These things can last years and years without breaking. Pretty amazing for a product that is often found for less than $10.

 

Why You Want One 

There have been times in my life where I have been without a Page-Up because it got misplaced in a move or it was a temporary workspace. I have always had lower back pain since I fell a few years ago. It comes and goes, but what often causes it to flair up is bending forward and hunching over my desk.

As someone who suffers from chronic back pain I look for every opportunity to help me keep my posture and reduce strain. That is where the Page-Up comes in handy. Thanks to the Page-Up, you no longer have to hunch over your desk. This reduces the number of times you have to compress your back helping reduce the liklihood of reinjuring yourself due to the strain. 

Not only does it have the ergonomic benefit, but as mentioned earlier, it makes transposing information from physical mediums to your PC much easier. Efficiency is everyone’s best friend. 

Lastly, they have a retail price around $10, there is a very small barrier to ownership, especially given how long they last.  Invest today in your comfort and efficiency.

 

Writing Instrument

The Lamy 2000 In Depth Review

Office Equipment

The Best Stapler For Your Desk 

The Swingline “747”

Seating & Ergonomics

The Best Headrest for the Aeron:

The Atlas Suspension Headrest

The LAMY 2000 Review

by JC | Jul 8, 2020 | Home Office

The Nonessentialists’ Writing Instruments, Part 1

Why the LAMY 2000, or Why Fountain Pen?

In this day and age, when digital writing has become so prominent, you may ask: why do I want a fountain pen? Different fountain pen enthusiasts may have different ideas in mind. For me, it is the experience a fountain pen brings: the process of filling the pen with ink, cleaning the nib, preparing the proper paper for the pen, and watching the ink flow smoothly from the nib on to the paper. Additionally, the infinite combinations of paper, ink, and pen each will bring different experiences for your writing sessions. Though I don’t have beautiful handwriting nor am I a proficient writer, fountain pen enables the ritualization of the writing process, giving such basic process infinite possibilities, making a mundane process an enjoyable experience. Here I introduce the LAMY 2000 review, your in-depth look into one of the best options for venturing into the world of fountain pens.

The LAMY 2000 Fountain Pen

I possess a sizable fountain pen collection, owning the representing model from many of the most renowned German and Japanese makers including Pelikan, Mont Blanc, Lamy, Sailor, and Pilot. If I were to only own one, my choice would be the LAMY 2000 in its signature material & color combination: stainless steel with black Makrolon. And for many others, if the budget allows, this would be the first and only fountain pen you own. Though the pen itself isn’t the most expensive nor most unique of LAMY’s line up, the LAMY 2000 is a modern classic and a true flagship of LAMY’s line up with its signature use of material, timeless design, and extreme usability.

LAMY 2000 Fountain Pen’s Design-Defining Material

In its capped form, the LAMY 2000 is possibly one of the most unassuming writing instruments created. It consists of two pieces of pure black Makrolon with a uniquely designed angular stainless-steel pen clip. Stealthy is how I would describe it.

The Makrolon material is different from what you see on a vast majority of fountain pen shells, which are primarily constructed of smooth resin or some type of metal. Makrolon was the first trademarked polycarbonate material, a material that plays an extremely significant role in modern material science. From water bottles, lenses to the cockpit canopy of the F-22 fighter, you find the material everywhere.

Comparing to glossy resins commonly found on fountain pens, Makronlon does attract grease or dust, so they remain clean looking and retain a dry handfeel for much longer. The material also has very subtle hairline strips all over it, giving depth for the pen’s look while making it pristine-looking even after years of use. Comparing to metals, the Makrolon is more resistant to dents, much lighter, and doesn’t have the cold touch associated with metals that makes the pen suboptimal for colder environments.

Perfected by Stainless-Steel

Uncapped, the LAMY 2000 further reveals its beauty. The stainless-steel front end adds a hint of elegancy to the stealthiness. With similar hairline strips texture as the Makrolon, the stainless-steel blends with the Makrolon perfectly. The stainless-steel also adds a bit of heft to the front end of the pen, lending the writer just a bit of extra downforce to make writing that much easier. Because the use of stainless-steel ends right at where the pen should be properly held, using the pen in cold doesn’t pose any comfort concern.

The LAMY 2000’s nib is made of solid 14k gold, its softness provides superior writing experience unachievable by steel nibs on common pens. To protect the nib’s beauty, a thin layer of rhodium plating is applied to each nib. The plating completes the pen’s aesthetic while providing a strong protective layer for the precious gold underneath.

A Uniquely Timeless Design for Contemporary Usability

With its minimalist industrial design, it is hard to believe the LAMY 2000 was released in 1966. You notice something is different as soon as you try to uncap the pen. The mechanism within the cap and the small metal clips on the front end of the pen creates a satisfying damping effect. Which makes the motion of capping and uncapping the pen therapeutic and unique to the LAMY 2000.

Uncapped, the pen looks almost monolithic, with no obvious seam anywhere on the pen. The allowance at each joint is so tight, that the stainless-steel and the Makrolon feel perfectly melted together. And at first glance, you may even ask yourself: how in the world do I fill this pen?

The magic or not-so-magic lies at the finial of the pen’s barrel. It’s magical that the filling mechanism doesn’t create breaks to the silhouette of the pen, unlike classic fountain pens. It’s not so magical that the underlying piston-filling mechanism has been the tried-and-true option for pen makers for over a hundred years. But still, the LAMY 2000’s piston-filling mechanism is the smoothest I’ve seen on any fountain pen, period. 

A Nib Designed for Modern Writing

The nib on the LAMY 2000 is also something to behold. The 14k gold nib may not seem superior to the 18k+ nibs on higher-end options, it’s optimized for contemporary writing styles. Modern-day handwriting has evolved to be much more efficient and minimalistic comparing to the more stylistic 19th-century counterparts. While the flexible, completely exposed nibs on classic fountain pens provide an endless possibility for variations in handwriting, they are not optimal for efficiency sakes for its lack of control. The LAMY 2000 negates the efficiency issue by employing a hooded nib, adding the much-needed stability for modern-day handwriting. Though for someone looking to venture into the calligraphy world, the lack of flexibility in the nib isn’t optimal

LAMY 2000 Purchasing Recommendations

The LAMY 2000 fountain pen comes in two material combinations: the base black Makrolon + Stainless-steel version, and the brush stainless-steel version.

Click Image to check pricing on Amazon

Though the stainless-steel version is quite a pen, I would not recommend it over the base version for general writing. For one, the stainless-steel version is more than twice as heavy at 54g versus 25g of the Makrolon version. The additional weight may add additional stress to your writing hand as well as reduce the control over handwriting. Additionally, the stainless-steel version sacrifices the beautiful and functional ink window on the pen. As a result, it’s impossible to check on the ink level. Finally, there is a price difference. At 280$, the stainless-steel version is 80$ more expensive than the base version.

The nib size is another thing to take into consideration. For regular English writings, I recommend either a fine or medium nib. Chose fine if this is your first fountain pen, as medium nibs may not be so forgiving on regular papers. Chose extra-fine only if you have extra-small handwriting.

Finishing Thoughts

I highly recommend the LAMY 2000 if the budget allows and if you wish to have something extra to spice up your writing experience. It’s just a perfect balance of form and function. Even after trying various pens priced higher than the LAMY 2000, it remains the most used pen for me.

Next in this series, we will introduce another modern classic fountain pen that I consider the only true competitor to the LAMY 2000. Stay tuned!