Retro 51 Sleepy Hollow Limited Edition Tornado Popper Rollerball | Pure Pens Specialist Stationery Shop

Retro 51 Halloween Sleepy Hollow Limited Edition

Here is a Halloween throwback to 2021 when Retro 51 released the The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Limited Edition Tornado Popper Rollerball.

This spooky looking pen was limited to just 1031 items (the date of All Hallows' Eve) and the great looking design of this pen only helped in it selling out very quickly, supposedly within the hour!

October 06, 2023 — Ross Adams
Fountain Pens: Frequently Asked Questions

Fountain Pens: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few common questions we often get asked to do with fountain pens and ink. If there is something we haven't covered and you need help with don't hesitate to contact us.

1. My pen won't write. What can I do?

If it is a brand new pen make sure the cartridge or converter is pushed into the pen fully. An ink cartridge has a seal that must be broken for the ink to flow. It may take a while for the ink to get through the feed into the nib to start with. Try squeezing the ink cartridge to get some ink into the feed or screwing the converter to force some ink up into the feed.

September 29, 2023 — Ross Adams
Top Fountain Pen Hacks

Top Fountain Pen Hacks

You may be new to fountain pens or an experienced user for years but here are some of our favourite fountain pen hacks, tips and tricks you may find useful.
September 08, 2023 — Ross Adams
Fountain Pen Friendly Notebooks

Fountain Pen Friendly Notebooks

To get the most out of your writing, fountain pen paper needs to be feather resistant and should not bleed. On suitable paper your writing won't show through the page too much so you can write on both sides, this will get the most out of your notebooks. A smooth writing page is ideal so your fountain pen can glide across the page with ease.
September 01, 2023 — Ross Adams
A History of Pelikan Pen & Ink Company

A History of Pelikan Pen & Ink Company

In 1832, chemist Carl Hornemann founded his own ink factory in Hanover, Germany. At Pelikan, though, they tend to consider the 28th April 1838 as the company's founding date, as it was the date on the very first price list. All company anniversaries are therefore based on this date.

On the 15th of June, Hornemann purchased some property in the Hainholz area of Hanover. The idea was to start production on a larger scale after previously having to cook and press the ink in a farmyard 30 km away from Hanover.
August 25, 2023 — Ross Adams
History of the Ball Pen

History of the Ball Pen

A ball pen works by a small metal ball baring moving at 360 degrees in a fitted socket distributing the oil based ink.

Early inventions had a thin tube that was filled with ink. A small metal ball was held at the end to stop the ink leaking out, very similar to today's current design.

The first patent for a ballpoint pen was issued in 1888 to John J. Loud who was looking for a writing instrument that would write on coarse surfaces, such as wood, jobs that a fountain pen could not achieve. However, Loud's design was not suitable for letter writing so was never released commercially.

August 18, 2023 — Ross Adams
Visconti Homosapiens Fountain Pen Red purepens.co.uk

History of the Fountain Pen

Before the fountain pen there were quills or dip pens which had to be repeatedly dipped to replenish your ink. So something more practical was needed. Queue the development of the fountain pen.

The first recorded fountain pen was from 973 when Fatimid Caliph Al-Mu'izz Ii-Din Allah requested a pen that didn't leak over his hands and clothes. He was presented with such pen that had an internal reservoir that held ink.

Jinhao Shark Beginners Fountain Pens

Fountain Pens for Beginners

If you have been thinking about starting on your fountain pen journey you may have done an internet search and felt a little overwhelmed by all the terms and especially the price of some fountain pens. But buying a fountain pen does not need to be scary as writing with one is such a great experience it should be enjoyed by as many as possible.

July 20, 2023 — Ross Adams
Tags: fountain pen
TWSBI Range of Fountain Pens

TWSBI Range of Fountain Pens

TWSBI have been making pens and parts for other companies for years but only more recently have they sold under their own brand name. Their products are hugely popular and their ever expanding ranges are always a hit with their customers who they often take feedback from for their next release.
July 20, 2023 — Ross Adams
How to fill a Fountain Pen

How to fill a Fountain Pen

If you are new to fountain pens or switching from cartridge filled fountain pens you may have wondered how to fill up a pen with bottled ink. It is not a scary process and is actually quick and easy.

This short video will show you how to do this using a piston filled fountain pen.

July 14, 2023 — Ross Adams
Sailor: A History

Sailor: A History

Sailor's history starts in 1911 by Mr Sakata and his brother. They founded the 'Sakata -Manufactory' to produce solid gold nibs. By 1917 the factory relocated to the nearby town of Hamadacho and the company soon changed it's name to 'Sailor Pen Sakata Manufactory Co., Ltd'. Here is where the company then began manufacturing pens in large volumes.
July 14, 2023 — Ross Adams
Pelikan Jazz Ball Pens | purepens.co.uk

What is the difference between a rollerball and a ballpoint pen?

Both hugely popular for their ease and convenience of writing but maybe you wouldn't know which is which? Well hopefully this can help.

The way the pens work are not hugely dissimilar. Both have a tiny metal ball bearing in the nib that glides around 360 degrees to evenly distribute the ink. However, it is the ink itself that differentiates these two pens, which we will get to later.

June 29, 2023 — Ross Adams