chasing my tb(w)r

Version 2.0. From blogging about what I read to blogging about what I got / scribbled. Still a sideblog.

[halfheartedhobbyist]

New Pen Day. ♥️

Esterbrook Estie Cola has a revival, only for a limited time; and since I’ve been drooling over it for months and really couldn’t wait until some European retailers put it online, I ordered it directly from the website, and today it finally came.

It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed it would be, it feels great writing with it, the sound it makes when it’s gliding over the paper, pure chef‘s kiss.

Yes I’ll always be partial to an Estie.

Now, the Cola always reminded me of the Petrified Forest, so I had to make some side-by-side photos.

Last but not least, I picked some pens for study purposes, here they are.

The light this afternoon was wonderful.

[halfheartedhobbyist]

Oh my gosh was I lucky.

It was late 2022/early 2023 when I found out about the limited TRC brass writing instruments in factory green. I just entered my sage/turquoise era and thought this could be terrific EDC, along with my blue traveler’s notebook.

I first acquired the pencil, then the fountain pen over the years, thought I was happy. But then I realized there will always be a time when one needs a ballpoint pen, so the search began.

It was an odyssey. 😩

Until yesterday, I walked into a little stationery store in Taipei, only thinking about grabbing some inserts and supplies for my TNs, then, amongst several brass pens, I found this baby. 😍

I hope you understand how happy I was.

Last but not least, some mandatory family photos.

[halfheartedhobbyist]

They really need to stop. 😭

[halfheartedhobbyist]

I’m joining the club.

It must be the age, I start to feel the urge of putting trivial things down on paper lately.

Or because 2025 is almost over, if I started with a 5-year diary next year, I could finish it in a year of a round number. Which is very exciting.

After eyeing the Midori ones with embroidered cover for so many years, I opted for a Hobonichi one. The layout looks great and I can’t really say no to the Moomin cover.

Now I’m almost ready for 2026.

The paper is not that fountain pen friendly as I have hoped, but thanks to the ruling, I can write with Asian EF nibs. The challenge though: I have to write small. And I CAN‘T write small.

Wish me luck!

[halfheartedhobbyist]

I was at the “Fine Writing World” in Bremen last weekend. 😌

Now I have the Diplomat Viper!! The blue one looked much better in person, but I still got the brown one; bought the Octopus Rimik after we mixed two bottles of our own inks, and a bookmark painting set (not in the picture), the rest is from the goodie bag.

[halfheartedhobbyist]

New pen day. 😍😘

I must have said it here also, that I need to stop buying blue pens.

But that was before I saw this one. 😌

The collaboration between Platinum and Stationery Station Tokyo, is limited in Japan and I got it from eBay. There wasn’t much choice in the nib sizes, so I got an EF. But it also writes well. 😊

[halfheartedhobbyist]

Half-year report. Acquisition during Jan. and Jun. 2025.

Thought I had to defend myself for buying too many blue pens, but hey, it turned out ok…ish?

[halfheartedhobbyist]

🖋️: Opus 88 | Whale <F>

🎨: Lennon Tool Bar | Jing Ao

My gentle giant, ridiculously chunky and yet it writes so smooth. (I really wish Opus 88 could do more with the design, the pens write so well, but the aesthetic is just meh…)

And I found in Jing Ao my new favorite ink, such a beautiful color.

[halfheartedhobbyist]

🖊️: Esterbrook Estie “Sugar Rush” <EF>

🎨: Diamine Inkvent “Velvet Emerald”

I never believed I could write comfortably with an EF nib, since my Esties in F write beautifully wet, so I gave it a try. And I’m happy.

[halfheartedhobbyist]

🖋️: TWSBI Diamond „Iceberg“ <M>

🎨: Lennon Tool Bar „Expansive Mist“

[halfheartedhobbyist]

🖋️: Gazing Far, tmX „Flame Maple“ <F>

🎨: Diamine Inkvent „Fruit Cocktail“

Got the recommendation to this brand from Taiwan, so I paid a visit on my last trip there. They make the pens from woods, so each pen is unique. The Schmidt nib writes perfectly smooth, and after I left the pen uncapped for about 20 minutes, it still writes from the first stroke like nothing ever happened.

And I took a video of the beautiful pattern of the pen:

[halfheartedhobbyist]

🖋️: Fine Writing International „Blue Scepter“ <F>

🎨: Diamine Inkvent „Vibe“

[halfheartedhobbyist]

🖋️: Esterbrook Estie “Petrified Forest”

🎨: Diamine Inkvent 2024 “Grotto”

I’m partial to this pen. 🧡

The ink is stated to have extreme sheen and I tried to capture it.

[halfheartedhobbyist]

🖋️: Platinum #3776 Century Shape of a Heart „Chai Latte“ <EF>

🎨: Diamine Inkvent 2024 „Cranberry“

Finally pulled the trigger on this pen. I was a little bit worried about getting an EF, (I don’t think I have to emphasize that at this stage, it’s not about the nib size anymore, rather getting the pen itself. 😅) but oh my gosh this nib is perfect. 🥺 it writes so smoothly and the ink flow is just about right, I can imagine having it as an EDC. 🫶🤎🤍

[halfheartedhobbyist]

Silly ol‘ me was at it again. 🫣😶‍🌫️🌚😅😍

[halfheartedhobbyist]

The insert:

Last but not least, said I was/am silly, here’s a family photo:

[halfheartedhobbyist]

Silly ol‘ me was at it again. 🫣😶‍🌫️🌚😅😍

[halfheartedhobbyist]

Acquisition during the first half of 2024. 😌

[halfheartedhobbyist]

Now the wrap up.

I always tend to escalate during the second half of the year, birthday shopping spree and such, but I think I did better in 2024 than 2023? 🤭

Anyways, I got a few the firsts here, first Pilot Custom, first vac, first PG, first celluloid, first Opus 88, first Gazing Far, and first flex. I’m happy.

Now I definitely have to brand out this year, and be more conscious and sensible while I’m at it.

Looking forward to the new year!

[halfheartedhobbyist]

Oh and I need a new pen case.

When will Esterbrook 40er Navy be restocked? 🥺