It was a struggle, but I managed to reduce the number of pens in my bag to five. I brought home a soft pen roll from Paris in June last year, and I haven’t used it till now because, come on, how could I possibly take just five pens to work? Still, my right shoulder is approaching forty, along with the rest of my body parts, and it boasts a permanent bruise near the collarbone from my pen-weighted bag.
Today’s five pens are the Oldwin (of course), the Omas Arco, two Nakayas, and the little Wahl 3. When I bought it on a whim, I didn’t know it would become one of my most frequently used pens. It seems impractical, at first glance. The green-gold metal, engraved with wavy linear lace, is flashy compared to the Japanese pens I usually carry. It barely peeks over its slot in the pen case.
I wouldn’t mind buying another Wahl 3, if only to have a backup for a nib as flexible as this. Not all Wahls of this era had flexible nibs, so it would be a careful purchase – impulsiveness is rewarding, but only half the time.
From top to bottom: Omas Milord Arco with Mottishaw nib, Pilot Justus with nib at softest setting, Edward Todd, Wahl 3. For sheer thick-thin contrast, the Wahl wins.
