Analog Defaults

A running list of the non-digital tools and habits I default to, inspired by The Pen Addict’s Analog Defaults.

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Writing Instruments

  • Gel Ink Pen: Spoke Roady XL with a Pentel EnerGel Black 0.7mm refill (LR7TL) refill.

Spoke Roady XL Spoke Roady XL

Retro51 Tornado Woodworks - Bourbon Barrel Rollerball Retro51 Tornado Woodworks - Bourbon Barrel Rollerball

  • Crossword Puzzle Pen: I want no ghosting on the next puzzle, so I use a uniball One P with the 0.5mm refill.
  • Fountain Pen: I need counseling or a life coach or something. I keep too many pens inked, but I do have a system, outlined below.

Vintage

I keep a vintage fountain pen perched atop this rattlesnake holder. The current pen is a Parker Vacumatic, made in 1952 in Canada. I’m not entirely sure of the exact model. This clip has no blue diamond and it’s about 133mm, capped. When this pen runs out of ink, I’ll clean it and fill a different vintage pen.

Ink: Waterman Serenity Blue

Parker Vacumatic Parker Vacumatic

Black-and-Gold Vintage Trio

I keep three black-and-gold vintage Parkers on display in a Galen Leather Brass Pen Stand. Only one at a time is inked. The three pens, top to bottom, are:

  • 1962 - 1964 Parker VP I bought in a local antique shop
  • 1962 - 1968 Parker 61 Mark III capillary fill I bought in Mercat dels Encants in Barcelona
  • 1946 Parker 51, restored by Doug Rathbun from Inkquiring Minds

Parker Black-and-Gold Trio Parker Black-and-Gold Trio

Ink: Waterman Serenity Blue

Barcelona Reminder

Our middle child lives in Australia with his fiance. Getting our entire family together is challenging and expensive. We had a family reunion in Barcelona in July 2026 with all five of our children and their significant others. Incredible time, amazing memories, all the feels. While there, I bought a Maiora Vesuvio at Central de la Estilografica, and I keep it inked and displayed on a Galen Leather Nib Rest.

Maiora Vesuvio Maiora Vesuvio

Ink: Montblanc Toffee Brown

Always Inked

Here’s where I start to get sheepish. These pens stay inked and in a Stationery Stack Alfie Mini in my top desk drawer. The pens and their inks are:

  • Pelikan M1000 Souveran, F, Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue
  • Montblanc Meisterstuck 149, B, Montblanc Royal Blue
  • Montblanc Meisterstuck 146, M, Montblanc Midnight Blue
  • Sheaffer Legacy Chevron, M, Diamine Florida Blue (This slot actually rotates among three Sheaffer Legacy pens. I also have a 1995 Sheaffer Legacy I in black with gold cap, and a 2001 Sheaffer Legacy Heritage in black with chrome cap and gold trim. When one runs out of ink, I clean it and ink up the next Legacy. And I rotate inks in these as well.)
  • Visconti Homo Sapiens Blizzard, M, Parker Quink Black (or Pilot Black)
  • Waterman Carene Reflections of Paris, F, LAMY Cliff (I rotate inks on this one)
  • Montblanc StarWalker PolarGreen, M, Montblanc Irish Green (Sometimes Montblanc StarWalker PolarGreen. This one’s place is the most tenuous — it recently bumped my Pilot Custom 823 in Smoke because I had no color in this tray. Not sure how long it will hold this exalted position.)

Always Inked Always Inked

Rotation

I keep anywhere from 17-20 other fountain pens inked. It’s too many, and I swap them madly through the day to combat any of them drying out from disuse. I need a better plan.

Accessories & Organization

Galen Leather Leather Zippered A5 Notebook Folio - C.H. Ocean Blue Galen Leather Leather Zippered A5 Notebook Folio - C.H. Ocean Blue

The Paper Mind Mitsubishi Bank Paper Notebook - DOT GRID The Paper Mind Mitsubishi Bank Paper Notebook - DOT GRID

  • Journal: William Hannah A5 Discbound Notebook with William Hannah dot grid paper. Sadly, William Hannah is out of business. I will eventually have to switch paper, but for now I have plenty. And whatever I choose next will also be dot grid.

William Hannah A5 Discbound Notebook William Hannah A5 Discbound Notebook — Note: that’s a Wing Sung/Junlai 601 in the pen holder

William Hannah A5 Discbound Notebook Open William Hannah A5 Discbound Notebook, Open

Sinclair Pen Cases Sinclair Pen Cases

Strictly Origamic Small Sticky Notes Pad (2" x 2") and Pen Holder Strictly Origamic Small Sticky Notes Pad (2" x 2") and Pen Holder