Prismacolor Pens

Posted on June 18, 2013 by OrenS

prismacolorPrismacolor is the world’s best known manufacturers of colored pens. Their fine-tipped points and vivid colors make them a favorite among illustrators. Many business people find them useful for editing and staying organized. Packs of four tend to sell for about $6.90, while the larger packs of eight sell for $13.75. These are geared towards business people and hobbyists. For the passionate illustrators, go with the Prismacolor 156CT. It has 156 distinct color pens, each with a fine and thick point. For something in between, there is the 24 color, double-tipped market set.

Prismacolor was started when Eagle Pencil Company, which dates back to the 1800s, and Margros Ltd (a pigment company) founded in the 1950s, merged. Newell Rubbermaid Inc. now owns and manufactures Prismacolor. Does that name sound familiar? Newell Rubbermaid Inc. also owns the Watermen pens company and Sharpie. The same level of attention they put in their conventional Watermen pens is also put into their colorful Prismacolor products. Primascolor pens make a wonderful gift for young artists, and they are proactive way to encourage their talents. Browse the rest of Prismacolor’s art supplies, which include color pencils, water colors, and more.

Order a set today and get those creative juices flowing or order a set for an artistically inclined friend!

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A Quality Signature Starts with a Quality Pen

Posted on June 11, 2013 by OrenS

Parker RollerballYou can’t get a consistent quality signature out of a cheap pen. A good signature is all about repetition, and you can’t repeat the same motion if your pen is liable to jam, scratch the paper, or smear ink blobs along the page. An inconsistent signature may not seem like a big deal, but it can have some serious ramifications.

It may seem dated but a signature is essentially the original form of defense from fraud. Before computerization, anyone could claim to be someone else but a signature offered, on some level, proof. Today it may seem old fashioned, but it still serves an important function. Cyber criminals can harvest your information, pass fake checks, and even apply for credit cards in your name. A handwritten signature cannot be duplicated on computer. It can help deter fraud and help you if you become the victim of fraud.

People will judge you on your signature, whether they find it on the bottom of a business agreement, letter of recommendation or other document. It may seem shallow but if you saw someone dot their I’s with hearts or put smiley faces in their O’s, you would judge too. Don’t let people think you’re not a professional because you have a sloppy signature. Get a Parker rollerball and do your signature justice!

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The Fabled Story of Fisher Space Pens

Posted on June 5, 2013 by OrenS

Fisher space penFew pens are cloaked in as much folklore and legend as the Fisher space pen. Let’s examine the story of the fabled writing utensil, from how it works to how it came to be and its continued uses.

What exactly is a Fisher space pen? A space pen is a ballpoint pen that has a pressurized ink cartridge. Think of it like a carbonated bottle of soda with a tightly fitted cap. The fact the ink is under pressure means the pen can write upside down and is less likely to jam.

Why was it developed? Contrary to popular myth, NASA did not design the first Fisher space pen or even commission it. It was not a product of the USSR’s space program either. Prior to its development, both space programs made use of mechanical or charcoal pencils to deal with the problem of writing in zero gravity.

In 1965 Fisher developed the pen and pitched the idea of using it to NASA. Engineers at NASA liked what they saw and ordered 400 pens for $6 apiece. The pens became standard issue for astronauts starting in 1967.

Today the pens remain popular, even with the terrestrial bound, because they are reliable and allow you to write lying down.

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Pens as Graduation Gifts

Posted on May 30, 2013 by KristenM

Watermen rollerballsWith graduation quickly approaching, countless parents and family members of graduating students are looking for a gift. A Watermen pen makes a unique gift for someone graduating from high school to college or from college into the real world. A quality pen lasts a lifetime, so it’s the perfect gift for someone just starting out in life!

Any student entering college is going to need a reliable pen. Although most work is done on computers, note-taking, proofreading, and other important tasks should be done with a pen. Besides, college is when you can start allowing a young adult to have nicer things. An expensive pen is a good trail for owning nice things later in life.

For a student graduating into the job market, a luxury pen is a good reflection of their character. What looks better, signing with a purple jelly pen or pulling out a Fisher space pen? This may seem like a small detail, but the current job market is extremely competitive. Every little detail counts! Help the graduate in your life on the road to success. When they are starting at their new job, fixing their work space, they will have your pen to adorn their desk, and they can thank you for their success!

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The Importance of a Quality Pen

Posted on May 30, 2013 by KristenM

Watermen pensHaving a mind full of good ideas and not having a reliable pen to articulate them with is like buying a thousand dollar fishing rod and being too cheap to buy bait! The best idea in the world means nothing if you can’t get it on paper before it fades into the ether of your memory. As Peggy said in a recent episode of AMC’s hit drama Mad Men, “The faintest ink is better than the best memory.”

Granted, the faintest ink is better than the best memory, but why settle on the faintest ink or the worst pen? A cheap dollar store pen will clog and break. By the time you can get it working or find a substitute, your million dollar idea could be gone. How many times have you gotten up from bed to write something down only to forget what it was before you can secure pen and paper? It is a feeling of frustration, loss and self-loathing. A quality pen like a Parker rollerball or Aurora fountain pen will ensure you don’t have to experience that feeling anymore.

Order a pen for yourself today. No one knows when inspiration will strike; your muse could be just around the corner. Be ready, pen in hand!

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Writing Is a Healthy Habit To Stick To

Posted on May 17, 2013 by HeinreichS

Waterman roller ball penEven in the age of computers and texting, writing by hand is still an important part of what children learn at school. Adults learned to write longhand when they were children, and our own will do the same. Despite the digital age, it is best children continue learning longhand because writing is actually beneficial to our brains.

Recent studies have shown writing by hand activates and stimulates the brain in ways typing does not. In essence, it helps develop better cognitive skills because it taxes your brain more. Writing uses three brain processes: visual, motor, and cognitive. The visual part of the brain activates because you are seeing the implement in your hand, the paper you are using, and the letters you are writing and reading. Naturally, your motor skills are used when writing. Your cognitive skills are stimulated like the other two since you have to remember the letters and words you are using. The latter is much different than memorizing where the letters and numbers are located on your keyboard.

When thinking upon the value of writing with a Waterman roller ball pen, know that you are increasing your brainpower more than someone who is typing.

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How To Fix a Clogged Parker Roller Ball Pen

Posted on May 8, 2013 by HeinreichS

Waterman roller ball penSometimes you will find your Parker roller ball pen will stop writing. The pen is not broken; it can just clog, which is a simple problem to fix.

First, quickly run the pen in circles to get the ball rolling, literally. A better technique is to write in a figure-eight motion because the continuous friction should be enough to loosen up the ball if it is stuck. But if the problem is a clog in the nib, run the tip under warm water. Doing so might be enough to break up the clog. If the clog is not in the nib but the well itself, shake the pen up and down to loosen up the innards. Try writing with it and see if that does the trick.

Another way to unclog the pen tip is to simply press the pen firmly on a piece of paper and write with it. In most instances, this is enough to get it to start writing again. Here is an usual way to get the ball rolling again: write on a piece of glass. This is one you most likely have never heard of, but writing on a window or mirror can get your Waterman roller ball pen to write again.

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The Most Innovative Pens in the World

Posted on May 3, 2013 by HeinreichS

waterman pensWhile Parker rollerball pens and Aurora pens are in a league of their own, we cannot forget some of the most innovative pens that have come out. These are pens that are both unique and functional.

  • Ruler Pen: Designed by ShiKai Tseng, the cap is printed with ruler markings and can used like any other ruler.
  • Digital Pen: Produced by Epos, everything you write is saved onto the USB drive.
  • Cramp-Free Pen: Made from aluminum, it is designed to be very ergonomic with rubber grips on three sides for the index finger and thumb.
  • Inkless Pen: This metal alloy pen leaves a mark on paper that resembles something produced by pencil graphite.
  • Evo Pen: Though small, this pen is ergonomically designed to combat pain caused by arthritis, carpal tunnel, etc.
  • Color Picker Pen: Invented by Jinsu Park, this pen will actually scan any color from your surroundings, which you can then use to write or draw with.
  • Lamborghini Pen: Designed by Omas, it uses design cues from the manufacturer’s cars. The pen uses a triangular barrel inspired by the cars, a body made from PVD-coated aluminum, and an 18k gold nib.
  • Inka Compact Pen: Made from aerospace-grade materials, the ink cartridge is pressurized and will write in a number of unique weather conditions.
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Myths About Fountain Pens

Posted on April 26, 2013 by HeinreichS

Waterman pensBefore purchasing your first Sailor or Aurora pens, you have probably heard a few stories about fountain pens. Some are positive, some are negative, but they are all interesting to hear. In this blog post we will dive into the various myths surrounding fountain pens.

  • To write with a fountain pen, you have to practice. This is not entirely true. You can write as you normally would with any other implement, but if you want a bit more flair or finesse, you might want to practice a bit.
  • Fountain pens leak. They can but not all of them will do so. A leaky pen means the fountain pen you are using needs to be fixed; leaks are not an inherent symptom of all pens.
  • Gold nibs are better than steel. Not true. The original reason why gold nibs were the norm was because it had better corrosion resistance. Nowadays, modern pens with steel nibs are just as resistant to corrosion. As far as writing quality, there is no different. The only advantage gold has over steel is the former sill always stay shiny while steel nibs need a little TLC every now and then.

To order Aurora and Waterman pens, visit Penwa.com.

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How To Clean a Sailor Fountain Pen

Posted on April 17, 2013 by HeinreichS

Sailor pensLike other complex mechanical devices, a little TLC is necessary to ensure they keep working properly. Sailor pens, and other fountain pens are no different. Here are the steps you can take to clean your fountain pens.

  1. Start with the nib. Unscrew the pen nib from the body and remove the ink reservoir.
  2. Fill an ear syringe with cold water and squeeze water into the pen nib. It is best to perform this step above your sink or a cup so it catches the liquid. Any leftover ink in the nib will fall into the cup. Repeat these steps as necessary to expel all leftover ink. For clogged nibs, squeeze ammonia into it to remove any solidified ink.
  3. Wrap a paper towel around the nib and shake it to force any remaining water from the nib. Keep it in the towel overnight so it can dry completely.
  4. For the body, use a soft, clean cloth to wipe it down. If the pen is made of resin, check for any cracks or chips. Silver pens should be polished if you see they have lost their luster.
  5. Once you have completed these steps, reassemble the pen.

See our selection of Aurora pens and others at Penwa.com

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