July 2024 has been a pretty big pen month for me, as I’ve added a couple of grail pens to my collection, as well as a second vintage pen. But before I get to the exciting new acquisitions, I’ve also been using a few of my trusty older pens this month, some with fun new ink combinations. So let’s discuss them first!

For the first time since I got it, I’ve actually inked up my Platinum #3776 Nice Lavande with a purple ink, which seems crazy, since I’m often matchy-matchy with my pens and inks. Since this is my journaling pen though, and I tend to use more muted colours in there, I’ve so far only inked it with blue and black. But this month I inked it with Diamine Tyrian Purple, and I’ve been really liking it! 

I’ve also been enjoying using my TWSBI Caffe Bronze even more now I’ve found the perfect ink for it, in Sailor Ink Studios 573. This is literally my favourite pen and ink combination now, so I don’t think this pen will see another ink for a while! 

I’ve also been really appreciating my Kaweco Al-Sport in Vibrant Violet, paired with Troublemaker Dona Victorina, and the beautiful Nahvalur Voyage Pride with Waterman Harmonious Green. Although I have just cleaned that pen out, ready for a fresh new ink colour in August! 

As for the new pens in the collection… I finally got a Pilot Decimo! This has been one of my grail pens for a while, as so many people seem to rave about the Pilot Capless pens, and so when I spotted them for sale on Pure Pens, I couldn’t resist!

I bought the Violet Decimo (which I reviewed here) and paired it with Diamine Lavender, and it’s such a beautiful writer! Although I wrote it completely dry this month, so that’s another pen I’ve just cleaned out ready for reinking. 

I also finally got a Sailor Pro Gear Slim this month, which was very exciting! The Sailor Pro Gear pens are so popular in the community, and so well loved I’ve been dying to try one out for ages, especially to experience the famous Sailor feedback. So when I spotted the Grateful Crane edition on eBay for an amazing price (less than half retail price, thanks to a tiny little ink stain on the underside of the grip section!) I ended up buying it. 

And I’m so pleased with it! It’s a stunning pen, with a subtle sparkle that I love, and I’ve been really enjoying the writing experience, which is quite different to a lot of my other pens. I’ll be reviewing it soon! 

I currently have it inked with Ferris Wheel Press Morningside Mint, and whilst I’ve been enjoying the combination of pastel colours, I don’t love it, so I’ll probably swap it out soon. Especially as it isn’t the most legible ink in this medium-fine nib!

And as for my last new pen this month…it’s actually an old pen! I got another vintage Pilot Elite off eBay, but this one is definitely more eye-catching, and in a lot better condition. I have it inked with Waterman Inspired blue, and I love the way it writes! My other Pilot Elite writes a little dry, but the nib on this one is incredibly smooth and fine, and I really like it. 

So how has your July been? What have been your most used pens and inks this month?