Now this blog post is nothing to do with Brompton bicycles or cycling. Regular readers will know that I do like the odd fountain pen. So, this blog post is about that. I quite understand if it is not for you though.
Twice a year, like clockwork, I find myself making the familiar journey west for the ‘London Pen Show’ at the Novotel West London. For anyone who loves fountain pens, ink, paper, and the quiet ritual of writing, it’s less a shopping trip and more a pilgrimage. Conveniently, it’s only a stone’s throw from Hammersmith, which makes it dangerously easy to justify just popping in. Of course, there’s no such thing as just popping into a pen show.
Using public transport (which I do not really like using) to get there is made all the better by the bench dedicated to the late great Rik Mayall. He starred as the self-proclaimed anarchist Rick in ‘The Young Ones’ and later as the deluded, overconfident Richie in Bottom - which was set in Hammersmith. The opening title of ‘Bottom’ saw him and Adrian Edmonson sitting on a bench. On the way to a hall full of fountain pens, I could almost imagine Richie and Eddie causing havoc just around the corner.
Once inside - after getting hopelessly lost and having an entire crew (and Captain) of a far eastern airline staying for a conference, following me because they thought I knew where I was going to where they needed to be - I made it to the big hall. You are instantly greeted by table after table of all sorts of fountain pens - vintage and modern.
Unlike online browsing, here you can:
- Feel the weight of a pen before committing
- Compare nib sizes side by side
- Talk directly to the sellers
- Discover brands you’ve never encountered before
- And yes - be thoroughly tempted!
While there I saw Penultimate Dave, who has a wonderful YouTube channel where he reviews pens. He has had a break from posting videos, but hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later. Click here for his channel
I also spotted Rupert, who had a stall with a few members of a pen club. I am sure that this experience will appear in one of his excellent blog posts. Click here for his blog
As for me, I had intended to buy nothing, but life isn’t like that, is it? I saw a rather lovely pen called a ‘Fifty4T Slime Line’ with an interesting filling system. After turning away and uttering the words ‘I’ll have a think’, I did, and not long after, I bought it. I am rather pleased with it.
Until next time, stay safe out there people!
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