In fact, one of my disappointments this year was that none of the major pen manufacturers (Pentel, Shaeffer, Pilot, RoseArt, Bic) really introduced anything new for the back-to-school season. Usually, there is something really interesting to try out in August and September, but not this year. One of the more disturbing trends this year is that all of the major office supply stores (Office Depot, Staples, Office Max in our area) have come out with their own private brand of writing instrument. This can only mean a continued slide in quality, as these cheap-as-possible knockoffs take up the shelf space that used to be occupied by better pens.

I own a number of fountain pens as well, from an expensive Mont Blanc down to affordable European pens from AW. One of the things I've learned is that "more expensive" does not translate to "better writing". (For me, "better writing" means "smooth and quiet without skipping".) I'm carrying two fountain pens right now that cost me less than $30 that are among the best I've ever used. Ironically, the best writing pen I own is a cheap, plastic pen from AW in Germany with a thin, steel nib.

I'm also carrying a Pilot Precise V5, which is among the best of the rollerball pens. It's too bad the pen manufacturers don't have "beta test" programs, like software firms do. I could be a valuable resource.