Reasonably Priced Solid Silver Pens

A solid silver pen makes a wonderful gift for the obvious reason that it is made from a precious metal. They also look great engraved and personalized, which is very useful if you are looking for something extra special. Some of the major pen brands manufacture solid silver pens but they are very expensive. For example, Graf von Faber-Castell has a solid silver fountain pen that retails at £450. Although the pen is well made and from good quality silver, it is not in most people’s price bracket. So where can you find reasonably priced silver pens, that are good quality?

Having had a good look around, there is not an abundance of ‘well priced’ solid sterling silver pens. The major brands such as Parker, Waterman and Sheaffer do not focus on silver pens, so I looked more at the lesser known pen brands. I eventually came across Laban Pens, which is relatively new having been established in 1981 by John Hu and his brother Charles. Their aim was to produce high quality solid silver and platinum plated pens, and have since developed a reputation as a world class pen manufacturer. They have a large and interesting range, playing with styles and materials. For example Laban have a solid silver pen with a striking lined effect, with Swarovski crystals, with wood, and also with different coloured resins.

Laban use a good quality silver that is hallmarked with the 925 symbol. 925 silver is used in most jewellery and basically means that it is made from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. The copper helps strengthen the silver, and make it more resistant to scratching. The most important aspect of the laban silver pens is the price, with retail prices starting at about £50.00. There is little difference in the quality of silver with the Graf von Faber Castell pen, which makes these pens really good value.

Choosing the Ideal Pen for your Exams

During an exam I write furiously, and don’t want to be distracted by writers cramp or writing strain. Also I want a pen that is comfortable to hold and reliable. Exams are stressful enough without suffering from a leaking pen or aching hand. So what is the ideal pen for an exam?

Many people believe that fountain pens in an exam are a bad idea because they may leak or break. Whilst some fountain pens are prone to leakages, good quality fountain pens are very reliable and have advantages over other writing instruments. Because they use liquid ink, fountain pens need very little pressure on the paper whilst writing, meaning less risk of writing strain. The most popular pen for taking exams is the ballpen due to its reliability and economy. The disadvantage of a ballpen though is that it requires a lot of pressure to be applied to the paper. Perhaps the best solution is the rollerball pen because it uses liquid ink, and is very reliable like a ballpen. For more information on pens avialable, take a look at the Writing Equipment Society.


One of my favourites is the Lamy Safari, a highly dependable and comfortable pen that has an ergonomic grip. Lamy Pens are known for excellent quality and functional design. The Safari has a triangular grip for comfort, and a little barrier to stop the fingers slipping down the nib. The body is lightweight but very durable, and the fountain pen benefits from taking large ink cartridges. Lamy also has another range called the Studio, which is a bit heavier but very comfortable to use because the barrel is made from a ‘grippy’ surface. Thus Lamy pens are an excellent choice for an exam, and all their models are avialable in rollerball.

There are various ergonomic pens that I have seen on the market, but none are as good as the Yoropen. Ergonomic pens aim to make writing more natural and comfortable, and are therefore a very good choice for taking into an exam. The Yoropen has a bend above the nib, creating a finger support. It also changes the angle at which you write, meaning less pressure is required whilst writing. My own personal favourite pen for taking into an exam is the executive Yoropen, because it is beautifully weighted and writes like a rollerball. The good news is that the Yoropen will soon be available in gel ink.

If you have young children and are concerned about the standard of their handwriting, have a look at the website ‘handwriting for kids’. It has loads of good tips for teaching children how to hold the pen correctly and much more.

It is worth spending a bit of time choosing the right pen for your exam, because many people overlook this detail but regret it afterwards. It is a big mistake to take in a BIC biro or other cheap pen, because they will make your hand seriously hurt, thus damaging your performance. Also, your handwriting will deteriorate, making it illegible. To read some tips on improving your handwriting, click here. If you do buy a new pen for an exam, make sure you break it in beforehand. This is particularly important if it is a fountain pen, because it takes a while for the nib to adjust to the owners writing style.

Calligraphy – An Art Form

Calligraphy has been considered an art form for centuries, and I feel very encouraged to see the ancient practice still being used. A highly skilled practitioner can elevate the practice of Calligraphy to stunning works of art that inspires others. Lettering and calligraphy have been used as forms of expression ever since we, as a human race, have learnt to write. It can be learned and enjoyed by everyone, and can become an absorbing hobby.

A modern definition of Calligraphy is ‘the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skilful manner’. Modern calligraphy ranges from functional hand lettered inscriptions and designs to fine art pieces which focus on abstract expression rather than readable text. Calligraphy is still flourishing in the form of wedding and event invitations, font design/typography, original hand-lettered logo design and religious art. To learn more about the art of Calligraphy visit ‘Learn Calligraphy’ and the ‘Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society’.

The traditional implement for writing Calligraphy is the dip pen. It consists of a metal nib attached to a wooden handle, and has been used since the early 19th century. Before the dip pen, the feather quill pen was the most common writing instrument. A skilled craftsmen could cut the quill so that it would create some very beautiful Calligraphy effects. A whole range of exquisite Calligraphy Sets including Feather Quill Pens can still be purchased today. Why not liven up your handwriting with the art of Calligraphy.