A writer’s gotta have pens, even in this modern day. While I usually spend my time attached to a variety of keyboards (or virtual keyboards), there are some things that still demand actual ink-based handwriting. Because I write by hand so infrequently, I’ve come to almost fetishize the pen and paper I choose (we all know about writers and their love of Moleskin notebooks, etc…). Jetpens sent a sampler of their unique and largely Japanese-based products, and while things like the colorful erasers modeled after sushi and self-sharpening mechanical pencil (to avoid flat lead syndrome on your 0.5mm tip) were interesting, different from what you’d usually find in Staples and quickly claimed by the kids, I fell for this pen. Besides writing smoothly, the wooden barrel and pewter effect have an almost steampunk aesthetic to them and $22.50 is a little more reasonable than a Montblanc.