#vintage fountain pen | Gray Summers

Written on aKVarel bloK watercolour paper. 300 g. Of course Terric should read Terrific. But hey! I was overwhelmed.

Having written this Ty-Phoo Tea pen blog below a fair while ago, around two and a half years ago, I had forgotten it was put from ‘Published’ mode and back into ‘Draft’ status. So I thought it would be nice to air it again. Just an appreciation of a one hundred plus a few years vintage pen. I have been using many of my vintage pens, including the Ty-Phoo, over the last few days. Keeping them alive has been a far and few between activity this last year. Very remiss. So it was nice to get back to focus on the pens and the realisation of the calmness they bring. I have now whittled them down to a couple of dozen. And that number is my intentional contained focus for use in 2026. No more purchases unless a real ‘doody’ presents itself.

A few recent photographs of the wintery calm ambience in the land of Summers-ville. 2025 was anything but calm. So a period of calm is now a welcome gift.

A little log fire and the intentions of a rewatch of old festive movies over the next few days.

The dining table revisit for comfort writing. The journals are ready and waiting to be invaded with various plans and ideas. Also, reflections and affirmation content. The Den (study) is now music orientated. All guitars and recording equipment.

Keeping the fountain pens alive. Just let them present their name and nib material. Easy starts, hard starts and non-starts from each pen presenting itself has been interesting. Ink flows eventually though.

Back to the Ty-Phoo Tea pen blog.

For a 100 year old pen it has spirit. Not a blog really. Just appreciation for a pen that can keep producing when you pick it up. With an old nib from the 1920’s you tend to tread softly. But on pushing the pressure to create flex, you realise it can be used in a whole different manner. Will make a fine title writer for themed journals.