Pens: Handwriting may not mean what it used to—at one time it wasnt unheard of to have a handwriting test in a job interview—but it still sheds light on your personality. That I write in all caps is supposedly the sign of a quest for control, which may be true, and is certainly why I avoid handwriting tests. With the advent of texts, e-mails, and the rest of digital communications, its possible to have friends, or even begin dating somebody, and barely know what their handwriting looks like. Well, it helps if you have some good stationery (Terrapin Stationers is the place to start), but it really helps if you have a trusted pen. No, not some rarefied, limited-edition Montblanc that sits in a drawer, weighs a ton and never has any ink in it. Rather, a good pen that you use every day. Start with the Lamy Safari, an icon of German design. Its available in many colors (though Im partial to classic black), in a rollerball or fountain. Its nice, but not so nice youre going to weep uncontrollably if you lose it, the way you might over some vintage sunglasses that you stealthily tracked down on eBay. Think of it as a good scotch that you can drink every day, as opposed to the 18-year Laphroaig you only crack open on special occasions. Another strong choice is the Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen, which breaks down into two pieces that screw together so its very compact. It writes beautifully and is available in blue or black. Whats not to like? You might say: Why do I need to pay $30 when I can find some ballpoint number in around the office? Perhaps youre asking the wrong question. More like: How much is an impression worth—the kind that comes with a handwritten note? People can tell if something has been written with a fountain pen. And some of those people are well-placed in society. But this isnt about social climbing or ambition—its about the mark you make in the world when you put pen to paper, and that mark is something worth doing well.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 11:17:35 +0000
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