Currently inked - February 2021

Gold and chrome in equal measure this month. First up, my Pelikan M600 in green with a two-tone 14k broad nib, filled with Rohrer und Klingner Sepia. R&K inks are generally very reliable, but this one is a little on the dry side and needs a broad, wet Pelikan nib to enjoy it at its best. Even then, it's quite a subdued colour, with perhaps some faint puce undertones.

A very different sort of Pelikan. This is the Pelikan Signum (model number P570) from the late 70s or early 80s - a slim cylinder of the Aurora Hastil type - fitted with a 14k gold extra-fine nib that has a surprising amount of bounce. Filled this month with the ever-solid Sheaffer Skrip Red.

Third is an ST Dupont D-Link in black with chrome trim. This particular pen is fitted with an 18k gold medium nib in Dupont's signature scalloped shape and filled with perhaps my favourite teal ink, De Atramentis Midnight Blue. An uncommon pen with an uncommon ink.

A sentimental choice to finish up with - my father-in-law's Aurora 98 in black with a gold-fill cap. This is the final generation cartridge-filler from the late 70s filled with the inimitable Aurora Black (I say that, but it has of course been imitated...). An "accidental stub", which is what you call your pen after you've dropped it nib-first on the floor.