Jewel Tower

Looks like I should rephotograph this pen. Very out of focus. I bought it in the Jewel Tower across from Westminster and it is a historical timeline with a gang of people representing different stages of history floating in it.

Slight departure from floaty

I bought a Stabilo Bionic Worker pen to try it out.

Quite expensive. Apparently indestructable.

In the UK, it's called a "Builders' pen" because construction workers are called "builders."

I tried it but didn't really like it too much.

I found the texture too rubbery, the grip a bit too thick, don't really like the canary yellow. One thing I really didn't like was that the yellow rubber got very dirty and is difficult to clean. I washed it before taking this picture.


I tried this slightly more stylish Stabilo Bionic pen above, but found that it twists a bit while it's being used, creating a bit of a problem with the design. Parts of the pen are clear, but when it twists around it messes up the symmetry. I also found the paint had started to wear off a bit after not very long. It also has rubber in the black grip area. I don't like the texture.


This pen is a beauty. It's the Pilot G-2 Ex pen. It's grip is a bit rubbery, but more of a plastic feel than the Stabilo Bionic pen. I love the green colour and the silver tip. The ink is wonderful and so is the ink flow. Someone at work gave me a few of them.

London loot

I found these London "made in Denmark" pens in a shop on the Strand. I wandered in expecting nothing as usual, but found a great stock of Eskesen brand pens.


I was so taken aback to find them after so many months spent looking for Danish-made London floaties that I asked the shopkeeper if they were knock offs. He obviously thought I was a lunatic of some sort, smiled and pulled out an extra stash from underneath the display area as if to placate me.

A penchant for Pez

I have a confession to make. I also collect Pez, the rectangular shaped containers with funny heads which flip back to dispense rectangular candies.

In the summer, Red Gryphon discovered that there is such a thing as Pez-themed floaty pens. Imagine how thrilled I was to receive them just before Christmas.


The designs are fabulous, both front and back.

British Museum pens

I bought these pens last year at the British Museum in London.



Architect Norman Foster designed the Great Court.