Notwithstanding the fact that 2020 has turned out to be a general s&*^show, resulting in the cancellation of all pen shows since March and for the foreseeable future, the past six months have not been entirely without bright spots. Actually, being stuck at home working remotely has provided me with much more time with my stationery and the products I review, and I’ve enjoyed having this opportunity to do more in-depth dives. Each of the following products that appear on this year’s July recap list is something that I’ve ended up using extensively at various times throughout the first half of 2020. If I had to pick the two that get the most regular use, I would say the Platinum Procyon (an excellent inexpensive daily writer that sits in the Penwell on my desk at home), and the CW&T Pen Type-B, which has been my non-fountain pen of choice. My favorite, however, is easily my Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next three I have on order.

Here’s to hoping that the second half of 2020 is better than the first, and that we can all see a return to normalcy, including visiting and sharing pens in person once again! Enjoy my five favorite reviews of 2020 to date:

Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino Fountain Pen. I’ve enjoyed watching Leonardo grow their brand over the past few years, and I’ve long been a fan of the standard Momento Zero. The Momento Zero Grande takes it to a new level with gorgeous custom materials (including the much-hyped, forthcoming “Primary Manipulation” collaboration with Jonathon Brooks) and a larger body size. The “Arlecchino” was Leonardo’s re-creation of a beloved OMAS celluloid that unfortunately had a tendency to deteriorate over time. This version is resin, so hopefully I expect to enjoy this pen for years to come.
Matthew C. Martin OG1 Fountain Pen. I discovered Matt’s work at the 2019 Atlanta Pen Show, but didn’t pick up one of his pens until Philadelphia in January. This pen didn’t leave my pen case for four months, and will be going back into rotation soon. Combining superb machining with a comfortable design and indestructible materials, the OG1 has become one of my favorite EDC fountain pens.
Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen. Platinum continues to dominate the low-cost and lower mid-range pen market, with the Procyon making a strong showing in the $50-60 price bracket. The Procyon has definitely grown on me throughout the year, and features Platinum’s signature “Slip & Seal” technology that reduces ink evaporation and prevents the nib from drying out. While Slip & Seal might not be a critical feature for everyone, it can come in handy if you like to keep an inexpensive pen permanently inked up on your desk or another location for infrequent use.
Blackfeet Indian Pencil. My “blast from the past” review of the pencil I recall fondly from my childhood. I went on a bit of an eBay stockpiling spree and now have several dozen of these in my discontinued stationery archive. And yes, they’re as good as I remember.
CW&T Pen Type-B. I resisted the call of the Pen Type-B for years, but I have to agree with Brad. It’s good. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re a die-hard fan of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C, there’s no better pen body out there, in my humble opinion. Here’s another pen that’s found its way onto my “quarantine desk,” and isn’t leaving anytime soon.