Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web by those far wiser than myself:

Fountain Pen Economics
After reading each daily post as it came out last week, I am now looking forward to going back and reading them again as the one long form piece. It will be worth the time to think a little more and digest what is a very well researched and put together view on how we look at — and describe — the aesthetic value of our pens.

Reading more deeply about the field has given me the opportunity to think about pens, our experience of them, and our community, and some insights that might help us better understand the relationship between these three

To say there are aspects in this post beyond our usual thinking about pens and the way we describe them is certainly an understatement. A great read:
Fountain Pen Aesthetics

The Frugal Fountain Pen
A timely post this one, having myself recently come across a batch of office supply pads in the stationery cupboard at work which happily accept my fountain pens without bleed nor feather (notwithstanding my sentiments in the second to last link below). Given past experience, a rare find indeed:
Staples Perforated Writing Pads

Burlington Free Press
An article about a coffee company yes, however linked here simply to highlight the principle of corporate responsibility, the value it has in developing communities, and perhaps some thinking around what would be considered a reasonable amount of a company’s bottom line dedicated to such:
Former executives: Keurig social investments wane

Trubaca
If you love your coffee — and speciality coffee in particular, you may be interested in where it comes from. With much made of the direct trade philosophy in terms of relationships between roasters and producers, a sobering look at why small-scale “cherry picking” of microlots might not always result in long-term benefit for the grower.

So let’s get real about why we do this and understand that seeking the most delicious things in the world and building sustainable partnerships do not have to be mutually exclusive.

A very thought-provoking post with some fairly compelling numbers to illustrate the point:
The Direct Selectors – by Noah Namowicz

The Gentleman Stationer
It really begins to hit home once some numbers are actually put down on paper relating to the vast stores of well…everything in a pen enthusiast’s stash. As Joe mentions in this somewhat cathartic post, it is very difficult to actually finish/use/run out of anything when there is always something(s) new and eager to take its place:
A Searching and Fearless Inventory

All Things Stationery
A consideration on my shopping list before I came into possession of the Pilot Custom Heritage 92 I wrote about over the weekend. I’ve always liked the look of the Prera by Pilot. Another day perhaps:
Pilot Prera Fountain Pen

Pens! Paper! Pencils!
A great review of a pretty ugly pen. Purely my personal preference of course, though I’d agree with Ian, this one certainly missed the design mark a little.

I’ve always had a soft spot for rollerballs — still do in fact — particularly after recently coming to the disappointing conclusion I was not going to easily wedge my love of fountain pen’s into my daily office use (a post for another day). A little replenishment of my rollerball stores is perhaps in order — as long as they look half decent of course:
Uni-ball Eye Needlepoint Rollerball Review

The Pelikan’s Perch
I love a post that I know will be used as a definitive guide of sorts when it comes to future buying decisions. This one is for anyone considering purchasing a Pelikan fountain pen (or more if you already have one – or some — of course).

A very informative and well structured post:
A Guide to Buying Pelikan