Sometimes you have to listen to what a pen wants. Does it want to draw? To journal about deep thoughts or deep loves? Does it want to be carried or stand proudly on a desk?
Well, this one was screaming, “Give me RED ink and command of a RED journal!” That’s a pretty bold statement for a lowly Wordsworth & Bläck with a juicy stainless EF nib. How could I refuse?
Honestly, this pen drops a lot of ink on a journal page for an extra fine. And what’s with that name; Erudite? In what sense can a pen be well-educated? But all that aside, this pen is eye-catching and feels lovely in the hand, until you begin to write with the scratchy nib.
The ink tries to redeem it. The Pilot iroshizuku “tsutsuji” (Magenta) is very bright, flows easily, and dries quickly. It’s a deep magenta and very contrasty even on a parchment-style paper.
In spite of my complaints about the pen, it was a decent value and it performs well enough for the ten-minute per day function I give it.
Do your pens tell you which ink they really want?