I grew up leafing through Der Spiegel, the German news magazine. My Dad was Germany-German, and used to pick it up from the specialty store we went to for all the German goodies. Like dark beer, chocolate, bread, ham, liverwurst, and black currant juice. It was a serious, sober, even dour magazine. I remember after the 1980 presidential election that TIME, Newsweek, the Washington Post, all had pictures of a smiling Ronald Reagan on their covers to announce his victory. Der Spiegel had a picture of a dejected Jimmy Carter. That’s just the kind of magazine it was. At least, that’s how I remember it.
Inside, they had really long, really serious articles, about really long, really serious subjects. Also, an almost unbelievable knack for getting the most unflattering photos of politicians. Comical, really.
It was big, too. Close to 200 pages, every week. So there were a lot of ads. For German stuff, mostly. Banks, stores, insurance, clothes, cars. And, every so often, pens. Lamy pens.
I love drawing and doodling. All my notebooks, from first grade through grad school, are about equal parts writing and doodles. I loved magic markers, and pencils, and pens. Especially Lamy pens. There was something mysterious about them. I only ever saw them in those black and white ads in Der Spiegel. Serious, sober, functional, and cool. Back then, they were hard to find in the States.
Then I did study abroad in Vienna, and there were Lamys all over the place. Every stationer, every school-supply department carried them. So I got a nice Lamy ballpoint. I don’t know what model it is, but they don’t make it anymore. I still use it occasionally.
But when I wandered into a small pen shop near Grand Central a couple of years ago, something caught my eye. It was a new Lamy pen, the Noto. Simple, clean, but not boring. I tried it out – fantastic! It was substantial without being heavy, and wrote really smoothly. The clicking action was solid, not plasticky. What a great pen. When they told me it was twelve dollars, I actually asked if they were sure.
Now, when I go to really long, really serious meetings about really long, really serious subjects, I have my new Lamy Noto with me. I never show my notes to anybody, though. They’re equal parts writing and doodles.
HISTORY
The Lamy brand first showed up in 1952, even though the company started in 1930 selling fountain pens under a different name.
STANDOUT FEATURE/WHAT MAKES IT GREAT
It doesn’t just look cool, it’s a great pen for writing.
CHEAP?
Yup.
VALUE (GREATNESS/PRICE RATIO)
12 bucks for world-class design and performance. I give it a score of NFW (no ‘effin way)
CATCH
None that I can think of. Right now.
BONUS
Most pen shops will let you switch out the cartridge for a different color ink or a different line width when you buy the pen. I prefer the broad in blue.
REALLY HIDDEN?
Yes, it’s so subtle you have to look right at it to notice it. Also, it’s usually not on the top shelf at most pen shops.
HOW TO GET IT
Most pen shops carry them. You can also get them online at Amazon.
AVAILABLE IN BLACK?
Yes.
Inside, they had really long, really serious articles, about really long, really serious subjects. Also, an almost unbelievable knack for getting the most unflattering photos of politicians. Comical, really.
It was big, too. Close to 200 pages, every week. So there were a lot of ads. For German stuff, mostly. Banks, stores, insurance, clothes, cars. And, every so often, pens. Lamy pens.
I love drawing and doodling. All my notebooks, from first grade through grad school, are about equal parts writing and doodles. I loved magic markers, and pencils, and pens. Especially Lamy pens. There was something mysterious about them. I only ever saw them in those black and white ads in Der Spiegel. Serious, sober, functional, and cool. Back then, they were hard to find in the States.
Then I did study abroad in Vienna, and there were Lamys all over the place. Every stationer, every school-supply department carried them. So I got a nice Lamy ballpoint. I don’t know what model it is, but they don’t make it anymore. I still use it occasionally.
But when I wandered into a small pen shop near Grand Central a couple of years ago, something caught my eye. It was a new Lamy pen, the Noto. Simple, clean, but not boring. I tried it out – fantastic! It was substantial without being heavy, and wrote really smoothly. The clicking action was solid, not plasticky. What a great pen. When they told me it was twelve dollars, I actually asked if they were sure.
Now, when I go to really long, really serious meetings about really long, really serious subjects, I have my new Lamy Noto with me. I never show my notes to anybody, though. They’re equal parts writing and doodles.
HISTORY
The Lamy brand first showed up in 1952, even though the company started in 1930 selling fountain pens under a different name.
STANDOUT FEATURE/WHAT MAKES IT GREAT
It doesn’t just look cool, it’s a great pen for writing.
CHEAP?
Yup.
VALUE (GREATNESS/PRICE RATIO)
12 bucks for world-class design and performance. I give it a score of NFW (no ‘effin way)
CATCH
None that I can think of. Right now.
BONUS
Most pen shops will let you switch out the cartridge for a different color ink or a different line width when you buy the pen. I prefer the broad in blue.
REALLY HIDDEN?
Yes, it’s so subtle you have to look right at it to notice it. Also, it’s usually not on the top shelf at most pen shops.
HOW TO GET IT
Most pen shops carry them. You can also get them online at Amazon.
AVAILABLE IN BLACK?
Yes.
