There's a genuine, daily pleasure in a pen that glides instead of scratches, ink pooling into a line with actual character.

The hobby quietly sprawls, though: nib widths, ink properties, paper that won't feather, and a wishlist that always costs more than you meant to spend.

Some days are just maintenance, flushing a clogged feed at the sink, but writing a grocery list stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a small indulgence.