Hi, I’m Ynna and I’m part of the EndlessPens and HATCH team. 🙂
I’m relatively a new member and before being part of this wonderful team, I had dabbled in different fields. That led me to a whole range of stints which is why you could probably say I’m a jack of many trades somewhat. If you asked me if I knew where I was going, I’d tell you I absolutely had no idea. But one thing led me to another and it’s how I found myself writing to you now.
It has been a wild journey and I picked up many things along the way. I guess looking back, I was always searching for my purpose. I knew I wouldn’t find it without trying so that’s what I did.
Following my graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, I spent four years teaching in a state university in my rural hometown. Then life pulled me towards the capital, where I worked for one of the top 100 companies as an information and technology associate. I stayed there for almost a decade and that gave me years of experiences in quality assurance, system administration, project management, and events management.
Still, I felt something was missing. I’ve had the job many of my peers would pin for and I was grateful but I certainly felt that wasn’t it for me yet. That’s how I found myself doing part-time jobs on my weekends as a writer and graphic artist. This became my creative outlet that I couldn’t manifest in my role in the tech field. Eventually, I made the decision to leave the 8-5, packed my bags and returned home to pursue a career in writing and the arts full time.
Now, I’m happy to share that professionally, I am a writer, a graphic designer, and consultant for user interface and user experience.
Outside of the fun and creative world of EndlessPens and HATCH, I am a bookworm, a wanderer, and a foodie. I also love anime, cats and dogs, and spending time with my family.
How It Started
I love writing.
But it didn’t start like that at all. Like most people, I started because of school and the writing homework was plenty.
As a kid, I started writing with pencil and later on moved on to using ballpoint pens. They were these budget plastic pens students use up quickly. I went through so many pens throughout my school life that if I had kept all those used pens, I would probably have a couple or three shoeboxes filled.
Somewhere along the way, I got enamored with words and enjoyed writing outside of school. I kept personal diaries, wrote short stories on pad paper, and wrote letters to family friends near and far. It was like a personal religion and I was faithful to it. I’d spent hours bent on a notebook or paper, lost in the world and stories I build through words.
But later on, as I grew older and busier with life, after I finished school and the university, the digitalization boomed and it meant that most of my writing transitioned on to typing on my phone and computer. I typed on my devices more often than I wrote on paper. There was, comparably, a lesser need to write except when I had to sign official and legal documents.
But being my first love, I couldn’t fully let it go and found my way back eventually. I fell in love with fountain pens very recently. It started through a friend who was literally already deep in the rabbit hole. He has a ton of pens and inks and would often talk about them. Then one day I got curious enough to buy the cheapest fountain pen I could find online, just to try. And that was the start of it for me.
It was made of metal, had a bent nib and was labelled as a sketch fountain pen. It was what can be used with either a cartridge or converter. I loved how the ink flowed, sometimes staining my fingers. It had weight that made me feel comfortable and more connected to writing whenever I used it.
One thing led to another, and it’s how I found EndlessPens. I wanted to discover more pens and develop my writing style further. So I wondered, what pens should I get? Plural because I was thinking it won’t hurt to get more than one (1) pen.
My First Fountain Pen Haul
As someone new to fountain pens, I considered a few things before going through with my first purchase with EndlessPens. It was mainly three things, price point, color, and brand name. I had a budget, colors I considered I won’t get tired of using, then the brand. What makes the brand name relevant in my consideration?
Through research I discovered there are many fountain pen brands and each brand has their own history, personality, and strengths. Popular fountain pen brands are known for their heritage and functionality. Looking further, I learned that there’s a world of difference with each brand like how Western and European pen brands are widely known for their engineering, durability, and timeless appeal, while Eastern and Asian pen brands are popular for their meticulous craftsmanship, artistry and cultural significance. But I do believe each pen brand wherever they are from has their own heritage, world-class craftsmanship, high quality engineering, and creativity. Knowing these, I wanted to try something that can reflect these qualities.
I knew I can’t decide on my own, so I asked my friends about what they consider when they buy a fountain pen. They mentioned nib size, nib material, trims, and filling mechanism. I had an idea what the filling mechanism was but the other terms were all new to me and something I didn’t pay attention to if I ever heard or saw them prior. What I appreciate about these friends was how they helped me figure it out by asking simple questions.
Asking the Right Questions
- "Do I have small, average, or large handwriting?"
I learned that this is particularly helpful in deciding what nib size to get. For people who write with thin lines and small scripts, a fine or extra fine nib would be best while those who write with big heavy lines may enjoy a broad nib better. A medium nib is the middle ground of these two. As someone who’s enjoyed writing both ways, I figured going with a medium nib would be best.
- “What will I use the pen for?”
I do write a lot but at the same time I also like to draw. This made me think I also wanted to get something with a fine or extra fine nib. I like how fountain pens are sustainable and you get to dabble with different inks so having an experience with a cartridge and converter makes me feel excited about other inks I can also try. It does make me consider getting something with a larger ink capacity which led me to learn about other types of filling mechanisms. However, it’s something I’m still undecided about so I thought perhaps that’d be for another haul.
- “What is my budget?”
For me this is the ultimate question. There are many beautiful and reliable fountain pen brands but it all comes down to how much I’m ready to spend as a beginner in fountain pens. I had a rough estimate and was set on searching for pens the would meet the other criteria as well as not exceed this budget.
What did I get from EndlessPens?
I wanted to start with pens I can use daily and wouldn’t be hard to maintain so these fit the budget and my purpose.
LAMY Safai Fountain Pen
I got this in white as a symbolic way of expressing this journey starts with a clean slate and white is the primary color I start this with. It was an easy decision to pick a Lamy Safari because of its ergonomics perfect for long writing and most of all affordability. My friend also told me this is beginner friendly so I got it with a medium nib and being it in person I was impressed with it’s no nonsense packaging that fits and protects the pen.
It also had slits that worked like windows allowing me to peek inside. Inside the packaging I found the warranty policy tucked under the clip of the cap and there was a blue ink cartridge inside the body that I noticed through the ink window.
Ultimately, I like how it’s clean and simple.
Sailor TUZU 2025 Edition Color Fountain Pen - Special Edition (2025)
I like pastel blue and this is the pen I got with a fine nib! I got curious about the unique adjustable grip and nib angle mechanism I saw from its description which I’m excited to try especially with drawing. This one especially appealed to me because the listing further explains it for “People interested in trying fountain pens.”
It just connected! The packaging reflects the Japanese aesthetic and is made of cardboard paper with a sweet touch of a ribbon that acts as both an accent and tie which I imagine would help it hang if displayed on a stationery store.
Inside I found the instruction guide/limited warranty sheet, 2 cartridges of black ink and the paper shell that gives the slight sense of suspense as it houses the pen inside.
Sailor Profit Casual Fountain Pen
Last but definitely is this black Sailor fountain pen. Amongst other Sailor pens I saw, this one of those can be still considered affordable and perfect for an entry level user like me. I like how it offers the brand’s classic design and cigar shape, and the option to get it with a gold accent so I added it to my cart! What made me interested in this one is its Zoom nib.
I didn’t know what that was but that nib got me digging and that’s how I learned that this nib offers the flexibility of wiring with very fine to very broad lines! Truly, the capability for line variations was the best part about this. In terms of packing, it’s more premium than the other two.
It slides to open and presents the pen sitting on a velvety black material, packed with 2 black ink cartridges and its instruction and warranty card. Seeing the pen up close, I’m most happy because I think it looks stunning and it’s the prettiest pen I have so far.
What’s Next?
I’m reserving the Sailor Profit Casual for signing special documents at the moment.
Currently, I’m excited to start writing and drawing with the Lamy Safari and the Sailor Tuzu! Now seeing fountain pens up close, I finally understand what the rave’s about. It’s such a huge leap from the ballpoint pens and gel pens I’ve been used to.
At the start of this journey, I was overwhelmed and reluctant but taking the first step to fountain pens, I think I’m falling in love with writing all over again. I’m probably not gonna stop with just these pens. But that’s for another time!
Until then, happy writing!
By Some Folks at EndlessPens
