I find the asymmetry of the mortar joints to be visually bothersom.

Buzz Aldrin’s defence in court:

“Your honour, that video of me punching that guy is totally staged and fake, and I was never there.”

I’ve been refilling the same cartridge with a syringe for years :-)

I still have, and occasionally use a pen virtually identical to this. Mine is a Sheaffer “Slim pen” purchased 1988, so maybe thinner than yours. Some years ago, I sent it away for repair. It came back fixed free of charge!