I think that there is a lot of self guilt in the community, especially in the new members. I buy decent pens, so what? Do I have to justify myself to others, friends and colleagues especially? No. People buy 1400$ iPhones that lasts 2 years top, they buy Tesla not Hyundai, my ex wife had purses that costed 500$ but we should use a Bic because of their optics and unwelcome judgement? I don't think so! I'm proud of tossing a homo sapiens in my bag seemingly without care 😊
What about your thoughts on gold nib fountain pens as a first time investment? Pilot e95s or Pilot custom 74 or Platinum 3776 or Sailor 1911 or anything else...
I love the Esterbrook J model pen in violet. The blue one is pretty too. I wish they had the cushion caps like the Esties do. The mystery pack fountain pen was gorgeous!
Hi Tom, I ordered the April Mystery Dip box received it the other day. First time I have ordered a Mystery box. Nice pen I like shimmer pens. Would love to add the cross pen to my collection. I don't have a question but a request. How about doing a tour of the Goldspot facility on RU-vid. Keep up the great work.
What options are there for relatively low-cost or entry level flex nib fountain pens? Or what other nib options can provide a little extra flair to the writing experience?
Hey Tom, for the Sailor pen of the year at 8:26, are we able to replace the band that says 2024 on it with a band from a different pro gear? are we even able to buy just the band from anywhere? I'm not too keen on anything with a year on it, but it seems silly to have two $300+ pens sharing one band.
My question (which is actually a two-part question): What are some of the best places to find fountain pen pals to exchange letters with, and what are some ways to make your letters more unique and fun for the recipient?
I've just started collecting fountain pens and I'm stuck on 'dry inks and 'wet' inks, how do I know it's dry ink and not the paper? I have a pen that seems to be hard to write with , I don't know if it's the ink or paper!!! I'm using Diamine 'Celeron cat in a starter pen Jinhao 9019 dadao series, if this is the wrong ink what do you suggest? Thanks .
I have a Cross Bailey Light, which is all plastic. Decent pen for $25, seems to write fairly well. I use a generic convertor made for Cross pens, it does not use a twist mechanism but a sliding bar to draw the ink into it.
A very fun episode--thank you. Is it possible to swap Sailor nibs amongst themselves? What happens when a Sailor nib needs replacing? (I have three fountain pens with broken nibs/nib section, and no good way to fix them....)
Although it is possible to swap the same model Sailor nib with its compatible equivalent (Sailor 1911L = Pro Gear Regular, Sailor 1911S = Pro Gear Slim nib), if a Sailor nib needs replacing, you need to contact Sailor's repair department directly since they do not provide replacement nibs.
It’s getting to be graduation, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. When looking for a fountain pen to gift someone for a special occasion, what are the key features to consider?
Re the cost..my favorite (disposable) pen for journalling was around 5-6 dollars with tax. I would need a new one about every 2 months..adds up…i dont do that anymore because i use my cherished fountain pens. 😋
I bought the mystery dip and quickly fell in love! One question - I got the fine nib. If it okay to use shimmer/glittery inks with a pen with a fine nib?
Thanks, Tom. That was fun. You tell us about the different design elements, materials, packages, and price. One question I have had for a long time: Why do so many pens, regardless of craftsmanship, design, material, etc., have those cheap, molded plastic feeds? Ebonite is more moldable, can be heat-set on the nib, and couldn't cost enough to make the pen unaffordable. Can penmakers be convinced to replace the plastic with ebonite, improving the ink flow, appearance, and function of the vital aspects of fountain pen ownership?
Dear Tom, My question concerns a topic that I struggle with myself at this moment. As my 40-plus years old fountain pen starts to show too much wear it needs to be replaced and therefore I am looking for a new pen. But how do I find the pen that suits best my hand, feels comfortable to hold and writes as I want it to write, without having to buy a huge amount of pens before I find the right pen for me? And a big thank you for all those nice videos I can enjoy on a frequently basis. Regards, Patrick
Tom, three possible questions for you: 1. What do YOU look for before adding yet another pen to your collection? 2. When do you say YES to a limited edition pen? 3. What pen(s) do you think you’ll have with you for the rest of your fountain pen days?
Hi Tom, there was a time when shimmer inks were only available from a few brands. Now it seems like the market is saturated (😉) with many options. What shimmer inks are your favorites and are they worth the extra cost and effort necessary for pen maintenance?
What a great Mystery Dip! I love it when pens come with a converter, as many over $100 pen do; but what about those really great starter pens that we've refilled cartridges for? Pens like the Pilot Kakuno, Platinum Preppy, and Cross Bailey Light could be replaced, or almost replaced, for the cost of a converter. How can I decide if it's worth the extra cost?
Tom, love your shirt in this week's episode. My question is: do you find yourself scrapbooking all the stickers and 'extras' from pen purchases or do you use the stickers. I find that all the stickers an magnets and such are too nice to be put on a notebook that may get thrown away later on. What do you do with all your stickers?
I wish I had more luck with your mystery pens. All the ones I purchased always had gold trim. Do you think you might offer choice of trim when this is available like this month’s? I would love the Esterbrook with silver. Or will it always be random?
Nice video Tom. I got a question. How thoroughly do you clean your pen? Or when do you stop cleaning a fountain pen? I have a fountain pen that was filled with a seemingly stubborn ink. Despite flushing it and using a bulb and syringe, traces of the ink color persist when rinsing it under the faucet.
I would flush it until the water runs as clear as possible. If there's a little trace color left in the water, I let the fountain pen dry, resting nib down in a cup with a paper towel folded at the bottom. The absorbent paper towel leeches the remaining inky water from the feed.
Tom, Looking to move up in my collection. Currently, have 3 Safari's, 1 AL-Star, 2 Eco's and the Goldspot Amithist Limited sport . What would you suggest as my next purchase?
Why pay so much? I like to compare it to driving a Ford, Explorer SUV to driving a BMW. Sure, it's a status symbol to drive the expensive car. But if you enjoy the engineering that went into it, you can "feel" the experience of just driving the BMW and how it responds to your touch. It's the same of the throw away Bic Pen vs the fountain. I even love the action of filling the fountain pen!
Ahhh, question of the week. I’m a newbie in the gathering game of pen addiction. I’m learning through trial and error, or disappointment, buying different pens. This game can be quite challenging and expensive. What should I look for when purchasing a “quality” pen, that won’t disappoint?
What is the best way or place to store inks for longevity? I have several bottles now and worried about them color changing or degrading before I can use them up.
Beautiful pens! This autumn I'll be going to my first pen show, what would your advice be for someone completely new to pen shows? It'll be a small one but I'm excited!!
I answered this in a previous episode where I gave tips on attending your first pen show. Here's the video you can watch - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JugApPffKXs.html
I have more than several ballpoints and rollerballs whose points have dried. I'm sure there's still ink in them. Why am I so sure? I'm an optimist, Can they be revived? It would save buying so many refills.
I like slip and snap caps for taking class notes, what pens would you recommend for reasonably priced options would you recommend for a reliable workhorse to take to school?
Lovely discussions on the justification of fancy pens. What would be the next innovation in fountain pens that you'd be interested in seeing? I personally would love to see a more consistent and affordable paper for hobbyists. But that's just wishful thinking.
Personally I have a few approx $100 pens, some of which I've had for about 15 years, (I find that a reasonable price point for a durable product), but I don't see myself collecting more. I like the way the ones I have write, they'll last for years (probably outlast me). So I'm fine -- unless one gets lost or damaged.
Hi Tom! I have a question that you might be able to answer. There was an instagram post for a special edition of the magna carta mag 600 i believe with a special resin made of disks. When will we see this? I am very keen to get this future goldspot exclusive!
If you are at an interview, be it school admissions, job or work meeting, you will stand out from the others. This standout will give the impression of success and quality and the willingness to perform at your best. If the person on the other side of the desk knows about fountain pens, then there will be a bond and they will know you enjoy & strive for success. If the person on the other side of the desk does not know about fountain pens then you will catch their curiosity and you have a ice breaker in your favor.
(What I mean is: I'd be horrified to know that any of my interviewers have been choosing employees based on what sort of pens they use, what clothes they wear, or what colour they are. We need people with skills ... and we can make sure that they've the opportunity to use fountain pens later on.)
There IS nothing to explain, its a fountin pen... Sure I got already 30, but there is nothing wrong to buy another one, just in Case I lost the other 30 which I keep Safe in my lockable drawer.... Reminds me to buy more ink.....Just in Case...
I'm a massive fan of sparkly inks. Every pen I have is inked with sparkly ink, except for my Kaweco liliput. However, there are people that say you should only put shimmer ink in cheap pens. I have an ultrasoft toothbrush for cleaning the feeds, and I make homemade white lightening. Is there another way that sparkle corrodes a pen? Why do people say that shimmer inks destroy pens? Even if one of my pens got a clogged feed, it wasn't difficult to get it unclogged.
What's rhe best way to store your bottles of fountain pen ink? What is a good way to use up a lot of ink? I have enough bottles of ink to last a lifetime and need to justify buying more ink by using what I have.
also curious about if inks need to be kept from the sun. it seems such a shame to keep them in a drawer or in their boxes when the bottle design needs to be admired.
Getting 'good value' is such an aspirational-class frivolity. If you you want the pen, buy the pen; there is no 'worth it' beyond whether you'd rather have the relevant quantity of fiat currencies or the pen.
First? I haven’t finished the video but my first thought « should make a thousands $ justification guide » after eyeing maki-e pens all morning 😂😂 edit:finished the video, so I guess the comment doubles up as a question lol!
My favorite pen is the Pilot Vanishing Point, definitely a $100 pen, but I have lost two of those now, so I don't allow myself to buy them. This makes me so sad!
I am curious to know... What kind of PLASTIC are these pens made of ?? Hundreds of Pen reviews...and no one , knows, what type of PLASTIC (resin) Brand Pens are made from ?? (with the exception of Lamy that uses LEGO ABS PLASTIC)
