Deals & Drops: It's a Limited Retro 51 Extravaganza!

Ok, I couldn’t resist the Retro 51 Typewriter, and there are a bunch of additional new Retro 51 releases, including several retailer collaborations, out this month, as well as some great older models that are still hanging around. If you’re looking for a place to keep all of those Retro 51s, don’t miss the new “System” Deluxe Six Pen Roll from Rickshaw Bagworks, available for pre-order over at the Clicky Post website. Happy shopping!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. Please see our Privacy and Cookie Policies for additional information.

1. Retro 51 Typewriter Rollerball (via Pen Chalet). I couldn’t resist picking up one of the black Typewriter pens, exclusive to Pen Chalet.

2. Vanness Artist Series 2019 (via Vanness Pens). This year’s “Artist Series” is a collaboration with Little Rock-based Tattoo artist Katie McGowan, featuring mandala-style artwork over a copper base with antique copper trim.

3. Retro 51 Invader Fountain Pen (via Pen Chalet). Last year, Retro 51 revitalized their fountain pen lineup, switching to JoWo nibs. Does that mean we’ll see more limited edition and exclusive fountain pens, like this classic 8-bit video game-themed pen? Hopefully the answer is yes!

4. Retro 51 Tokyo Skyline Limited Edition (via Goldspot). Don’t miss the latest “Skyline” release from Goldspot, this time featuring Tokyo. The pens in this series glow in the dark to reveal a “nighttime” skyline.

5. Retro 51 Terabyte Tornado 2.0 (via Anderson Pens). If you missed out on the first “Terabyte” fountain pen, now’s your chance to pick up the “Terabyte 2.0” in all-black trim.

6. The System and Space Cat Pen Roll by Rickshaw Bagworks (via Clicky Post). Mike Dudek and Matthew Morse have collaborated on this Deluxe Six Pen Roll from Rickshaw Bagworks that’s sure to complement your Retro 51 “The System” pens! (Now we just need a System Retro 51 Fountain Pen!)

7. Lamy Studio LX All Black (via Appelboom). I finally bit on this one, since the Studio is one of my favorite “unsung heroes” of the pen world and I can’t resist all-black pens.

8. Ateleia Heirloom Quality Machined Pen (via Ateleia/Etsy). Not a fan of rollerball refills? Check out Ateleia’s pens in stainless steel, raw and black aluminum, brass and copper. They accept several popular gel refills, including the Pentel Energel and Uniball Signo, as well as Pilot or Fisher refills, depending on which insert you choose. (You can also opt to purchase both inserts for maximum versatility.)

9. Kaweco Skyline Sport Demonstrator in Transparent Turquoise (via Goldspot). Goldspot recently announced an exclusive collaboration with Kaweco on a transparent demonstrator pen in the “Skyline” series.

10. Aurora 88 Mercury Limited Edition (via Nibsmith). Pre-order the latest limited edition release in the Aurora 88 “Stellar Collection,” which features a gorgeous marbled grey Auroloide.

11. PenBBS 469 Double-Sided Eyedropper in “Misty Mountains” (via PenBBS/Etsy). When will PenBBS just stop making pens in new materials that I want to try? Hopefully never, but it’s not easy on your wallet. I love transparent acrylic with ribbon-like swirls of color, especially in blues and greys. Check out my review of this particular model here.

12. Visconti Rembrandt “Master of Arts” Eclipse Fountain Pen (via Pen Chalet). I’ve not noticed this particular color of the Rembrandt before, and it’s quite attractive, especially at the current price point.

13. Faber-Castell e-Motion “Pure Black” Edition (via Appelboom). One of my personal favorite “workhorse” fountain pens that I always recommend to those who want something more substantial to write with, though this pen is exceptionally well-balanced for its weight. Check out my review here.

14. WIng Sung 601 Vacumatic Fountain Pen (via Amazon). Looking for a way to test out a vintage vacumatic-style filling system without a large investment? Wing Sung pens are a great way to start. Check out my review of some Wing Sung piston-fillers here.

15. Fisher Space Pen Black Titanium Nitride “Astronaut” Pen (via Amazon). The original Fisher Space Pen, with a new darker coating!

New Notebook Alert: Yoseka Stationery

My friend Cary Yeager - of both Fountain Pen Day and Kenro fame - introduced me to this notebook at a pen show earlier this year. I can’t remember exactly which one, but I believe it was the Arkansas Pen Show in Little Rock. A few weeks later, this sample notebook showed up in the mail from Yoseka Stationery, and I have to apologize for how long it’s taken me to do a review, especially since this is such an interesting product. Cary explained to me that the owners of Yoseka Stationery had just opened a brick-and-mortar shop in Sunnyside, Queens, and had designed this notebook from scratch after sourcing the paper from Taiwan.

You can read the full description here on the Yoseka website, but in short this notebook contains 85gsm “KBU2” paper from Conifer, a Taiwanese company that has been around since 1955 and apparently experiments quite a bit with different paper properties. Yoseka chose this particular paper because “it encourages a quick dry and it perfectly reflects the sheen of the pen ink with minimal bleeding.” Since the paper is fairly absorbent, it does dry quickly, with no smearing once the ink is dry - something those who love “sheeny” inks will appreciate since many of those tend to smear even days later.

I had minor issues with bleed-through in the Yoseka notebook, but I’m beginning to suspect that the primary culprit is one particular ink (Lamy Crystal Peridot), which has been temperamental on several different papers. I experienced serious bleed-through with that ink on a Rhodia pad.

The design of the notebook itself merits some discussion. Yoseka uses a plain “cement grey cardboard hardcover”, which reminds me of the thick chipboard covers used on the Doane Paper notebooks, as well as a “naked binding” that shows off the stitching and gluing. Yoseka describes the cover and binding as “durable,” but that characterization will, of course, depend on how hard you use your notebooks. Fans of minimal design will like the look, and the binding allows the notebook to lay completely flat.

A true lay-flat binding!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Yoseka Stationery makes a nice notebook featuring a simple design and durable construction. This notebook also contains a lot of paper, which should handle most fountain pen inks relatively well and show off any inks that sheen. I’d offer a note of caution for those who anticipate writing on both sides of the page with very wet nibs and inks, as you might experience a touch of “pinpoint” bleedthrough (pictured above). Otherwise, this notebook should meet most people’s needs, and generally has been well-received by fountain pen users.

You can purchase the Yoseka Notebook directly from Yoseka Stationery in Queens, New York, either via their online store or in person at their brick-and-mortar location in Sunnyside. It’s reasonably priced at $20, and I definitely plan to make a visit when I’m in New York City next month (along with visits to my other favorite NYC stationery shops)!

Disclaimer: The notebook featured in this review was sent to me free of charge by Yoseka Stationery. Many thanks to them for making this review possible!

Sunday Reading for September 8, 2019

1. 2019 San Francisco Pen Show (via Mountain of Ink). I may make San Francisco a “must attend” show on my list next year. This was Kelli’s first pen show and it was fun to read her reactions to the scene. Hopefully she attends more shows in the future!

2. SF Pen Show 2019 Recap (via Well-Appointed Desk). Another great pen show recap from Ana, who was behind the Vanness table for the second time in a month!

3. Second Time Lucky with Oldwin? (via UK Fountain Pens). I haven’t acquired many pens during the second half of this year. I’m getting pickier, and I think an Oldwin remains one of the few “must buys” on my list at some point. I’m holding out for a trip to Paris to go pick one up in person.

4. Sailor 1911 Large Ringless Epinard (via Fountain Pen Follies). Laura reviews Sailor’s latest experiment. I see how the ringless look could grow on you, but I still can’t get past the mismatched clip and nib.

5. Molteni Modelo 54 (via SBREBrown). Molteni is a brand that I have very little familiarity with, though the brand seems to date to the mid-1990s. I like the designs but these seem to be very large pens.

6. Endless Recorder: “The World’s Most Ink Friendly Notebook” (via Macchiato Man). I have one of these for review and can’t wait to crack it open, especially seeing how hard Yagan pushed this thing.

7. Tombow Mono KM-KKS 4B Pencil Review (via Pen Addict). I have one of these Tombow “Handwriting Pencils,” along with the Uni Equivalent. I haven’t broken them out in some time but I have truly enjoyed them.

8. Stationery in Real Life: Making Do (via From the Pen Cup). Having to make something out of nothing when it turns out you’ve forgotten your stationery on a work trip…. Been there!

9. Pelikan M1005 Stresemann Fountain Pen (via Gourmet Pens). Azizah gets her hands on Pelikan’s latest M1000/M1005 series release, which remains on my radar despite the size. I do think I need at least one “Big Bird”….

10. Contest: Win a Pelikan M205 Star Ruby Fountain Pen & Ink Set (via Pelikan’s Perch). Happy five-year blogiversary to Joshua and the Pelikan’s Perch! Don’t miss out on this giveaway opportunity.

Please Visit and Support My Sponsors and Affiliates!

Please take a moment to visit my sponsors and affiliates, who help keep the blog going. It's next to impossible to maintain a steady stream of fresh review content without some form of sponsorship or affiliate relationship, especially with a passion like pens that can easily empty your wallet. When you shop these links and support TGS sponsors and affiliates, you support the blog, and I appreciate all the help I can get!

1. Vanness Pens. Vanness Pens carries rare and hard-to-find inks from all over the world, including Vinta, Krishna, Colorverse, Callifolio, Akkerman, and the full line of DeAtramentis. Vanness is also the exclusive U.S. retailer for Galen Leather products! You can check out my recap of a visit to Vanness here.

2. Pen Chalet. Pen Chalet has a wide variety of available pens and offers unbeatable value on pens, inks, pen cases, etc.

3. Anderson Pens. In addition to having one of the largest offerings of bottled ink in the world, Anderson Pens is an authorized retailer of a wide range of brands, including Sailor, Aurora and Faber-Castell. Check out the sponsor profile I published here.

4. Appelboom. Please check out Appelboom's extensive selection and excellent pricing on a wide range of brands, including Montblanc pens such as this Classique 145 I reviewed.

5. Goldspot Pens. Goldspot regularly offers excellent promotions and specials! Check out their "Weekly Dip" section for details.

6. The Nibsmith. Dan offers a vast selection from Aurora, Montegrappa, TWSBI, Sailor, Pilot, along with nib customization services that is included free of charge on certain pens!

7. Pokka Pens. Pokka Pens makes high quality, portable ballpoints that make for a great EDC option. Check out my review here, and don't forget to use the code GENTSTA to get 10% off your purchase!

8. Tempus Planner. The Tempus Planner is a dateless planner designed to help you with prioritizing important tasks and goal setting, while leaving you with the flexibility to work how you want. TGS readers will get 15% off their first order, using the coupon code “Tempus15” at checkout!

9. Good Made Better. I’m happy to announce that Good Made Better, the maker of the Penwell pen holder (review here) is joining the blog as an advertiser/sponsor. I love the Penwell lineup, and have at least three of them between my home and work offices.

10. TGS Amazon Page. I run across many more items (pens, pencils, books, accessories, etc.) in my online "travels." Amazon has an option where I can set up an affiliate page to host product recommendations and earn fees on referrals. Amazon does not sponsor this blog.

11. Favorite Etsy Stores. I frequent a handful of Etsy stores that sell pens, leather goods, paper, and miscellaneous stationery and office goods. (Affiliate)

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I reviewed the Vertex, Karas Kustoms’ latest “Signature” line release, and also Aurora’s Vintage Duo-cart re-release, and thoroughly enjoyed both. This week’s Deals & Drops featured on several Aurora and Pelikan limited editions that are just now hitting the market, as well as a new Retro 51 collaboration from Vanness.

Happy Sunday, and as always, thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates.

Pen Review: Karas Kustoms Vertex Fountain Pen

While I wasn’t one of the lucky ones able to snag an original Vertex prototype when Karas teased the pens late last year, I admired them from afar and have been waiting for their wider release. Earlier this summer Paul from Karas Kustoms contacted me and asked whether I would be interested in reviewing the finished product. I received for review a Vertex in limited run “Galeocerdo” acrylic, which I would describe as a multi-toned metallic silver material that I hope makes its way into regular production at some point. As for the pen itself, overall I’m impressed with what Karas has done, but the Vertex still has some issues that give me reservations about issuing an unqualified recommendation. Read on to learn more.    

As always, Karas Kustoms gets creative on their packaging. My Vertex shipped in this machined aluminum box, with a foam insert to protect the pen.

Vintage-Inspired Design and Maximum Writing Comfort

Let’s start with what I really enjoy about the Vertex: the look of this pen and how comfortable it is to use for long periods of time. Karas has carried over the vintage design aesthetic from its previous “Signature” release, the Decograph, into a shorter, chunkier pen that I prefer. (While I enjoyed testing the Decograph, over time I found the pen slightly too long posted.) The long, concave section on the Vertex is outstanding, and in addition to comfort you can modify the look of your pen by swapping in a section made from a different color acrylic. Karas sells replacement sections separately, so you can purchase more than one. 

The metallic shimmer on the Galeocerdo acrylic makes me want to see more of this material. Hopefully the initial run was not a one-off.

As an acrylic pen that uses a cartridge-converter/eyedropper filling system (more on that below), the Vertex weighs next to nothing. For me, the pen has the best balance when posted, and I happily used this pen for three full days of work drafting and annotating documents longhand. The cap posts securely, and the lack of threads on the long section makes the Vertex a great choice for those who, like me, tend to adjust their grip higher or lower as I write, and don’t always hold the pen the same way. While the section is smooth, it has enough texture to provide a good grip, and I had no issues with slippage even after long writing sessions. 

Here, you can see (1) the transparent acrylic section, which is slightly concave; (2) the ink window; and (3) the o-ring embedded in the section to prevent leaking through the front of the pen.

One interesting design choice that I ended up enjoying was the decision to make the top of the cap concave.

Optimized for Eyedroppering

Karas designed the Vertex as an “eyedropper” fountain pen, meaning that the pen’s barrel can be used as an ink reservoir without resorting to a cartridge or converter. That’s both a blessing and a curse. On the plus side, used as an eyedropper, the Vertex holds a massive amount of ink so you can avoid refilling frequently. Aesthetically, filling the barrel with ink also allows the transparent section to function as an ink window, a conscious design choice and my clear preference since a visible cartridge or converter would, in my opinion, destroy the beauty of the pen. The Vertex incorporates custom fit o-rings into the barrel and section so that the pen ships “eyedropper-ready,” with no need to add silicone grease to seal the threads. The cap also features an o-ring, which creates a seal that not only keeps the cap closed or posted securely, but should prevent ink from leaking out in the event there is a spill in the cap. Which brings me to…. 

The downside of this design. The main flaw in the Vertex is that the o-ring on the interior of the cap can create pressure that draws ink out of the nib and feed when you uncap the pen. To avoid any issues, Karas recommends that you uncap the pen with the nib pointed up. I would add that you should try to uncap the pen as slowly as possible, and to avoid using the cap as a fidget toy, which I confess to sometimes doing with my slip-cap pens. But even exercising as much care as I possibly could, I still ended up with ink on the section, in the cap, and on my hands on multiple occasions, with the problem getting worse after I had transported the pen in my bag to and from the office, where changes in air temperature likely increased the tendency to burp ink. I will note this temperature issue is a problem inherent in most eyedropper fountain pens, unless they incorporate a valve or seal like those found in high-end Danitrios or on the Opus 88 line. I would not recommend using the Vertex as a “pocket” eyedropper, or in a desktop pen-holder such as the Good Made Better Penwell where the pen would stored with the nib facing down.    

Karas Kustoms went above and beyond on the nib engraving. I love the new logo.

Quality Control on Bock Nibs Remains a Head-Scratcher

Karas Kustoms uses Bock nibs on the Vertex. There’s nothing wrong with Bock nibs per se. If you get a good one, they can be exceptionally nice writers. The nibs on my Conway Stewart Model 100 and both of my Faggionato pens are great examples of how a properly tuned Bock nib can equal most any other writing experience. On the other hand, however, Bock nibs are somewhat notorious for their inconsistency, and I guess I was due to take a hit after I’d had a long run of good draws. The first nib on my Vertex didn’t write at all, whether the pen was eyedroppered or whether I used the included converter. Paul quickly sent me another one - Karas customer service is excellent - and the second nib had a tendency to hard-start with a converter but wrote perfectly well when eyedroppered. The issues with the Bock nibs don’t move me one way or another on this specific pen: While I probably prefer Schmidt or JoWo, many pen brands source their nibs from Bock and unfortunately sometimes you just have to work with your retailer until you find one that’s satisfactory. A good thing about Bock nibs is that they’re easily interchangeable.     

From left, for size/shape comparison purposes: the Lamy 2000 fountain pen, the Karas Kustoms Vertex, and the Franklin-Christoph Model 20.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’m all-in on the direction in which Karas is moving with their pen design. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed testing out their last two “Signature” releases, the Vertex and the Decograph, and I would probably give the edge to the Vertex in terms of aesthetic design due to how comfortable this pen is in the hand and how well it posts. In their Signature line, Karas seeks to evoke the shape of classic Parker and Sheaffer pens, and the Vertex definitely has the feel of a Sheaffer Legacy or PFM. 

That said, the tendency for the Vertex to burp ink gives me pause as to whether I could use the pen as a true daily writer, which I really want to do because it’s such a comfortable pen for long sessions. I’m not sure whether anything can actually be done to mitigate the issue - it’s an eyedropper fountain pen after all, and the design of the Vertex doesn’t lend itself to easily incorporating a seal or valve. For the time being, I’m going to continue to use the Vertex and see whether the issue resolves itself as I get a better feel for how to cap/uncap the pen without causing an “inksplosion.”  

The Vertex featured in this review is the limited run “Galeocerdo” acrylic version, which is not currently available for sale on the Karas website. Production line versions of the Vertex are available in black and dark green acrylic, as well as black and white Delrin. As noted above, you can purchase different color clear acrylic sections to customize your pen, and choose from steel, titanium, and 14k gold Bock nibs. The Vertex starts at a more than reasonable $130 for a pen with a steel nib, with the price increasing if you opt for titanium or gold. (The $80 upcharge for a gold nib still allows the Vertex to remain a reasonably priced pen.)

Disclaimer: I received the pen featured in this review from Karas Kustoms, free of charge for review purposes. Many thanks to Paul and the team at Karas Kustoms for making this review possible.

Deals & Drops: Long Weekend Recovery and New Sponsor Alert

Why do the four-day weeks following a long weekend always feel so draining? At least it serves as another excuse to buy yourself a little “pick-me-up”! Check out this week's new releases and announcements, including the latest Vanness “Artist Series” Retro 51 collaboration, the new Aurora “Mercury” Solar System pen, and finally, at long-last, the Pelikan M1005 Stresemann.

I’d also like to take a moment to welcome a new sponsor/advertiser to the blog, Good Made Better, the makers of the Penwell and the Solo Pen Stand. My sponsor and affiliate relationships are important to me because they allow me to offer my content to you free of charge, so please visit and support my sponsors. Every time you shop at their stores (including through these weekly links), you help keep TGS going. Many thanks, and I appreciate all of you!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. Please see our Privacy and Cookie Policies for additional information.

1. Vanness Retro 51 “Artist Series” 2019 Set (via Vanness Pens). Vanness and Retro 51 have collaborated in the past with artists on a limited edition Retro 51. This year’s artist is Little Rock-based tattoo artist Katie McGowan.

2. Pelikan M1005 Stresemann Fountain Pen (via Appelboom). At long last, they are in stock! Appelboom has the M1005 Stresemann pens available for sale.

3. Aurora 88 Mercury Limited Edition Fountain Pen (via Nibsmith). Aurora continues to work its way through the Solar System with its space-themed limited releases. This time they have chosen a marbled grey Auroloide.

4. Aurora 88 Black Mamba Fountain Pen (via Appelboom). Teaser photos are starting to trickle out about Aurora’s latest release, the “Black Mamba”. The combination of textures on this pen are interesting, and not something you see regularly.

5. Aurora Internazionale Limited Edition (via Nibsmith). Dan still has a few Internazionale limited edition pens, and this is one of my favorite limited releases from 2019. Check out the depth of color on that blue material.

6. Leonard Officina Italiana Exclusive Momento Zero Fountain Pens (via Pen Chalet). Certain nib sizes are starting to sell out, so if you’ve been eyeing one of these be sure to act before the one you want sells out. Check out my review here.

7. Montegrappa Limited Editions (via Pen Chalet). Even if you only look to admire the artistry on these pens, check out several limited edition Montegrappa pens that Pen Chalet has in stock, including the Game of Thrones “Winter is Here” fountain pen, the Queen: A Night at the Opera Limited Edition, and the Moon Landing Limited Edition.

8. Good Made Better Penwells and Solo Pen Stands (via Good Made Better). Many thanks to Dan for sponsoring the blog for the coming months! If you’re unfamiliar with the Penwell, or GMB’s newest offering, the Solo Pen Stand, be sure to check them out. Read my review of the Penwell here.

9. Pelikan M205 Olivine Pen and Ink Sale (via Goldspot). Last year’s stunning M205 release is sure to sell out quickly at the price Goldspot is offering.

10. Bungubox Zodiac Limited Edition Ink (via Anderson Pens). The Andersons are carrying some of the Bungubox “Zodiac” inks, and currently have Gemini, Taurus, and Aries in stock. Anderson Pens carries the other Bungubox inks as well.

11. Gold Falling Sakura on Bonfire with Bronze Branch Roll Stopper (via 18111com/Yoshi Nakama). While the name might not be the easiest to remember, I love Yoshi Nakama’s lacquerwork when it’s layered on top of dark red material. Don’t miss the opportunity to check out his pens.

12. PenBBS Model 469 Double-Ended Pen Restock (via PenBBS/Etsy). PenBBS has restocked their online store with nine different variants of the double-ended Model 469 fountain pen. Read my review here.

13. Yookers Refillable Fiber Tip Pen (via Pen Chalet). I’ve not been this excited about a non-fountain pen product in some time, and these have made their way onto my “to review” list. I like that they are available in both metal and plastic versions, with a corresponding range of price points.

14. Galen Leather Washi Tape Dispenser (via Vanness Pens). While known for their pen cases and leather notebook covers, Galen Leather has expanded their line of handmade wooden desk accessories, including this Washi Tape Dispenser. Also available in Mahogany.

15. Wing Sung 601 Steel Cap Vacumatic (via Amazon). I finally filled these pens up last week preparing for a possible review, and have been impressed so far. For less than $20, you have the ability to test out the vintage vacumatic-style filling system without committing to the purchase of a vintage pen. I have two and both of my nibs are excellent (though very fine) writers.