Monday Morning Reading for May 20, 2019

May 20, 2019

Travels with Pens: Japan Concluded! (via UK Fountain Pens). Definitely a bucket list trip for me. The stationery stores (and just about everything else) look like nothing I’ve ever seen.
How to Test a Fountain Pen Before Buying It and Other Life Skills (via Leigh Reyes). More useful knowledge from Leigh, who definitely has experience buying pens! Especially at pen shows, where you may be picking out a pen from a vendor without a return policy or who you might never run into again, it’s important to know how to put a pen through its paces before you commit, or before you leave without having the nib adjusted.
Montegrappa Extra Custom Fountain Pen (via Pencilcase Blog). I admit that I’ve spent hours playing around with the Montegrappa configurator on their website. The Extra 1930 in Brown Tortoise has become a favorite pen for me, and I can see myself adding a second at some point.
Apica CD15 Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Love). I’ve not used a ton of Apica notebooks, simply because I often need more paper, but you can’t argue with the quality and their compatibility with fountain pens.
2 years and 700 Inks (via Mountain of Ink). I can’t imagine powering through this many ink reviews. If you’re not following Kelli and her blog, you should do so. She also lists her favorite inks by brand.
Introducing Scrittura Bolognese SCRIBO (via Pen Chalet). SCRIBO, a new Italian company founded by former employees of OMAS, is coming to Pen Chalet! I’m excited to see these pens stateside!
Hoverpen: The Executive Pen that Defies Gravity (via Clicky Post). Mike checks out an interesting design that’s currently up on Kickstarter. The use of the Cross ballpoint refill will likely make me pass, since it’s far from my favorite.
Tokyo Pen Scene in 2019 (via Cronicas Estilographicas). An interesting overview of pen trading and pen show events in Tokyo this year.
Colorverse Pen Chalet Special Edition Ink (via Well-Appointed Desk). Pen Chalet has collaborated with Colorverse on an exclusive set of two colors: Monsoon Storm and Monument Valley, both of which I may have to add to my Colorverse hoard.
Lamy Safari 2019 Special Edition: Mint Glaze (via The Finer Point). I like Lamy’s choice of pastel colors, and everyone who has reviewed them to date seems pleased. The green and blues are my favorites.
First Look: M805 Blue Dunes Special Edition (via Pelikan’s Perch). While I’m glad to see another release in the rhodium-trimmed M805 design, I’m not sure how I feel about the swirled blue acrylic.
Jacques Herbin 1798: Kyanite du Nepal (via Ed Jelley). I have a sample of this ink as well, and have also been really impressed with how nicely the silver shimmer complements the turquoise.

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Please take a moment to visit these fine folks who help keep this blog going! It's next to impossible to keep up a steady stream of fresh review content without some form of sponsorship or affiliate relationship. I'm grateful to everyone who's helped me out along the way.

Vanness Pens. Vanness Pens carries rare and hard-to-find inks from all over the world, including Colorverse, Callifolio, Akkerman, and the full line of DeAtramentis. You can check out my recap of a visit to Vanness here.
Pen Chalet. Pen Chalet has a wide variety of available pens and offers unbeatable value on pens, inks, pen cases, etc.
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.
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.
Goldspot Pens. Goldspot regularly offers excellent promotions and specials! Check out their "Weekly Dip" section for details.
The Nibsmith. Many thanks to our newest sponsor, The Nibsmith! Dan offers a vast selection from Aurora, Montegrappa, TWSBI, Sailor, Pilot, along with nib customization services!
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!
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.
Favorite Etsy Stores. I frequent a handful of Etsy stores that sell pens, leather goods, paper, and miscellaneous stationery and office goods. (Affiliate)
Huckberry. Huckberry is one of my favorite places to shop online. In addition to clothing and outdoor gear, Huckberry stocks a vast selection of everyday carry (EDC) items. (Affiliate)

In Case You Missed It….

This past week on the blog I reviewed a new product from Staples: their “Tru Red” notebooks from the “Business Essentials” lineup, and I’ve subsequently confirmed that the black softcover spiral notebooks have excellent fountain pen friendly paper. I also published my review of the Leonardo Officina Italiana Momento Zero, which might be my favorite pen of the past two years. Finally, this past week’s Deals & Drops rounds up 2019 new releases to date.

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

Pen Review: Leonardo Officina Italiana Momento Zero

May 19, 2019

It's definitely true that some reviews write themselves, and others take a longer time to develop. Not because of any ambivalence about the pen itself - no, from the minute I picked up a Leonardo Momento Zero (and possibly from the minute I first saw the pictures online) I knew that this would be a pen for me. Nevertheless, it’s taken me a while to put this review together, if for no other reason that it takes some time to photograph five pens!

I don't know all the details of the story behind the founding of Leonardo Officina Italiana, but from what I can piece together from conversations I've had at pen shows and brand descriptions, Leonardo was founded by former penmakers at Delta, the now-defunct Italian company. Though Delta took a lot of flack for a tendency towards gaudy special editions and marketing gimmicks (fusion nib, anyone?), I could never argue with the actual writing experience that their pens offered. Montegrappa was far outside my price point; Omas was plagued with nib issues and just wrote too wet in general, leaving Delta and Aurora as the pens for people who actually want to use their pens for work. Of course, in the years since I've entered this hobby, both Delta and Omas are now defunct, and Aurora and Montegrappa have both made strides in making their products both more accessible and useable as daily writers. That said, I still feel the loss of Delta, and it left a void, especially for those of us who prized celluloid pens.

The work Leonardo has done in Italian celluloid is what initially drew me to the brand. The three pens in the center are the piston-filler Momento Zero in, from left, Omas Arco Verde celluloid, Omas Burlwood celluloid, and Omas Burkina celluloid.

Originally, before launching their own pens, Leonardo was a workshop that partnered with Armando Simoni Club, which had purchased certain assets of Omas (most notably, their remaining stock of celluloid rods). It is my understanding that the same penmakers behind Leonardo manufacture most of the ASC pens, which have received very good reviews in their own right, though their size, design, and price point target a vary specific customer.

The only other acrylic material in my collection that captures the depth of the material Leonardo uses has been from Conway Stewart. Shown here is the Conway Stewart Model 100 in “Honey Noire,” next to the Momento Zero in Pietra Marina (“Sea Stone”) acrylic.

Last year, Leonardo began releasing pens under their own name. The first model, the Momento Zero, took some time to "gather momentum," for lack of a better expression, because the pen was initially produced in small quantities, and not heavily promoted. I'm not sure of the official order of release, but the first Momento Zero pens I recall seeing available for sale were the "Abyss Celluloid" releases, which commanded a high price and sold quickly. As production ramped up, Leonardo not only released additional higher-priced celluloid and ebonite pens in a range of different (and beautiful) materials, but expanded the Momento Zero lineup to include acrylic pens at the $160-$200 price point, which is when I really became interested. They even included a matte black pen with ruthenium trim, which is good enough to give the Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black a run for its money, especially as a price/value proposition.

The next generation of Italian pens: from the Delta Fusion 82 to the Leonardo Momento Zero.

I Take the Plunge (or Jump Off the Cliff)

I didn't start with the standard lineup, though. Though I was never a fan of Omas pens from a usability perspective, I had long admired their materials and design - especially their celluloids. When I saw the Leonardo "Maestro" set, consisting of three Momento Zeroes in long-discontinued Omas Burkina, Arco Verde, and Burlwood celluloids, I knew that I'd have to sell some pens and pick up a set. Unfortunately, by the time I'd sold enough pens to pay for most of the purchase, nearly all retailers had already sold out, except for one set still held by Emil at Pen Venture. You can say that I liked the size and shape of these pens - since then I've acquired two more Momento Zeroes from the standard "production line," and will likely add additional pens in the future.

The Leonardo Momento Zero “Maestro” set in its presentation box. Each of these pens arrived in impeccable condition with nibs tuned to perfection.

What Do I Like So Much about the Momento Zero?

The Leonardo Momento Zero wins big in all the major categories that I look at when selecting and buying a pen.

Balance and Writing Comfort. Perhaps most importantly, the pen is perfectly sized and balanced for my hand - neither too long nor too short, and I can easily use it posted or unposted. The only other pens that hit this same sweet spot are the Montblanc 146 and, sadly, the Delta Fusion 82, which no longer exists (though one remains in my collection). The Leonardo feels most like the 146 in my hand, since the barrel is wider than the Fusion 82, though it’s much lighter due to the absence of a brass piston.
Classic Design. In terms of design, Leonardo has definitely gone for the classic look. The shape somewhat reminds me of a Sailor Pro Gear, but slightly larger with peaked ends reminiscent of a Nakaya Piccolo or Long Piccolo. All of the materials - acrylic, celluloid, or ebonite - exude a vintage vibe and have excellent depth to the various patterns, and Leonardo uses simple, understated trim to avoid the trap that Delta and Omas sometimes fell into, which is making the pens too flashy or “busy” in an effort to create a unique look.
Well-Tuned Nibs. The Momento Zero features standard Bock nibs that have been personalized with the Leonardo logo, and I suspect have been tuned and set at the factory. The higher-priced celluloid and ebonite pens feature 14kt gold nibs on an ebonite feed, with steel nibs and plastic feeds on the production line pens. Overall, I've had excellent luck with the nibs on my Leonardos. Emil tuned the gold nibs on my Maestro set to perfection, and the steel nibs on the pens from the standard lineup performed perfectly well out of the box. Since any Bock nibs have the potential for quality control issues, I would recommend purchasing from a retailer who will check and, if necessary, tune the nib for you, unless you are comfortable doing the work yourself or plan to get the nib ground or tuned at a pen show.
Overall Build Quality. If you’ve used a lot of fountain pens, you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say that you can “feel” whether a pen is well-made or not. The Momento Zero feels great. These pens have been hand-turned, and to achieve this level of consistency requires years of experience and a lot of care. Another nice touch is the filling system: My celluloid Maestro pens feature a lightweight integrated piston, and while the acrylic models are cartridge-converter, the converter is semi-integrated in that it not only threads into the section, but has a metal-plated knob at the end that extends out the back of the barrel. If you don’t feel like unscrewing the section to fill the pen, you can remove the blind cap and fill the pen piston-style.

Leonardo Momento Zero nibs, ranging from the ruthenium-plated (top), to the stainless steel (bottom left) to the rhodium-plated gold (bottom right).

A writing sample from three of my pens. Compare the line width from the broad and extra fine steel nibs to the medium gold. The combination of a gold nib and an ebonite feed makes the pen a very wet writer, which is nice to have, but may affect the choice of someone looking to use this particular pen as a daily writer.

The end of the converter on the Momento Zero can be used piston-style by removing the blind cap.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Leonardo Momento Zero is the first pen in a long time that I’ve reviewed where I don’t have any significant critiques or “negatives” - it’s that good of a pen in terms of design, build quality, and execution. Of course, so much of this hobby is driven by personal taste that it’s entirely possible that you won’t be drawn to this pen the same way I am, but that’s how these things go. I will note, however, that the gold nib pens are wet writers - probably due to the use of an ebonite feed - so you’ll want to consider this when selecting a nib size and adjust a size down from what you would normally choose (i.e., if you’re looking for a medium, buy a fine).

I’m happy to see that Leonardo pens are now widely available, and am eagerly awaiting what else they plan to release in the coming year. In addition to Pen Venture, where I purchased my Maestro Set, I acquired my matte black model from Dan Smith (The Nibsmith), and my Pietra Marina “Sea Stone” pen from Appelboom. Other retailers who now carry Leonardo include Pen Chalet and Goldspot. Prices start at $169 for a resin/acrylic Momento Zero with a steel nib, and range up to $200 for more complex materials such as the Pietra Marina (Sea Stone) and Hawaii acrylics. For a pen with this level of craftsmanship, I find the price point more than fair. The ebonite and celluloid pens are more expensive (approximately $695), but still sit at a price lower than what you would pay for a comparable pen from Aurora or Montegrappa.

A Leonardo Momento Zero “Family Snapshot,” with some other pens for comparison purposes. From left: Montegrappa Monte-Grappa, Montblanc 146, Aurora Optima, Momento Zeroes in Matte Black, Sea Stone Acrylic, Arco Verde celluloid, Burlwood celluloid, and Burkina celluloid, Conway Stewart Model 100, and a Pelikan M800 Stone Garden.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and contains affiliate links. I purchased all of the Leonardo pens featured in this review with my own funds, for my own personal collection.

Deals & Drops: Rounding Up All The New Things

May 16, 2019

We’re getting ready to hit the summer doldrums shortly, with many people (including myself) heading off on a much-needed vacation later this month. Typically nothing truly “new” hits the shelves during this time, but I thought I’d round up some of my favorites that have been released so far in 2019. Happy shopping!

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Sailor Pro Gear Graphite Lighthouse (via The Nibsmith). Another pen that’s appeared on my list. I don’t have any gray pens in my collection, and the clear finial really lends this North American exclusive a unique look.
Aurora Internazionale (via Vanness Pens). In my opinion, one of the prettiest special edition pens that Aurora has released in a long time. Both the design and material scream vintage, with a lot of depth to the blue marbled auroloide.
Aurora Optima 365 Coral Red (via The Nibsmith). Another excellent release from Aurora with another cool material that exudes a vintage vibe.
Taccia Spectrum Mosaic Umber (via Vanness Pens). I’m glad to see that Taccia is starting to expand the “Spectrum” lineup, including this more traditional tortoiseshell acrylic. I enjoyed reviewing the Spectrum a few years back - they feature Sailor nibs - but I never purchased one because the materials didn’t speak to me. This one does.
Pilot Iroshizuku 100 Year Anniversary Set (via Anderson Pens). Can’t decide between any of the 100th Anniversary Iroshizuku Inks? Buy ‘em all! Well, at least small 15ml bottles of them all.
LOCLEN Electa Fountain Pen (via Pen Chalet). This unique pen from Italy is worth checking out if you appreciate unique industrial-looking designs. The pen features an integrated converter that operates by way of a knurled band at the back.
Retro 51 “Stan” Ice Hockey Rollerball (via Goldspot). Following their tradition of releasing a sports-themed pen into the lineup, Retro 51 has moved onto Hockey. As a hockey fan (Yeah Preds) this might make its way into my collection.
Visconti Homo Sapiens Magma (via Pen Chalet). The latest rendition of the Homo Sapiens comes in black with red trim. I initially didn’t think I’d like it, but the color combination is growing on me, especially with the ruthenium-plated nib.
TWSBI Eco in Transparent Orange (via Amazon). The latest special edition ECO is a beauty. You can check out my recent review here.
Lamy Pastel Safaris (via Pen Chalet). I’m all in on the light blue version, and the green’s nice too. The pink isn’t my thing.
PenBBS Store (via PenBBS/Etsy). I’m eagerly awaiting some PenBBS pens in the mail, including a double-ended eyedropper, a vacuum filler, and their version of the bulkfiller. Stay tuned for extended reviews, but they’re so inexpensive why not pick up a few wild acrylics and test them out?
Pelikan M101N Grey-Blue (via Appelboom). Easily my personal favorite of the 2019 Pelikans, after seeing this one in person. Granted, I haven’t seen the M1000 Stresemann yet, but this year’s M101N is at the top of the list for my annual Pelikan purchase.
Lamy Bronze AL-Star (via Pen Chalet). Since I’m all-in on Team Safari, I probably won’t be picking up this AL-Star, but I’m at least glad to see it’s not a neon color.
Lamy Bronze Ink (via Vanness Pens). If you’re looking for an orange Lamy ink, check out the matching “Bronze” ink.
Postmark’d Stationery Subscription Box (via Postmark’d). Postmark’d is a stationery subscription service for snail mail enthusiasts, that allows you to get a monthly delivery of cards, etc. to send to your pen pals! Check the sidebar for a coupon code that will get you a discount off of your first box.

New Product Alert: Staples TRU RED Notebooks

May 15, 2019

Staples surprised me a couple of weeks ago by reaching out and asking whether they could send me some products to review from their “TRU RED” lineup, which ended up including two spiral-bound notebooks and an assortment of gel pens, permanent markers, and highlighters. Knowing that Staples has, in the past, been capable of sourcing inexpensive, relatively fountain pen-friendly paper, the notebooks interested me the most. On the whole, I wasn’t disappointed, and one notebook was excellent, though I predict there will be inconsistency in paper performance for those who want to exclusively use fountain pens or wet rollerballs in these notebooks.

The inside of each TRU RED notebook features a “catch-all” folder, which I find useful for work.

The TRU RED notebooks come in both softcover and hardcover variants, in medium and large sizes. Both notebooks sent to me by Staples were mediums (6.5” x 9.5"), which roughly equate to an A5 size. These spiral-bound notebooks look and feel premium-quality and durable - the hardcover notebooks feature a heavy chipboard cover, while the “softcover” versions sport a flexible plastic cover similar to what you would find on a Miquelrius notebook. The double spiral bindings feel like they will hold up in a bag, and haven’t bent despite some rough treatment.

The covers are thick and durable, and the double spiral binding should hold up well.

The paper is a mixed bag, and the packaging on these notebooks doesn’t provide much specific information other than that they are made in Taiwan. (The only information regarding weight, etc. is the designation as “Premium Heavyweight Paper,” which the Staples website indicates is 27-32 lbs.) Staples offers several different ruling options, including narrow (college) ruled, blank, “meeting”, and “project”. I’d personally love to see dot grid, but I’ll happily use a ruled notebook as long as the ruling is narrow enough. The best part? Perforated pages. For the notebooks I use at my day job, I need to be able to shred/scan/file notes, and the ability to easily remove pages is essential.

The first notebook I tested (the softcover) performed exceptionally well with fountain pens.

Not a hint of bleedthrough - or even show-through - on the reverse, despite the fact that I was using a very wet medium gold nib with an ebonite feed!

So what about paper quality? Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The first notebook I opened (the softcover) had me really excited, because the paper was excellent, showing zero bleedthrough or feathering even with very wet fountain pen nibs. That initial thrill was tempered a bit when I tested out the hardcover notebook, because the paper - while OK - wasn’t nearly as good as the paper in the softcover notebook, despite the softcover notebook costing less money and nothing on the label to indicate that the two notebooks contained different paper. To me, the discrepancy in performance suggests batch variability, meaning that Staples is purchasing the paper for these notebooks from multiple sources, which makes perfect sense given the numbers. If you’re producing tens of thousands of these things, it’s unlikely that a single paper supplier will be able to meet demand.

On the hardcover notebook, the paper bled through, especially with a stub nib fountain pen, though it remained well within my “zone of usability” for everyday work purposes.

Good thing I don’t write with a stub nib at my day job.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

It’s hard for me to offer a single verdict on the “TRU RED” notebooks given the inconsistency in how the paper behaves, but on the whole I will say they are good for the price point. I’ll probably run by Staples this weekend and pick up one or two more of the black softcover notebooks, and if the paper is consistently good in that version, stock up because it’s some of the best inexpensive fountain pen-friendly paper I’ve used recently. Regardless, I’d wouldn’t hesitate to pick up more of these notebooks for work purposes, especially given the durability, professional look, and the attractive $9.99 price point for the medium softcover.

You can purchase these notebooks at Staples, either in their brick and mortar stores or online. Though it looks like the promotion ends today, Staples is currently offering a coupon code for 15% off purchases of $75 or more from their “Business Essentials” line. I have a few more of these products queued up for review, so stay tuned!

Disclaimer: Staples provided me with the notebooks featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates.

I’ve had a lot of fun playing with inks over the past few weeks. Look for more ink reviews and pen pairings in the month to come!

Sunday Reading for May 12, 2019

May 12, 2019

Pen Show Afterglow: Chicago Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict). Sarah recaps her trip to Chicago, which once again remains on my list of pen shows I still have to attend.
Chicago Pen Show 2019 Recap (via Well-Appointed Desk). This of course doesn’t help my Chicago Pen Show FOMO.
How I Use My Pens (via Fountain Pen Economics). The doctor is back, with a new post showing off some of his daily users. Fans of Graf von Faber-Castell won’t want to miss this one.
Sailor Ink Studio Overview (via Mountain of Ink). Sailor recently introduced over 100 new fountain pen inks, and I don’t even know where to start with these. Head over to Kelli’s website where she has these grouped into different groups by color.
Rhodia Dot Pad Review (via Fountain Pen Love). Often the basics don’t get reviewed, and it’s good to review the basics.
Monteverde California Teal (via InkSharks). An inexpensive ink that’s become extremely popular, and I can see why, especially if you are looking for a teal ink that leans green.
Travels with Pens: Tokyo (Part I) (via UK Fountain Pens). I’m very much looking forward to reading the rest of these reviews! This trip’s not gonna be cheap…
Close But No Cigar? Getting to Grips with the Conway Stewart Winston (via UK Fountain Pens). Conway Stewart has been a hit or miss brand over the years. I’ve had excellent experiences with the most recent (Bespoke British Pens) incarnation, but none whatsoever with the older pens.
Inventery Interchangeable Pen and Pencil (via Pencilcase Blog). Inventery’s latest release continues to receive good reviews, and sits at an extremely attractive price point.
Pilot Iroshizuku 100th Anniversary Daikokuten (via Alt.Haven). I may need to pick up a bottle of this one. I’ve been on the fence about whether it’s too pale to be usable, but most reviews have indicated that Daikokuten has decent visibility.

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Vanness Pens. Vanness Pens carries rare and hard-to-find inks from all over the world, including Colorverse, Callifolio, Akkerman, and the full line of DeAtramentis. You can check out my recap of a visit to Vanness here.
Pen Chalet. Pen Chalet has a wide variety of available pens and offers unbeatable value on pens, inks, pen cases, etc. This weekend, use the coupon code MOTHER at checkout to get an extra 10% off your order!
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.
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.
Goldspot Pens. Goldspot regularly offers excellent promotions and specials! Check out their "Weekly Dip" section for details.
The Nibsmith. Many thanks to our newest sponsor, The Nibsmith! Dan offers a vast selection from Aurora, Montegrappa, TWSBI, Sailor, Pilot, along with nib customization services!
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!
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.
Favorite Etsy Stores. I frequent a handful of Etsy stores that sell pens, leather goods, paper, and miscellaneous stationery and office goods. (Affiliate)
Huckberry. Huckberry is one of my favorite places to shop online. In addition to clothing and outdoor gear, Huckberry stocks a vast selection of everyday carry (EDC) items. (Affiliate)

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I reviewed the TWSBI ECO in Transparent Orange, paired with the new Pen Addict/Robert Oster collaboration “Fire on Fire”. I also reviewed an old favorite, Private Reserve Burgundy Mist, which I’m happy to report has been reformulated and performed exceptionally well. Finally, don’t miss this week’s Deals & Drops, which highlighted some recently released undated planners and journals as well as some new releases from Taccia and Yoshi Nakama.

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