Sunday Reading for October 20, 2019

1. True Grails (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony over at UK Fountain Pens has been on a tear lately, including this piece on “Grail” fountain pens. I need to think on this one - I haven’t had a “grail” pen in a very long time.

2. A Survivor of a More Refined Age: the Waterman Carene (via UK Fountain Pens). I agree that the Carene is a high quality pen with unique design that deserves much more attention than it receives.

3. Scribo Feel Fountain Pens (via Gourmet Pens). Scribo is another new Italian pen company with its roots in OMAS. The nibs apparently have some softness to them, with the wetness that people either loved or hated about OMAS nibs.

4. Review of Moon Futura, CWPE Reboot (via Pencil Revolution). I’m right there with you Charlotte. I love this pencil and can’t wait to pick up more the next time I’m in NYC.

5. Fabriano EcoQua Notebook (via Fountain Pen Love). I’ve used Fabriano notebooks occasionally, but personally found the paper a little too textured for me. I also noticed a bit of the inconsistency John mentions in his review.

6. PREMAD Two Way Nib Fountain Pen (via SBRE Brown). Reversible nibs aren’t a “new” thing, since many nib grinders have been making them for years. In any event, based on Stephen’s review, it looks like these pens have a ways to go before they’re ready for prime time.

7. The Osprey Scholar: A Frankenstein Dip Pen/Fountain Pen (via The Postman’s Knock). Osprey pens were a thing for a while, then they seemingly vanished. Apparently the company is now focusing more on the calligraphy community.

8. Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Vintage Colors Review (via Pen Addict). Colors like these might actually get me interested in gel pens again!

9. Birmingham Pen Co’s Albert Einstein Relative Cadmium (via Inkdependence). I need to pick up some of these Birmingham inks - the colors really pop and I’ve generally heard good things.

10. Birmingham Tarnished Nickel (via Inkdependence). Another ink Mike references in his previous video, which looks like an interesting off-black.

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 PenBBS 309 piston filler, which unfortunately turned out to be something of a disappointment. On the flip side, I reviewed my Montegrappa Extra 1930 in Turtle Brown celluloid, which had been a grail pen of mine for years before I finally picked it up early this year. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops features yet another Sailor North American special edition (including mismatched nib/trim), some new designs from Leonardo, and an apparent revamp of Waterman’s lineup.

Happy Sunday, and as always, thanks for reading!

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

Pen Review: Montegrappa Extra 1930

Montegrappa has changed its lineup over the years fairly frequently, but the Extra 1930 - which one could comfortably describe as the brand’s “flagship” offering - has remained a constant. The current Extra 1930 is “inspired by a model born over 80 years ago,” and “designed for people who love classic design, original colors and decorations” in line with Montegrappa’s traditional “aesthetic approach.” If you’re a fan of vintage-inspired pen design, like me, then you’ve probably had your eye on one, even if the price point gives you some initial pause.      

The Montegrappa Extra 1930 is one of those pens that I always thought would be forever out of my grasp. (Then again, when I first got into fountain pens I also thought a $300 Sailor would remain well out of my comfort zone, but we all know how that story ends up.)

The sterling silver medallion on top of the cap will develop a patina as it ages. You could polish it, and I might eventually, but I like the “antiqued” look.

The Extra 1930 traditionally comes in three different materials, all celluloid: Turtle Brown (shown here); Bamboo Black, and Black & White. Montegrappa also recently added Red and Mediterranean Blue to the lineup, though it’s unclear whether these are temporary or permanent additions. Of the available options, the traditional three are my favorites. Montegrappa accents the celluloid with sterling silver, engraved with what they describe as a “Greek Fret” design on the cap band. A similar pattern adorns the large (No. 8) 18k gold nib, which is paired with an ebonite feed that provides plenty of ink flow. (Note: if you write small, opt for an EF nib, and even then you may have to grind it down. It’s a wet writer.)

That 18k No. 8 nib is gorgeous to look at and a pleasure to write with. It’s not springy, like some larger nibs, and actually quite stiff, but at the same time extremely smooth and an excellent daily writer. The sterling silver section is NOT slippery, and the threads are soft, not sharp. I can write for hours with this pen.

In my opinion, the Montegrappa Extra 1930 offers one of the best high-end writing experiences on the market. What do I mean by that? Sometimes, super-expensive pens are more “art” than “writing instrument.” I don’t purchase pens that I don’t use, so a key point for me in evaluating a specific pen is how comfortable and functional it is to use every day. I go back and forth on whether the Montegrappa Extra 1930 or the Montblanc 146 is my favorite “luxury” fountain pen sold today - they’re both pleasant to write with and superb daily writers. On the Extra 1930, the sterling silver section front-weights the pen and counteracts the weight of the piston, balancing the pen nicely for longer sessions. It’s one of the few pens that I don’t post.   

I have no regrets about splurging on the Extra 1930. My own personal “collection” focuses heavily on vintage-inspired modern pens, with a particular emphasis on Italian celluloid. Celluloid pens cannot be acquired inexpensively, since making celluloid is a difficult and time-intensive process, and the material itself has become scarce. Since pen companies OMAS and Delta folded a few years ago, the number of new celluloid pens on the market has dwindled, and even those being released by companies such as Leonardo Officina Italiana and ASC Pens (the “successor” company to OMAS) are using residual celluloid rod stock, which eventually will be gone. Montegrappa appears to be one of the only companies still releasing celluloid pens in proprietary patterns that they developed themselves.     

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I love my Extra 1930 - it’s beautiful, and sure it’s expensive, but it’s a writer’s pen with exceptional balance. My one quibble is with the ink capacity. A pen of this size should hold more than .8mm or so of ink, especially one with an ebonite feed. If you opt for a wider nib, you’ll be refilling often. 

Despite what I consider to be the generally high quality of their pens, Montegrappa has become known more than anything for their high prices. Unfortunately, the Extra 1930 is no exception, clocking in at a whopping $1,495 MSRP, with the pens actually selling for around $1,100. Is it worth spending this much on a pen? It depends on what you value. In addition to the design, much of the cost here lies in the premium materials used (celluloid, all that sterling silver, and that massive 18kt nib). Looking at comparable pens on the market (ASC Pens Bologna Extra, a Sailor Bespoke King of Pen, Aurora Internazionale), it’s hard to say that Montegrappa’s ask here is out of line with what other companies are charging, but it’s still at or near the top of the market. Because Montegrappa sells a ton of pens at this price point, I don’t expect prices to come down anytime soon.     

I purchased my Montegrappa Extra 1930 from Dan Smith at The Nibsmith. One of the great things about purchasing pens from Dan is that, in addition to carrying the full range of Montegrappa pens, he offers nib work on any pens he sells, and on a pen at this price point, any tuning or grind is complimentary. That’s right - you will be paying a LOT for an Extra 1930, but if you purchase from Dan that includes any planned nibwork. Note that Dan is currently running a special on the Black & White Extra 1930, at a price you won’t see very often! .  

Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, at full retail, for my own use. The Nibsmith is a paid sponsor of this blog.

Deals & Drops: Strange Times at Sailor, Leonardo Momento Zero Art Deco, and New Watermans

This week we have yet another North American exclusive from Sailor, and once again they are making some curious design choices (not to mention the naming convention). Leonardo has just released a killer Momento Zero Grande in ebonite, Waterman looks like it is revamping its pen lineup, and TWSBI Inks are on the way! Happy Shopping!

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

1. Sailor 1911 4am Standard Fountain Pen (via Pen Chalet). Not that Sailor’s new North American exclusive is a bad looking pen, but the concept is … odd? Plus why is sailor still mixing the black ion-plated trim with a rhodium nib?

2. Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Art Deco (via Appelboom). Leonardo has been teasing the larger Momento Zero Grande for a while now, but they apparently had something else in store - this collection of ebonite pens with guilloche engraving. Since I love green ebonite, this “Mustard” color might be my favorite.

3. TWSBI Inks (via Nibsmith). The new line of TWSBI inks will be here any day now, and Dan will have them all, including a set of six for under $35!

4. Waterman Expert Fountain Pens (via Pen Chalet). I’m a lifelong fan of Waterman Pens, and it looks like Waterman is preparing to reboot their lineup, including new Experts in blue and red. (A ballpoint expert was my first nice pen, so you could stay I have a soft spot.)

5. Waterman Charleston (via Amazon). If Waterman is indeed revitalizing their lineup - seriously, it’s long past due for a refresh - how about bringing back the Charleston? This Art Deco style-pen is one of my favorite modern Waterman pens, and there used to be yellow, blue, and green versions as well.

6. Conway Stewart Churchill in Sapphire Blue (via Vanness Pens). If you’ve not checked out the latest iteration of the Conway Stewart brand from Bespoke British Pens, you need to! Vanness has several models in stock, including this gorgeous Churchill in Sapphire blue.

7. Taccia Horizon Urushi Fountain Pens (via Nibsmith). We’re starting to see a lot more of Taccia’s high-end pens hit the U.S. market, and this new Horizon Urushi lineup is gorgeous.

8. Montblanc 146 Tester Pens with Specialty Nibs (via Anderson Pens). Anderson Pens apparently has a set of MB 146 “LeGrand” testers with B, BB, and OB nibs still available.

9. Narwhal Pens (via Vanness Pens). Vanness has the yellow and green Narwhal pens in stock. These things seem to sell out as quickly as Vanness gets more, so don’t wait on them.

10. Lamy Aion Weekly Dip Price Drop (via Goldspot). Check out this opportunity for a price break on the Blue and Red Lamy Aion.

11. Benu Supreme Fountain Pens (via Pen Chalet). The Benu Supreme is one of Benu’s more subtle designs, and a favorite of many. Now available in a few more understated designs.

12. One Star Leather Goods (via One Star Leather/Etsy). It’s not too late to start thinking about the holidays, especially if you are considering purchasing custom goods for yourself or others. In about a month, the window for guaranteed Christmas delivery will start to close. Visit One Star leather for notebooks covers, pen sleeves, EDC goods, and more. Check out my review of a Baron Fig Confidant cover here.

13. British Belt Company (via British Belt Company/Etsy). Another excellent source for wallets, notebooks covers, and miscellaneous leather accessories. I reviewed their Italian Leather Notebook cover here.

14. Pelikan M200 Gold-Marbled Fountain Pen (via Appelboom). Coming soon, the latest in the Pelikan M200 series, featuring a white cap and gold marbled barrel. Pelikan is really ramping up its special editions.

15. Skilcraft U.S. Government Retractable Fine-Tip Ballpoint (via Amazon). Looking for a fine-tipped spiritual heir to the classic Bic Clic? Look not further than this Skilcraft, which will likely be quite familiar to those of you who have spent time in government or military service. I’ve been using these for a lot of my EDC writing lately.

Pen Review: PenBBS 309 Piston Filler

I’m close to finishing up the reviews from my most recent round of PenBBS purchases, and I have to admit that this one was a bit of a letdown. After being absolutely blown away by certain other models - particularly the Model 308 and the Model 456 - the Model 309 piston filler didn’t deliver. While the signature PenBBS nib still offers an excellent writing experience out of the box, the piston sticks and generally feels cheaply made and unreliable.  

Let’s start with the positives: Like every other PenBBS pen I’ve used, the presentation, fit, and finish on the Model 309 far outstrip any other pen I’ve purchased for $23. This pen looks amazing, with a classic streamlined shape and “peaked” ends. It doesn’t break any new ground from a design standpoint, but with this type of standard piston filler, not many pens do. The closest comparable would be the Leonardo Momento Zero, with the PenBBS Model 309 slightly slimmer and longer. 

Seriously, you would expect a pen at this price point to ship in a cardboard sleeve, or maybe a plastic tube. PenBBS boxes are well-designed and, best of all, recyclable. Where possible, I’ve started recycling pen boxes if I can in an effort to reduce clutter around my house.

Though I had some issues with the plastic piston mechanism - discussed further below - it reduces the weight of the pen. While those with smaller-sized hands might find the PenBBS 309 slightly long to use unposted, I had no such issues given how light this pen is. The Model 309 posts securely, and slightly deeper than my Leonardos.  

I understand that PenBBS is attempting to engineer sophisticated fountain pen filling systems in a way that makes them inexpensive to produce. That’s admirable, and likely the driving factor in why PenBBS is able to sell at their current price point. This piston design on the Model 309, however, falls flat. I had trouble filling the pen because the piston kept sticking to the sides of the barrel, and moving the blind cap actually caused it to disengage from the main piston rod, disassembling the mechanism itself. I was able to get things working again by pushing and pulling to “unstick” the piston, but this shouldn’t happen straight out of the box. Eventually I’ll disassemble the pen and apply some lubricant to the piston to see if that helps. I’m not the only one who’s experienced this problem, and plenty of people have posted fixes online. (Just Google “PenBBS 309 stuck piston.”) PenBBS should take a page from TWSBI and re-engineer the piston on the Model 309 to resolve the issue. If TWSBI can figure out how to incorporate a reliable piston into the TWSBI Eco, PenBBS can as well, even if it means charging a few dollars more. 

Piston issues notwithstanding, the nib on the Model 309 still offers the same great PenBBS writing experience.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve reviewed several PenBBS pens over the past few months, and while I have enjoyed the Model 308 (cartridge-converter), the Model 456 (vacuum-filler), and the Model 469 (double-ended eyedropper), I’m hesitant to recommend the Model 309 (piston filler) or the Model 355 (syringe-filler/”bulkfiller”) unless people go into the purchase with their eyes wide open as to the potential issues. I just can’t get past the fact that the filling mechanisms on these two pens feel a bit janky and give me doubts about long-term reliability. If I can get a TWSBI Eco with a reliable piston for the same price point, the only reason I wouldn’t do that would be to pick up a pen in one of the unique PenBBS materials. (Majusaka Red, anyone?) 

A comparison shot of the various PenBBS Models, from left: Model 309 in Mojito, Model 308 in Manjusaka Red, Model 308 in limited edition “Niangao is a Cat” acrylic, Model 469 in Manjusaka, and a clear transparent Model 456 vacuum-filler.

That said, I firmly believe that the unique acrylics and materials, at this price point, are driving PenBBS sales. If I can get a transparent colored demonstrator that writes this well for $23, maybe I am willing to put up with a slightly janky piston rather than shell out hundreds of dollars - not to mention deal with complex shipping logistics - for a Japan-only Sailor exclusive in a similar color. Apparently, many people are deciding that this tradeoff is worth it, and PenBBS could be positioning themselves for success in the event of a recession or other event where disposable income gets tight.

 You can purchase the PenBBS 309 piston filler directly from the PenBBS Etsy shop, with prices ranging from $22.99 to $29.99. The transparent green “Mojito” pen pictured here is one of the lower priced offerings, at $22.99.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I purchased the pen featured in this post with my own funds, for my own collection.

Sunday Reading for October 13, 2019

1. A Stationery Tour of Tokyo (via CW Pencil Enterprise). I. AM. SO. JEALOUS. I was following Caroline’s trip via Instagram, and am now in the process of planning my own Tokyo tour, maybe for the 2020 Tokyo Pen Show? Anyone interested in collaborating on a group trip?

2. TIPS 2019: Again A Stationery Fair (via Cronicas Estilographicas). I’m not sure what the problem is with expanding pen shows to include general stationery items and non-vintage fountain pens. Seems like a perpetuation of the mentality that was jeopardizing the existence of pen shows as recently as five years ago. I’m planning to attend the Tokyo Pen Show next year if possible, and if the sole focus was “vintage fountain pens,” I wouldn’t even consider it.

3. Recap: Dallas Pen Show (via Well-Appointed Desk). Dallas is on my list of shows to attend next year, when I’ll focus on visiting new shows rather than cycling through a rehash of same-old, same-old.

4. Becoming the “Sumgai” at the 2019 London Pen Show (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony recaps his visit to the 2019 London Pen Show, which seems to be growing nicely with more retailer involvement.

5. Was the Bauhaus a Hit or a Miss? (via Fountain Pen Economics). Dr. Deans/Proctor Beans is back, with his own thoughts on the Lamy 2000 Bauhaus 100th Anniversary editions, and Lamy strategy in general.

6. Diving In (via From the Pen Cup). I need to dive into my own train wreck of an office as well, and plan to start 15 minutes at a time and work my way through gradually. My accumulation has slowed, and I’ve found that focusing on acquiring less has done more good than trying to get rid of stuff.

7. A Beginner’s Guide to Fountain Pen Inks (via Fountain Pen Follies). If you’re new to fountain pens, read this article, then read it again. Bookmark it, as well as the Richard Binder piece Laura links to.

8. The Current State of Fountain Pen Ink (via Fountain Pen Love). I still go back and forth on whether the market for fountain pen inks is oversaturated (pun fully intended), but there’s no denying the current ink market is vastly different than it was a decade ago.

9. Video Review: Kasama Una Fountain Pen (via Nib & Ink). Matthew reports live from the Dallas Pen Show (with a special guest) to review Kasama Una pens from the Philippines. I’ve seen one of these chunky pens in person, and they’re unique pieces that I hope make their way to the U.S. in greater quantities.

10. Diamine Rustic Brown (via Ink Sharks). Where is the line between a brown ink and a burgundy/maroon ink? This color from Diamine certainly pushes the limit.

11. Pineider La Grande Bellezza Arco Fountain Pen (via Pencilcase Blog). Dries reviews Pineider’s take on “Arco” materials. I’ve had a chance to use this myself, and while it’s a nice-looking pen, Pineider’s overly ornate design choices have prevented me from purchasing one of their pens for myself.

12. How To Take Care of Your Calligraphy Pen (via The Postman’s Knock). Interested in calligraphy, or maybe you just enjoy writing with a flexible dip pen? Check out these “care tips” here.

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. Through Monday, use the coupon code “COLUMBUS” at checkout to get an additional 10% off.

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 another PenBBS Model, the No. 308 (the basic cartridge/converter pen). I also took a look at two of my most basic “Workhorse” fountain pen inks: Lamy Black and Lamy Blue-Black. Finally, don’t miss this week’s Deals & Drops, which has links to this year’s Jibun Techo and Hobonichi releases, as well as new pens from Platinum, Montblanc, and Leonardo!

Happy Sunday, and as always, thanks for reading!

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