Sunday Reading for January 20, 2019

1. Recapping my Philly Pen Shows (via Frank Underwater). Frank recaps not one, but three years of attending the Philly Pen Show!

2. Philadelphia Pen Show 2019: A Vendor’s View (via Well-Appointed Desk). Philly is a hard show for me to get to, coming so soon after New Years, but every review I read of it makes me regret missing out!

3. Montblanc Fountain Pen Releases for 2019 (via UK Fountain Pens). If Disney turns out the way it’s described, what a missed opportunity. The updates to the Le Petit Prince line sound intriguing, though.

4. The Great Grey Fountain Pen Ink Comparison (via Fountain Pen Love). If you’ve ever been interested in exploring grey inks, I think I can safely say that this might be a definitive resource!

5. Let’s Talk About Tomoe River (via The Looped Square). I still remember the days when people were doing group buys of reams on FPN, and you were lucky to get 100 sheets. It’s amazing how things change from just 6-7 years ago. Part of that, of course, is the manufacturer realizing that they had a business opportunity outside of the Japanese magazine/catalog market.

6. Faggionato Petrarque Le Majestic (via SBRE Brown). Followers on social media may recall that Fred Faggionato passed away suddenly earlier this month, a tragedy for his community. I love my Faggionato pens and will treasure them.

7. Chatting About My Pens Part 4: Arco Pens (via SBRE Brown). I recently acquired my first Arco Green celluloid pen, and the material is stunning, though I agree with Stephen that the current craze over Arco is a bit nuts, driving the aftermarket prices up to insane levels.

8. Nine Tips for Traveling with Pens (via UK Fountain Pens). A great article answering the questions that everyone writing for the pen community inevitably gets. Yes, you can travel with fountain pens!

9. Everyday Carry with the Superior Labor A5 Portfolio (via Wonder Pens). A Superior Labor portfolio is definitely on my shopping list this year, though I will probably opt for the A4 version so I can use it to carry legal pads, larger tablets, etc.

10. ESCALA Scale Ruler + Fountain Pen by Ensso (via Ed Jelley). Ed has an update on Ensso’s latest project, the ESCALA, which is an architect/engineer/designer-friendly fountain pen where the triangular cap is an imperial/metric scale.

Please Visit and Support My Sponsors and Affiliates!

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.   

1. 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.

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, and don't miss out on their new special edition bright red Diplomat Aero.

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. Paul's Paper & Pens. Paul features a well-curated selection of fountain pens, multi pens, notebooks, and more, including some very uncommon Pilot Vanishing Points and Decimos that we don't see here in the States.

7. Pokka Pens. Pokka Pens makes high quality, portable ballpoints that make for a great EDC option, including a new pressurized “All-Weather” pen developed in partnership with Fisher and Rite-in-the-Rain. Check out my review here, and don't forget to use the code GENTSTA to get 10% off your purchase!

8. TGS Amazon Page. I run across many more items (pens, pencils, books, accessories, etc.) in my online "travels." I can't feature them all on TGS, but 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 or endorse this blog in any way.

In Case You Missed It …

This week on the blog I caught up with some new releases from Baron Fig, and also reviewed a (sadly) discontinued pen, the Pelikan M400 in Brown Tortoise. Also, don’t miss this week’s Deals & Drops, which features a new color Esterbrook, some Sailor Pro Gear limited editions, and a new production-line pen from Shawn Newton!

Happy Sunday, and as always, thanks for reading!

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

Debate Reopened? The Pelikan M400 and the Perfect Pelikan Size

Back when I first reviewed pens from Pelikan’s flagship Souveran collection, I only had one: the M600, which is the “mid-size” model and what I had expected would be a great size for me. I wasn’t wrong. I love the M600, and have long expressed a desire for Pelikan to do more with that model in terms of special and limited releases. This past year we M600 fans got our wish, with a special edition “Brilliant Orange” M600, though not everyone’s a fan of the color. I’m still on the fence, leaning towards passing on Brilliant Orange and waiting to see what, if anything, Pelikan has in store for 2019. But I digress.

The Pelikan Souveran M400 (left) compared to the M600 (center) and the M800 (right)

As it turns out, I’m no longer sure that the M600 takes first prize among the Pelikan lineup for me. More and more, I find myself turning not to the larger M800 (as many Pelikan fans do), but to the smaller M400. This isn’t about price, though as I’ll discuss below, the M400 sits at a fairly attractive price point once you take into account all the features. No, it’s mainly about portability. For an everyday workhorse, I like a pen that sits comfortably in a shirt pocket. As a lighter-weight pen, the M400 doesn’t pull the pocket forward as much as its bigger cousins, probably due to the use of a lighter piston mechanism.

The brown tortoise acetate that Pelikan uses as the binde on its pen barrels is one of my favorite pen making materials ever. If only they would leave it in the lineup! Also, as with the M800 Burnt Orange, the acrylic used for the cap, section, and blind cap is actually a very dark brown, though it appears black in most photos.

Even though it’s one of the smallest pens in Pelikan’s current lineup, I don’t necessarily consider the M400 to be “small.” Taken in its historical context, the M400 is approximately the same size as many - if not most - vintage Pelikan’s, as well as many other vintage pens of the same era such as the standard Esterbrook J. I can comfortably use the M400 (as well as the M200 and the M120) for very long writing sessions without any discomfort, and the M400 has excellent balance when posted.

Another advantage to the M400 size is that the nibs can be swapped with most similarly sized vintage Pelikan pens. In my review of the Pelikan M120, I discussed how I was able to take an oblique medium nib from a vintage Pelikan and swap it into a modern one. Guess what? That vintage nib fits into both the M120 AND the M400. I plan to spend my pen show time this year hunting more vintage Pelikan nibs in this size.

Pelikan nibs are among my favorite in terms of decorative scrollwork and brand logo.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

As I mentioned above, while the Pelikan M400 certainly doesn’t come at a bargain price, I do consider it good value. For around $300 (and even less with the occasional coupon code), you get a reliable Pelikan piston filler with what is, for the most part, an excellent 14k gold nib right out of the box. Over the years, quality control on Pelikan nibs has ebbed and flowed, but recently I’ve had nothing but good luck. The fine nib on the M400 writes more like a traditional medium, but it’s smooth and the ink flow is perfect with no tendency to skip or hard start. The M800 I purchased recently also had a great out-of-the-box nib, though it was a medium that wrote more like a broad. I generally advise people considering Pelikan pens to purchase one nib size smaller than what they normally write with. If you only like extra fine or needlepoint nibs, you will almost certainly be looking at having someone grind the nib down for you, as gold nib extra-fines from Pelikan write more on the fat side of a traditional “western fine,” in my experience.

Not exactly the narrowest “fine” nib.

I purchased the Pelikan M400 in Brown Tortoise pictured in this review from Pen Chalet, but unfortunately that pen has now been discontinued. Pen Chalet does, however, carry the standard M400 (gold trim) and M405 (Rhodium Trim), both priced between $300-315, and you can get that down even further using one of the coupon codes floating around out there. The M405 Stresemann costs a bit more at $380, and I don’t know whether or not Pelikan considers this pen to be a special edition like the Brown Tortoise. If so, it may also be susceptible to being phased out in the future, though I hope not.

If you have your heart set on the M400 in Brown Tortoise, shop around and act quickly if you locate one. Currently, site sponsor Goldspot has a few in stock, and there are also various Amazon sellers that still have the pen. Again, don’t wait, because whenever Pelikan discontinues one of their pens in brown tortoise (i.e, the M800 and previous M400 versions) they quickly become hot commodities on the secondary market. Of course, Pelikan tends to bring them back every few years, but there’s no guarantee they’ll continue to do that, and no telling when.

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

Deals & Drops: A New Esterbrook, Limited Edition Pro Gears, and Newton Pens Production Line

Things in the pen world are finally starting to kick off for 2019. Last week we had the Philadelphia Pen Show, which saw the launch of the Newton Pens/Vanness Pinnacle, as well as a new color Estie from Esterbrook! I’ve also managed to unearth some links to a few limited edition Sailor Pro Gears (including one exclusive from Japan), and will issue my weekly reminder to get your M400 Brown Tortoise before they’re gone!

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1. Esterbrook Estie in Evergreen (via Pen Chalet). Esterbrook has released a fourth color, Evergreen, which is available in either chrome or gold trim. So far, Esterbrook is batting 1.000 with the colors in the Estie lineup, as far as I’m concerned.

2. Vanness Pinnacle by Newton Pens (via Vanness Pens). It looks like a very limited number of these pens made it back from the Philadelphia Pen Show. For those of you who haven’t heard, Shawn Newton is making a “production line” of non-custom pens, and the Pinnacle is the first! Keep an eye on the Vanness site for more as they’re released.

3. Pilot Vanishing Point Stripes Edition (via Anderson Pens). It’s a bit surprising that Pilot didn’t release this metal striped Vanishing Point last year for their 100th Anniversary (or maybe they intended to, and things happened, who knows?). It’s out now, and it definitely manages to channel the vibe of the vintage Myu and Murex.

4. Stipula Etruria Rainbow Magma Fountain Pen (via Pen Chalet). After what seems like a bit of a hiatus from regular production, Stipula has released a new Etruria model.

5. Stipula Etruria Tortoise and Etruria Gorilla (via Pen Chalet). Although the Stipula Etruria model used to be reserved for pens made from Italian celluloid and came equipped with gold or titanium nibs, Stipula introduced a steel nib version that still looks nice. They’re also currently on sale. The Etruria is a very comfortable shape for those who enjoy a larger pen.

6. Sailor Professional Gear Nagasawa Kounan Maroon Limited Edition (via eBay). Seller CoolJapan typically will have a limited stock of Kobe Nagasawa Limited Edition Pro Gears, like this Kounan Maroon. These don’t last long.

7. Pelikan M400 Brown Tortoise (via Amazon). The Brown Tortoise M400 will be leaving Pelikan’s lineup, following the M800 Brown Tortoise into the aftermarket. Get yours now, as I suspect these will command a pretty price going forward (at least until Pelikan re-releases them again).

8. Aurora 88 Minerali (via Vanness Pens). Vanness has a limited number of Aurora 88 Minerali Demonstrators in Blue (Azurite) and Green (Diopside). Check these out along with many other deals on Aurora in the Grandpa’s Basement clearance section.

9. Sailor Professional Gear Sky Pro Gear Slim Limited Edition (via eBay). I’ve made more of an effort to locate eBay sellers who stock back editions of Sailor Pro Gears. I don’t see Pro Gear Skies come up much, in either standard or slim versions.

10. Montblanc Starwalker Rollerball (via Appelboom). I love Montblanc Rollerball refills, as well as the rollerball pens in the Classique size. I stayed away from the Starwalker until now, but picked one up and ended up loving it. Review soon!

11. Uni Jetstream Prime Twist Pen (via Amazon). Uni has released an upscale body for the Jetstream, which comes with two of the SXR-600 Parker-style Jetstream refills (also available separately).

12. Uni Jetstream 4-in-1 Multi Pen Set (via Amazon). An excellent, and often overlooked, multi pen that I personally need to revisit. Available here as part of a set that includes a Kuru Toga mechanical pencil.

13. Clearance on Pilot Vanishing Point and Pilot Stargazer (via Goldspot). Check out Goldspot’s “Weekly Dip” for clearance pricing on two great models of Pilot fountain pens. I believe both are being discontinued, so act quickly.

14. Duncan Shotton Stationery (via Etsy). Duncan Shotton has reloaded his Etsy store with all of his quirky stationery products, including cool push pins, page markers, and the rainbow pencils. One of my favorite places to browse, and you can check out my review here.

15. Silver Stripes and a Silver Snake (via 18111com/Etsy). Every time I visit this store I get closer to ordering a pen from Yoshi, but I’ll probably wait until a pen show to pick it out in person because I can’t make up my mind.

Catching up with Baron Fig: New Squires, a Confidant Partnership, and Leather Goods

In terms of companies that make some of my favorite products for everyday use, both at home and at work, you need not look much further than Baron Fig. From its origins as a Kickstarter notebook project, the company has evolved from being simply the makers of the Confidant notebook to a full-blown lifestyle brand, though the focus remains on stationery. Today I’ll take a look at a few of the Baron Fig products I’ve added to my daily kit over the past year or so.

Pictured from left: Squire Rollerball in “Sheath” Pen single pen sleeve; “Lock” Brass limited edition Squire (check out that patina!) and my getting-worn-in slim bifold wallet. All of these products are sitting on top of a Mastermind desk pad.

Squire Rollerball Pen. Baron Fig’s Squire is my preferred iteration of the retractable rollerball - I like the teardrop shape, they’ve kept the design clean, and now there’s even a compatible Uniball Jetstream Refill that you can use to turn your rollerball into a fine-tip hybrid gel/ballpoint. Over the past year, Baron Fig also has backed away from a quarterly “limited edition” release schedule in favor of a wider range of standard colors and materials. The most recent release has been a Squire in brass, which is one of my favorites and which I’ve had the pleasure of using as part of the “Lock and Key” limited edition set that was released about a year ago. Today, my brass pen sports a gorgeous patina. I’m glad to see brass join stainless steel and copper as part of the regular Squire lineup.  

Confidant Notebooks. The Confidant lineup also has expanded over the past couple of years, with both new sizes and new colors now available as part of the regular line. The limited or special edition Confidants that were being released on a quarterly basis have apparently been replaced by special-purpose notebooks designed in partnership with various writers and designers. These include the new Clear Habit Journal (designed to accompany the book Atomic Habits by James Clear), the Wander Dream Journal, and the Show & Tell Notebook (designed in conjunction with Dribbble design showcase). Of these three, the Clear Habit Journal is probably the only one that might find its way into my regular rotation - and I have one on the way to review - but I love that Baron Fig has branched out and released these other products. I know several people who have enjoyed using the Wander Dream journal, and the Show & Tell will appeal to those who like to combine lined pages for writing with blank pages for sketching, doodling, or diagramming.

Workspace Accessories. In 2018 the Mastermind Desk Pad remained my most used stationery item. I probably churned through a dozen of these things, far outpacing my use of anything else in my kit. Though the Mastermind is not intended for writing on both sides of the page, the paper quality holds up with fountain pens, especially with respect to feathering and dry time. One of the things I love about Baron Fig paper is that it’s slightly absorbent, so it dries relatively quickly and doesn’t get all over your hands and wrists if, like me, you keep a Mastermind notepad underneath your keyboard. It also comes available in an “Mini” size, and Baron Fig subsequently released a narrow “Weeks” version to help you plan.

Bags and Leather Goods. Last but not least, I’ve found Baron Fig’s leather goods surprisingly impressive in both their looks and durability, especially at the price point. I’ve periodically posted that I’m carrying one of their slim bifold wallets in Charcoal, which is actually a very light gray that ages into an almost khaki color. I’m very hard on wallets, and this one has held up well. Other Baron Fig leather goods in my regular repertoire include the leather “Sheath” pen case for the Squire, as well as the “Guardian” notebook covers.  

You can say I’m a fan of the Squire…

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Baron Fig is one of those brands that I’ve enjoyed getting to watch grow over the past few years. One thing I appreciate is that despite their rapid growth and introduction of new product lines, I’ve not had significant quality control issues, even as they’ve managed to keep their pricing reasonable. The stuff just “works,” and allows you to get down to doing your work, whatever that may be, with a minimum of fuss.

You can purchase any of the products featured in this post through the Baron Fig website, and they’re even starting to expand into retail streams. Our sponsor Vanness Pens currently carries a range of Baron Fig products, including the Confidant and Vanguard notebooks.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. Baron Fig provided me with certain of the products pictured in this review free of charge for review purposes, though others (like the gray squire pen and the Mastermind desk pads) were purchased with my own funds for my own personal use.

Product Spotlight: Jetstream SXR-600 Parker-Style Refill

One of the most talked-about products over the past couple of weeks has been the Uniball Jetstream Parker-Style refill, which combines the Jetstream’s hybrid ballpoint-gel ink with a refill format that’s widely compatible with a variety of pens manufactured by third parties, including Retro 51 Rollerballs, the Baron Fig Squire, and many Kickstarter pens. I immediately bought two packs of these refills in .5mm and .38mm sizes and loaded them into my Baron Fig Squires, and am pleased to report that I now have an ultra-fine writing option for one of my favorite retractable rollerballs.

I purchased my refills from the Mitsubishi Pencil Company (which I believe owns the Uni brand) via Amazon. Due to the savings available by purchasing a four-pack, I can’t justify purchasing these refills individually at the price point at which certain retailers are selling them. Relatedly, Uni also sells the refill packaged with its “Jetstream Prime” premium body, and also has a gift pack in which you can purchase the Uniball Jetstream 4&1 multi pen along with refills and a Kuru-Toga Advance mechanical pencil. As of the time of publication of this post, all products were Prime-eligible.

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