Atlanta Pen Show Kickstarter Hightower

I finally got around to photographing my reward from the "Send Myke to Atlanta" Kickstarter campaign.  I've been using this thing like crazy over the past few months (I saved the sleeve and re-wrapped it for its photo shoot).  The case is, of course, a standard Nock Co. Hightower (3 pens + bifold), but what makes this one special is the Union Jack tag.  You may be able to purchase this color combination over at Nock Co., but unless you paid to fly Myke to the states, you will never have this tag! 

View fullsize

View fullsize

I did a full review of the Hightower a while back.  For me, it's the most practical of all the Nock Co. cases because you can carry three pens (or even pencils), plus a notebook or notecards or whatever else you can cram into the bifold pocket.  Get yours now! 

If you missed out on my reviews of the other Nock Co. cases, see Part I and Part II here. 

Ink Review: Montblanc JFK Navy Blue

Another Montblanc Limited Edition Ink, and yet more money flows out of my pocket.  I’ve done pretty well so far on my purchasing hiatus, which to me is even more impressive in light of how much I love this ink and how much I really want to stock up on it so I always have some available.  

View fullsize

Montblanc issued JFK Navy Blue to accompany its JFK Limited Edition Fountain Pen, part of the “Great Characters” series.  (If the pen strikes your fancy, Mr. Greer over at Pentime/Chatterly Luxuries has the pen listed at a really good price for these Montblanc Special Edition Pens.)  The ink is a true “navy blue,” more vibrant than the other ink bearing this description, Noodler’s Navy.  If I had to place this ink into a color group, I would call it a blue-black, but it definitely leans more to the blue end of the spectrum.  The ink has good shading and, on some papers, I've seen a tiny bit of red sheen (not much, and it doesn’t photograph at all).  Otherwise, the flow is excellent, and JFK Navy Blue shares the same properties of other Montblanc inks, including a lack of feathering and bleed-through, good dry time, and functionality on cheap paper.  

View fullsize

The writing sample here is done with a Conid Bulkfiller Minimalistica (fine nib) on Nock Co. Dot-Dash notecards. 

View fullsize

I ordered this ink from La Couronne du Compte in Tilburg, the Netherlands.  As with other Montblanc/Pelikan inks, if you’re in the U.S. the exchange rate may now make it more economical to order from abroad, but unless you can get a promotion or discount on shipping the end result may be the same.  Last I checked, the JFK ink was getting harder to find.  Stateside, Fahrney’s Pens and Pen Boutique have this ink in stock, and it runs $19.00 per bottle.     

I paid for this ink with my own funds, and was not compensated monetarily or otherwise for this review.

Ink Review: Montblanc Corn Poppy Red

As the dollar appreciated against the Euro earlier this year, it became economical to order some of the more expensive inks such as Montblanc and Pelikan Edelstein from Europe.  I placed an order with La Couronne du Compte in Tilburg, the Netherlands, and the inks I picked up included Montblanc’s new addition to their “regular” line of inks, Corn Poppy Red.  

One of the knocks on Montblanc’s ink stable is that until now, they did not have a “true red” in their lineup.  In the late 1990s/early 2000s, Montblanc did offer a “Ruby Red,” which I’ve reviewed and did not care for.  Ever since they’ve stuck with the burgundy/bordeaux wine themes for their red option, which is just fine with me as I typically prefer darker reds to use in my everyday writing.  Once I saw this one, though, I jumped.  

View fullsize

The ink looks somewhat orange when photographed, but when it dries on paper the color is what I would consider a "pure red."  

Corn Poppy Red is definitely what I would consider a “true” red.  There are no pink or orange undertones going on here, as sometimes happens with other inks labled “Poppy.”  Because of their all-around excellent properties, Montblanc inks are among my favorites, and this one is no exception.  Even though I loaded the Corn Poppy Red into a fairly wet Stipula stub nib, the ink worked well on all but the cheapest papers, and even then any feathering and bleed-through was minimal.  There is some shading, but it’s not particularly pronounced, and I imagine that it will only come out with broader nibs on the right paper.  

View fullsize

You get the full 60ml!  I've heard conflicting rumors about whether or not Corn Poppy Red is a limited edition or an addition to the regular lineup.  While some retailers list this ink as a LE, since it's offered in the larger 60ml bottle my money is on Corn Poppy Red as a new regular.  That said, there's a reason I don't gamble.  

Because this ink is (presumably) an addition to Montblanc’s regular line, it comes in the 60ml “shoe” or squared bottle, as opposed to the smaller, 30ml “special edition” bottles.  The pricing is standard (14.80 Euros or $19.00 US), making it a better value than the special edition inks that are similarly priced but give you half as much (14.30 Euros or $19.00).  

As I mentioned, I purchased this ink from La Couronne du Compte, whom I highly recommend.  If you prefer to purchase in the U.S., you can find this ink at most Montblanc retailers, including Anderson Pens and Penboutique.

View fullsize

Writing sample with some comparisons on Clairefontaine French-ruled (Seyes) paper.  The closest comparison is the Edelstein Garnet, which is a slightly darker color.   

Disclaimer:  I purchased this ink with my own funds, and was not compensated in any way for this review.

Check out this Week's Pen Addict Podcast!

Special Announcement:  I'm a guest on this week's episode of The Pen Addict Podcast, Episode 161, titled "No Micarta for You!"  I'm flattered that Brad and Myke asked me to join them, and I had a great time on my first podcast ever.  Stay tuned, as the winner of last week's giveaway will be posted tomorrow.  

Backpocket Journal by Curnow Bookbinding and Leatherwork

After reviewing my backlog of pocket notebooks, I opted for a product I have a small stash of but have never tried:  the Backpocket Journal by Curnow Bookbinding and Leatherwork. 

View fullsize

Vanness Pen Shop edition. 

At first glance, the Backpocket Journal doesn't break any new ground:  it's another pocket notebook similar to Field Notes, Word Notebooks, and the Baron Fig Apprentice (although Backpocket Journal predates the Apprentice).  Two things set Steve Curnow's products apart, however:  (1) the paper is much more fountain pen friendly than existing alternatives, and (2) the Backpocket Journal comes in custom covers and is hand bound with a sewn binding, which is both attractive and durable.  For those who insist on using fountain pens with their pocket notebooks, the paper is on par with the new Nock Co. dot-dash paper.  With non-fountain pens and pencils, I found that the Curnow paper was too smooth for my taste, but perhaps I've been spoiled by the super-tactile Baron Fig paper that I've grown to love.  

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

My writing samples show what happens when you try to push the limits of this paper with a fountain pen.  I used a TWSBI 580 with a  1.1mm stub nib, and also my stubbed Montblanc 146.  The standard Backpocket Journal paper easily keeps feathering under control, but there is slight bleed through, similar to what you would see using the same nibs on the Field Notes America the Beautiful or Shelterwood paper.  All other fountain pens performed beautifully.  Those who want to use flex or stub nibs in their pocket notebooks may want to spring for the Tomoe River paper edition.  

Pricing for the Backpocket Journal is consistent with the pocket notebook market in general:  $9 for a three-pack of the "standard" edition, and $10 for a three-pack of the custom cover editions.  The slightly more expensive Tomoe River Edition will run you $12.50, and comes with a lined guide to help keep your writing straight on the unlined Tomoe River paper.  Doug over at Modern Stationer has a great review of this product.  If I wasn't on a "new purchase" hiatus, I would order some of these immediately.  

View fullsize

The Backpocket Journal can be purchased directly from Curnow via their Facebook page or through the e-mail contact printed on the back of the notebook (how I purchased the "Brown Leaf" and "Stamp" Editions), or you can purchase the Vanness Edition used in the review from Vanness Pen Shop.  I received the Vanness version as a free sample when I purchased some ink at the Atlanta Pen Show (or maybe it was D.C., I lose track).