As I did after the D.C. Pen Show recap, I wanted to do a post that’s a bit of a deeper dive on what I picked up at the San Francisco Pen Show, especially since my weekend was spent mostly behind the table and these past few days at home were my first opportunity to explore most of my purchases, which were largely planned pre-show and executed in the last two hours on Sunday afternoon. It’s been like a pen show after a pen show!
The Kyuseido (right) next to the Gravitas Ultemate Vac (left). The Kyuseido "Kakari” fountain pen was designed by C.Y. of Kyuseido in collaboration with Ben Walsh of Ben Walsh Design/Gravitas Pens.
Kyuseido Pump Piston Filler (The “Kakari”?)
So of all the pens that I posted photos of on Instagram and in my main San Francisco recap, this is the one that prompted the most questions. I understand the official name is the “Kakari” (from Ben Walsh’s Instagram), and it’s a riff on the “bulkfiller” (lower-case) or syringe filler mechanism. More details will follow once I’ve had time to play with it. My particular pen features black PVD titanium trim (numbered edition of 40/50), and a 14k nib ground by C.Y. into a “Sankakusen”, which is his term for the kodachi/naginata-style grind. I basically use it like a soft architect, and so far it’s been a wonderful writer. An ebonite feed delivers a lot of ink, but the nib is well-tuned so that it doesn’t bleed through on most papers.
My understanding is that the San Francisco Pen Show was a “soft launch” for this particular pen, and that we will be seeing more of it soon. It’s a premium product, priced at $660 including the custom grind, a price point which is slightly lower than than the Conid Bulkfiller with a titanium nib. I of course plan to do a much more in-depth post on this pen, though I need to wait until Kyuseido posts more information about the specifics of the design when it officially launches. We were both so busy at the show I didn’t have an opportunity to discuss the pen with C.Y. in any great detail.
And, yes, my fine Monoc (left) was anodized in a rainbow gradient.
Schon DSGN Fine Monoc Nib
I reviewed the original Schon DSGN Monoc nib back in February, shortly after it’s initial launch. At the D.C. Pen Show, Ian revealed broad and fine versions of the Monoc, which I didn’t have a chance to test out. Then Ana, my table neighbor working for Vanness, bought one and brought it back to the table in San Francisco, and I was hooked. I mentioned this in my prior recap, but I needed to re-ink the pen after travel and take some pictures of the unique line variation this nib offers. While the original Monoc writes a medium line in normal “nib-down” position, and a fine/extra-fine on the reverse, this latest release writes a fine line in normal position and an medium architect line on the reverse. It’s extremely smooth either way, though I did move it from a Pocket Six to my Amber Ultem pen, as I think ink flows better in the Monoc through a converter.
Gravitas Pens Ultemate Vac Filler
I’ve been wanting to pick up one of Ben Walsh’s polished Gravitas Ultem vacs, and it doesn’t disappoint. So many makers default to the matte finish with Ultem, and while I might prefer that visual on most designs, here the polished finish was clearly the right choice. I’m also digging the clipless, postable cap, and the titanium on the barrel gives the pen a nice balance. I stuck with the stainless steel EF nib, which writes well, and the section is threaded for a JoWo nib unit if I ever wanted to change it out.
Skogsy Pens Micarta Fountain Pen
Did I mention I’ve become obsessed with Micarta as a material. Yes, I know it “stains”. No, I don’t care. And yes, you bet I dipped the section of this pen to fill it. I even got permission from Zach at Skogsy to do it. (He encourages this!)
My two Micarta Fountain Pens: The Skogsy (left) and the Leonardo Momento Zero collaboration with Stilo e Stile (right).
For those unfamiliar, “Micarta” is a brand name for a thermoplastic made from resin-infused fiber (typically linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, or carbon fiber), though it’s also used generically (“micarta”) to refer to materials made using similar techniques. It has a range of industrial uses, though the most familiar niche consumer applications are knife handles, pool cues, and guitar components. Once hardened and turned, Micarta takes on the feel of compressed sailcloth, and will wear smooth and patina depending on how it is used.
Micarta is absorbent, so as you use your pens, knives, etc. they will take on a patina from hand oils and ink.
Durable and extremely light, Micarta makes for a fascinating pen material. I missed out on the original TWSBI Micarta release (which I talked about in my Pen Addict Podcast appearance EIGHT years ago!?!), but immediately picked up the Stilo e Stile collaboration with Leonardo Pens, and jumped at the chance to grab a Skogsy Pen in San Francisco. These things sold fast, and on Saturday morning I only had my pick of three!
Enigma Stationery Special Edition No. 3
Another table neighbor got me on the first day. I mentioned that Enigma Stationery was right next door, and we had both done collaborations with Hinze Pens. Dan and I ended up swapping a couple of pens from our latest limited runs, and I took home this gorgeous Enigma Special Edition #3 turned by Hinze from a custom in-house Enigma blank. I also love the matching turquoise nib and have a couple ideas for the perfect ink to match this one. (Iroshizuku Sui-Gyoku, perhaps? That seems to be my new favorite.)
A close-up look at these two Hinze Pens! (Sorry, ours is now sold out but I think Enigma has some left in stock!)
Pilot Custom 74 Burgundy Demonstrator with EF Nib
Yeah, yeah, don’t shop your own supply, I know, but someone wanted to dip this Custom 74 at the SF Show and I noticed for the first time that the burgundy demonstrator features a smoke black section and finial and it’s a burgundy and smoke pen and my signature colors and I don’t have a Pilot Custom 74 with an EF nib and I talked myself into keeping it. So there.
Yes I do plan to remove the sticker.
As I’ve demonstrated, you can still do an extreme amount of damage to your wallet with only two hours to spend shopping at the SF Pen Show (and even without leaving your own table). Even so, I’m considering dialing back show attendance as an exhibitor next year, and refocusing more on the informational/content/after-hours aspects, and maybe even hosting workshops and seminars. It’s more in line with what I want to get out of the show experience, since logistics dictate that I’m never going to be a multiple-table vendor and my time is likely better spent visiting with makers, distributors, readers and attendees. Stay tuned for future show plans! I may have one or two more in me this year.
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