Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink Review

If you listened to yesterday's podcast you caught me having a senior moment while discussing some of my ink reviews. I did a batch of three reviews in one sitting and when I was discussing the inks with Myke I was thinking I had published at least two of them on the blog. Well, now I can say that I actually have.

Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki is one of the most popular inks on the market, and in one short review, I can see why. The rich, bright blue is stunning, and the shading is simultaneously subtle and exceptional. What really impressed me though was how well the ink behaved from the nib. Once again, I used my TWSBI Mini 1.5 mm stub nib for the review and found it the perfect choice. The ink flow was smooth and consistent - not too dry, and not too wet. If all Iroshizuku inks behave this well I am going to be in serious trouble.

The third ink review should be posted sometime next week, but I bet many of you can guess it from this image alone:

For more details on Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki check out these great reviews:

Seize the Dave

Greasemonkeyhands

Ed Jelley

Vec Blog

The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 42 - Short Attention Span Theatre

In this episode of The Pen Addict Podcast, Myke and I are back on track after illness at the Pen Addict household wiped out last weeks episode. We come back full-force discussing our latest purchases and acquisitions, including rare Field Notes, Myke's first TWSBI, and my new old school black stealth Vanishing Point.

If you enjoy the podcast please consider leaving a rating or review in iTunes. It is much appreciated!

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I Get Email: The Roll-kuli by Rotring

I have received some interesting emails over the years but a recent one from Michael F. may be the best yet. He stumbled across a pen that had him stumped, and once I took a look at the pictures I had no earthly idea either. He did a little more sleuthing and came up with a name: The Rotring Roll-kuli. I'll let Michael explain a little more:

The Pollkuli pen I’m showing you is a mystery to me. It was included in an auction purchase, along with the target pen, a Sheaffer Snorkel. I date it to the mid 50’s to mid 60’s based on style and materials. I cleaned it up, and the seals were great.

The pen features:

• integral twist dip style re-fill system; the ink is drawn up and around the clear point holder

• bifurcated transparent reservoir, allowing the user to raise nib up, flow the captured ink into the tail part of the section, re-dip, and fill again

• clear “feed” area, showcasing the ink near the paper

• smooth writing ruby (?) ball point

• sporty red band

• rarity: few examples exist, apparently. I know of no others.

The pen is a smooth, smooth writer! Compared to the Hi-TEC 0.25, its luxurious! The line left on the Rhodia paper is rich, but not wet. Noodlers Heart of Darkness hints at grey-brown. The tiny bit of skipping I get (look at the ‘Rs’) may be due to my grip on such a novel pen.

He calls it a Pollkuli in his original email because that is how the red band reads, but he quickly came about the real name after starting a thread on the Fountain Pen Network. There is great history thread available there as well.

The pictures Michael sent are stunning and really show off this unique pen. Thanks for sharing!