Ink Links

-- Lamy White Joy Set Special Edition (2013) (kmpn)

-- A No-Number Nineteen-Twenties Swan (Goodwriterspens's Blog)

-- Testing my Lamy Safari (Hjertnes.me)

-- Lamy Safari 2013 Neon Yellow (Does This Pen Write?)

-- Esterbrook J Double Jewel – Restored – NPI Gregg 1555 Nib (No Pen Intended)

-- The Sketchnote Typeface (Rohdesign)

-- "Premium" Writing Paper (Clairefontaine & Rhodia) (The Daily Acquisition)

-- Ask The Desk: Pen Testing Notebook (The Well-Appointed Desk)

-- WAY Better Than Poi or Don Ho: Retro 51 Vintage Surf Tornado Rollerball (Limited Edition) (From the Pen Cup)

-- Ink Notes: Namiki Blue (Fountain Pen Quest)

-- Palomino Drawing - Luxury Notebook Series (Pens Paper Inks...Whatever!)

-- Burton’s technical drawing arsenal (doane paper feed)

-- Newest additions to the Collection: Faber Castell TK 9600 Clutch Pencil and Ohto Graphic Liner Needle Point Drawing Pens Set (Lung Sketching Scrolls)

-- Pilot Vortex Fountain Pen (OfficeSupplyGeek)

-- Review: Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink (Gourmet Pens)

-- Aurora Talentum Black/Chrome inked with Rohrer & Klingner Blau Schwartz LE (JustDaveyB)

-- Pilot Custom Heritage 91 Fountain Pen Broad Nib & Tsukiyo Body (Ink of Me Fondly)

-- Pilot Petit 1 Fountain Pen Review (Write to Me Often)

-- BIC 4colours (penfan.ru)

-- Kokuyo Ink (Crónicas Estilográficas)

-- 2013 Lamy Safari Special Edition - Neon (My Orange Brompton)

-- Rotring 600 Ballpoint - Lava Pen Review (The Clicky Post)

-- Handwritten Post: The Story of My Pen and Paper Addiction (A Penchant for Paper)

My Fountain Pen Education: The Pilot Metal Falcon

As was the case with many of my friend Thomas' pens that he sent me, I didn't know what to make of the Pilot Metal Falcon when I first inked it up. I had heard raves about its flexible nib but never having used one before, I was tentative. It didn't take long for me to get the hang of it and I discovered quickly why it is so well regarded.

It is hard to explain the feeling of a flex nib to someone who has never used one before. In a nutshell, the nib is reasonably firm and produces a fine line while using light writing pressure. When pressure is added, the tines spread and the lines become wider, giving the output on the page a little more flair.

My written review actually does a poor job of showing off the line width variation. Part of that is due to this being an SEF nib, or Soft Extra Fine. The other part is me not wanting to really lean into someone else's pen and spring the nib. If you need more variation, the Falcon nib is available up to Broad.

There were two things I did not like about this pen. One, the metal barrel felt awkward in the hand. I'm not sure if it was the added weight or that it was cool to the touch at start, but I never got used to it. Two, at nearly $250 from most US retailers it seemed expensive for what it is. I didn't find that much novelty or uniqueness to justify the price.

All was not lost though, as Thomas later pointed out to me that there is a Japanese model in black resin with rhodium trim for about $100 cheaper, which we both subsequently ordered. And you guys think I have a problem?

Look for more on my very own Falcon in the near future.

The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 56 - Them's Fightin' Words

In Episode 56 of The Pen Addict Podcast Myke and I discuss refills for his Render K and a better option for me in my Retro 51 Vintage Surf. We also cover some new products we each have on the way plus my recent post on Field Notes and Doane Paper fountain pen ink testing.

Show Notes & Download Links

Every time I use the Retro 51 Vintage Surf this song plays in my head...