The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode #196 - You Replace Your Carpet

Myke had a great idea this week to revisit Episode #1 of The Pen Addict Podcast and see how much things have changed over the years. It was really funny to hear how many topics we alluded to in that first episode became "things" as the show continued on.

It wasn't all reminiscing though, as we discuss the Parker Great Expectations I recently reviewed, new Retro 51 pens, and a Kickstarter pen that looks awfully familiar.

Show Notes & Download Link

This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:

Pen Chalet: Click the ‘podcast’ link at the top of the website and enter the password ‘penaddict’ for this week’s special offer, and to get your code for 10% off.
Harry's: An exceptional shave at a fraction of the price. Use code PENADDICT for $5 off your first purchase.

Retro 51 Coffee Tornado Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

If there's two things that go well together, it's coffee and pens. For most of us, they're two things that we often enjoy at the same time. For the coffee lovers and fans of the Retro 51, you might want to sit down for this little beauty — the Retro 51 Coffee Tornado from Goldspot. This is a collaboration between Goldspot and Retro 51 that turned out beautifully. Like the name implies, this special Tornado is themed with coffee from top to bottom, and even on the packaging.

Let's start with the packaging. I'm not one to normally keep packaging, but I make an exception for interesting Retro 51 tubes. For one, they're tubes and look awesome when displayed together. And, they have some unique and fun custom designs for the special edition pens. This is one of those special editions, and in this case, the packaging matches the aesthetic of the pen perfectly. There's all kinds of coffee lingo on the band, as well as cute coffee symbols and a mug with the Goldspot logo on it. It's a fun logo, and definitely sets the mood for when you open it up.

I've always really enjoyed the presentation of the Retro 51 in the tube when you open it. There it is — standing there in all its glory, ready for you to pick it up and start writing. The furniture is all antique bronze, but the body is the real attraction. The body looks like a burlap bag, but is actually etched metal. It's hard for me to believe that it's actually metal, and half the fun is examining all the little details to figure out exactly what it is. The etched body features the same lingo and symbols as the packaging, and looks fantastic on the pen.

It's worth mentioning that the art and design work for the pen are top-notch. This is high-quality stuff, and it really shows when you're looking at the pen. It sets a mood, and it's a good one. It's not cheesy or goofy, but it's very coffee-shop-esque and comfortable.

The writing experience is, of course, on par with all Retro 51 Tornado pens. If you haven't had the pleasure of writing with one, check out these other reviews of the Metalsmith Franklin, Metalsmith Juliet Heart Tree, 25th Anniversary model, or the standard lacquer version.

I'm a huge lover of coffee and can get really picky about where it's from, how it's roasted, and how it's brewed. The great thing about Tornados is that you always know how they'll write after you own just one. These are so fun to collect, and the Coffee edition from Goldspot is one of my favorites so far.

(Goldspot Pens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Sp Aluminum Pen and Notebook (Sponsor)

Many of us have a favorite pen or little black notebook, but what if those two came in one well designed package? Bfofo’s Sp Pen and Notebook features a beautiful laser etched and anodized pen machined from solid aluminum that features a magnetic cap, the capacity to accept a broad selection of refills, and secures to their own version of the pocket notebook, or about any 5.5” notebook. The pen also comes with optional clips that let it work as a shirt friendly pocket pen. All five different different barrel finishes ship with both clip options, so there is no need to mix and match when ordering.

The hardcover notebook was modeled on the traditional 5.5” Moleskine and Leuchtturm pocket notebooks, with a few improvements. The binding was designed to lay flat - an important feature in a notebook this size - and the thinner, corded bookmark is designed to stay out of the way while remaining useful. The numbered pages feature a dot grid pattern, with a Table of Contents in the front, and a storage pocket in the back.

With backers levels starting at $18 USD, the Sp Pen and Notebook has pledge levels to meet all of your writing needs. The project just launched on Kickstarter today so head over and check it out.