The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 262 - Why Do I Have a Hulk Fist?

Why do I have a Hulk fist? Because Japan is awesome! And it’s not really a Hulk fist, so you’ll need to listen to hear all about it, plus more Japanese awesomeness like my appearance in a stationery magazine. We also talk pencils. Lots of pencils.

Show Notes & Download Links

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.

Blue Apron: A better way to cook. Get three meals free with your first purchase, and free shipping.

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Podcast.

Handwritmic Brody Neuenschwander Ruling Pen: A Review

(Susan M. Pigott is a fountain pen collector, pen and paperholic, photographer, and professor. You can find more from Susan on her blog Scribalishess.)

What the heck is a ruling pen? Well, it’s exactly as it sounds: it is a pen for ruling paper. Why the heck would anyone want one of these when you can just buy ruled paper? Because a ruling pen does so much more than make straight lines (though that is actually pretty cool in and of itself). Ruling pens, with their enormous flat surfaces, can be used for really unusual calligraphy.

The Handwritmic Ruling Pen sports Brody Neuenschwander’s autograph. Neuenschwander is an American-born calligrapher who is known for his contemporary calligraphic style and also his academic study of Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic calligraphy.

Handwritmic’s ruling pen was specially created to be used for modern calligraphy. You can order the pen with a nut brown or mahogany handle (mine is mahogany), and the wood is FSC certified. The nib is made of Swedish stainless steel with a thick 24k plate. This thing is built like a tank, so you can use it with virtually any kind of paper and ink.

If you are using the pen for ruling, the screw is for widening or closing the gap between the blades to vary the width of lines.

The grip is textured and also has the Handwritmic branding and Neuenschwander’s autograph. This makes for a comfortable and non-slip surface for your fingers.

The nib offers four writing surfaces that can be used for different effects.

First, you can use it as a ruling pen. Simply choose the width of your line by turning the screw, dip the pen in your chosen ink, and draw a line holding the pen vertically. Lines vary from small (0.5mm) to wide (2.0mm).

Second, you can write thin characters with the pen by using the pointed end and holding the pen perpendicular to your paper. You can vary the thickness by changing the angle of the pen to the paper.

Third, you can use the shorter edge to make intermediate-sized characters.

Fourth, you can use the broadest edge to make huge, dramatic lettering.

What is really cool about this pen is that you can write rough with it. Pushing the pen up on the surface of your paper produces great splatters and unusal effects.

My husband bought my ruling pen from Handwritmic for €52.00 for Mother’s Day. It comes packaged in a cardboard tube. Although it’s made in Italy, they have a distribution center in the US, so you don’t have to pay hefty shipping or customs fees.

I am really pleased with this unusual pen. I’ve seen several ruling pens on the Internet, but this one seemed especially well made and reasonably priced. Although I’m no calligrapher yet, I plan to use this pen for ink testing and practice.

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Posted on June 21, 2017 by Susan Pigott and filed under Handwritmic, Pen Reviews.

Montegrappa Game Of Thrones Targaryen Fountain Pen Review

Living in the Southeastern United States I’m about has far away from winter as possible, but knowing that Winter Is Coming and Game of Thrones Season 7 is only weeks away is keeping me cool this summer.

The other thing keeping me cool: The Montegrappa Game Of Thrones Targaryen Fountain Pen. One of the challenges in our industry is doing branded products well, and Montegrappa handled this one well.

Game of Thrones fans will recognize the four primary Houses - or families, for those not familiar with the show. Baratheon, Lannister, Stark, and Targaryen are the players, and Montegrappa has woven in their colors and sigils into a wonderful lineup of pens. We have covered the ballpoint and rollerball pens previously, and I’m up to bat with the fountain pen review.

If you ask me which House will claim the Iron Throne in the end, my money is on the Targaryen’s, or a Targaryen/Stark tag team to take down the Lannister’s and dispatch of White Walkers. The Baratheon’s are mostly dead, although their pen may be the best of the bunch.

The Targaryen’s though, that’s where it’s at. Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons would be proud to carry this pen and write the names of those she defeated in their blood.

The pen is made from metal and resin, giving is a sturdy feel, but not too heavy. The bronze section and finials give it a nice balance, and the matching colored steel nib sets it off nicely. It is a fantastic writer too. I love the lacquered red artwork and details on the pen, and the Fire and Blood emblem on the top looks like it would make a perfect wax seal.

If there is one issue with this pen it is the price. That’s what happens when you license one of the top franchises in the world. You can buy a lot of pens for $350, but if you are a Thrones fan and a pen lover this series is very well executed. Just like Ned Stark.

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

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!