The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 322 - Burner Pen

Who knew that the most hyped pen release this summer would be a $20 plastic pen from TWSBI? The TWSBI Go has taken the penternet by storm, and Myke has his in hand to discuss. We also take a first glimpse at J. Herbin’s new luxury lineup and answer all of your #ASKTPA.

Show Notes & Download Links

This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:

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Posted on August 24, 2018 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Podcast.

Global Arts Canvas Pencil Roll-Up Case Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter.)

Global Arts makes some great cases for the pen addict on the go. This 36-Pencil Roll isn't my favorite of their products, but my complaints are all nitpicks that arise from comparing it to other cases of the same brand.

On the outside, the case feels well made, with soft, sturdy canvas fabric and strong elastic. The snap closure is reliable--it's never come undone, even when being tossed around in a backpack.

Inside, the case starts to feel a little cheap to me, in terms of materials. The nylon lining and pocket zipper feel a bit light and flimsy and don't really give me that sense of durability that I like in my cases.

I'm also not a fan of the vinyl flaps that fold over the top and bottom. It's not very gentle on sharpened pencil tips, and its inflexibility adds bulk to the wrap when it's rolled. It's also stiff and gets in the way when I'm trying to get pencils out of the case. I think canvas might have been more effective here. The elastic bands are strong, but very narrow. They're great for standard-width pencils, but won't work well for anything wider.

Overall, though, the case works. It holds a ton of pencils and keeps them secure in my bag. Who doesn't like a giant tootsie roll of pencils in their bag? But I have to say, I much prefer Global Arts' flat zippered cases. For fifty cents more, you can get a case that holds 48 pencils and fits a little more easily in your bag (and it comes in more fun colors). The elastic loops are also wider in those cases, so it allows for some flexibility in what you carry.

In that sense, I think Global Arts is competing against itself a bit. So, alas, this particular case falls into the "this is a perfectly decent product, but I have no use for it" category. While I love the aesthetics of a roll of pens and pencils, they aren't as practical for me to carry with me--especially when they get as large as this one does when full.

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

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Posted on August 23, 2018 by Sarah Read and filed under Global Arts, Pen Case.

Pilot Grance Fountain Pen Review

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

The Pilot Grance is a relatively new addition to Pilot's North American lineup (in 2024!), and I'm really glad they decided to bring it here. When you look at fountain pens as a whole, there's an overwhelming majority of pens that use a screw on cap versus a friction fit slip or snap cap. While that's not a bad thing, I've always wondered why that's the case. The Grance is an elegant, slim-bodied pen that packs in a fantastic nib and comfortable feel that looks great in any setting.

In my mind, the Grance is the more refined and elegant version of the Metropolitan. The Metropolitan is affordable, accessible, and a great deal. The Grance builds on top of that with more premium materials, but also nails the writing experience. From what I can tell, the interior of the Grance is made of brass, with a thick metal covering that features a metallic, pearlescent finish that glimmers in the light. There are also black resin accents that are offset with yellow gold pieces. When I first saw this pen, the gold hardware put me off until I picked the pen up and started writing with it. While I wish there were other options (they're all gold, baby!), I quickly got over my aesthetic issues with the yellow gold. It might not be my number one preference, but this pen is a champ that has become my daily writer despite our color differences.

The Grance is also a fairly small lineup, sporting only three color options: Pearl White, Pearl Pink, and Pearl Blue. Again, the options aren't plentiful, but I can only imagine that Pilot have plans to expand this line if it does well.

The grip section is a black resin that picks up fingerprints easily, but feels great when in use. There's a small taper toward the tip of the pen, but there's also a small ring of gold around the end of the grip that provides a nice place to rest your fingers when writing. In my experience, the grip does not get slippery when writing despite the lack of texture. And the slim body makes longer writing sessions comfortable as well.

The cap design for the Grance is a snap cap that works very well in practice. In some instances, the snap cap can be too tight, requiring too much effort to open and close. In these cases, it can be an annoyance, but it can also cause you to sling ink if you're not careful. Luckily, the Grance does not suffer from these issues. It's just the right amount of snug to keep the cap on securely. It also posts nicely using the same snap mechanism.

The clip on the Grance is much stronger than I expected it to be. It easily keeps the pen secure on almost any material it can fit over. Even when my bag has been thrown around a bit, the Grance stays put where I clipped it.

In terms of ink options, you have plenty. The Grance fits standard Pilot cartridges, but you can also use a Pilot CON-40 converter to use any ink you like.

Now, let's move on to what really makes this pen sparkle for me: the writing experience. The best part about this pen, and the part that also brings the price point into the low-premium arena is the nib. It's a 14k gold nib that feels smooth, bounces a bit while writing, and flows well. I've always really enjoyed Pilot gold nibs, and this one is no exception. In the unit I have, I'm using the FM nib, which is somewhere between fine and medium. It's also one of my favorite nibs due to the size.

When writing with this pen, there's a slight (but noticeable) spring in the nib due to the soft gold material. It doesn't provide much in the way of line variation, but it does give the pen a soft feel when writing, added to the premium experience.

I've been using this pen as my daily driver for several weeks, and I've never once had any issues with skipping, hard starts, or excessive ink flow. It's a work horse - it's simply ready to write the instant you pick it up and uncap it. Even leaving it uncapped for a couple of minutes doesn't faze it. It's incredibly reliable, and I love it for that.

This is true of most Pilot pens I've used, and the Grance is no exception: this nib is incredibly smooth on paper. Writing is pure joy and this pen can keep up with most everything you decide to use it for. It's reliable, pleasing, and delightful.

Overall, I was reluctant to use this pen when I first saw it. It's slim, it uses gold accents, and the color options are few. Despite all this, I've fallen in love with it over the past few weeks. I didn't expect this, but the nib is what caused this. It's an excellent nib, the pen is comfortable to use, and it's incredibly reliable. When that's the case, the exterior aesthetics can sometimes take a backseat.

The Pilot Grance is available in three colors and four nib sizes (EF, F, FM, M). It's in the lower premium price range at $140, but that price is about as low as you can go with a gold nib. If this pen fits your style, then you'll love using it.

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

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