The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 356 - Busy Week in the Inbox

I get email! It was great email too, as I got to have several conversations about my commentary on Kickstarter pens, and pens in general. I always learn so much from listeners and readers, so thank you all for reaching out. Myke and I explore this discussion further, Myke fawns over a not-Sailor fountain pen, and I give my initial impressions of the Graf von Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil.

Show Notes & Download Links

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Matthew Martin Fountain Pen Review

“Brad, you need to come see this. It's going to be a problem for you.”

That’s how I first learned about Matthew Martin, and the pens he had on display at the Atlanta Pen Show. My friends know what I like, and when they come to me with a statement like that, I know what I’m about to see is going to be good. And it was.

Matt has been making his unique style of every day carry pen for several years. A quick scroll through his Instagram feed shows a wide variety of barrel materials and finishes, including very detailed machine work. It’s a glimpse behind the mad scientist curtain that produces such wild and varied designs.

One thing you will notice when scrolling through his page is the lack of fountain pens. That was a conscious effort in the beginning it seems. His market was the knife and tactical carry enthusiast. Retractable pens with glass breaker tips and Fisher Space Pen refills tend to lean that way.

The groundwork had been laid, and Matthew decided to start dabbling in fountain pens. And by dabbling, I mean making one of the best machined fountain pens I have ever used right out of the gate.

Storytime: As I was browsing through Matt’s table in Atlanta, my friends and I noticed something interesting. All of Matt’s fountain pens had Edison Nibs in them. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but we had to ask why. Matt told us he didn’t know where to get nibs from, so went to Goulet Pens, and bought all of the 16 Edison nibs they had in stock to use for his pens. How great is that?

That tells you where Matt is at in relation to the fountain pen world. We told him where he could source #6 Jowo nibs in the US (funnily enough, from Brain Gray at Edison Pens) and all had a good laugh about his commitment to making this happen.

While there was work to be done on the nibs, the pen barrels needed no such conversation. In fact, I was left curious at how Matt does what he does. I bought a full titanium, smooth barrel and section, fountain pen, but couldn’t help but be enamored by the mixing and matching of metals Matt offered. Aside from titanium, there were bronze, copper, and zirconium barrels - and mixtures of the various metals in different parts of the pens. On top of that, many pens had the added touch of additional machine work - be it a barrel cut out or section etching.

As simple as the pen I chose is compared to the rest on the table, I knew it was the one I was leaving with. I like technical and flashy, too, but for my first pen from a new brand I like to keep it straightforward, so I can get a good look at the manufacturing without being swayed by swirls.

When I look at my pen, I’m in a constant state of “I don’t get it,” as in, I don’t get how a machined metal pen is this clean and this refined. I use a lot of metal pens and am impressed by a lot of metal pens. This pen has set a new high bar for manufacturing refinement. Yes, I am gushing over this pen, as you have undoubtedly heard me do on the podcast over the last few weeks.

Two main features make this a perfect pen for me. One is the length. It’s neither short nor long. It’s perfect-sized - just long enough to hold a standard international ink converter, and have a good length grip section. There is no extra anywhere. Two, it’s lighter than expected for a metal pen. That is because Matt thins out the interior barrel wall to reduce weight while keeping it thick enough to retain its durability. Those two things combine to give this pen a great feel and perfect balance in hand.

If there is any downside to Matt Martin’s pens, it is that they may be priced out of your comfort zone. After what I have seen, and felt, and used, I think they are correctly priced, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t expensive. The model I purchased was the least costly at $295, and they went all the way up to $595 for a full zirconium pen, with additional barrel and section design work. Most of the two-tone models - which are next on my list - range from $395 to $495. All of the prices include a steel #6 Jowo nib. I bought a new steel EF SIG nib from Franklin-Christoph at the show to add a little extra awesomeness to my pen.

Top to bottom: Sailor 1911 Standard, Matt Martin Titanium, Kaweco Sport

If this is a style of pen you are interested in, then I can wholeheartedly recommend Matt’s work. They aren’t easy to come by right now, with most of them appearing for sale on Instagram as opposed to his website. If nothing else, he is one to watch.

When I entered the Atlanta Pen show, I had never heard of Matt Martin and had never seen his pens. Now, I own a pen that is never leaving my side. I look forward to the day when I can pick out my second one.

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Platinum Pigment Brun Sepia Ink 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. And check out her first novel, The Bone Weaver’s Orchard, now available where books are sold!)

Have you ever lost some important writing to a tea spill? Or a water bottle leak? It happens, and it's the worst. I've had a few instances where I needed a truly waterproof ink for a task, but I've always been a bit wary of putting them in my pens. So many carry warnings of stains, clogs, or even pen damage. But I have heard good things about the Platinum Pigment inks, so I gave this lovely Brun Sepia a try.

I filled my Pelikan M205 and started scribbling. I noticed that the ink in the bottle is opaque and doesn't have the transparent quality of non-pigment inks. The bottle is nice. Blown glass in a sturdy shape that's practical for filling pens. It comes with its own internal inkwell that is designed to make the pen easier to fill when the ink level gets low. It's like a wee plastic wine glass that sits in the bottle. When you flip the bottle upside down (with the lid on, of course), then right it, the small cup will fill with ink, and you can fill your pen from the smaller cup. It's a nice feature.

The ink flows well when writing, though it is a bit inconsistent. Sometimes it feels like it's dry, with a fainter line, then it gushes a bit and makes darker patches. It looks pretty--like extra shading--but it feels like a behavior issue. And despite the fact that it sometimes feels dry, it's not. In fact, this is one of the longest dry times I've counted out for any ink. It was a full 40 seconds before it was mostly dry, and even then it smudged.

However, once it is dry, it is completely water resistant. I did a drip test, and you'll just have to take my word for it that I did drip water on the ink grid, because not a bit of it moved. I also couldn't really do any kind of chromatography, because I just got a wet line of ink. If this ink's number one job is to be impervious to water--it wins.

The ink's color is also nice, though nothing amazing. It's a cozy brown, simple enough to be professional, but fun enough to not be boring. I love the old-timey feel of brown inks, and this one doesn't disappoint. It also isn't very similar to anything else in my collection of browns. The closest relative is Montblanc Toffee Brown, but while their swabs look similar, they are completely different in writing. This brown is almost rosy. It's actually the exact color of a Chilean Rose Tarantula…which may not be an endearing comparison for most folks, but it helps to highlight my point that it is a subtly interesting color.

Overall, I like this ink, and it does its job well. It has a few faults, namely the dry time, but I feel that's a fair trade for the qualities you do get. It's certainly not going to be an everyday ink for me, but it's the perfect tool for when you need it. Going on a writing hike? Camping? On a deadline with your notebook surrounded by half-forgotten cups of coffee perched precariously close to your work? Definitely time for permanent ink.

Also: My pen has not suffered any ill effects at all. I'll update if it does over a longer period of time, but so far I have zero concerns.

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

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

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