The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 594 - My Bank Account Is Sick

It’s adventure time this week, as Arielle Fragassi, aka ToastyTreat, joins me to recap her recent trip to Japan. If you want to know more about what the landscape is like in the global home of stationery then you don’t want to miss this one.

Show Notes & Download Links

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Posted on December 14, 2023 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Podcast.

Dominant Industry Takasago Fountain Pen Notebook 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 her latest book, Root Rot, is now available for pre-order!)

The Dominant Industry Takasago Notebook is one of those notebooks that makes you want to write in it. Notebooks like this are practically a cure for writer's block, because you can't look at these empty pages without wanting to fill them up.

This notebook is made with paper specifically formulated for fountain pens, with superior ability to show off sheen and shading, prevent bleeding and feathering, and showing off all the best qualities of liquid inks. Notably, this paper does all that while solving the dry-time issue that many coated papers have. While it still takes a moment for the liquid inks to dry, it does so much faster than with other fountain pen friendly papers, like Tomoe River.

Apart from the dry time, this paper reminds me a lot of the old Tomoe River paper. Like TR, this paper is part of an old tradition. Made in a 110-year-old mill, it's a legacy recipe that has taken a lifetime to perfect.

The one issue some users might find fault with is the ghosting. I declare this paper extremely haunted. Just about all writing shows through the page, even pencil. I can even see my fingers through it when I'm turning the page. That doesn't bother me--I still use both sides, but some folks hate that, so it's worth mentioning.

This A5 notebook has 86 sheets of 87.9 gsm white paper. This version is blank, but lined and grid pages are also available. The cover is cardstock textured to look like pebble leather. The cover also has a fold-over on both the front and back, which can be used to tuck notes into or folded over pages to serve as a bookmark. The binding allows the notebook to lay flat easily with no training.

Overall, it's a good construction, good quality, and a pleasure to write in. It does have a slightly high price tag of around $25. Back in the olden days, you could get 200 A5 sheets of Tomoe River paper bound in a lovely linen cover for that cost. But that's not the norm anymore, and this is still a decent amount of very good paper. While the cardstock cover may not be as fancy as some other materials, it makes it lightweight, flexible, and easy to use. It's the perfect format for a trip journal or class notebook, or for a commonplace book. The blank pages may also appeal to artists.

(Brad purchased this notebook from Smruti Pens at regular price at the 2023 Orlando Pen Show.)

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Posted on December 14, 2023 by Sarah Read and filed under Dominant Industry, Notebook Reviews.

TWSBI GO 1.1mm Stub Nib 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 TWSBI GO isn't that new any more, but I've only just recently picked on up to play with. It always spoke to me as a great candidate for being an ink testing pen due to the simple filling system. After using this one for a while, there's definitely a lot more to like about this fun pen, and it will be more than just a testing pen.

I went with the fully transparent model with a 1.1mm stub nib as my intro to the GO. This is also my first time trying a TWSBI 1.1mm stub nib. Lots of firsts going into this pen experience!

There are plenty of TWSBIs in my collection already, so I knew what to expect in terms of the nib and build of the pen. With this being their lowest-cost entry point, I'm actually more impressed than I thought I'd be. For less than $20 USD, you get a lot of pen. I'm embarrassed that I waited so long to check out the GO and see what the fuss was about!

For the uninitiated, the GO is a plastic-barrel pen that features a spring-powered piston filling system. The large spring under the transparent body also adds a fun visual for the pen as well as being functional. It uses the standard TWSBI nib, but without the convenient threaded nib/feed module that you'll find on the more expensive models. You can still swap out the nib without much trouble, but it's not as quick and easy as with other TWSBIs.

This is the only TWSBI I've used that has a friction-fit cap instead of a screw-on cap. I still make the mistake of trying to unscrew it! The cap works really well. Capping and uncapping the pen is really stable and makes a satisfying click. You can post the cap on the back of the pen, but this makes the pen too long for my preference. The uncapped pen is the perfect length for me when writing.

The grip section is a really nice shape. It has a nice taper down to the nib, and then there are three flattened edges that add a nice aesthetic to the grip but also a good spot for your fingers to hold steady.

To cut down on costs, there's no clip on this pen. It does have a small nub on the cap to keep the pen from rolling on your desk, but you can't clip this pen to anything. For the price, I'm not complaining. I'd rather have the cool spring filling system over a clip for this price.

Like every other TWSBI nib I've used, this is a great nib that worked great out of the box. It's my first time using the 1.1mm stub nib, and I've been really happy with it. The flow is smooth and the nib lays down a nice layer of ink with ease. I've tried several inks with it already, but I'm currently still loving the Laughing Kookaburra Wing with this pen/nib combo now.

The TWSBI GO is a fun pen, and I wish I'd tried one out sooner. The design is so much fun, and the large spring in the body catches everyone's attention. People can't help but pick up this pen, and that's exactly what I like to see with a pen that's marketed toward newcomers to the hobby. It's crazy what you get with this pen for less than $20 USD. Cool transparent body? Got it. Included converter that doesn't need cartridges? Even better — this pen has a built in piston filling system that can hold lots of ink. Good nib? Yup. I don't think there are any other options under $20 for getting a good 1.1mm stub nib. All considered, this pen is a phenomenal value that is perfect for newcomers who are interested in non-cartridge fountain pens and stub nibs. But, it's so much fun that it's great for those of us that already have too many pens!

The playful and unique design makes this a great pen for your collection that can also be a workhorse. It also makes for a great gift for those fountain-pen-curious folks in your life!

(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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