(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)
One of the best parts of pen shows (or any pen gathering) is the opportunity to try other people’s pens. It’s neat to see how other pens look and feel and maybe find a new pen or grind to add your wishlist. It’s just as important (if not, more so) to discover things you might not like - maybe a pen’s grip section is too small, or it is too light or too heavy, or doesn’t fit right in your hand.
With the San Francisco Pen Show this weekend and a lot of empty slots in the currently inked pen binder to fill, I wanted to pick some pens that would be cool for folks to check out and try. Here are some of the criteria I used (in no particular order):
- Nib - Is there something particularly interesting or uncommon about the nib? Maybe it’s been ground, or it is flexy, or a less common ultra extra fine.
- Grinds - Yes, I know I mentioned it above, but more specifically, is there variety in the grinds I’m picking?
- Size - Rather than picking the “typically sized” pens, I like to have pens in different sizes, lengths, girth, grip sections, weights, etc.
- Materials/finish - Is there something different about the pen material itself? A cool resin/blank? Ebonite? Urushi?
- Newer release - When possible, I try to ink up the more recent acquisitions, especially if it’s something that people have been wondering about.
- Less common - This might be a lesser known brand or model, or a hard to find, “grail”-type of pen.
I won’t bore you with the contents of the 48-pen binder, but here are some of the especially fun ones I picked out:
Don’t worry, there are more than these for folks to try at the SF Show during after hours! (Pens are shown, left to right, in the order listed below.)
- Sailor Pro Gear Mini, Crimson - This has the same girth as the Pro Gear, as well as the 21k gold nib, but in a shorter form factor. This has the older screw-to-post barrel (current models post as usual). You can either use Sailor cartridges or their mini converter.
- Aurora Alpha - I bought this at the St Louis Pen Show because I didn’t know about this model which was released in the early 90s. This model also has an interesting grip that I’d never seen before either.
- Platinum 3776 Carnelian - I recently got this stacked Coarse nib (done by Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio). The gold colored nib doesn’t match the Carnelian’s silver trim, but it fits in this pen’s Music nib housing (the Music nib is sitting at home sulking). You’ve gotta try writing with it!
- Red Dragon pen with Regalia Writing Labs Trilogy nib - This is one of Ralph Reyes’ Trilogy nibs from ~2019 and is a triple stacked nib that writes wickedly broad on the regular and fine on the reverse. The gorgeous vintage material that Brian Chu of Red Dragon Pen Co used can’t be captured in photos.
- Leonardo Momento Zero with Stylosuite X-Wing Harpoon nib - This is one of my absolute favorite flex nibs and it’s made by Les Sheely of Stylosuite. I almost always have this nib inked up.
- Lamy 2000 with BB Architect/Slightly Stubby Medium Fine on the reverse - This is probably hands down, my favorite nib that Gena has ever done for me (and they’ve done a lot!). Architects aren’t usually my favorite grind (I”m a cursive italic fan) but Gena’s architects are great and this one on a former blob of a BB nib is perfect for my high angle, with the added bonus of a slightly stubbish line on the reverse.
- Pilot x Bungubox Custom 823 - It’s an 823, but more importantly, it’s a colorful 823! Made for Bungubox’s 10th anniversary two years ago, I believe only 200 pens were made. I was fortunate to make it on the waiting list and to have my name called on my birthday - it was definitely a sign! I also like to ink it up around show time because I get to show it to Kaoru of Bungubox at the show!
- Schon x Custom Nib Studio Sashiko fountain pen - This pen was released mid-last month, love the combination of this pen being a result of two good friends’ collaboration, the cross pattern on black ultem, and the Broad Journaler nib.
- ST Dupont Line D Large, Firehead Guilloche Ocean Blue - ST Dupont is not a super common brand, but it has the best snap cap out there, and their nibs write like buttah. And this one is gorgeous, and blue, and has some heft too. Lots of stuff to try in one pen.
Look at the detail of the guilloche AND the scalloped edge of the nib!
- Waterman Carene - If you like inlaid nibs, the Carene is definitely something to check out. I love the look of this nib and it writes so nicely too!
- Pelikan M815 Blue Stripes - Y’all know I love my birds, so when this pen was announced, I had to get it. It’s blue, it’s a Pelikan, and it’s got the metal stripes which makes it heavier than the regular M80x.
- Pilot Myu - The Myu isn’t a pen you get to see every day, and this one has a Medium nib, which is even less common.
- Montblanc 146 and Pilot 823 - Two great writers made even better with urushi and raden work by Hiroko Makino of Bokumondoh. (I’m bringing others too!)
- Krusac L-15, Purple Heartwood with Regalia Writing Labs Sequel - I’ve been meaning to ink up this Krusac again because most folks have never tried a pen made from wood. I paired it with a stacked nib which writes fine on the regular and mega broad on the reverse.
These aren’t the only pens I’ll have with me - the rest of the 48-pen binder will be filled with inky goodness too. So come find me if you want to try these or any of the pens I’m bringing. Your best bet is to find me after dinner, usually not too far from the bar, lol :-) I’m so looking forward to seeing/meeting folks at the SF Pen Show this weekend!
(Disclaimer: All pens pictured are my own, aka, not sent in for review, etc.)
