BALLPOINT PEN REVIEW: Poppin

I was at Staples a few weeks ago and picked up several items from a brand I'd never seen - Poppin. Last week, I reviewed the Poppin Gel Pens. Before that, I had a closer look at the Cahier Notebook.  I didn't enjoy either those items.

And, here's a surprise . . . I'm not wild about these ballpoint pens from Poppin either.

The pens are a dozen to a pack, the ink is black, the tips are medium (1 mm).  The barrel is solid purple and other than that, the style is exactly the same as the gel pens.  That is to say that the pens have that terrible "step down" grip that isn't very comfortable for any sort of longer time spent writing.

Flow is good and there's no terrible squeaking sound like with the gel pens. Surprisingly, the ballpoint practically skates across the page, providing no sense of feedback or friction. A bit odd for a ballpoint - and some people may enjoy that feeling - I did not.

I ended up putting the pen I used back in the package and gave them to a friend who loves purple.

So...that's three failed items in the Poppin line for me. I'll say again what a shame it is - the items are so pretty. If only they were also functional.

PEN REVIEW: The Christian Dior Twins

Christian Dior Ballpoint Pens

I've been organizing my pen desk and came across these two. The Christian Dior twins, as I like to call them.  (These pics are from my iPhone - not the best quality.)

I've had these forever. I think they came from one of my very first pen shows in San Francisco. I remember showing them off to friends after the show.  Someone asked me if they were very expensive. "No, just $40 or so."  I may as well have said $4,000.  Oopsie.

I've done a little research and I'm not finding these styles anywhere.  Curious.

They write great. You're going to have to take my word for because I have no scans to show you. I just wanted you to see how pretty. Especially the red one - love that pattern, yes?

I believe they are enamel over some sort of metal. They have a great feel in the hand. Average length, but super-slim. I used them as my "purse pens" for quite awhile and they show very few signs of use.

That's it for today. Just a quick look at a couple of fun pens.

There are some fountain pen collectors who would never ever ever consider using a ballpoint. I have a bunch - some I love, some not so much.  I do think ballpoints have their practical applications and they are certainly no mess, no fuss.

What about you?  Love? Hate? Or are you like me - depends?

Paradise Pens (Part 2)

This is Part Two (of three) of our honeymoon visit to Paradise Pen in Las Vegas.

In case you missed the news, the shop is closing at the end of the month. When we were there, it looked like they had lots of Montegrappa fountain pens left, some Montblanc, and a few Cross and assorted other brands. For inks, there was primarily Private Reserve and Pilot Iroshizuku. Other than paper in porfolios and Filofax, the only notebooks I saw were from Rhodia.

I came away with a stunning Montblanc 145 (its cousin is the piston-fill 146). For a graduation gift a few years ago, I gave Mr. P the Faber-Castell pencil set (because he's a total math nerd)...

Since then, he's had his eye on this...

Graf von Faber-Castell

I have to say, Mr. P does have good taste.

I love all of the details on this pen.  The two-toned nib. The styling of the cap. Mr. P likes the thick threading of the cap (a detail that would have gone missed by me).

We were both a bit concerned about caring for the wood barrel of the pen, but after reading a bunch (after the purchase...haha), it turns out that it requires no special care and will develop a darker color with extended use.

The pen hasn't been inked yet (still taking it easy and enjoying time together after the wedding), but I'll definitely post about it when it is.

Paradise Pens (Part 1)

Mr. P and I hit up Paradise Pen in Las Vegas last week. I was so sad to see that they are closing this location effective June 1.  Other than Montblanc in Caesar's Palace, Paradise Pen is the only pen shop that I know in Vegas. It's too bad - but I definitely get that the high cost of rent in big malls doesn't make it easy.

Everything was on sale - up to 25% off all items. The employee on duty didn't seem to have any wiggle room with this. I asked, they are not selling any fixtures or displays.

But they were selling this....

Montblanc 145

I've actually been pondering on this very pen for quite some time. Uncle Robert's 149 is a bit too big and heavy for my wee lady hands.  (My hands are not actually wee, but the 149 is definitely on the bulky side for me.)

I've not inked it yet, but will post about it when I do.

I probably won't use only Montblanc inks in it - I'm just pentulant that way.  I love that the converter has a mixy thing in it. You can see it in the picture above near "ink only."

Mr. P didn't come away empty-handed either. Stay tuned!

PEN PREVIEW: Stipula Vedo - Stub Nib (?)

Just a quick writing sample today from my Stipula Vedo.

Hint: I didn't love it. So I tried again . . . 

And I still didn't love it. Going to follow-up soon with a proper review!

Do you have one of these? Does it write well?

PEN PREVIEW: Edison Nouveau LE Encore Tortoise Fleck

Oooh...lookie at what I got!

It's what happens when Edison Pen Co and Goulet Pens get together - the Edison Nouveau LE Encore Tortoise Fleck.

Is that the cat's meow? The translucency. Dude, it practically glows.  These pictures were taken last week - early morning, low light.

I like the trim. Perhaps a bit deco? The top ring of the clip is concealed - giving the entire piece a more expensive feel.

The pen is super-comfy to hold. It's a bit lighter than expected. I wonder what a man with bigger hands would think of it. It's definitely well-balanced. A real joy to hold. (That sounds a bit corny, but I mean it!)

I have a problem. Totally a first world problem. I have too many pens and inks and not enough time to pay them all of the attention they deserve.

If there's one small negative about the Encore, it's that the section doesn't fit completely flush with the barrel. It's not a big deal - though my fingers to repeatedly search out this perceived imperfection each time I hold the pen. I wonder if it will be a bigger deal over time.

I paid $185. This is a crazy-good price for a run of 70 pens. CrAZy-GoOd!

Here's the full description from Goulet Pens. Mine is a medium nib. I swear, I always regret going medium. I find myself wishing I'd gone with a fine nib - and this before I even ink it up. How crazy is that?

I posted my very first impressions over on FPN last week.

Which limited edition pens do you own?

SF PEN SHOW REVIEW & BOOTY

Jeff and I went to the SF Pen Show over the weekend. We came away with two great pens and a review of the show itself.  Lonnnnnng post.

First, this Pelikan M320 in Ruby...

It was the depth of color (deep red) and somewhat translucent cap and body that called me to this pen. Pretty, yes?

The first vendor who had this pen told me it was never officially in production - that his friend bought all they had, and he bought a few from that friend.

Then I walked around a bit more and spotted the same pen at another vendor, and another. And I know pen people get around, so anything is possible. 

But then I got home, found the pen on eBay, and then on Amazon. I believe it's a special edition - everyone says it is - but I don't believe there's only a few of them out in the world. Annnd, I don't really care - I buy pens because I love they way they look, they way they feel in my hand, and the way they write.

Click Images to See Larger

It measures just around 4"
14k nib
And..surprise!..it's piston fill.

It came with choice of fine or medium nib. I usually like broader nibs, but this pen has such a delicate feel to it, that I went with the fine this time.

I've not inked it yet, but I'll report back when I do.

Paid $225 - seems like a decent deal.

And Jeff...he found this for himself....

Wait, no, that's just the case that the vendor gave Jeff out of the goodness of his heart. The case is well-made, super-duper-soft, and I'm going to enjoy "borrowing" it from Jeff - on a permanent basis - haha!

Hello, beautiful....

Oh yes, I'm talkin' to you....

Mont Blanc Boheme Noir. Medium Nib.

(with my reflection in the cap..nice)

This pretty little thing also measures around 4" long.

Cartridge only.

The rings are platinum-plated.

Nib is rhodium + 14k

We paid $300 for this one - a great deal for a gently used (one tiny scuff mark on the barrel) Mont Blanc that Jeff has been pining after.

We feel really really good about what we came away with, but there were a couple that we were swooning over and didn't get - isn't that always the way?

Pelikan Northern Lights

Taccia Nightlife (in NYC Blue, please)

The show itself was good and fun.  We went on Friday and followed my usual routine..

..walk around the entire show to find what I love most and talk with vendors
..take a break, really think about what I want most
..head back to (hopefully) get everything from one vendor and make a fantastic deal

Things were not laid out well. There were multiple rooms - some of which were really really crowded even that early in the show. (Multiple rooms is nice, but things were just crazy-tight in a couple.) One of the largest rooms was around the corner from the others - when we walked in, the people at the first table said, "Thank You for finding us!"

I didn't see anyone selling ink. And I really looked. We all know how much I love me some ink.

Everyone had used vintage Parkers. In fact, there were a lot more vendors selling used vintage items than there were selling new.

The Stipula dude was there. I always swoon for their designs.

Swann was there with some of their auction pens in a case. Jeff nearly got his hand slapped (not really) for reaching into the case and touching a vintage Mont Blanc.

Jimmy from Atlanta was there. I love him. He never remembers me. Bummer. (He doesn't have the best prices - if pricing is important to you, research to avoid being charmed by his southern ways.)

The Bittners were there. They tried (unsuccessfully) to sell me the Omas Emotica Fountain Pen last year and tried again this year, too.

I hope the show is near SFO every year, but that's only because it's easier for me.

I think the organizers would do better charging a little more for tables and offering admission for much less (or free) to get more buyers into the show. Fifteen dollars isn't a lot - but it could make the difference for someone thinking about attending, yes? Or maybe I'm wrong and the show would get too crowded and no one would buy?  Or maybe the vendors wouldn't like higher table fees. What do I know.

Overall, it was good. The LA Pen Show is in February. Going to try to make it down there for that!

Your turn - what did you get? Did you love the show?