Tom, thanks so much for sharing your responses! Loved hearing about your origin story, didn’t know you’ve been with Goldspot for 15 years! Loved hearing how your tastes have evolved and the pens and inks you’d like to try.
I like your self impose rule. It makes each pen in your collection special. I also have one where I don’t want to have more than 7 pens. I have 3 with 1 on the way. I love each of the pens I own.
Tom, do you have penpals? I find having a few keeps me writing and I look forward to meeting new people. Would there be a possibility of forming a Goldspot penpal society?
I'm terrible at keeping up with snail mail. I'm also bad at e-mails and replying promptly to text messages. It would be an interesting idea to have a group of penpals who wrote to each other. We'll think about it. :-)
Thank you for sharing this video! I enjoyed your responses, and I like the distinction you made between your precious pens and your every day knock around pens.
I thoroughly enjoyed your pen history. I am a fan of your writing videos. I love watching you write and usually crave each new oen you present. So i may need to set my iwn '10 pen rule'! My question/request is fir you to explain the use of the needlepoint grind. Is it only for Spencerian script? What unique grinds do you enjoy?
I love flex nibs and architect nibs are fun as well. Needlepoint nibs are super thin. Thinner than extra fine. It isn't for Spencerian as it is more for people who like writing with a super, super fine nib.
Thank you Tom. I am a recent subscriber and am enjoying watching your videos very much. I've picked up quite a few tips for using, managing and caring for my pens. I was wondering if you could recommend some tips for air travel with fountain pens. I look forward to your next video.
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the videos. Mike Matteson (Inkdependence) wrote a great article for us on flying with fountain pens that will explain everything in deep detail - goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/flying-with-fountain-pen
I’m new to this hobby. My question is, how do I know if my pen is a dry writer or if the ink I’m using is the culprit? Is the dry time of the ink what makes it “dry” or “wet”?
Hello 😃 I'm also new to this hobby. As far as I know, the best way to know if a pen or ink is more on the dry or wet side, is with reviews. There are a lot of them. However, I think that the paper plays an important role in dry time. Some papers absorbs the ink much faster than others.
You'd have to try several inks in your pen to get an idea of how it flows. I'd dry inks of various color saturations (light, medium, and heavy). Light and heavy-saturated/sheening inks tend to be a bit drier than medium-toned inks. Dry time is also affected by the paper choice, as Jordan points out.
good show . I must congratulate you on the fact that you can control your hobby. I know in my case I'd be buying a pen week. I just started writing again (not or book or anything) mainly like a journal and pulled out my old Parkers and Schaeffer's. Like any hobby it can be expensive but with the variety out there I think it can make anyone happy regardless of their price point
Tom, great video! How can one expand the fountain pen hobby? I use my pens daily for work and the occasional journaling, but some days I feel that I didn't use my pens enough.
This is so cool! Thank you so much for participating! I have one question about your limit, was it always like this? Or is this 10 pen limit plus pen cup something that has evolved over time?
It definitely evolved over time. At first, I only had a few pens in it, but then it grew and grew. I now have to play defense to make sure I abide by this rule.
Really happy to hear about Opus adjusting the cap. I have the Baby Beluga but find myself not using it as the cap continuously spins around. I absolutely loved this episode. Your pen collection is beautiful and I loved hearing your answers to the 8 pen questions.
I've found that trying different pens has narrowed rather than expanded my interest. The more I try pens, the more I zero in on exactly what I like, which appears to be a 1mm stub nib with a Schmidt K6 threaded converter. If it's not that, then it's got an uphill climb, and I have one of those I like, so I'm good. Even with inks, I've managed to zero in on what I like best: rich, golden browns that shade nicely. I have some others, but I've sussed out what I like, so I'm happy.
Tom, this was absolutely *fantastic!!!* I have *MAD* respect that you STILL have your hard and fast - 1 in, 1 out rule! That way you are able to *USE* them and honestly to really appreciate them more!!! You shared that you used to grind the stubs, but have you tried your hand at grinding regular nibs?!
Thank you for your wonderful comment. :-) I bought a rotary tool to grind the Pilot Parallels way back when. I never played around with standard fountain pen nibs. I determined that grinding wasn't my cup of tea.
I had to go check my notes from my first pen show in Little Rock in 2023. I had no idea what was going on, but I sat in a Conid pen presentation. What I remember was impressive and well engineered, and I apparently have sample writing in my sketchbook noting which nib I liked best. 😃
I'm the exact opposite: I buy what I like, and I keep it forever. I buy every pen that catches my fancy, eventually. Might have to hunt it down later, but I'll get it... Once you start collecting pen cases just to store your pen collections, you know you're on the right path... Edit: Question of the week: how do you carry your pens? Hard case in a bag? Soft case in a jacket? Jacket pocket? And do you find pens as an acceptable fashion accessory for men, since our jewelry options are so limited?
I shared how I carry my pens in this video here - th-cam.com/video/lXsoUGy3_Rs/w-d-xo.html Yes, pens are most certainly a fashion accessory that I would pay attention to.
I haven’t spent more than $120 on a fountain pen yet. I really like the look of the Kaweco Piston filler. I would like to know if this pen is a good compared to other pens in that price range. ( nib quality, pen material, writing ability, etc)
I definitely commend you for keeping your pen collection in check with your one-in-one-out policy. It's probably inevitable that one day you'll come across something that you HAVE to have. Which is the one pen you think you would NEVER get rid of, no matter what? Consequently, which one do you have an inkling could be on the chopping block next?
I would never get rid of my grail pen Leonardo MZ Celluloid. One that I might consider is the Montblanc 149. Something really nice needs to replace that one.
hi tom! I’m really just starting to get into the hobby so it’s interesting to see everyone’s different philosophies when it comes to personal collections. My question is what is the most unique nib you’ve ever gotten to write with? I’ve heard of uncommon nibs like architect’s but i was wondering if there are any wild custom nibs you’ve gotten to write with?
I admire your ability to keep your pens limited to 10 ish. I am starting to move in that direction. Thank you. Will you be attending any pen shows in the future?
Nice video, I really enjoyed seeing your collection. I have way too many pens to even consider culling my collection down to 10 pens. Maybe I could cut it down to 60 and slowly over time cut 5 out per year. My question is what trends do you see happening in the next few years in fountain pen design? For a while there, magnetic caps seemed to be the thing. I’m seeing more and more and more shimmer/sparkle in the resins now. What’s next?
I have just started my pen journey this week by ordering a Mango coloured Lamy Safari. I am still awaiting for it to be delivered. What I wanted to ask you is: "What is what kind of sensory experience do you receive when writing with a fountain pen that you do not get from a ball point pen?". I'm thinking in terms of hand to eye coordination, feedback, cognition and maybe mood?
I think the Pelikan Classic M200 is a great introduction. It has a stainless steel nib and a piston-fill system. It's on the smaller side, so it would fit perfectly for smaller hands. From there, you could move up to the Souveran family of pens that have gold nibs.
My brother recently caught this "fountain pen fever" and pointed out this video and channel to me. I draw very serious heavily inked detailed pictures, and have for my entire adolescent and adult life. I always used ballpoint inking pens. I tried dip pens once and hated them. My favorite pen, my holy grail of inking pens was a copic .003 ballpoint, I have never found a match for its fine lines and used it sparingly for only the finest details on my most serious pictures. Last summer my brother became obsessed with fountain pens. As no one in the house was interested in them, so that he would not be too lonely I agreed to buy myself an extra fine kakuno on sale and try it out with him, if he provided me blue ink to draw with. It very rapidly replaced all my ball point pens. I love the difference in line thickness I can get out of it and the diversity of lines and density of ink. So I actually have a few questions, which I am curious for an answer to even if I don't win if you have a good suggestion. 1 I notice my brother's pelikan blue ink gives me much finer lines than the cheaper off the shelf inks we can buy at our local art stores. What brands of ink can give me the thinnest lines for the finest details? 2 I really can't afford to buy a large variety but would like to eventually buy a few more fountain pens in order to do more things with a single picture, like multiple colors of ink and a greater variety of line thicknesses. What nib size and type would be best for smoothly filling in larger areas? 3 I want to get more of my siblings interested in fountain pens so Adam will not be so alone in his obsession, but am a poor poor artist. With ball point pens and fine pencils, I always bought them in bulk to store them, save money, and share with anyone who became interested. But looking into it I haven't seen anything like that for fountain pens. Do you know a good way to buy multiple fountain pens for beginners cheaply?
1) The Pelikan brand is a good start. I'd also check out Faber-Castell, as most of their inks are water-resistant 2) For an inexpensive way to get a variety of nib sizes, I'd suggest buying a Lamy Safari fountain pen and purchase the replacement nibs. The nibs are easy to replace and they come in a wide range of sizes from EF to B and stub nib sizes 1.1 to 1.9mm 3) Although Goldspot doesn't sell them, many starting pen enthusiasts take to buying Jinhao pens as they are the cheapest and available in a wide array of styles and colors. My suggestion would be to do #2 and spend on money on one good pen and just get replacement nibs to switch for different art purposes.
Hey Tom, thanks for sharing your collection with us. What are the best options for getting a nib repaired or adjusted? Is it best to send it to the manufacturer or find a nib specialist?
Really enjoyed this thanks. Love my Leonardo MZ. What is is about this brand that you most appreciate and that motivates you to recommend them to others? For me, it’s their beauty, balance in the hand, great flow and designs inspired by nature!
Such restraint! I guess you get to try so many pens at work that you don't need to own them. Note to self: get a job at a stationer to save money! 😂 With your top 10 pens, do you colour match with the pen barrel?
Yes. Unless you find yourself in need of switching nib sizes often. If you're an artist and want to use an extra fine flex and a stub nib in your drawing, for example, then you might want to switch back-and-forth while working on the piece. Then, you may want to have a second pen instead of having to fuss with changing the nib.
Great episode! I do enjoy collecting pens made from different materials. Which brands will you find out having the most unique and astonishing materials for the pen bodies?
For the most interesting materials, I'd check out Montegrappa or Visconti. Many of their limited editions are made combining multiple types of materials and techniques. For a brand that's on the more approachable end, check out Faber-Castell.
A $30 Lamy Safari fountain pen versus a $1,000 iPhone 15 Pro Max. Although I've developed sentimental attachments to my pens, I'd still be more upset over losing the phone due to the replacement cost.
I've returned to this idea several times in the past year. It would be like a Netflix (back when they used to send DVD's in the mail) for pens. Which pen would you borrow first?
I like when companies are intentional about making their caps post on the barrel and not the knob. What in your opinion is the best posting pen you sell? (Thinking about ease of capping, balance, protecting the knob, etc)
Beautiful 10 pen selection and like the display case. I do have a question... If you had to relocate to a different area for hypothetical reasons ( don't want to say good or bad ) what 3 fountain pens which would include budget friendly, mid range and grail status pen would you take with you and also 3 inks that you absolutely had to have and could not do without?
How do i convince my parents that its ok to buy a 100 dollar pen? Nobody i talk to can get over the fact that i buy a PEN for 100 pounds. But they dont understand.
My first career as an 18 year old, all the career people carried around Mont Blanc’s to sign contracts, and I can promise you they were all over $100. Sometimes people want to show subtle signs versus gobs of jewelry clanking around.
Question for Opus 88 mini: What would extreme temperature changes possibly do to pens and inks. Can you leave a fountain pen in the car… baking in the summer sun and freezing in the winter?
This would make for an interesting experiment to show the results. The shut off valve in the OPUS 88 should help in preventing serious inky messes in both extremes.
Officially I started collecting fountain pens after I retired. As for any pens I started collecting pens when I was working in NYC and found brick and mortar stores and bought mostly ballpoint pens and occasionally rollerballs. My first ink I bought was Aurora Black. It is still my go to black ink. I ventured into Iroshizuku ink and recently Diamine ink. I was starting with steel nibs and gradually went to gold nibs. My go to point was Extra Fine, gradually venturing to Fine. I have gotten into Medium and have put my toe into getting a calligraphy nib. Being left handed I have the tendency to smear ink, so anything beyond Fine with trepidation I would love to try a Visconti Homo Sapiens. It is also one of my grail pens but I want to test it first. Other pens would be the Pelikan 1000, and a Magna Carta 1000 (the #10 nib looks awesome). I own about 25 fountain pens but I own over 200 special ballpoints. My current favorite pens include the Pilot Custom 743 and Sailor King of Pen. My maximum is 20 - 30 fountain pens due to space and keeping my wife happy 😊. If I want another pen, I have to sell one. My limit on ink is 10 bottles due to space.
My question is what got you interested in penmanship in the first place? I kind of stumbled into it through my job and my love of calligraphy. Great video!
I remember a drafting class back in high school (this is before CAD) when we had to create schematic drawings by hand, labeling all the dimensions and parts. It was important to be neat, clear, and legible in printing the letters and numbers. I was always good with my hand eye coordination because I enjoyed drawing. I can also type over 100 wpm without looking at the keyboard. -Tom
Warranty voiding, for one thing. Function, another. The Pilot Custom 823, for example, is vacuum-filled and shimmer particles (usually mica, or even finely ground plastic) can sneak into the threads, thereby clogging up the works and preventing thorough cleaning since the pen isn't supposed to be fully dissembled. (Yours truly has done this successfully. I don't recommend it, though.)
Most of the higher end pens are not as easy to disassemble. The Pilot Custom 823 is a great example provided by @languidandbittersweet Plus, if the shimmer ink gunks up my converter or feed, it's much less costly to replace.
I had that callous on my middle finger and Dr. Grip was my go to pen for YEARS! I recently started down the rabbit hole of Fountain pens and I have already amassed a pretty big collection. And I think I am starting to zero in on my preferences. My question is how, as a fountain pen noob, do I go about figuring out how to sell the pens that I have found that I don't enjoy? Also would you recommend going to a pen show if you haven't even been in the hobby for a year yet?
Dr. Grip to the rescue! I did cover selling your pen collection in this previous video here - th-cam.com/video/UQA3sQY4kYA/w-d-xo.html There are several places online you can post your pens for sale. I'd absolutely recommend going to a pen show. I've taken people to pen shows who aren't even into fountain pens. It'll be a great way for you to quickly learn and become an expert.
Can you share your top five favorite papers for fountain pens? Pens and Ink tend to get most of the attention, but paper choice does play a major role in the writing experience. Thanks!
I suggest checking out our video on top 5 favorite notebooks for fountain pens, which you may find on the Goldspot Pens channel here - th-cam.com/video/8xG6cFW0g-E/w-d-xo.html
Quick question: can the pilot parallel nib unit fit in an Opus 88 Baby Beluga? I have a broad nib on mine but feel like the parallel nib would be a lot of fun to try with the large ink capacity 😊
There are a lot of great options at the under $200 price point. Leonardo Momento Zero, Diplomat Aero, any Edison production pen, Kaweco Sport, Pelikan Classic M200, Esterbrook Estie, to name a few.
I share places to sell your pens here - th-cam.com/video/UQA3sQY4kYA/w-d-xo.html I usually will either post on eBay or in a fountain pen forum like the Pen Swap subreddit or in a pen group.
Today's fountain pens will eventually become tomorrow's vintage pens. Only the test of time will tell. With advancements in resin, acrylic, and plastic manufacturing, I think the pens made today will have a fair shot at outliving us and being passed down to future generations. We shall see!
What are the most bizzare, fabulous and fantastic inks you've run into? And also where is the winner supposed to email you? I've never been certain, but it hasn't mattered yet.
Hi Tom. When NASA heads back to the moon in 2026, they want you to come along as the astronaut pen aficionado. You only get to bring one fountain pen and ink due to weight restrictions. Which do you choose?
I don't want to be the one that jeopardizes the mission by bringing a fluid ink pen into space. I know what happens to fluids in zero gravity. It won't be pretty. I'd bring a Fisher Space Pen!
Tom, thanks so much for sharing your responses! Loved hearing about your origin story, didn’t know you’ve been with Goldspot for 15 years! Loved hearing how your tastes have evolved and the pens and inks you’d like to try.
Thank you, Liane for helping start this video train. It was fun to participate and to see others responses as well.
I’m definitely interested in your small pen box! Start carrying those!
Tom, 15 years? All the knowledge that you have, I would have thought it was a lot longer than that. Thank you for all you do.
Love your ten pen limit and one-in-one-out policy. Great video!
Thank you for hopping on the hashtag train! I loved hearing your story, but also your collection rule. Thank you again for sharing!
Glad you participated in the Pen Questions. Subscribed !
Tom, you show great restraint with fountain pens. And you sound like a good parent.
I like your self impose rule. It makes each pen in your collection special. I also have one where I don’t want to have more than 7 pens. I have 3 with 1 on the way. I love each of the pens I own.
Yes, Goldspot should carry the pen cup.
Tom, do you have penpals? I find having a few keeps me writing and I look forward to meeting new people. Would there be a possibility of forming a Goldspot penpal society?
I'm terrible at keeping up with snail mail. I'm also bad at e-mails and replying promptly to text messages. It would be an interesting idea to have a group of penpals who wrote to each other. We'll think about it. :-)
Fascinating video! I’m an art historian specializing in art on paper, so I’m enjoying learning about fountain pens. I’m new in the hobby.
Fascinating Tom. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story . Always a fan ❤
My pleasure. Thank you for watching!
Wow, Tom. You're a rarity in the pen community in your satisfaction with your Grail pen. Impressive. Thank you!
Great video Tom. I love the tips of modelling non-digital behaviour.
Thank you for sharing this video! I enjoyed your responses, and I like the distinction you made between your precious pens and your every day knock around pens.
Great collection and guidelines on pen acquisition. Enjoyed the video.
I thoroughly enjoyed your pen history. I am a fan of your writing videos. I love watching you write and usually crave each new oen you present. So i may need to set my iwn '10 pen rule'! My question/request is fir you to explain the use of the needlepoint grind. Is it only for Spencerian script? What unique grinds do you enjoy?
I love flex nibs and architect nibs are fun as well. Needlepoint nibs are super thin. Thinner than extra fine. It isn't for Spencerian as it is more for people who like writing with a super, super fine nib.
Thank you Tom. I am a recent subscriber and am enjoying watching your videos very much. I've picked up quite a few tips for using, managing and caring for my pens. I was wondering if you could recommend some tips for air travel with fountain pens. I look forward to your next video.
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the videos. Mike Matteson (Inkdependence) wrote a great article for us on flying with fountain pens that will explain everything in deep detail - goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/flying-with-fountain-pen
I’m new to this hobby. My question is, how do I know if my pen is a dry writer or if the ink I’m using is the culprit? Is the dry time of the ink what makes it “dry” or “wet”?
Hello 😃 I'm also new to this hobby. As far as I know, the best way to know if a pen or ink is more on the dry or wet side, is with reviews. There are a lot of them. However, I think that the paper plays an important role in dry time. Some papers absorbs the ink much faster than others.
You'd have to try several inks in your pen to get an idea of how it flows. I'd dry inks of various color saturations (light, medium, and heavy). Light and heavy-saturated/sheening inks tend to be a bit drier than medium-toned inks. Dry time is also affected by the paper choice, as Jordan points out.
good show . I must congratulate you on the fact that you can control your hobby. I know in my case I'd be buying a pen week. I just started writing again (not or book or anything) mainly like a journal and pulled out my old Parkers and Schaeffer's. Like any hobby it can be expensive but with the variety out there I think it can make anyone happy regardless of their price point
Absolutely agree. You can have one great pen and be totally happy with the experience.
Tom, great video! How can one expand the fountain pen hobby? I use my pens daily for work and the occasional journaling, but some days I feel that I didn't use my pens enough.
I love that you participated in the 8 pen challenge. It has been so fun to see everyones videos.
It was fun to share my story and think about how far the pen journey has taken me.
This is so cool! Thank you so much for participating! I have one question about your limit, was it always like this? Or is this 10 pen limit plus pen cup something that has evolved over time?
It definitely evolved over time. At first, I only had a few pens in it, but then it grew and grew. I now have to play defense to make sure I abide by this rule.
Really happy to hear about Opus adjusting the cap. I have the Baby Beluga but find myself not using it as the cap continuously spins around. I absolutely loved this episode. Your pen collection is beautiful and I loved hearing your answers to the 8 pen questions.
I've found that trying different pens has narrowed rather than expanded my interest. The more I try pens, the more I zero in on exactly what I like, which appears to be a 1mm stub nib with a Schmidt K6 threaded converter. If it's not that, then it's got an uphill climb, and I have one of those I like, so I'm good. Even with inks, I've managed to zero in on what I like best: rich, golden browns that shade nicely. I have some others, but I've sussed out what I like, so I'm happy.
Beautiful pen collection and enjoyed hearing about your fountain pen journey.
What a beautiful collection of pens! I agree, not having too many pens allow you to enjoy every one. Write on!
Yours are very wise advices for whoever begins to write with a pen. And, of course, for someone who starts a pen collection. Thanks a lot!
Tom, this was absolutely *fantastic!!!* I have *MAD* respect that you STILL have your hard and fast - 1 in, 1 out rule! That way you are able to *USE* them and honestly to really appreciate them more!!!
You shared that you used to grind the stubs, but have you tried your hand at grinding regular nibs?!
Thank you for your wonderful comment. :-)
I bought a rotary tool to grind the Pilot Parallels way back when. I never played around with standard fountain pen nibs. I determined that grinding wasn't my cup of tea.
I had to go check my notes from my first pen show in Little Rock in 2023. I had no idea what was going on, but I sat in a Conid pen presentation. What I remember was impressive and well engineered, and I apparently have sample writing in my sketchbook noting which nib I liked best. 😃
I’m glad to see you here today. I thoroughly enjoy watching.
I'm the exact opposite: I buy what I like, and I keep it forever.
I buy every pen that catches my fancy, eventually. Might have to hunt it down later, but I'll get it...
Once you start collecting pen cases just to store your pen collections, you know you're on the right path...
Edit: Question of the week: how do you carry your pens? Hard case in a bag? Soft case in a jacket? Jacket pocket? And do you find pens as an acceptable fashion accessory for men, since our jewelry options are so limited?
I shared how I carry my pens in this video here - th-cam.com/video/lXsoUGy3_Rs/w-d-xo.html
Yes, pens are most certainly a fashion accessory that I would pay attention to.
I haven’t spent more than $120 on a fountain pen yet. I really like the look of the Kaweco Piston filler. I would like to know if this pen is a good compared to other pens in that price range. ( nib quality, pen material, writing ability, etc)
Great video! Thanks for all these info. From🇨🇦
I definitely commend you for keeping your pen collection in check with your one-in-one-out policy. It's probably inevitable that one day you'll come across something that you HAVE to have. Which is the one pen you think you would NEVER get rid of, no matter what? Consequently, which one do you have an inkling could be on the chopping block next?
I would never get rid of my grail pen Leonardo MZ Celluloid. One that I might consider is the Montblanc 149. Something really nice needs to replace that one.
hi tom! I’m really just starting to get into the hobby so it’s interesting to see everyone’s different philosophies when it comes to personal collections.
My question is what is the most unique nib you’ve ever gotten to write with? I’ve heard of uncommon nibs like architect’s but i was wondering if there are any wild custom nibs you’ve gotten to write with?
I also have self-imposed limit on my pen collection, but I have been known to break it from time to time. lol
I am a fan of your content 😊
And I love it when you say "I'm your host Tomato"🍅
I love how automatic subtitles interpret my last name.
I admire your ability to keep your pens limited to 10 ish. I am starting to move in that direction. Thank you. Will you be attending any pen shows in the future?
Not entirely sure. I'll be sure to let everyone know if I do.
Nice video, I really enjoyed seeing your collection. I have way too many pens to even consider culling my collection down to 10 pens. Maybe I could cut it down to 60 and slowly over time cut 5 out per year.
My question is what trends do you see happening in the next few years in fountain pen design? For a while there, magnetic caps seemed to be the thing. I’m seeing more and more and more shimmer/sparkle in the resins now. What’s next?
I have just started my pen journey this week by ordering a Mango coloured Lamy Safari. I am still awaiting for it to be delivered. What I wanted to ask you is: "What is what kind of sensory experience do you receive when writing with a fountain pen that you do not get from a ball point pen?". I'm thinking in terms of hand to eye coordination, feedback, cognition and maybe mood?
Thank you for doing the 8 ? Challenge. What is your best Pelikan model recommendation for a small female hand and introduction to this brand?
I think the Pelikan Classic M200 is a great introduction. It has a stainless steel nib and a piston-fill system. It's on the smaller side, so it would fit perfectly for smaller hands. From there, you could move up to the Souveran family of pens that have gold nibs.
I really need to try Sailor Souten, everyone talks about it.
My brother recently caught this "fountain pen fever" and pointed out this video and channel to me. I draw very serious heavily inked detailed pictures, and have for my entire adolescent and adult life. I always used ballpoint inking pens. I tried dip pens once and hated them. My favorite pen, my holy grail of inking pens was a copic .003 ballpoint, I have never found a match for its fine lines and used it sparingly for only the finest details on my most serious pictures. Last summer my brother became obsessed with fountain pens. As no one in the house was interested in them, so that he would not be too lonely I agreed to buy myself an extra fine kakuno on sale and try it out with him, if he provided me blue ink to draw with. It very rapidly replaced all my ball point pens. I love the difference in line thickness I can get out of it and the diversity of lines and density of ink. So I actually have a few questions, which I am curious for an answer to even if I don't win if you have a good suggestion.
1 I notice my brother's pelikan blue ink gives me much finer lines than the cheaper off the shelf inks we can buy at our local art stores. What brands of ink can give me the thinnest lines for the finest details?
2 I really can't afford to buy a large variety but would like to eventually buy a few more fountain pens in order to do more things with a single picture, like multiple colors of ink and a greater variety of line thicknesses. What nib size and type would be best for smoothly filling in larger areas?
3 I want to get more of my siblings interested in fountain pens so Adam will not be so alone in his obsession, but am a poor poor artist. With ball point pens and fine pencils, I always bought them in bulk to store them, save money, and share with anyone who became interested. But looking into it I haven't seen anything like that for fountain pens. Do you know a good way to buy multiple fountain pens for beginners cheaply?
1) The Pelikan brand is a good start. I'd also check out Faber-Castell, as most of their inks are water-resistant
2) For an inexpensive way to get a variety of nib sizes, I'd suggest buying a Lamy Safari fountain pen and purchase the replacement nibs. The nibs are easy to replace and they come in a wide range of sizes from EF to B and stub nib sizes 1.1 to 1.9mm
3) Although Goldspot doesn't sell them, many starting pen enthusiasts take to buying Jinhao pens as they are the cheapest and available in a wide array of styles and colors. My suggestion would be to do #2 and spend on money on one good pen and just get replacement nibs to switch for different art purposes.
Thank you for taking the time to give me a serious answer. I will look into your suggestions with my brother later today and do some price checking.
Hey Tom, thanks for sharing your collection with us. What are the best options for getting a nib repaired or adjusted? Is it best to send it to the manufacturer or find a nib specialist?
For repair, if the pen is still under warranty, I'd contact the manufacturer first. If it is an older pen, then a nib specialist should help you.
Would love more details on the 3rd pen from the left and 2nd from the right in the pencase!
Really enjoyed this thanks. Love my Leonardo MZ. What is is about this brand that you most appreciate and that motivates you to recommend them to others? For me, it’s their beauty, balance in the hand, great flow and designs inspired by nature!
Yes. Plus, I love the aesthetics and feel of the materials they use. The pens look and feel amazing in hand.
Nice collection Tom. This weeks question - Which nib do you find yourself writing with the most, and what is it about that nib that draws you to it?
That’s a beautiful Opus 88 pen!
Great video! Covering recent trends, so you have a “Roman Empire” pen/ink, or a pen/ink that you think about more often than you’d like to admit?
Such restraint! I guess you get to try so many pens at work that you don't need to own them. Note to self: get a job at a stationer to save money! 😂 With your top 10 pens, do you colour match with the pen barrel?
Is swapping nibs that useful if you have a few pens, or should you just get a new pen for a new nib grind?
Yes. Unless you find yourself in need of switching nib sizes often. If you're an artist and want to use an extra fine flex and a stub nib in your drawing, for example, then you might want to switch back-and-forth while working on the piece. Then, you may want to have a second pen instead of having to fuss with changing the nib.
Great episode! I do enjoy collecting pens made from different materials. Which brands will you find out having the most unique and astonishing materials for the pen bodies?
For the most interesting materials, I'd check out Montegrappa or Visconti. Many of their limited editions are made combining multiple types of materials and techniques. For a brand that's on the more approachable end, check out Faber-Castell.
@@GoldspotPens I wull, thank you. Visconti is still on my list. As well, as Platinum Izumo Bamboo for $1.5k.. ;(
Great video. Question: What is the difference between a flex, elastic and soft nib?
"It wouldn't be as devastating to lose a pen as it would be a phone or a tablet." 🤣🤣🤣 Why not?
A $30 Lamy Safari fountain pen versus a $1,000 iPhone 15 Pro Max. Although I've developed sentimental attachments to my pens, I'd still be more upset over losing the phone due to the replacement cost.
A fountain pen library? That would be amazing to “borrow” pens for a short period.
Would love to win this giveaway! ❤🎉
I've returned to this idea several times in the past year. It would be like a Netflix (back when they used to send DVD's in the mail) for pens. Which pen would you borrow first?
I’d like to try the pelikan M800s 🎉
Great video as always. I would say, what is the craziest pen you have ever had the opportunity to write with?
There was once an Aurora pen that had no nib slit in it. It didn't write, but I tried. :-) It was a defect, obviously.
I like when companies are intentional about making their caps post on the barrel and not the knob.
What in your opinion is the best posting pen you sell?
(Thinking about ease of capping, balance, protecting the knob, etc)
The Pelikan Classic or Souveran models are some of the best posters I've written with.
Beautiful 10 pen selection and like the display case. I do have a question... If you had to relocate to a different area for hypothetical reasons ( don't want to say good or bad ) what 3 fountain pens which would include budget friendly, mid range and grail status pen would you take with you and also 3 inks that you absolutely had to have and could not do without?
I'd keep my Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000, and the Leonardo MZ Mediterranean. Inks - Sailor Souten, Taccia Sabimidori, and Troublemaker Foxglove
@@GoldspotPens
Beautiful MZ pen and excellent choices for your inks.
How do i convince my parents that its ok to buy a 100 dollar pen? Nobody i talk to can get over the fact that i buy a PEN for 100 pounds. But they dont understand.
It's hard to justify a hobby to others. I think the easiest thing is to be consistent with it and show that you really appreciate the investment.
My first career as an 18 year old, all the career people carried around Mont Blanc’s to sign contracts, and I can promise you they were all over $100. Sometimes people want to show subtle signs versus gobs of jewelry clanking around.
They don’t need to understand. It’s your hobby and if it’s enjoyable to you then there’s no need to justify it.
Ask your Parents....would you rather I start collecting Knives ,weapons, or drugs??....or would you rather I have a Pen ??
LOL
Congrats ❤
Question for Opus 88 mini: What would extreme temperature changes possibly do to pens and inks. Can you leave a fountain pen in the car… baking in the summer sun and freezing in the winter?
This would make for an interesting experiment to show the results. The shut off valve in the OPUS 88 should help in preventing serious inky messes in both extremes.
Officially I started collecting fountain pens after I retired. As for any pens I started collecting pens when I was working in NYC and found brick and mortar stores and bought mostly ballpoint pens and occasionally rollerballs.
My first ink I bought was Aurora Black. It is still my go to black ink. I ventured into Iroshizuku ink and recently Diamine ink.
I was starting with steel nibs and gradually went to gold nibs. My go to point was Extra Fine, gradually venturing to Fine. I have gotten into Medium and have put my toe into getting a calligraphy nib. Being left handed I have the tendency to smear ink, so anything beyond Fine with trepidation
I would love to try a Visconti Homo Sapiens.
It is also one of my grail pens but I want to test it first. Other pens would be the Pelikan 1000, and a Magna Carta 1000 (the #10 nib looks awesome).
I own about 25 fountain pens but I own over 200 special ballpoints.
My current favorite pens include the Pilot Custom 743 and Sailor King of Pen.
My maximum is 20 - 30 fountain pens due to space and keeping my wife happy 😊. If I want another pen, I have to sell one.
My limit on ink is 10 bottles due to space.
My question is what got you interested in penmanship in the first place? I kind of stumbled into it through my job and my love of calligraphy. Great video!
I remember a drafting class back in high school (this is before CAD) when we had to create schematic drawings by hand, labeling all the dimensions and parts. It was important to be neat, clear, and legible in printing the letters and numbers. I was always good with my hand eye coordination because I enjoyed drawing. I can also type over 100 wpm without looking at the keyboard. -Tom
I've reached my maximum limit when I have just one more pen.
What are some good inks to use on postcards to send around the world through Postcrossing?
Are there any signs that pen should not be capped. Not so much the obvious reason like fitment, but scratching or damaging the pen itself?
What do you think of the Visconti Homo Sapiens pen as a grail pen?
CAN U PLEASE REVIEW UR KNIFE NIB ???
OMG I WANNA SEE THAT !!!
You mentioned how you would use shimmer inks in your safaris. Is there a reason not to use shimmer in higher end pens? Thanks, great video!!
Warranty voiding, for one thing. Function, another. The Pilot Custom 823, for example, is vacuum-filled and shimmer particles (usually mica, or even finely ground plastic) can sneak into the threads, thereby clogging up the works and preventing thorough cleaning since the pen isn't supposed to be fully dissembled. (Yours truly has done this successfully. I don't recommend it, though.)
Most of the higher end pens are not as easy to disassemble. The Pilot Custom 823 is a great example provided by @languidandbittersweet
Plus, if the shimmer ink gunks up my converter or feed, it's much less costly to replace.
I had that callous on my middle finger and Dr. Grip was my go to pen for YEARS! I recently started down the rabbit hole of Fountain pens and I have already amassed a pretty big collection. And I think I am starting to zero in on my preferences. My question is how, as a fountain pen noob, do I go about figuring out how to sell the pens that I have found that I don't enjoy? Also would you recommend going to a pen show if you haven't even been in the hobby for a year yet?
Dr. Grip to the rescue!
I did cover selling your pen collection in this previous video here - th-cam.com/video/UQA3sQY4kYA/w-d-xo.html
There are several places online you can post your pens for sale.
I'd absolutely recommend going to a pen show. I've taken people to pen shows who aren't even into fountain pens. It'll be a great way for you to quickly learn and become an expert.
Can you share your top five favorite papers for fountain pens? Pens and Ink tend to get most of the attention, but paper choice does play a major role in the writing experience. Thanks!
I suggest checking out our video on top 5 favorite notebooks for fountain pens, which you may find on the Goldspot Pens channel here - th-cam.com/video/8xG6cFW0g-E/w-d-xo.html
Quick question: can the pilot parallel nib unit fit in an Opus 88 Baby Beluga? I have a broad nib on mine but feel like the parallel nib would be a lot of fun to try with the large ink capacity 😊
No, the Parallel nib fits in the Opus 88 Demo that uses a #6 size Jowo nib unit.
What size nib is on the gold Lamy in the corner?
There's no nib. Reference: the Goulet Pencast.
@@LanguidAndBittersweet bummer guess my question won’t get picked in the next video.😖 thanks for answering my question 😊
What pen would you recommend under $200 besides the usual Lamy 2k which doesn’t really talk to me.
There are a lot of great options at the under $200 price point. Leonardo Momento Zero, Diplomat Aero, any Edison production pen, Kaweco Sport, Pelikan Classic M200, Esterbrook Estie, to name a few.
What is your go to nib and why?
What are your favorite “business friendly” work inks?
(Inks with professional colors, that don’t feather on copy paper and are generally well-behaved)
Where do you sell the pens in your collection to restock new ones?
I share places to sell your pens here - th-cam.com/video/UQA3sQY4kYA/w-d-xo.html
I usually will either post on eBay or in a fountain pen forum like the Pen Swap subreddit or in a pen group.
What's the pen being used at the 0:20 second mark? I know I've seen it before but it's not clicking right now...
It's the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0 in primary manipulation. One of Tom's 10 pens that he uses regularly.
Tom why didn’t you mention the old pen club.
What style of penmanship are you currently aspiring to improve in?
OMG I didn’t make it through the intro. How long is this video 😱
Do today's fountain pens compete with vintage ones ?
Today's fountain pens will eventually become tomorrow's vintage pens.
Only the test of time will tell. With advancements in resin, acrylic, and plastic manufacturing, I think the pens made today will have a fair shot at outliving us and being passed down to future generations. We shall see!
What are the most bizzare, fabulous and fantastic inks you've run into? And also where is the winner supposed to email you? I've never been certain, but it hasn't mattered yet.
Hi Tom. When NASA heads back to the moon in 2026, they want you to come along as the astronaut pen aficionado. You only get to bring one fountain pen and ink due to weight restrictions. Which do you choose?
I don't want to be the one that jeopardizes the mission by bringing a fluid ink pen into space. I know what happens to fluids in zero gravity. It won't be pretty. I'd bring a Fisher Space Pen!
Do you ever use your pens as a conversation starter?
"Does anyone have a pen?"
"Why yes, I'm glad you asked."
If you were to reduce your pen collection to 5, which 5 would it be?
The Leonardo MZ Celluloid, Lamy 2000, Scribo La Dotta, Pelikan M800, and the Pilot Custom 823