Monthly Archives: August 2014

FOUND AROUND FRIDAY: Leisurely Stroll Edition

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Did you see the giveaway?  
There’s still time to enter right here.

I mentioned in the giveaway post that we should take a leisurely stroll through some older posts and then ended up just getting right to the point of the giveaway – ha!

So, let’s take that stroll through some posts of yore now . . .

I wrote about J Herbin Gris Nuage way back in 2012. I finally got my bottle of it a couple of months ago.

My first Lamy Safari.

I loved this now-discontinued ink.

One of my most-read posts was this review of Diamine Grey. It was also the beginning of spam posts for me. I saw it as a positive thing – at least someone was reading!

Swoooooooooon.

I’m so glad that this post about fake Montblanc Starwalker Fountain Pens at Costco has seen so much traffic. Buyer beware!

I love this pen. Seriously.

I didn’t think I’d like Noodler’s Liberty’s Elysium, but I ended up loving it.

Earlier this year, I met Susan Wirth at the LA Pen Show. She complimented my handwriting!

Diamine Flamingo Pink shades from pink to orange. How do they do that?

I sometimes look at this post and even pull the original sheet of Tomoe River Paper because it makes me that happy.

And finally, one post from Instagram . . .

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In closing, I want to thank you. These last two years of blogging have been wonnnnderful. I’ve made some good friends and have learned so much.  Thank you. Thank you.

I hope you have a wonderfully lazy weekend filled with lots of things you want to do.

xoxo

TWO YEARS of POSTS & A PENTASTIC GIVEAWAY!

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Today is my two-year blogiversary!  
Let’s celebrate with a leisurely stroll down memory lane and a fantastic giveaway . . . 
Have you read the story about my first fountain pen? That’s it above. The Waterman Expert. Swoon!
OK, that’s enough strolling for one day – let’s get right to the giveaway!
Here’s the scoop . . . 
One randomly chosen reader can choose either a $50 gift certificate from either Amazon.com or GouletPens.com.
Use the Rafflecopter widget thing below to enter. 
Follow me on Instagram for an additional entry.  (If you’re already following, that counts – just be sure to enter your user name below.)
And for an additional extra entry, post a picture of one of your favorite pens on Instagram, tag @pentulant and use #pentulantgiveaway. Whew…that’s a lot. 
This giveaway isn’t sponsored by anyone. Amazon doesn’t know who I am and Goulet Pens didn’t know I had this up my sleeve.
I’m trying out Rafflecopter (see below) for contests because I hear it works great.  (If the widget below isn’t visible, please be patient while it loads.)
Thursday, September 4 is the last day to enter.  Go, go, go!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SAN FRANCISCO PEN SHOW 2014: Review and Haul

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Mr. Pentulant and I decided to head down to the SF Pen Show over the weekend (Saturday) and I thought you’d like to hear all about it.

The show was held at the Sofitel Hotel in Redwood City. It was a bit south of SFO, but easy enough to find – just look for the Oracle campus and take a right on Twin Dolphin Drive.

There were probably 50-60 vendors. I’m wondering if some who were expected didn’t show up? There was a large empty area to the right as soon as we entered – as in about 10-15% of the floor space.

I wasn’t too surprised at the small size of the show. The DC Pen Show was just two weeks ago, after all. The crowd was decent Saturday morning (we arrived around 11:00) and it looked like money was changing hands – all good news.

The SF Pen Show is a on/off thing – meaning that some years there isn’t a show.   I’m so glad it was on this year and definitely wanted to support the vendors who showed up to sell.

There were many familiar names and faces. Susan Wirth was there, Franklin-Christoph, Nibs.com, Mike it Work, Wahl-Eversharp, Bittner, Arizona Pens, Carmen Rivera, Steve Curnow, and many familiar faces even though I don’t know all of the names.

Here’s what I ended up with . . .

I’m a huge fan of my friend Steve Curnow, what he does, and how he does it. These handy notebooks (think Field Notes, but better) are filled with Tomoe River Paper.  Three notebooks for ten bucks, yo.

Steve also had a sample of ink waiting for me. It seems he found a GALLON of vintage Skrip Washable Blue.

1. How does someone “find” a gallon of ink? (Maybe he wasn’t being literal?)
2. Do I trust this old old ink in one of my fancy pens?

Mr. Pentulant scored this sweet Sailor Pro Gear Mini. He loves a cap that screws to post and this one has been on his wish list for quite awhile.

At the LA Pen Show earlier this year, I was so tempted by George Butcher’s Arizona Pens, but ultimately decided to pass.  I didn’t pass this time!

I want to tell you all about George and his pens, but will save that for when I review the pen. I can’t wait.

Carmen Rivera has very good taste in pens. This is the smaller and slimmer version of the Pilot Vanishing Point – called the Sesenta.

I don’t know much about this pen, but I’m definitely willing to learn. I love the pattern – it almost reminds me of a leopard print, but not nearly as tacky as that could be on a pen 😉

Wahl-Eversharp has an interesting history and it was difficult to choose just one.  I’m really excited about this pen – and so many others in line.  Can’t wait to talk more about them and Syd Saperstein.

I ultimately decided on the clear demonstrator (look at that packaging!).

I picked up two bottles of ink.  Above – Sailor Jentle Grenade

Below – J. Herbin Lierre Sauvage

Lierre Sauvage (and Lily Tomlin) is responsible for one of my most popular Instagram posts ever. At the time of that writing, I only had a sample. Excited about writing a complete review of this one for you.

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Rhodia makes yellow paper! I’m oddly excited about this because I’ve never seen it available.

Annnnd….I have no idea what I’m going to do with the paper below, but I had to have it. It’s huuuuuge – that’s a box of J Herbin ink sitting on top of the paper.

So! That’s it.

Bottom Line:  It was a good time, lots of super-friendly people selling some really beautiful items. I only wish the show was bigger.

Were you there?

FOUND AROUND FRIDAY: Copic Marker Set Edition

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On a recent “shopping trip” to Jet Pens, I picked up four packs of Copic Markers. Each set has four pieces.

I’m a total newbie when it comes to Copic Markers. If you read something somewhere else and it sounds better than what I’m saying here, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Copic Ciao markers are alcohol-based. This is good. The alternative is water-based. Alcohol-based markers will not react with the paper – this means that no how many time you go over the same spot, the paper will not become saturated and tear or pill like more traditional markers.

Copic markers are refillable, the tips are replaceable, they have a long shelf life, and the colors can be blended quite easily. They also come in about a zillion different colors.

Let’s explore….

Above and Below: The Blue Doodle Pack contains two Copic Ciao Markers (B24 and B12), one Copic Multiliner (.3mm in Cobalt), and one Atyou Spica Glitter Pen in Baby Blue.

Above and Below: The Brown Doodle Pack contains a similar assortment  – two Copic Ciao Markers (E31 and E35), one Copic MultiLiner (.3mm – Brown), and one Atyou Spica Glitter Pen (Chocolate).

The Copic Marker MultiLiners are “Copic Safe.”  This means that they will not blend with the colored Caio and Sketch Marker.  Nice because sometimes, you want a darker outline and you want that outline to stay put.  (Sketch Markers are the bigger better sisters of the Caio Markers.)


Below: The Copic Marker Cool Gray MultiLiner set. The set contains the same color ink in the following widths: .005, .1, .3, .5.

(Why do they put the UPC sticker on each marker when it’s sold as a set? Rhetorical. I know why; I just don’t have to like it.)

Below: The Copic Marker Broad Black Multiliner set. This set contains markers in the following widths: .5, .8, small brush, medium brush.

But how do they write?

They really are terrific. And while I’m usually not a fan of brown, I adore the brown set – you just don’t see markers with such terrific colors anywhere else.

I posted this picture on my Instagram feed awhile back. This is my entire collection (except these new ones). I found the holder at Bed, Bath & Beyond – it’s for make-up brushes.

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What do you think?  Do you have Copic Markers? Are you addicted and have all of the colors? Maybe you think it’s silly and the world should stick with fountain pens?

Have a great weekend, everyone!
xoxo

INK REVIEW: Private Reserve Arabian Rose

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I have a zillion ink samples and sometimes I know exactly which I want to try next. A couple of weeks ago, though, I was in a funk. I knew I wanted to try a new (to me) ink, but I was feeling ambivalent about exactly which ink to try.  Reaching my hand into my samples, I pulled out Private Reserve Arabian Rose.

The color is nice. It reminds me a bit of Yama-budo, though not as bright.

Lots of good shading.

Flow from the pen is great. No feathering, bleeding, or ghosting on the various decent-quality papers I’ve used over the last couple of weeks.

Water resistance isn’t a big factor in choosing an ink for me – if it is for you, you may want to look elsewhere.

My bottom line?  I like it quite a bit.  Preferring Yama-budo, this ink isn’t one that I would normally choose for myself, but I will almost certainly use the entire sample without complaint.

All of this makes me wonder – do you prefer the super-bright, in-your-face colors, or something a bit more dusky like this purply color?  

FOUND AROUND FRIDAY: What I’m Reading and Instagram Edition

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Earlier this week, I reached a whopping 900 Followers on Instagram.  I hope you’re one of them. I usually just have a list of links for you on Friday mornings. I’m going to sprinkle in some images this time.  Oh yeah, it’s getting wild and crazy here, people. You never know what I’ll do next 😉

On with the show . . .

Last night, Edison Pen Company announced their 2014 Limited Edition. Are you in? I’m a maybe.

Inkophile has the cutest watercolor paint tin!

Fountain Pen Physicist reviewed Leuchttrum’s Journal.  I have a couple of their products, but have never tried them – crazy. I need to get on that!  And I can’t even talk about this.

Gourmet Pens reviews the Pilot Knight.  And..this.

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I have a review coming soon – DeAtramentis Jasmine. Have you tried it?

I ordered mine.  And…omg. And…a new gray/grey ink!

Fun from Inkdependence.  I’ve played with doing this – just not like this.

Inklode is killing me.  I have around half a bottle left.

Kaweco review from MyCoffeePot.

Peninkcillin talks about a stained Kaweco and the DC Pen Show.

Pens! Paper! Pencils! reviews a Diplomat fountain pen. I once had a well-known person in the pen world try to tell me that within a few years, Diplomat would overtake Montblanc as the finest pen maker in the world.  Yeah, ok. That was 5+ years ago.

Mr. Mike Dudek of ClickyPost shows off his new Pelikan. I need it.

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Quick fact for you:  Alexander Hamilton was not a president, but his ink sure is pretty.

The Pen Addict reviews a glorious thing. (I agree.)

Unroyal Warrant fills a new Penvelope. And this!

In other and unrelated news, I’ve started reading this blog.  I’m fascinated – not in a good way.

Have a great weekend, friends!

xo

INTERNET FAMOUS!!

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You guys!!!

I had no idea they were going to, but Goulet Pens mentioned me in The Goulet Communique today!

I am thrilled. And honored!  In fact, I texted Mr. Pentulant with something like the following:

omg omg omg
omg omg omg 
OMG OMG OMG
I’m Internet Famous!
Gotta go. Bye!

Their shout-out is sending a bit of traffic this way (so appreciative!) and I thought it would be fun to post a little something about who I am and what I do here.

Let’s see . . . my name is Christine and I love all things pen-related. 

I think that sums it up!  I hope you poke around a little, like what you see, and stick around.

xoxo

P.S. Follow me on Instagram – you won’t be disappointed.

P.P.S. The Goulets were kind enough to send me the following items in exchange for my honest opinion.

Edison Nouveau Premiere Summer Edition (swooon!)

Apica Premium C.D. Notebook (loved it!)

Monteverde 36-Pen Case (mixed feelings)

P.P.P.S.  What? You don’t know about The Goulet Pen Company?  I’ll do a full post about them sometime soon, but really, go buy some ink samples, ok?

THIS OR THAT: Yama-dori or Ku-jaku

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This or that? Top or bottom?  Which do you love?

Can you see the differences between these two inks?  One color is always on top. The other is always on the bottom.

Let’s take a closer look . . .

One of these is Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-jaku.  The other is Sailor Jentle Yama-dori.
Color is quite similar.
I see a definite difference here.
Not much difference here.
Which ink is this?  Hint:  it’s both!

Alrighty, which do you like? Both? Neither?  They are pretty close, yes? I would choose the top color – but not by much. It’s the shading that made the difference for me. I think I could be happy with either (even though teal isn’t my most favorite color).

Scroll down for the spoiler . . .

The top shade is Sailor Jentle Yama-dori. 
The bottom is Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-jaku.  

What is so interesting to me about this is that Yama-dori is legendary. Ku-jaku gets favorable reviews, but it’s not a Big Deal. The differences are subtle and if they weren’t side-by-side, I wonder if you or I could tell them apart.

Like I said yesterday, Yama-dori is my E.T. ink. You can read all about that right here.

What do you think? Am I crazy and there’s a huge difference that I’m not appreciating here?

INK REVIEW: Sailor Jentle Yama-dori

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Sailor Jentle Yama-dori Fountain Pen Ink Review



I generally try to avoid reading much about inks before I have the opportunity to try them for myself. I want my opinion to definitely be my own and not influenced by others as much as possible.

That was impossible with Yama-dori. This ink has superstar status over on Fountain Pen Network. Even before the ink was re-released, there was chatter about how amazing it is – it sheens, it shades, it’s perfect! Gotta get me some of that!

I got mine from JetPens with pennies from my own piggy bank. It’s listed at $20 there. Looks like it can be had for a buck or two less at some other online stores.

There are things I really like about Yama-dori. It sheens, it shades, it flows really well. It passed the smear and highlight tests with flying colors.

Yama-dori is my E.T. of inks. Let me explain . . .

Waaaay back when the movie E.T. (you know, the Extra-Terristrial) came out in theaters, it was the Must See movie. OMG, gotta see it. What, you haven’t seen it?  You don’t know what you’re missing!  Best. Movie. Ever.

The build-up was just so much that there was practically no way the E.T. was going to meet my expectations. And it didn’t. I mean, it was ok.

And that’s kind of where I am with Yama-dori. It’s good. It’s nice. I like it. But am I coco-crazy-go-nutters for it?  Nah.

I’ll be back tomorrow (a rare Tuesday post!) with more show and tell on Yama-dori.  (How is that for a tease?)

In the meantime, check out the full review (click here for the full-size image – it’s huge), and tell me what you think.  Do you love Yama-dori?  Do you have an E.T. ink?