2022 A Year In Fountain Pens!

[@SUSSDUE]

i know when i want some true positive fountain pen feeling I go to your channel. Watching your pen videos give me back the joy in pens when I really need it, so thank you so very much!

[@HemingwayJones]

Wow! Thanks so much. That is so kind of you to say. I am lucky to have you here.

[@SUSSDUE]

@@HemingwayJones Thank you very much!

[@EELinneman]

Hemingway, for my father's funeral, I bought a brand new Brooks Brother white dress shirt and had the Mont Blanc 149 that his mother gifted him when he got his Ph.D. in 1974 in my pocket. It leaked into that shirt. It has never leaked before or after. At the reception after the funeral, his former co-worker Hub came up to my wife and me to tell us the story of my father's first day at work at General Atomic where he shared an office with Hub. His pen leaked into his pocket that day! Happy new year to you and your family, and thank you for informing and entertaining us.

[@HemingwayJones]

That is an absolutely amazing story, My Friend. Thank you so much for sharing. What a special pen too and it's making its way through the generations. Thanks so much for being here. I appreciate it so much and am looking forward to getting to know you better. Thanks also for the kind words.

[@Jaffar540]

Dear Hemingway Jones, let me first wish you a Happy New Year. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas with your family and friends. Listening to your review about your favourite fountain pens, I am really impressed by the way you describe your acquisitions in simplistic terms. You are very honest to shortlist your choice without the Limited Edition pens. It is my humble opinion that a good quality fountain pen should be available to all pen enthusiasts without having to invest too much in a writing instrument. There was a Chinese pen dealer in Singapore in the 1970s from whom I had bought some of my favourite Parker vacumatic and 51. He used to modify some expensive pens to offer them to his customers at a reasonable price without hurting their pockets. Most of his customers were in the teaching profession. He claimed that any good quality pen should be unlimited rather than "Limited Edition". He argues that a fountain pen is a common thing that deserved to be owned by any common person and not a Rolls-Royce meant for the super-rich. As a student in the mid and late 1960s, I used to grieve over fountain pens my dad could not afford to buy for me. I ended up using cheap Hero and Rotax pens. It was only when I started to work later in life in the 1980s that I bought fountain pens like Pelikan, Sheaffer, and other reputable brands that I realized the value of good-quality fountain pens that are affordable. I know a rich friend now in his mid-seventies who used to invest in expensive wristwatches, currencies, and fountain pens from 1975 to 2010. He is now retired from the business but is struggling to sell off his prized collections but could only sell them at less than 30% of his original purchased price. His two daughters are not the least interested in his possessions. As the new-age theory claims, we live only 18 hours a day though we follow the 24-hour-a-day theory.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much for the wonderful comment. Happy New Year to you and all the best! Thank you for watching. I appreciate it. I agree with you completely that pens shouldn't have to be frightfully expensive. I think that disposable ballpoints have forever made writing democratic, for better or worse; probably mostly worse! Sticking to the more niche fountain pen realm, I love the idea of recycling them as that Singapore seller did. The Fountain Pen Recycler does some of this and they are affordable, relatively. I love pens like TWSBI that make solid pens that compete with any pen at any price. I respect that so much. I knew a gentleman in Murano, Stefano Stefanini, that believed that Venetian Glass (Murano Chandeliers) should be available to everyone and he would price them to be attainable for the same reasons as the gentleman in Singapore. I really love people like that I sometimes don't like how channels like mine often seem to push toward the more materialistic aspects of the hobby. For me, the best things about it are discoveries, making connections with people, and growing as a person. Thanks for giving me an excellent comment to think about. Please comment again soon and stay safe and happy.

[@larskamenec]

My best of 2022, I owe you you, Hemingway. I went to the Ohio Pen Show and sold some unused vintage pens. I walked away with $250. I had my eye on a couple pens. I love metal pens. I don't like demonstrators. I like big, heavy pens. But a man there was selling new Pilot Custom 823s and I could get one for that $250. This light, gold nib, plastic demonstrator pen. No way...but the words of Hemingway Jones rang in my head. It is the definition of "pen". You buy this one, you won't need any other. So, what the hell. Why not? I took the plunge. And you were SPOT ON with every word. It is as near to pen perfection as any in my collection despite it checking so few of my usual boxes. It was far and away my best purchase of the year. Thanks for the recommendations and please keep the videos coming. Happy New Year!

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Lars, what an awesome story! Thank you for letting me know. That is an amazing pen and I am so glad that you went out of your comfort zone to give it a try. I am so happy for you. Thanks so much for letting me know and keep in touch. Happy New Year!

[@MummyBrown]

That Pelikan is def lucky she’s cute. I’ve noticed that Houdini act as well. Even with the nib. I’ve learned to do a quick nib check before I write with mine because it sometimes loosens after a writing session. But I love her enough to have 3 in my collection. I call them ‘The Gabor sisters’ 😂

[@HemingwayJones]

OMG, so funny! Because it's true! Love it! Thanks!

[@neilpiper9889]

My two best pens late in 2022 were the Jinhao X159 pens and the Jinhao 80s in lots of lovely colours. Great for gifting to my pen friends without breaking the bank. All perfect writers. You should buy another one dear boy. Other reviewers have mostly had no trouble with the X159 nibs. My favourite is the blue one with the number 8 two tone nib, and the green Jinhao 80 with a 1.1 italic nib is my edc. My personal most used pens of 2022 are my Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with the Falcon flex nib, and my edc Pilot is a blue Pilot 78g + with the B calligraphy nib. My dog ate my Benu blue Frost! He loves eating ice and I think he thought it was an icicle. I have my eye on a striped vintage Pilot Elite. Better looking than the new ones imo. I managed to get a Jinhao X750 in beautiful Chinese red with gold trim. I have ordered a number 6 Bock 1.1 calligraphy nib to swap into it. May the Pen delum swing towards a lucky new year in 2023.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello My Friend! You are probably right about the Jinhao and perhaps I will pick another one up. It would make for a fun video follow up too. I have always relayed my experiences on this channel, so there can be an issue when you get one with an issue. Plus, I write very lightly and many modern nibs require some pressure. Still, I should order one and see what happens! Thanks. Sad about your Benu, but also kind of funny. I had a dog that liked rawhide and then she would eat the tags from jeans thinking it was the same. Great Pen Choices there, My friend!

[@patrickblindeman5847]

Wonderful year-end conference, let the coming year be just as magical. Thank you Hemingway Jones for the past fountain pen year

[@HemingwayJones]

Patrick, My Friend! Thank you very much. Wishing you all the best always. Thank you for being here.

[@nitina8564]

Those are some great pens there. Hoping you keep bringing such lovely videos in the coming year too. Keep writing and enjoy all those beautiful fountain pens.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you!

[@nitina8564]

@@HemingwayJones Happy New Year to you too!!

[@johnnyragadoo2414]

This was the year I got into fountain pens. More importantly, I learned much about the art of the story. I should qualify that. More importantly, but not independently of my new pen hobby. My best ideas seem to gestate on paper, not in a word processor. Happy New Year, friends of the written word!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much, My Friend! Happy to have you here with us. Happy New Year!

[@shamus730ify]

Great video as always! Agree with you on the E95s, I have both models. Writers blood is also in my burgundy E95s, I have my 5th fountain pen coming tomorrow a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Autumn Skies medium nib, I need to take a time out from buying! December I also got the Esterbrook Maui, Sailor 1911 realo, Custom 823 and the mighty 149. Still trying to get used to my 1911 I got the music nib on it, struggling to get the angle of it consistently.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Jim, thanks very much. I love Writer’s Blood! I am sure it is awesome in that pen. It’s a good time to settle back and enjoy the pens you have. That music nib is interesting. I’ve never written with one. Happy New Year!

[@leod5609]

Persecution complex. You crack me up 😂 love your reviews and vlogs mate.

[@HemingwayJones]

Neurotic East Coaster! Thanks for watching, My Friend and Happy New Year.

[@sextapompeia]

my pelikan m205 does the same untwisting thing. I have one pair of jeans that is forever stained with iroshizuku ama iro because of it.

[@HemingwayJones]

Noooo!!!! That is the worst! So sorry. You must keep an eye on that one.

[@felixthecat2589]

Tremendous!! Thank you for your videos, work and fantastic taste! Hugs from Brazil!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you, My Friend! I appreciate your kind words. All the best!

[@Wolverine3660]

Thanks for this year end review of your 2022 pens. I enjoyed it. I ended up getting 2 Kaweco Brass Sport pens, inspired by your 2 videos on this pen. Thank you for providing us these very inspiring and informative videos, plus, of course, your LIVE shows, which are reat. Have a wonderful 2023!!!!:):):)

[@Wolverine3660]

Also, HJ have you thought about getting one of the new MB 149 pens with the Calligraphy nib, sort of like your MB 146 pen?

[@Wolverine3660]

You can see the MB 149 I am referring to in the video made by Vanessa, whose KZbin channel is the "pengangsta"

[@wolf_ceit_witch]

@@Wolverine3660 The pen looks fantastic . I wish I can afford it, but right now it's out of my price range. I have been drooling over it since I first saw it.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much, My Friend! I am glad that we met this year. Wishing you all the best always!

[@HemingwayJones]

Don't give me any ideas!

[@davecharvella4854]

Absolutely love that Conway Stewart! I know I mentioned before that my Churchill is in the "Bracket Brown" resin, but that "Honey Noir" ... wow! Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy New Year ... cheers!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much, Dave! The Bracket is very nice. I love those too. Very traditional. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

[@13noman1]

Sounds like a mostly fun year! I tried that architect nib FPR Madras, too -- and similarly concluded it's not for me. It was a fun experiment but I've since replaced the nib with the FPR ultra-flex and I'm much happier. Oh, Pelikan! My experience supports yours except as applied to the M400's (several) that pull the "Houdini" trick and drop out of the cap to lay cross-wise at the bottom of my shirt pocket. Neither my 205 nor 120 do that but I've to spend a fair amount of mental energy paying attention to where I'm carrying a Pelikan if I have one on me! Finally, the Pilot 95S. I used to have one, decided it was too small for my hands and gifted it to my daughter-- then I got to missing it so much, I replaced it this year and now I can't figure out why I thought it was too small!

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello My Friend, Perhaps I should take inspiration from you and do something similar. The pen is just sort of sitting there these days. I thought I might make some more content with it with that nib, but have not felt inspired. Yes! I agree, it’s that “is it OK?” And reaching for it constantly! Funny, and so true. Our tastes evolve and change. I am glad that you enjoy that E95S. It is one of my favorites. Excellent comment! Thank you. Stop by again soon.

[@MarcSaegesser]

What a great fountain pen year, thanks for sharing it all. Glad to hear that the Mont Blanc calligraphy nib is working out in the end. That's a great story. I completely agree about the Pilot Elite/E95s. I haven't met a Pilot nib I didn't like, but the Elite nib has a different, bouncy feel that sets it apart. And there are vintage versions that are still readily available for exploring the pen's history.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much! I am so glad you enjoyed it. Happy New Year!

[@salvadorluquegarcia2159]

Thanks for your videos. They are entertaining and educational. Happy New Year. Greetings from Spain, from Cádiz, three thousand year old city

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it. Happy New Year. Health and Happiness to You!

[@JorgeRubia-rk6hh]

I am new to your channel and am loving going through all your videos … so uplifting and at the same time so soothing plus, of course, the content which is superbly presented and totally engaging. Thank you and may you and your family be truly blessed … Warm greetings from Cape Town, South Africa

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate it very much!

[@hossamnabil6306]

so nice amazing and interesting video and what a wonderful presentation and directing...in all aspects recording, music is an A+, all in all👌.... of course nice collection as well..specialy the Egyptominia (I got one as well..i 'm an Egyptian and should have one 😊 ) also glad you find your way and give the 146 Calligraphy a second chance...i love that FP and can not stop using it. thank you for the video, happy new year and looking forward for more interesting ones during 2023

[@HemingwayJones]

Happy New Year to you and thank you! I am so glad that you enjoyed it. I hope you get an Egyptomania. All the best and stop by again soon.

[@aaroningram65]

I always enjoy your videos and particularly appreciated this one. I have a few of the pens you speak about and the writing experience with a good pen, regardless of the price point, brings joy every day.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! I appreciate that and I am so glad that you enjoy the channel. Stop by again soon.

[@aaroningram65]

@@HemingwayJones Just curious if you have a Sailor KOP. I've had mine for several years and really enjoy the writing experience. Even when capped for a long time, it never dry starts. I had 5 Grail pens on my list (149, Sailor KOP, Churchill, M1000, and Visconti HS Bronze Age). I'm thinking this may be the year to close it out with the Visconti.

[@HemingwayJones]

Sadly I do not have a KOP and I am all the lesser for it. Sounds amazing!

[@donnaellis3314]

You are hysterical! I enjoy how eloquently you present each and every pen!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you! I am glad you enjoy it. Thanks!

[@penthevision4706]

Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! Happy New Year!

[@fossilimprint2954]

Touching year in review, thank you and have a Happy New Year!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you, My Friend! Thanks for all of your support this year and Happy New Year!

[@brettcody76]

So many amazing picks! I think we knew to except the MB Egyptomania! 😂 But I was most surprised by the Pelikan M200!! I missed the “Shirt-pocalypse” when you first vlogged about it.😢

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Brett! Thanks very much. That was amusing, but I was sad to lose a nice shirt. All the best and Happy New Year!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for sending that! You’re very kind and I appreciate it. Happy New Year!

[@queenbuzybee4074]

Thank you! And I so agree, aesthetics play a huge role and can be so inspiring! Happy New Year!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! Thanks for watching. Happy New Year!

[@andrewscott9610]

My favorite pen of yours on this list is the Churchill pen. If time travel was possible it is only through that pen. Very beautiful. I hope to purchase one as well.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you Andrew. It is epic. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewscott9610]

@@HemingwayJones I would love to see a video on your beautiful type writers. My favorite author David McCullough wrote all his books on his type writer.

[@HemingwayJones]

Yes, Mr McCullough and I use the same typewriter shop. Well, he is gone now. He was good friends with my friend who owns the shop. Even thanked him in his last book. I never got to meet him sadly. I saw his typewriter though; a Royal KMM. Solid machine. I have a lot of Royals. A KHM among them. I should do more on them. I do adore them all.

[@andrewscott9610]

@@HemingwayJones Thank you for sharing that. That is awesome to hear. I wish he lived forever. I will look very highly now at your type writers and smile.

[@peterbenson9900]

Thanks for your brilliant channel, HJ. After many years away I've been getting back to fountain pens in 2022, and your enthusiasm and love for your subject has been an inspiration. I bought the Kaweco Brass Sport this week, and paired with Writer's Blood it's a dream! Happy 2023 to you and your loved ones from Exeter, Devonshire, England.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I appreciate it greatly. I am so glad if I am able to inspire you in some small way. Kaweco Brass Sport + Writer's Blood = Awesome combination. Well chosen. Wishing you all the best with it. Happy New Year and all the best to you and your family. Stop by again soon.

[@peterpuleo2904]

Some real beauties !

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@judyanderson1329]

This is a wonderful video! I liked listening to the stories around each pen as you went through the year. Your videos are always informative and entertaining! Looking forward to 2023!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much, Judy! I hope that you are feeling better! All the best and Happy New Year!

[@richardzak2140]

This was a very informative video. I hate to sound like a miser but learning about pens through your trial and error let's me be laser focused on my next purchase. Keep those videos coming. You're doing a wonderful job with them.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much, My Friend, I am so glad that you enjoyed it. Big Things Ahead in 2023. Wishing you all the best.

[@vivvv2630]

I am loving your channel also. Thank you for creating these thorough and entertaining videos. You describe pens as if they are living, complex beings - that is what we all feel, I believe. Happy New Year to you. I would love to see your wife’s collection one day… :)

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! That is very kind of you to say and exactly what I am going for. Thank you for being there for me and please stop by again soon. Happy New Year!

[@janisforehand7690]

I agree the Pilot E95s is an underrated pen. I've had mine for years and still reach for it often.

[@HemingwayJones]

I agree! Top shelf choice. Well done!

[@peterpuleo2904]

Interesting video. Happy New Year.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much! Happy New Year to you!

[@wolf_ceit_witch]

Great video. I still want that Egyptomania, it's gourgeous! I still love my Jinhao X159 (s) I am thinking that you got a bad nib.. Mine all wrote out of the plastic bag! My most prized one is one that NibLab made into a flexy goodness (And is my favorite flex ever!) I hope you and your family have the best New Year

[@HemingwayJones]

I'd love a NibLab, well done! I could see you with an Egyptomania. Happy New Year to you and thanks for being here.

[@wolf_ceit_witch]

@@HemingwayJones You are welcome!

[@wolf_ceit_witch]

@@HemingwayJones The Egyptimaina is on my wish list.

[@tce4159]

Great video Thanks 👍🏻

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@barryday680]

I own the lime diplomat aero and mine too has chips. The pen retailer replaced the first one and the new one still had chips. It is obviously a QC problem. I wont purchase any more of their products because if that.

[@HemingwayJones]

Good to know. Thanks very much for the information. All the best.

[@manifunk1]

Hi Hemmingway something I did to my Jinhao 450 was to swap the nib with a Jowo nib. It was a fun experiment and it now writes really well. You may want to give that a try

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much, My Friend. I appreciate the tip! Happy New Year!

[@frankmarek9921]

Happy new to you and yr family frank in Oswego I'll I'll let you know on my new pen from atlis stationary. Soon.

[@HemingwayJones]

Happy New Year to You My Friend!

[@technoraptor7778]

Bright black ink....as bright black can be anyway haha. The major pen I got this year was my green celluloid piston sport by visconti...I feel like I'm still breaking it in..the nib has been giving me problems...and I've been trying to aline the tines multiple times as they keep shifting out of alignment and scratching like crazy...I might need to take it to a nib smith.

[@HemingwayJones]

Visconti in Celluloid sounds wonderful! I’m so sorry to hear about the nib. That is a huge problem. Let me know how that evolves.

[@technoraptor7778]

Yes...I will keep you updated on any improvements.

[@technoraptor7778]

@@jamesaritchie1 it's a limited edition vintage pen...there is no replacing the nib...its a green celluloid piston 14k nib kaweco sport by visconti from 2000.

[@technoraptor7778]

@@jamesaritchie1 I know how sensitive the nibs are..I never try to force any line variation...I don't really want much anyway...it is one tine that keeps creeping upward..🤷‍♀️..I can try to gently smooth the problem side..but again..im being as careful as possible..I flossed with a brass sheet..and it looks ok under a loop..but the next day it's back to a hairs width up😔...definitely need a smith

[@deshan314]

Fortunately my Pelikan M200, M400 and M800 have never unscrewed themselves. I don't even want to imagine the mess ... 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

I hope that they never do, but I would keep an eye on that M200! All the best.

[@barryday680]

How do you clean the Conway Stewart lever filler? I’m thinking about purchasing it? Thanks.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Barry, I just flush it with water as one would with ink. It takes a bit of levering, but you get there. It is an amazing pen and one of my favorites.

[@texasboy5117]

The Pen store you may be thinking of in the Netherlands just might be La Couronne du Comte.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks My Friend, but it is the excellent Fontoplumo. Lovely people! All the best and Happy New Year!

[@texasboy5117]

@@HemingwayJones We here at La Chateau here in Texas also wish to extend a Happy new Year to the Jones family. The wife and I will be enjoying a fine bottle of Bordeaux from the Pomerol district; Chateau Clinet 2014 with the New Yeras meal.

[@HemingwayJones]

@@texasboy5117 That sounds wonderful, My Friend!

[@ichirofakename]

Sounds like you had a good year - here's hoping 2023 also treats you well. I also got a Kaweco Special recently and also love it, of course with the .

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! Happy New Year to You! Every Happiness! Thanks for being here with us. Enjoy that wonderful pen and tell me all about it.

[@Volkmannx]

🤓👍

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@michaeldavis9693]

Thank you.. ha.. I also say that pens shouldn’t be a pen kit. Nothing more irritating than pens that have to be completely restored out of the box.