2023 D.C. Pen Show Vlog | My first pen show experience + haul

Come with me to the 2023 D.C. Pen Show!
The D.C. Fountain Pen Supershow is supposedly the largest pen show in the world. It’s held annually in Northern Virginia (so really, they should call it the VA Pen Show, haha).
Highlights from the show: attending the live recording of Episode 100 of the Goulet Pens podcast (it’s out now and they answered the question I submitted!), my fountain pen nib grinding appointment with JJ Lax, and spending time with friends/bonding over fountain pens and journaling!
This was my first pen show and it was a great experience!
-
0:00 Intro
0:24 Day 1 of the Pen Show
1:00 Visiting the vintage pen vendors
1:50 Getting our handwriting analyzed at the Pilot booth
2:30 Day 2 began with watching the Goulet Pencast live recording!
3:19 Nib grinding appointment with JJ Lax
3:38 My pen show haul and overall thoughts
15:46 Outro
-
Follow me on Instagram for more fountain pen, journaling, and stationery posts: / plein.pages
Follow my friend Sandy on IG: / sandysjournals
Consider supporting my channel with a small donation so I can continue filming! ko-fi.com/pleinpages
-
Music by Obie Hans - Metaphoric Collage - thmatc.co/?l=B5A5184A

[@vickyesperanza8267]

my head would explode if i went to a pen show..lol

[@wittwittwer1043]

I'm happy you enjoyed your experience at the show and your acquisitions. I've been going to the show in its various locations since the inception in 1992. I attended this years, but it might be my last due to failing health. I was disappointed because I had a list of items I wanted to buy from Pentooling, which didn't make an appearance this year. I did meet two charming British sisters, and I gave them my sample of Show Ink (a color that I''m not fond of, but they liked it). They hailed from London, and were in the US on a 52-day excursion. I did meet Brian Grey of Edison Pen, & got the chance to tell him how much I've enjoyed the pens that I got online from him.

[@TwoMiceOnMyBookshelf]

Wow it looks like lots of the "big" names are there! So sad that Washington DC is so so far away from me (over 24 hours flight). Thank you so much for sharing this! By the way, I would like to second the request of another person here who asked for a bit more details about the vintage pen restorer that you visited and bought from there. I have an old vintage Parker that belongs to my mother that is completely clogged with decades worth of ink and other issues that I would love to be able to restore. I am too afraid to try to do it myself because there is no one here if I failed. The pen show organiser might be able to assist but I thought I'd ask you anyway. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful day!

[@kan-zee]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="69">1:09</a> ....that Shaeffer Balance looks like my buddys _Wing Sung 626_ Fountain pen. Cool wow...that looks like a great time...thank you for sharing.

[@pensinfocus]

It was a fun show. I didn't see that Sailor activity, I would have enjoyed that. I went Saturday morning and it was PACKED.

[@sandysjournals]

I love that you made this special video compilation of our fun weekend! Here's to going to many more pen shows :D

[@pleinpages]

Can't wait for more pen shows and hangouts 🥰!

[@reddiewip]

vintage fountain pen collector here :) you'll most definitely get another vintage before long. I strictly use older pens because the new ones just aren't the same. I recommend another Sheaffer Balance or a Snorkel! I'm also a sucker for the Esterbrook CH pastels from the 50s.

[@mysimpleintentionallife9899]

It was my first show too and I can’t wait to go back next year. I went with my sister and friend, but I am the diehard fountain pen lover. We had such a good time. I missed the podcast recording because my friend wanted to make a stop in Georgetown for cupcakes-LOL. Drove down from central New Jersey…small world!

[@pleinpages]

Glad you also got to have a fun first experience! Wow! Hello fellow New Jerseyans! 😀

[@PlanBudgetDisney]

Amazing haul! I gasped when I saw the Traveler's Company art palettes. I'm going to the SF Pen show next weekend. I'm looking for an Esterbrook Gold Rush in Prospector Black so fingers crossed. Thank you for sharing!

[@pleinpages]

Yes those Traveler's palettes are beautiful and so popular! ☺️ Enjoy the SF Pen show! I'm sure you'll be able to find lots of amazing pen and stationery goodies there!

[@sandysjournals]

OMG and the journal entry collage at the end - ahhh, so cute!!!

[@idamariegiusti3615]

Going to my first this august.

[@cb5138]

Love all the beautiful items you purchased especially the pen box! It’s really gorgeous!

[@pleinpages]

Thanks! The pen box is so unique and beautiful, I'm still in love! ☺️

[@snowf6307]

pen rave :' )

[@annemarievandevordt4101]

Hello, i enjoyed your video. DC Penshow was also my first show outside Europe and i loved it. I found nice pens from small us makers and beautiful inks. Hope i can make it again to the show next year. Do you plan to go ? Nice weekend, Anne

[@pleinpages]

So glad you enjoyed your time at the DC Pen Show too! Yes, I think I'll be planning to go again next year :) Thank you for watching!

[@midnightdreams8136]

What nib size / fountain pen did you use for your journal? It looks sooo good on the paper. 😍😍

[@pleinpages]

Thanks! I believe it was my Kaweco AL Sport in a B nib. I don't use it too often but it writes so smoothly!

[@MummyBrown]

Who was the vintage pen vendor? I’m curious if they sell online.

[@pleinpages]

I wish I caught his name! I can try to look it up on the vendor map and see if I can identify his booth.

[@MummyBrown]

@@pleinpages Def keep us posted if ya find it. That price is a STEAL. I've found that pen going between $65- $120. From what I could tell in your vid, he prices crazy low on all of his pens!

[@TwoMiceOnMyBookshelf]

@@pleinpages Is it Dan Lanford Vintage Pens?

[@monkpato]

What is a scribe grind?

[@pleinpages]

I should have clarified that the Scribe grind is a custom nib grind that JJ Lax had collaborated on with Esterbrook. They have a custom grind series where they work with nibmeisters to design specialized nibs. The Scribe is described as "A modified architect nib with thin downstrokes and thick cross-strokes."