LAMY dark lilac is BACK! Plus, Our Most Beautiful Pens | Pencast 124

[@Sparklepony]

I can't believe you got James Earl Jones to be on the Pencast! Wow! (Feel better Drew!)

[@andra2377]

Drew's deep sick voice is doing it for me this morning!!

[@N1inSK]

Drew's new voice sounds great! When I get a cold, my voice drops abut an octave and I sound like a radio announcer. And I also hate cantaloupe! Brian, can we have a photo of the 18 tons of gravel for scale? For daily writing wiht some italic look, the Lamy Safari with a stub nib is very affordable, and gives interesting variation. Today is my 33rd day with a broken arm; I have been off work since January 30 and I am so bored I've reduced my myself to watching bad 1950s science fiction on youtube. Thank you for making this morning not boring.

[@karibean13]

I got a Goulet Pens package between last pencast and this one and of course I got the pencast sticker sheet. I showed it to my roommate who isn’t into pens just to see her reaction and she nearly fell out of her chair laughing and going “what?!?!” Already worth the price and I haven’t even used them yet.

[@JoeyTrejo10]

Hey! It's good you're back! I'd love to hear more about what you all think regarding Lamy's transition and new ownership. What are some of your hopes, expectations or concerns? I can see both positives and some points that may be seen as negative. If talking about Lamy specifically is not possible, how about just what's generally happened when a fountain pen company is bought by another. Feel better Drew!

[@Gouletpens]

That'll definitely be a future topic! - Drew

[@jolienkrispijn]

A blue Lamy 2000 for Brian, I assume

[@icaruslament]

* LAMY * KURUTOGA MECHANICAL PENCILS :D edit: specified lamy :p

[@s.scully]

Love Drew's "cold voice" but hope you're feeling better soon!

[@TheWanderingFire]

Brian: I do buy things other than fountain pens. Me: Yes. Hammers.

[@sruckel]

Drew is doing his Barry White imitation. “Can’t get enough of your pens, baby”

[@TheStockwell]

I just placed my first order with you terrific people. I was researching a particular pen I was interested in. I wound up checking out a stack of your other videos. End result: I've ordered a Conklin All American fountain pen (Raven Black), an additional nib, a bottle of Noodler's ink, and a bottle of your Goulet Pen Wash. I'm getting back into fine writing instruments - and you're the people pushing me into the pool. No - thank YOU! 🥃🐧

[@javierperez-uz9lc]

Welcome (back) to the community! Happy to gain one more member in this growing family🤠👍

[@TheStockwell]

@@javierperez-uz9lc It's good to BE back! I've been an Artist all my life and was doing terrific work as a teenager with a dip pen and India ink. When I was in junior high, I was a weirdo who used a vintage fountain pen I'd bought at a thrift store. Flash forward a few decades and thousands of miles later. I'm creating a film set in the 1860s. I need a Victorian dip pen. I buy a modern facsimile of what I need. It's fun to be using one, again. I clearly remember the fountain pen I owned all those years ago. I head over to eBay, quickly see the thrift store pen I'd once owned was a ca.1935 celluloid Parker Parkette with a pneumatic/lever action filler. I bought one. But, darn it, I was worried about losing this cherished part of my youth for a second time, you know? I needed a fine writing instrument I wouldn't be afraid to take out in public. After spending hours on KZbin, I discovered the good and gifted people at Goulet. I saw the Conklin All American Raven, fell in love with its stunning, austere blackness - and ordered it today. My birthday is in a month. So, happy early birthday to me! Have a fine and inky weekend! 🐧

[@gv0861]

The most beautiful pen on the market is the one that makes you look forward to writing on a particular occasion or situation. I love to write letters to my granddaughter to read in the future (she is only 4) and whatever pen I use on that day....is the most beautiful one in the world.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Loving Drew’s Deeper register ! 😊

[@dawndemanda]

I’m older than UNO! And you guys are still young, but boy does it go downhill fast at 40! I’m 54 and am shocked how fast that happened. Thanks for another great episode and I look forward to watching the next one while I recover from my second triple bypass (yes, I’m too young for that, but genetics got me!).

[@allysonlahnala9538]

I've recently been looking at stub nibs to do calligraphy because in my college class we are using calligraphy markers to write in Old English. I never thought I could use my major to justify getting another fountain pen.

[@patriciaclark7135]

I'd like to suggest a Pilot Parallel Pen if you're writing in Italic or Old English or something similar. It gives a much cleaner line than any stub nib I've tried and comes in many sizes. It's the closest to a traditional dip pen/nib combo. I've found so far. Parallel pens are not that expensive either. :)

[@wildwolf3343]

I’m totally with Drew on his choice of beautiful pens, and on the names of inks needing to resonate! Really enjoying this pen cast.

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks for joining us! - Drew

[@stareenafraser]

Loving this Low Drew voice 😊❤

[@ednajames3069]

Yes, Drew. Please feel better soon. Here are a few to add to the most beautiful pen list. 1) Viceroy Grand Victorian Fountain Pen by Yard o Led; 2) Aurora Ambienti Tundra; and 3) any one of the S.T. Dupont Line D Large Firehead or Diamond Guilloche pens.

[@stopaskingmedumbquestions]

Wake up everyone the Pencast is back!!!

[@mkbuike7895]

Ink bought just for the name: Writer's Blood. Turns out I like the ink...it flows well and I like the color. It DOES look like blood when staining fingers. My husband has asked more than once whether I cut myself! Well traveled: Probably the Lamy Al Star Marron. It's my journaling pen so it has been on a number of trips, including at least 3 to Europe. Then there is the black Lamy Safari I bought at the flagship store in Heidelberg with a unique graphic only available at that store! I used to do calligraphy. Uncial and Carolingian were my favorite hands. For inexpensive calligraphy fountain pens I used the Shaeffer "No Nonsense" with 3 nib sizes. The ink was terrible, though. As you say, dip pens are best. For ease of availability, I would now try a Lamy 1.9 or 1.5. I also have a very old Osmiroid calligraphy fountain pen set I bought in England.

[@QuirkyQuillify]

The kakuno is a family, with the dad, mom, son daughter, and baby. I already have 4-5 kakunos and I still bought two of these. Just too cute!

[@AkarlHeer]

Im from the UK so this episode has arrived just perfectly after school has finished - cant wait to binge this and crave an episode later on in the week

[@jolienkrispijn]

Thanks for today’s fun pencast! I really enjoyed Brians fun fact about Uno. I remember when we first got that when I was a kid. Must have been around 1982 or so. I think it was new to Europe back then. Our family played it a lot ❤️

[@putocuchinta]

the purples and magentas are growing on me, especially as ramadan is approaching!

[@sahilmandalia7720]

It’s already march can’t wait for the Golden Lapis to come out

[@katealoguedit]

I love the Adrian Monk reference! I just finished rewatching that show and it’s so fantastic.

[@patriciaclark7135]

Oh, an early start! Yay! Funny you began with a weather report. Here in Northern California we're under a blizzard warning....Glad I'm inside watching THE pencast!!

[@ManavandCharlotteKainth]

Love the Pen Cast! During an episode would you be able to talk about the partnership with DHL for shipping? It is so slow. I am in NOVA and packages used to take 2 days to arrive. I have an order where I paid for faster standard shipping and it's on day 3 and USPS is still waiting for it.

[@JuJuAndPenny]

I have to let you guys know that I fell hard down a rabbithole a few weeks ago, vastly in part because of the Pencast. I started on another channel and in doing my own deep dive, quickly came across the Pencast. You could practically hear the cartoon screech as I skidded to a halt and started working my way through the archives. Less than a month later, I own 3 fountain pens, 3 bottles of ink and recently took advantage of the ink sample sale and have a bunch of samples on the way. So I i can confirm that at least one person has become a fountain pen person as a result of your podcast. I suspect there are more like me. I'm also part of the 25% that watches you on my TV screen (usually as background but on the big screen nonetheless). I don't think I'll be climbing out of this rabbithole! So much more I could say but lest i earn one of Drew's "oh god here we go" glowers, I'll just say thanks for an awesome Pencast!

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Welcome back, Fellas! Was GOOD to get my Pencast fix this week! Some cool pens, cool pen talk, and interesting facts, too! Glad you had a good time on your vacation, Drew! You know the old saying, if you live near something, you almost never go and see it? Well, I live about 50 miles from Disney and have only been to two of the parks, once. That being said, I very much enjoyed Epcot the most. And if I should go again, would probably hit that up! I was always bad at math in school too, and I feel your pain about fractions. I always understood that fractions are basically a way to show a percentage of the whole, but when you start long divinging them, I was always lost! I totally got fractions as a unit of measurement as on a ruler or in scaling dimensions up and down. That is what makes electronic calculators so great! You can scale something up or down pretty simply. Take Care guys and get well!

[@tootsfour956]

I always enjoy this pencast about fountain pens, but i really enjoyed-Whats Happening-in your lives. Super! Blessings

[@krissalmon7875]

Hello Brian & Drew! I have only been into fountain pens for about a month but found your Pencast & I am already hopelessly lost to pens & inks! I am going to try to fall down the ink “rabbit hole” and not the pen “rabbit hole!” 😂 I bought two Lamy Safari so far (a demonstrator & an aluminium). I like them but I have already figured out that I want to invest in Vac demonstrator fountain pens that I can travel with. I travel a lot! I would like each of your top 5 vac filling demonstrator pens (other than Twsbi because I already know I’m getting a Vac 700 R as one of my choices). AND top 5 inks! I am DEFINITELY in the Drew Brown in camp when it comes to ink! You will never see me with a black or a blue ink 😂. Love you two! Thank you for all you do to inform us of all things pen and ink and for making us smile with the insight into your lives!

[@ina_lina]

Late to the party, I just finally finished watching this/last week's pencast. Drew -- I'm glad you had a wonderful vacation. Also, at a time when our country seems to be fomenting hate, especially in places like Florida, I want to thank you for normalizing nontraditional couples. Thank you to your friends, too, for allowing their picture to be shared with us. ❤ Question: I know I'm probably too late to ask Brian K a question, but: how do you get confidence to be a fiddler with your pens? So far I haven't even tried replacing a nib on a Safari (too scared of breaking something)! Most traveled pen would have to be my Sheaffer Targa, since I got it in Paris. It's lived with me in NY, MA, and CA, and traveled many places between. It's also one of my prettiest pens. Pretty pens I've purchased from Goulet: Taccia Spotlight Forest Eye, and recently Opus 88 Jazz Holiday (after you showcased it on the pencast!). Ink names? Hmm. I think "Pick Me Up" is a dumb name from Diamine, but I bought a bottle anyway because I love the color :D Like others have said, I bought Writer's Blood for the name, and because I didn't have any ink that color (and as I've said before, it's a great match for my Retro 51 Harriet Tubman). Color is more important than name, but when they're both great = perfection. Thanks for another great pencast!

[@kurisquare]

I have a Master's degree in Astronomy so I'm INSTANTLY drawn to all of Colorverse's space-themed inks...in any case SM-1 became one of my favorite inks! love the color and shading!

[@stareenafraser]

Happy Friday All 🎉❤

[@ArjanD78]

My most travelled pen: SCHONDSGN Pocket six in copper. I carried that pen EVERY day for over two years. Just recently I bought a Gravitas Quark in stonewashed zirconium and that's been in my pocket for a week or two. Most regular sized inked pen: Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Sands. Beautiful pen. It was the first version of this pen, so no ink windows, but with a captive converter. And an ebonite feed. It writes like a dream

[@s.n.11]

Excellent pencast as usual! Drew's voice sounds awesome! Anyway I hope he gets better soon. Thanks for answering my question about ink names, not only I was curious about you answers but also other people commented their own! Any BENU talisman pen is honestly amazing, my favourite being the peacock ore. I've been using a Lamy Safari with a stub 1.1 for Tengwar calligraphy (the one of The Lord of the Rings) and it's been quite fun! The trick is to use it at a 45° angle and looks fantastic. Hearing Brian talk about the saxophone always remembers me the song "Baker's Street" ❤ Thanks for your hard work!

[@lucidferrotype5884]

I only dabble in calligraphy, but I do have a few pens dedicated to it. Which I mostly use for occasionally titling pages or notes. I don't live in the US, so the pens will differ. Any decent stub nib would work for italic calligraphy. Although, traditionally a capital letter should be 5 times the height of the nib width. 1.5mm-2mm seem to be my preferred range for this. 1-1.1mm nibs would have a 5mm tall letter and I use it to embellish normal text more than I do for anything approaching calligraphy. - A Kaweco Sport calligraphy kit and spare Bock twin nib are the best I have so far. It stays wet much longer than most pens would, can be pulled apart if it does need a thorough cleaning and I'm comfortable tuning the normal stub nibs a bit if they end up being too dry or too wet. It ends up being reliable and adaptable to my use. - Pilot parallel is exceptional, but I find it more likely to soak through cheaper notebook papers. The Pilot Parallel inks seem to be far wetter than their standard lineup (red especially) and I have to be careful about the paper I use it with. - The Lamy stub nibs are also a reliable option I've worked with. For line variation on Pressure I don't find myself reaching for Noodlers as often, they seem to put far too much ink down for most papers and I have to be selective when using them. Instead I end up reaching for a Platinum modern maki-e brush pen. It's far more difficult to keep the line variation controlled, even in comparison to disposable brush pens. But, for me at least, it has far more consistent ink flow than a flex pen. As result, and despite living in a country where fountain pens are more often a rare curiosity than a writing implement, it doesn't bleed through any of the paper I use, even the cheap locally made school notebooks I use to keep notes in the office. While it isn't really meant to do it, I find the Kaweco Perkeo nib flexible enough to use it as a semi-flex pen. I'm not sure how consistent they are or how they would compare to other 'soft' nibs, but given the entry level price it might be a better option to experiment with.

[@KarenMcDonald-z8w]

Good Morning! Good to have you back!

[@jeffreyepiscopo]

I still have some handwritten notes from back in the day! Interesting to hear how you picked the colors

[@annestrasko7581]

If I remember right, my Vac 700 Iris has been to Italy, Colorado, and Arkansas, and I didn't even journal with it on any of those trips because I was too busy!! Car story, though! I owned a car with a rebuilt title years ago and the alternator went out on it. I discovered that the key for the ignition didn't work on the door, but it worked on the trunk. I don't know if they swapped out the door lock, or what! So I had to crawl in my trunk, pull the wire that was connected to the latch to release the backseat forward, and crawl into my car from there to open the back door. That must've been a sight!!

[@TonyProctors]

My most travelled fountain pen: Kaweco Sport Black EF… continuously eyedropper filled in my left jeans pocket since June 2016 with my money clip and pocket knife.

[@Jennifer-tw8xs]

The new Lamy Dark Lilac looks a lot like Colorverse Pillars of Creation. It has the same green sheen on a brownish purple. I think I've seen a lot of green sheening purple inks lately.

[@Gouletpens]

I does! You're right! - Drew

[@purpleyyy]

Get well soon, Drew. Hope you resolved the car issue. (Pen-relatedly, loving the new Lamy ink 💜✒️)

[@beckyisj]

Eek get well soon Drew! I just recovered from a 2-week flu and lost my voice for about 5 days. I have never appreciated my voice more than right after reocvery.

[@Gouletpens]

Oh no! You had it waaay worse than me, then! - Drew

[@penguin1780]

Your weather forecast sounds like usual life in my neck of the woods (PNW). It was 42° F when I ran errands earlier and it’s snowing now. Hey, maybe now that Lamy has changed hands and doing rereleases, you can convince them to collab on a Goulet Blue 2000, or a Maki-e 2000.

[@PaintedSpaceship]

I was just noticing the other day that any ink that's named after a weather pattern, like Thunderstorm that Drew mentioned, or Colorverse's Rainy Day. And I spent a lot of time coming up with a flowy B, Brian! And my capital G's are my favorite. Gotta go for big loopies!!

[@marcelamartinez413]

Robert Oster's Thunderstorm has been an ink that I have wanted for a long time and for some reason haven't gotten around to buying it. Drew's commentary pushed me to finally buy it! I'm excited to ink my PCH 92 with it!

[@nerdartastic]

I really hope to lay eyes on those namiki pens in person one day. I actually think your benu iced caramel latte is soooo gorgeous its seriously distracting when i write with it. Sands of komodo is a STUNNER in real life. I never thought I'd fall in love with a blue pen (not my thing) but when i laid eyes on it in person it, i was speechless. The color is so vivid and combined with the transparency, it almost looks like it glows. I am so glad i took a chance on it and bought it. Pictures dont do it justice

[@mysimpleintentionallife9899]

Drew, I’m with you! We love Epcot in this family‼️‼️

[@Gouletpens]

YES! The best. - Drew

[@juliabaumann3231]

Visconti's calligraphy nib makes my writing look like I know what I'm doing. Impossible to find these days, but highly recommend. Also, how've I been ordering from Goulet all these years and only now realized they're in Virginia, too?! Whoo!

[@hjell]

Awesome Drew...active attention nailed...super nailed. Thanks for making me take another look at the color brown...got a beautiful brown metal Falcon, Amber 823 and a beautiful brown and gold 912 [Japan only]. During the skipped week I watched your short videos....extra good!!!! Thanks for these pencasts, thanks for improving little stuff in the pen world and the big world. Write on guys!!

[@Gouletpens]

OOooohh very nice! Brown Town! - Drew

[@patriciaclark7135]

So far, the best fountain pen I've found for pointed pen calligraphy is the Osprey Flexbert with a Zebra g nib. Nice line variation because the Zebra g nib is a true calligraphy nib.

[@penelopewarren3168]

Brian, the first pen I ever bought purely because I thought it beautiful was your Montegrappa Elmo Beach. Love the Pencast, BTW, including the banter between the two of you. Drew, hope you feel better soon.

[@darlenesluder3038]

I'm with you, Penelope, on the Montegrappa temptations!! For me, the just-couldn't-resist was the Barrier Reef, though. Got. the BR as a retirement gift to myself and kept the Beach on my wishlist for an upcoming BD...

[@Stitchxavi]

45:15 Drew! You may have dyscalculia! It’s something that many of us with ADHD superpowers have.

[@jolienkrispijn]

ADHD superpowers, I love that 😻

[@sylvial.8515]

I agree with Drew that Chinkin is prettier than Maki-e. Thinking just speaks to me more. Currently waiting to see if there's one out there that will be perfect for my collection 😊.

[@ProofByConundrum]

I am as stunned and drawn to the Benu Euphoria Earl Grey as any of the maki-e pens. I was a little surprised it didn't make the list of most beautiful pens, but I do see it is out of stock. I hope it will be back.

[@gabi_xu]

Question for the Brian that will be here next week: I am contemplating to get a baystate blue.. but since I have to sort of spare a dedicated pen for it + I am using hobonichi (tomoe river 52gsm).. is it ok? I heard some feathering happens. Would it still be an issue if I use extra fine nib? Thank you.

[@mar1nka.]

@Drew, not sure if you're still reading comments on this past video - BUT re: math homework, I found out which curriculum and text books the school was using and bought a teacher's manual from Abebooks. Was a lifesaver when my kids were in elementary school.

[@iterationomega]

Happy Weekend!

[@margalo399]

I used to buy pens for their eye candy before I knew much about the hobby. What homely pen would you buy strictly for how well it writes-but has a cap and body only a mother could love?

[@Sonicman415]

I love this.. 🎉🎉🎉 124.. dedication 🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽 My fav ink name to date is Tesla Coil.. Birmingham Pen Company.. “Wear your happiness” would go great on a sticker or t shirt. If Iroshizuku rereleased jurijin I would be over the moon.. if it wasn’t as cool toned I’d be upset.. seriously. Lamy 🙄 should have made this clear. I don’t own the original but the new version sounds amazing. I SO appreciate you both, the Goulet community.. 💜🩵💙🩵💜

[@buddydunkel]

I just saw Brian quoted in the New York Times article on this and had to watch this part of the pen cast early to see

[@LucyLu_meztli]

Omg, the shock waves on the FP News this week 😱 🌊

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I thought I was the only one who loved writing Diamine. Diamine Classic Green, and Diamine Vintage Copper. I always make a big swoopy letter V.

[@plancreatecope]

I think the Platinum Kanazawa Leaf Fountain pens are beautiful. These won't break the bank and they still have all the beauty. These are on my wishlist.

[@iwanriley8047]

This is a bit of an odd comment but last night Drew and Brian featured in my dream! The dream is as such: I was back in my old secondary school and we were making pens out of plaster cast (don't ask I have no idea why), this is when I decided to add in some ferris wheel press 'poison envy' ink into the mix in order to colour the body of the pen. When the class was finished the pen came out as a brilliant purple with green shimmer in it. This monumental dream achievement warranted me to murmur aloud "I should send a picture of this pen to Drew and Brian! They would love to see it!" I went on to have further dream shenanigans and awoke quite confused. Obviously I don't have a picture of the pen but I thought you might enjoy this story! 😂 On that note, have either of you ever had a dream about fountain pens/ inks and if so which ones?

[@Gouletpens]

Haha! That's amazing. I've definitely had random fountain pen/work related dreams, but I can't think of one that stood out. - Drew

[@stevekail4543]

I think Monteverde's "Valentine Red" is an example of an ink name that exactly matches the color. It's also my all-time favorite red ink. ♥️🙂

[@hartr33]

I really enjoyed this show! Ink names are crazy cool imo!

[@_Wolfsbane_]

Beautiful pen - Laban Gloria Ruby Red. It's wonderfully shimmery.

[@icaruslament]

I love the Kakuno spotlight. I am a certified kakuno enjoyer. I LOST MY MIND when I saw the dark blue translucent. Really hoping they do some more colors like green/red, because I just feel like there was so many better choices than the lime green... Won't stop me from getting all of them..... They are just too fun and too good for the price :)

[@psa7211]

Unless honeydew or cantelope are ripe, it is awful and just about tasteless. But when it is ripe, add a pinch of salt and it is truely wonderful. Much like the difference btw a hard peach and a ripe juicy one. Glad Drew put the Pilot E95s on your beautiful pen list it is on of my favorites, also loved the Chinkin Pine Tree is beautiful, like you I appreciate it wraps around the pen. Great use of positive and negative space. One other on my list is in a way a sleeper beautifil, the Pineider Forge Carbon Fiber in Rose gold. The swirls in the fiber is mesmirizing. I dont love long names although Noodlers Black Swan Australian Rose's...what's with that, way too long But beautiful color everytime I think of putting in my cart it's out. I'm with Drew on Sailor number named inks. Some are beautiful but if it doesn't end up in my cart, I'll never remember what it was and it makes it a chore to rediscover it. No surprise with Brians most traveled pens. Lamy200 and the Travelers pen. Some good lists today!

[@Gouletpens]

Great comments! Thanks for taking the time to share! - Drew

[@StacySchulze-cg1he]

From the intro: “in the next 14 days, there’s only 2 without rain” From us on the Wet Coast: sounds like normal for this time of year Edit to add: and then water features in many of the things that are loved in the Q & A

[@Calcprof]

FOr a long time PR DC SS Blue (Priveate Reserve DC Supershow Blue) was my replacement when Parker Penman Sapphire became difficult and expensive to get. I often travel with an Opus 88 and/or a vacuum filler with a cutoff valve. On international trips I also carry a CHneese made bulk filler (though they can't call it that) -- huge ink supple, inexpensive pen, cut off valve. This one pen has probably traveled the most miles.

[@dostagirl9551]

Random thoughts: avocado tastes like milk to me, cantaloupe is delicious if you get it in that sweet spot of ripeness (not too hard, not too mealy, sweet all the way to the rind), and 80s movies are awesome! As for Lamy selling, I’m cautiously optimistic but also grateful I bought my Safaris and 2000s before the handover. Dark Lilac is way different now, but I can understand and appreciate that it’s because a component is no longer available versus no interest in recreating a fan favorite. Hope you feel better, Drew.

[@StruggerStrugger]

When you think you’ve got all the pens you want (was going to say ‘need’ 😂) and then you’re shown David Oscarson pens for the first time. I’ve found my next grail pen. Thank you for the annoyingly good pencast.

[@Gouletpens]

Haha! Thanks for joining us! - Drew

[@justusspace]

Drew, I 100%%%% agree that Epcot is the best Disney park. It’s a lot to walk around and look at and just take in, which is more relaxing than the other parks. For me, that’s more enjoyable overall than a more exciting or action-packed day :)

[@Gouletpens]

Yes! You know it! - Drew

[@SpicyLewis23]

Good to see Brian is still rocking the Bugout! I have heard Drew mention his knife collection, but have never heard or seen what he likes to carry. Does Brian have any other knives that he carries?

[@Gouletpens]

I have that same blue bugout! My favorite knife is a Bestech Kendo - but I also have a Kershaw, a Ruike and a another one in my rotation that the brand is escaping me right now. I really like it, though! - Drew

[@dyersnider5406]

Fun fact about using dip pens. Shelby Foote wrote his a three volume history of the Civil War using a dip pen. (He used one when writing his novels, as well.). The Civil War trilogy has approximately 1.2 Million words. Each. Written. With. A. Dip. Pen. It took him 20 years to complete. Now that's dedication.

[@GummyBear1972]

For Brian, instead of giving yourself the overwhelming task of cleaning 40 pens, which seems like a full day's work (ain't nobody got time for that!), just pick one pen to clean and commit to cleaning just that one... TODAY. If you feel like cleaning a second pen right after that, go ahead, but give yourself another week to get another pen cleaned. What happens is you may want to just keep the momentum going and do more, but it relieves the pressure off that larger, more daunting task so you can feel accomplished after doing what I call "just one thing". Instead of failing repeatedly, give yourself an opportunity to succeed repeatedly. I have a project like this with processing my old digital photos but committed to doing just one photo every Thursday. Sometimes I'm able to do a few or a even a hundred, and sometimes I can do none. It's okay though. There's another opportunity next week. Any progress is still progress right? Good luck! Hope this helps.

[@hartr33]

Favorite Pen...Lamy 2000 for it's pure Bauhaus goodness and design!

[@FountainPenNews]

Pilot PARALLEL grinding PSA: I can't remember where I learned this, but the pilot parallel nib has 2 little dimples, one on each side. It's where the 2 plates of the nib are held apart so that ink can flow between them. You need to preserve one of those dimples when you grind. Enjoy!

[@sahrandipity]

I've only bought one ink purely for the name- Writer's Blood! I don't actually care for the color, but I'm a writer, so it felt like it was a need. Some of the rest of my ink names follow a mermaid/sea theme, but I don't limit myself to that.

[@penelopewarren3168]

I like the name too, and for the same reason.

[@sarahwillcutts9169]

So pretty much the only metal that will not corrode, rust, or oxidize is sterling silver. You can eyedropper/barrel fill pens that are made of solid sterling silver. Aluminum will oxidize when exposed to liquids and air, unless properly coated. There are NUMEROUS grades of stainless the amount of Nickle determines the grade and rust resistance. The rule of thumb is stainless is stain less, not stain free. The more magnetic the more iron in the stainless. As for brass, there are many grades of brass, the copper in brass will oxidize (look at the Statue of Liberty). The cheaper the pen the more likely it is a mix of metals and not actually a true known brass alloy but a mix of metals. Long story short you can use ink with metals, but don’t be surprised if something goes wrong though it may take quite a while for something to go wrong. If you ever have a chance to use an XRF handheld analyzer it’s a fun experience!

[@patriciaclark7135]

An ink I bought only for its name: Birmingham Pen Company's "Green Weenie" :D

[@AlongfortheThrill]

Lmao😂

[@WestofMars]

I have a pen inked with it right now.

[@patriciaclark7135]

I often use my green inks in March! Right now I'm using Birmingham's Emerald Fusion. 🤩@@WestofMars

[@WestofMars]

​@@patriciaclark7135I just drove past the business park they are located in. I waved.

[@ichirofakename]

Franklin-Christoph and Sailor make truly beautiful pens.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Pilot parallels are super fun!

[@sandragraham2769]

Ink bought for the name? DeAtramentis’ “Jane Austen”❤

[@TheWanderingFire]

Drew, I'm not great with numbers either, but I do remember the number of a place where I worked X-years ago, and when I'm filling in a form where they are insisting on having my phone number when they absolutely don't need it, I give them my old work number. 😬

[@Gouletpens]

Haha! Very nice! - Drew

[@littletweeter1327]

If you’re hell bent on a fountain pen for calligraphy there are some options. Desiderata makes great pens with a custom zebra g feed that works flawlessly. You can try to win the flex lottery on a vintage pen. The best you’ll get is a frankenpen; A fountain pen body with a victorian dip nib custom fitted. It can be a lot of trial and error to get it working perfectly but it really doesn’t get better than that.

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

My Sheaffer Prelude Ballpoint went with me to Iraq in ‘03, the heat and the dust made the ink cartridge explode inside - and some of the lacquer has flaked off of the barrel so it looks like it’s been thru a war"…….oh, wait!

[@mysimpleintentionallife9899]

Welcome back-we missed you guys. Love the idea of a scuba gear and deep dive sticker for Brian. I would definitely buy that! And Drew, that hoodie is classic. Loved Waffle House when I was down in NC during my college days ❤

[@ashlynlaramore2547]

I have a question kind of for you both, so me and drew have very similar taste in colors (love me some browns, dark greens, and yellows) but I love using stub nibs or broader nibs like Brian has talked about so that I can enjoy the ink more. I’m not a beginner and love doing calligraphy type stuff and have the cursive writing book from your store. I’m in a huge discovery part of my hobby and would love to branch out from my normal brands LAMY, twsbi, and pilot. What are some combined suggestions for pens and ink yall might have so I can get out of my comfort zone?

[@BullheadedGiovanni]

Thanks for answering my question, that was fun. The Elmo is a pretty pen, I quite like the look of some of the leonardo momento zeros, and I quite like the idea of the recent conklin hippocrates and lex pen.

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks for the question! - Drew

[@kennethepps3425]

New discovery: Hongdian M2. It's home is now my hoodie pocket. I've started collecting pocket pens now.

[@serena6777]

These translucent kakunos in Japan are called the family series, so it is interesting they are not marketed that way when they came to the West. The clear blue is papa, coral is mama, aqua is boy, pink is girl, and green is baby

[@maxsinclair787]

i have a question that perhaps you can answer in the next pencast, or here. I really like the look of the Platinum Chou kuro ink, it being such a dark pure black is super satisfying, i also would like to get a pilot 823 at some point, but I am wary of putting this ink in that pen, is there another super dark black that is more pen friendly. or should i get a less precious pen that can been taken appart and cleaned for use with the Chou kuro. main reason i like the darker black is because the high contrast makes it easier to read, i have dyslexia and other colour inks or less dark blacks just read slower for me.

[@907bigdog]

Great Pencast once again!

[@georgiaturner8210]

I would love information about stationery with envelopes that is fountain pen friendly

[@darlenesluder3038]

Plus some hints for "waterproofing" inked addresses. I rub over it with a small bar of local beeswax; not interested in having to work in open air to us the acrylic art fixatives.

[@sahrandipity]

You both speculated about what suggestions KZbin shows your viewers after too many pencasts, and I'm here to confirm I'm getting ads for safety razors (thanks, Drew!) and suggestions for power washing videos to relax to (thanks, Brian!) I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I start seeing hammers.. I do have a question for Brian K! I need to hear that story about the pen he got from an astronaut! Please? 😊

[@LawryBoyer]

After Brian mentioning ombré raden I had to look up the distinction between gradient and ombré. I’m still not 100% but it seems ombré is a type of gradient that is linear and has to be all the same color family, whereas you could have a radial gradient or gradient between multiple colors like a rainbow

[@thebull9434]

Hei folks super show always enjoy it, what du you think about that Lamy got sold to the Mitsubishi Pen Company, greatings from Hammerfest Norway