Ownership changes in the pen industry spark discussions about brand evolution and quality. The hosts passionately debate holiday-themed ink colors, adding a playful twist to their analysis. Fountain pens take center stage as they unveil their favorites, linking quality and aesthetics. Excitement builds around Tono and Lem's Christmas Party, where unique purchasing strategies captivated attendees. They also explore the artistry of nib customization, highlighting creativity and craftsmanship. A dive into ink properties wraps up a vibrant conversation filled with practical stationery insights.
The hosts debate whether the Diamine Inkvent calendar should feature holiday-themed inks, revealing differing interpretations of seasonal celebration in stationery.
An emphasis on respecting artistry in nib grinding is discussed, advocating for unique requests tailored to individual nibmeister craft rather than replication.
The podcast highlights a trend of welcoming new fountain pen enthusiasts through hands-on experiences at shows, enhancing accessibility and education in the community.
Deep dives
Holiday Themed vs. Non-Holiday Themed Inks
The discussion centers around the Diamine Ink Vent calendar and whether its inks should be holiday themed. One host argues that the inks should reflect a celebratory, seasonal vibe, while the other believes that the calendar does not need to adhere to a holiday theme. They debate individual colors, such as 'Baltic Breeze' and 'Lemon Lime', with differing opinions on what qualifies as holiday-themed. It becomes clear that the subjective nature of ink themes is at play, as both hosts celebrate the variance in interpretations.
The Nibmeister Craft
The hosts explore the etiquette surrounding requests to replicatethe unique grinds from nibmeisters. One host argues against asking a new nibmeister to copy another's work, citing respect for the craftmanship involved in nib grinding. Instead, they suggest focusing on the specific characteristics of the desired nib, allowing the nibmeister to tailor their work in a manner respectful to their artistry. Overall, this highlights the importance of understanding and valuing the individual creative processes in pen craftsmanship.
Recommendations for New Fountain Pen Users
A notable shift towards welcoming new users to the fountain pen community is highlighted. Events at pen shows now focus on providing hands-on experiences, such as classes on how to use and maintain fountain pens. There is an emphasis on bridging gaps for potential enthusiasts with approachable, budget-friendly pens from various manufacturers. This initiative reflects a growing movement within the community to educate and engage novice users, encouraging interest in the hobby.
Fidgeting with Pens
The hosts delve into the idea of pens as fidget instruments, discussing how interesting mechanisms can enhance the experience of using a pen. While one host admits to being a fidgeter and appreciates the engineering of complex pen mechanisms, the other focuses on functionality over the fidget factor. They recognize that while fidgeting can be enjoyable, it typically does not influence their purchasing decisions. Instead, the quality and performance of the pen for writing take precedence in their choices.
Ink Sheening Explained
An inquiry into sheening inks reveals that the sheening effect diminishes as the ink supply in the pen decreases during writing. Initially, the pen's feed is flooded, allowing for a wetter flow of ink, which enhances the sheen. As writing continues and the feed levels adjust, the ink flow becomes drier, resulting in less pronounced sheening. This discussion simplifies the complex interplay of ink viscosity, pooling, and airflow as essential factors contributing to the phenomenon of sheening in fountain pen inks.
We have industry news this week, with ownership changes of a nib maker and a retail store. Brad also stays on his Diamine Inkvent kick, and both he and Myke share their favorite basic stationery items.
This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:
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