

677: I Don’t Do Ratings. 9/10
Aug 6, 2025
Join the hosts as they dive into the excitement of the Washington D.C. Pen Show, sharing standout experiences and new product reveals. Their comedic take on planner launches for 2026 captures the quirky essence of stationery enthusiasts. They tackle Hobonichi's paper quality debates and the importance of transparency, while also exploring the joys of culinary adventures with HelloFresh. Enjoy tales from engaging workshops and the bustling atmosphere of the pen show, all wrapped in light-hearted banter that highlights the community spirit of pen lovers.
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Hobonichi Paper Adjustment Insight
- Hobonichi acknowledged ink bleed issues with their 2025 Tomoe River paper and worked to improve it for 2026.
- They balance preserving paper characteristics with minimizing bleed, but slight differences remain across production runs.
Lack of Confidence in Paper?
- Brad Dowdy perceives Hobonichi's statement as showing a lack of confidence in their paper product.
- A cautionary note on variability might deter customers and reduce sales due to uncertainty.
Paper Challenge Complexity
- Myke Hurley views the paper issues as a complex challenge with no perfect solution for Hobonichi.
- They did their best but can't cater to every niche ink and environment, so some customers will be dissatisfied.