I had a new pen that I inked up and it was terrible - skipping, hard starts, total mess. I thought there was something wrong with the pen. It was a gold nib Japanese pen, but I can't remember if it was Pilot, Sailor, or Platinum. But then I remembered that I didn't flush it out - I always do this - so I dumped the ink, flushed it out and then filled it with a fresh fill of the same ink. And voila. No problems. So I don't think that's too much of a superstition. Flush out your new pens, people! :)
While I do feel its a superstition to do this to every new pen, flushing would be my first, go-to step to troubleshoot any flow issues like you mentioned here.
Flushing a new pen is not surperstition. Some manufacturer like Lamy will ink your brand new pen and test it out for quality control. It doesn't happen on all pens but it does happen every now and then. Plus the manufacturing place is most of the time filled with small particles that can get into your pen's feed while is it is being made, flushing the pen also helps out there. And last point, on some shops, owners would allows pens to be dipped into ink to be tested out before it's being put back into the retail box. A quick rinse on your pen is never a bad thing to do.
Can you explain the difference between all the pilot models, like Custom 74, 743, 823, 845, 912, 92, and heritage. I’m so confused. And why are they custom since they are customized.
I love listening to your talks about the pens. I appreciate that you don't just talk about the expensive pens but ones I can afford and spoil myself writing with them. I am hooked on fountain pens, inks, and writing on the best paper. I'd like to know if stone paper is a good option for fountain pens. It is so smooth with gel pens but it can take ink forever to dry. Your thoughts?
I've tried stone paper with fountain pens before and they just don't mix well together. The analogy of oil and water seems to fit here. The fountain pen ink just doesn't play nice with the paper.
Question: How long does fountain pen ink last (maintaining its properties) in a bottle that has been opened (but closed between each use) compared to an unopened bottle?
Q? What pens, if any, do you keep on hand to gift to people just starting out? I keep Zebra fountain pens because they write on just about anything. If they don't like the fine line, then a Pilot Varsity is my go-to. Although I keep less of those on hand.
Great work, Tom. Here's a question: Is there any notable difference in high-end pens made by a company whose core business is pens, vs. those made by a company that makes pens as one of many other, unrelated luxury goods?
You mentioned that you usually match your ink color to the pen body. Do you have any tips for remembering what color ink is in a pen when you haven't matched the ink to the pen body?
Do you ever write with different ink colors and/or bib sizes on the same page in a single piece of content - notes, list, journal entry, etc.? I was considering primarily writing in black (broad) and then editing or setting apart specific action items in blue (fine).
I love sketching with fountain pens and waterproof inks. At times I use both pencil and fountain pens on a sketch. I want to know if I can apply ink lines over pencil sketch which has been sprayed with workable fixative without damaging the fountain pen nib?
What is your process/check list when it comes to matching an ink to your pen? Personally I have such a hard time trying to pick one to order as a sample because of budget constraints and because I keep getting distracted by all the beautiful ink choices 😍
#question: What are your favorite unusual inks? Meaning: inks that you struggle to put into one category. ie: It’s too dark to be considered traditional red, but it’s not quite brown. Or it’s soo yellow it’s almost greenish.
QUESTION: Do you recommend having an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning pens? Or are they unnecesary for most users? Hi, Tom! Thanks for all of the great information. This channel is a wonderful resource for all things pen & ink. 👍
For really dirty pens with ink that has gunked up the feed and crusted in all the nooks of the pen, an Ultrasonic cleaner really helps. If you routinely keep your pens clean, I don't think you'll need it.
Nice video, Tom. Thanks. I'm occasionally put off and often irritated by "limited edition" pens. What is the benefit? If the model is attractive and desirable, especially if it's at an accessible price, would it not be better for the maker to be creating as many as the market can manage? Even if a "limited edition" becomes more costly on the secondary market, that inflation doesn't help the manufacturer make more profit and/or sell more pens. A "limited edition" of 6,789,000 pens is nonsense, while a run of 123 is unreachable for many of us. And it keeps potential owners in the disappointed pool. If the material is rare or the process is too burdensome for a substantial run, it's one issue. But artificially limiting availability is unkind. Your thoughts on this matter? Am I missing something? (Besides more pens, that is.)
I’m at the point where I would like to get a more expensive fountain pen. I love seeing videos on Sailor, Esterbrook, etc. at this time, I only can afford one pen in the $200-350 range. What pens should I look at first?
It depends on what you are looking to get out of the experience of owning an expensive fountain pen. Is it a smoother, softer writing experience? Is it the beauty of the materials, the nostalgia of the design, the prestige of the brand?
I was going to buy the 2022 inkvent calendar last year and I watched someone's swatching video to see if I liked any of the colors. I didn't buy it because I *thought* I didn't like the colors. Turns out the video I watched didn't have very good video or, maybe, lighting quality - I watched other videos recently and found I really liked most of the colors. I was able to find last year's inkvent calendar for sale somewhere AND I plan to buy the 2023 one too. I think my point is to watch more than one video or just go for it if you are on the fence 🙂
What are some creative ways to use up a bunch of ink samples? I have a bunch that I don't want to put in my pens (aka shimmering inks) but don't want to waste them either.
I agree with you on wasting the ink. Since I write in my journal daily most of the time I use my dip pen with the extra ink. Works great for me because I like changing the color. It helps me keep the days separated too.
One idea off the top of my head - you could print out black and white line art (think coloring book pages) on 32lb HP laserjet paper and use your fountain pens to color them.
Do you have a notebook that you started using, but abandoned for some reason? Big splats or swatches can fill up some of those pages. And it is cool to flip through and revisit those colors in the future.
Are all inks created equal or is there a rating you would recommend to help us out? Would you buy Pelican ink for Pelican pens or can you mix and match? I’m new to this art form, can’t you tell?! 😊
Oh yea. I would definitely be careful about using shimmer, pigmented, iron gall, and highly saturated inks in my fountain pens. I have tips on how to use shimmer inks in this episode here - ua-cam.com/video/2B8riYpEO-A/v-deo.html
Can't wait to see this years Inkvent colors. Curious what EDC fountain pen(s) you'd choose to carry in pant pocket? What about ballpoint, rollerball, gel..?
Value is often determined by the buyer. But as a new fountain pen collector how can I determine if a certain fountain pen is a good investment? Specifically what indicators of quality should I be aware of?
What rollerball pens can accept a European style refill? Did Cross discontinue their Porous point Selectip fine 0520 refills? If so does anyone make a porous/felt tip refill?
Q of the week: Tom, can you let us in on a behind the scenes of how you determine which products you will feature every Wednesday on the Weekly Dip? I always find it fun to see what you will feature. Any clues for us fans to help discern when big dip deals will drop?
Which brands of pens can you just unscrew the nib and screw in another brand? I like to share Edison nibs and Franklin Christoph ones with different bodies.
Many fountain pens have nib units that can either be unscrewed or removed by pulling out the nib and feed. However, that doesn't mean you can replace it with just any other nib that can be removed. You would have to be sure the type of nib that is being used. To use your example, Edison and Franklin Christoph both use Jowo nib units.
I am fairly new to the fountain pen community. What’s the best purchase strategy to grow my collection that grows my understanding of quality and care of fountain pens?
With so many options available to best fit your preferences in writing and aesthetics, I ask, "what do you like most about the pens you currently use?" And then, we go from there to explore more options.
I really am drawn to the aesthetics of pens...along with a fine nib. It seems my taste is eclectic. After I asked you this question I think it comes to mind that I must slow down purchasing and absorb the beauty of what I have now. And figure out what fits me best from a woman with a larger hand. I also think it does not matter to me if its a gold nib or not a gold nib. Which opens my world on what to try. Now after saying that I can still ask for Christmas pens :) @@GoldspotPens
I’ve promised a friend to purchase her a very nice fountain pen when she graduates from law school. I already got her hooked on journaling when she went off to college. Would it be appropriate to get her a piston filled pen like a Pelikan as her first fountain pen? If not, what would be a good option? I’ve got a Leonardo Momento Zero cartridge/converter pen with a steel nib still in the box. Would that be a better option? Lastly, what are some good examples of a permanent blue and/or blue-black ink for use in her law practice? Thanks for your input. It’s greatly appreciated.
I prefer EF, F, and sometimes M for everyday writing and the type of writing I prefer to do, but I'm curious about trying larger nibs and specialty nibs for things like artwork, making greeting cards, and admiring inks with special properties. Would it be better to buy these nibs separately so I can switch them in and out as needed, or buy pens with those nibs just for those special purposes?
I just discovered your channel and website. I immediately subscribed and signed up for your newsletters. My question as a newbie: Should you store your fountain pens without ink?
Great, thank you for signing up! Glad you found us. If you are planning to store your fountain pens for more than a couple of weeks, you should definitely flush them out and make sure they are without ink.
QOTW: I've recently gotten into gold-nib pens, having previously only owned steel-nib pens, and I think I've been spoiled by how bomb-proof steel nibs are. All I've had to do to clean a steel nib pen was to give it a quick flush under the faucet and let it dry out. I feel like I need to be a little more careful with gold nibs though; are there any tools or techniques that I should be using specifically for gold nib pens?
The cleaning process is the same, but I would be more judicious about which inks I use with my gold-nibbed pens. The amount of risk tolerance is dependent on the individual. Personally, I wouldn't use any shimmer or super-sheeny inks with my gold nibs.
Personally, I wouldn't use shimmer inks in the Pilot Custom 823, especially since you aren't supposed to take apart the 823. It will be very difficult to clean. It would be easier to use a fountain pen that can be easily taken apart for cleaning. A Nahvalur Original Plus is a good example of a vacuum filling fountain pen that can be taken apart for cleaning.
Thanks as always for your wonderful videos. Question: when is ink too old to use in order to not harm a fine fountain pen (meaning 18k or 14k gold nibbed pen)? I have some ink that is 10 years old that hasn’t thickened, molded, or developed particles/pigment segments, so it seems okay, but you’re the expert. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. 😊
Just discovered your channel on UA-cam and ordered a Narwhal from your shop. I have looked for shops that still had pens with the original name. Why did they have to chance their name?
What are you looking for making exclusive fountain pens? Are there any exclusive goals in future or new pen companies which you want to have exclusive at Gold Spot?
I had a new pen that I inked up and it was terrible - skipping, hard starts, total mess. I thought there was something wrong with the pen. It was a gold nib Japanese pen, but I can't remember if it was Pilot, Sailor, or Platinum. But then I remembered that I didn't flush it out - I always do this - so I dumped the ink, flushed it out and then filled it with a fresh fill of the same ink. And voila. No problems. So I don't think that's too much of a superstition. Flush out your new pens, people! :)
While I do feel its a superstition to do this to every new pen, flushing would be my first, go-to step to troubleshoot any flow issues like you mentioned here.
Looking forward to the inkvent calendar reveal. Whats your favorite gift idea for the holidays?
Flushing a new pen is not surperstition. Some manufacturer like Lamy will ink your brand new pen and test it out for quality control. It doesn't happen on all pens but it does happen every now and then.
Plus the manufacturing place is most of the time filled with small particles that can get into your pen's feed while is it is being made, flushing the pen also helps out there.
And last point, on some shops, owners would allows pens to be dipped into ink to be tested out before it's being put back into the retail box.
A quick rinse on your pen is never a bad thing to do.
Can you explain the difference between all the pilot models, like Custom 74, 743, 823, 845, 912, 92, and heritage. I’m so confused. And why are they custom since they are customized.
I love listening to your talks about the pens. I appreciate that you don't just talk about the expensive pens but ones I can afford and spoil myself writing with them. I am hooked on fountain pens, inks, and writing on the best paper. I'd like to know if stone paper is a good option for fountain pens. It is so smooth with gel pens but it can take ink forever to dry. Your thoughts?
I've tried stone paper with fountain pens before and they just don't mix well together. The analogy of oil and water seems to fit here. The fountain pen ink just doesn't play nice with the paper.
Question: How long does fountain pen ink last (maintaining its properties) in a bottle that has been opened (but closed between each use) compared to an unopened bottle?
Q? What pens, if any, do you keep on hand to gift to people just starting out? I keep Zebra fountain pens because they write on just about anything. If they don't like the fine line, then a Pilot Varsity is my go-to. Although I keep less of those on hand.
I usually have a Retro 51, Parker Jotter, or a Caran d'Ache 849 on hand for anyone who needs a pen.
Great work, Tom.
Here's a question: Is there any notable difference in high-end pens made by a company whose core business is pens, vs. those made by a company that makes pens as one of many other, unrelated luxury goods?
You mentioned that you usually match your ink color to the pen body. Do you have any tips for remembering what color ink is in a pen when you haven't matched the ink to the pen body?
Do you ever write with different ink colors and/or bib sizes on the same page in a single piece of content - notes, list, journal entry, etc.?
I was considering primarily writing in black (broad) and then editing or setting apart specific action items in blue (fine).
All the time. My bulletjournal pages have a patchwork of all sorts of nib sizes and ink colors.
Which current fountain pen has the largest ink capacity?
I love sketching with fountain pens and waterproof inks. At times I use both pencil and fountain pens on a sketch. I want to know if I can apply ink lines over pencil sketch which has been sprayed with workable fixative without damaging the fountain pen nib?
What is your process/check list when it comes to matching an ink to your pen?
Personally I have such a hard time trying to pick one to order as a sample because of budget constraints and because I keep getting distracted by all the beautiful ink choices 😍
The closer the ink color is to any of the colors present on the pen, the better I feel about the match.
How can I get consistent flow from a demonstrator to show off those lovely shimmer inks?
#question: What are your favorite unusual inks? Meaning: inks that you struggle to put into one category. ie: It’s too dark to be considered traditional red, but it’s not quite brown. Or it’s soo yellow it’s almost greenish.
Those in-between inks are some of my favorites because they straddle two (or three) different colors. I could do a whole video on this!
This video reminded me that i needed to go grab one of those copper retros with the leaves. Thanks, Tom!
You bet, Chance!
QUESTION: Do you recommend having an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning pens? Or are they unnecesary for most users?
Hi, Tom! Thanks for all of the great information. This channel is a wonderful resource for all things pen & ink. 👍
For really dirty pens with ink that has gunked up the feed and crusted in all the nooks of the pen, an Ultrasonic cleaner really helps. If you routinely keep your pens clean, I don't think you'll need it.
@@GoldspotPens Thanks! That's good to know. 👍
I was lucky enough to get a Fright Night pen before they sold out. Such a fun design!
Sample fest sounds good :) I'm excited to see all the inks for 2023
Hey Tom, what economic fountain pen is a surprisingly good writer that gets little attention?
Nice video, Tom. Thanks. I'm occasionally put off and often irritated by "limited edition" pens. What is the benefit? If the model is attractive and desirable, especially if it's at an accessible price, would it not be better for the maker to be creating as many as the market can manage? Even if a "limited edition" becomes more costly on the secondary market, that inflation doesn't help the manufacturer make more profit and/or sell more pens. A "limited edition" of 6,789,000 pens is nonsense, while a run of 123 is unreachable for many of us. And it keeps potential owners in the disappointed pool. If the material is rare or the process is too burdensome for a substantial run, it's one issue. But artificially limiting availability is unkind. Your thoughts on this matter? Am I missing something? (Besides more pens, that is.)
Question: do rollerballs using fointain pen ink get clogged easily?
I’m at the point where I would like to get a more expensive fountain pen. I love seeing videos on Sailor, Esterbrook, etc. at this time, I only can afford one pen in the $200-350 range. What pens should I look at first?
It depends on what you are looking to get out of the experience of owning an expensive fountain pen. Is it a smoother, softer writing experience? Is it the beauty of the materials, the nostalgia of the design, the prestige of the brand?
What is your opinion on the new sailor nibs?
I like the design of the old one's better. But I could get used to the simplified anchor logo.
I was going to buy the 2022 inkvent calendar last year and I watched someone's swatching video to see if I liked any of the colors. I didn't buy it because I *thought* I didn't like the colors. Turns out the video I watched didn't have very good video or, maybe, lighting quality - I watched other videos recently and found I really liked most of the colors. I was able to find last year's inkvent calendar for sale somewhere AND I plan to buy the 2023 one too. I think my point is to watch more than one video or just go for it if you are on the fence 🙂
What are some creative ways to use up a bunch of ink samples? I have a bunch that I don't want to put in my pens (aka shimmering inks) but don't want to waste them either.
I agree with you on wasting the ink. Since I write in my journal daily most of the time I use my dip pen with the extra ink. Works great for me because I like changing the color. It helps me keep the days separated too.
One idea off the top of my head - you could print out black and white line art (think coloring book pages) on 32lb HP laserjet paper and use your fountain pens to color them.
Do you have a notebook that you started using, but abandoned for some reason? Big splats or swatches can fill up some of those pages. And it is cool to flip through and revisit those colors in the future.
Are all inks created equal or is there a rating you would recommend to help us out? Would you buy Pelican ink for Pelican pens or can you mix and match? I’m new to this art form, can’t you tell?! 😊
QOTW: Is there ever any time certain shimmer or special effect inks should not be used with particular pens/nibs?
Oh yea. I would definitely be careful about using shimmer, pigmented, iron gall, and highly saturated inks in my fountain pens. I have tips on how to use shimmer inks in this episode here - ua-cam.com/video/2B8riYpEO-A/v-deo.html
@@GoldspotPens Super, thanks!
What do you expect from Retro 51 for a Christmas pen?
I have very high expectations for Retro 51's Christmas pen!
Can't wait to see this years Inkvent colors. Curious what EDC fountain pen(s) you'd choose to carry in pant pocket? What about ballpoint, rollerball, gel..?
Here's an EDC bag dump I did a few months ago that shows what I usually carry - ua-cam.com/video/lXsoUGy3_Rs/v-deo.html
@@GoldspotPens Oh I thought you said you were changing it up...
Value is often determined by the buyer. But as a new fountain pen collector how can I determine if a certain fountain pen is a good investment? Specifically what indicators of quality should I be aware of?
Good video! Here's a question for you: what property of ink is more popular: standard, shading, shimmering or sheening?
Will the Inkvent reveals show up on the thumbnails? If so I need to figure out how to avoid seeing them. I don't want my advent days spoiled. 😬
Nah, I wouldn't do that to everyone. I will put a spoiler disclaimer at the start of the video before going into all the ink colors as well.
@@GoldspotPens 😊 thank you!
What rollerball pens can accept a European style refill? Did Cross discontinue their Porous point Selectip fine 0520 refills? If so does anyone make a porous/felt tip refill?
What is the best shimmer ink for a first time shimmer ink user?
Q of the week: Tom, can you let us in on a behind the scenes of how you determine which products you will feature every Wednesday on the Weekly Dip? I always find it fun to see what you will feature. Any clues for us fans to help discern when big dip deals will drop?
Which brands of pens can you just unscrew the nib and screw in another brand?
I like to share Edison nibs and Franklin Christoph ones with different bodies.
Many fountain pens have nib units that can either be unscrewed or removed by pulling out the nib and feed. However, that doesn't mean you can replace it with just any other nib that can be removed. You would have to be sure the type of nib that is being used. To use your example, Edison and Franklin Christoph both use Jowo nib units.
I was fishing for you to offer an episode on the topic to swap nibs between brands......@@GoldspotPens
I am fairly new to the fountain pen community. What’s the best purchase strategy to grow my collection that grows my understanding of quality and care of fountain pens?
With so many options available to best fit your preferences in writing and aesthetics, I ask, "what do you like most about the pens you currently use?" And then, we go from there to explore more options.
I really am drawn to the aesthetics of pens...along with a fine nib. It seems my taste is eclectic. After I asked you this question I think it comes to mind that I must slow down purchasing and absorb the beauty of what I have now. And figure out what fits me best from a woman with a larger hand. I also think it does not matter to me if its a gold nib or not a gold nib. Which opens my world on what to try. Now after saying that I can still ask for Christmas pens :) @@GoldspotPens
I’ve promised a friend to purchase her a very nice fountain pen when she graduates from law school. I already got her hooked on journaling when she went off to college. Would it be appropriate to get her a piston filled pen like a Pelikan as her first fountain pen? If not, what would be a good option? I’ve got a Leonardo Momento Zero cartridge/converter pen with a steel nib still in the box. Would that be a better option? Lastly, what are some good examples of a permanent blue and/or blue-black ink for use in her law practice? Thanks for your input. It’s greatly appreciated.
I prefer EF, F, and sometimes M for everyday writing and the type of writing I prefer to do, but I'm curious about trying larger nibs and specialty nibs for things like artwork, making greeting cards, and admiring inks with special properties. Would it be better to buy these nibs separately so I can switch them in and out as needed, or buy pens with those nibs just for those special purposes?
I just discovered your channel and website. I immediately subscribed and signed up for your newsletters. My question as a newbie: Should you store your fountain pens without ink?
Yes. Store after cleaning them out and letting them dry
Great, thank you for signing up! Glad you found us. If you are planning to store your fountain pens for more than a couple of weeks, you should definitely flush them out and make sure they are without ink.
QOTW: I've recently gotten into gold-nib pens, having previously only owned steel-nib pens, and I think I've been spoiled by how bomb-proof steel nibs are. All I've had to do to clean a steel nib pen was to give it a quick flush under the faucet and let it dry out. I feel like I need to be a little more careful with gold nibs though; are there any tools or techniques that I should be using specifically for gold nib pens?
The cleaning process is the same, but I would be more judicious about which inks I use with my gold-nibbed pens. The amount of risk tolerance is dependent on the individual. Personally, I wouldn't use any shimmer or super-sheeny inks with my gold nibs.
Can you recommend any glistening inks that i can use in the Pilot 823? Does the nib come out of the pilot 823 just like the Kakuno?
Personally, I wouldn't use shimmer inks in the Pilot Custom 823, especially since you aren't supposed to take apart the 823. It will be very difficult to clean. It would be easier to use a fountain pen that can be easily taken apart for cleaning. A Nahvalur Original Plus is a good example of a vacuum filling fountain pen that can be taken apart for cleaning.
I normally write in print form rather then cursive. I have been told that architect nibs are good for print writing. What are your thoughts?
Absolutely agree. Architect nibs are best at writing print, especially if you write in CAPS.
I definitely recommend flushing your fountain pen with water before using it the first time. It makes a difference.
Thanks as always for your wonderful videos. Question: when is ink too old to use in order to not harm a fine fountain pen (meaning 18k or 14k gold nibbed pen)? I have some ink that is 10 years old that hasn’t thickened, molded, or developed particles/pigment segments, so it seems okay, but you’re the expert. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. 😊
Just discovered your channel on UA-cam and ordered a Narwhal from your shop. I have looked for shops that still had pens with the original name. Why did they have to chance their name?
Thank you! Narwhal wanted to make themselves easier to find on the internet and not to be confused with another pen company with a similar name.
Are there any companies you would like to see making a fountain pen together?
What are you looking for making exclusive fountain pens? Are there any exclusive goals in future or new pen companies which you want to have exclusive at Gold Spot?
Your video quality is so good, I can see your contact lenses.
#Question: What's your favorite pocket pen? Which pocket pen is the most rugged for EDC?
I carry a travelers company brass fountain pen every day, its been a wonderful EDC pocket fountain pen!
The Kaweco Sport for a fountain pen and the Fisher Space Pen Bullet for a ballpoint pen.
QOTW: What are your thoughts on mixing inks, within the same brand or not, how to safely mix and when not to?
anybody who does not want to know what the Diamine inks are can just NOT WATCH THE VIDEO