Thanks so much Brian and Drew for the birthday shoutout. I watched it with my mom for a live reaction from both of us. It seriously made our whole day if not our whole week. So much so that we used the RUclips Clipping feature to clip out that part of the pen cast. We've spent our morning sharing the clip to all our friends and family. I can't imagine any businesses that would not only take the time to respond to feedback but also make the response this meaningful to us. I tell anyone who will listen that Goulet Pens has the best customer service out of any company I know. Then pen I got my mom was an esterbrook Estie Maui in broad. I have a feeling she enjoyed the birthday shoutout more than the pen even though the pen is great too. Thanks so much.
As a knitter, a fountain pen enthusiast, and someone who dabbles a little bit in painting, the word "acrylic" means many different things to me :) I don't blame Brian for being like, "Well, what do we MEAN by acrylic...?"
Brian and Drew my very favourite segment this week was:How did Fountain Pens change your life. Drew, your view and the way you articulated yourself was really moving and had so many takeaways, I'll will watch it a number of times for sure. You were passionate and it completely jumped out at me. This particular hobby for many people is actually therapy, helping many others to dissect difficult parts of their lives and using a Fountain Pen makes journalling more meaningful for me. Thank you both, this was a really excellent conversation. You guys rock!
Okay, Brian, I have to ask: do you go down these rabbit holes, do deep dives when Rachel asks you a simple question at home? Because if so, I'm going to start the process for her canonization! Love you both, love the podcast, but I was laughing so hard with Drew that I almost choked on my smoothie!
Hello gentlemen. I am a 60 yr. old who has spent his life exploring all kinds of interests. Some people refer to me as a Renaissance man. Leather working, wood working, backpacking, metal working, painting, etc. Pretty much name it and I probably have dabbled in it. A month ago, while browsing RUclips, I came across your channel and a new chapter in my life experience book began. Your personalities, sense of humor and genuineness take fountain pens to a totally different level which makes a guy like myself, who has seen a lot in the hobby field, want to add it to my skill set. Thank you for adding to my knowledge base. You two are awesome. Consider me a fountain pen addict.
I'm having a "It's A Wonderful Life" moment here listening to Brian share what would have not been if he hadn't given fountain pens a try. Brian, your choice impacted my life for sure. I wanted nothing to do with FP's because "Who would want to spend that much on pens?", but then I began to watch your old Q&A videos because I too like going down rabbit holes, so this is where I learned so much, curiosity got the best of me and I purchased my first few pens from Goulet Pens about 4 years ago, a Pilot Metropolitan, Lamy Safari, and TWSBI Eco. The rest is history and now I am too embarrassed to say how many pens own! Getting into fountain pens has brought everything I write to a whole new level just like writing vs. a computer can do for a lot of people. It's crazy to think if you hadn't gotten into the trade I may have never found this level of joy in my writing. It was definitely those rabbit hole Q&A videos that got me into this hobby and I am forever grateful. Thanks Brian and it is A Wonderful Life! 😁
I know EXACTLY what you are talking about Drew. It's wonderful that we have this space to ENJOY something in common rather than hate something in common.
I just want to say that i appreciate you guys and the pencast. I just got broken up with last night and i was watching this to help me take my mind off of it, and the segment on how the hobby has changed your life really made me feel seen. It was perfect timing. Thank you. 🤍
We've got your back, Val! In a distant, indirect, not super-helpful way...but we're here! I'm sincerely sorry for the heartache. I hope today finds you in a better headspace than yesterday - and the same for tomorrow. Just find little nuggets of joy and spend some time focusing on them. Thanks for hopping in here to express some kindness. :) - Drew
Drew, I loved your answer to the 'how did fountain pens change your life' question! I can relate so much. I got deep into fountain pens in 2020, and throughout 2020 & 2021 I relied so much on this hobby (including the Pencast, since its start!), it gave me enjoyment, excitement, and a sense of community, when none of these things were easily available to me outside of this. Thankfully, 2022 has been much better for me, so it's no longer at '80%', but I know how that feels. And yes, to have all these people unite over something positive is precious. The FP community is the most positive and friendly space I've come across online. Love it!
I have eaten two oreos every day for over six years! You are making my dreams come true with the cookies and cream milkshake Benu! This is a pen I never knew I wanted but now know I need. All three new Benu exclusives look great!
This is the highlight for me every Friday. Thanks for providing such useful information, and at the same time, giving us so many reasons to laugh. Keep up the great work, Brian and Drew!
I didn't know going in that this would be a long video, it is the first Pencast one I have watched but loved it. It is by far the longest video I have ever watched and will watch more but need to be mindful when I want to start watching because I get up at 2:30 am. Luckily tomorrow it is Sat and I don't have to be to work until 9:00 am instead of 3:15 like weekdays. You are two of my favorite people to watch on the net and thanks for all the info you share.
Drew - so well said. I really resonated with your comments about the role of the fountain pen passion. I don’t call it a hobby anymore. It’s life enrichment. I’ve started creative writing, journaling, and pen pal correspondence-all because of fountain pens. Thank you both so much. We are all in this marathon together, Brian, and I am grateful to have both of you as part of my journey.
Drew and Brian, thank you so much for another fantastic pencast and for being the highlight of what has turned out to be a very hard week for me. I'm having some health problems and things are piling up quickly. In a world where that can easily consume a person, I'm so lucky to have you and this beautiful community as a family. I love you for what you are and bring to this community. Thank you so much for everything you both do. And to my beautiful brothers and sisters of this pen community: you are loved. Be kind and kindness will find you. Love you all and sorry for the long post. #turkeyhammock
Thank you so very much for taking the time to open up. I'm sorry that you're having to absorb some punches here recently, but for what it's forth, we're in your corner as much as we can be for a couple or nerds yapping about fountain pens! We'll be here for you. - Drew
Drew’s answer about the positivity and connections in the fountain pen community made me get a bit misty eyed. The friend who penabled me has been a pen pal for multiple years and we’ve never gotten the chance to meet in person because we live in different states. Talking about our respective pen and ink collections and me telling her about all the fun things I learned from watching you two is a way for me to feel like she’s nearby. The pen show I went to this year was easily the most fun I’ve ever had at an event because we were all there to share the love of the hobby(and saying hi to Drew and his sweet Gravitas pen was a bonus!). You guys rule and I wish every hobby community was this kind.
Great Pencast, I love what you had to say about people being united around something positive. That is something special about being joined in vast numbers all around the world
Drew is so right. In 2020, my journals got me by. I had yet to find fountain pens until this year. Everyone needs a thing. A reason to wake up in the morning. I don’t care if it’s to write with your favorite pen or arrange your stamp collection. You need SOMETHING. I think this community is just that for many people. I pray it continues to provide a safe space for so many. Thanks, Drew and Brian for tying us together each week in your videos! ❤
Bravo Drew, I agree completely about the pen community. It is very positive and supportive. I am also member of a Facebook group, where people lend out pens and share inks, it's so friendly and tolerant. Maybe the world would be better if we all had to use fountain pens! Thanks guys, always a good Friday if there is a pencast.
I finally just watched your last podcast and I have to say it was one of my favorites start to finish. The video actually got my heart beating and I got the chills! The first thing I noticed though about your video was the colors of your shirts and how well they looked next to each other. Two of my favorite colors teal and ocher, that’s at least the way they look to me on my phone. Thanks Drew and Brian for being part of my pen life. You have definitely enriched it.🥰🦊
This was a great pencast! I truly loved the acrylic dive, but Drews words about the hobby and the internet and all really hit home, and it's so true. It is so true that fountain pens have become more than a hobby. Thank you for helping this to happen. PS, would you carry the watch as well as the pen?
That bit about how fountain pen changed both of your lives is so precious. The people here are the best. Thanks for another great pencast, Brian & Drew!
Achievement unlocked! My request made it to the pencast! Thanks for discussing your “currently inked” pens and the inks associated. I appreciated Brian chiming in too. Good call to pick three (for Brian). 😂👍
As an engineer with a strong background in material science (including a wide variety of plastics and metals), it was highly entertaining to watch Brian talk about "acrylic". Kudos to Brian, who did a credible job with a very complex and nuanced subject (separating manufacturing processes, from the raw materials used in those processes). ... and the most priceless part... Drew's facial expressions when introducing the "deep dive".
It was discussed this morning in the largest German-language pen forum: On the new red, beautiful Al-Star Lamy says on its German website that the light feed should only be used for light inks and the black feed is also suitable for darker inks. Thank you very much for a very, very entertaining two hours after an exhausting working week!
Your answers to "How did fountain pens change your life?" were wonderful. Fountain pens, ink, and paper can help create treasurable contemplative moments.
I liked the “acrylic” pen deep dive - Brian’s deep dives are usually very informative and I enjoyed learning more about how my pens are vs just Brian’s favorite pen of that style. :)
Hi Guys! I've been binge watching your videos the last several days and just placed my first order with you this morning for my very first fountain pens! I've resolved to improve my handwriting and would like to do it with fountain pen and ink, good paper, and the 'Art of Cursive Penmanship'. I can 't wait to dive in! Oh, and watching Brian in the "acrylic segment", he and I are the same person, and now I know what I have been inflicting on others for all of these years. 😂
Due to health problems I am permanently house bound. I need hobbies to get through the day. Fountain pens have proven to be one of the most important ones. It actually connects to many of my other ones. Note taking, list making and sketching are all done with fountain pens. I also get a lot of pleasure out of this weekly Pencast so keep up the good work. Please look into the possibility of carrying the Indiagraph line of products.
The hobby I discovered was paper planners. Which lead to a whole community and now life long friends. It's the best of all of my likes, paper, stickers, pens. I have gone to several conferences. I now have amazing, friends all over the US and international. My wallet may not be happy about it lol. Also I have a treadclimber once and it was giving me an error. So I gave it a looksee I found a mouse had died on the motherboard won't be doing anymore looksees lol. Thanks for all the great commentary and fun during the pencasts.
Your entrance to the deep dive so funny. Whoops started deep ... better keep going 😁 41:05 Bless you Drew, helping keep Brian on track. Really see you were both in education together. I could use that ocasssionally when I get hyper focused during discussions.
Hey, I finally placed my first order with Goulet Pens today! I had a tough time justifying the purchase because it's purely for my enjoyment and we are in though economic times these days. But after hearing Drew talk about how much hobbies can help people get through difficult times in life, I feel like it was the right call. I struggle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which is genetic and has no cure but affects every system in the body. I am coping okay, but get flare ups frequently that keep me from doing a lot. Having hobbies like fountain pens, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, and painting rocks and hiding them on walks in the neighborhood for others to find, all help me find some joy and meaning when things get challenging. Thanks also for doing these very entertaining pencast videos that I can enjoy when I need to relax! I relate to both of your personalities in various ways. Write on, pen friends!!
Great pencast! When Drew mentioned how your shirts were like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock got me cracking up 🤣. How about in a future pencast you dress up like Chip & Dale rescue rangers? One with the Hawaiian shirt and the other in the leather jacket and fedora 😂. Great job you guys are doing!
You can learn to draw. I never thought I could, and didn't try much until I was in my late 50s. Then the pandemic came and my drawing became a lot more intentional. In 2021, a stranger on a plane watched me sketch and said, Oh, you're a very talented artist!
You both are always a welcome highlight to my Friday!! Thank you for that!!!!! (I believe the Elvis movie was surreal, ott and frenetic because his life was, as well.)
Hey! You picked my very first RUclips comment ever to read on the pencast!😮🎉 Not gonna lie, I immediately ran into my wife’s office to have her listen to it (she said I was “fangirl-ing”) and then shared it with my family. 😂
How fountain pen 🖊️ changed my life: I totally agree with Drew. This podcast to me is a palette cleanser! Always positive and informative. For me, I am American, my husband is Japanese (the land of all things pens and paper) and we have moved to 4 countries in 4 years. Each time, I have to purge my collections and fit my life into one 25kg suitcase and a carry-on. My must have is my pens, paper and one favourite ink. Hello from India
Thanks for all your videos! After watching your videos I got into fountain pens and bought a lot from you guys recently. Going to try to write more with my mom and find some new hobbies to do with her with fountain pens (trying to find new ways to make her happy since she has stage 4 cancer)
Thanks, Brian, for reading my comment about Yein, yes & no! Congratulations, Drew and family, on adopting Hank; he's so adorable! I like the hypothetical: I would go with lettering and calligraphy skill. I'm a calligrapher constantly working to improve, but there are nuances I wish I could instantly master, not to mention scripts I haven't yet practiced. It would be so awesome to pick up a pen and have everything come out flawlessly! Thanks for the great episode!
I love to use ink for the seasons and match with my pens. I just received my new Benu Angel Hair. It is even more beautiful than I expected! What ink would you suggest? I especially like shading or shimmer inks for this pen. And thanks Drew for introducing me to brown inks. I am trying that color and then branch out to the greys.
Again, another awesome pencast! I noticed the Star Trek color combo from the start of the video. Gald to see that Drew picked up on that too. I was so happy he noticed! 😁
Brian and Drew thank you so much for the wonderful video. I’m in medicine and I love writing with fountain pens. Is there any fountain pen that can have the cap off for a while without having to cap or uncap. Keep up the awesome and very useful information.
For your Hypothetical I would definitely choose the gift of flawless prose. Writing my thoughts clearly is always an exercise, and doing it for too long right now is mentally exhausting - but I absolutely love doing it every now and then. Imagining being able to just... write well right away... that sounds amazing.
For a Ferris Wheel Press spring time ink, I recommend Storied Blue. It's a beautiful light grey blue/periwinkle. I love your ink sample packs! I'm excited for the "celebratory" and "winter" packs you mentioned!
Thanks so much for talking about mental health and fountain pens! Fountain pens have helped with my anxiety, forcing me to slow down. Also, it really helps to have a pen in your hand at all times to fiddle around. That's a question, what's the best pen to fidget or fiddle around with?
Hypothetical: personally, drawing for me would be awesome. I feel like great handwriting would bloom from it, and learning how to be poetic and repair pens can be obtained with time, for me anyway. Those Benu's look amazing! I just got the Venus's Hair and Jazz, but now I might need to get Cookies & Cream and the Latte. The chaos video is incredible. I need a Pencast trailer in that style.
You two look like you're dressed in Star Trek uniforms almost. Drew, at 35:58 you sounded kinda like Scotty, too lol That LAMY colour almost looks like it's International Orange like the Golden Gate Bridge. That Montegrappa pen looks like the Jinhao dragon pens. Atlantis is my favourite! It's such an underappreciated movie. I actually have plans for an Atlantis retelling novel. Yes, dogs are considered adults after 1 year. OMG and now at 1:50:48 you realized the colouration of the shorts. I love that it came full circle as I watched!!
@@yorkdox7 Aednat would agree with your doxie. She's a definite couch potato. Nothing like the ball of energy she was at 3 when she followed my oldest sister home after being abandoned. 😁
Love! You guys are doing great!! I don’t see you as salesmen but friends. Lol Yes, it is complicated (as a retailer), but “Yo!” you guys still keep it 100 😄
And to think that Sylvester Stallone had to toil away all those years designing for Jinhao before Montegrappa recognized his genius and turned him loose with better resources! LOL!!! And this is just the trailer! I can't wait until the real movie comes out. Brian and Drew, you guys have made my week with this segment!
I might need a Diplomat Aero. Maybe for Christmas 🎄 I’m not drawn to orange and I think an orange pen feed is cool. The neon yellow feed is also groovy. You gents are super fun to listen to/watch. Brian, are you the king of dad jokes? Omg, we are going underwater… I love this. You two really work so well together. I love this. Such a fun ‘snorkel’!!! I’d love another Franklin Christoph collab w Diamondcast resin. I have a #20 in midnight. Stunning. I agree w Drew, I LOVE the Ascent, the size and shape are made for me. I own the Sonata and I adore it! Please do more.
Love the photo of Drew with all his corgis! Is it a coincidence that he's dressed like a corgi on the pencast too? Asserting his role as alpha of the corgi pack?
I picked up on the Kirk/Spock thing right at the beginning, and it bugged me throughout the pencast (not in a bad way). I was expecting an alien to materialise behind you from the transporter. I am more of a Star Trek guy than Star Wars.
Please make a spot-on ink: stroke of midnight of ferris wheel press. It's a shimmering blue-black. You could comment about how easy it was to clean, consistency of the shimmer, your opinion on the base color, how wet or dry the ink is... etc. I also would appreciate a Drew special video on the FWP collection "Ferritales". Their marketing and storytelling is superb and I think they deserve it.🥰
Welcome Hank! 3 dogs is a great number. They can entertain themselves, and if you decide to take just one dog on an outing the other 2 can hang out together.
In regards to being intentional using fountain pens: I am not an artist but I am challenging myself to participate in Flickr's Inktober 2022. Today I tried to draw (as opposed to write of course) witha fountain pen for the first time today and I kept messing up my angle and I had to start paying attention. It was cool!
You were wondering about which companies use Schmidt nibs - Benu uses them. I've gotten a couple of nib units to get custom grinds and tried them before giving them to the nibsmith. They were super smooth writers even before any work was done.
Hey Brian and Drew! I was really hit when Drew said that he uses fountain pens to slow down. Now that I think of it, I've slowed down and appreciated the little things since I picked this hobby up after Christmas. Since I was 6 I had been struggling with minor fibromyalgia and all of its accompanying symptoms. I had struggled to write at all, since my joints would bend beyond normality and my hand would cramp and seize after a paragraph. In March of 2021 I was hit by a car, hurniating 3 disks in my neck and giving me a severe concussion. It also made my fibro worse, making my arthritis borderline unbearable. Switching to fountain pens has not only made writing enjoyable, but now it's possible. I was able to conquer my arthritis (to some extent) with unorthodox solutions, so who knows what else I can do? Thank you for being here for the community!
I found myself accidentally matching my ink to the season. I just happened to be regularly using Diamine Writers Blood, Noodler's Rome, and Noodler's Pecan and noticed "Hey, these inks are pretty fall-y." And now I'm just rolling with it and considering what inks will be good for the upcoming winter.
In the southern hemisphere it's spring, and I found myself using bright, light inks. It's funny how our choice of ink colours are so deeply connected to our experiences. One of the beauties of fountain pens.
That happened to me as well.. suddenly all of my inked pens have dark sheeny fally colors. I tried to use some kind of lighter pink color at some point, like I was trying to hold on to summer a little longer.. and it just didn't feel right 😆
As a research analyst, I COMPLETELY identify with getting side tracked and going down rabbit holes. 😂 Also, DREW: you could build an entire spring ink collection around Ferris Wheel Press inks. My personal fave is Blushing Mushroom (it’s gorgeous!) Others that would be fabulous for spring would be Lady Rose, Storied Blue, Peter Moss, and a Bathhurst Blue Denim. A lovely runner up: Wonderland in Coral.
I have the same problem as Brian, I love the blue inks and they all look the same! LOL. So I started to write with my pen in my ink swatch notebook with the ink and tell which pen has which ink. GREAT way to look back at the some 30 pens I have inked at any given time.
These weekly pencasts have been so fun to watch, I've learned a lot from watching them and appreciate your time and effort creating all of this content. After seeing dozens of the weekly episodes and learning more I have a question. It seems like when it comes to the brand Kaweco the Sport is the pen that defines the brand but recently I've discovered the Kaweco Perkeo. I recently picked up a Sport and pocket pens just aren't for me. I wonder why the Perkeo isn't talked about more in terms of entry level fountain pens; what are your thoughts on this pen?
If I wanted to, could I safely replace vinegar with ammonia when making pen flush? We don't normally have ammonia in our house (or ever. I didn't even know you could buy it until I got into fountain pens), but vinegar is a staple because we use it for canning and household cleaning.
Here in Ohio, the Giant Ironweed is the harbinger of autumn in our roadsides and meadows, so I've switched off to Noodlers Saguaro Wine (which is the color of those blooms) for autumn.
Thanks so much Brian and Drew for the birthday shoutout. I watched it with my mom for a live reaction from both of us. It seriously made our whole day if not our whole week. So much so that we used the RUclips Clipping feature to clip out that part of the pen cast. We've spent our morning sharing the clip to all our friends and family. I can't imagine any businesses that would not only take the time to respond to feedback but also make the response this meaningful to us. I tell anyone who will listen that Goulet Pens has the best customer service out of any company I know. Then pen I got my mom was an esterbrook Estie Maui in broad. I have a feeling she enjoyed the birthday shoutout more than the pen even though the pen is great too. Thanks so much.
That was sooo sweet. Happy belated birthday to your mom!!
Awww yay! Happy to do it! - Drew
Belated Happy Birthday to your lovely mother.
🎉 Happy Belated to your mom!!!
Happy Birthday, Lisa!
Drew, your answer to the fountain pen life-changing question was really touching! And I am so glad to see Hank is settling in okay so far.
Thank you, Heather! - Drew
As a knitter, a fountain pen enthusiast, and someone who dabbles a little bit in painting, the word "acrylic" means many different things to me :) I don't blame Brian for being like, "Well, what do we MEAN by acrylic...?"
@warriorthu When I hear someone say acrylic I automatically think yarn because I knit & crochet 🧶 🤣
Guys! YESSS! It is therapeutic. Thank you for acknowledging and saying all of this about the Hobby helping you through the toughest things.
38:00 Drew’s reaction to Brian’s overthinking of absolutely everything is one of my favorite parts of the pencast. 😅
He's really trying to make more of my hair fall out. - Drew
Mine too.
'I don't choose my deep dives, they choose me' is my favourite quote from this pencast.
@@nordlyselsker hahahha
I love Brian's deep dives! He just seems to love researching and learning new things, and I can relate to that.
Brian and Drew my very favourite segment this week was:How did Fountain Pens change your life. Drew, your view and the way you articulated yourself was really moving and had so many takeaways, I'll will watch it a number of times for sure. You were passionate and it completely jumped out at me. This particular hobby for many people is actually therapy, helping many others to dissect difficult parts of their lives and using a Fountain Pen makes journalling more meaningful for me. Thank you both, this was a really excellent conversation. You guys rock!
And Brian, you really understood the value of what you are supplying and what is does for each and every one of us. Good chat guys!
Thank you for taking the time to pass this along! - Drew
Okay, Brian, I have to ask: do you go down these rabbit holes, do deep dives when Rachel asks you a simple question at home? Because if so, I'm going to start the process for her canonization!
Love you both, love the podcast, but I was laughing so hard with Drew that I almost choked on my smoothie!
Hello gentlemen. I am a 60 yr. old who has spent his life exploring all kinds of interests. Some people refer to me as a Renaissance man. Leather working, wood working, backpacking, metal working, painting, etc. Pretty much name it and I probably have dabbled in it. A month ago, while browsing RUclips, I came across your channel and a new chapter in my life experience book began. Your personalities, sense of humor and genuineness take fountain pens to a totally different level which makes a guy like myself, who has seen a lot in the hobby field, want to add it to my skill set. Thank you for adding to my knowledge base. You two are awesome. Consider me a fountain pen addict.
Thank you so very much, sir! We're thrilled that you found us and decided to stick around! - Drew
I'm having a "It's A Wonderful Life" moment here listening to Brian share what would have not been if he hadn't given fountain pens a try. Brian, your choice impacted my life for sure. I wanted nothing to do with FP's because "Who would want to spend that much on pens?", but then I began to watch your old Q&A videos because I too like going down rabbit holes, so this is where I learned so much, curiosity got the best of me and I purchased my first few pens from Goulet Pens about 4 years ago, a Pilot Metropolitan, Lamy Safari, and TWSBI Eco. The rest is history and now I am too embarrassed to say how many pens own! Getting into fountain pens has brought everything I write to a whole new level just like writing vs. a computer can do for a lot of people. It's crazy to think if you hadn't gotten into the trade I may have never found this level of joy in my writing. It was definitely those rabbit hole Q&A videos that got me into this hobby and I am forever grateful. Thanks Brian and it is A Wonderful Life! 😁
I know EXACTLY what you are talking about Drew. It's wonderful that we have this space to ENJOY something in common rather than hate something in common.
Love the pencast, it's such a nice way to spend a couple of hours. Thank you Brian and Drew.
Truly a podcast for everything. I love the internet.
You're not wrong about that! - Drew
I just want to say that i appreciate you guys and the pencast. I just got broken up with last night and i was watching this to help me take my mind off of it, and the segment on how the hobby has changed your life really made me feel seen. It was perfect timing. Thank you. 🤍
We've got your back, Val! In a distant, indirect, not super-helpful way...but we're here! I'm sincerely sorry for the heartache. I hope today finds you in a better headspace than yesterday - and the same for tomorrow. Just find little nuggets of joy and spend some time focusing on them. Thanks for hopping in here to express some kindness. :) - Drew
What I want from the Drewlet shop are links to Drew's shirt from every episode cause I totally dig them.
Seriously I want those links
Drew, I loved your answer to the 'how did fountain pens change your life' question! I can relate so much. I got deep into fountain pens in 2020, and throughout 2020 & 2021 I relied so much on this hobby (including the Pencast, since its start!), it gave me enjoyment, excitement, and a sense of community, when none of these things were easily available to me outside of this. Thankfully, 2022 has been much better for me, so it's no longer at '80%', but I know how that feels. And yes, to have all these people unite over something positive is precious. The FP community is the most positive and friendly space I've come across online. Love it!
Yes! I totally understand! So many of us have been there - and I'd wager even more have been there in the past 3 years! - Drew
Love at first write ❤ that sounds like a valentine sticker :)
I have eaten two oreos every day for over six years! You are making my dreams come true with the cookies and cream milkshake Benu! This is a pen I never knew I wanted but now know I need. All three new Benu exclusives look great!
This is the highlight for me every Friday. Thanks for providing such useful information, and at the same time, giving us so many reasons to laugh. Keep up the great work, Brian and Drew!
Thank you, Judith! - Drew
I didn't know going in that this would be a long video, it is the first Pencast one I have watched but loved it. It is by far the longest video I have ever watched and will watch more but need to be mindful when I want to start watching because I get up at 2:30 am. Luckily tomorrow it is Sat and I don't have to be to work until 9:00 am instead of 3:15 like weekdays. You are two of my favorite people to watch on the net and thanks for all the info you share.
Thank you so very much for saying that, Diana! You brought me a Monday morning smile, and those are always very valuable! - Drew
Drew - so well said. I really resonated with your comments about the role of the fountain pen passion. I don’t call it a hobby anymore. It’s life enrichment. I’ve started creative writing, journaling, and pen pal correspondence-all because of fountain pens. Thank you both so much. We are all in this marathon together, Brian, and I am grateful to have both of you as part of my journey.
Enrichment - yes! Well put. - Drew
Drew and Brian, thank you so much for another fantastic pencast and for being the highlight of what has turned out to be a very hard week for me. I'm having some health problems and things are piling up quickly. In a world where that can easily consume a person, I'm so lucky to have you and this beautiful community as a family. I love you for what you are and bring to this community. Thank you so much for everything you both do. And to my beautiful brothers and sisters of this pen community: you are loved. Be kind and kindness will find you. Love you all and sorry for the long post. #turkeyhammock
Thank you so very much for taking the time to open up. I'm sorry that you're having to absorb some punches here recently, but for what it's forth, we're in your corner as much as we can be for a couple or nerds yapping about fountain pens! We'll be here for you. - Drew
@@Gouletpens thank you!
Drew’s answer about the positivity and connections in the fountain pen community made me get a bit misty eyed. The friend who penabled me has been a pen pal for multiple years and we’ve never gotten the chance to meet in person because we live in different states. Talking about our respective pen and ink collections and me telling her about all the fun things I learned from watching you two is a way for me to feel like she’s nearby. The pen show I went to this year was easily the most fun I’ve ever had at an event because we were all there to share the love of the hobby(and saying hi to Drew and his sweet Gravitas pen was a bonus!). You guys rule and I wish every hobby community was this kind.
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Great Pencast, I love what you had to say about people being united around something positive. That is something special about being joined in vast numbers all around the world
Yes, indeed! - Drew
The Stallone pen video is hilariously wannabe-"epic" and over-the-top. Thanks for sharing it.
Drew is so right. In 2020, my journals got me by. I had yet to find fountain pens until this year. Everyone needs a thing. A reason to wake up in the morning. I don’t care if it’s to write with your favorite pen or arrange your stamp collection. You need SOMETHING. I think this community is just that for many people. I pray it continues to provide a safe space for so many. Thanks, Drew and Brian for tying us together each week in your videos! ❤
Thank YOU, Beth! - Drew
Bravo Drew, I agree completely about the pen community. It is very positive and supportive. I am also member of a Facebook group, where people lend out pens and share inks, it's so friendly and tolerant. Maybe the world would be better if we all had to use fountain pens! Thanks guys, always a good Friday if there is a pencast.
Another fun visit! Thank you!
I finally just watched your last podcast and I have to say it was one of my favorites start to finish. The video actually got my heart beating and I got the chills! The first thing I noticed though about your video was the colors of your shirts and how well they looked next to each other. Two of my favorite colors teal and ocher, that’s at least the way they look to me on my phone. Thanks Drew and Brian for being part of my pen life. You have definitely enriched it.🥰🦊
Yay! Thank you so very much for taking the time to say that! - Drew
This was a great pencast! I truly loved the acrylic dive, but Drews words about the hobby and the internet and all really hit home, and it's so true. It is so true that fountain pens have become more than a hobby. Thank you for helping this to happen. PS, would you carry the watch as well as the pen?
Great show guys! Thanks for the effort you guys and your team puts into the videos you create. It's seen and appreciated!
That bit about how fountain pen changed both of your lives is so precious. The people here are the best. Thanks for another great pencast, Brian & Drew!
Thank YOU, Becky! You're absolutely a part of the delightfulness! - Drew
This is my favorite pencast yet. Love hank his so cute.. keep it up guys so much fun.
Thanks for joining us! - Drew
Thank you so much guys ! I love hear you ! I learn a lot about Fountain Pens thank to you and I am now crazy about them ! Big hugs from Austria !
Thank you so very much, Dom! - Drew
Drew: "...from Halloween onward to the end of the year that's the Holiday season"
Yay to that! 😁👏👏👏
Drew mimicking Brian's hand movements - hilarious! You are such a pair! Keep educating us!!!
Achievement unlocked! My request made it to the pencast! Thanks for discussing your “currently inked” pens and the inks associated. I appreciated Brian chiming in too. Good call to pick three (for Brian). 😂👍
As an engineer with a strong background in material science (including a wide variety of plastics and metals), it was highly entertaining to watch Brian talk about "acrylic". Kudos to Brian, who did a credible job with a very complex and nuanced subject (separating manufacturing processes, from the raw materials used in those processes).
... and the most priceless part... Drew's facial expressions when introducing the "deep dive".
Don't encourage him, Dan! LOL always a pleasure hearing from you! - Drew
It was discussed this morning in the largest German-language pen forum:
On the new red, beautiful Al-Star Lamy says on its German website that the light feed should only be used for light inks and the black feed is also suitable for darker inks.
Thank you very much for a very, very entertaining two hours after an exhausting working week!
Your answers to "How did fountain pens change your life?" were wonderful. Fountain pens, ink, and paper can help create treasurable contemplative moments.
Hey. Great Pencast, Brian and Drew!
Thanks for joining us, Daniel! - Drew
This is a wonderful episode. The deep discussion of the importance of collecting and the experience of writing was amazing.
I liked the “acrylic” pen deep dive - Brian’s deep dives are usually very informative and I enjoyed learning more about how my pens are vs just Brian’s favorite pen of that style. :)
Hi Guys! I've been binge watching your videos the last several days and just placed my first order with you this morning for my very first fountain pens! I've resolved to improve my handwriting and would like to do it with fountain pen and ink, good paper, and the 'Art of Cursive Penmanship'. I can 't wait to dive in! Oh, and watching Brian in the "acrylic segment", he and I are the same person, and now I know what I have been inflicting on others for all of these years. 😂
Thank you so very much for choosing to support us, Greg! We genuinely do appreciate it! - Drew
Due to health problems I am permanently house bound. I need hobbies to get through the day. Fountain pens have proven to be one of the most important ones. It actually connects to many of my other ones. Note taking, list making and sketching are all done with fountain pens. I also get a lot of pleasure out of this weekly Pencast so keep up the good work.
Please look into the possibility of carrying the Indiagraph line of products.
The hobby I discovered was paper planners. Which lead to a whole community and now life long friends. It's the best of all of my likes, paper, stickers, pens. I have gone to several conferences. I now have amazing, friends all over the US and international. My wallet may not be happy about it lol. Also I have a treadclimber once and it was giving me an error. So I gave it a looksee I found a mouse had died on the motherboard won't be doing anymore looksees lol. Thanks for all the great commentary and fun during the pencasts.
I enjoy these pen casts. Thanks a lot.
Your entrance to the deep dive so funny. Whoops started deep ... better keep going 😁
41:05 Bless you Drew, helping keep Brian on track. Really see you were both in education together. I could use that ocasssionally when I get hyper focused during discussions.
Hey, I finally placed my first order with Goulet Pens today! I had a tough time justifying the purchase because it's purely for my enjoyment and we are in though economic times these days. But after hearing Drew talk about how much hobbies can help people get through difficult times in life, I feel like it was the right call. I struggle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which is genetic and has no cure but affects every system in the body. I am coping okay, but get flare ups frequently that keep me from doing a lot. Having hobbies like fountain pens, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, and painting rocks and hiding them on walks in the neighborhood for others to find, all help me find some joy and meaning when things get challenging. Thanks also for doing these very entertaining pencast videos that I can enjoy when I need to relax! I relate to both of your personalities in various ways. Write on, pen friends!!
Thank you for another great episode! I feel like your pencast has become a priority in my daily/weekly life
Great pencast! When Drew mentioned how your shirts were like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock got me cracking up 🤣. How about in a future pencast you dress up like Chip & Dale rescue rangers? One with the Hawaiian shirt and the other in the leather jacket and fedora 😂. Great job you guys are doing!
You can learn to draw. I never thought I could, and didn't try much until I was in my late 50s. Then the pandemic came and my drawing became a lot more intentional. In 2021, a stranger on a plane watched me sketch and said, Oh, you're a very talented artist!
You both are always a welcome highlight to my Friday!! Thank you for that!!!!!
(I believe the Elvis movie was surreal, ott and frenetic because his life was, as well.)
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Yeah, perhaps it was a bit of a POV simulation. - Drew
Hey! You picked my very first RUclips comment ever to read on the pencast!😮🎉 Not gonna lie, I immediately ran into my wife’s office to have her listen to it (she said I was “fangirl-ing”) and then shared it with my family. 😂
You're definitely not the only one to do that! (Hand up here too)
I'm really enjoying Brian's deep dive on materials. 😀
Drew, I can't believe you didn't go with the BENU Euphoria Iced Caramel Latte since it's shades of brown😁
Right. 😂
i was coming here to say the very same
It's not too late! - Drew
Same, could have knocked me down with a feather. Total shock 😂
I thought the same thing.
Hey Drew,
I just love your statement, write with purpose. Thank you.
Thank you! - Drew
Currently Inked segment every week plz!
I also vote for this! Or at least as often as Drew changes colors and pens :D
You guys are simply great :-D
How fountain pen 🖊️ changed my life: I totally agree with Drew. This podcast to me is a palette cleanser! Always positive and informative. For me, I am American, my husband is Japanese (the land of all things pens and paper) and we have moved to 4 countries in 4 years. Each time, I have to purge my collections and fit my life into one 25kg suitcase and a carry-on. My must have is my pens, paper and one favourite ink.
Hello from India
Thanks for all your videos! After watching your videos I got into fountain pens and bought a lot from you guys recently. Going to try to write more with my mom and find some new hobbies to do with her with fountain pens (trying to find new ways to make her happy since she has stage 4 cancer)
Thanks, Brian, for reading my comment about Yein, yes & no! Congratulations, Drew and family, on adopting Hank; he's so adorable! I like the hypothetical: I would go with lettering and calligraphy skill. I'm a calligrapher constantly working to improve, but there are nuances I wish I could instantly master, not to mention scripts I haven't yet practiced. It would be so awesome to pick up a pen and have everything come out flawlessly! Thanks for the great episode!
Thank you, Wendy! - Drew
I love to use ink for the seasons and match with my pens. I just received my new Benu Angel Hair. It is even more beautiful than I expected! What ink would you suggest? I especially like shading or shimmer inks for this pen. And thanks Drew for introducing me to brown inks. I am trying that color and then branch out to the greys.
Yay! Brown inks are just delightful! I went back to Robert Oster Caffe Crema today. - Drew
Brian / Derw still making my fridays great. Always look forward to Turkey Hammock the Pencast. Thanks
Still no shipping to Puerto Rico 😭
Again, another awesome pencast! I noticed the Star Trek color combo from the start of the video. Gald to see that Drew picked up on that too. I was so happy he noticed! 😁
Haha! Yes! It took me awhile, but I got there! - Drew
Love watching Brian’s brain break when Drew was pushing him to pick a favourite resin
Brian and Drew thank you so much for the wonderful video. I’m in medicine and I love writing with fountain pens. Is there any fountain pen that can have the cap off for a while without having to cap or uncap. Keep up the awesome and very useful information.
For your Hypothetical
I would definitely choose the gift of flawless prose. Writing my thoughts clearly is always an exercise, and doing it for too long right now is mentally exhausting - but I absolutely love doing it every now and then. Imagining being able to just... write well right away... that sounds amazing.
Drew - Thanks for answering my question about the Elox. Great pencast this week!
Thank you! - Drew
For a Ferris Wheel Press spring time ink, I recommend Storied Blue. It's a beautiful light grey blue/periwinkle.
I love your ink sample packs! I'm excited for the "celebratory" and "winter" packs you mentioned!
That's a good one! I agree! - Drew
BENU pens are the best. And they are amazing people!
This is my favorite pencast to date. thank you both! I would choose an arty drawing gifting.
Thank you for saying that! - Drew
First time watching the podcast the day it comes out!
Yay! Thanks for joining us, Sophie! - Drew
Thanks so much for talking about mental health and fountain pens! Fountain pens have helped with my anxiety, forcing me to slow down. Also, it really helps to have a pen in your hand at all times to fiddle around. That's a question, what's the best pen to fidget or fiddle around with?
My favorite fidget pen is actually a Retro 51 rollerball (the twisty knob). - Drew
Hypothetical: personally, drawing for me would be awesome. I feel like great handwriting would bloom from it, and learning how to be poetic and repair pens can be obtained with time, for me anyway.
Those Benu's look amazing! I just got the Venus's Hair and Jazz, but now I might need to get Cookies & Cream and the Latte.
The chaos video is incredible. I need a Pencast trailer in that style.
You two look like you're dressed in Star Trek uniforms almost. Drew, at 35:58 you sounded kinda like Scotty, too lol That LAMY colour almost looks like it's International Orange like the Golden Gate Bridge. That Montegrappa pen looks like the Jinhao dragon pens. Atlantis is my favourite! It's such an underappreciated movie. I actually have plans for an Atlantis retelling novel. Yes, dogs are considered adults after 1 year. OMG and now at 1:50:48 you realized the colouration of the shorts. I love that it came full circle as I watched!!
Settling down with my old (16) (b)rat terrier snuggled next to me, with a coffee. All set for 2 hours of enjoyment. 😁
Yay! Thanks for joining us! Both of you :) - Drew
@@Gouletpens The (b)rat was just interested in invading my personal space and getting treats.😁 I don't think I've missed a podcast.
Aw!!! I am laying next to my 16 year old dachshund watching the pencast!
@@yorkdox7 Aednat would agree with your doxie. She's a definite couch potato. Nothing like the ball of energy she was at 3 when she followed my oldest sister home after being abandoned. 😁
Ahhhhh my 1 year old rat terrier is hanging with me as I watch! ❤️
Love! You guys are doing great!! I don’t see you as salesmen but friends. Lol Yes, it is complicated (as a retailer), but “Yo!” you guys still keep it 100 😄
Thank you so much for saying that! We do try! - Drew
And to think that Sylvester Stallone had to toil away all those years designing for Jinhao before Montegrappa recognized his genius and turned him loose with better resources! LOL!!! And this is just the trailer! I can't wait until the real movie comes out. Brian and Drew, you guys have made my week with this segment!
I might need a Diplomat Aero. Maybe for Christmas 🎄
I’m not drawn to orange and I think an orange pen feed is cool. The neon yellow feed is also groovy.
You gents are super fun to listen to/watch. Brian, are you the king of dad jokes?
Omg, we are going underwater… I love this. You two really work so well together. I love this. Such a fun ‘snorkel’!!!
I’d love another Franklin Christoph collab w Diamondcast resin. I have a #20 in midnight. Stunning. I agree w Drew, I LOVE the Ascent, the size and shape are made for me. I own the Sonata and I adore it! Please do more.
Oh my word I MUST have that rainbow BENU!!
The chaos pen is awesome!!! 😆 🤣 😂 just watched the Expendables last week and I knew Skulls would be involved 👏 👏 👏 👏
SUCH A FUN MOVIE! - Drew
Love the photo of Drew with all his corgis! Is it a coincidence that he's dressed like a corgi on the pencast too? Asserting his role as alpha of the corgi pack?
Edison persimmon swirl and Iroshizuku yu-yake ink for the fall season! so cheerful!
You are 100% right! Perfect! - Drew
Wow, I'm here early. Haven't watched in a few weeks, looking forward to this one.
I picked up on the Kirk/Spock thing right at the beginning, and it bugged me throughout the pencast (not in a bad way). I was expecting an alien to materialise behind you from the transporter. I am more of a Star Trek guy than Star Wars.
Haha! Yeah I can't believe I didn't see it sooner! - Drew
I've found Diplomat Aero even has therapeutic effects on me. I'm so happy I fell for your remarks on its "satisfying cap."
Please make a spot-on ink: stroke of midnight of ferris wheel press. It's a shimmering blue-black. You could comment about how easy it was to clean, consistency of the shimmer, your opinion on the base color, how wet or dry the ink is... etc.
I also would appreciate a Drew special video on the FWP collection "Ferritales". Their marketing and storytelling is superb and I think they deserve it.🥰
Welcome Hank! 3 dogs is a great number. They can entertain themselves, and if you decide to take just one dog on an outing the other 2 can hang out together.
Thank you! - Drew
we treat our three little dogs that way too. love the mini stampede in the mornings and yes three is easier than two care wise
In regards to being intentional using fountain pens: I am not an artist but I am challenging myself to participate in Flickr's Inktober 2022. Today I tried to draw (as opposed to write of course) witha fountain pen for the first time today and I kept messing up my angle and I had to start paying attention. It was cool!
You were wondering about which companies use Schmidt nibs - Benu uses them. I've gotten a couple of nib units to get custom grinds and tried them before giving them to the nibsmith. They were super smooth writers even before any work was done.
Hey Brian and Drew! I was really hit when Drew said that he uses fountain pens to slow down. Now that I think of it, I've slowed down and appreciated the little things since I picked this hobby up after Christmas.
Since I was 6 I had been struggling with minor fibromyalgia and all of its accompanying symptoms. I had struggled to write at all, since my joints would bend beyond normality and my hand would cramp and seize after a paragraph.
In March of 2021 I was hit by a car, hurniating 3 disks in my neck and giving me a severe concussion. It also made my fibro worse, making my arthritis borderline unbearable. Switching to fountain pens has not only made writing enjoyable, but now it's possible. I was able to conquer my arthritis (to some extent) with unorthodox solutions, so who knows what else I can do?
Thank you for being here for the community!
Thanks for sharing, Joe. I'm sorry about the accident but I'm so glad that you were able to find inspiration within yourself! - Drew
I found myself accidentally matching my ink to the season. I just happened to be regularly using Diamine Writers Blood, Noodler's Rome, and Noodler's Pecan and noticed "Hey, these inks are pretty fall-y." And now I'm just rolling with it and considering what inks will be good for the upcoming winter.
In the southern hemisphere it's spring, and I found myself using bright, light inks. It's funny how our choice of ink colours are so deeply connected to our experiences. One of the beauties of fountain pens.
That happened to me as well.. suddenly all of my inked pens have dark sheeny fally colors. I tried to use some kind of lighter pink color at some point, like I was trying to hold on to summer a little longer.. and it just didn't feel right 😆
As a research analyst, I COMPLETELY identify with getting side tracked and going down rabbit holes. 😂 Also, DREW: you could build an entire spring ink collection around Ferris Wheel Press inks. My personal fave is Blushing Mushroom (it’s gorgeous!) Others that would be fabulous for spring would be Lady Rose, Storied Blue, Peter Moss, and a Bathhurst Blue Denim. A lovely runner up: Wonderland in Coral.
I like to call it Blushroom. :) - Drew
I have the same problem as Brian, I love the blue inks and they all look the same! LOL. So I started to write with my pen in my ink swatch notebook with the ink and tell which pen has which ink. GREAT way to look back at the some 30 pens I have inked at any given time.
Is it worth buying resin fountains in comparison to ebonite?which material is long lasting and less brittle?
These weekly pencasts have been so fun to watch, I've learned a lot from watching them and appreciate your time and effort creating all of this content. After seeing dozens of the weekly episodes and learning more I have a question. It seems like when it comes to the brand Kaweco the Sport is the pen that defines the brand but recently I've discovered the Kaweco Perkeo. I recently picked up a Sport and pocket pens just aren't for me. I wonder why the Perkeo isn't talked about more in terms of entry level fountain pens; what are your thoughts on this pen?
I love the Perkeo! - Drew
If I wanted to, could I safely replace vinegar with ammonia when making pen flush? We don't normally have ammonia in our house (or ever. I didn't even know you could buy it until I got into fountain pens), but vinegar is a staple because we use it for canning and household cleaning.
I wouldn't recommend it. - Drew
Here in Ohio, the Giant Ironweed is the harbinger of autumn in our roadsides and meadows, so I've switched off to Noodlers Saguaro Wine (which is the color of those blooms) for autumn.
Ooooh very clever choice! - Drew
"Whatever cranks your tractor" is a new one LUL