January's Top Pens, Mystery Dip Reveal, and Getting Pen Newbs Hooked - The Write Stuff ep. 25
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 15 июл 2024
- In this episode, Tom reveals January’s Mystery Dip surprise box, shows the top 5 pens of January 2024, and tells you 3 things you can do to get someone hooked on fountain pens. Hang out till the end for the giveaway and question of the week.
(0:00) Intro
(1:02) Opus 88 Mini Sakura - goldspot.com/products/opus-88...
(5:14) Retro 51 Day & Night - goldspot.com/products/retro-5...
(8:15) Pelikan Souveran 800 Green Demo - goldspot.com/products/pelikan...
(10:00) Mystery Dip Reveal - goldspot.com/products/mystery...
(11:22) Leonardo MZ Nebulosa Laguna - goldspot.com/products/leonard...
(13:00) Top 5 Pens Recap
(13:23) Question of the Week
(15:30) Giveaway and Outro
Study that shows handwriting still rocks - www.apa.org/monitor/jun02/wri...
Like & subscribe to get more pen reviews, writing samples, unboxings, and other fun fountain pen videos on the Goldspot Pens channel.
Subscribe to our free weekly e-mail newsletter - eepurl.com/-Yg-r
Follow us on your favorite social media platform:
Instagram: / goldspotpens
Facebook: / goldspotpens
Twitter: / goldspotpens
TikTok: / goldspotpens
Threads: www.threads.net/@goldspotpens 
Хобби
Hi Tom, my question is will Goldspot pens consider working with a nib meister for exclusive nib customizations
We have worked with Ralph Reyes for the Ikkaku fountain pen that we gave away in the last episode. We would love to do more collaborations with nib meisters in the future.
Hey Tom! I'm so proud of you guys for selling out of your lovely Nebulosa Laguna Leonardo! Though I skipped on this one - it was beautifully done and I'm sure a favorite among Leonardo fans! I would like to know what makes an ink dry vs. wet and how does each kind of ink affect one's writing experience? I would like to hear your thoughts on why someone might want to choose a dry ink over a wet ink or vise versa? Thanks! :)
As I asked in a previous video, I would love to hear your opinion on this one. What would be your go to pen for a kid that has a safe age to use a fountain pen, and how would you encourage his love for writing instruments to keep him close to books and handwriting and a bit away from screens? Would love to here from you!
I put de atramentis document Fuschia in my opus 88 Sakura and it is glorious!
Thanks for posting, Tom. I was one who jumped on a green demo M800n when you reduced the price, it's fantastic!
What can I do to encourage someone who is shy about writing by hand because they think their handwriting is messy? Yes, practice and education are obvious tips but that begins to sound like a assigning a project to someone who's already reluctant.
Great episode! I will always want to know what you would go with it in regards to a pocket pen & ink for out & about. However, I have a crazy one this time. I use a Pilot Coleto 5 Ink Multipen mostly for guitar related practice stuff (journaling & transcribing). If there was a company would could develop a Multi-ink fountain pen like the Coleto, which manufacturer would you be most interested in seeing? Have a great week!
That Leonardo Nebulosa makes me think of Men In Black and the Galaxy in Orion’s belt. Just think of it, holding a Nebulosa in your hand!
Hello Tom, some may have the ink stick to the plastic more, some less... I wonder what standard converters have the best flow?
Nice overview! My question is if some nibs already write with some line variation out of the box, and if so, which ones?
Another interesting video Tom. My question is, what process does Goldspot go through when fulfilling an order from the time it's picked from stock to the time it's packed for hand off to the shipping carrier?
I am sure you have a large personal collection. What have you found to be the simplest way to organize and track your collection?
I have 10 of my most favorite pens and, if I add another to the collection, I sell or give away one that took its place.
Regarding the Opus shutoff, I would guess that it would also protect during bouncing around... if you take your pen with you during a run, for example.
Yes, keeping the shut-off valve closed is good in that case as well.
What size or shape of nib sells the most frequently?
Hi. Definitely enjoying your videos. My question is: What does the process of getting an exclusive model entail? Do you reach out to the manufacturing company or vice versa? What about the creative process? May be a long question but it is one that I have always wondered about. Thanks again for the wonderful content.
enjoyed the video! I am just beginning my love affair with fountain pens and appreciate your channel. As a lefty, I. have to be extra cautious to avoid smudging. Would placing a piece of blotting paper over what I have written prevent smudging? I am a side writer. Thanks for any tips you can share.
Hi Tom
What are your personal top 5 Leonardo pens (including collections, models and limited editions)?
If you were to select a pen for gifting to your younger self, which pen would it be?
Besides the size, what are some other advantages to using a pocket pen?
Great video, loved the Laguna Nebuloso. Shoul one use shimmer ink in more expensive pens or piston fillers?
That nebula pen is awesome. I can't wait to see more like it.
What was your first fountain pen that started your collection?
For me: a Lamy Safari!
Hi Tom. How many fountain pens do you have in your collection and what is your top five?
I had the Leonardo in my cart, but I waited too long to place the order! Maybe that was a sign I don't need yet another blue pen in my collection right now and that it was a bit too soon to break my no-buy resolve.
What fountain pen in your collection have you loved the longest, or that's been a favorite for the longest time?
Great episode: Question: What are the best archival or permanent fountain pen inks to use if you want to preserve your writing?
There are plenty of great options for waterproof, archival quality inks in different colors. I suggest looking at Noodler's Bulletproof inks, as they have a large range of colors that are archival.
My question is: what’s involved in having an exclusive pen? Do you design it, or does the pen maker?
Hi Tom, Awesome channel. I have been into fountain pens but only recently expanded my collection beyond what I had for years. As someone who is sold on fountain pens my question would be How does one organize the writing practice? Does one dedicate a notebook for variety of things? I love writing but am running out of quotes to write? I would love to continue writing while not being a professional author.
Great video, as always, my question is could you do a comparison of all the nib types in one place, including the custom grinds I hear so much about?
That would involve inking a LOT of pens. We're working on making nib comparisons more available on our website and videos.
Hi Tom, I do have a question to be answered. It is often as such that vintage pens are sought after for their soft and flexible nibs. How come in this modern day and age of manufacturing the modern flex nibs either are “not so flexible” or are extremely expensive? It makes no sense to me?
Great episode as always. What is the best way to track what inks you have in what pens?
Keeping a "currently inked" page in your journal is an easy way to notate which pens you have inked and with what color. Some might use a formatted ink journal, a spreadsheet, or swatch cards.
Hi Tom! How are you?
What has been your favourite goldspot collab so far?
Tom how are you doing,do you think Opus will bring the first mini with the plain barrel again.
Why a stub/calligraphy tip: I have gravitated towards those as well, but am told I should just get a flex or soft tip, what are the differences in practice?
For a beginner, which pens will you recommend in low budget?
Recently I've found myself making excuses to write things down just to use my fountain pen more. I even find myself writing some of what you say while watching your videos just to get more enjoyment from my pen. Can you suggest ways to get more milage out of a fountain pen for people new to the hobby? I want to get another one but feel like I need to justify the purchase. Though starting a collection sounds more reasonable everyday 😊.
Oh yea, I have plenty of ideas for this one. I'll share in a future video. ;-)
I always wonder how to know the difference between wet inks and dry inks. Sometimes I hear folks recommend using one or the other for problematic writers, and don’t know what it means.
Great video, always lovely to see what's popular among the community.
My question is, "Given a choice, would you write exclusively with a European pen or an Asian pen?"
Here are some of our favorite picks for pocket pens - goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/best-edc-pens
What is the best nib to use for printing vs cursive handwriting?
Tom what’s the best fountain pen for long writing sessions comfort wise smooth nib wise, I am talking about 20 pages minimum?!!!
Hi Tom, love my Baby Beluga Opus 88 pen. I’ve been wondering does your writing style affect what nib you should get? If someone is a heavy writer should they buy more stiff nibs or would the softer nibs help someone write with less pressure?
Well, in the case of the Opus 88 pen, there aren't any softer/firmer nib options. If your writing style is smaller, more deliberate, I'd go for an EF or F. If you have a large, quick writing style, then go for a M or B. If you want writing with a calligraphic flair, the stub provides a lot of line variation to accent your writing.
Will Goldspot showcase limited editions on the website under the “sneak peek” tab? Many limited editions are magically available for purchase without showcasing in the sneak peek tab 😢.
Now that you got us hooked on Leonardo, spill the beans 😂.
I'll talk about this more on the next episode, but we're going to be working on exclusive pen launches more visible and giving you a heads up on new releases sooner using the Sneak Peek section.
What would be a good love pen to give someone for Valentine’s Day?
Hi Tom, I would like to know your favorite steel nibs. I'm thinking that Faber-Castell would rank pretty high on my list. I can't see my self ever buying a pen with a gold nib.
Awesome Video! I would love all of those pens on the top 5!
My question is: I have a small collection of fountain pens that I keep with me when on the go. Admittedly, I will only use 3 or 4 from the ones I have with me for a stretch of time, then switch it up. I find that [depending on the pen] trying to get some of my pens to write again after not using them for a while can be a little difficult. What is the best, most efficient, and safetest way to get a fountain pen to start writing again? Thanks!
All my best "get it going again" suggestions are here - goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/what-to-do-when-your-fountain-pen-wont-write
What are the best inks to use to write a letter to a loved one on Valentine's Day?
How about Romeo & Juliet? goldspot.com/products/robert-oster-signature-bottled-ink-in-romeo-juliet-50-ml
Having taken a vow to stop buying new pens for a while, I saw the gorgeous Monteverde Laguna on Goldspot's site and had to have it. It broke almost instantly. The responses I got from Goldspot and then from Yafa have been a bit unclear. What is the ratio of pen failures, manufacturing or design defects, to pens that bring delight to the lives of the owners (the Baby Beluga I got from you is adorable, f'rinstance) and what's the protocol for dealing with such events?
I'd like to introduce flourishes into my handwriting, any recommendations on how to get started?
What are your top 5 pocket pens Tom?
If you had to pick a pen that would always be transported in your back jeans pocket, what would it be and why?
I thought of the Kaweco AL-Sport, because it's easy to slip into your pocket and it's made from aluminum, which means it could withstand an accidental sit because I forgot it was there.
Is there any reason to not keep the valve open on a vac-fill pen if you are not traveling with is (i.e. it's staying on your desk)?
Even if the pen is sitting on your desk, it could be possible for heat (via sunlight or a strong, incandescent light) to cause air to expand inside the pen.
There’s so many pen body materials to choose from Metal, celluloid, acrylic, resin, ebonite, smelly vegetable plastic? My question is, what pen body material do you prefer and why?
My personal favorite is celluloid. It's not practical, but the look and feel is just outstanding.
Hi Tom, I started writing with Lamy Safari pens more than 10 years ago, and more recently I've used them to sketch and paint with watercolors with water-resistant ink (Platinum Carbon). Which fountain pens would you recommend for sketching? Best with fude nibs? Thanks!
I also like drawing and sketching as well. I wrote this post here that provides pen and nib suggestions - goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/fountain-pen-drawing
Hey Tom. My question is this. I’m sure I’m not the only one with this problem, but, when I started this hobby I started accruing a lot of bottles of ink. And while I do write a lot and I’m using them, I was wondering if inks have expiration dates? Do shading or sheening or shimmer inks have different expiration dates based on their properties? Thanks!
Generally, fountain pen inks can last a long while on the shelf. They don't have expiration dates. In fact, some inks that are 20+ years old are still valuable buys in the secondary market due to their rarity. (Search "Parker Penman Sapphire" and be amazed). The key is making sure they are kept in good condition. I should make a video on this now that I have started with my reply here.
Another great episode! Question: Do you keep a record of how many "fountain pen converts" you're responsible for?
lol. I've lost count. :-)
@@GoldspotPens I thought maybe you'd use a finicky nib to scratch a convert count on the surface of that desk, haha!
Hi Tom, my question is, what are the advantages of Ebonite feeds over plastic?
Ebonite is a more porous material than plastic, so it saturates and absorbs ink more so than plastic. Plus, ebonite feeds are usually custom-made by the pen manufacturer and are specifically engineered for higher flow. Plastic feeds are mass produced and have only one rate of flow.
I'm curious...what's the difference between the Retro 51 Popper, Retro 51 Tornado and the Retro 51 Big Shot? Are there other Retro 51 pens versions out there? A side by side comparison would be super helpful for this visual learner 😊
The Retro 51 Popper is just a limited edition version of the Retro 51 Tornado. It's the same pen model. The Big Shot is slightly thicker and heavier than the Tornado. The Big Shot doesn't get talked about as often because there aren't many styles of Big Shot available.
I recently received my first Goldspot pen, the Leonardo Momento Zero Nebulosa Laguna. It is very beautiful. My question is about Kaweko. It has an unusual shape. What are the advantages of the shape of the Kaweko pens?
If you're referring to the Kaweco Sport, it's meant to be a pocket pen, so the smaller size is more convenient to carry in your pocket. It has a faceted cap so the pen won't roll away if you lay it flat on a desk.
Hi Tom, I’d really like to know more about what to expect when traveling with fountain pens. Will I get ink everywhere if I try to use my fountain pen on a plane?
Unlikely! We wrote an entire post about the subject here - goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/flying-with-fountain-pen
Hi Tom, hope all is well. I am new to the fountain pen world. I have a question. Which is the best nib to use for shimmer inks? Thank you.
I'd go with B
Tom, January has an amazing 👏🏾 lineup!!! I want to purchase a level up pen for myself but find myself struggling to decide which of the two would be best since I obviously can't 😢 have them both...Montblanc Calligraphy 149 or Sailor's King of Pen with a Naginata. What do you think?
If it were me, I'd go with the Montblanc Calligraphy 149 in this matchup.
@GoldspotPens Tom I was silently leaning towards the Montblanc too. Thanks so much !!! Keep up the amazing work.
Tom, thank you for your informative videos. My question is, “What is the best way to get ink stains off your hands?”
I've always found using a simple dish sponge and soap works just fine.
what is the wettest writing pen and driest writing?
Hello Tom, very impressive podcast. I would like to ask about flex nibs. I want to buy a flex nib fountain pen. But how can I choose the right one which is not railroading.
Which size of nibs that you use frequently
I use stub and flex nibs more often these days.
How does one become a pen designer?
Hi Tom, my question is about inks, what is considered archival? are all archival inks fade resistant?, and also, can dye-based inks be archival?
An archival ink is both waterproof and lightfast, meaning the sun's UV rays are unable to fade the ink's color on the page. This is usually capable with pigmented inks, but there are some inks that are dye-based and archival.
@@GoldspotPens Thank you so much
What is the difference between sheening and shimmering ink?
Shimmer ink has reflective particles suspended throughout the ink. Sheening ink is highly saturated and reflects a bright, metallic shine when it dries on paper.
Hey Tom, what's a good fountain pen gift for my daughter who is turning 5 soon? I'd love to get my kids started with proper penmanship.
So is there not a cartridge for the Opus 88?
No, it is an eyedropper filler only.
Hey Tom, Here’s my question. Is there a problem with knock off pens in the fountain pen world? How can you tell if a pen is the “real deal” and not a fake?
For the most part, it's not a problem. There aren't many pens that are knocked-off. Montblanc is perhaps the most problematic example.
Hi Tom, is there a reason why I can’t order from France? France doesn’t appear in the list of shipping countries... contrary to most of the others that are present. I did reach out to your support and they took my order via email, telling me they could ship to my address. That was 2 weeks ago and I’m still waiting for shipping costs and order confirmation.
Thank you for commenting. I (Tom) followed up with our customer service team. They missed your response to your e-mail. We apologize. Dina will follow up now.
Thank you Tom, I already got her message and replied.@@GoldspotPens