Leonardo MomentoZero Grande Caraibi Fountain Pen

I'm a big fan of the Leonardo pens in general, and the MomentoZero series is one of my preferred writers. The Grande caught my eye because I thought,  ooooh this looks nifty! What did they change?? Let's take a look!

Grab a Leonardo MomentoZero Grande Caraibi from Stilografica! Use the code below for 10% off your purchase - no commission, just a sweet deal for you.

Discount Code: FLORENCE

Toucan Umber Ink Review

Toucan! My favorite thing about these inks is they are safely mixable with each other. I have a few favorites and I like to stick to those because I like lighter colors for putting in my super wet writers - they tend to show off their shading best that way. By the way, they are no longer offered in baggies like you see here. They're glass bottles.

Well, I have to say Umber is one of my least favorite inks from the Toucan line up. It's just a plain brown to me. Adding some Scarlet and Primrose/Gold makes it a little more desirable but as it is, it's just bleh to me. Not a big fan.

Sailor Pro Gear Pen Gallery Durian Musang King Fountain Pen

I purchased this Sailor Pro Gear Pen Gallery Durian Musang King Fountain Pen directly from Pen Gallery. You can get your own here! I love Sailor fountain pens and a YELLOW PEN WITH A ZOOM NIB? Done deal. Enjoy! (Or not, if you hate durians.)

Toucan Turquoise Ink Review

Toucan! My favorite thing about these inks is they are safely mixable with each other. I have a few favorites and I like to stick to those because I like lighter colors for putting in my super wet writers - they tend to show off their shading best that way. By the way, they are no longer offered in baggies like you see here. They're glass bottles.

Turquoise is stunning. It is light enough to show off some exquisite shading, it makes me think of caribbean seas again, and I love it. It's easy to clean, easy to work with, and it's well-behaved. Just beautiful. To me, this is an almost perfect turquoise.

Pelikan M1000 O3B Oblique Triple Broad Serious Nibbage with the Gourmet Pens Modification

This nib is no longer produced by Pelikan but I hope to use this video and your comments and views as a desperate plea to Pelikan to start producing this one again. The O3B or Oblique Triple Broad is a wide, stubby writer. I had mine modified by Toronto Pen Company with the "gourmetpens" modification. Essentially this is a mod that takes whatever nib you have and makes it as broad and as wet as possible. Results vary depending on the starting tipping, but this nib was an ideal candidate. As such, the nibmeister, Salman Khattak, has turned this gusher into, well, a gushing firehose, and I LOVE IT. I hope you enjoy the video. If you haven't, I'd appreciate it so much if you'd like and subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Music: BenSound

Toucan Sienna Ink Review

Toucan! My favorite thing about these inks is they are safely mixable with each other. I have a few favorites and I like to stick to those because I like lighter colors for putting in my super wet writers - they tend to show off their shading best that way. By the way, they are no longer offered in baggies like you see here. They're glass bottles.

This Sienna is a warm, red-brown - a color that I am often attracted to. I picture red earth, rusty water; rich, shaded. I am a big fan. It is not particularly difficult to clean out of pens, either.

Esterbrook Estie Blueberry Fountain Pen

Thank you to Goldspot Pens for sending this sweetie to me. They range in price, depending on the writing mode and size you want. This particular one I have is $156.00USD. You can find the Estie selection here.

Toucan Scarlet Ink Review

Toucan! My favorite thing about these inks is they are safely mixable with each other. I have a few favorites and I like to stick to those because I like lighter colors for putting in my super wet writers - they tend to show off their shading best that way. By the way, they are no longer offered in baggies like you see here. They're glass bottles.

Scarlet is just not the right kind of red for me. I find it boring, bland, a little too washed out. I don't even find it appealing for blending. It also leans to the orange side and if there's anything I don't care for, it's a reddish ink that leans towards orange!

I'm Headed to the Philly Pen Show 2020!

I'm headed to the Philly Pen Show with Toronto Pen Company this year! We are bringing brand new workshops to expand your pen and ink knowledge and skills, or others to get you started in your fountain pen rabbit hole journey! 

Philadelphia 201 Hotel 
201 North 17th Street

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
January 17, 18, 19, 2020
Friday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
9:00 am Early Entry for Weekend Pass Holders
Get your show passes here!

View workshop dates, times, complete descriptions and extra tidbits and suggestions online! With options for beginners, intermediate pen lovers, and those who are more advanced, as well as straight up pen play, there's definitely something for everyone. Each workshop is suitable for everyone.

Comprehensive Introduction to Fountain Pens - First time at a pen show? Love pens but not entirely sure about fountain pens?This introduction to fountain pens and their friends (that is, ink and paper!) seminar will end with a tour of the pen show floor!

Handwriting 101 - Let’s talk about improving your handwriting! Like any skill, the best way to improve is with proper guidance and practice.

Introduction to Pointed Pen Calligraphy - Learn about the tools required including prepping, maintenance, and the basics of pointed pen scripts! Perfect for beginners, those wanting to freshen their calligraphy skills, as well as brush calligraphers looking to get into pointed pen calligraphy!

Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Fountain Pens 101 - These fountain pens are great tools for broad edge scripts, flourishing, decorating, and more. In this workshop, you’ll explore the joy and potential of your new Pilot Parallel pens!

Inky Messes, Inky Fun - Do you have a superabundance of ink samples, oodles of ink bottles, plenty of paper, and a thirst for creating inky messes? This is a very fun, probably very inky, and definitely creative and artsy workshop!

Letters & Textures - Explore a variety of modern calligraphy styles, lettering, and textures that can be produced with a Pilot Parallel Pen modified to write like a Folded Pen.

Pen Play After Class - Come try out some modified Pilot Parallels, get to know a variety of fountain pen nib grinds, mess around with ink, and chat about pens, nibs, inks, and paper with Azizah Asgarali/GourmetPens and Salman Khattak of Toronto Pen Company. This will be a fun, relaxing “pen meet” where you can try out cool tools and ask questions about your own supplies! Taking pictures and making ink friends and ink splatters will be encouraged.

Nib Customization - get your finicky nibs adjusted, your nibs ground finer, stubbier, sharper, or check out the specialty grinds like the Architect and Engineer! Book your slot(s) ahead of time to secure your spot.

Scribo Feel Fountain Pen - Writing with a Fine Flexible Nib and a Broad Nib

I purchased these Scribo Feel fountain pens awhile back from Appelboom and because the nibs are supposed to be very similar to the dearly departed Omas nibs, I really wanted to try them out. I couldn't decide so I ended up with a 14kt fine flexible nib and an 18kt broad nib.

This is just a little writing snippet with appropriate music but I also have a full review of the pens up. If you'd like, you can order your own from Appelboom using the discount code 'friend' for 10% off! No commission, just a sweet deal for you.

Kinky music from BenSound!