The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 699 - Millions, Hundreds, Dozens... Maybe One

Fun to look back and see how far the Pilot FriXion has come in 20 years.

I could have used a now more expensive Pilot FriXion to erase my train of thought ramblings in this episode! Myke and I had fun discussing a few smaller news items this week, and are asking for listeners help with next week’s episode #700.

Show Notes & Download Links

This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:

Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PENADDICT.

Pen Chalet: Check out this week's special offer, and to get your code for 10% off.

Newly Inked for 2026

(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

As you know by now, I keep a stupid number of pens inked at any given time (usually 48) but was up to 60 for the Pelikan Hub and was super happy to write a bunch of pens dry over the holidays. Which means, I get to ink up more pens!! With the Philly Pen Show coming up (actually, now, by the time this comes out), I wanted to add a little bit of nib variety to my currently inked. I also wanted to use some pens I hadn’t used in a while, so that was the other criteria I used for picking what’s next.

L to R: Leonardo Momento Zero, Coral; Scribo Piuma, Levante Orange; Platinum 3776, Kasumi; Kaweco Sport, Macchiato; Franklin-Christoph 31, Polar Ice and Navy; Leonardo Momento Zero, Nuvola Lilac; Aurora Optima, Nebulosa.

The above pens were inked up with Robert Oster Red Candy, Robert Oster Australis Oak, Kuretake Art Nouveau Zsolnay Green, Sailor x CultPens Suiseki, Jacques Herbin x CultPens Riviere de la Lune, Pineider Violet, and Birmingham Waterfront Dusk. (Hobonichi Weeks 2021, Tomoe River.)

Leonardo Momento Zero, Coral, Extra Fine Elastic nib, Robert Oster Red Candy.

Despite the name, the Coral Leonardo Momento Zero is a nice red pen, and not coral-colored. Aside from needing a red pen in the rotation I also wanted to use the elastic nib since it’s been a while since I’ve used it. People often think that this nib, which is often called “flex”, is flexible, and it really is not. I’m not sure I’d call it flexy or even bouncy. You can get some line variation if you press hard enough but I personally don’t like writing that way. Still, it’s a nice juicy writer that I’m currently enjoying.

Scribo Piuma, Levante Orange, 14kt Broad Flex (reduced to Medium Broad), Robert Oster Australis Oak.

I don’t think I’ve inked up the Scribo Piuma, Levante Orange since my tale of two Scribos. As I mentioned in that article, the nib was much too broad for me as a flex nib, so I had Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio do a slight nib reduction to more of a Medium Broad, without changing any of the flex or smoothness qualities of the nib. It’s also the perfect wet writer for a slightly dry leaning Australis Oak ink.

Leonardo Momento Zero, Nuvola Lilac, Stylosuite Extra Fine X-Wing Harpoon, Pineider Violet.

I know this isn’t “in order”, but it goes along with the flex nib mood I’ve been in. I put an Extra Fine X-Wing Harpoon flex nib from Les Sheely of Stylosuite - review of two here - even though it doesn’t match the pen’s rose gold trim. It’s so nice and flexy and flows well with the help of an ebonite feed which Les includes with the nib. I also haven’t used this ink before and it’s a lovely royal purple.

Kaweco Sport, Macchiato, Broad Architect; Sailor x CultPens Suiseki.

I know, I know, it’s still not in order, lol. I’ve posted about architect nibs in the past, like the Lamy 2000 BB Architect by Gena, or the Architect that Anabelle tortured me with - in a good way, but this Kaweco Sport was my very first Architect back in 2018. I was so nervous about getting that grind since I knew it should be done in person especially since I have a stupid steep angle, but I picked an inexpensive pen, in case I didn’t like it. Thankfully, Sunny Koh of Straits Pens did a great job on it, and it’s about time I inked it back up.

Franklin-Christoph 31, Polar Ice and Navy, Fine Artist’s Fude; Jacques Herbin x CultPens Riviere de la Lune.

As I will be working at the F-C table at the Philly show this weekend, I thought I’d ink up one of my favorite models, the 31, but not with any ol’ nib, but with something very different - a fude. Some years back, Mark Bacas made two different fude nibs - an artist’s fude and a writer’s fude. Can’t say I know how the two nibs are different but I picked the artist’s one to ink up even though I don’t draw, cuz why not? It reminds me a bit of an Architect grind where the down strokes are narrower than the cross strokes, but the widths get crazy the lower you go!

Very steep angle, my regular angle (still very steep), 60 degrees, 45 degrees on Rhodia 80 gsm paper, and yes, the shimmer still works in this nib!

Aurora Optima, Nebulosa, Double Broad; Birmingham Waterfront Dusk.

The Aurora Optima Nebulosa was a “reward” that I got myself after getting through a grueling project in early 2019. I got it with a Double Broad which is more like a stub, with its slight hammerhead tip. It’s not the most practical nib but it’s fun to use and I haven’t inked it up in so long that it’s overdue.

Platinum 3776, Kasumi, Medium, Kuretake Art Nouveau Zsolnay Green.

Okay, okay, here’s the Platinum! I saved it for last because (1) it doesn’t have a particularly fancy nib or grind on it, and (2) it’s not something I’ve owned for a long time. In fact, this is my first inking. Medium is my favorite nib size across almost all the brands and this one is no exception. Sometimes you just need to ink up something that just works for you, even if it’s not a fancy nib. And sometimes you just need to enjoy new pens as well as ones that’ve been around for a while.

I’ll have these, and 41 other pens inked up at the Philly Pen Show! Hope to see you there but if not, stay warm, stay safe, and stay inky!

(Disclaimer: All pens and inks are my own.)

The Pen Addict Membership - Year 11!

Setting up my PLOTTER Personal size for Members last week.

It’s hard to believe that The Pen Addict Membership program has 10 years in the books, and we are on to the 11th in 2026!

My goal has always been to keep things simple: one newsletter a week, one price. Asking for your attention and your support is a big deal, and I do not take that lightly. Keeping it simple while providing quality extra content will always be my guiding membership principle.

January is a big renewal month, and I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has joined me on this journey - whether for 10 days, or 10 years. I have so much fun sharing my love for stationery with you, and I plan on continuing for a long time!

If you are interested in becoming a Pen Addict Member, it’s $5 per month, or $48 per year if paid in advance. The price has not changed since launch, mostly because I keep the services I use lean, and none of them use Gold nibs.

Here is a recent sample issue to check out. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Let’s keep keeping stationery fun!