The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 726 - Blue Refill Hotdog

*Kaweco COLLECTION Fountain Marble Ocean,* *via Kaweco*.

The “10 Pens” content and feedback keeps on coming, and I am here for all of it. I discuss the one change I made to my list, and the next lists I want to tackle. We also take a look at Kaweco’s three Sport Summer releases, and I share my hands-on with LAMY’s new textured Safari pens.

Show Notes & Download Links

This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:

Kaleidocraft: Playful stationery and functional goods. Get 15% off and an exclusive Pen Addict washi insert with code penaddict.

Enigma Stationery: Unique items, top brands and hard-to-find imports. Get $10 off.

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Podcast.

YSTUDIO Ocean Sustainable Rollerball Pen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

There's too much plastic in our everything, but especially too much in our waterways. There are lots of options for ways to reuse this surplus of waste, but arguably one of the best ways is to make a cool pen. Okay, there are probably more practical, efficient ways to solve this problem, but every little bit helps and this was a neat idea, so let's run with it.

The YSTUDIO Ocean Sustainable Rollerball pen is made out of discarded nylon fishing nets, preventing them from ending up in waterways or landfills, where they might snare wildlife. The body is crafted from these recycled nets in a way that reduces 83% of carbon emissions, and the core of the pen is made from brass and aluminum. The metal gives it some weight, though it's much lighter than their original brassing rollerball pen. The body material has a slight texture to it, which makes it easy to grip. It has the classic Ystudio hexagon profile, with a tapered section and a snap cap. It does not have a clip. It comes in a minimalist recycled paper box.

YSTUDIO Ocean Sustainable Rollerball Dawn Yellow

YSTUDIO Ocean Sustainable Rollerball Barrel

The body is available in a variety of colors. This model is Dawn Yellow. There's also Sea Indigo, Evening Purple, Sunset Orange, and Sky Blue. They're all pastel hues, apart from the indigo. The pen comes with a Schmidt 5888F Rollerball cartridge and can easily be refilled by twisting the brass cap off of the bottom of the pen. It's a bold refill with a wet flow, so it may show some ghosting on thinner paper. It's also compatible with some of my favorite gel refills like the Pilot G2, UniBall One, and Pentel Energel--so you have endless ink color options, as well.

YSTUDIO Ocean Sustainable Rollerball Refill

As a sustainable, well-built, sturdy pen body with all the best ink refill options, this pen is well worth the $50 price tag. It might not be for everyone (the hex barrel is not a comfortable fit for all paws), but it looks fantastic, and it's a part of a movement that turns hazards into helpers. We need as much of that as we can get, even if it's just one pen at a time. Better yet, use the pen to write to your representatives.

(This product was purchased from Goldspot at a discounted price.)

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YSTUDIO Ocean Sustainable Rollerball Box

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Sarah Read and filed under ystudio, Rollerball, Pen Reviews.

Lamy Safari Ballpoint Pen Neon Yellow Giveaway

Don’t adjust your screens, the Lamy Safari Ballpoint Pen in Neon Yellow really is that bright. And I love it! I love the Safari Ballpoint as a product to begin with, and the colors take this one to another level. I have one to give away this week, so read the rules below and enter away!