The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 725 - I Will Admit When I'm Wrong But I'm Not

Field Notes Paletas

Summertime stationery, the Field Notes “Paletas” Edition.

LAMY, what are you doing to me? Spending my money, that’s what! Meteorite and Meteora have landed, what are your thoughts? I’m in on what they are doing, but neither will make my “You can only keep 10 fountain pens list.” That’s what Myke and I were up against in this episode, and had a blast sorting it out.

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.

Posted on July 16, 2026 and filed under Podcast.

Esterbrook Estie Nouveau Bleu Ballpoint Pen Review

Esterbrook Estie Nouveau Bleu Ballpoint Pen Review

For when you want to feel fancy but need to be practical, Esterbrook offers some of their prettiest materials in a ballpoint pen. The ultra-classy Nouveau Bleu material, an elegant acrylic in shades of blue with gold veins and flecks, comes with either gold or chrome trim.

Esterbrook Estie Nouveau Bleu Ballpoint Pen

The pen has a faux cap, so that it looks like a posted pen, but the cap section is really a twist mechanism that deploys the tip from the nose cone. This cap-like end pulls off to reveal the cartridge. It takes a Parker style cartridge, so there are a lot of options for different inks and colors to choose from. It comes with the Esterbrook refill, which writes very nicely. It's smooth with no skipping and less smudging than many ballpoint inks.

Esterbrook Estie Ballpoint

The twist mechanism is simple and secure. It hasn't ever accidentally twisted or resulted in ink staining. It also works as a perfectly silent fidget. It lacks the tactile clunk of a click pen, but it's still satisfying.

The clip has just the right balance of firmness and springiness, so it has the perfect hold in a case, pocket, or clipped to a folder.

Esterbrook Estie Ballpoint Clip

The Esterbrook Estie ballpoint pen sells for $125 and it comes in many of their most popular materials, like Raven and Seaglass. It's a great way to enjoy some of their prettiest designs at a lower price point than the fountain pen.

Esterbrook Estie Ballpoint Tip

This is a good pen for work if you have a fancy job, and also a good pen if you have a regular job and want to feel fancy! And it's the perfect pen if you have a special occasion like a wedding or birth and you'd like to sign the paperwork with something special, but you can't use a fountain pen due to the ink properties. It would also make a great gift for someone who loves pens but doesn't like the maintenance of fountain pens.

Esterbrook Estie Ballpoint Refill

I've been really enjoying ballpoint pens for their practicality lately, and pens like this help me meet my daily writing needs while still enjoying fine writing tools. These are pretty and well made, and they elevate a simple grocery list, or bring an important formality to life's big moments. If you haven't tried a fancy ballpoint, this is a fantastic one to add to your pen collection.


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Esterbrook Estie Ballpoint Writing
Posted on July 16, 2026 and filed under Esterbrook, Pen Reviews.

JetPens JetDo Bucket Hat Giveaway

JetPens JetDo Bucket Hat

Is this the silliest giveaway I’ve ever done on The Pen Addict? Possibly. But it is Summertime in the Northern Hemisphere, and you need protection from the sun. Who better to handle that other than JetDo, the cute JetPens mascot! I have one JetPens JetDo Bucket Hat to give away, and yes, I even kept one for myself. Read the rules below and enter away!

Posted on July 14, 2026 and filed under Giveaways.