7 Years Already?!?

(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!.)

Hard to believe that 7 years ago today, I got my first fountain pens and oof, to say that I have since fallen into the rabbit hole is the understatement of the century! I don’t have a special pen picked out for this year’s penversary yet (and that’s ok!) but I thought it might be fun to look back at my first order to see what else I bought besides pens, because yes, there are other things besides pens!

As I’ve mentioned before, I couldn’t decide between the Pilot Metropolitan, Platinum Preppy and Lamy Safari, so I ended up ordering all 3! After watching Goulet’s Fountain Pens 101 videos (this is just the first in the series), I knew that I couldn’t just buy the pens by themselves, so what else did I get? And more importantly, do I still have & use them?

The first (of many) pens - I will always have a soft spot for them - Lamy Safari (top), Pilot Metropolitan and (one of seven) Platinum Preppies.

1. Ink sample pack - I have no idea what colors I actually got because it was a random pack and that was before I knew about Fountain Pen Companion and tracking my samples. Given my stellar record of finishing ink samples and bottles (spoiler, I have a terrible record of such), it’s quite likely that I still have said samples. I’m also pretty sure I used some of them early on too, but this was the start of my journey as an inkophile.
2. Rhodia No. 16 Notepad - Black, Dot Grid - Ah yes, the trusty Rhodia Notepad. I used so much of this that I may have gone hog wild when the local craft store had put them on clearance. I still use this from time to time, and while I probably won’t replenish the pads when I’m done, I don’t hesitate to recommend them as a fountain pen friendly paper, even if there are other papers that I enjoy more using which show off inks better.

Down to a few trusty pads! I think I have to make sure there’s always one in my Galen pad holder though!

3. Pen Cleaning Package Set - This set included a Bulb Syringe, a set of 2 - 5ml syringes, and an 8 ounce bottle of pen flush. I have since used the heck out of that bulb syringe, such that it ended up splitting in two and am on my 3rd bulb syringe. Ditto the 5ml syringes, which I have since replaced with 10 and 20ml syringes. I currently have 3-4 syringes with dedicated Schon pen cleaning tools. As for the pen flush, I do use it on occasion but clearly not as much as one might expect, given 7 years of pen cleaning. It’s just that most of the time, plain water works just fine, with a couple cycles in the ultrasonic for the super tough ones (especially if I haven’t touched the to-be-cleaned pile in a while).

4. Pilot CON-50 Piston Converter - I was so glad I got this because the Pilot Metropolitan came with the not-very-useful Con-B squeeze converter. It is still my preferred Pilot converter (I despise the Con-70 and the Con-40 is meh) and I’m glad I bought a small stash of them before they were discontinued.

My favorite Pilot converter, the CON-50.

5. Ink Miser Ink-Shot Inkwell - I still use this, but not the way it was originally intended. Yes, I do pour the rest of my ink samples into the Ink Miser if I need to fill a pen, but I use it more often to keep an ink vial stable when I’m swatching inks. There are now a bunch of vial holders out there but the Ink Miser will remain a favorite because of its dual purpose.

The Ink Miser is handy when you’re getting down near the bottom of a sample.

Even though this Ink Miser has a base, I know I’m just tempting fate by using it as-is, so I repurposed some of the kid’s LEGO to make it extra sturdy.

6. Platinum Preppy Refillable Marker - Ok, this isn’t a fountain pen, so I included it in this list. The marker is around here somewhere but I’ll be honest and admit that I haven’t used it much since getting it because I don’t use markers too often, and when I do, they tend to be the Tombow ABT Dual Brush pens. Still, I don’t regret buying it and if I ever want to use markers more regularly, I’ll pick up another so I can use FP inks with it.

Considering I didn’t know anything about fountain pens, I think I did pretty well with my first order! Other than the Preppy Marker and to an extent, the original ink samples, I’m still using the same items I bought 7 years ago. Obviously, I’ve since bought a lot of pens, inks, and more, but this was a good first order that got me well on my way down the rabbit hole!

As I often say, the best part of this rabbit hole isn’t all the stuff, but all the pen friends I’ve met along the way. Like I said last year, I still can’t believe that I am still enjoying this hobby as much as I do and being a part of this community keeps me coming back for more! Whether I’ve met you in person at a pen show or meetup or have only “met” you on IG, Facebook, Slack, Twitch, Discord, Zoom, etc., YOU are the best part of this hobby and I’m so grateful to have fallen in as deeply as I have. Thank you for being a part of this rabbit hole and for making the past 7 years so much fun! Now, who’s got some fun non-pen ideas to help me celebrate the 7th penversary?

(Disclaimer: All products shown were purchased by me.)

Mad Science Pen Company Beta Type-R Vanness Collaboration Fountain Pen Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

It's not often that we get a pen that is so unique that it's difficult to compare it to anything else already out there. For the most part, fountain pens follow the same basic design language with added flair and character to distinguish the brand. With Mad Science Pen Company, the Beta Type-R is unlike any other pen you've seen or used.

You might remember the name from when Caroline's Meet Your Maker post on Jacob Pawloski, aka Mad Science Pen Company. Jacob's pen turning obsession started around the same time as COVID-19 lock-downs, and it's really impressive and mind-boggling to see how quickly someone can pick up a skill and produce amazing results when they're motivated.

Scrolling through Jacob's Instagram posts features pen after pen that each features a unique shape as well as bright, colorful, even other-worldly materials. The bright and contrasting swirls look like something you'd find in a science fiction lab. It's definitely an aesthetic, and Jacob nails it.

The Beta Type-R is a specific body style that features a friction fit cap, a contoured grip section that partially hoods the nib, and a back section that holds a standard TSWBI cartridge converter. It has all the normal pieces that make up a fountain pen, but they're all unique and fit together so well.

The specific model I have is a collaboration between Mad Science and Vanness Pens. It was a limited edition that sold out in late 2023. And that's something else that makes this pen maker so interesting. Everything is small batch and fleeting. If you see something on Instagram or the website, you better snatch it up quickly before it's gone. Jacob also takes commissions, but you'll likely end up waiting a while (or maybe not — he uses a lottery system to pick the next person in the queue). Before even talking about the pen, I can assure you that if you see something you like, buy it immediately. You won't be disappointed.

The Vanness Beta Type-R that I have features a frosted gray/white section and a swirled purple material that makes up the body and cap. The color combo is definitely more subdued than other materials, but it's just as gorgeous. The resin material is dominantly purple, but there's lots of contrasting colors swirled in as well, like white, dark gray, gray. There's even some areas where the purple has a lovely shimmer or pearlescent effect. It's a lovely material that definitely grabs attention from anyone nearby.

The grip section is made of a semi-translucent light gray material that looks like it should feel like a Dr. Grip grip, but it's actually rigid. I love the way it looks, but I think I love the way it feels even more. It's a fantastic shape, and I love that there aren't any seams or threads to detract from the shape and feel.

The cap on this pen is small! It's about the size of a regular grip section on a standard pen — about 30mm or 1.25 inches. It doesn't post on the back of the pen, but it's easy to hold while writing. What's more fascinating about the cap is the closing mechanism. It uses two o-rings to create a good seal with the pen when not in use. There's also a small hole on the side of the cap to provide air to go in and out when capping/uncapping the pen to prevent any unwanted ink spurts due to pressure changes (at least that's why I assume the hole is there). This little functional design choice is just one example of how thoroughly considered this pen design is.

Back to the grip — it's a first for me in terms of how it shrouds the nib. It's not like a hooded nib — it has a 2-5mm gap between the inside of the grip and the nib, which makes it look like the nib is floating in mid air. If you haven't seen a hooded nib in action, the Parker 51 is a great example. Notice how the nib is meant to look like an integrated part of the grip while hiding the nib and feed. I love how the grip extends halfway down the nib while still providing a substantial grip and flare for your fingers to rest while writing. Since you can hold the pen a little lower than normal, this also provides excellent control of the nib.

Jacob's pens use standard Jowo #6 nibs, and the 1.5mm stub included in mine works flawlessly. Given the excellent level of control I feel I have due to the grip section and light overall weight of the pen, I'm interested in trying a smaller F or EF nib in this pen. I've just been having too much fun using it as-is to perform the swap.

Moving up from the grip, the body of the pen provides a good length for positioning the pen on your hand when writing. It gives you access to the included TWSBI cartridge-converter, which holds quite a lot of ink. Like Jacob recommends, it's best to use a syringe to fill the converter before putting it in the pen. You could certainly fill the pen like a regular converter, but then you have ink all over the section and inside the gap between the nib assembly and inner grip. I wouldn't want the grip to be stained, either! So, follow Jacob's advice and ink the converter before installing it into the pen.

Or, you can always use the pen as an eyedropper. O-rings and silicone grease are included with the pen along with instructions in case you want to go that route. Along with the extra parts, the grip section/body connection has a lot of threads (it takes at least ten full rotations), so I have no concerns that any ink will leak out.

The top and bottom of the pen/cap are almost flat. They are slightly convex and lightly rounded over to give the edges a distinct look but soft feel. One of my other favorite things about this pen design is how all of the mating edges are beveled away from each other. Instead of the surface mating up and reducing any seam lines, the seams are accentuated and integrated into the design. I love the way it looks, though this isn't something that you'll find on all Mad Science designs.

Overall, this pen is definitely a result of something that required a lot of thought and tuning. It's a lovely writing instrument that is a joy to use and look at.

Mad Science pens are typically in the $200 ballpark. I highly recommend you check them out and keep an eye on their Instagram account to be ready for new drops. There's nothing else like them, and they're top-notch writers. Keep up the good work, Jacob!

(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Pelikan M200 Orange Delight Fountain Pen Review

Is there a more consistent fountain pen brand on the market than Pelikan?

There is an argument to be made for a few brands to sit along side the big bird. I’d advocate for Pilot pretty heavily, for example. But the consistency in every single aspect of a Pelikan fountain pen each time I pick one up is to be applauded. They are rock solid writing instruments, to be sure.

That’s why, even as someone who doesn’t use many Pelikans, I was excited to get the M200 Orange Delight into my hands. Yes, it is Orange, and that is important. Even more important is the fact that it is in the M200 category, which is the Pelikan model that I get along with the best.

M200 series Pelikan fountain pens are small in stature, but large on features. The piston filling mechanism is the standout, and is arguably the best on the market. It’s a smooth, effective twist to draw in ink from a bottle, or to flush with water when cleaning.

The out-of-the-box Steel nib experience is perfect as well. I use a stock Extra Fine nib in my Black M205, and would have gone for the same in this Orange Delight if I didn’t pick it up from Mark Bacas, aka Nib Grinder, at the Atlanta Pen Show. He had a Fine nib, which I immediately turned into a wonderful Cursive Italic. This is my nib width maximum on Pelikan pens, and the reason I rarely use their gold nib models. Those end up being too wide and wet for my writing.

Left to right: LAMY AL-Star, M200, Kaweco Sport.

The aforementioned size of the M200 is perfect for me. It’s small, and light - maybe too small, and too light for some. What I learned about my M205 was that this size is ideal for portability. I can take it - and use it - anywhere. It never gets in the way, and is a joy to use. It is big enough to use uncapped when writing, but posts deep enough that I almost consider going that route sometimes. Only sometimes, though.

To say the Orange Delight fits my aesthetic would be the understatement of the year. The solid Orange resin is set off perfectly by the translucent Orange mid-section. I love seeing the piston hardware, and the ink sloshing around inside the barrel. The Gold trim is a perfect match as well, and for this particular pen, works better than Rhodium-plated hardware would have.

There have been many Pelikan M200 fountain pens that have tempted me over the years, but at around $200, they are not a mindless purchase. I’m glad I bided my time until I found one that delights me as much as this one does.

The biggest takeaway from my experience with the Orange Delight is that I had no inclination to ink it up with an Orange ink. There can never be too much Orange, so maybe one day I will, but so many other colors fit well with this pen and nib. It may be a boring choice, but I’m thrilled with the Brown shades of Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz in this pen, an ink I haven’t given much of a chance to previously. It’s a perfect match, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go a second round with it when I write this one dry.

In a sea of similarities, Pelikan still finds a way to be unique amongst the flock, while staying true to their roots. I can’t help but be continually impressed by everything they make.

(I picked up this pen from Nib Grinder at the 2024 Atlanta Pen Show in a trade for products.)

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Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!