tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-954604702317847072024-03-12T19:26:07.351-05:00Tyler DahlFountain Pens777http://www.blogger.com/profile/12210751163682142049noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-437748556989544622014-02-18T17:14:00.000-06:002014-02-18T17:14:03.607-06:00First Look At: CTF's HitList Notebook (again!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally, at long last I actually <i>have</i> something to review! I've been hard at work, but I haven't spent much time at all with my own personal fountain pens. Saving money means buying less pens and inks, so for the last few months, I've had nothing new to write about.<br />
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That changes today thanks to "CTF" the creator of the HitList Notebook. He's been kind enough to send me one of his new notebooks for preview/review.<br />
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If you haven't read my original review of the HitList, or you simply have never heard of this notebook before, I highly recommend you stop here, and go <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2011/05/notebook-review-ctfs-hit-list.html">check it out</a>, as <i>today's</i> post will just be about the changes made in this new rendition of my favorite notebook (spoilers!). Let's get going.<br />
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I'll go ahead and apologize right now for the coloration of these photographs. New photo setup, and new computer mean that my editing and pictures aren't up to par yet. But I really didn't want to delay this any further.<br />
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Also, keep in mind that just because I've been given this notebook for review, does not mean that I automatically love it, or give it praise. Any praise I give is well earned, but you will also notice some criticisms in the "review". Disclaimers out of the way, let's get into it.<br />
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First of all, what's different!<br />
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<li>The <i>HitList</i> now comes in two sizes - pocket and large. I am very grateful for this option. More buyer choice is always better.</li>
<li>The entire series is now printed with lined paper. This is a godsend for people like me who cannot write straight on blank paper. I will make a minor complaint, in that the notebooks are now <i>only</i> available lined. CTF, if you're reading this, I personally suggest offering both blank and lined! : ) Again, the more buyer options the better.</li>
<li>The paper has been refined further. Not sure of the exact changes, but I like it for the most part.</li>
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Here are the technical specs from the official website:</div>
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<ul style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.hitlistbooks.com/templates/__custom/images/arrow-right.png); background-position: 0px 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Size: 5.125” x 8”</li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.hitlistbooks.com/templates/__custom/images/arrow-right.png); background-position: 0px 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">32 pages of fountain pen friendly 118g patented archival quality acid free paper.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.hitlistbooks.com/templates/__custom/images/arrow-right.png); background-position: 0px 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Super tough tear resistant cover.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.hitlistbooks.com/templates/__custom/images/arrow-right.png); background-position: 0px 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Easy access subject and date area along spine.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.hitlistbooks.com/templates/__custom/images/arrow-right.png); background-position: 0px 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">“CTF Dock” to show off your pen!</li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.hitlistbooks.com/templates/__custom/images/arrow-right.png); background-position: 0px 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Big Hitlist notebooks are plastic wrapped in packs of 2.</li>
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And that's about it for major changes. They're subtle, but they mark an excellent evolution in this awesome notebooks history.</div>
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Just like before, the HitList is beautifully minimal and elegant in it's design. The front sports the logo, and a thin stripe along the left side, with an area to put some information about the notebook, i.e. - what the notebook is for, the dates the notebook was used. Kinda cool for archival purposes.</div>
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The back has nothing more than a "Made In Canada" imprint, and a lot of black. Again, I appreciate the simplicity.</div>
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As with the previous HitList notebook,"CTF's Pen Dock" makes it's appearance. This is such a simple and elegant solution that every time I use another notebook, I cut one of these into it now. It's kind of a must have for me these days.</div>
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Alright, as with any "review" that I do, I like to keep it honest, and there are definitely a few small criticisms I can level at this notebook. The first one is very minor, but it's the appearance of the paper. It looks... Recycled? Not sure, but there are a fair amount of visual "artifacts" on each sheet. Go ahead and click on the photo below to get a closer look, and you'll see what I'm talking about.</div>
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While this doesn't really bother me, I did stop for a second, wondering why exactly the paper does look like this. Whatever it is, it writes nothing like the recycled paper I've used, so that's a good thing! :)</div>
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So, about that paper? Well, it's everything I've come to expect out of a HitList Notebook. It is as smooth as I want, without feeling like plastic instead of paper. I myself have stopped using papers such as Clairefontaine, simply because I don't like the overly glossy texture. CTF's HitList strikes a perfect in between for me. It's incredibly smooth to write on, but I still feel like I'm using paper.</div>
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So, here's a very extreme bleed-through test. For starts, the two stubs I was using were tweaked to about 10/10 wetness. I was trying to soak the paper. Also, the second swab on left (the one on the right in the above picture) was done as wet as possible.</div>
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Overall I'm extremely impressed with the bleed-through qualities of this paper. Obviously, with a large 1.1mm stub, set to maximum flow, you're going to get some slight bleed-through, really on any paper, save perhaps the Quo Vadis Habana. All of my other nibs, 0.7mm stubs and the like, had zero bleed-through whatsoever. Your Mileage Will Vary, depending on the nib and ink combo, but It's definitely paper made for fountain pens.</div>
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CTF's claims to virtually no bleed-through or feathering are indeed well founded. Feathering was completely a non-issue, even with the soaking ink swab I did!</div>
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Another very minor quibble I have, is how the lines are printed. The ink used seems to not allow the fountain pen ink to absorb "over it". Just check out the photo below, and you can see what I mean with the swab. The lines show right through the ink. It's actually a rather cool effect, but I can also see it becoming a little annoying to some folks. Pick your poison, but it sure won't stop me from enjoying the notebook. </div>
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It's still got that touch. :) This is just one of the reasons I love this notebook. I like how personal it is. I like the guy who makes them, and his attitude toward pens and paper. I much prefer giving my money to CTF over some large company that just pumps out notebooks by the thousands. Though the HitList isn't handmade, it still maintains a very personal touch.</div>
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And there you have it. That's a quick wrap of the new notebook. Hopefully I've showcased it well enough for you to get an idea of the changes made. Again, if you haven't <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2011/05/notebook-review-ctfs-hit-list.html">read my original review</a>, consider doing so, as it'll make everything I've written here make a whole lot more sense.</div>
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I really enjoy the CTF HitList notebooks. They are what I've come to prefer above any other notebook currently on the market. For me they strike all the right chords - elegant, intelligent, and minimal design, great paper, smart features, and a really awesome guy behind it all.</div>
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You can pick up your own HitList from <a href="http://www.hitlistbooks.com/">here</a> if you're interested. If you're like me, and you're still on the hunt for the perfect notebook, give it a shot!</div>
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Otherwise, let me know what you think of these notebooks in the comments below! They're still pretty new, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on them, be it positive or not.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-81938444058248630742013-12-09T13:50:00.003-06:002013-12-09T13:50:58.588-06:00Ice Storm - Expect some delays...Hey guys,<br />
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For any of you who are expecting a pen and/or nib in the mail from me, or are awaiting a response to an email, please expect some short delays. Perhaps a day or two.<br />
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We had a decent sized ice storm over at my place, and the power has gone down. It's been out for around a day and a half, and it looks like we just got it back on line. Hopefully it'll stay that way.<br />
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It's been a very cold, and dark last day and a half. Without power, heat, internet, or light, I didn't quite get the same amount of work done that I normally do. =)<br />
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But yeah, we've pretty much got everything settled now, so things will resume again very soon.<br />
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Apologies for any delays. I'm not gone, just occupied with stuff that's a tad more important than fountain pens.<br />
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Happy Holidays guys!<br />
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Generators are happily cranking away. </div>
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And we lost a few tree limbs, but thankfully nothing hit the house, or anything important really.</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-13141973748460509032013-12-07T11:33:00.002-06:002013-12-07T11:33:39.262-06:00Ink Review - Private Reserve Tanzanite (Fast Dry)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another ink review. I have a couple of Private Reserve inks on my list of inks to review, as I bought quite a few bottles during a sale a while back, that I never got around to trying out.<br />
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So here we are now. Private Reserve Tanzanite (Fast Dry), is an ink that interested me awhile back. Mostly due to the fact that I enjoy a nice purple ink every now and again, and I really like Private Reserve's fast-dry inks.<br />
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Let's check it out guys, and see if it's an ink worthy of a purchase, or just another "meh" color.<br />
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To begin with, I've stopped using my little score meter, for now anyways. Honestly, It's way too hard to give products, especially inks, a written number. Instead, I'll just give you information ,and let you decide whether or not you like it. That being said, I will still include the <i style="font-weight: bold;">good, bad, and ugly</i> for each review, as a sort of quick review for those who don't have time to read the whole thing. Onwards!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Overview:</span></b></div>
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Private Reserve Tanzanite (Fast Dry) is a gorgeous purple ink, that behaves quite well in most pens. It's fast drying qualities make it a great buy for those who use glossy papers.</div>
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<b>The Good:</b></div>
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<li>I like purple inks. What more can I say...</li>
<li>Fast drying is always appreciated when it comes to glossy papers. Makes writing on my favorite papers much more enjoyable when I don't have to wait 15 minutes before turning the page.</li>
<li>Very smooth flowing. While the proper remedy is always getting the nib tuned, this ink has been said to be a quick fix for super dry nibs.</li>
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<b>The Bad:</b></div>
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<li>You might like the fast-drying, smooth flowing qualities, but you just hate purple. Sorry about that.</li>
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<b>The Ugly:</b></div>
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<li>The labels that Private Reserve uses are just plain <i>ugly</i>.</li>
<li>Nib creep + fast drying ink = a lot of annoying nib clean up. This is very much a per-pen problem, but I did notice this in my TWSBI 580. A little bit annoying, although the ink on the nib at least looks pretty.</li>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Should you buy this ink: </span>If you like purple, fast drying inks, and you can handle a little nib creep, then yes, it's definitely an ink worth trying for you. I highly recommend it.</div>
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Now, on to the full review. If you're still reading, then thank you for sticking around!</div>
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For starts, let's hit up the packaging real quick, shall we? I have to say, perhaps due to being a child of a more modern era, that I find the Private Reserve packaging to be <i>really</i> ugly. The labels specifically. It looks like it was made in Microsoft Power Point, for a cheesy 80's movie. </div>
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Aside from that however, the bottle is pretty well done. As far as "standard" bottles go (as in, not the uber-fancy Mont Blanc ones), the Private Reserve bottles are some of the best. Very simple, plain, and very easy to fill from. The wide mouth, and generally wider/shorter appearance really help this out. For me anyway. </div>
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<b>Your Mileage Will Vary</b> when it comes to bottles, especially if you use a wide range of pen sizes.</div>
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But I personally like the shape of these bottles quite a bit. Now please, just fix that label!</div>
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This is really just an artistic shot, but hey, I thought it looked cool enough to make the review. It's a very pretty ink.</div>
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Here's your writing sample, zoomed in. Paper is from a Quo Vadis Habana. I normally don't use this paper in my reviews, but since this ink claimed to be "fast-drying", I had to try it out on this paper.</div>
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If you don't know what a Quo Vadis Habana journal is, buy one! But seriously, it's basically <i>really nice</i> paper made for fountain pens. It's also very glossy, so pretty much nothing will bleed on/through it. This quality however, makes it very slow to dry in most cases, whereas more absorbent papers will dry much quicker.</div>
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Here's the full entry I made in my ink journal. I quite like the color. A tiny bit more subdued than some of the other crazy purple inks I've tried, but it's still definitely purple.</div>
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I'll probably sound dumb for saying this, but I never knew that Tanzanite was actually a gem. Yeah... Google it, and sure enough, there's a gem that looks, well, a lot like this ink.</div>
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I've <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">decided to remove the whole scanned/written portion of my ink reviews. Mostly because, my scanner sucks, and It's not c</span>olor accurate, and I hate giving the wrong impression of inks. The photographs above are very close to what the ink looks like. The look perfect on my monitor, but your monitor may vary slightly. They're about as close as you'll get without buying the ink. That being said, the information is still all here.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Ink review:</b> Private Reserve Tananite (Fast Dry)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Pen and nib: </b>TWSBI Diamond 580 - XF Nib</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Color: </b>Purple, leaning towards the blue side of the purple spectrum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Dry Time:</b> 5-ish seconds - very good, especially on a Quo Vadis Habana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Smear when dry: </b>NO.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Shading: </b>Yes, definitely. You can see it in the writing sample, even with an XF nib. I really enjoy the shading this ink provides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Lubrication: </b>Good. Keeps pens working smooth, and flowing free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>bleed-through: </b>None that I can see, but then, the paper I used is really designed to never allow inks to bleed though. With a fast-dry inks like this, I would say bleed through will be a tiny bit more prevelant, especially if you'</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">re using cheap paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Feathering: </b>None that I can see</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And that's a wrap on my ink review! I hope you all enjoyed this. Let me know if you'd like to see more ink reviews like this in the future. How did the new format work out for you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As always, if you're new to the blog, and you enjoy the content I post, <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/tylerdahlpens">consider subscribing to me</a>! <b>It's free</b>, and it really helps out, more than you think. =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Holidays everyone. I will see you again soon hopefully.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-1595170885346935422013-12-05T12:10:00.001-06:002013-12-05T12:10:13.747-06:00A new batch of fantastic writers surface...And just in time for the holidays. :)<br />
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Hope all is well with you folks this holiday season! Things have been busy with me, to say the least, but I've been having fun, so I can't complain.<br />
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I've got a bunch of new pens up for sale over on the website, and I'll be listing more in the weeks to come before Christmas hits, and all that craziness.<br />
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Whether you're looking for a gift, or a present to yourself, I'll bet you'll find something you love. Please do check it out, causes there are a couple of pens over on the website that I am super excited about getting into peoples hands. They're just amazing.<br />
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Take care guys, and I will see about getting up an ink review in the meantime. I've got a couple of Private Reserve inks I've been meaning to do...<br />
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Link, in case clicking the image doesn't work... <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.com/newsales.html">http://tylerdahlpens.com/newsales.html</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-28918378750659561562013-11-05T18:06:00.001-06:002013-11-05T18:06:40.570-06:00TWSBI Diamond 580 - First Look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz_Qsr-CLSo/Unl4HBUDDZI/AAAAAAAABrw/LyOLuSQ7ctA/s1600/DSC_7957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz_Qsr-CLSo/Unl4HBUDDZI/AAAAAAAABrw/LyOLuSQ7ctA/s200/DSC_7957.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well, it’s not really fresh news anymore that the TWSBI 580 is out. I kind of missed the entire production and launch when I was down in Texas, and was totally surprised with it when I got back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This post is just going to be a "first-look" so to speak. For a review, you can still check out my slightly dated, but nevertheless valid <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2011/06/ultimate-twsbi-review-part-1.html">TWSBI Diamond 530 review</a>. This really is a comprehensive review (six parts!), so I have no need to re-review this pen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But hey, that doesn’t rule out a good look at it, to see some of the improvements made in this version. I know a lot of folks are still wondering if this third rendition of the popular TWSBI Diamond is worth upgrading too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I know I was a little skeptical at first, just because honestly, the 540 seemed perfectly fine to me. For that matter, the 530 was already an excellent pen. Up till now, I'd been clinging to my old 540. When the 540 originally came out, it made some really minor improvements. They were rather invisible/internal, but some where noticeable, especially performance-wise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am pleased to say however, that the <i><b>TWSBI Diamond 580</b></i> is a very large improvement over it’s predecessors. It’s been changed for the better in many ways. Both appearance, and function have been altered in what I call “the best TWSBI Diamond” yet. It’s definitely an improvement worth your time, and the short of it is - if you were looking to see if the 580 was worth buying, I can give you a definite “yes”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now let’s hop into the details of exactly what makes this pen better than the previous 530 and 540 models.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I won’t really go into the packaging, because that’s one thing that has remained perfect since the first TWSBI Diamond. I will say that it looks as good as always. Every time I see this packaging, it feels so clean, and fresh, unlike so many other modern pens.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoLy4v3IWvM/Unl4E6O2a0I/AAAAAAAABrY/dkEAdsmcJEw/s1600/DSC_7951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoLy4v3IWvM/Unl4E6O2a0I/AAAAAAAABrY/dkEAdsmcJEw/s640/DSC_7951.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Onto the pen. You’ll probably notice some physical changes, but I’ll make note of the important ones. In this photo you can see how the barrel is a bit more “refined” now. I was a little worried when I heard about this at first, because I loved the original pen’s shape, especially for stopping it from rolling off of my desk when I placed it don uncapped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thankfully they didn’t remove the diamond pattern completely. Instead, you will find a slightly smoother, cleaner, and more modern looking pen barrel. I like it quite a bit actually. It looks more minimal, while still retaining that classic TWSBI look we’ve all gown to love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The clip of the pen has been refined, and it goes along just right with the new look of the pen body. It’s just a little sleeker, and more minimal, while still maintaining a classic look. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfiJ3bJRB_U/Unl4F-DesQI/AAAAAAAABrk/MKUTVJOPnk8/s1600/DSC_7954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfiJ3bJRB_U/Unl4F-DesQI/AAAAAAAABrk/MKUTVJOPnk8/s640/DSC_7954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another notable addition is this new tail-band. It should not only prevent cracking, but it adds just a touch more “bling” to a fairly plain pen. I can’t say I love it, but I definitely don’t hate it, and the added functionality of extra durability make it a keeper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The last majorly noticeable, stylish, and durable upgrade is the nib unit. These new nib units sport a fancy metal housing both inside and outside, which again adds a touch of “sparkle” to the pen, whilst adding some much needed sturdiness to the nib unit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Overall I really think this is a worthwhile upgrade for TWSBI 540 owners. If you’re still hanging on to the original 530, then you should definitely buy this pen! The visual, and functional improvements of the latest TWSBI Diamond make it once again my top pick for a $50.00-ish fountain pen. This pen maintains it’s best in class status, and is a must have for any fountain pen enthusiast.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-10743670086200540672013-10-23T15:12:00.002-05:002013-10-23T15:14:02.048-05:00Something new has come to Tyler Dahl - Fountain PensWell, I've been meaning to do this for so long, but I never got this project up and running. Now that I have more time, I've finally gotten this jump-started. Check it out. I think you'll be as excited as I am about it. :)<br />
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<a href="http://tylerdahlpens.com/customnibs.html"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://tylerdahlpens.com/images/customnibs.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-52820188141318247852013-10-18T13:54:00.000-05:002013-10-18T13:55:00.197-05:00Inexpensive Pens - Fantastic WritersWell, a lot of people have been requesting this, and I figured now was the right time to jump on this opportunity.<br />
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Without further ado, I introduce a new "product" from Tyler Dahl - Fountain Pens. :)<br />
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I'm pretty excited about this, but please, let me know what you think about the idea. Leave me a comment below. Would you be interested in more of these pens going up for sale?<br />
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<a href="http://tylerdahlpens.com/newsales.html"><img alt="inexpensive pens - great nibs - now available!" height="180" src="http://tylerdahlpens.com/images/cheappens_greatnibs_poster.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Here's my little sales pitch, if you care to hear it. ;)<br />
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If you're looking for a cheap buy, that writes great, you've come to the right place! For the longest time, I've been wanting wanting to make superb writers, custom nibs, and specialty nibs, much more accessible to the average pen user.<br />
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Up for grabs on my website now is a collection of inexpensive fountain pens, each with a custom ground nib. I randomly select a pen, and randomly choose a grind, then post it up for sale there. I plan on doing this pretty regularly, so shop around, and see if there's a pen for you!<br />
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These pens are guaranteed to be fantastic writers straight out of the box. You're going to love them!<br />
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I've priced these pens very competitively to other low tier pens (such as the TWSBI 580). For a guaranteed-to-work pen with a custom ground nib, you're getting quite the steal!<br />
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Check it out guys, and let me know what you think.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-8561748625140264932013-10-14T13:28:00.000-05:002013-10-14T13:46:13.218-05:00Back to work!Hello to all my readers and subscribers. It's been a while. Feels like it's been forever (on my end). In reality though, it's been over six months since I even touched a pen to repair it. I actually had to go back the other day and make sure I still knew how to do some of the more complex stuff. :)<br />
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That being said, I am proud to report that Tyler Dahl is officially back to it again! As most of you know, I was down in Texas pursuing my EMT-B certification, which I now have. I am currently looking for work in that venue, but in the meantime, I feel the need to jump back into the repair business again.<br />
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One of the blessings of the EMS schedule is that it allows me decent amounts of time to continue work on fountain pens, even with an EMT job. Things may be a tad slower working two jobs, but I will make it work as best I can.<br />
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So, while we're here, I thought I jump back in with a decent entrance. <b><a href="http://www.tylerdahlpens.com/sales.html"><span style="font-size: large;">How about a huge sale over at my website?!</span></a></b><br />
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I'm selling off a ton of stuff, some of which are my own personal pens. I'm dropping some sick prices on these pens, so grab them fast, because they will probably not be up for long. I've got a Pilot VP, some TWSBI's, some vintage pens, an Edison, and much more!<br />
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Okay, so a lot of you are probably wondering, "what happens to the blog?" I'll be honest, I don't know. I haven't been very good about updating it between trips down to Texas, but now with a little bit less on my plate, I'm hoping I can maybe do something on here every now and again. I'd love to just throw up posts all the time, but I know that's not a realistic goal. Let's say I'll aim for once every week or two on the blog, and we'll see how that goes. Sound good?<br />
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Well, that's all for now ladies and gentleman. I should be around the forums every once and a while, and I'll try to keep in touch as best I can. As always, talk to me! Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think of all this.<br />
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Best regards to you all,<br />
Tyler DahlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-80576620452459051922012-10-30T12:54:00.000-05:002012-10-30T12:54:53.855-05:00Mini Review: Bortoletti Dip Pen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNwnqUC5KS4/UI_WfFq6yFI/AAAAAAAABic/owZnyaiyLjA/s1600/DSC_3625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNwnqUC5KS4/UI_WfFq6yFI/AAAAAAAABic/owZnyaiyLjA/s200/DSC_3625.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Me thinks it’s about time I get back to blogging now, so we’re kicking things of the right way with a review! At the suggestion of one of my favorite readers, I decided this would be the best way to jump back in. No introductions needed.<br />
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That being said, give me some slack, because it’ll take me some time before I get as good as I was at my reviews and photography. :)<br />
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Read on to find out about my new favorite fountain-pen-related writing instrument…<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Overview:</b></span><br />
This Italian-made (hand-made!) dip pens screams quality all over. Not being a huge fan of dip pens, I had high standards, and low expectations. When I was gifted this pen, I didn't know what to expect. Upon opening the decorative box, this pen matched my high standards and exceeded my expectations in an amazing way. If you’re into dip pens, I’d say this is almost a must-have. If you’re interested in trying one out, definitely do yourself a favor, and buy a real one, like the Bortoletti.<br />
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<b>The good:</b><br />
• Fantastic Quality<br />
• Beautiful design and hand-blown glass. It’s lovely to stare at…<br />
• The nibs are not modern – they are recovered/reconditioned vintage dip pen nibs! And they write very well.<br />
• It’s Italian, and it’s hand-made – need I say any more?<br />
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<b>The Bad:</b><br />
• Well, it’s a dip pen. If you don’t like dip pens, you’re out of luck my friend.<br />
• For what it is, it’s not overpriced, but it sure isn’t cheap either.<br />
• Availability is sketchy. The only way to get one is to Google “Bortoletti Dip Pen” and see what comes up. They are randomly available for around $60.00-$70.00 at different online gift/pen shops.<br />
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I would LOVE to see these carried by a good FP retailer, such as the Goulets. I might just shoot them an email and see if they'd consider it…<br />
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<b>The ugly:</b><br />
• Sorry, but the word ugly cannot be associated with this gorgeous pen in any way, shape, or form. Just not happening.<br />
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Now onto the details!!! (I know you’re as excited as I am, right? :)
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Here's the important end of the pen - the part where you'll be touching it, and writing with it. Hand blown glass, and gold dust swirled inside. It's lovely. The grip-section is metal, and has a delightful "tarnished" look to it. The nibs are easy to change out, and the pen comes with three. My favorite is the one currently in the pen - a flexible nib. There is a stiff "normal" nib, and a stub-type nib. More on how the nibs write later.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNwnqUC5KS4/UI_WfFq6yFI/AAAAAAAABic/owZnyaiyLjA/s1600/DSC_3625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNwnqUC5KS4/UI_WfFq6yFI/AAAAAAAABic/owZnyaiyLjA/s400/DSC_3625.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The set comes with a lovely bottle of ink, and a real wax-covered cork cap! I was worried about ink leakage, but I left the bottle sideways for <b>9 weeks</b>, and not a single drop ever leaked. Impressive for a piece of cork...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-659GRUFYXpQ/UI_Wmw80vBI/AAAAAAAABik/yxSMAEMLb90/s1600/DSC_3626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-659GRUFYXpQ/UI_Wmw80vBI/AAAAAAAABik/yxSMAEMLb90/s400/DSC_3626.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The ink itself is nothing too special, but it works better than fountain pen ink on this pen. I believe this is because most dip pen inks are "thicker" than fountain pen inks. Thus, they cling to the nib better via surface tension.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tzTG4bSz_o/UI_WuILpiyI/AAAAAAAABis/pfTVkOlaAkY/s1600/DSC_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tzTG4bSz_o/UI_WuILpiyI/AAAAAAAABis/pfTVkOlaAkY/s400/DSC_3628.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This pen is quite comfortable to write with. It's balanced, not too light, and has a great grip-section to hold onto. I will caution - it's long! Not big, but long. This is <b>not</b> an issue for me, as the "tail-end" is very light, and it's not back-heavy at all.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHlLoMKwXfo/UI_W2LrOIdI/AAAAAAAABi0/nAzB0K_HKYw/s1600/DSC_3629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHlLoMKwXfo/UI_W2LrOIdI/AAAAAAAABi0/nAzB0K_HKYw/s400/DSC_3629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was done with one dip, using the ink that came with the pen. Not bad at all, though my handwriting with it could use a lot of help. :)</div>
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The nib pictured here is the semi-flexible one. It's my personal favorite one out of the three. Compared to all other dip nibs I've tried, this one is far above them. It's very smooth for a dip nib. Mind you, dip nibs have no tipping, so they're naturally not going to be like a fountain pen. I believe the slight tooth only adds to the experience though. The slight flex makes writing fun, and, as you can see in the photo below, one dip actually gets you pretty far.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrYz-OICRXw/UI_XAodnfgI/AAAAAAAABi8/ZwX936asJDM/s1600/DSC_3633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrYz-OICRXw/UI_XAodnfgI/AAAAAAAABi8/ZwX936asJDM/s400/DSC_3633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last photo - a comparison shot. Yep, I told you it was long. But as you can see, the tail-end is thin and light, so it doesn't affect the very nice forward-balance of the pen.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbvNNHh8hnM/UI_XJdppjoI/AAAAAAAABjE/8nA1zU8qzlE/s1600/DSC_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbvNNHh8hnM/UI_XJdppjoI/AAAAAAAABjE/8nA1zU8qzlE/s400/DSC_3635.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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All things considered, I can't stop using this pen. I really don't have anything bad to say about it. Sure, it's expensive, and yea, it's a little hard to find. But if you can get a hold of one, this is <i style="font-weight: bold;">the</i> premium dip pen experience. If you're a dip pen fanatic, buy one - you'll love it. If you're looking to get into dip pens, don't get a cheap one like I originally did - it will ruin your opinion of dip pens. Get a good one, like this Bortoletti, and enjoy the experience like it's supposed to be.</div>
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This pen looks so elegant sitting out on my desk, it's practically become a permanent accessory. Best part is, it's not just an accessory - it actually works, and works <i>very</i> well too.</div>
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That there concludes this mini-review. If you have any further questions about the pen, please do drop me a comment below and ask away. I'd be happy to fill you in on any information I may have missed in the review.</div>
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Oh yea, it's good to be back to blogging again too. :)</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-79867302014100532792012-10-06T08:35:00.001-05:002012-10-06T08:35:31.733-05:00I'm finally back...Hey guys! It's me, no really, it is. :) It sure has been a long time, at least it feels that way for me. I hope you all missed me, cause I sure missed you.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xz2effKgZE/UG7piVlN0OI/AAAAAAAABgc/-3Infh__7qw/s1600/Dahl+-+Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xz2effKgZE/UG7piVlN0OI/AAAAAAAABgc/-3Infh__7qw/s320/Dahl+-+Full.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
The last 9 weeks of my life, without a doubt, have been the most difficult and long weeks I've ever been through. The experience was life changing, to say the least…<br />
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To the left, yup, that's me. That was about 3 days before we finished up our training down in Texas. I look a little different with short hair, and a uniform, eh? :)<br />
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But hey, I’m back now! And I must say, <b>it's great to be back</b>. I've been home for about two weeks now, but as you may have noticed, I’m not answering any emails, or doing any blogging, or any pen repair. I am taking a short break to get back into the swing of things here. <br />
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A lot has been happening lately, so I best go over the future, and let you all know what things are looking like for me. There are definitely going to be some changes. Some will be little, a few will be bigger. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">For starts, let me address anyone who currently has a pen here at my place, waiting on a repair:</span></strong></div>
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I will be looking into repairing your pen, but whether or not I am able to do it will depend on the repairs needed, and parts-availability. <strong>I need to get all the pens currently with me, out of my office</strong>. Whether I repair them, or return them without repairing them will be decided later on, and I’ll discuss that with each of you personally. My goal is to start back at “ground-zero” so-to-speak, and set up my pen repair business over again with no current customers waiting on me. Obviously, if your pen is not repaired for any reason, there will be no charges, and I will pay the return shipping on it. <br />
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The reason I am setting up “fresh” is to minimize distractions, as I will be changing a few things about the way my pen repair business runs. I’d like to be able to work on that with no obligations to be working with customers on a time limit. I hope that makes sense. <br />
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Let’s see… Next, I’ll probably have a <b>very large sale</b>. Hooray for you! Don’t you love it when I’m trying to quickly get rid of pens, and I have to sell them for extra low prices? :) I’ll be getting rid of all my current inventory of pens that I have for sale, as well as a few from my personal collection. This will once again free up my time and space to focus on reorganizing my business.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How about the blog:</b></span></div>
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I will be starting up the blog again, but not quite yet. Over the next few weeks, I will post a few things here and there, as well as some updates on what’s going on in the background for me. I don't have time to blog like a madman just yet. Once I am set up, there will be more time for that.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Emails: </span></b></div>
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Chances are you’re probably waiting for me to respond to an email you sent. If you are, fear not - I will be getting around to answering all of those, in time. It’ll take me a while to get to everyone though. After all, I have 9 weeks worth of emails to get through… Try to be patient and understanding here. I realize some of you are still a little confused with how things worked out right before I left. I promise you, I'll be sure to work with each one of you and get it sorted out. Just give me time to get to each person, as I want to make sure everyone is fully satisfied, and not left confused.</div>
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<b>Now, you’re probably wondering “why all this change?”.</b> Well, there’s a good reason for it, and I’d like to make sense of it for you, so here goes:<br />
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Firstly, <b><i>my future is slightly uncertain</i></b>. Don’t freak out now, I’m not quitting the pen repair business, or the blog. But they may not be full-time for me anymore. Depending on how things work out, there is a chance I will be returning to Texas in 2013 to do more training there. Nothing is decided yet, and I may never go back, but the opportunity is there. I've taken a great interest in going through the EMT/Paramedics school down in Texas there. Again, that’s not saying that I’ll be doing that, but there is a chance I will. <i>If</i> I decided to go through that training, I’d be gone for almost a year down in Texas. <br />
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Also, I may be headed down to Texas in January to do some volunteer work. That would be for 9–10 weeks. That may or may not work out, depending on a lot of things. It's looking pretty sketchy right now though...<br />
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What this means for my little pen repair business is pretty big. It means that I may not get much time to work at it. This is why I’m trying to get back to ground-zero, and get rid of all my current inventory. I need to be able to either go mobile with it, or leave it again for a few months. <br />
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With all this uncertainty, you’re probably thinking I’m done repairing pens for good. But again, fear not. Even if all this works out, and I leave for another year to go pursue a job doing something else, I will still come back to continue doing pen repair and blogging. One of the reasons I've taken an interest in Paramedics is the work schedule. A job like that would allow me to run a small business on the side quite easily. So yes, I would continue to repair pens along side that. <br />
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Please take all of this with a grain of salt. None of this is for sure, and I’m just letting you know so you can be prepared, in case I decide to suddenly leave again for a few months. The road ahead is kind of foggy, bumpy, and uncertain. Still, know that I will <i style="font-weight: bold;">eventually</i> be continuing my blogging, pen repair, and general FP geekiness. :)<br />
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That's about all for now, but I'll keep you folks updated with any further info I get. And I'll let you know how setting up the repair business is going. I am greatly looking forward to getting back into the FP world!<br />
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P.S. - Be sure to <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">email me here</a> (sparingly! ;) if you're confused about something, or just want to say hi!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-62109634855350884302012-07-21T10:50:00.001-05:002012-07-21T10:50:24.148-05:00Goodbye for the summerWell, I don't have a lot to say today. I'll keep it short and simple.<br />
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I leave tomorrow for Texas, and I won't be back till September. I don't expect to resume blogging till late September to early October. But we'll see.<br />
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I look forward to my time in Texas, but I will greatly miss you all! I value every one of my blog readers, so I promise you - you will not be forgotten. :) And when I return, I can resume blogging full-speed. I've already got some great plans.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">All that being said, I must now bid you goodbye.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>Unfortunately I will not have my computer with me, so if you're wanting to contact me, you better do it today (6/21/12). I'll do my best to respond to everyone's emails, but I can really only handle the most important ones right now. I appreciate your understanding, and even if I can't respond to your email, know that I have read it, and will address it as soon as I reasonably can (if applicable).<br />
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That's it. Goodbye again my friends. See you all later this fall. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-69936796205659275342012-06-27T15:58:00.001-05:002012-06-27T15:58:24.678-05:00The little ink bottle that couldn't...<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKpPXFBwPEo/T-sRxz7CmpI/AAAAAAAABfw/YdpB1L8mZ40/s1600/DSC08651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKpPXFBwPEo/T-sRxz7CmpI/AAAAAAAABfw/YdpB1L8mZ40/s200/DSC08651.JPG" width="200" /></a>If you read my reviews here, chances are you’ve come across my comments on how much I dislike the J. Herbin ink bottle design. Nothing wrong with the ink inside it (usually), but the shape of the bottle is so <em>un</em>-fp-friendly that I can’t help but wonder what they were thinking.<br />
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Since I've been ranting about this for a while, I thought it'd be good to actually show why I dislike the bottle, instead of just complaining for no apparent reason.<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white;">For those of you who have never seen a J. Herbin ink bottle, allow me to share:</span><br />
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Here's me trying to fill an Esterbrook from a bottle of J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6YnDBpoJt4/T-sR330kucI/AAAAAAAABf4/F65SKDZ7Ics/s1600/DSC08654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6YnDBpoJt4/T-sR330kucI/AAAAAAAABf4/F65SKDZ7Ics/s400/DSC08654.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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So you’re wondering what exactly is <em>wrong</em> with this ink bottle. A multitude of things actually, but here’s a list of the big issues:<br />
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<li>The bottle is too shallow to fit most pens once the ink level reaches about 50%. That kind of sucks, epically when you’re not in the mood to get ink all over you trying to transfer it to a different container.</li>
<li>The neck of the bottle does not allow you to fill as easily, and there a few pens that simply won’t fit in. With a wide mouth, yo can tilt the nib at an angle to get a better fill. No luck with the J. H. bottles.</li>
<li>Because the bottle is so wide, and the neck is so small, a <em>lot</em> of ink can remain in the bottle, even though you can’t get get at it. This is obviously frustrating, having 1/2 - 2/3 of the ink sit in there, and no way to get at it.</li>
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That’s a good summary of my issues with this ink bottle shape. It’s obviously designed for looks and not functionality. At least J. Herbin can be commended for this - the bottles are beautiful. The labels, with their hand-drawn “exotic” pictures, and the funky bottle design are wonderful for display on a desk. They even have a built in pen rest!<br />
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So, there you have it. The foundation for my dislike of J. Herbin ink bottles. I honestly think this bottle could use a little reengineering. If J. Herbin could just widen the mouth up, and stretch the bottle taller instead of wider, we could potentially have a beautiful <em>and</em> functional ink bottle. Until then, I will continue to dislike the bottles, and transfer the ink to other containers.<br />
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Let me know what <em>you</em> think of the J. H. ink bottle design. Love it? Hate it? I doubt I’m the only one who dislikes it, but I’m willing to bet there are a few folks who love it too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-59707763402959661582012-06-25T19:17:00.001-05:002012-06-25T19:17:16.666-05:00Poll: Blog commenting software<div style="float: right!important;">
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<tr><td colspan="2"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>What do you think of the upgraded commenting software?</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><label for="56zcanswer1">What upgrade? I didn't even notice...</label></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><label for="56zcanswer2">It's great!</label></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><label for="56zcanswer3">It's fine - I don't really care</label></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><label for="56zcanswer4">It works, but I don't like it</label></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><label for="56zcanswer5">It's broken - won't even let me post a comment</label></span></div>
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<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">pollcode.com <a href="http://pollcode.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">free polls</span></a> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, for a long time now my commenting software of choice has been DISQUS. Recently, DISQUS emailed me showing off their new&improved upgrade to their current commenting software. It was free, so I decided to give it a go. </span><br />
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Since then I has been really hit or miss. Some commenters have noticed nothing new, while others love it, and a few folks seem to be unable to comment at all, which really sucks.<br />
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So I'm left with a decision, and I want your help. I need to choose to either stick with the upgrade and hope for some bug fixes, or revert to the old version and wait it out till the new one is stable.<br />
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This being the case, and at the suggestion of one of my commenters, I've assembled a handy poll so that I can get <i>your</i> vote. If you want to take part in this, it's super easy, and I would be extremely grateful. Just select an option from the poll on the right.<br />
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And be sure to leave me a comment (assuming the new software is allowing you to do so) if you have further details.<br />
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Thanks for your participation! Each vote counts, and will help shape this blog to be better than ever.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Of need to reach me, and you are unable to leave a comment due to bugs, feel free to <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">send me an email</a>.</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-21549561623971437272012-06-23T09:30:00.000-05:002012-06-23T09:30:23.672-05:00Weekend Reads 6-23-12<br />
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Welcome again to another edition of the Weekend Reads. It won’t be much longer till I’m <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2012/06/its-official-now.html">gone in Texas</a>, so enjoy them while they last.<br />
<br />
As of today, I have nearly 4.5 weeks till my departure. Depending on how busy I am, we may only have 2–3 Weekend Reads left.<br />
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That being said, let’s take advantage if the time we have, and get right to it!<br />
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<strong>Links of the week:</strong> <em>Top picks from my favorite blogs and forums.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<strong>#1: </strong>Check out this interesting poll by FPGeeks. It gives an interesting glimpse of the ages of folks who are frequenting their site, and more importantly, who are using fountain pens. There were more young people than I thought, but the 30-40's category seems to be winning as usual. <a href="http://fpgeeks.com/pollsarchive/">This link will take you to the polls archive</a>. The current poll is at the top, on the right side, but they may archive it on Monday, since it's a weekly thing. Just look for this title: <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; orphans: 4; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">What is your age range? (Chronologically speaking, of course.)</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>#2: </strong>If you want an excellent overview of different FP filling mechanisms, look no further than this extensive <a href="http://www.inknouveau.com/2012/06/fp101-filling-mechanisms.html">video from Brian Goulet</a>.<br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>#3: </strong>Another great ink review from Peninkcillin, here's <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://peninkcillin.blogspot.com/2012/06/noodlers-bad-blue-heron-ink-review.html">Noodlers Bad Blue Heron</a></i>. Strange name for an ink in my opinion, but the color is pretty nice actually, and that's coming from me, who typically hates dark blue/black-ish inks.<br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>#4:</strong> Lastly, an <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/222479-my-pelikan-m600-fell-apart/">interesting post on FPN</a> that reminds me that some companies (even big companies) still have good customer service. Makes me want to add a Pelikan pen to my collection again.<br />
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<strong><em>Q&A Time:</em></strong><br />
<strong><em><br /></em></strong><br />
Well I’ll be honest, the questions haven’t been coming in this week. I suppose that’s mostly due to my leaving soon.<br />
<br />
But still, I will try to keep up the <em>Q&A Time</em> till I leave. If you want me to continue, <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">email me</a> with your questions. I can’t answer questions unless you ask them! :) Remember, it can be anything you like: Inks, pens, cases, repairs - you name it. As long as it’s a question.<br />
<br />
And thank you all for your support!<br />
<br />
<hr />
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<br />
I’m also skipping the blog forecast. Mainly because, as you may have noticed this past week, my blogging schedule has become incredibly unpredictable.<br />
<br />
The only thing that’s really a priority is the <em>Weekend Reads</em>. Aside from that, everything else during the week is based on how much time I can manage.<br />
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I would like to do a poll this week, so I can gather everyone's thoughts about the "new" blog commenting upgrade. We'll see if I can manage that, as I am not that good at setting up polls. :)<br />
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As of now, I am currently balancing on a very flimsy line. Trying to keep up blogging, when I’ve got dozens of customers emailing me weekly to see if their pens will be finished in time, before I leave. Both are important to me, but blogging is definitely second priority compared to finishing and returning pens before I shut down for 9 weeks!<br />
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Once again I’ll thank you all for your patience and understanding. You are the best of readers for sticking with me, even after all this confusing stuff. :)<br />
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And with that I will wrap up this rather short <em>Weekend Reads</em>. Remember to <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">email me</a> with questions if you want some <em>Q&A Time</em> next week!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-72014709981106878562012-06-17T08:31:00.003-05:002012-06-17T08:31:37.775-05:00Weekend Reads 6-17-12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well I hope you’re all ready for a Weekend Reads. Last week’s reads were canceled last-minute due to my <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2012/06/computer-issues.html">computer issues</a>, but I have succeeded this week in spite of my computer still being a little uneasy.<br />
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Also, yesterday was my younger sisters birthday! So I spent the day out with her and my family. It was a worthy cause for delaying this post until today. :)<br />
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Enjoy the reads!<br />
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<strong><em>Links of the week:</em></strong> <em>Top picks from my favorite blogs and forums.</em><br />
<ol>
<li>Reviewed by me a while back, FPGeeks dive into their own review of the semi-new <a href="http://fpgeeks.com/2012/06/pilot-vanishing-point-black-matte-the-awesome-review/">Pilot Vanishing Point - Black Matte LE</a>.</li>
<li>A great review (very thorough) of one of <a href="http://peninkcillin.blogspot.com/2012/06/pelikan-brilliant-green-ink-review.html">Pelikan's Edelstein inks</a>. One of the few brands I still have never tried. After this review, I may be interested enough to <i>finally</i> get a sample for testing.</li>
<li>Brian Goulet reviews one of my <a href="http://www.inknouveau.com/2012/06/wed-review-pilot-iroshizuku-yama-budo.html">all-time favorite Iroshizuku inks</a>. Yama-Budo is a gorgeous purple/magenta color, with some of the best performance of any ink I've ever used. Check it out, and while you're at it, grab a sample. you won't be disappointed with this one.</li>
<li>Embark on an epic journey of discovery! Seriously, <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/223277-vacumatic-repair-the-journey-begins/">check out this FPN post</a> as the OP shares his first-time vacumatic repair with us. Lots of photos.</li>
</ol>
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<strong><em><br /></em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Q&A Time</em></strong><br />
<strong><em><br /></em></strong><br />
<strong>Q:</strong> <em>“How can you trust the sales people when you don’t even get to see them, since the entire culture of buying pens is now switching from B&M to online”</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<strong>A:</strong> Trust is a huge factor in making a purchase, so this is a very good question. The culture definitely has shifted <em>far</em> away from B&M stores. I’ve not been in more than 2 stores that actually sold fountain pens, and both had a very limited and rather over-priced selection.<br />
<br />
The key to making a wise puchase online is to know who you are dealing with. For starts, do some research. Find out how long they’ve been selling for, and what kind of customer feedback they’re getting.<br />
<br />
<b>Feel free to email them and ask some questions</b>. Ask them what they do for their repair process (if you’re buying vintage). Remember, <i>you</i> are the customer, and it’s our job as salesmen to ensure you get the right information, and that you're satisfied. If someone is rude abou sharing information, they’re not someone you want to buy from. You’re looking for an open salesman, who has nothing to hide. People who are really slow to respond, uninformative, and short/rude in their emails - keep far away. Buying from these folks will not be a pleasant experience.<br />
<br />
<strong>Listen to other people’s reviews</strong>. Check out <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/">FPN</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/forum/109-market-watch/">market watch forum</a>. If you’re not a member there, join us! We as a community, love to help out and share information and knowledge. The forums are a great place to post questions about specific dealers/sellers, and get general feedback from the community. The <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/forum/109-market-watch/">market watch forum</a> is a specific forum on there for promoting good salespeople, and warning against bad ones.<br />
<br />
That’s about the best advice I can give. Having a good community behind you, like FPN, will really help you make a wise purchase from a good seller. Once you find a seller (or two, or three) that you like, stick with them!<br />
<br />
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<strong>Q:</strong> <em>“Why does Montblanc charge so much for repairs! (My own question :)”</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<strong>A:</strong> Anyome want to shed some light on this for me? Here’s the story - I sent in a pen for repair about 2-3 months ago. When I finally received a respond, they sent me nothing more than a bill. A bill that wanted me to pay about double what the pen was worth, <strong><em>just to fix a broken section!</em></strong> I can buy a new one on eBay to about $150.00-$200.00. MB wants $380.00 to replace <strong><em>just</em></strong> the section.<br />
<br />
I simply cannot understand that. Even of they had to custom turn the section on a lathe, it is still only worth about $100.00 <strong>at most</strong>. But this price is ridiculous. Needles to say, I will be seeking assistance elsewhere. I’m just rather disappointed in MB.<br />
<br />
So please, shed some light on this for me, if you will. Insider information is welcome, because I truly am at a loss as to why they want to charge me so much for this repair.<br />
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<strong><em>Blog Forecast</em></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Ink Review: J. Herbin Élcat de Saphir</strong>. Wanted to do this one last week, but the PC issues delayed me. We'll give it another go on Monday!</li>
<li><b>Hmm. Any suggestions anyone?</b> I haven’t got anything planned, but I’d like to do a midweek post. Leave me a comment if you’ve got ideas! :)</li>
</ul>
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And with that, I will conclude yet another Weekend Reads. Enjoy your weekend, and have a fantastic Monday tomorrow.<br />
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Please leave me a comment below if you will, and let me know about Montblanc, ideas for next week’s blog post, or anything else that you might want to share.<br />
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<i><b>NOTE: </b>I am aware that there might be some issues with the new blog commenting software. Please let me know if there are, and I will log them down. I am working on either fixing it as is, or reverting to the old version. Thanks for being patient and bearing through this with me!</i><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-6705602872769116492012-06-15T12:55:00.002-05:002012-06-15T12:55:41.534-05:00Just upgraded the blog commenting softwareWell, the software I use for comments on the blog (DISQUS) just released a nice update for us all. Check it out below the post and give it a test run! Seems like they've implemented some interesting new features, but I'm counting on you all to let me know if you like it better, or if I should revert to the old one.<div>
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Drop me a comment and let me know about the comment software. :)</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-62618929925831130782012-06-11T12:31:00.000-05:002012-06-11T12:31:20.779-05:00The Cartridge/Converter<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gs-DKW02gRw/T8i_ztqCRjI/AAAAAAAABfc/FI0vA7V05mg/s1600/DSC_3119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gs-DKW02gRw/T8i_ztqCRjI/AAAAAAAABfc/FI0vA7V05mg/s200/DSC_3119.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Most of you know by now that I am not a huge fan of the cartridge converter filling system. But I really should say that I <em>was</em> not a huge fan of the c/c filler.<br />
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Yes, I’ve finally come to appreciate the cartridge converter. Believe it or not, I’ve even come to prefer it in many of my pens.<br />
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Obviously this warrants an explanation, so read on to find out more:<br />
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<h3 id="howmuchinkdoiwantmypentohold">
How much ink do I want my pen to hold?</h3>
This is what started it all. Do I really <em>want</em> my pen to hold a months supply of ink? Over time, I discovered the my answer is <strong>no</strong>. I can’t think if a reason why I’d want to fill my pen and use the same ink all month long. It’s boring to me.<br />
<br />
So I thought of filling my pen halfway. Great idea! But then why did I pay for the huge filling system in the first place? Well…<br />
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See, for me personally, as a blogger, I do a <strong>lot</strong> of ink testing. I like to try out at least one new ink a week, and if I have to wait a month before I can refill my pen, I don’t get to try out many inks. And yeah, with the amount of pens I have filled, and the amount of writing I do, that's a pretty accurate estimate of how quickly I run through a fill.<br />
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True, I could change my writing habits and filling habits, but why not just get a filling system that suits me instead of me changing my habits?<br />
<h3 id="enterthecartridgeconverter">
<br /></h3>
<h3 id="enterthecartridgeconverter">
Enter the cartridge converter</h3>
The c/c filler turns out to be exactly what I’m looking for. It holds a modest amount of ink, it’s refillable from a bottle, and it doesn’t jump the price of your pen up by $50.00. In short, it is nearly the ideal filling system!<br />
Here’s my personal list of reasons to love the cartridge converter filling system:<br />
<ul>
<li>Inexpensive</li>
<li>Easy to replace in the event if failure</li>
<li>Cartridges are an excellent back up in case you run out of ink on the go.</li>
<li>You get the opportunity to change inks very often, which is nice when you use ink as slowly as I do.</li>
</ul>
Overall, there’s actually a lot to like about the c/c filling system. Oh yes, other filling systems offer huge benefits too - I don’t doubt that, but for me personally, I have discovered that the c/c filler really fits the bill for what I want in a filling system.<br />
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So there to have it. I am a convert to the evil and dark side of c/c fillers. I still love and use my others pens of course, but now I’ll never reject a pen because it has a cartridge or converter instead of a piston.<br />
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Questions and comments welcome! Anyone else with me on this? Or have I just made a big mistake? :)<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-18710442900171922572012-06-08T10:39:00.002-05:002012-06-08T10:39:38.280-05:00It's official now<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Temporarily shutting down through the summer</span></div>
<br />
I will be leaving in July for Texas, and I'll be gone for a total of 9 weeks. During this time, I will be unable to answer any emails, or do any pen repair. Because of this, I am temporarily shutting down my repair business till September. When I return home, I'll need a week or so to get set up, and then I should be back in the swing of things very quickly.<br />
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I really appreciate your business, and thank you all for supporting me. I will not be sad to go to Texas, but I am sad to leave everyone hanging like this. My apologies for any inconvenience this causes you.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Starting now (June 8th), I will be accepting no new pens or nibs for repair/modification.</u></b></div>
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If you currently have a pen and/or nib with me, please know that I am doing my best to finish before I leave. If I am unable to finish, you will have the choice of leaving your pen(s) and nib(s) with me (they will be safely stored and guarded), or having them returned home.<br />
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Please email your questions and comments to: <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">tyler@tylerdahlpens.com</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
*******************************************</div>
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This is copied over from my website, and only applies to my repair business. I will still continue blogging for as long as I can, though I will not be able to while I am in Texas. Thank you all for your understanding, and have a great weekend.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-2304063711717313222012-06-08T08:02:00.001-05:002012-06-08T08:02:20.517-05:00Computer issues temporarily resolvedWell, I am very fortunate to be able to say that my computer issues have been temporary resolved. I am now able to resume some email communication, as well as do some blogging. <br />
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<em>But</em>, my computer hard disk is still warning me of an imminent failure, so I will be very cautious, and will be making regular back-ups. <br />
<br />
That being said, I will also have to eventually replace the hard disk. Perhaps not just yet, but I can’t keep my computer like this for too long. When I <em>do</em> replace it, there will be an obvious disruption to any email communications for about 2–3 days. I will let everyone know when I am preparing to do this. <br />
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Once again, thank you for your patience everyone! I will be attended to as many emails as possible today. If you don’t get an email you expected, please let me know. There is a chance that some emails may be MIA due to the hard drive errors. Just send me another one to: <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">tyler@tylerdahlpens.com</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-8670863306897008462012-06-06T08:21:00.001-05:002012-06-06T08:21:35.032-05:00Computer Issues<p>Uh oh… Those words can strike fear into the heart of many, including myself. As tech savvy as I am, I’m still not immune to computer glitches and errors. And this week I was just thrown a big one. </p><br />
<p>You’ll have to excuse me, because I won’t be getting any blogging done with my computer in this state. </p><br />
<p>Microsoft Windows has just gently informed me that my hard disk is failing. I am currently backing up everything I have, and after that I’ll need some time to think over what I’ll do. It may just be a little bug that I can fix, or I may actually need to replace my hard drive. Either way, it was not a pleasant surprise when I got that horrible little pop-up. </p><br />
<p>Wish me luck my friends. I hope to be blogging again soon, but until further notice, I am quite unable to. </p><br />
<p>I’ll try to keep you all posted with little updates. Follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/TylersPens">@TylersPens</a> to get the fastest updates.</p><br />
<p>For all of you who were wondering how I wrote a blog post when my computer is crashing: <em>Written with <a href="http://bywordapp.com">Byword</a> for iPhone.</em></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-25836945774136168572012-06-02T15:15:00.000-05:002012-06-02T15:15:12.299-05:00Weekend Reads 6/2/12<br />
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There's been a lot of good stuff going on this week in the fountain pen world. New inks, some reviews, and even a FPN blackout (<a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/222440-technical-hitch-fixed/">see the official FPN status update here</a>).<br />
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We've got lots to cover, so without further delay, here's your fountain pen fix for the weekend.<br />
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Well firstly, I do hope you all managed to survive through that <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/222440-technical-hitch-fixed/">FPN blackout</a>. I know a few folks had some very bad withdrawal symptoms. :) But luckily it's over, and the amazing FPN admin team has once again saved us all from a world without Fountain Pen Network.<br />
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<br />
And now, beginning with the latest and greatest, here’s the <b>Links of the Week</b>:<br />
<br />
<b>#1:</b> Here we have a <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/222439-twsbi-vac-700/">very well done review of the TWSBI Vac700</a>. But the real reason this link is #1 is because the writer reports his nib to be perfect out of the box. He gives it a solid 10/10. The reason I find this interesting is because I honestly would like to know the percent of folks who got a bad nib. It is a proven fact after all, that people usually only speak if there <b><i>is</i></b> a problem. So all the folks who got a great job may just be keeping quiet...<br />
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<b>#2:</b> How about a <a href="http://www.inknouveau.com/2012/05/noodlers-libertys-elysium.html">Noodlers ink made exclusively for the Goulet Pen Company?</a> This is pretty exciting to see, and from the scans, I definitely think I'll be ordering a sample at the very least.<br />
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<b>#3:</b> No, sorry, Eric and Dan have not gotten their own Noodlers ink (yet!). But they have brought us news of the <a href="http://fpgeeks.com/2012/05/diamine-adds-5-new-inks-to-their-lineup-now-totals-100-different-colors/">5 new Diamine ink colors</a> coming our way soon. I've been really impressed with the gorgeous new inks Diamine has been producing recently. These latest ones sound pretty fantastic as well!<br />
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<b>#4:</b> And to look further into these Diamine inks, it looks like someone from the FPGeeks forums has managed to get a hold of two of the colors early. He's got a review up before the inks are even available! But a great review it is, and a very nice sneak peak at what to expect from these 5 newest colors.<br />
<a href="http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/676-Diamine-Sargasso-Sea">http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/676-Diamine-Sargasso-Sea</a><br />
<a href="http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/677-Diamine-Ochre">http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/677-Diamine-Ochre</a><br />
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<br />
Now we turn to the <b>Q&A Time</b> for your weekly tidbit of educational fountain pen information.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> "<i>What are your favorite red inks, blue inks, black inks, and green inks?"</i><br />
<br />
<b>A:</b> In no particular order :)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Red: </span></b>Diamine Red Dragon<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Blue:</b> </span>Iroshizuku Kon Peki<br />
<br />
<b>Black: </b>Noodlers Black (bullet-proof)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Green:</span> </b>Tough choice... But currently it's still Private Reserve Sherwood Green.<br />
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Each one is subject to change, though some are much less likely than others to get replaced. Iroshizuku Kon Peki has been a favorite of mine longer than any other ink. It remains the best of blues in my opinion.<br />
<br />
My choice of green inks could very well change in the next few months, as I have quite a few new greens to try out.<br />
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<br />
<b>Q:</b> <i>"Is an ultrasonic cleaner (USC) necessary to get your pens really clean?"</i><br />
<br />
<b>A:</b> Certainly not. It helps, to a small degree, but I find that cleaning a pen by hand is the best way to ensure it is done right. That's how I clean my own pens, and most pens that come in to my shop as well. The USC is good for some jobs, like cleaning dried ink, and loosening up stuck sections, but it has it's limits. I find that a cup of water and a few paper towels will provide me with all I need to fully clean a pen, in most cases. I do use my USC, but it's definitely not necessary. It's more of a convenience thing than anything else. <br />
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Lastly, the <b>Blog Forecast</b>:<br />
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<li>I'll be adding a few updates to my Edison Pearl review I did yesterday. Someone in the comments asked some very good questions, and I think they deserve a detailed answer.</li>
<li>How about a review of J. Herbin Éclat de Saphir? It's one of the few J. H. inks that I've really loved so far.</li>
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That's all I've got planned for this upcoming week so far.</div>
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And that my friends, sums up this weeks Weekend Reads! I hope you've enjoyed this latest edition, and please leave me a comment if you've got any questions for the next Q&A!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-81626900810648020832012-06-01T13:22:00.000-05:002012-06-08T08:14:14.279-05:00Edsion Pearl LEE Review<br />
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At the end of the day, a fountain pen is still a fountain pen.<br />
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But among fountain pens, some are more special than others. Occasionally, you find a pen that just "clicks". It fits right in, and it works just how you like it. Today I'll be reviewing a pen that really "clicks" with me. Enter the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Edison Pearl, LEE</i>.<br />
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Some of you know that I had a Pelikan M800 a while ago. It was a fabulous pen. Oddly enough however, it just never clicked with me. I ended up selling it, because I just didn't enjoy it that much. Since then, I have been searching for a "luxury" pen to replace it. My search was limited by both funds, and my pickiness. I had narrowed it down to a few choices, and as it happens, an Edison was one of them.<br />
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I couldn't afford a Signature line Edison at the time, so I just waited. That was until someone on FPN presented the idea of an Edison group buy! These have been done before, but this was my first time ever participating in one. There are some downsides to a group buy. Namely, you don't get full control over how your pen looks. But then again, you get NO control with most pens, so voting on the shape, furniture, and material was a lot of fun for me.<br />
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The main benefit of a group buy (typically anyway), is a hugely discounted price. I was able to obtain an Edison Pearl in ebonite at a significantly lower cost than usual. This is because Brian is making a large batch at once. Indeed, we had about 50+ orders placed for ebonite pens I think.<br />
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Anyhow, I placed my order, and waited out the slow months till the pens were ready to be shipped. One of the things that really made this purchase special was the way that Brian Gray kept all of us up to date on the progress of the group buy. He posted photos of the production, and all sorts of great stuff. It made it fun, and definitely helped shorten the wait. On top of that, the fabulous folks at the Goulet Pen Company were helping out, acting as the distributors for these pens. Brian made em', and the Goulets handled payment and shipping. It worked out extremely well, and we all had our pens in hand <i>much</i> sooner than expected!<br />
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Now I'm not typically one to fall in love with a pen the moment I begin using it. Quite the opposite - it always takes me a few weeks to get familiarized with the pen first. This Edison was no different. Obviously I was very pleased with it, but it's taken me until now to realize how much I really like it.<br />
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I can tell you right away, the #1 thing I love about this pen - It functioned flawlessly, right out of the box. I mean it - no scrubbing the feed with soap. No nib tuning needed. Not even tine alignment! For once, I actually got a pen that I could simply pick up, and write with. This is something that never happens to me, so needless to say I am delighted about the ordeal. Since then, this Edison Pearl has continued to give me reliable service. It never misses a beat, and is always ready to go on a moments notice.<br />
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The other thing I love about it is how <i>simple</i> it is. No frills. Just a plain ebonite pen, in a nice shape. It is featureless, save the clip, and I prefer it this way. I have too many pens in my collection right now that have (x) fancy feature. It's very nice to have a pen that is nothing more than pen. It's not a demonstrator, it's not a stylus, and it's not retractable. It's a fountain pen! :)<br />
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So now you've got a good back story, and I can jump into the real review. I won't be scoring this pen on a scale. Why? I prefer not to do that with custom pens, as it doesn't make sense unless you're the owner. To someone who doesn't own the pen, it will sound like an overpriced c/c filler, with some guys name on it (Edison!). But to me, it's a work of art, and so I want to share just that aspect of it with you all.<br />
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The Edison Pearl has always been my favorite pen in the Edison line up, simply because I find the shape of it the most appealing. The design is very reminiscent of a Nakaya Picolo (a pen I want, but could never afford).</div>
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Both the top and bottom have a nice conical taper.</div>
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A gold-colored clip was chosen by the majority. Normally I do not prefer gold trim at all, but in this case, it goes with the color of the Ebonite very well, so I have no problems with it.</div>
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The imprint is very clean and simple:</div>
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<b>2012 Pearl LEE</b></div>
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<b>45 of 79</b></div>
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And yeah! I got #45. :) And no, I didn't ask for it. It was all randomly done actually.</div>
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This pen is a c/c filler, which in all honesty, I have grown to enjoy. I will be doing an entire blog post about how I've come to appreciate c/c fillers, but for now it will suffice to say that I love the way this pen works. Also, a bulb filler would've added a significant cost to this group buy, if indeed Brian even allows for that.</div>
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The nib has been superb right out of the box. I opted for a medium, and it's exactly what I wanted. It's not the smoothest nib on earth, but it's very smooth, and it writes consistently every single time I grab my pen. That alone is worth the price of the pen to me. (Yeah, you can tell I've had some bad experiences in the last few months! :).</div>
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Like the entire rest of the pen, Brian does a fantastic job on the threads. They're incredibly smooth, and "responsive", if that makes sense. They lock up tight, and the seam between the barrel and cap is almost invisible. Needless to say, Brian is an expert craftsman when it comes to pen turning.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</i> To answer a few good questions pulled from the comments below:</span></div>
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<b>Q:</b><i> "Is your nib gold or steel?"</i></div>
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<b>A:</b> Steel - all the nibs from this group buy were steel.It was too expensive to do gold nibs for a group buy.</div>
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<b>Q: </b><i>"</i><i>What size nib was chosen for the group buy? Were you able to decide individually?"</i></div>
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<b>A: </b>Each person chose his/her own nib size. I opted for a medium, but many different sizes were chosen.</div>
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<b>Q:</b><i> "What was the cost of the group buy?"</i></div>
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<b>A:</b> This cost me just under $200.00 with shipping. A great price for an Ebonite Edison Pearl. According to the website, ordering this pen normally would run you at least $250.00, plus shipping, and whatever extra it is for ebonite ($20.00 or so). I feel like I got a fantastic deal on the pen for this price.</div>
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<b>Q:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <i>"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Please tell us how the ebonite material handles and wears in comparison with the more traditional acrylic resin."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>A:</b> The ebonite feels a little "warmer", but not slippery. It's very smooth, but it feels less slick than traditional pen materials. I have come to prefer the ebonite. I just like it. It offers no major benefits. It's really just the little things that make ebonite a better material in my eyes.</span></span></div>
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So, I could give this pen a rating, but I honestly don't think it suits very well. It's nearly impossible to give a pen like this a rating. For me anyway, it is at a different tier than typical pens I buy. I have nothing to compare it to, and therefore I can't really give it a rating. If you buy an Edison, I guarantee yours will be different than mine. You will love it, but certain aspects of it are bound to be changed/altered. The guy makes these by hand! Even if he attempts a perfect duplicate, it will still be a little different.</div>
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But you all obviously want some kind of conclusion on what I think about this pen. So, here goes: <b>I personally am <i>extremely</i> pleased with my Edison Pearl.</b> If you are in the market for something special, and you want a pen that's made just for you, I can highly recommend getting an Edison Pen. If you're looking for an inexpensive workhorse to throw in your bag, this is not the pen for you. It is expensive, but worth every penny to me. I will be happily using my Edison for many years to come, and this one is not a pen I ever plan on getting rid of.</div>
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It was a wonderful thing to open up a box with a gorgeous handmade pen in it, along with a note from the maker. And believe me when I say this - words can't describe my pleasure at inking it up, and having it immediately start writing properly!</div>
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So, two thumbs up for Brian Gray and the Edison Pen Company! I highly recommend Brian to anyone looking for a custom and/or handmade pen.</div>
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Lastly, a special thanks to:</div>
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- Mrs. Gray, for doing all that packaging and checking the nibs on the pens!</div>
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- And the entire Goulet Pen Team - Brian, Rachel, and anyone else there who was in on this group buy!</div>
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And thus I end my review of the Edison Pearl LEE (which by the way means <b>L</b>imited <b>E</b>dition <b>E</b>bonite).</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-68589088956249838812012-05-29T09:52:00.003-05:002012-05-29T09:52:46.876-05:00Ink Review: J. Herbin Cacao du Bresil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another ink name I truly cannot pronounce. :) Today I'll be reviewing<b><i> J. Herbin</i></b> <i style="font-weight: bold;">Cacao du Bresil</i>. I'll be honest when I say that this is an ink I am not too excited about.<br />
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Nonetheless, review it I shall. I'll do my best to keep the review accurate, even though I don't like the ink.<br />
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Read on to find out more:<br />
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Now most of you know that I like really vibrant ink colors. Still, in the last few months, a friend has shown me the light, and I've grown to appreciate the occasional subdued ink. But subdued has it's limits.<br />
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If you were to take some pond water, and toss in a little brown dirt, I think you'd end up with J. Herbin Cacao du Bresil. :) The texture really is like water, and the color is one that holds no appeal for me.<br />
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My personal rating for this ink is just <b>65/100</b>...</div>
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Now I suppose if you just LOVED the color, you might overlook some of the flaws of this ink. But since I don't like the color at all, it's hard for me to forgive this ink for it's flaws.</div>
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<b>The good:</b></div>
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<li>Ink is <i>very</i> watery, so you'll have no trouble with staining or clinging.</li>
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<b>The bad:</b></div>
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<li>Very watery. It does not feel smooth to me like other inks.</li>
<li>And those blasted J. Herbin ink bottles are no good. :)</li>
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<b>The ugly:</b></div>
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<li>To start, the color of the ink.</li>
<li>And don't forget the color of the ink...</li>
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Let's hit the details:</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ink Review: J. Herbin Cacao du Bresil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pen and nib: Edison Pearl LEE - M nib.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Color: Ugh... Brown and gray?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dry time: 5-7 seconds. Not too bad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Smear when dry: NO.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Shading: Very slightly, but not normally noticeable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lubrication: Low to moderate. Feels very watery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Bleedthrough: Yes. Not terrible but not good either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Feathering: Just a little bit.hh</span></div>
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NOTE: <b>THIS SCAN IS NOT COLOR ACCURATE</b>. See the photos below for a proper depiction of the ink! :)</div>
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And this is what we're dealing with... Grey? Not quite. Brown? No... What <i>is</i> it!?</div>
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A little feathering, a bit of bleedthrough do not make a good case for this ink being a keeper.</div>
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I am rather looking forward to putting something else in my Edison.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGJjVNSm3zQ/T7-E5cQVxAI/AAAAAAAABcA/TfgXciuLzrk/s1600/DSC_3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGJjVNSm3zQ/T7-E5cQVxAI/AAAAAAAABcA/TfgXciuLzrk/s400/DSC_3064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Alright, I already know it - a few of you who read my blog will surely comment and tell me how you love this ink for (x) reason(s). If you are one of those folks, then I encourage you to go ahead and comment. I honestly want to know why you like this ink.</div>
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for me personally, the performance is mediocre, and the color doesn't suit me at all. It's far to dull looking, and when I'm writing with it, I honestly feel like I filled my pen with dirty water. When I first write with it, I kept dripping ink out of my pen to make sure it wasn't accidentally diluted.</div>
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So there you have it. That's all I have to say about this ink. Definitely not for me. <i>But</i>, it is certainly not a horrible ink, <i>if</i> you love the color. So if you are one of those people who totally dig this color, drop me a comment and let me know what you're seeing in it that I might be missing. Or is this another rare case of me potentially getting a bad batch of ink, like <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2012/02/ink-review-noodlers-baystate-blue.html">Noodlers BSB</a>?</div>
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If anyone agrees with me, I'd also appreciate hearing from you.</div>
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End review. :) Have a great day everybody!</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-62680994010530797232012-05-26T07:41:00.000-05:002012-05-26T16:47:59.043-05:00Weekend Reads 5/26/12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsUWgLCYyzQ/TtAr4wBLXOI/AAAAAAAAASU/LK1K2fGrniA/s1600/new_weekend_reads_icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsUWgLCYyzQ/TtAr4wBLXOI/AAAAAAAAASU/LK1K2fGrniA/s200/new_weekend_reads_icon.png" width="200" /></a></div>
I hope everyone's ready for a relaxing weekend! I just finished doing some minor/major renovations to my workshop, so my apologies if communication has been slow this week.<br />
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As a result, I thought I'd share some photos with you of my improved workspace! On top of that, I'll be explaining in this post about my 9 week trip to Texas, and what I'll be doing there. Read on to find out more!<br />
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I'll start this week off with some photos of my newly renovated workspace. Namely, my desk, which is the same, but the stuff on top of it. I've completely revamped my tool stand, and created a new one. thought it'd be fun for you all to see the place I work at each day, and all the tools I use to fix your pens. :)<br />
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Here's my whole work area. For reference, this is a <i>huge</i> desk! I'm 6' 1" tall, and it's plenty big for me.</div>
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Metal tools (magnetic ones) are hanging on the wall. Storage bin holds parts and supplies (sacs, gaskets, etc.). Bench vise, which I still need to mount, and my tool holder, which I just re-made.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKq1iC0U5CQ/T8DDcjq3iOI/AAAAAAAABcY/ZxyEdTfrmqM/s1600/DSC_3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKq1iC0U5CQ/T8DDcjq3iOI/AAAAAAAABcY/ZxyEdTfrmqM/s400/DSC_3080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A little closer... These are my most used tools here. Optivisors hanging on the wall. Dremel right below them.</div>
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My third-gen. tool holder. Each tie it gets bigger! All my tools are sorted by convenience. The ones here are usually my most used, with the exception of the pen-barrel brushes and loupes hanging on the magnetic wall rack. Those ones sit up there because they don't go well in a wood block like this. :)</div>
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So that's what I spent my most of my Friday doing. It's very nice to have an uncluttered and convenient work area again, and I'm looking forward to repairing some pens in it now.</div>
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<b><i>Links of the Week: Top Picks from my favorite blogs and forums:</i></b></div>
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<b>#1:</b> We've got another post on disassembling your TWSBI, but this time it's from FPGeeks.com, and it's for taking apart the Vac700. This is a really great video, so if you just bought a Vac700 and are interested in taking it apart, <a href="http://fpgeeks.com/2012/05/what-better-way-to-start-the-week-than-by-disassembling-your-favorite-fountain-pen/">be sure to watch this</a>!</div>
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<b>#2: </b>A second link from FPGeeks.com. Couldn't help myself, they just posted a lot of great stuff this week. :) Check out Eric and Dan's <a href="http://fpgeeks.com/2012/05/twsbi-diamond-vac700-the-awesome-review/">"Awesome Review" of the TWSBI Vac700</a>!</div>
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<b>#3:</b> And another TWSBI post, though not from FPGeeks.com this time. I finally found a good review of the TWSBI 540 ROC. I was never interested in this pen initially, but that's mostly because I don't prefer the colors. But after seeing some good photos of the pen, I've changed my mind on that. If you love the 540, and are considering getting something extra special, <a href="http://penaddict.com/blog/2012/5/25/twsbi-diamond-540-roc-100-fountain-pen-review.html">be sure to check out this review</a>.</div>
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<b>#4: </b>A funny topic started in the repair forum about <a href="http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/221832-strangest-thing-youve-found-when-opening-a-pen/">the strangest thing you've ever found</a> when opening a pen. I haven't chimed in yet, though I might post some stuff later this week. Lots of humor here, and a bit off topic at times, but it's great thread overall. :)</div>
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<b><i>Q&A Time:</i></b></div>
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<b>Q:</b> <i>"What's the repair you haven't been able to do yet but most want to?"</i></div>
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<b>A: </b>That's a pretty easy answer for me! There are two things I'd like to learn, but haven't yet.</div>
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<li>Nib retipping. Very illusive to say the least. No one teaches it, and most folks say it's impossible for me to learn. Nonetheless, I will do nib retipping someday, even if I have to invent my own technique. This is top on my list of <i>really</i> want to do but currently can't.</li>
<li>Aside from that, I'd like to be able to manufacture my own parts, and even entire pens on a lathe. I have yet to buy a lathe, or invest the time into learning how to use one. But soon enough I will hopefully begin learning some basic pen turning skills.</li>
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Lots of other tiny things, but those are the two that I really want to learn above all the others. They're also both some of the more difficult repairs to learn, particularly nib retipping.</div>
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<b>Q: </b><i>"What's the most challenging repair you've ever done?"</i></div>
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<b>A:</b> You know, I really can't put my finger on that. There have been so many segments of repairs that have been difficult, but no one repair seems to be the hardest. </div>
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I suppose if I had to pick one, I'd say it was my first time doing an XXF re-grind to a full-flex nib. That was and still is tricky!</div>
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Some close runner-ups would be: Fixing a few mangled nib that have been dropped, trying to get some Ahab Flex pens to write :), and the very first time I tried to re-install a hanging pressure bar in a Waterman.</div>
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<b><i>Blog Forecast:</i></b></div>
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<li><b>Edison Pearl LEE</b> Review! My first review of an Edison Pen. Can't wait for this one.</li>
<li><b>J. Herbin Cacao du Bresil</b> ink review. One of the few inks I've ever said yuck too... More on this, later in the review.</li>
<li>Ink review of <b>Diamine Eau de Nill</b>. Really looking forward to this ink.</li>
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<b>Announcements:</b></div>
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I'll say this bluntly so I don't drag it out to long - I am temporarily discontinuing the Weekend Reads podcast. Well, I sort of have been already, but I'm making it official now. With my 9 week trip to Texas approaching, it's not possible for me to keep up with the podcasts, and I hate to keep disappointing you each week. Until I return from Texas, there will be no more podcasts. Once I get back, then I will consider starting them up again, if I do have the time. Unfortunately, with my limited experience and set up, making a podcast takes a lot of time and energy that I don't currently have. I've got enough work to do just trying to finish everyone's pens before I leave, and continue running the blog. I appreciate you understanding, and if you have any questions, and you want to yell at me for stopping the podcast, please <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">send me an email</a>. :)<br />
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<b>UPDATED: To add an explanation for my 9 week trip to Texas: </b>(Special thanks to Lee Smallwood for reminding me :)</div>
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So, I'm leaving in July for Texas. To put it in simple terms, I am going to a training facility for 9 weeks, which will prepare me for further training by the same institution. The name of this facility is the International ALERT Academy. There focus is on training young men, around my age. They offer many different courses such as fire-fighting, police, aquatics/diving, paramedics, and a lot more. This first "phase" of training is nearly identical to military boot-camp, so bearing that in mind, you'll know why I'm not able to run a blog or repair fountain pens while I'm there.</div>
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After this 9 weeks of training, there is a chance that I will purse further career options there, but most likely I will head back home to get back to repairing fountain pens.</div>
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As for why I am going through this - I feel that it will be a good learning experience for me. I'm young, and I'd like to do a few things in life before I settle down and repair pens for the next 50 years. It'll be refreshing to travel somewhere, and break up my routine for a little while.</div>
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Hope that makes sense to you all! Further questions can be directed to <a href="mailto:tyler@tylerdahlpens.com">tyler@tylerdahlpens.com</a>, and please do ask. I appreciate hearing from you!</div>
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Thanks again everyone, and have a great weekend!</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95460470231784707.post-64166817634804323022012-05-23T11:28:00.001-05:002012-05-24T11:23:21.667-05:00Pen Review: The TWSBI Vac700!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whKpdXclX3s/T7uf4zvDGjI/AAAAAAAABZ8/QOpVOULVHeM/s1600/DSC_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whKpdXclX3s/T7uf4zvDGjI/AAAAAAAABZ8/QOpVOULVHeM/s200/DSC_2983.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Without a doubt, this is one of the most highly anticipated pens, and reviews of the year. I have personally been eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the Vac700 ever since I first heard about it.<br />
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For those of you who've been waiting for an initial review before buying, wait no longer! Here's the official Tyler Dahl review of the <i style="font-weight: bold;">TWSBI Vac700</i>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Overview:</span></b><br />
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With it's elegant design, high value for dollar, and unique filling system, the <b><i>Vac700</i></b> is exactly what pen of this price point should be. <b><span style="font-size: large;">92/100</span></b></div>
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A high score? Yes it is. But before you disregard my entire review, and call me a TWSBI fan-boy, blinded by my love for the company, you better give me a chance to explain. Be sure you read the <b>entire</b> review, as I do touch on all points, both good and bad. Bear in mind that I do not give this pen high marks "just because". This pen has earned it's "Amazing" rating, and if you're willing to read on you'll find out why!</div>
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<b>Technical Specs (taken mostly from <a href="http://gouletpens.com/">gouletpens.com</a>):</b></div>
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<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price: </span>$80.00 - $85.00</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Body Material:</span> Plastic demonstrator, available in Blue, Amber, Smoke, and (coming soon) clear</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nib Material:</span> Steel</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nib Size:</span> Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, and Broad</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cap Type:</span> Screw-cap (<b>For those who are curious:</b> The pen does post, but I personally wouldn't want to post it ever. <i>Far</i> to top-heavy)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Filling Mechanism:</span> Vacuum-fill</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Weight:</span> 32g (1.13oz)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cap Weight:</span> 13g (0.46oz)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Body Weight:</span> 19g (0.67oz)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Length (capped):</span> 147mm (5.79in)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Length (posted):</span> 175mm (6.89in)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Body Length:</span> 134mm (5.28in)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cap Diameter (no clip):</span> 16mm (0.63in)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cap Diameter (with clip):</span> 18mm (0.70in)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Body Diameter:</span> 15mm (0.59in)</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nib Length:</span> 24mm (0.95in)</li>
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<b>The good:</b></div>
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<li>Beautiful design from TWSBI - modern yet elegant</li>
<li>Very low price point for a vac-filling fountain pen</li>
<li>TWSBI has done a superb job of creating a modern vac-filling mechanism.</li>
<li>The entire pen is user serviceable, and TWSBI encourages this</li>
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<b>The bad:</b></div>
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<li>The step between the barrel and grip section may be uncomfortable for some users</li>
<li>The grip section is a tad slippery.</li>
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<b>The ugly:</b></div>
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<li>Out of the box, these nibs are not to be trusted. I hate to say that, but you'll see why later on.</li>
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<b>Notes:</b> All flaws considered, this pen still deserves a high rating. While the nibs are bad out of the box, they are easily fixed. The problem with the nibs, which I will describe later on in this review, is very simple. TWSBI could easily remedy this if they get enough feedback from us. That aside however, there is next-to-nothing to not love about this pen. As with any pen, there are design quirks that some users will love, and others will dislike. But the general population is going to <i>love</i> the TWSBI Vac700.</div>
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Right from the start I'll say that I prefer the Vac700 design over the TWSBI 540. It is more beautiful by being simpler, and elegant. The 540 is good looking, no doubt about it, but I always thought it was a tad crowded. The Vac700 stripes away the extras, and leaves you with a clean design, worthy of your attention. Trust me, you'll enjoy staring at this pen for a while when you first take it out of the box. Let's hit some specific details that I particularly enjoy:</div>
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The overall pen is beautiful to look at, especially in this Sapphire blue color! The currently available colors are Sapphire (Blue), Amber (Orange-ish/Yellow), and Smoke (Black). All three colors are partial demonstrators, meaning they're see-through to some extent. I find the smoke the most opaque. The other two are average for a colored demonstrator.</div>
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It should also be noted that a fully clear version of the pen is scheduled for release in a few months...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shVqeFjJxC8/T7uel8GMUvI/AAAAAAAABYk/BbK6FCJ7Jmg/s1600/DSC_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shVqeFjJxC8/T7uel8GMUvI/AAAAAAAABYk/BbK6FCJ7Jmg/s400/DSC_2965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The clip is unique and contrasting to the rest of the pen, by way of a matte finish. I love the shape, and while at first I questioned the clip's finish, I've now grown quite fond of it. It feels very sturdy, and the matte finish in theory will prevent it from slipping off your pocket as easily as a smooth clip.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOCXghCDetc/T7uedpGBFnI/AAAAAAAABYc/qlEXgTs-who/s1600/DSC_2964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOCXghCDetc/T7uedpGBFnI/AAAAAAAABYc/qlEXgTs-who/s400/DSC_2964.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Same top design as the 540, though the Vac700 has a slightly sharper bevel. The cap sports the same "diamond" patterning as the 540, while the body is smooth.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YEolwZm2EQ/T7uetTu7YrI/AAAAAAAABYs/uEIWoMY0wfI/s1600/DSC_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YEolwZm2EQ/T7uetTu7YrI/AAAAAAAABYs/uEIWoMY0wfI/s400/DSC_2969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The blind cap also shares the "diamond" patterning, and is accompanied by a tastefully placed steel trim-ring. The shaped blind cap allows for very easy gripping when you're filling the pen.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKO1CQ0LbME/T7uezcHXTMI/AAAAAAAABY0/CwLOI6qI5vo/s1600/DSC_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKO1CQ0LbME/T7uezcHXTMI/AAAAAAAABY0/CwLOI6qI5vo/s400/DSC_2970.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lastly, the big thick cap band! I love these thick cap bands that TWSBI does. This one has TWSBI on one side, and VAC 700 TAIWAN on the other.</div>
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There is very little to dislike about the TWSBI Vac700's design. It is gorgeous on so many levels, and it should appeal to a large audience. It has just the right blend of elegance, utility, and simplicity.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't help but rate this pen at <b>24/25</b> in design.</span></div>
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I'd almost rate it 25/25, but no pen is perfect. :) As you all know, I am a sucker for beautifully designed pens. This one really nails it for me, and I thoroughly enjoy having a Vac700 in my pen case every time I go to admire my collection.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Size and weight:</span></b></div>
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Here's the super-subjective part of the review. I'll share my experiences with the pen, and give a little comparison with a few others. I'll leave it to you to make your own judgments on how the pen will fit your hand.</div>
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The pen is long, but not thick. Longer than an Edison Pearl, TWSBI 540, and Pilot VP.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZkI9RvYlg/T7z2Xrm3nWI/AAAAAAAABbI/62k2Gkvegz8/s1600/DSC_3056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZkI9RvYlg/T7z2Xrm3nWI/AAAAAAAABbI/62k2Gkvegz8/s400/DSC_3056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Compared directly to the 540. Everything is slightly longer. The barrel, the cap, the nib, and the grip section. I personally prefer the longer grip section and nib, as the distance from the paper it provides helps keep my hands in the proper position for writing.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSvmUTI5h_M/T7z2fvUWzTI/AAAAAAAABbQ/U5Bb4K1wLFU/s1600/DSC_3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSvmUTI5h_M/T7z2fvUWzTI/AAAAAAAABbQ/U5Bb4K1wLFU/s400/DSC_3057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Comparison of the grip sections. I'll be honest, I wish the Vac700 grip section was a tad thicker, but I know it would appeal to less people that way, so TWSBI made the best choice. I am glad that it does not have the typical section taper, but is more straight instead. I find this more helpful for keeping my fingers from getting tired.</div>
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The Pen is not too heavy, or to light, but strikes a good balance in between. And thanks to the tapered design, most of the weight is near the nib end, which is always my preference. This Vac700 weighs in at 5g more than the 540. Not extremely noticeable, but it's there.</div>
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Overall I find the weight and size to be very good for me. I'd prefer a thicker grip section, but aside from that everything else is perfect as is. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My extremely user-subjective rating is then set at:<b> 23/25</b>.</span></div>
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Now if only TWSBI could make an optional grip section that was thicker, I'd really have the perfect pen in hand. :) For now though, it's still one of my most comfortable pens for long writing periods.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Functionality:</span></b></div>
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TWSBI has set a lot of market standards ever since the release of the 530, proving that an excellent pen with good mechanics could be sold for under $50.00</div>
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Now, with the Vac700, they've aimed to prove yet again that pens with complex and elegant filling mechanics <i>can</i> be sold for a reasonable price. I'm here to tell you that they've succeeded. They've not only succeeded, but they've done it in such a way as to put to shame other pens of a similar price point. Indeed, my <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2012/03/pen-review-monte-verde-invincia-stylus.html">Monte Verde Invincia Stylus</a> cowers in shame with it's little c/c filler when compared to the Vac700's grand vacuum filler. :) That being said, let's hit on some of the details:</div>
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The first thing I need to do is make note of the threads of the pen! TWSBI has listened, and they have improved yet again. The threads of this pen are <i>perfect</i>. The are butter-smooth to operate, but as with the 540, the cap seals on extremely well when it's screwed on fully. An o-ring provides an airtight seal, which is a nice touch. The only set of threads that beats this one is on my Edison Pearl, but for a factory pen this one beats all others. I enjoy it every time I get to uncap my Vac700.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAinAENjNtc/T7ufCm2fuXI/AAAAAAAABZE/pkrCPtCfOW8/s1600/DSC_2972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAinAENjNtc/T7ufCm2fuXI/AAAAAAAABZE/pkrCPtCfOW8/s400/DSC_2972.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We already talked about the clip, but I'll mention again how sturdy it feels. The matte finish adds just the right amount of grip to prevent it from sliding out of slick shirt pockets.</div>
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The blind cap. An essential part of this pen's mechanism. Threads are smooth, and the faceted shape of the knob allows for a very good grip. Best of all, this entire mechanism is removable by the user, with tools provided by TWSBI, included with the pen. How often is it that a manufacture gives you tools to service your own pen, gives you a manual too, as well as encouragement? TWSBI has made this a pen for fountain pen users and enthusiasts. It's not a show pen.</div>
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The nibs are unscrewable and easy to swap! New units are not available for sale yet, but soon enough they should be. The nib unit has a nice o-ring on the back that will prevent any leakage.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFDIkjaALAo/T7ufpXshmfI/AAAAAAAABZs/1td0VuJrvPo/s1600/DSC_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFDIkjaALAo/T7ufpXshmfI/AAAAAAAABZs/1td0VuJrvPo/s400/DSC_2979.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Filling system:</b></div>
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I won't spend a lot of time here, but I want to make special mention of the filling system, as this is one of the pen's main selling points. The TWSBI Vac700 fills via a vacuum filling mechanism. For those who are unfamiliar with this, the basic concept is as follow:</div>
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A rod with a gasket is pushed down the barrel of the pen, creating a vacuum behind it. Once it hits the end of it's stroke, the pen widens, and the gasket breaks its seal. This allows ink to rush past it, into the empty vacuum created int he barrel of the pen. <a href="http://www.inknouveau.com/2012/05/getting-full-fill-on-twsbi-vac-700.html">Check out this video here</a> to see one getting filled.</div>
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So, people keep asking why this mechanism is so special. It's not! But most of us fountain pen geeks like a pen that has a more interesting mechanism than your typical c/c filler. A vac-fill pen is a lot of fun to operate. There's nothing quite like seeing all that ink whoosh into the pen. :) Aside from that, vac-fillers do hold a great deal of ink. It's not magic, and it's not the best filling system ever... But it's fun, and most fountain pen users and geeks will love it.</div>
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Now, the filling system is not without flaws. If you watched the above video, you'll note that it shows you how to get a maximum fill with your vacuum-filling pen. Unfortunately vac-fillers almost never fill to %100.00 on the first stroke. The Vac700 usually gets about 70% - 80% for me. I could use the trick in the above video, and get it all the way full, but I have no desire to. I change inks often, and thus I prefer to run out a little quicker. If this matters to you a great deal, keep that in mind - you won't get a 100% fill without using this little trick.</div>
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All quirks considered, the Vac700 is a well oiled machine! It functions as expected, and operates smooth enough to please the most demanding users. I am quite happy with the overall mechanics of the pen. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That in mind, I will give the Vac700 a <b>23/25</b> in this category.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The nib:</span></b></div>
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Time for the most important part of the review. Best for last as they say. :) Well, I'll secretly admit that the design portion is my favorite part actually... But anyways!</div>
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This nib is the same as the 540, but it's bigger! I like it bigger, and it really looks better with this pen.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKT1xgVvtqs/T7ue6l9Y4cI/AAAAAAAABY8/wKbFwXpk3Ow/s1600/DSC_2971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKT1xgVvtqs/T7ue6l9Y4cI/AAAAAAAABY8/wKbFwXpk3Ow/s400/DSC_2971.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, like I said at the beginning of the review, out of the box, I must sadly admit that these nibs can't be trusted. That's not to say that they're all bad, but it is to say that QC is far too sketchy to ensure you'll get a good one. I hate even having to say this in my review, but that's how it is. Let's talk about how it writes, and what the problem with it is.</div>
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I have now had three Vac700s is my hands to work on, and all three had the exact same problem. No ink flow at all. But why? Very, very simple. So simple, it frustrates me, because TWSBI could so easily fix the situation. The tines of the nib are too tight! That's it. Nothing more. No complex feeding issues. Just too tightly spaced tines. This prevents any ink from reaching the paper.</div>
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My nib was bone dry out of the box, but with my fingers I was able to open it up to around 5/10 wetness. Most folks will not know how to do this though, and that's where you might run into problems.</div>
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Now lucky for you, TWSBI excels at customer service, so if you get a bad nib, they'll replace it for free, and they'll do it in record time. Still it's an inconvenience that you should not have to deal with.</div>
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Now, simple flow adjustment issues aside, allow me to praise the nib for how well it does write once you get it going. My broad nib is incredibly smooth, easily rivaling most pens in my case. The F nib I tried was also smooth, and on the same level as other companies such as Pilot.</div>
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Here's a quick writing sample to prove that mine does write. :) Super-smooth, and a joy to write with once the tines have been properly spaced.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HseiiHh0OI0/T7ufhirYmrI/AAAAAAAABZk/rEZdAj2IPBM/s1600/DSC_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HseiiHh0OI0/T7ufhirYmrI/AAAAAAAABZk/rEZdAj2IPBM/s400/DSC_2978.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So my conclusion on the nib is this: The nibs are fabulous, <i>if</i> you get one without flow issues. If not, then you've got an excellent nib with tines that are too close. Get a nibmeister to tune it for you, or get a replacement from TWSBI. This is a true inconvenience, but it's not going to be a deal breaker for most of us.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am content to give this nib a <b>21/25</b>.</span></div>
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Had the tines simply been spread enough to allow for proper ink flow, I'd raise this to 24/25 in a heartbeat. Many of you will call me crazy for giving a nib that doesn't write a 21/25 rating. The only reason I do is because the fix is so simple. Unlike many other pens, such as the <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2012/02/pen-review-noodlers-ahab-flex-pen.html">Noodlers Ahab</a>, this one takes about 35 seconds to remedy if you know what you're doing. Also, be sure to use caution when reading my experiences with pen nibs. Remember that I, as a nibmeister, see the worst of everything. What you hear from me is the worst of it, and normally things are much better. :)<br />
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The Vac700 comes with some nice packaging, and a few extras that are worth mentioning briefly.</div>
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The packaging is the exact same as the 530/540, and the extras are essentially the same too. For those who are new to TWSBI, the packaging is very Apple-esque. The pen arrives in a white plastic box, with a transparent lid. Nested inside sitting on a lovely transparent stand, is the Vac700. I don't have a photo, but take a look at my old <a href="http://tylerdahlpens.blogspot.com/2011/06/ultimate-twsbi-review-part-2.html">TWSBI 530 review</a>. The packaging is the exact same.</div>
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Here is the removable tray from bottom view. This is where you'll find your goodies. A bottle of silicone grease, a wrench for servicing the pen, and spare o-rings!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6mciZ83wi8/T7ufX-0VRrI/AAAAAAAABZc/nORDFmvCgfY/s1600/DSC_2975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6mciZ83wi8/T7ufX-0VRrI/AAAAAAAABZc/nORDFmvCgfY/s400/DSC_2975.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to add an <b>extra point</b> to my overall score for the superb packaging and goodies that TWSBI includes with your purchase.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pricing:</span></b></div>
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I'll make this quick, but I feel it's important to add this. While there are many mixed feelings on this pen's price point, let's all be honest - we were spoiled with the TWSBI 530 and 540. Never before had a pen been sold for so cheap that was so well made. Ever since then however, I've heard lots of complaints about other pen's prices, including some TWSBI releases, such as the Micarta.</div>
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Let me set things into perspective for the Vac700. There are just a few other modern made vac-filling pens on the market today. To name a few, we've got the popular Pilot Custom 823, the Visconti Homo Sapiens, as well as a few other Viscontis, and more pens I can't name at the moment. Let's take a quick look at some pricing for these vac-filling pens:</div>
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Pilot 823: $250.00</div>
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Visconti homo Sapiens: $400.00 - $500.00</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">TWSBI Vac700</i>: $85.00</div>
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Let's really compare the Vac700 to the Pilot 823. They both come in Amber, and they're both very similar in general. Essentially, you're paying an additional $165.00 for a gold nib. That's the only noticeable difference between the pens that's in favor of the Pilot.</div>
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The fact is that if like the vacuum filling mechanism, and you don't want to spend a years worth of pen money, the Vac700 is a bargain. For the amount of pen you get, as well as TWSBI's incredible customer service, I'd say it's a whole lot of pen for the money. Is it worth more than the 540? Absolutely. If it costs more for TWSBI to manufacture, then it's worth more. I'm personally happy to pay the extra for what I feel is a much better pen overall.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Conclusion:</b></span></div>
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How can I conclude such a review about such a great pen? I know! I'm going to list to you all the reasons you wouldn't want to buy this pen:</div>
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<li>You hate TWSBI...</li>
<li>You hate great pens...</li>
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In short, I cannot think of any reason that a fountain pen enthusiast could resist adding this pen to his/her collection! It has quickly secured a good spot in my pen case, and is there to stay for a long while, most likely forever. I love the design, the shape, the mechanics, and once fixed, even the nib.</div>
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TWBI has created another winning design, and I am proud to support their efforts. No, I am not affiliated with TWSBI, and no, I don't get payed a single penny for my reviews. :) But I am a big fan of TWSBI, and I love this pen. I am looking forward to the clear version of the Vac700 when it arrives, and for that matter, all future TWSBI products.</div>
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This pen can be purchased <a href="http://www.twsbi.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1819">directly from TWSBI here</a>.</div>
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Likewise you can get it from <a href="http://www.gouletpens.com/TWSBI_Vac_700_Fountain_Pens_s/1124.htm">everyone's favorite retailer here</a>. If you haven't guessed it, yes, I'm speaking of the Goulet Pen Company. :)</div>
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End review!</div>
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I sure hope you enjoyed this review! It took a lot of writing and time to finish, but I am very happy to have it up. If you'd be so kind, please leave me a comment below and let me know what you think of the pen, and the review. Did I miss something important? What are your thoughts on the Vac700? Looking forward to hearing from you all!</div>
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Don't forget to <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/tylerdahlpens">subscribe to the blog</a> to stay up-to-date on all my latest reviews!</div>
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And lastly, have a great day everyone. :)</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0