Parker 45

July 1, 2013, 7:49 am

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Although I am aware that Parker fountain pens are very usable and reliable, I am not a big fan of Parker vintage.

I did a quick search last year, there was no confirmation if Parker actually released a demonstrator.

Actually, I am not sure myself the history of this pen. I will need to do a bit of digging.

It does look like a Parker Model 45 demonstrator when it is capped, but ...

I am not sure if this Parker 45 model does exist or a after marker Frankenstein Parker. I will have to find a good time to visit my friend Jason C. and do a bit of digging.

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Visconti Pininfarina Carbongrafite Retractable Fountain Pen

July 31, 2013, 8:38 am

≫ Next: Ken Cavers Custom Made Bamboo Fountain Pen

≪ Previous: Parker 45

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Visconti Pininfarina Carbongrafite Retractable fountain pen is the most expensive of its kind. It is unique stylistic fountain pen which has technical elements in it, I am still wondering if it justify for such a high price tag.

The Visconti icon clip was secure to the pen with two screw, which made it look at like spring type clip. The screws on the pen actual give it a bit of retro look.

On the both side of the sections, it engraved the name "Pininfarina", which I think make it expensive. :-)

This expensive Visconti Pininfarina Carbongrafite Retractable fountain pen comes with Visconti chromium 18 Smartouch tubular nib, which Visconti has invested a lot of engineering hours and resources.

On the bottom of the pen, it is engraved with the letter "f".

It has a most smooth retractable mechanism that I come across. I don't like the idea that the nib cannot be removed from the pen section. It cannot be disassemble into 3 parts only.

Visconti Pininfarina Carbongrafite Retractable fountain pen is currently available locally at limited quantity.

Limited edition: 930 fountain pens and 930 rollerball pens
Material: Unidirectional carbon graphite
Nib: Chromium 18 Smartouch tubular (EF-F-M-B-ST)
Refill: Visconti rolling ceramic Loading: Retractable cartridge
Packaging: Retractable carbon graphite

Ken Cavers Custom Made Bamboo Fountain Pen

August 1, 2013, 4:10 am

≫ Next: Rumours, Rumoours Sailor Kings of Nature World Maki-e Limited Edition

≪ Previous: Visconti Pininfarina Carbongrafite Retractable Fountain Pen

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Many thanks to my good friend Kite, I own a piece of to Ken Cavers custom made fountain pen. It is well made, and write smoothly.

I left the pen in my office as my daily writer. It give me no problem and getting to like it more each day.

The pen pouch in the above picture is from Dani Trio.

Rumours, Rumoours Sailor Kings of Nature World Maki-e Limited Edition

August 1, 2013, 9:00 am

≫ Next: UHU Minions Glue Stick

≪ Previous: Ken Cavers Custom Made Bamboo Fountain Pen

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Coming September 2013, Sailor Japan will launched two maki-e limited edition fountain pen under the theme "Kings of the Natural World".

Both the King Cobra and King Eagle maki-e are painted by Nishihara.

This Sailor King of Nature World Maki-e Limited Edition fountain pen are fitted with the Nagahara nib, well known for giving users the excellent experience of writing.

Both the Sailor King Cobra and King Eagle maki-e limited edition fountain pen are limited to 28 individually numbered pieces worldwide.

UHU Minions Glue Stick

August 10, 2013, 10:11 pm

≫ Next: Rumor, Rumor Sailor Procolor Shikisai (sprinkling) Blue Demonstrator

≪ Previous: Rumours, Rumoours Sailor Kings of Nature World Maki-e Limited Edition

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While having lunch with my friends, I found UHU Minions glue stick at the stationary shop. The children like it. I ended up buying all the six designs.

Here is a few close up shots of the Minions.

A group of minions wishing everybody happy holiday.

Two minions performing the Song & Dance.

Minions promoting the UHU glue stick . . .

It stick on all surface.

Holiday season ended today ... :-(

Rumor, Rumor Sailor Procolor Shikisai (sprinkling) Blue Demonstrator

August 14, 2013, 10:10 am

≫ Next: Event - Fellowship of Fountain Pen Collectors and Users

≪ Previous: UHU Minions Glue Stick

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This summer Sailor launched a Procolor sprinkling blue demonstrator.

The Sailor procolor is a steel nib pen with nickel chrome plated finishing trim. This Procolor blue demonstrator only comes in  F nib.

It will be available locally soon.

Event - Fellowship of Fountain Pen Collectors and Users

August 21, 2013, 7:37 am

≫ Next: Pilot Capless White Carbonesque with Rhodium Accents

≪ Previous: Rumor, Rumor Sailor Procolor Shikisai (sprinkling) Blue Demonstrator

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It is time for us to gather again to share our love of fountain pens.

Date:  August 25, 2013 (Sunday)
Pen Meet Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: HANS
Address: 1 Pickering St  Singapore 048659

One of the best Sunday is to meet a group of people with the same hobby and share our passions for fountain pens.

Pilot Capless White Carbonesque with Rhodium Accents

August 21, 2013, 9:21 am

≫ Next: NAMIKI YUKARI ROYAL PARROT WITH PEACH

≪ Previous: Event - Fellowship of Fountain Pen Collectors and Users

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Pilot Japan launched a new Vanishing Point (Capless) to their Carbonesque with Rodium Accents. Pilot Singapore didn't feedback if this is a special edition or a regular production.

If you like the pen, I suggest you buy it soon.

It is currently available at limited quantity locally now.

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NAMIKI YUKARI ROYAL PARROT WITH PEACH

September 7, 2013, 5:37 pm

≫ Next: Rumours, Rumours Pilot 95th Anniversary Limited Edition

≪ Previous: Pilot Capless White Carbonesque with Rhodium Accents

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The Namiki Yukari Royal Parrot with Peach is the latest additional to Namiki Yukari Royal range.

This is another fine piece of maki-e art completed by Namiki artisan Masaru-san. It deserve a place in all maki-e pens or art collectors pen cases.

This Namiki Yukari Royal Parrot with Peach is the most colorful and attractive maki-e artwork painted by Namiki artisans.

this is an excellent  theme for a pen. Both the parrot (鹦鹉) and peach are consider symbols of good omen in the Chinese and Japanese cultures.

This Namiki yukari royal pen are basically decorated with peaches, which is symbol for longevity. Each part of the peach tree has significant meaning too.

Like most Namiki Yukari Royal fountain pen, the artisan uses take maki-e technique to paint the pen. Artisan Masaru-san not only take maki-e technique to pain the most of the peaches, it apply the same take make technique on the flowers and leaves too. It give a whole maki-e art additional dimension, bring it alive.

 The tree branches and trunk are said to ward off evil.

In ancient Chinese, the warriors would craft different type of weapons using the wood from peach tree. And some "magician" made love potion with petals of the peach blossoms, and it was believed it will the men into an intense trance of love.

In stead of the usual hira maki-e technique, artisan Masaru-san uses nashiji maki-e technique to create the branches and trunk.

The background of the pen barrel is decorated by peaches too, which master artisan masaru-san uses both hira and taka makie techniques paint it to make it lively and additional three dimension.

The only parrot on the pen is painted using take maki-e technique with lot of color. The parrot is very well painted with details of the feathers.

While it is available locally, it is mostly out of stock due to the long lead time needed complete one maki-e pen and the demand from the fountain pen users and collectors

Rumours, Rumours Pilot 95th Anniversary Limited Edition

September 9, 2013, 2:41 am

≫ Next: Montblanc Writer Edition 2013 Honoré de Balzac

≪ Previous: NAMIKI YUKARI ROYAL PARROT WITH PEACH

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Pilot Japan launched their 95th Anniversary this month, and it will be available locally in October. Every year, Singapore are allocated very limited pieces.

Do make early reservation soon to avoid disappointment. 

Montblanc Writer Edition 2013 Honoré de Balzac

September 14, 2013, 7:35 am

≫ Next: DUNHILL & JAQUES OF LONDON TABLE TENNIS TABLE BATS

≪ Previous: Rumours, Rumours Pilot 95th Anniversary Limited Edition

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Mont Blanc Writers Edition pay tribute to French literary artist Honoré de Balzac (1799 – 1850).

It was launched in August 2013 and the writing instruments are now available locally.

Honoré de Balzac is a well known  novelist and playwright who delivered an opus of nearly 100 novels and plays collectively known as La Comédie Humaine.

Here is a few pictures of this year MontBlanc Writer Edition 2013 Honoré de Balzac. I like the flower pattern on top of the clip.

The pen barrel reminder me of Pelikan.

Unlike the previously MontBlanc Writer Edition, the engraving on the nib is much simpler.

The pen cap also take a old MontBlanc flat top, instead of the usual dome shape.

Overall, the MontBlanc Writer Edition 2013 Honoré de Balzac pen design is much simple which give it a go back to basic feeling which a lot of us like.

DUNHILL & JAQUES OF LONDON TABLE TENNIS TABLE BATS

September 17, 2013, 3:30 pm

≫ Next: Pelikan Edelstein Ink Amber "Ink of the Year 2013"

≪ Previous: Montblanc Writer Edition 2013 Honoré de Balzac

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My family was into table tennis and a collector friend sold me this set of Dunhill table tennis table which we didn't manage to use as the latest Butterfly bat currently in the market is make with new materials.

This set of Dunhill bats was built back in 2008 to celebrate the Beijing Olympicsm.

Dunhill worked with Jaques of London to craft a sophisticated solid wood table with black cellulose and Duroxil resin bonded top. They also created a Heist Table Tennis set that includes two Dunhill/Jaques branded bats (shown here), balls, and a compass bag from Dunhill's Heist Collection.



Here are a few more pictures of the Dunhill/Jaques table tennis bats.

Dunhill logo is on the bat handle.

Jaques name is on the rubber of the bat.

Pelikan Edelstein Ink Amber "Ink of the Year 2013"

September 21, 2013, 7:52 am

≫ Next: Bortoletti Inkwell Cal40

≪ Previous: DUNHILL & JAQUES OF LONDON TABLE TENNIS TABLE BATS

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Pelikan launched a new amber Edelstein Ink this year. They labelled it as "Ink of the Year 2013".

Here is a sample of the ink written using Omas paragon celluloid bronze arco fountain pen.

A picture of the beautiful Omas fountain pen with the Pelikan Edelstein Amber ink.

Bortoletti Inkwell Cal40

October 12, 2013, 6:25 pm

≫ Next: Visconti Medina Limited Edition

≪ Previous: Pelikan Edelstein Ink Amber "Ink of the Year 2013"

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I was charmed by Bortoletti inkwell back in 2005 when I was travelling in Sydney. Just over the weekend, I picked up a few inkwells at our friendly local fine writing instrument retailer Fook Hing Trading.

These inkwell is a fine decoration on my writing desk, and  good talking pieces among my guests.

Here is a few photo shoots of the Bortoletti inkwell.

The inkwell comes with a beautifully engraved cap.

The Bortolletic inkwell model cal40 comes with a pen rest, but it is too small to hold my Omas pen. It is only good for slim pens.

There is a similar Bortolletic inkwell model Cal45 which doesn't have the pen rest. It costed the same as Cal40.

The rest is not just a flat piece of plate, but comes with some engraved texture to create a friction to hold your help. It doesn't work. :-(

The Bortolletic inkwell base is decorated with the same design pattern as the cap.

All corners are decorated.

Visconti Medina Limited Edition

October 13, 2013, 5:12 pm

≫ Next: Platinum Tiger In The Dark Maki-e (Shikkoku Anei taketoraou-zu) Fountain Pen Limited Edition

≪ Previous: Bortoletti Inkwell Cal40

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Our Muslim friends are having their Hari Raya Haji tomorrow. I am posting a fountain pen theme that our Muslim  friends will be familiar; the Visconti Medina Limited Edition.

Medina is the burial place of Muhammad. It is the second most sacred site in Islam. His tomb is located in one of the three oldest mosques in Islam. My Muslim friends told me it is still one the most visited place.

The Visconti Medina Limited Edition is inspired by prophet Muhammad's burial chamber and very much influenced by the Mosque he is buried in.

The pen barrel is crafted from an ivory color resin bars with a matching Islamic color (green) cap with marbled pattern that have a cap top that recall the famous dome of the mosque.

The fountain pen clip and trim are all very much inspired by burial chamber.

Any idea where the fountain pen clip design was taken from?

Hint: It is the first thing you see when you enter the mosque.

Over all the Visconti Medina Limited Edition fountain pen is nice. The handmade filgree is nice, but I am not able to see the AG925 hallmark on the pen.

Happy Hari Raya Haji!!!!

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Platinum Tiger In The Dark Maki-e (Shikkoku Anei taketoraou-zu) Fountain Pen Limited Edition

October 18, 2013, 3:18 am

≫ Next: DaniTrio Voice of Cricket Limited Edition

≪ Previous: Visconti Medina Limited Edition

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Platinum Pen Co., Ltd. launched their second sumikoage maki-e fountain pen last month (September).

In maki-e technique, there are few makie techniques to raise the design. One of the maki-e technique is called Sumikoage technique, which uses charcoal powder to raise the design.

I was told that the artisan has to craft the pen in a control air-flow environment to avoid the fine charcoal powder from floating in the air. The artisan also also need to good breathing technique for the same reason, and breathing in the fine charcoal powder which might cause health problem.

The images of tiger and bamboo forest drawn on the center of the jet-black body are coated in several layers before different part of the design are raise to different level to give it a three dimension effect.

According to Platinum, the Tiger In the Dark design is to signify the human living in free world. The bamboo forest represent the mother earth (the World), and the tiger is the human who walk across the world without any bounds.

hmmm ... sound more like a sad world.

This Platinum maki-e limited edition fountain pen is also the first platinum maki-e pen model that has a “slip & seal” mechanism, which keeps the ink fresh over time by simply putting the cap on. It doesn’t require maintenance and offers a smooth writing experience even after not using the pen for two years.

Here is a few close up pictures of the Platinum Tiger In The Dark Maki-e (Shikkoku Anei taketoraou-zu) Fountain Pen Limited Edition.

Unlike the Platinum Tiger in the Dark maki-e fountain pen limited is limited to 300 pieces worldwide and is currently available at Aesthetic Bay Pte Ltd and Fook Hing Trading.

DaniTrio Voice of Cricket Limited Edition

October 23, 2013, 8:00 am

≫ Next: Danitrio Hummingbirds maki-e fountain pen

≪ Previous: Platinum Tiger In The Dark Maki-e (Shikkoku Anei taketoraou-zu) Fountain Pen Limited Edition

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For maki-e pens lovers, you must make a trip to Fook Hing Trading. Danitrio makie pens has gone quiet in the local market for awhile. A recent visit to Fook Hing Trading, I discover they have increases the range of Danitrio makie fountain pens.

There is also different price ranges of makie Danitrio fountain pens to meet different group of pen lovers.

The Dani Trio Voice of Cricket maki-e fountain pen caught my eyes. It is the creation of artisan Masayuki Haria.

Unlike the other maki-e pens barrel, Masayuki created a very unique maki-e technique to create a net pattern on the barrel. The net is raise, giving the feel of a net wrapping round the pen.

The drawing of the pen too is very simple too. This is what really attracted me; the entire drawing is draw using simple line.

The major objective on the pen is the silhouette of crickets.

One crickets on the pen pen cap. Masayuki uses the nashiji and hira maki-e technique to create the beautiful golden moon.

Another cricket is drawn on the pen barrel.

Did you notice that the moon and the cricket are draw on top of the base net?

The Danitrio Voice of Cricket Limited Edition fountain pen is limited to 20 individually numbered worldwide.

The beauty of this maki-e fountain pen is the simplicity of the design. While the design is simple, the maki-e technique used is not simple.

Danitrio Hummingbirds maki-e fountain pen

October 24, 2013, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: PILOT 95TH ANNIVERSARY MAKI-E RYU (DRAGON) LIMITED EDITION FOUNTAIN PEN

≪ Previous: DaniTrio Voice of Cricket Limited Edition

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Danitrio and Fook Hing Trading work together to launch a few Danitrio maki-e pens last evening in Singapore. Danitrio hummingbirds maki-e fountain pens was one of the new maki-e pen launched last evening. The pen shown here is one of the two hummingbirds maki-e pens that was launched last evening.

For this design, there are Yusai artisan painted two hummingbirds using different maki-e technique.



On the pen barrel, she uses the hira maki-e technique to pain the beautiful green humming bird and hibiscus flowers.

One the pen cap, she using three maki-e technique on this very beautiful maki-e technique. She using togidashi maki-e technique to paint the feather of the wings, tails and beak. She using the raden and rankaku maki-e technique to create the bird head and body.

Yusai artisan also uses the togidashi maki-e technique to paint the wisteria on the pen cap.

  The newly launched pens are now available locally at Fook Hing Trading.

PILOT 95TH ANNIVERSARY MAKI-E RYU (DRAGON) LIMITED EDITION FOUNTAIN PEN

October 27, 2013, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Namiki Maki-e Vanishing Point Kagimonyou and Nanten

≪ Previous: Danitrio Hummingbirds maki-e fountain pen

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Pilot Japan celebrate their 95th anniversary this year (2013). They launched two limited edition this year. The the majestic Nobori Ryu (“Rising Dragon”) emperor fountain pen and Ryu (“Dragon”) yukari size fountain pen in limited edition.

The unsigned yukari ryu limited edition fountain pen is long simple. Actually, the artisan uses a few maki-e technique to create this the mystical creature.  It is illuminated in gold and silver glow against a rich black base through a combination Taka (Raised) Maki-e and Togidashi (Burnished) Maki-e techniques.

The striking patterns is painted using the traditional Seirei-Nuri Maki-e technique.

The good news is it is very reasonably price for the artwork and maki-e technique used.

The artisan correctly painted the dragon to have three claws. It is a pen for our daily use.

Only 400 pieces of Ryu (Dragon) are available worldwide.

Namiki Maki-e Vanishing Point Kagimonyou and Nanten

October 30, 2013, 6:33 am

≫ Next: Art Gladius Excalibur Sword Letter Opener

≪ Previous: PILOT 95TH ANNIVERSARY MAKI-E RYU (DRAGON) LIMITED EDITION FOUNTAIN PEN

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Namiki launched two maki-e vanishing point fountain pens using hira maki-e technique. They are Kagimonyou (Key Pattern Wave) and Nanten (Heavenly Bamboo).

Here is a few picture of the latest and hotest maki-e pens.

The artisan painted short straight line to create wave pattern.

The wave pattern is painted only at the center of the black capless fountain pen.

The pattern is just big enough to please the eye.

The artisan also paint the heavenly bamboo toward the center of the black vanishing point.

The Namiki logo no longer painted at the center.

It is now available locally in Singapore.