The Pen Addict

This week, Brad is joined by Ben Walsh of Gravitas Pens to discuss his story of the brand. It’s a story of trial, error, and resiliency, and one I hope you enjoy.

Brad and Myke catch up on what they are using today before digging into Brad’s latest shopping experience, bulky notebooks, and … edible note pads?

A pen cleaning for the ages, the One pen, and a 55th Edition. What more could you ask for in a single episode? Maybe a couple of pens that will not be mentioned? Yes, that too.

How do you review a pen that you personally love, but wouldn’t recommend it except to the smallest fraction of pen users? Brad and Myke discuss this, plus discuss what they look for when shopping for a custom pen.

I mean, isn’t shimmer always an add-on? Brad and Myke think so when it comes to pens, and inks. Find out exactly which ones in this week’s episode!

What are your thoughts on the new Blackwing Palomino? What do you think Field Notes will do for their 50th release? Do you leave stickers on pens, or peel them off? Come on in and listen to find out how right - or wrong - you are!

Business Brad is front and center this week, before discussing a new Platinum limited edition, the first release from the new Retro 51 team, and the cast of Ted Lasso as pens. The what, you say? Listen and find out!

Brad may be making another call to the law firm if this continued usage of orange keeps up from unauthorized parties. Until then, he and Myke discuss what they have been using, possibly new Maruman Croquis notebooks, and deciding between fountain pens and standard pens.

When is a big pen too big? Brad found out almost immediately after last week’s show. The discussion then turns to a new, old notebook that Brad is enjoying, which led to an even deeper discussion around stationary satisfaction.

Brad’s lawyers were active this week, but the situation has been resolved with no further intervention required. Brad follows up on a conversation with Retro 51, and a new pen he is shopping for, then Myke jumps in to discuss Sailor’s 110th Anniversary.

Some days are rough, and some days are just like “Thumbs up for fountain pens!” Today is definitely the latter, as Brad and Myke discuss making your own Sailor Pro Gear, the new Schon DSGN Ultem model, and Brad corrects a big error from last week.

The cases are shipped! The nibs are in flight! The use of orange is … questionable? Brad and Myke discuss all the things, including new stuff from our favorites at CW Pencil Enterprise, Musubi, Gravitas, and The Well-Appointed Desk.

Myke received a rare box of goodies from Brad, and then a second right behind that. What's going on in this world where that would actually happen. Myke discusses what was inside the boxes, plus new limited edition releases from Pilot, Sailor, and TWSBI.

We make things! Both Brad and Myke have hot products in the works, including a restock of the Theme System Journal, and a new Spoke fountain pen - or three. We dig into all of that, plus some interesting pen store news, in this week’s episode.

What if you launched a Collection, but spelled it Sport? Brad has fun at Kaweco’s expense this week before digging into the new Pilot Special Edition he has been waiting for. Or maybe not

450 podcast episodes, and nearly 10 years of Kickstarter campaigns! Brad and Myke discuss their personal highlights - and a few lowlights - of nearly 200 campaigns backed.

How engineered does a dip pen need to be? Apparently VERY engineered is the answer, and we are here for it. We discuss that very interesting pen, Brad’s new Ultra Extra Fine nib, and the design heather that Leonardo has been on this year.

Adina is back! And this time, she has comics in tow. How is she making them? What pens and paper is she using? How did she decide what colors of Sailor Ink Studio to purchase? All of that, and more, in this awesome episode.

How do price increases affect retailers? How about consumers? Are we heading towards a tipping point in a few years? Brad has no clue, but he would like to find out. We also talk new products from Platinum, and new decisions from Kaweco

No, not The Pen Addict, but our good friends over at Retro 51 have officially made the transition. We also discuss Brad’s foray back into fountain pens, Presidential writing instruments, and Sailor price increases.

It’s new notebook day for Brad, and there are many great reasons as to why. We also discuss Retro 51 sale news, and dig into a big batch of #ASKTPA.

News of a new, old Lamy Safari hit the stationary internet, and Brad and Myke discuss what it is, and what it means. They also break down an 87 pen list as best as one can, and talk about what 2021 may hold from a stationary perspective.

Brad breaks down not only his Theme System Journal in this week’s episode, but also his 2021 planner, and his Notebook of Randomness.

The holiday break is over and there is stationary to discuss! Brad and Myke do just that this week, with talk around the Theme System, Retro 51, Holiday gifts, and rage cleaning all of your fountain pens.

Rachael Maddow, we are so sorry! Your pencil choices were a big topic of conversation today, and we broke down a few that may make a good replacement for you. Myke and I also discuss the new Theme System Journal, Second Edition, from cover to cover.

Hello Kitty. Lisa Frank. Popper-palooza. How much better can one episode get? How about 99,999 times better?

Two of our favorite brands - Pilot and Sailor - have done some interesting things over the past week. Brad and Myke discuss that, plus Brad’s TWSBI Golden Horse, and the latest version of the Bullet Journal notebook.

Brad and Myke are joined by Ana Reinert of The Well-Appointed Desk for our annual Gift Guide Episode. We tackle a ton of categories to cover all of your holiday shopping needs!

Brad’s wrist is improving, but is his left-handed handwriting? We discuss other lefty-centric topics, perforated pages, abs on a pen and making better pencil recommendations.

Brad is back … or is he? With a broken wrist in tow, he and Myke try to sort out what is going on with Sailor’s many new releases. Is it all a fever dream?

Brad did some shopping for Fountain Pen Day. Did you? We talk about a couple of new acquisitions, and then listen live as Myke stumbles upon a secret.

The results of the Great Pen Addict Slack Survey are in! Brad and Myke break it all down, plus discuss new, and strange, pens from TWSBI, making Zines, and what uni-ball is up to in the US.

It’s a business-heavy podcast this week, as we talk about bits of news across the stationery industry. We also discuss the upcoming virtual Detroit Pen Show, and a couple of new products on Brad’s desk.

Sailor pens or Benu pens? Why not both! We dig into the latest Sailor business news this week, and Brad expresses his love for a brand he was indifferent on for years. We also reminisce about our friend Bob Johnson, owner of the DC Supershow, who passed away last month.

What do you think of the Sailor Pen rebrand? How do you review the King of Pen? Is King of Pen even spelled correctly? These are the hard hitting questions Brad and Myke tackle today. Plus, Brad asks if he can buy a pen.

The Pilot G2 is a good gel ink pen. There are better gel ink pens right next to it on the store shelf, and Brad digs into the ones you should consider the next time you are stocking up.

Myke is back after a week on the lam and we have a lot to catch up on! Kickstarter campaigns, pen releases, charity drives - all of the things on this jam-packed episode.

Interview time! Brad is joined by Gena Salorino from Custom Nib Studio to discuss all things nib grinding. What has life during lockdown been like for a pen show regular? What type of grind should you get, and on what pen? And what magic does Gena have up her sleeves for the future?

Is it Hobonichi season already? 2020 was not the best year for planners, but it’s time to get right back in there for 2021! Brad and Myke also discuss other active projects, with updates on the Retro 51 Celebration, Nock Co. news, and a big raffle for St. Jude.

Will Brad ever ship Myke his Retro51 Celebration? Will Myke become a pirate? Will Brad re-up his pencil subscription? All of these questions - and more - answered in this week’s episode.

Packing. Pens. Podcastathon. We talk about all of those things, although not in that order. Plus, what pens would you pair with your other preferences?

What has happened to this show? Are we no longer discussing pens? Of course we are! But Myke has a wonderful digression on how similar the mechanical keyboard community is to the pen community. Join us!

It’s not Halloween just yet, but that doesn’t stop us from liking cute, fun, and spooky pens when they launch! We discuss all kinds of new products in this episode, how to sell your expensive pens, and why the classic Parker 51 doesn’t need to be remade.

Or is it? Brad and Myke dig deep into the stationery world for answers in this episode. The real question is did they find any.

Mega Studio pen situation, explained! We also discussed a new series on The Pen Addict blog, wax poetic on the future of Kickstarter pens, and dig into a large batch of #ASKTPA.

To celebrate this illustrious 420th episode of The Pen Addict podcast, we talked about the only thing that did this number justice: Pizza pens! We also discuss our beloved Scribble pen in unflattering terms, and dig into what makes a pen a collectors edition.

Brad gets all zen about pen cleaning - again. We also discuss a special Retro 51 anniversary, a virtual pen fair, and dig into recent pen reviews from Kaweco and Esterbrook.

Changes, they are coming - at least for our beloved Tomoe River paper. We discuss that, new Sailor releases, and try to decide how much Primary Manipulation we need in our lives.

Is our beloved Sailor Pen Co. about to have a new owner? Brad and Myke discuss all of the rumblings and try to sort out what it means. But first, we set the mood by lighting up the new Jacques Herbin scented candles.

Want to write your government official? Our listeners came through with all of the tips you need to make sure your voice is heard. We also talk about new products from some of our favorite brands, including Studio Neat, Ugmonk, and Field Notes.