======================================================================== Nib Noise * Volume 10 Number 1 * April 2011 ======================================================================== Welcome to Nib Noise. This e-newsletter is a joint effort of Richard Binder and Don Fluckinger. We hope you'll enjoy reading this month's issue. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS NEWSLETTER! For comments or questions, send email to: richard@richardspens.com To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit the Free Email Newsletter page on our site: http://www.richardspens.com/?info=nibnoise ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** The Big Pen News is the Pelikan M101N. It's Here! *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pelikan's exciting new "vintage" M101N. Wait no longer, the pen is here and it is magnificent. It's a virtual dead ringer for the prewar 101N, even to the single-color 14K nib with a correct vintage-style imprint. The rich burgundy piston knob, cap crown, and section set off the tortoise cap and barrel perfectly. We have M101Ns in stock with all three nib sizes (F, M, and B). Don't dither about buying one of these; production is limited, and when they're gone they'll really be gone. http://www.richardspens.com/?pens=pel+m101n ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Go STEALTH. The New Matte Black Vanishing Point Is En Route! *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ever since Namiki discontinued the ultra-cool "Stealth" Vanishing Point, we've been hopeful that it would come back. It's back. As I write, our first order of Pilot Stealth Vanishing Points is in transit from Pilot USA to the Nashua Pen Spa. We'll have it on our Pilot page as soon as I've had time to take a photo! Keep your eye on our Plot page, and when you're there to notch up your Stealth, take a few moments to think about the elegantly contrasting set you can make with a Stealth and a white Vanishing Point! http://www.richardspens.com/?pens=nam ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** April Will Probably Be a No-Show Month for RichardsPens.com *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you've checked our site's show calendar, you know that Atlanta and Boston aren't listed there. Atlanta, unfortunately, has to take second place to a family obligation on the same weekend, and we still have no date for Boston. It's possible that Boston could pull it together and happen on the last weekend of the month, but we doubt that'll happen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Don's Cigar Box Pen Chests *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This month, Don's unveiled another exciting lineup of the best pen- storage buys in the hobby. Each one's an individually hand-outfitted wooden former cigar box, felt-lined and custom fit with pen trays for your finest vintage and modern pens. Go now while there's still a wide selection -- they sell fast, and the early birds get the first crack at them! http://www.richardspens.com/?acc=boxes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Bexley and Economic Realities *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ With the release of its 2011 Owners Club pen, Bexley gave a big nod to current economic life style and market realities by offering the pen with the purchaser's choice of a steel nib or one in 18K gold. Both nibs are superb, and we've followed Bexley's lead by changing our Bexley page so that you can now purchase any of our Bexley pens (except the Simpli- city) with steel or 18K. http://www.richardspens.com/?pens=bex ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Pelikan Prices *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Along with the good news of the M101N, we have to bring you a bit of bad news about Pelikan prices. We have been advised that Pelikan prices will rise on April 15, just in time to catch your tax refund. http://www.richardspens.com/?pens=pel ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Protect Your Pens with Fine Leather Pen Cases from Pelikan *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You use your pens, but you still want them to look good. Scratches, dents, and dings can spoil the looks of any pen. Protect your pens with a leather pen case. Real leather is a natural product. It breathes, and it’s warm and durable, with individual characteristics that make each hide unique. Pelikan fine leather pen cases are individually hand crafted by experienced European bag makers. We have Pelikan 1-, 2-, and 3-pen cases in stock. And we've discovered that you can put non-Pelikan pens in them, too! http://www.richardspens.com/?acc=pel_cases ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Check Out Our Other Accessories, Too! *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We've been working over the past couple of years to create and build a strong selection of accessories, supplies, and tools to make your pen hobby a more enjoyable one. Please take some time to browser our pages to see what's there, and to take some of these things home with you. http://www.richardspens.com/?acc= ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** One Accessory You Need But Can't Get from Us: a Rocker Blotter *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Everyone who actually *uses* fountain pens, rather than just sticking the things in a glass-covered case, needs a blotter. Plain blotter sheets are okay, and advertising blotters are cooler, but nothing beats a rocker blotter for coolness and utility. Our friend Guy is a master woodworker, and his solid red oak "oversize" rocker blotters are superb. Go buy one today, and tell Guy we sent you. http://www.rockerblotters.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** There's No Fooling About Our April Pen Show Tray *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We've got some fun stuff on the tray this month, including a tribute pen, a Mexican special, and a pen that was guaranteed for a century. Go to the Pen Show Tray page. Go directly to the Pen Show page. Do not pass Go. http://www.richardspens.com/?pens=vint ------------------------------------------------------------------------ +++ "Broad Strokes" by Richard Binder *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The primary problem facing the owner (or would-be owner) of a Waterman glass-cartridge pen is making the pen work. The pens are solid, as you would expect, and the cartridges are quite robust. What wasn’t robust was the rubber seal that Waterman used to connect the cartridge to the nipple and seal the ink inside. This month Richard illustrates a quick and easy method of replacing the dead rubber seal. http://www.richardspens.com/?rep=glasscart ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***"Extra Fine Points" by Don Fluckinger *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Richard and Don tackle a self-declared fountain pen newbie's questions on inks, cleaning, and the age-old debate of modern vs vintage fountain pens. http://www.richardspens.com/?xf=1104 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Pens That Write Right! *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Unless otherwise requested at the time of sale, we tune each new pen or nib at no extra charge before shipment. We fill the pen with Waterman Blue-Black ink and write with it on paper from the same fountain pen friendly pads we sell, adjusting as necessary to bring it up to the RichardsPens.com "factory" standard for smoothness and flow. If you order a new pen with a customized nib, I will modify the nib (for an extra charge) and ship the pen immediately instead of putting it into my regular queue. Remember, we are authorized retailers for Aurora, Bexley, Gate City Pen, Namiki and Pilot, and Pelikan. We don't always have a complete line up on the site, but we can get anything our manufacturers offer -- if you don't see it, just ask! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Subscribe to our RSS Feed *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RSS means Really Simple Syndication. You can subscribe to our RSS feed by clicking the orange RSS button at the top of any page on our site or by plugging the following URI into your browser or RSS reader: http://www.richardspens.com/richardspens.rss If you're not already hooked up to RSS and what it can do for you, take a peek at our introductory page: http://www.richardspens.com/?info=rsshelp ======================================================================== If you received this newsletter from Richard Binder, you are a Nib Noise subscriber. If it came from someone else, I invite you to subscribe. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit the Free Email Newsletter page on our site: http://www.richardspens.com/?info=nibnoise Note: We will never sell your name or email address. Your privacy is as important to us as it is to you.