As
you can see, we've combined June and July into one issue, June turned
out to be quite a busy month, and a bit short of new pens about which
to write! Combining the two gave us a better issue. And a bit more time
to get everything put together, of course.
Given that extra time, we've tried to fit as much as we can into this issue, with everything from a new Montblanc finish to a pen that's proved to be an amazing value for money, the Pilot Knight.
We've even managed to find a thin pen that won over some "large pen" guys. The Savant from Ferrari da Varese is that good a pen. This small company has been producing some great designs over the past few years, and of late, they seem to be ramping up their model line with some great "everyday pens" that nicely compliment their line of more exotic limited editions.
Speaking of exotic limited editions, there's the Hamilton Broadwell Edition. For a change, this pen isn't exotic because of it's looks, or an ornate box, or even fossilized DNA embedded in the cap... It's exotic for being a simple, plain, and above all functional eyedropper pen. The first in a planned series of three models, each featuring a classic filling mechanism form the golden age of fountain pens. In other words, it's a limited edition pen celebrating... pens! A nice idea, and Joel Hamilton and David Broadwell are intent on doing it right.
If you want something more mundane in the way of a limited edition, you might try the Cartier Exceptional. Although "mundane" might not be the right word. This pen is anything but. It's one of those that has to be seen in person to be really appreciated. There's also the OMAS Imagination, a pen celebrating the milestones in modern physics, a wonderful pen that actually manages to do justice to the theme. Whether it does as much justice to it's job as a writing instrument... Let's just say that particular question is going to be a personal call.
We've also got a look at the newest offering from Conway Stewart, the Nelson Trafalgar pen. Launched to celebrate the Battle of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson, this edition is a very nice package, with the pen in a lacquered wood presentation box that also holds a small book on the life of Nelson, and as a very neat touch, a small rocker blotter made of wood removed from the HMS Victory during it's restoration. A royalty from each pen sold is contributed to the restoration fund.
Conway Stewart has also launched a new line of higher end Limited Edition pens, the Elegance Range. These will consist of various designs in engraved and lacquered sterling silver. The first of these, the Deco Diamond has been out for a month or so now, and is quite a pen. Look for both of these in our "What's New" section, along with some other interesting new releases.
Only a few more weeks to go as I write this, and we'll be at the DC Supershow. This coming weekend, we'll be driving down to the Portland Pen Show. So far, the shows we've been to this year have been fabulous. If you've never been to a pen show, you might want to try starting out with a smaller regional show, like Portland. The pressure is a bit less, and usually you will find that folks have more time to chat. Of course, if the next show close by happens to be a big national show like DC, well... Just don't forget the checkbook, plan on spending the weekend, and get ready for a very intense couple of days! If you're at either of these upcoming shows, please look us up with any comments or suggestions!