PDA

View Full Version : 2015 LA Pen Show Report



AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 02:53 PM
LA Pen Show 2015


Going into this year’s LA Pen Show, I felt it was going to be interesting times at the show. For those who do not follow the inner workings of various pen shows, there was a major change in the ownership of the show and with change comes uncertainty. Over the last few years, you get a sense of change coming to the pen community. It comes as no surprise that much of the change is represented by a changing of the guard. Many of the first generation are retiring from pens leaving a vacuum. I want to this opportunity to say farewell to Saul Kitchener who passed away just before the LA Show. Saul was was a fixture in the San Francisco pen scene.

My usual plans for LA are to get there early, spend early and often. A few years ago (see my 2012 report), I learned to not leave for LA on Thursday but early Wednesday so you don’t miss anything. Unfortunately, life gets in the way and I had to be in a design review on Wednesday so I did not leave until late afternoon. I would still make it to LA Wednesday but would it be too late? So I left work as soon as I could leave and put pedal to the metal. I did stop in some remote and lonely place in the middle of central California for gas. Of course, I found this awesome pupusa truck selling food to truck drivers in the middle of nowhere.


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/16543483481_889c08ebea_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcTFgP)




I did not have time for pupusas since those take a bit more time so I settled for some tacos. Very good at $1.50 ea.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/16357508978_01a28c829e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVsvwS)



Fortunately, I dodged all traffic in LA and made the trip in 5 hours door to door. At the bar, a number of pen people were having drinks after dinner since they like the rest of the hardcore people arrived in the afternoon. Unfortunately, a lot of selling took place Wednesday evening before the show even started. Some of the pens I was interested in were already spoken for. The lesson is to get there early and realize the pen dealing starts before the show and often in the evenings away from the ballroom.


Thursday
I got up early to work out before breakfast. You really need to be in the ballroom by 8:00 am.


Sunrise over the golf course.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/16357505518_3a2e19dff5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVsuvd)




The ballroom was not as active in years past. It seems people were getting a late start. However, the Thursday morning regulars were feasting on the early action.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/16357828758_cc6f67983b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVu9Aj)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/16545519455_9849c5402c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd57uP)


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16543797651_b9b86f8867_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcVhEx)





The early morning is a great time to catch up with your friends. The room is fairly empty and quiet. I find it relaxing.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/16358018000_5c6896ec5a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVv7R7)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/16359211469_d7b99ae030_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBeCa)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/15922909804_e43f1fc7ce_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg45kE)




This is a good time to buy lots of parts and pens.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/15922905584_5ae361520e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg445U)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/16359191989_8a00ee843c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVB8Qi)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/16544384412_f80400e052_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcYi67)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/16544382572_866003e4b0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcYhxo)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 02:55 PM
I had made arrangements on Wednesday night to see Laurence Prenton, a dealer of antiques in Tokyo. I first met him at the LA show in 2013 and he knew I collect vintage Japanese pens. This year he brought quite a few pens for me to see. I proceeded to clean him out of pens. I felt a bit guilty because he did have others who were interested but I pulled the trigger quickly. This was at 8:15 am and I had blown through a quarter of the money I brought.

Here are some of the really high end items he brought.


A maki-e box with a well for Japanese tsunami ink and brushes.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/15925290723_81dfe85604_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qggh6Z)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/16357804498_d5d124b940_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVu2o3)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/16359201169_d4f506092e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBbyz)




The usual crowd started to slowly filter in.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/16359177829_78e8418ff4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVB4Ca)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/16359564447_d26980b468_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVD3xZ)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/16544366982_a651176b54_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcYcUA)




Dale Beeb of Pentooling had a bunch of new pen tools for sale.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/15922887994_36ce2822d2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg3XRC)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/16545487865_67baba7f55_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd4X7a)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/15925270163_825373e3ee_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qggaZv)



The outer areas were still being prepped early Thursday morning

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/16357980930_a950939727_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVuVPY)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/16357978870_403b901883_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVuVds)



By 9:30 am, some more people begin to show up. What’s with the sleeping in people?
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/16359153539_027cd25fea_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVAWpn)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/15922852774_0c70049077_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg3Moo)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 02:55 PM
Despite the seemingly slow start to the show, a lot of money was being thrown around. Sarj, the one man pen show, finally shows up. There was crowd buying stuff and prevented him from even setting up. He brought some vintage Italian pens with him for me and there went another 30% of the budget. I ended up having to go to the back before lunch to get more cash because I had committed to some pens from people showing up later in the show.


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/16543730991_545943b9d4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcUWRe)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/16519425916_6f47dfac66_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raLnNd)



Pen buying is hard work. Luis Olivera Leite, a very well known collector from Portugal had a cure for that. Luis is known for bringing food from his home country for people to enjoy as well as his incredible collection of extememely rare pens. It was probably around 11am when Luis started serving a traditional drink from Portugal made from aged White Port, soda water, and a splash of lime. Very refreshing. Pen shows are more than just the pens. It is all about the people that you meet and become friends with.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/15922842634_8d5f38b2e0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg3Jny)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8659/16519417666_ca4bf89f4a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raLkkY)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/16545441815_35f761b1ff_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd4Hqc)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/16519414266_d51a5681fd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raLjkm)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/16519397696_7dde092024_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raLepE)


With cocktail in hand, it was back to the show.


John Marks of Scribe’s Pen started making his own ink. He was selling his ink at the show for $3 for 118 ml. There are currently five colors. The Pen Posse will have report on the ink when we test it at the Post LA-Pen Posse stay tuned. In addition, John has a nice selection of vintage inks in huge bottles.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/16519408486_ce33fa223e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raLhBG)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/15922828914_e9bc64db89_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg3Ei1)


The nibs.com advance guard arrives. That is Jonella arrived by herself to set up. Jonella has a system and had everything set-up in no time. The problem was that John Mottishaw was bringing the pens so no pens to look at for buy just yet.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/15922825064_15a413efb4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg3D9C)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/15925209913_aa81119bb8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgfS5H)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 02:56 PM
The only one set up outside was Artus pens.


Here is Maxim talking to Loren.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/16359117379_f242f35c0a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVAKDV)


Artus’s line of handpainted pens are always stunning. They are keeping alive several Russian schools of painting. I’ve known Maxim for about four years when he started first bringing these pens to the US. Their artists continue to refine their craft and the latest generation of pens are even more beautiful than the ones I first saw in 2011.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/16545419215_854951fa8a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd4AGx)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/16543687561_b138306d01_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcUHWr)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/16544294142_6356d3612f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcXQfJ)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/16543670891_22257fe6b5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcUCZ2)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16357719808_7dd29bc208_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVtAcS)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/16358997569_c3c3503ac3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVA93e)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/15925074453_e10a364dab_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgfaPc)




Things pick up after lunch.

Here is An Tran ready to go.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/15925071143_11836d4296_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgf9Q8)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/16358981769_1ef120ba9d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVA4kP)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/16357785090_4ab6d2cf67_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVtVBq)



The Anderson’s arrive and begin setting up their huge display.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8567/16357567878_ff788429d5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVsP3o)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/15922668024_7bf6e22231_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg2Qt3)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16543522911_82143910e7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcTSZD)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 02:57 PM
LA can be a difficult show for a new company to break into. There is a lot of tradition. The guys from Karas took things and stride. They brought their new line of machined metal pens in awesome bright colors. (I am not a member of the Black pen society)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/16544151642_c8a40a0ed1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcX6TQ)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/16545258685_b97d487a23_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd3LYM)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/16358950239_d72d84d7ae_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzTYc)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/16358943479_cdec8c94fe_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzRXD)



Now for some cool things I found on Thursday


I forgot which company made this but it’s an elephant’s head pen. The trunk is the clip.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/15925020133_cb616f2a3c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgeTED)

It comes with an elephant foot’s base.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/16544124302_54dde45572_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcWXLs)



An original M. C. Esher that ended up in Roger Cromwell’s hands.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16543504321_df71e7441e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcTMt8)


Pen advertising pre-internet
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/16544112532_aae37fe26b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcWUgw)



A rare Aurora Ethiopia imported by Colonial Sand & Stone Co. This example is nearly perfect and comes with the even rarer original ink pellet case.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/16545211585_2a2196a7f2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd3wYH)



https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/16543495931_054aa71ebb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcTJYt)


Wahl-Eversharp Skyscraper LE
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/15922844634_049da020e2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg3JY3)


This is how the experts do it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/15925000163_12b7c81776_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgeMJk)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 02:57 PM
I always tell people new to pen shows that the show does not end after the ballroom is closed. Some of the best part of pen shows is what happens in the evenings. In LA, there is always a large group by the pool. As in years past, we celebrated Lee Chait’s birthday at the show.

Jon Szanto, Brian Leair, Loren Smith, and Paul Rossi pondering the wonders of Calvados.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/16519176956_6629eb7e79_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raK6MN)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/15922599194_c5b073161e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg2u1j)


Arnie and Jim cutting the cake.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/16545198025_d6244a6068_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd3sWV)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/16357699520_043807ea69_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVtub5)

The Dark Lord
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/16357494748_3dbb560149_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVsriw)

MY63
February 16th, 2015, 02:58 PM
Thanks for taking us with you

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 03:05 PM
I'll have the other days up ASAP. I expect around 2 hours for each depending on how much time I take out for dinner.

lsmith42
February 16th, 2015, 03:14 PM
Your labors are appreciated!

Jerome Tarshis
February 16th, 2015, 03:41 PM
I can't say this is at all like being there, but it is a great pleasure of its own kind.

Jon Szanto
February 16th, 2015, 04:08 PM
Oh, man... Ricky! I didn't think you would crank this stuff out so fast. Honest-to-gods, I look forward to these reports even after I've *been* at the show!!

Thank you so much.

ethernautrix
February 16th, 2015, 04:14 PM
Oh wow, I didn't know that Saul had been the director of the SF Zoo. SFGate article (http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Former-San-Francisco-Zoo-Director-Saul-Kitchener-6080088.php). RIP, Saul.

Kindv hard to segue to gushing over your photos, Ricky - but great photos! Maxim's pens are gorgeous! I love the details on the ends and caps, beautifully painted filigree or patterns. And the maki-e pens, too! I can't wait to see photos of the pens you bought.

We're trying to cajole Luiz to attend Pen Show Poland. I think he might. After all, Sarj and Jas, Tsachi, Michael and Carmel, and Thierry have said they'll be attending. Pen Show Poland is going international! Not too many Americans, though coughCOMEONcough. [April 11 & 12, Katowice.]

ethernautrix
February 16th, 2015, 04:31 PM
F5, F5, F5, ahem.











Kidding, Ricky. It's only 12:30 am here (or as they say in European, 00:30. I'll be up for a while. (Hahaha.)

da vinci
February 16th, 2015, 04:40 PM
Thank you for the excellent report. Looking forward to the next instalments.

Jon Szanto
February 16th, 2015, 05:06 PM
F5, F5, F5, ahem.

Ha! I remember you used to post that. Oh my, one of the only things missing at the show was YOU! One day - Poland Pen Show!!

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 05:16 PM
Friday


Thursday was a bit of a blur. The show seemed to move slowly but I bought a lot of pens. Others I talked to also said the same thing. I do know quite a few significant pens changed hands. Then there was the running game of whether Farmboy or Tim would buy more Parker 51s. It usually is a race. I think Farmboy had the edge when he found a significant 51.



I saw this as I entered the show area Friday morning.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/16545967515_03fe771cc4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd7pFZ)



Greg Minuskin was doing -pre-internet crowdsourcing. I ended up giving him a dollar of which later Doug Berg took. I love the Hello Kitty tape.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/16544856042_60263d5772_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd1HhE)

There was other stuff on Greg’s table
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/16358270988_c15f5c829f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVwq3Y)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/15923360494_8c748bf7b6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg6ojb)



The show slowly wakes up
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16358473350_c4b5c3a002_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVxscY)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/16359659119_5a3aec0ae9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVDwGg)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/16358460320_b7d6f629dd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVxokj)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/15925741233_475026224e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgiA2p)


One of the lessons you learn from the experienced collectors is that you often only have one opportunity to strike. Dayne Nix arrived late Thursday so he did not set up. I had blown quite a large sum of money on Thursday and needed the rest to cover pens that I had already agreed to buy. Thus I lost this opportunity. Dayne was selling an entire collection of vintage pens including 48 Parkers. The seller did not need the money so the proceeds were slated for a charity. The price was very good and I would have bought it on the spot. Another person not to be named was next to me and also failed to strike. Trying to text your partner was a losing game. In the end, I called Farmboy over and he took one look and it was over. On the other hand I earned OPM points.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16359654329_700ed3c1bc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVDvgF)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/16545957625_5184e41f4c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd7mKt)



After the sale was over, Dayne showed me one of his new acquisition. Sub-brands can be a fun way to collect vintage pens. He showed me a Tower Extra. Tower was a sub-brand for Sonnecken.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16359652419_c98c8c3f4a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVDuGK)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 05:17 PM
One of the reasons I did not buy the collection was that I had committed money to buy from Stylo Art and Eboya. This was the third year that Stylo Art came to LA and the second for Eboya. Mr. Motoshi Kuzuno and his wife Shuko sell incredible wooden pens made from rare Japanese woods as well as some stunning uric pieces. I had posted an advance preview of the usury pens earlier on the week here on FPGeeks so I already knew what was coming. In addition, they brought a new line of wooden pens made using fuki-urushi technique which is an old sushi technique derived from making fine furniture. The sushi brings out the beauty in the grain of the wood.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/16519926086_c2e20a96ba_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raNWtQ)


The two pens on the right use rare Japanese Kurogaki wood.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/16545946735_5dbfd89fdf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd7ivH)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/16359642659_66492c08a7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVDrNt)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/16358154378_43555b28a8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvPos)


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16358152408_66b45d2268_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvNNu)


One of the virtues of Stylo Art pens is that they can be fitted with nibs from all three Japanese companies including all of the specialty nibs Pilot FA, SU, PO nibs, Platinum SEF and Music, and Sailor Naginata. Those were very popular with the buyers. I don;t have any pictures, but Mrs. Kuzuno brought Japanese itch knives made by Takeda Hamono. These are hand forged knives made using traditional Japanese methods. They are light and super sharp. She brought them because I mentioned using Japanese knives last year. I’ll have to post a demonstration in a different thread.


Eboya is part of Nikko Ebonite who make ebonite rods as well as sell pens under the Eboya brand name. Mr. End returned to LA with a new selection of ebonite pens including the bamboo body pens this year. The ebonite is very high quality and is extremely well made. These pens come in C/C and Japanese Eyedropper fillers even in their small pens.


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/16358124788_114a1fd4d4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvEAh)[


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16359908737_cb5543a335_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVENU2)


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8608/16544110401_1f57616c90_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcWTCM)


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/15923223914_37792735fc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg5FHm)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/16544036341_335c949600_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcWvBT)


One of the coolest things Mr. Endo brought was this pop up lucky cat card.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/16544704512_c3dae281a0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZWf5)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/16358320100_7b9a715c57_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVwEDJ)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/15923206574_3b5fffbfc5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg5Ayo)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/16359504499_5581d8c89b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCJJp)

One of the news coming out of LA was that nibs.com started to carry the Eboya pens. So contact nibs.com for more info.

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 05:17 PM
By Friday morning most dealers were set-up and things were humming along.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8646/16358303470_37f36e0b2d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVwzH1)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/16358097668_1fac6a2237_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvwwG)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/16519740406_e18fbe05a4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raMZhs)


A nice crowd over at nibs.com
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/16545757735_ed48a33c96_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd6kk6)


The outside areas were beginning to fill out in time for the weekend.


Keno has their usual display. They were promoting the new Montegrappa DC super heroes pens.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/16359442319_f11c6e359e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCqfk)


They also had Aurora.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/16358247290_ccf5e4bb26_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVwi1o)


And Omas
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/16544634972_9b8c0e57b4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZzz7)



Edison pens was just down the aisle. The pens look so cool in the sunlight.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/16357874248_5b881057e9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVuo7C)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/16359264699_67af14be0a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBvrV)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/16359650787_ec6f2fefac_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVDudB)

Here is Brian hard at work.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/16543983681_4f13b1d473_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcWeXX)


Across the aisle from Edison pens, Rik Knablein and Rikwell was set-up
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/16359401949_c98e9ba4c4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCdfi)

They had these cool custom wooden display cases designed to hang on the wall.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/16544590002_80229b2031_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZmcL)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 05:18 PM
Somewhere in between our own Gale Pedowitz set-up and unloaded all of the Japanese stationery she brought back from Japan.

Gale’s magic suitcase
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/16359393989_7a87da897f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCaT4)

Pile o’stuff
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/15923092214_5f9254d388_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg51yE)

Cats
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/16545631595_35c44ddd27_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd5FQg)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/16519602286_92bf5b96f8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raMhe5)

Gale’s display of 3d printed items. More on this in the Saturday report. You’ll have to ask Gale where she got the yellow pen case.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/15925420553_c4170cc649_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qggWGr)


FPN set-up next to Gale. They brought the special FPN inks. There were interesting discussions with Amber Lea Davis who represented FPN.


FPN inks
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/16359799977_3731dc4278_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVEfyR)

Amber’s incredible ink test books
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/16543987751_77a745e897_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcWgb8)



Around the corner in the Foyer, Franklin-Christoph set-up.

Jim and Scott always have a great display. They have one of the best tester pen set-ups for their pens and they do tuning of you pens right there.,
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/16358136620_1c7b8540aa_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvJ7h)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/16545624905_6fc98f40f8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd5DQV)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/16359321119_f45911c2c8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBNdF)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/15925408993_fd32198260_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qggTg8)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/16545619965_8da38deb7e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd5CnK)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/16359316619_08a626564c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBLT6)



The new F-C 80 pen case. I call it the ‘PenMaster’. These are very nice and quite functional. I bought one of each color.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/16357931538_d55a6bedf0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVuF9o)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 05:18 PM
Ryan Krisac and his friend Brandon Lee were here again. Ryan makes wonderful wooden pens and carved pens while Brandon makes custom chocolates. Nothing like wandering the show while munching on chocolate truffles. A lot of people had the same idea.

A pen and chocolate pairing
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/15925424563_0bd790458a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qggXTz)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/16543916551_b864b05c15_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcVU1x)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8650/15923032714_639ff66da2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg4GSN)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/15925426103_fce18cf2dd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qggYm8)




YAFA was the big show sponsor and started setting up their huge display area out front.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/16358123670_06e5a8cd08_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvEg1)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/16519586376_59a257f598_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raMcuL)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/16519586376_59a257f598_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raMcuL)




Back inside, Teri Morris of Peyton Street Pens were showing off their new Ranga Zayante pens. These come in ebonite or acrylic. The one Teri showed me have been fitted with 19th century gold dip pen nibs for huge flex.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/16359292779_e00c94fc64_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBDN4)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/16358102380_62ddb2d871_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvxVW)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/16358100990_781d6f1bba_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvxvY)


What is wrong with this picture?
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/16358100990_781d6f1bba_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvxvY)


Sam and Frank from Pendemonium always have interesting stuff they pick up on their travels through the US.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/15923053544_c5c0cd1ba2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg4P4W)

I think Chess’s going to be jealous.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/16543929011_34b3404019_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcVXHn)[

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/16359734987_7298d7b66d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVDVfk)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 05:19 PM
Friday Miscellany


Someone just spent money.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16545658595_d34e2d621b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd5PRM)



Carmen Rivera brought out a lot of rare vintage Pilot VP’s. Those 1963 models are quite tasty.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/16359378639_fb567aed52_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVC6jp)


Staedtler entered the fine pens area a few years ago and seem to be expanding.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/16358145928_77bb2a84c5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVvLSL)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/16545838755_617c1d84a1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd6KpZ)

Very nice inkwell. Classy.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/16544732972_71fc449eaf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd15GL)



Mike Masuyama’s set-up. His special guest was here again.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/16359531799_bf79a32885_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCSR6)


Wonderful work on sterling by Rich Littlefield
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/16359336609_62f89fb7b4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBSPK)


Expensive and rare Parker Aztec. I just wanted a shot on the horse hair.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/16543882811_f981017317_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcVHYP)

Some stunning inkwells from a different time.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/16544463952_c1649f9414_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcYGJu)


Parts. I was going to pour through these looking for a couple of feeds. I actually never got around to it.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/15925449933_cd4cbae63f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgh6qZ)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/16359358489_39f8f36ffd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBZjZ)


Tako Bowl
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/16357875858_36a4793abf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVuoAo)


The Lighter Side of David Issacson. The good doctor was playing jazz while sitting at his table. David had to go into action later in the show when his roommate fell ill. David and Paul Erano had to take Mike to the hospital. Fortunately it was just the flu.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/15922962754_c3e44ab216_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg4m5A)


On Friday night, we had our annual Nor Cal-SoCal dinner organized by Joi Edwards. We had a blast. FPGeeks own Dan Smith was there and took pictures and posted them. It was such a large table that some did not know Dan was there and wondered who posted a picture of the dinner.

On a closing note, the University of Oregon’s Men’s Basketball team lost to UCLA on Saturday. They might have scored more on the court if they had scored less at the hotel.

Laura N
February 16th, 2015, 06:25 PM
Thank you for this fantastic report.

Cyber6
February 16th, 2015, 06:27 PM
Thanks SO MUCH Ricky!!!!... You never fail... Your photography is awesome and your recount makes me feel like I was there... :dance3:

Thanks again... and again.... :D

reprieve
February 16th, 2015, 07:06 PM
Your report is amazing as usual. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm ogling the pens, of course, but I'm impressed with the people--handmade chocolates, special drinks, birthday celebrations! LA sounds like one great party.

Crazyorange
February 16th, 2015, 07:16 PM
Omg....thank you..thank you. Now I can't wait to go to the dc show. I loved the goldfish ink tray. I have 5 big fat goldfish in my living room. To see the tray..made my day.

BTW: Who was selling the staedtler ink well?

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 07:33 PM
The Staedtler rep was there. I don't know if they were selling. They are trying to expand their market. The items they brought all seem to be of very high quality.

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 07:35 PM
Saturday


By Saturday, the show was on cruise control. It was the last trader day and most of us had blown a lot of cash, mostly on Thursday. Friday was up and down. Saturday is generally slow in LA but there are always new things too discover. I slept in a bit since I had already finished most of my buying. I spent the rest of the day looking for interesting pens to shoot.

It was pretty active in the morning.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/15926206363_a02bfcc1b4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkYhT)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/16520383616_f5ab86de14_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raRhuh)


Teri Morris, Nivardo and John Strother
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/16360106489_8223763095_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVFPFx)



I think I shot Danny with this pen in SF.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/15926198613_22e8313640_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkVZg)


I usually chat with Dayne in the morning since we both have similar tastes in pens.

He had this vintage MB that had been rebuilt by Francis Gooses. I noticed the pen because of the new clear barrel revealing the piston.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/16520371276_6de364b23c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raRdPw)


He also showed me some vintage Aurora Optimas he recently acquired.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/15926187413_b6216509dc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkSEa)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/16520368386_b14745deab_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raRcXG)



Right after our conversation, Teri comes by and Dayne hands her a huge cardboard box full of trays of pens. Feeding Frenzy ensues.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/16360457187_253d3bf9e4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVHBW4)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/16358679218_2603f91bbd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVyvpq)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/16358880780_255d3e7bd5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzxjC)


I didn’t look through the pens and still ended up with two pens in my hands. I still need to pay an undetermined amount for those at a later date. This is like proximity shopping.



Next to the feeding frenzy was a dealer from the UK. I was browsing through his pens looking for Swans when I see something you don;t see everyday. Two Conway Stewart #22 Floral pens. Of course CS went out of business because they lacked breather holes. Sigh.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/16544673571_0bece307ef_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZM3B)


The dealer then shows me some wonderful large vintage hard rubber pens. These are huge and very clean.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/16360084679_942aff71e2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVFHcv)

Then he showed me the gold pens. Quite impressive.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/16358687988_1dedea3695_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVyy1C)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/16544664801_db511ffd6c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZJrp)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 07:36 PM
Joel Hamilton stopped me to show me a very nice Parker Vac set with all of the original documentation and box. The poor guy had lost his voiced but he soldiered on.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/16520366916_3579dfcdc1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raRcwm)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/16360469917_7d0cab5d03_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVHFHx)


Not all of the pens at the show were expensive and stodgy.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/16358660368_af3333cbb2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVypNq)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16546354035_032b1c11c2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd9oA8)



Someone was eyeing a pen at Bryant’s table.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/16358843340_2d2cfa4926_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzmc7)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/16358642808_46c11d402c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVyjzE)

It’s Dan
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/15926130653_5a1e096c78_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkzMx)


Mid morning action
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/16358874680_a81e130310_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzvvs)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/15926158913_f7f132bfbd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkJbM)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16360444157_2fe21395ba_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVHy4p)



Luis set-up a table on Saturday. He was selling a lot of modern pens. Many of them were Jean Pierre Lepine pens
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/15926145023_7c661659c3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkE4i)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/16360052489_fd554abb7a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVFxCv)

But what was hidden under the table?
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/16358865050_121a71fa4b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzsDq)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 07:36 PM
I went to the lobby area to meet with Stan the moderator from FPN. He is getting out of pens and is selling large parts of his collection. These are the kind of pens that are usually not put out on tables. We were doing business in the lobby

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/16360028459_bab48583d7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVFquc)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/16358631808_4a07c83b53_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVygj1)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/15926118873_dfbd563a24_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkwhr)

Here is the conclusion of the pen negotiations for some of the silver pens.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/16360401807_df786ac6ea_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVHkte)


In the end, Ron who bought the five pens above bought the pens I thought he should thus leaving the others to me. Muhuhaha!

Later in the day, I returned with some Pen Posse members for an impromptu lesson on Japanese pens. This is how knowledge is passed on.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/16544578471_65472ac52b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZhLX)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/16546292435_9e2aa688d9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd95h4)


Stan’s custom frankenpen
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8591/16544575531_e0d2fd6be9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZgUg)


Meanwhile, the next generation was having fun next to us.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/16546289525_1d7c4881f7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd94pT)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/16359985369_22fd4776f0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVFcFg)



Back in the room, I saw a cluster of people over at Stuart Hawkinson’s table. He looked like he was going to have an aneurysm. Then he broke out the knife.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/16360385407_c4a8305483_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVHfAt)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/16546303315_b330e60ab6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd98vD)


He was trying to cut one of the Gooey Cubes in half. In the end Dale managed to separate the two halves. (The Gooey Cubes are used to help remove jewels).
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/15926094253_96a353c135_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkoXX)



It was fortunate that the Gooey cubes created such commotion. Right behind them was Luis’s table and he had a surprise. It is tradition for Luis to bring food from his homeland. Thus there was a hunk of non-export sheep’s milk cheese from Portugal that was to die for. So runny with a deep rich flavor. That was why Luis had bread under his table.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/15926088673_1081dfeb1f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkniK)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/15923697134_270660fff5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg87oj)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 07:37 PM
Speaking of commotion. Gale made enough cash on Friday to buy another 3D printer which she set-up at the show and was printing stuff. A lot of the dealers came buy to see the technology in action.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/16520260276_b61cb73cf1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raQDPJ)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/15923454184_80291be9f4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg6Saw)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/16520042536_2aed12599e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raPx6A)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/16358336988_66e2c93165_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVwKEU)




The Hindenburg advertising technique is very effective. I saw this ballon that said Flexes so I had to check it out.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/15923658514_5cbe963523_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg7UUs)


It turns out the ballon belonged to an East coast dealer who was in LA for the first time. His name is John Corwin (www.flexinibpens.com) and he specializes in flex nibs. He buys vintage pens and sorts them for flex. This is a service that is invaluable to those who are new to flex or have no way to try before buying.


He had this cool display of customer’s test writings collect over many years.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/16546113655_5f6149a956_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd8a8D)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/16358418488_b3961488d0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVxaU5)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/16546104065_4230c91620_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd87hi)


I guess flexy Esties are popular
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/16360198947_2e9f3f5ec1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVGiaD)



Taccia had some cool new pens. Some are ballpoints but still cool.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/16545230212_e62de1c736_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd3CvS)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/15926134283_3ee92e7219_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgkAS8)


Significant Parker.

Late in the Day, David Issacson showed off a very significant pen he acquired at show. It is a very clean Zaner Bloser Parker Duofold in Lapis Blue. He showed Michael Sull who is affiliated with Zaner-Bloser.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/16544313071_ed951249a3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcXVT6)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/16544918732_67e905fe9d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd22Vw)[

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 07:38 PM
The Anderson’s who had everything you need.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16358605950_a74cfb2838_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVy8Cb)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/15925890773_14674dfc32_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgjmtF)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/16544980902_91465a198b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd2mpq)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/16360171717_ffbd3e9393_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVGa5a)

Convertor Central
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/16358380188_20a5985289_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVwYvJ)




Friday Miscellany

Mike Masuyama’s table
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/15923759924_d52f2d72fb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg8r3U)


Someone made me shoot this
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/16358866410_774433bb18_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzt3S)


Whoops!
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/16520300106_007215e3b9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raQREs)


Loren’s new vintage MB with the red engraving.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/16358625008_58cdac34d2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVyehL)


Stephen Mandell and Niece
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/15925861713_627b46f1e1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgjcQD)


Saturday was Valentine’s Day
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/15923471414_d0d28e3125_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg6XhA)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 07:39 PM
Vintage packaging
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8590/16544927942_f90112d640_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd25Ej)


Christina is chowing down on the Tako Bowl
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/16520011666_23cfb71ba9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raPnVm)


Mr. Endo was playing us a video comparing two Telecasters one with a standard pick guard and another with an ebonite pick guard.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/16546034775_071e68f2b1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd7KFD)



Looking for 51s
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16544647611_9273be6585_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rcZDk2)



A Tiger 88. A Pilot made Murex for the Korean Market
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/15923802334_4353eeb676_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg8DE7)


David I., Osman Sumer, and Joel Hamilton
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/16520287956_fc6aaa10b0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raQN3Y)


A Pow Wow. It was interesting.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8597/15923704934_630794fe9e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg89GN)



There was a wedding at the show on Saturday. Lisa Anderson was the best man at the wedding. I shot Brian Gray filming the wedding. Weddings at a pen show are somewhat of a tradition. Besides, it was Valentine's Day.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/16360107737_d9a94b6c55_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVFQ44)

Laura N
February 16th, 2015, 07:57 PM
Is that Eric?

Well, if I wasn't jealous enough, that cheese ....

I'm sobbing. Forget the pens; I want the food.

Bogon07
February 16th, 2015, 08:16 PM
Thanks for the pictorial review. Overwhelming. I'm worn out just scrolling through them all.

And I still can't get over how much Taco you can get for $1.50 in the US !

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 08:19 PM
Thanks for the pictorial review. Overwhelming. I'm worn out just scrolling through them all.

And I still can't get over how much Taco you can get for $1.50 in the US !

At a place near work, they have $1.00 taco Thursdays.

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 08:19 PM
Is that Eric?

Well, if I wasn't jealous enough, that cheese ....

I'm sobbing. Forget the pens; I want the food.

That's Eric.


That cheese.......

ethernautrix
February 16th, 2015, 08:37 PM
What was the super secret spy conversation? I'm kidding. I'll ask later.

Who got married?!

If that Luis is the same Luis (Luiz?) that said chances were good he'd make it to Pen Show Poland, then oh boy, oh boy! Hmm... I'll have to bring pierogis, I guess.

Farmboy
February 16th, 2015, 08:41 PM
What was the super secret spy conversation? I'm kidding. I'll ask later.


Farmboy joined the other forum...

ladynib302
February 16th, 2015, 09:25 PM
I love these wall showcases!! Likely to be just what we've been looking for to display special collections. Any chance some might reach the 2015 D.C. SuperShow in August? Contact information available??

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:39 PM
I love these wall showcases!! Likely to be just what we've been looking for to display special collections. Any chance some might reach the 2015 D.C. SuperShow in August? Contact information available??

Rick had a number of these cases made in several different woods. I'm think he does DC but you can always send him a message. Just go to his website. http://www.rikwill.com/

klpeabody
February 16th, 2015, 09:39 PM
Thank you, Ricky! This was fantastic!! I always enjoy your LA Pen Show thread. Thanks so much for putting this together.

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:39 PM
Sunday-The Penpolcalypse


Once again it is Sunday. I got to the ballroom around 8 am a bit later than in year’s past. There is always a flurry of activity before the crowds arrive. I used the time to buy a pen Hirsch Davis and then sell it to Gale 15 minutes later. There was squeeing. As usual, the show’s entire character changes as the show gets ready for the masses. Due to the weather back east, a lot of the vintage guys had their flights cancelled so they stayed for the Sunday fun.


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/16359427588_16fa60b271_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCkSm)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/16360818209_cacc167049_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVKtfz)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/15926919013_5506517b26_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgpC8X)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/16360814989_2460587870_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVKsi4)





The Flexxie Balloon looked a bit deflated
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/15924515724_00a3c22a3c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgciHW)





A made a last round around the room looking for cool stuff.



Some lovely Swans.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/16521083746_39f9dcfb2c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raUSBu)


A nice group of Waterman Patricians
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/15926910373_6800c89de5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgpzyZ)


Fred Krinkie had some interesting Parker salesman’s kits
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/16545391921_f0605439c2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd4szX)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/15924496184_9fa1999565_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgccV3)


A Schnell
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/16547095015_05ca0eea1c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rddbRD)




Some show specials
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/16545395821_d47e7ed52f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd4tKc)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/16521080046_996e721e20_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raURvG)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/16520675006_9b7ccc40a9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raSM7f)


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/16358962128_0e2576028d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzXvb)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:40 PM
Getting Ready


Fed Krinkie
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/15924494844_0b2122d5cb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgccvW)


Lee Chait
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/15924493164_b7600fa10a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgcc1Y)


David
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/16359596280_ec60722ee5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVDd1Q)


Pen World
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/16359558870_63a590794e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVD1TQ)


Mary Burke and the rest of the Yafa team
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/15926841893_c326c4b785_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgpedi)


Maxim who brought his son
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/16361136917_3b1e886426_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVM6Zx)


The side hallway
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/16545959022_f90907d2cc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd7nay)


Andreas Lambrou
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/16521036506_93e7a8372a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raUCz1)


Bryant Greer
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/15924452834_3376ceaed8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgbZ2C)


Here’s Bryant’s wife loading up on chocolate for the long day. She was;t fooling around and went straight for the 16 piece family size.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/15926776003_ae213c6a20_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgoTCg)


Jim and Scott
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/15926771433_f7d62f8ed5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgoSgt)




Hirsch Davis
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/16359480610_b3151446b1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCBCw)


Shu-Jen and Joel
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16545856872_aee06e5f70_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd6QNm)


Trouble. :) Actually, it’s Paul Erano and David Issaacson
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/16520672346_a9018f23e4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raSLjo)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:41 PM
A serious conversation. (it actually was except for the Hello Kitty Ballons)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/15926797733_dfaea6962a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgp15V)[

Joi to the rescue
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/16547001395_c3a3e0b2dc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdcH2v)


Michael Sull sets up
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/16359283268_e0293deed1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBAY5)




Last Minute Shopping


Dan
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/16360751139_772e44e9f6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVK8jc)


Gale
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/16359300808_a315f5722a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBGbu)


Amber Lea Davis
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/16545859972_2189d99ac3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd6RHN)





Meanwhile, the crowds……


The reg desk.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8564/16546988055_e270897623_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdcD4v)



The line
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/16546986875_0872882735_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdcCHa)


Mary Burke signing people up for the raffle.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/16545328501_609729cc49_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd48Jv)


Just before the opening.


It’s Marta (aka Plistumi) At least she did't photobomb me this year. :)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/16360658169_71b829602a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVJDFg)

Dan and Mr. Kuzuno
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/16360661079_ea9d5e0ff6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVJExr)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:42 PM
It’s time. Once again the line stalls as the first people through went to fill out the raffle forms.


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/16360661079_ea9d5e0ff6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVJExr)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/16545839962_dda6dfaf56_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd6KLN)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/16359251988_8b37a05980_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVBrEL)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/16361024027_92aae916aa_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVLwra)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/16546943085_96d2e456da_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdcpGa)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/16361006277_b2b917de6f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVLra8)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/15924304244_ff69c66bbb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgbdRJ)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/16360789717_e74486a1a0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVKjMk)


Showtime!
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/15924089274_5babd1f9bd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qga7Xm)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/15926485033_9e8b94f331_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgnp8x)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/16358981778_c5c093ec7e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVA4kY)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/16546673385_cd3030314c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdb2wa)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/16544955831_5bcda6c501_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd2dXa)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/16360707377_db030517e0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVJUiF)



It was not as crowded initially as in some years. But there was a steady stream of people trying to get into the show. The crowds were quite strong but not overwhelming.

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:42 PM
Sunday Miscellany


The Karas guys were great sports. They were slow during the trader days but were doing very well on Sunday.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/16358965508_46d9b73a6c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVzYvs)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/16546624485_f225fc5cdd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdaLZ4)




Sarj is called the one man one show
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/16360711957_e906a0c4a6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVJVED)

I think he’d be lost without Jas
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/16546633555_7c0e309b5d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdaPFr)


The Kuzunos were doing well
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/16360319989_a4cfb89d37_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVGV9z)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/16520596476_d2ecd91024_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raSnLh)


Mario Campa
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/15926412513_a0779d9d37_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgn2zc)


Mr. Endo
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/16545534122_7ef7ec1756_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd5bRG)



Michael Sull
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/15926445783_43158b1133_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgncsP)



Frances
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/15924073174_e70241dee0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qga3aL)


Mike Masuyama
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/16359190150_a626b7abe0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVB8hA)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/15926478463_e59e147c49_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgnnbg)




Desiderata Pens were one of the new companies that were at LA
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/16360401239_386368b8fd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVHkir)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/16545588052_121dd51452_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd5sTw)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:43 PM
Al Grosskopf
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/16359009178_31c5203dee_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVAcuo)


Sherrell Tyree
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/15926492263_f6e9e1f9fe_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgnrhc)




Playing Hookee

Brian was supposed to be working at Rick Propas’s table. I found him at Mike’s table getting pens worked on instead. Busted.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/16546684875_ce569322aa_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdb5Wg)



Syd Saperstein and Wahl-Eversharp
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/16545546542_03f6f06b0d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rd5fxQ)



Random Pens


New Montegrappas
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/16360715157_574f721b1f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVJWBP)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/16520619716_b5a26d29b0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raSuEY)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/15924043164_fc7bab41ae_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qg9Tfm)



Michael’s Fatboy and their Civil War pen
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/16520614486_2fdcb05d71_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raSt7N)




It’s Nakaya time
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/16547012255_18cc293411_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdcLfK)

There seems to be a Nakaya shortage. The picture shows most of the current stock. There were very few tamenuri pens at the show. Hopefully the new shipment next week will help. I know several people who had to place an order instead of finding one at the show. If you want one, I would place an order.


Eboya at nibs.com

John’s picking up the line. John was impressed with the build quality. These pens are exceptionally well made.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/16547010575_554539c147_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdcKKM)

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 09:43 PM
Staedtler Pen
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/16520996416_e10dcf9ea8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raUqDN)



A forest of deskpens
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/16520988496_eeae3dca60_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raUoif)



Cleo Skribent

This is a venerable German line but relatively unheard of in the US. I was told they were on the wrong side of the Berlin wall and were making technical pencils through the Eastern Soviet bloc. With the end of the cold war, they resumed fountain pen production. These can be obtained from deutschepens.com.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/16359514270_ef726ce9b9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVCMCS)


Old time advertising. I wonder how people will preserve our modern internet ads.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/16546667515_1253d24f0a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rdaZLX)



A Ryan Krusac pen
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/16360727159_46d5050d4c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVK1bK)


A Gift Bag?
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/15924437124_9200e03809_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgbUmL)


Beautiful wood.

Back at the last table in the outer aisle was Heinz Creative Latheworks. You find a lot if interesting dealers away from the big guys.
I spent a lot of time chatting with the Dan about the woods. He works in domestic woods and he showed me a lot of beautiful domestic lumber.


Chestnut burl
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/16360778699_0db42fd8c7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVKgvn)

Myrtle wood
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/16361154937_04e10d4906_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVMcme)[


Beautiful latticework on the bowls
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/16360782189_c3f94f0ff7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qVKhxx)


Colorful Laban pens
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/15926867693_4521bfc701_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qgpmT8)\




By noon, I was feeling it. Many of us from the Pen Posse had already left. So I packed it in so I could get back in time to dump all of the photos for this report. It was an odd show. It was a great buying show and most everyone I talked to who was there over the four days went over budget. Still the show was a bit slow on Friday afternoon and most of Saturday. As one person put it, it was lacking in energy. It was just as well because if there was more energy I would really be broke. So we conclude another LA Pen Show. As always, it was good to see everyone. It is like seeing family. As Paul Ezrano said on Thursday night, the show is really about the people and the stories. The pens are just the bonus.

Farmboy
February 16th, 2015, 09:51 PM
I like that gift bag.

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 10:21 PM
I like that gift bag.

So what was the final tally between you and Tim?

dannzeman
February 16th, 2015, 10:52 PM
Wow, Ricky, that was awesome! It was great to finally meet you and spend some time chatting with you and farmboy. I now understand some of these inside jokes.

Farmboy
February 16th, 2015, 10:55 PM
I like that gift bag.

So what was the final tally between you and Tim?

I don't yet know but I think we limited out.

AltecGreen
February 16th, 2015, 11:03 PM
Wow, Ricky, that was awesome! It was great to finally meet you and spend some time chatting with you and farmboy. I now understand some of these inside jokes.

Likewise. It's always good to put a face to a name. It was hilarious when Farmboy realized who you were.

If you come out to the Bay Area, we'll fill you in on the rest of the inside jokes.

dannzeman
February 16th, 2015, 11:06 PM
Wow, Ricky, that was awesome! It was great to finally meet you and spend some time chatting with you and farmboy. I now understand some of these inside jokes.

Likewise. It's always good to put a face to a name. It was hilarious when Farmboy realized who you were.
I briefly forgot about that. That was a great moment!

Jon Szanto
February 16th, 2015, 11:29 PM
It's always good to put a face to a name.

No kidding. Dan laughed when I said I had gone up to two different people (in my defense, one had been pointed out to me) and said "Are you Dan Smith?". Finally someone said "I think he's walking around in a camo cap."

Yeah, good times. Dan, you simply HAVE to budget for a trip to the SF Show. Pen show done right.

lsmith42
February 16th, 2015, 11:35 PM
It's always good to put a face to a name.

No kidding. Dan laughed when I said I had gone up to two different people (in my defense, one had been pointed out to me) and said "Are you Dan Smith?". Finally someone said "I think he's walking around in a camo cap."

Yeah, good times. Dan, you simply HAVE to budget for a trip to the SF Show. Pen show done right.

The camouflage worked...

bleair
February 17th, 2015, 01:32 AM
In the background is our our intrepid photographer along with Doug

The fire pit along with the Calvados, cigars, and other tasty libations, not to mention the excellent german-chocolate birthday cake were such a nice way to cap off the day. Thank you guys for sharing all the contraband (any questions about the country of origin for the cigars will be promptly redirected :)

16513


And for the record, on Sunday I was only having one nib re-adjusted. I didn't think they would have the time or schedule space, but they did, which was outstanding, and 'Christina was covering for me' is my official response. :)

earthdawn
February 17th, 2015, 01:35 AM
absolutely EPIC thread !!!

Thank you so much for taking time to share it with us in such great detail. :cheers:

picautomaton
February 17th, 2015, 02:55 AM
Thank you AltecGreen, I've been following your pen show reports for years and they give me a bit of insight into the pen show world. Put faces to names and see such wonderful pens. Once again thank for taking the time to document the pen shows you attend, we on other continents really appreciate it. Stay cool.

Tony Rex
February 17th, 2015, 04:26 AM
I enjoyed the photos immensely. Thank you.

franzdimson
February 17th, 2015, 04:34 AM
Awesome show report Ricky! Glad to see familiar friends and meet new people as well. Definitely spent more this year than last.

And yes, farmboy's realization about who Dan was that one evening was just epic. =)

I've been quite verklempt since Sunday morning.

Mags
February 17th, 2015, 05:27 AM
Great photo essay/review for LA and makes me want to plan to be at one in the next few years.

ethernautrix
February 17th, 2015, 05:54 AM
GREAT REPORT, RICKY! Thank you!

How could FarmBoy not recogni--oh right. He doesn't do Facebook. (LIMH.)

I want to see the pens Marta (Plistumi) bought! She has an amazing collection.

As do you! Wow! I glimpsed your haul in another thread (wonky Internet connection here, dammit), and I want to know your opinion of the Pilot PO nib. Is it comparable to the Nakaya EF? UEF? Is it harder (more rigid)? Please bring it to Pen Posse in August, so I can try it. Hahaha.

Speaking of Nakaya - a shortage? Eek! *Hugs my three inked Nakayas*

Whatever energy was lacking in the show isn't lacking in your report. You set a high bar, my friend. I'm planning to review Pen Show Poland in video. Wish me luck!

Laura N
February 17th, 2015, 08:52 AM
I so enjoyed these photos. Bonus points for the guy with the Harvey Mudd t-shirt. :)

BMG
February 17th, 2015, 08:58 AM
Many thanks for the wonderful thread and great photos! I much appreciate the effort that goes into these reports.

I spent each day there, arriving about 10 and leaving at 4, and must say that it was perhaps the most enjoyable L.A. show I've attended. (Been going since 2000, but only the last couple years on a trader's ticket.) I agree that the Sunday crowd was not as intense as in previous years; you could actually move down the aisles w/out too much difficulty and approach the table, see the pens, and talk with the sellers.

I didn't buy a lot of pens – only 2 – but did have some much needed nib work done (by Michael's friend :) ) and swapped out the nib of another (a Nakaya F for an EF), so a number of pens seem new and will get more regular use. Of the 2 I bought, one was a pen I've long wanted: an Omas Bologna in the "Burkina" celluloid.

Again, my thanks for the report. It's a treat to revisit the show through somebody else's eyes / lens. I'm already looking forward to next year.

DanDeM
February 17th, 2015, 12:31 PM
Ricky:
Wonderful report. Many thanks.
Was there Fri/Sat, but so intent on looking at pens completely missed seeing you.
Damn.

Faustine
February 17th, 2015, 02:27 PM
I really enjoyed reading this, it felt like I was right there with you! Thank you!

Tracy Lee
February 17th, 2015, 06:44 PM
I spent considerable time in this thread and now I am confused. Was I there? Did I go? It sure SEEMS like I was there but I don't recall the flight. So thank you beyond words for such an exhaustive report and copious wonderful pictures. [emoji3]

lsmith42
February 17th, 2015, 06:53 PM
Speaking of Nakaya - a shortage? Eek! *Hugs my three inked Nakayas*


There was a timing issue with shipping from Nakaya. They should see a shipment THIS week.

Oh well. I got one. It's black. Just black. And no, I didn't sleep with it. I slept next to it. Or it slept next to me. There was no fondling until the elevators.

Those elevators saw lots of action.

AltecGreen
February 17th, 2015, 07:59 PM
Ricky:
Wonderful report. Many thanks.
Was there Fri/Sat, but so intent on looking at pens completely missed seeing you.
Damn.

I saw you but I was engaged in a conversation. I couldn't find you when I finally got free. It was a busy show for me.

AltecGreen
February 17th, 2015, 08:06 PM
GREAT REPORT, RICKY! Thank you!

As do you! Wow! I glimpsed your haul in another thread (wonky Internet connection here, dammit), and I want to know your opinion of the Pilot PO nib. Is it comparable to the Nakaya EF? UEF? Is it harder (more rigid)? Please bring it to Pen Posse in August, so I can try it. Hahaha.


I inked up the Stylo Art 'Moonlit Snow' pen today with the PO nib. It writes a very fine line. Before I tuned it this afternoon, it was a bit dry and wrote a line comparable to the Nakaya UEF. After some adjustment, the flow was better and the line was somewhere between the Nakaya EF and UEF. The nib is stiff. I don't think it will work for you since this nib has a bend at the tip by design. With your high writing angle, I'm not sure how well it will work for you.

Jeph
February 18th, 2015, 03:05 AM
Thanks for taking us through the show with your pictures. I got the experience without spending any money!

Potter
February 18th, 2015, 03:23 AM
Thank you so much for this colourful and exhaustive report

ethernautrix
February 18th, 2015, 04:41 AM
Speaking of Nakaya - a shortage? Eek! *Hugs my three inked Nakayas*


There was a timing issue with shipping from Nakaya. They should see a shipment THIS week.

Oh well. I got one. It's black. Just black. And no, I didn't sleep with it. I slept next to it. Or it slept next to me. There was no fondling until the elevators.

Those elevators saw lots of action.

Hahaha, I can imagine!

My first Nakaya was a solid black Piccolo. Still one of my favorites. Speaking of black Piccolos, a couple of days ago, I finally swapped out the gold nib in the matte black Piccolo Writer than used to be yours for the ruthenium nib from the Long Piccolo. I like using the modified gold nib (originally modified by Mottishaw, then improved for my quirky hand by Dan Smith - really nice nib), but with that ruthenium clip on the PW... I just had to risk swapping out the nib. It's fantastic!

It's weird that the unmatchy-unmatchy bothered me, cos I love the gold F nib Ricky traded for my white-gold M nib in my Aurora Optima (also inked and being used just about daily). The yellow nib with the white trim - it's fine. I do notice it, but I remember Ricky's kindness for the trade.

Anyway, lsmith42 PW is more fabulous now with the ruthenium nib and has taken over the lead for pen most used daily.

Which Nakaya model?

ethernautrix
February 18th, 2015, 04:55 AM
GREAT REPORT, RICKY! Thank you!

As do you! Wow! I glimpsed your haul in another thread (wonky Internet connection here, dammit), and I want to know your opinion of the Pilot PO nib. Is it comparable to the Nakaya EF? UEF? Is it harder (more rigid)? Please bring it to Pen Posse in August, so I can try it. Hahaha.


I inked up the Stylo Art 'Moonlit Snow' pen today with the PO nib. It writes a very fine line. Before I tuned it this afternoon, it was a bit dry and wrote a line comparable to the Nakaya UEF. After some adjustment, the flow was better and the line was somewhere between the Nakaya EF and UEF. The nib is stiff. I don't think it will work for you since this nib has a bend at the tip by design. With your high writing angle, I'm not sure how well it will work for you.


I was thinking that a PO nib might be redundant, what with having a Nakaya EF (that I love!).

The photos of those Stylo Art pens - oh my pen goodness. I wouldn't have been able to decide (although I didn't see any wooden clips. Did that prove to be too difficult to make?). I really hope Mr. Kazuno (Kuzuno?) makes it to the SF Pen Show. Or maybe he can be persuaded to bring his pens to Pen Show Poland. I wonder if Marta (plistumi) bought a Stylo Art... and which one(s). Hahaha.

The knives remind me of being a kitchen minion. That was fun.

dannzeman
February 18th, 2015, 09:13 AM
...I wonder if Marta (plistumi) bought a Stylo Art... and which one(s). Hahaha...
I can confirm she bought at least one. We had a wonderful little show and tell Sunday evening and she bought a few others that were quite amazing, but I leave that for her to reveal.

AltecGreen
February 18th, 2015, 09:17 AM
The photos of those Stylo Art pens - oh my pen goodness. I wouldn't have been able to decide (although I didn't see any wooden clips. Did that prove to be too difficult to make?). I really hope Mr. Kazuno (Kuzuno?) makes it to the SF Pen Show. Or maybe he can be persuaded to bring his pens to Pen Show Poland. I wonder if Marta (plistumi) bought a Stylo Art... and which one(s). Hahaha.

The knives remind me of being a kitchen minion. That was fun.


He had a single pen with a wooden clip. Those are hard to make according to Mr. Kazuno.

plistumi
February 18th, 2015, 03:15 PM
...I wonder if Marta (plistumi) bought a Stylo Art... and which one(s). Hahaha...
I can confirm she bought at least one. We had a wonderful little show and tell Sunday evening and she bought a few others that were quite amazing, but I leave that for her to reveal.

Two of the pens I purchased are displayed on post #17 and Ricki caughta snap of me emptying my wallet post #21. Post #17 also shows the beautiful material of another pen for which I placed and order, the other one... reminds me of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Plum Fairy on Fantasia. I will share them as I trudge along on the Devil's Dictionary thread.

The show was wonderful. I was great to see everybody and to meet new people.

Ricky, kudos to your report. It is like reliving the show again.

Here is a teaser:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff219/plistumi/P1000933e.jpg (http://s242.photobucket.com/user/plistumi/media/P1000933e.jpg.html)

ethernautrix
February 18th, 2015, 04:28 PM
...I wonder if Marta (plistumi) bought a Stylo Art... and which one(s). Hahaha...
I can confirm she bought at least one. We had a wonderful little show and tell Sunday evening and she bought a few others that were quite amazing, but I leave that for her to reveal.

Two of the pens I purchased are displayed on post #17 and Ricki caughta snap of me emptying my wallet post #21. Post #17 also shows the beautiful material of another pen for which I placed and order, the other one... reminds me of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Plum Fairy on Fantasia. I will share them as I trudge along on the Devil's Dictionary thread.

The show was wonderful. I was great to see everybody and to meet new people.

Ricky, kudos to your report. It is like reliving the show again.

Here is a teaser:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff219/plistumi/P1000933e.jpg (http://s242.photobucket.com/user/plistumi/media/P1000933e.jpg.html)

I can't wait! I enjoy your Devil's Dictionary as much for your great drawings as for the pen-and-ink information. I'd wondered if you'd added another Kullock 51 to your amazing collection.



Hoo boy, that is a great teaser photo.

manoeuver
February 19th, 2015, 11:27 AM
what a splendid report. I should have been there. dangit!

penultress
February 21st, 2015, 09:02 AM
Thank you so much for your posts! I'm planning to attend San Francisco. Do you know if the Japanese sellers will be there as well?

AltecGreen
February 21st, 2015, 11:53 AM
I'm working on it.

Kudzu
March 9th, 2015, 11:08 PM
Wow, oh, wow, oh, wow! I hated missing the LA Pen Show this year -- probably saved me a ton of money that I can now save for SF Pen Show! Ricky, you always know how to bring it home: the bling, the zing, and the sting. Was so grateful our Pen Posse partner Carroll sent me a post-pen-show CARE parcel. I had a huge hankering. Loved all the photos and commentary. (What *IS* Farmboy doing with all those P51s!?)

Jon Szanto
March 9th, 2015, 11:18 PM
(What *IS* Farmboy doing with all those P51s!?)

https://chicagored.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/hoarder120109.png

TerraNoir
August 28th, 2015, 07:11 AM
I loved all the stunning photos... I was wondering if the dates for 2016 have been released yet?

DrChumley
August 28th, 2015, 11:20 AM
I loved all the stunning photos... I was wondering if the dates for 2016 have been released yet?

Indy-Pen-Dance has the dates on their website as being Feb 11-14th, but the website hasn't been updated. I hope they release the dates soon, because flights to LA are so cheap right now for February!

DrChumley
August 29th, 2015, 08:19 PM
Quick update: I did hear from the official email address: the show is the 11th through the 14th. (Plane ticket purchased!)

TerraNoir
August 29th, 2015, 10:16 PM
Quick update: I did hear from the official email address: the show is the 11th through the 14th. (Plane ticket purchased!)

Thank you so much! I think I will be doing the same sort of shopping as well soon. It will be awesome to see you again.

Marsilius
February 15th, 2016, 02:56 PM
Did you mean this for the LA 2015 show, or for 2016?

robertjwarren
February 15th, 2016, 03:07 PM
Yes wrong thread. Post deleted.

ac12
February 17th, 2016, 09:53 PM
It's always good to put a face to a name.

No kidding. Dan laughed when I said I had gone up to two different people (in my defense, one had been pointed out to me) and said "Are you Dan Smith?". Finally someone said "I think he's walking around in a camo cap."

Yeah, good times. Dan, you simply HAVE to budget for a trip to the SF Show. Pen show done right.

Jon,
You gotta wear the bow tie at the SF Show, or I won't know who you are.

TheInkluminati
February 18th, 2016, 12:17 AM
Thank you for the great coverage!

Jon Szanto
February 18th, 2016, 12:20 AM
Jon, You gotta wear the bow tie at the SF Show, or I won't know who you are.


Thank you for the great coverage!

Guys, guys - you are replying in last year's thread! Look for the report on the 2016 show!

TheInkluminati
February 18th, 2016, 12:22 AM
Well, to be fair it's 2am and I've had some liquid penmanship.

ElvinBonny
March 17th, 2016, 04:07 AM
Great information guys. Thanks a million!

TonetteErlene
March 21st, 2016, 04:25 AM
Beautiful pens all over.