House of Pens

Sailor Hotei Bamboo Dragon

2012-02-09T03:33:00.001+08:00

Here is another dragon from the past. This Sailor Hotei bamboo root dragon pen is on the top of our favor list of dragon theme pens in our collection.

It has been our favor for many years because of the the material used and the dragon ring.

One might think that the design look almost like a walking, but the position of the dragon head make the different.

The dragon head ring is made from 24K solid gold.

The dragon eye are set with 2 diamonds.

Take notice of the two dragon horn.

Both horns are point upward, which symobol superior power, intelligence, or excellence. Unlike the Dunhill dragon which has the horns point downward.

In the older years, we have the pen fixed with a 'Nagahara' King Cobra nib. This nib was speically designed and engineered by the retired Mr. Nagahara himself.

It was created by joining two nibs joined together. The tips are expertly ground and polished to resemble the Head and jaws of the Cobra snake.

Rumours, Rumours S.T. Dupont Dragon Limited Edition

2012-02-02T00:12:00.004+08:00

We "don't know what to say" when we first saw the these picture of the S.T. Dupont Dragon Limited Edition 2012. It look like a deep sea creatures or monster that Sailor should have painted for their Creatures of the Deep collection.

... and the Dragon Diamond Limited Edition, it reminded me of our grandparent walking stick, and the lighter reminder me of the Pasar Malam (Night Market) "designer" lighter.

The Dragon Diamond Limited Edition is hand sculpted and yellow gold plated. The Dragon's eyes are set with red rubies, and the body is set with 88 diamonds. It is limited to 8 pieces worldwide.

Beside the Dragon Diamond Edition, S.T. Dupont also launched the same design without the diamond. The called it the Dragon Prestige collection. The design is the same as the Dragon Diamond Limited Edition without the diamond. The Dragon's eyes also set with the red rubies. It is limited to 88 pieces worldwide.

Lastly, a Néo-Classique President fountain pen, made in black Chinese lacquer without the Dragon head pen cap, was launced togather with the Dragon Diamond Limited edition. The Dragon is engraved on the pen instead. It is limited to 888 pieces worldwide.

The actual pens and lighter might be much more beautiful than the pictures. We are looking forward to see the actual pen when it land Singapore.

Ryan Krusac Studio Beautiful Butterfly Fountain Pen

2012-01-31T00:31:00.002+08:00

Ryan Krusac Studio is a one man operation that create beautiful edition pens. All the pens in his studio are design and handmade by him. The best part of Ryans' pens are the materials that he used. Almost of them are good woods and something rare materials.

Now is Chinese Lunar New Year period, hence, I show one of the beautiful butterfly pen design and handmade by Ryan.

This beautiful butterflies and cherry blossoms were all hand drawn by Ryan himself. Then using cutting edge technology and natural shed elk antler as the background, the scrimshaw work was completed.

Ryan added color to give the image dimension. He hand-painted the image with very subtle yellows and pinks for added dimension.

Both pen cap and barrel have the same design.

Ryan engraved his initials on every pen he made to give personal assurance that he only ship the finest craftsmenship coupled with the finest materials to his customer.

Many thanks to the good people at Fook Hing Trading, we are able to this fine writing instrument to our collection and exceptional writing experience with Ryan Krusac handmade pen.

Rumours, Rumours Caran D'Ache Year Of Dragon 2012

2012-01-28T22:33:00.003+08:00

Maison de Haute Ecriture doesn't want to miss the opportunity to catch the "Dragon" wave has joined hand with with the contemporary Chinese artist, Li Qiang Sheng to create an image of the dragon using calligraphy style.

Li Qiang Sheng is one of the well known and important contempoary Chinese artists based in Hong Kong. He is also the founder of the International Ink Drawing Society.

Li has create the dragon in Chinese image and how it should be represent in oriental style.

We noticed the the head was well positioned with a body wraps around the body of the pen. We feel the Year of Dragon 2012 design is well executed as compare to Caran D'ache Dragon Limited Edition : An Imperial Myth.

The Caran d'Ache Year of Dragon 2012 has been produced in a total of 888 individually numbered pieces.

More Dragon theme pens coming up ...

Pelikan Maki-e Sea World Limited Edition

2012-01-26T23:27:00.000+08:00

The Dragon year is finally here. Like other Chinese family, we have our reunion dinner on the eve of the Chinese New Year. One of our local popular dish is the stream boat and seafood.

When my family went shopping for our ingrediant at the wet market, the type of seafood available just reminded me of one pen; the Pelikan Maki-e Sea World Limited Edition.

This pen is a hate it or love it maki-e pen. As we only know how to eat the fish, we are not able to identify the type of fish the artisan painted.

The entire pen was decorated using the mother-of-peral inlay going the pen the necessary dimension and going us the feel of the water reflection when the light shine on it.

The big red fish on the pen cap caught our attention when we first held this pen on our hand. It caught our attention not because it is the biggest fish on the pen, but the way the eye was painted. We can really figure it out as to where it is looking. It a specific angle, we feel it is look at us, and other angle, it is looking down toward the turtle.

Beside the red fish, there another two smaller fishes swimming togather, like father and son. They aer swimming toward the red fish.

The turtle - the symbol for a long life - forms the centre-point of this pen. It is surrounded by numerous fish. Based on the write out by Pelikan, this motifs suppose to symbolize the history of the ocean (sea) ... did I hear someone shouting ... Long Live the Ocean, Long Live the Ocean.

Both the big red fish and the turtle are painted using the taka maki-e technique, a high relief lacquer technique.

The other fishes are are painted using togisahi maki-e technique.

The pen cap is also decorated using the maki-e technique too.
The “Sea World”, released in the year 2009, is available in a limited edition of only 88 pieces worldwide.

Namiki Millennium Double Dragon Limited Edition

2012-01-17T04:44:00.001+08:00

Time really fly.

It has been solid twelve years since the dot.com bubble blow up and caused a crisis. The world has changed. The advanced in technology didn't really help us. We are busier now as compare to turn of the millennium. People are getting colder each day and we are, again, going into a another crisis.

Here come the water dragon to ther rescue. Namiki released this Millennium Double Dragon Limited Edition by Kyusai Yoshida back in Y2K.

This pen tell two tales with a traditional oriental design style. The artisan Yoshida-san camouflaged the Namiki ball shaped clip end by painting it to look at the dragon pearl. The 3D dragon pearl was created with a little creativity and without the use of modern technology.

On the pen cap, Yoshida-san painted tales behind the Chinese Idioms Xiao Shi riding the dragon (成语故事：龙凤呈祥和乘龙快婿)

According to legend, during the apring and autumn Warring states period (春秋时, 777- 476 B.C.), Nongyu (弄玉) the youngest daughter of Lord Qi Mugong was very fond of playing flute. The princess was superbly on flute.

One night, while the beautiful princess was play her flute, she heard a heavenly sound lingering in harmony with the sounds from her flute. They met and fall in love with each other. The emperor gave away his princess's hand in marriage to Xiao Shi.

One evening after they had finished playing their flutes, Xiaoshi and his princess decided to live a quiet life at Hua Mountain. One day, Nongyu rode a phoenix and Xiaoshi a golden
dragon and together they rose to the sky.

Later, people called Xiaoshi "dragon riding son-in-law."

The Master artisan Yoshida using togidashi and taka maki-e technique to paint Xiaoshi riding the dragon. The drawing of Xiaoshi is also uses the traditional style, which you can only see them it the Chinese temple.

The dragon horn using gyonashi maki-e technique. This is a technique which irregular flakes of gold to are set individually rather than sprinkled into wet lacquer.

On the pen barrel Design. Master astisan Yoshida illusrate the Chinese tale of The Child that Meets the Dragon.

According to an old legend, it was say that a child is derived as a gift from the Goddess of Mercy. Women who are not able to conceive a child often pray to Goddess of Mercy to ask for blessing. Till date, woman from different walk of life still pray to Goddess of Mercy to ask to be blessed with a child.

The dragon who symbolizes good fortune, power and nobility. The year 2012 a dragon year and you will see the increase of new born. The Chinese always want a dragon baby. A good example is my good friend Tin who just got baby one year ago and now, he is going to be a father on dragon year as he believe the dragon baby will bring good fortune for the family.

Master astisan Yoshida uses the same maki-e technique uses on the cap to paint the child riding the dragon. When it comes to dragon, it is very important to examine the dragon claws. In a lot of the western brands, they always like to use five claws. But for the Chinese dragon, we must not uses the five dragon as it was forbidden in the past as only the Emporer can uses five claws dragon.

Therefore, it doesn't make sense to draw these dragons in five claws.

Finally, the Yoshida write the Thousand Happines Double Dragon on the pen cap.
Looking back at the previous dragon theme pens and accessory.

1. Cross 2012 Year of the Dragon Limited Edition
2. Montegrappa ICONS Dragon 2010 Bruce Lee Limited Edition
3. Krone - Forbidden City - Emperor Qianlong 乾隆帝
4. Parker Duofold Dragon Maki-e Limited Edition
5. Laban Dragon 2012 Edition
6. Namiki Zodaic Series 2 Dragon
7. Caran D'Ache Dragon An Imperial Myth
8. Dunhill Dragon keychain

Dunhill Sterling Silver Dragon Cufflinks and Keychain

2012-01-10T22:10:00.001+08:00

... taking a moment away from pens ...

Dunhill launched a Dragon theme cufflinks and keychain instead of a pen to celebrate the Chinese year of the dragon.

I found this little dragon at Fook Hing Trading over the weekend while transiting to the Popular Bookshop to do an exchange for a few books.

Based on the design, this is an oriental dragon. The attention to detail is fantastic. It really reminded me of an authentic Chinese looking dragon.

The only weakness in this dragon is the design of the tail. It is a bit too short for a Chinese dragon.

Dunhill has design the dragon to have a friendly expression. Sometime, we even felt the dragon smile at us.

The chain is engraved with the brand name.

We read somewhere that the Dunhill the dragon cufflinks and keychain are plated with a platinum group metal (usually rhodium) to minimize tarnishing.

OMAS Anniversary Edition PERRIER-JOUËT Limited Edition

2012-01-03T21:33:00.002+08:00

When it come to festivities and high luxury, champagne is wine that cannot be left out. It is a must for such happy occassion.

Perrier-Jouët is a Champage producer founded by Pierre-Nicolas-Marie Perrier-Jouët in 1811. It is based in the Épernay region of Champagne, France. It has an annually output of approximately 3 million bottles in total for both vintage and non-vintage champage.

Maison Perrier-Jouët and Omas came together last year (2011) to launch a precious writing instrument to celebrate a major milestone reached, Maison Perrier-Jouet 200th Anniversary.

This Omas Anniversary Edition timeless masterpieces is full of Perrier-Jouët. In my option, it is a Perrier-Jouët champagne in another form.

Handcrafted in Italy using precious green cotton resin just reminded us of the transparency green and exclusive bottles Perrier-Jouët.

You will not miss the bright green number 200 engraved on the pen barrel.

On the pen barrel background, the anemones bouquet of the Belle Epoque Cuvée, drawn by Emile Gallé in 1902 is engraved.

Hmmm .... the picture above did not bring out the beautiful bouquet of the Belle Epoque Cuvée. Maybe it is time I invested on the Canon EOS7D and a light box.

The floral ornament is engraved on the cap ring and pen clip too.

The nib and the pen cap top are decorated with the PJ monogram.

Like the other Omas Limited Edition, the Perrier-Jouët by Omas Anniversary Edition also comes with it very own ink bottle.

The Perrier-Jouët by Omas Anniversary Edition is limited 1811 numbered pieces worldwide. It is made up of 1,000 piston filling fountain pens and 811 roller balls.

There is also luxury 18k solid rose gold limited edition which is limited to 20 numbered pieces worldwide which is only available on demand only.

Lamy Dialog 3 Black

2011-12-31T12:31:00.000+08:00

As the writing instrument slowly and steady become a main stream of life style products and a fashion statement, it has become important for the pen manufacturers to design products that are not only funational but trendy.

Lamy doesn't want to get left behind by black color craze, therefore, they re-launched their latest product, Dialog 3 in black but not blindly.

The new Lamy Dialog 3 black comes in matt finishing, including the retractable clip.

The under lying material used is the same. It uses the black and white color to create it logo and the two simple guiding line, which was drawed to make it look as if it is part of the design.

The nib is the same; two tone 14k nib.

Even the semi-dome bowl uses to cover the nib is the same.

The Lamy Dialog 3 not only aesthetically it look different, Lamy has made a few improvement to the twisting mechanism.

When you dismantled the Lamy Dialog 3, you will noticed the Dialog 3 black has screw track on it pen barrel.

We believe this screw track is the simple improvement that Lamy introduced to resovle the problem of user over twisting the pen, which causing the pen barrel to come off.

When we examine both version of the Lamy Dialog 3's cap and their nib (below picture) , they both look the same to us but ...

... when we swapped the nib between the two versions, the nib feed ended facing upward.

This was a surprise to us as we were expecting that they are interchangable.

Happy New Year!!

Montegrappa Vatican Papal Pen Limited Edition

2011-12-27T19:57:00.002+08:00

Time fly, it is christmas again. We feel it would be a good idea to posted a pen that are related to Christian in general. After "Choas", we wish this Christmas will bring peace on mother earth and more people and effort will be put into saving and helping the world.

We dig into our pen collection and found this pen, the Montegrappa Vatican Limited Edition. At that time, Montegrappa released six versions of the Vatican Limited Edition, including the sterling silver version shown here.

On one side of pen cap, Montegrappa engraved an exclusive image of Pope John Paul II in front of the Holy Door during the opening ceremony of the Jubilee of the year 2000.

On the other side, Montegrappa engraved the official logo of the Great Jubilaeum of the Year 2000's celebrations and an Latin inscription taken from the apostolic letter "lncarnationis Mysterium".

"PER CHRISTVM - IN SPIRITV SANCTO - AD DEVM PATREM"

"FOR CHRIST - IN HOLY SPIRIT - TO GOD THE FATHER"

Just below the Latin inscription is the signature of Holy Father Joannes Pauls II.

On the pen barrel, Montegrappa engraved the Holy Trinity (The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), with Mary and John sitting between Jesus Christ.

You will noticed that Holy spirit is present as dove. The are many angels surrounding them. There four angles near the dove holding the gospels.

The 18K nib is decorated with Vatican symbol, St. Peter's key. It is platinum masked and iridium tipped for smooth writing.

You will notice that silhouette of St. Peter's Basilica is also engraved on the pen cap.

The cap is also decorated with the keys to St. Peter

Montegrappa Cult Collection Chaos Limited Edition

2011-12-20T19:45:00.005+08:00

Sylvestor Stallone trying to use his stardom power to venture into the pen industry. He is Montegrappa newest partner and brand ambassador. For his first pen, the Rocky star uses in last movie The Expendables as an inspiration to kick start Montegrappa's new Cult colection.

According to the article in Pen World, it mentioned that Aquila says Stallone is fascinated with death and with the skull as its symbol. They researched skulls in art and found out that in the Middle Ages, skulls came to represent chaos.

And according to ancient Greeks, choas being the formlessness of matter before beginging of life. And the worst wrost part is they even quoted the Bible.

"The earth was without form and void." Genesis 1:2

Looking at the pen, we think that their hard work and effort in their research of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries art, including the works of Battista Franco, Albrecht Durer, Hans Sebald Beham and Antonio Pollaiolo.

There is no lack of details in this pen. It is very well plan and executed. If not for the dark theme, we would have add this pen into our colleciton.

Like the past Montegrappa silver or gold overlays limited edition pen, this pen uses the similar method, known as the lost was casting.

The pen clip is crafted to look at a sword that bear a skull with wing and a fist holding.

On the pen cap, there is a big snake crueling around it and looking toward south.

A very big skull, about the size of half the pen barrel was crafted. It is the center of attraction for this pen.

There are two lizards that crawlling around the skull. One crawling upward, another one downward.

If you guess that the nib is decorated with a skull, you are correct.

We are not sure how well the East will accept this pen and the cult collection. For us, it is like inviting death home and the theme just do not match for a pen. It also reminded us of the pain of the Killing Field and Khmer Rouge. It is a sad pen.

Laban Dragon 2012 Edition

2011-12-13T00:13:00.013+08:00

The Laban Dragon 2012 Edition is the new addition to their thematical edition series. It is so new that you cannot find it on Laban own web site.

There are two dragons on this pen. One on the cap, another on the pen barrel. Both dragon design are almost similiar. Both dragons crueled around the pen and both faced toward the left. In term of design, this is rather disapponting.

If I would to design it, I would have have the both dragon dancing toward a big round pearl, which we could have use mother-of-pearl to create the pearl. This is not an original design as it can be commonly see in Chinese Temple in Far East region.

Unlike other brands, Laban has crafted the dragon to have four claws, not five. We think it perfectly logical as the pen was not created for the Emporer. However, we found one flaw in the dragon on the cap. We think it could be a over look or created intentionally.

The above picture show the dragon on the pen barrel. We are able view the details and count the number of claws of the dragon clearly as they are faned out like a palm tree. By the way, we think it is a urgly design.

If you enlarge the second picture, which is the dragon on the cap, and take a closer look at the leg and claws.

Did you notice the different?

The Laban Dragon 2012 limited edition comes in two favour. The one shown is a 925 sterling silver with rose gold plating. There is another version that is 925 sterling silver with rhodium plating.

Mont Blanc Writer Series Carlo Collodi

2011-12-06T02:22:00.050+08:00

This year (2011) Mont Blanc pay tribute Carlo Collobi, who real name is Carlo Lorenzini (November 24, 1826 – October 26, 1890). He is an italian journalist and author of the world-renowned fairy tale novel The Adventures of Pinocchio.

This is the second most loved pen in the Mont Blanc writer series.

The pen cap is decorated with a few of the characters from the novel The Adentures of Pinocchio.

Pinocchio, the main character of the novel is a naughty, pine-wood marionette who go through a series of misadventures to gain knowledge which finally lead him to becoming a real human as reward for his good deeds.

The whale.

The spirit of the forest, fairy with turquoise Hair, who rescues Pinocchio and adopts him first as her brother, then as her son.

The greedy fox and cat who lead Pinocchio astray, rob him, and eventually try to hang him.

The pen barrel is shaped to look at the Pinnocchi long nose.

The nib is decorated with the Talking Cricket whom Pinocchio kills after it tries to give him some advice. The cricket comes back as a ghost to continue advising the marionette.

Stipula Etruria Ambrosia

2011-11-29T23:29:00.077+08:00

Over the weekend, we take a few pictures of our new found love Stipula Eturia Ambrosia.

This beautiful pen is crafted from translucent celluloid mixed with brilliant redish-orange nuances for distinction in expression.

The sterling silver pen clip is decorated with leaflet.

The cap's ring is decorated with the three-lobed leaves, casted using the lost wax casting method, also known by the French name cire perdue.

This is a casting process by which a metal sculpture, in this case the sterling silver cap's ring, is cast from the artist's scuplpture.

According to Stipula, this fountain pen is fixed with their innovative self cleaning system (SCS) piston. It was suppose to guarantees a perfect cleaning of the reservoir every time that the mechanism is used.

This self cleaning was achived by the spinning of the head of the piston together with the spinning of the knob. The user must turn counterclockwise to fill the pen with ink using knob and must turn clockwise to empty it.

As we are new to this pen, we are not able to feedback if the self cleaning system really works. If you are using it, we welcome your feedback, be it postive or negative.

The Stipula Eturia Ambrosia fountain pen we have is fitted with the 18K duo tone M nib. It also comes in other nib sizes.

Stipula pen for sales at our marketplace.

Caran d'Ache RNX.316 PVD Black

2011-11-26T21:45:00.001+08:00

Caran d'Ache is one our least favor brand not because they are poor quality products, or bad design. It is because we just feel it is too sexy for a man, and the pen barrel is too slim. We feel it is a very feminine pen.

They launched a new collection with a code name RNX316, which mean "Round aNd heXagonal. The 316L represent the stainless steel material used to made the pens. This 316L stainless steel has been used by the Swiss watchmakers for its remarkable mechanic properties, highlighted by a precision polishing process that catches the eye at the first glance

The original manufacturing country is clearing stated in the pen cap. You can missed it. Nowadays, not many pen manufacturer does it.

Like Sailor Japan, Caran d'Ache is also starting to follow the watch industry. The RNX316 Black edition pen uses the preimum 316L stainless steel and coated with black ceramic to resist wear and tear.

The steel nib is PVD coated. Caran d'Ache claim that it glides smoothly over a paper, but we felt it performance doesn't beat those of a gold nib. The steel properties is still there and it doesn't give the writer the softness of a gold nib.

Caran d'Ache has design a simple mechanism, which they called it as "click-in" system.

It is a very simple design which consist of a pin on pen section (see picture below), and ...

... a groove on the pen barrel. The user can align the cap and the pen barrel with just one click. The users don't have to worry about get the hexa shape pen aligned. Cool mechanism.

The Caran d'Ache RNX316 also comes in steel edition which cost much less than the Black edition. Both edition is available in fountain pen, ballpoint pen and pencil.

Sailor Kuji Kohaku Amber 琥珀万年筆

2011-11-22T02:22:00.037+08:00

Sailor Company has been following the watch industry very closely. Like the watch manufacturers, who has been launching watches with rare or specially engineered materials, Sailor Company Japan has been doing similiar to the pens.

In the past, they launched Susutake, cedar woods, mulberry wood, brier wood and others. They also work with other Japan companies like Yonex for the carbon fiber fountain pen.

Amber the only ancient miracle jewel can be consider "vegetable" as it is fossilized purely from resin of forest plant over million of years buried in the ground.

In Japan, Kuji, Iwate Prefecture, The country boasts large reserves in the locality is unmatched local Kuji, Iwate Prefecture.

Sailor Japan together with Kuji Amber Ltd launched this special edition Kuji Kohaku fountain pen. We understoodd from Sailor International distributor that this is a limited production fountain pens, about 1000 pieces, but Sailor Japan has yet to comment or confirm the information.

This special edition fountain is crowned with this ancient jewel that glow with warm light on the pen cap.

The pen itself is created using the redish brown special formulated Amber that was used in luxury products.

Like all Sailor fountain pen, this special edition comes complete with a 21K gold nib, but it was produced only M nib.

Model name: Amber Kuji Kohaku

Number: 10-1005-488
Materials: Special Pressed amber cap/body and Original Amber in cap end
Special features: 21K solid Gold Nib.
Filling system: Converter & Cartridge type
Nib : 21K Gold, M only

Sailor 100th Anniversary Pen Pouch

2011-11-19T18:28:00.002+08:00

For Sailor 100th year anniversary, Sailor also launched a leather pen case for ten pens besid the Arita and Shima Kuwa Mulberry wood pens.

The holder is made from elastic band, which is a better choice, as compare to other brands which uses leather or PVC. It will be able to hold different sizes of pens for each slot.

It is not too expensive as compare to Graf Von Faber Castell.

Namiki Yukari Royale Chrysanthem Flower

2011-11-15T03:33:00.046+08:00

The chrysanthem flower is most loved in Asian culture. It is consider as a noble flower.

Confucius once suggested they be used as an object of meditation.

It is said that a single petal of this celebrated flower placed at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long and healthy life.

The chrysanthemum is also a symbol of the sun, the Japanese consider the orderly unfolding of the chrysantemum's petals to represent perfection.

Namiki artisan Kayo Yamanashi-san uses is excellent maki-e skill to bring out the beauty of love represented by different color of the chrysanthemum flower.

The white chrysanthemum represent truth and loyal love.

The red chrysanthemum represent I love you.

The yellow chrysanthemum represent slighted love.

The Japanese love this flower so much that they even has a "Festival of Happiness" to celebrate this flower each year.

Namiki has choosen a November to launch this beautiful, which is perfect timely as chrysanthemum is the November birth flower.

Event - You can draw with a fountain pen.

2011-11-13T00:13:00.005+08:00

Elephant & Coral is organizing a event demostrating how one can draw beautifully with a fountain pens. We courage every fountain pen users to sign up for the event. Here are the details:

Date: 8 and 9 December 2011 (Thursday and Friday)
Session 1: 02:00 - 03:30pm
Sesison 2: 04:30 - 06:00pm
Venue: Elephant & Coral , #-03-#03 Mandrain Gallery
Fees: SGD50 per person per session
Registration: sales@elephant-coral.com
or call 6736-1322

Tokira Chilli Hot Road Star

2011-11-11T23:11:00.010+08:00

Believe it or not, some Singaporean are so despair for a car that they are wellingly paying SGD75,000 for the COE. A piece of lousy paper that "entitled" you to buy a car that only allow the buyer to drive for 10 years.

For us, we are only afford this Tokira road star chilli hot sport car.

The Road Star has the 50s car styling.

It serve as a paper weight in our office desk ...

... a paper clips holder ...

... a toy to keep my sons busy when they visit me in my office ...

... and most important ... it also serve as a tool to relief stress for me.

Montegrappa Luxor Red Sea Limited Edition

2011-11-09T09:11:00.001+08:00

Rain, Rain go away. Come again in another day ...

It has been raining almost everyday here in Singapore. Flood has been the hot topic here in Singapore. In Thailand, it has killed many people and their government is racing against time for idea to fix the flood problem.

The news reported that Bangkok Thailand will be underwater by 2050 if the government don't take necessary active steps to protect the city.

All the rain and flood just reminder me on the Montegrappa Luxor Red Sea Limited Edition.

One may wonder why not the Montegrappa Luxor Nile. Maybe because the flood killed many in Thailand, and red is the color of blood. And the Montegrappa Luxor red Sea just freshes across my mind.

This Montegrappa Luxor Red Sea Limited Edition was a pre-Richemont era product. It was launched in 1997, the year British returned Hong Kong to China.

This Montegrappa Luxor Red Sea Limited was initially offer only to collector or buyer that purchased the Montegrappa Luxor Nile but thing didn't turn out as planned. It was later offer to "general public".

My option that it did not sell as planned because the only different is the color; red celluloid was used instead of blue.

Unless you are big fan of Montegrappa or Egyptian theme, I do not see why I would spend a fortune on "duplicate".

Every details of this Luxor Red Sea limited edition is the same as the Luxor Nile. Montegrappa has one of the best craftman to work on high-relieve engraving. Unlike other Italian brands, Montegrappa did not just engrave, like the snake or the pharoh, it bring the objective to live.

On the cap top, there is a cobra clip. On the pen barrel is the pharoh and the queen.

This Montegrappa Luxor Red Limited Edition in red celluloid with vermeil filigree is limited to 688 pieces worldwide.

There is a solid gold edition, which is limited to 38 pieces worldwide.

Mont Blanc Writer Edition Carlo Collidi Ink

2011-11-05T12:12:00.002+08:00

Beside the usual Montblanc Limited Writers Edition 2011 pens, this year Mont Blanc honours the great Italian writers Carlo Collidi with an additional limited production ink.

Unlike the special edition Mahatma Gandi, which uses the standard Mont Blanc ink bottle, this writer series limited production ink comes with it special designed bottle.

The 35ml brown ink is made in Austria.

A friend of us asked why brown ink not red. Our guess is the color of wood and it represent Pinocchio, the great character developed by the writer. The brown is also a practical color as compare to red for general writing.

Namiki Zodiac Dragon Series 2

2011-11-04T03:14:00.027+08:00

Zodiac has been a popular theme for manufacturer. This is the second series of the Namiki Zodiac range. As old artisan retired or requested to paint more complex theme, a new group of artisan was recuited to take on the less complex theme.

Most of the Namiki Zodiac maki-e pens were painted by new artisan with only a few by the older artisan. This Namiki Zodiac Dragon is one of the few. It is painted by Masaru Hayashi-san.

The Namiki Zodiac art work has always been less serious. We guess it is make it to pens more attractive to the younger generation, but as compare to the Namiki Zodiac first series, one can immediately notice the big different. It is less comical.

Unlike the western dragon, the oriental dragon has no wing and has horn.

This is the top seller among the Namiki Zodiac maki-e pens.

We are two and half months away from Lunar New Year, and counting down.

Other Dragon theme fountain pens:
1. Caran d'Ache Dragon Limited Edition
2. Cross - 2012 Year of The Dragon
3. THINK - Bruce Lee Limited Edition
4. Montegrappa ICONS Dragon Limited Edition
5. Krone - Forbidden City - Emperor Qianlong
6. Parker Duofold Dragon Maki-e Limited Edition

Pelikan Gekko (Moonlight) Limited Edition 2011

2011-11-01T02:33:00.016+08:00

Hollywood has been remaking the oldies classic. The latest movie is the remake of the 1984 classic Footloose.

Like Hollywood, Pelikan has also been relaunching their classic in a different form. This Pelikan Gekko (Moonlight) was a "remake" of the 2005 "Sunlight (Kyokko) & Moonlight (Gekko)" limited edition. The idea behind the 2005 Moonlight (Gekko) and 2011 Moonlight (Gekko) is capture the beauty of light; the sun and moon light.

Using the transient color produce by the abalone shell, the artisan using the thousand year old maki-e technique to "recreate" the beautiful ray of the moonlight (Gekko).

The maki-e technique is the same for both editions. The mother-of-pearl of the great green turban or the abalone is ground with a grind stone to a fire thickness and then embeeded or glued on lacquer-coated surfaces. Only natural Australian abalone shell is used for this beautiful pen and hence, therefore, no two pens will be the same. When ray of moonlight shines on it, the pen glitter beautifully in the dark.

Pelikan Moonlight (Gekko) Limited Edition 2011 is based on M1000, unlike the 2005 Moonlight Limited edition, which was made based on the M800.

This new Pelikan Moonlight (Gekko) limted edition pen is launch in limited quantity of 200 individual numbered pieces worldwide. It is available now locally.

What about the Pelikan Sunlight (Kyokko) limited edition?

The Pelikan Sunlight (Kyokko) limited edition will be available in March 2012. We don't understand why it was released as two special timely. Our guess that Pelikan understood that time is bad and it will be easy for both Pelikan and consumer pocket if it is launch at two different time.

Parker Sonnet in Pink Gold

2011-10-28T20:44:00.015+08:00

In the last 10 months, we have been very much attracted to vintage watches and pink gold watches was our favor. We noticed a Parker ballpoint that we thought it would be nice to share.

Just last month, we found this Parker Sonnet Slim in pink gold laying isolated at a corner of the display shelf while look for a ball point while looking for a ball point pen with red ink.

The pen barrel is matte finished giving is a perfect tone, not too loud for a gold pen.

The trim is finished with nickel palladium plating.

For those vintage pink gold watch lovers looking for a matching gold pen, the search is over. This is it.

The Parker Sonnet pink gold also comes in fountain pen.

Kutani Porcelain USB Thumb Drive 九谷焼

2011-10-26T03:33:00.002+08:00

While waiting for our boys enrichment classes to end, we went for a walk at the Isetan Japan Festive and was immediately charmed by the Kutani porcelain thumb drive.

Kutani is a small town in Ishikawa prefecture well known for thier porcelain work like Arita.

The Kutani porcelain style is known for multiple colors such and bold design. It style is a bit different from the Arita Gen Emon Kilin style. The Kutani uses greens, blues, yellows, purples, and reds and the designs covered almost the entire surface of porcelain.

The capacity of this Kutaini porcelain is small, 8GB. However, the price is ten more expensive than the normal Sony thumb drive. It took me two days to decide if I should part our cash for it.

We are so excited about our new toy that we cannot to check the signature of the product.

In our layman knowledge, the Kutani porcelain should sign off with hanji 九谷, but it does not. We are asking our Japanese friend about the signature.

Namiki Golden Rose Limited Edition 2011

2011-10-21T23:11:00.003+08:00

We received our Golden Rose, have your recieved yours.

The Namiki Golden Rose limited edition 2011 landed today and we are very excited to received it. The Namiki Golden Rose was prettier than what was on the pictures. The picture doesn't justify To this beauty. One really have to see the actual pen to very appreciate the beauty of the pen.

The entire Yukari Royale size pen is in gold color and decorated with gold powder. In order to give the Golden Rose dimension, different tone of gold color powder was used.

Even the section is gold in color.

The rose flower is painted using the Taka maki-e and different gold tone make the rose stand out from it golden background.

The leaves uses the Warigai (Cracked Shell Inlaid) technique with Aogai (blue shell) to create the necessary depth and contrast giving the necessary dimension to bring the roses alive.

This might be artisan Yutaka Sato first Namiki Limited Edition. Sato-san has done a fantastic work in combining the Togidashi-Taka (Burnished-Raised) Maki-e technique with Raden (Mother-of-Pearl) technique to crafted the Namiki Golden Rose.

Looking at this Namiki Golden Rose Limited by Yutaka Sato, we suggested that he might be the next rising maki-e star in Namiki.

This Yukari Royale size Golden Rose limited edition pen comes in 18K gold nib and a special golden rose ink bottle (not shown).

It is limited to 150 pieces worldwide, and it is currently available locally in all authorized Namiki retailers.

Montegrappa Frank Sinatra Limited Edition

2011-10-16T20:33:00.003+08:00

Mont Blanc has John Lemon, Montegrappa has Frank Sinatra.

The Montegrappa latest ICON collection pay tribute to the legendary Frank Sinatra.

Like it previous ICONs collection, the pay must representive the icon using the remarkable elements that signify artists, it is case Frank Sinatra.

On the pen cap, it is engraved with dedora logo used today by Frank Sinatra Enterprises to identify authorized Sinatra items.

We really love the pen clip of this pen, it is shaped in the form of a classic microphone.

Both the pen resin barrel and cap are decorated with simple white strip with resemble the fabric of a sharp pin-striped suit.

The 18K gold trim is decorated with a a musical staff and a G-clef.

Montegrappa Frank Sinatra limited eidition with sterling silver trim is limited to 1915 individual numbered worldwide to to honour the year Frank Sinatra was born (1915).

An additional 12 fountain pens 18K solid gold trim were also released to denote Sinatra’s birthday on December 12th.

It is currently available at all Singaproe authorized Montegrappa authorized retailers.

This pen was officially launch early this year at the Basel World 2011. Here is a link to the image of Montegrappa.

Online Germany Timeless Wood Fountain Pen

2011-10-13T00:13:00.009+08:00

Unlike most tree, the ancient Kauri grow underground. It only be found in the northern New Zealand.

An unexplained act of nature at the end of the last Ice Age buried the tree below the peat swamp. For unknown reason, the trees survived the centuries underground, sealed in a balanced environment that has preserved the timber in perfect condition.

Wooden pens lover are in for a treat. The Online Germany used this anceitn Kauri from New Zealand to made into a fountain pen, and called it Timeless Wood fountain pen.

Each pen cap is made from this beautiful unique ancient Kauri wood.

Online Germany also made a pen holder using this unique Kauri wood for you to display this fantastic fountain pen.

Each pen is presented in a beautiful wooden box. The Timeless wood comes in rhodium plated nib.

It is now available at our markeplace, as well as other authorized retailers.

Sailor Kyo Maki-e Hana Musubi Rosette

2011-10-11T00:11:00.000+08:00

This Sailor Makie-e on resin was a once not available in the market place until recently Sailor bring it back into production in 2011.

We like the way the artisan uses the red ribbon runing down the rossette.

In just reminder of happy festive mood. The artisan painted two birds on the pen to further the happy feel of the pen.

One bird flying happy among the flowers on the bed cap.

Another bird flying happy among the flowers at the pen barrel.

The artisan uses simple sharp and design to paint the birds. It take us awhile to recognize it.

In the past, we are able to put up a special request to fix the Sailor with their Nagahara nib, but I was told now Sailor might only want to fix the Nagahara only on their larger pen.

Our Sailor Kyo Hana Musibi maki-e fountain pen is fixed with a Nagahara Cross Concord nib.

We are able to broad calligraphic stroke on the reverse side of the nib.

Rumours, Rumours Pelikam M320 Pearl Special Edition

2011-10-06T00:06:00.000+08:00

First Pelikan used it M1000 to launched the biggest demostrator as a special edition. On it end other of Pelikan Souveran product range, it has the M300. The smallest fountain pen, whcih has a length of just 11cm when closed.

For the coming December, Pelikan will get to buy him/herself a M320 Pearl Special Edition.

Unlike the pervious Special Edition, Pelikan try to upgrade it Special Edition image with a new packing.

Each fountain pen is packed inside a beautiful semi-circle shaped gift box together with one bottle of 4001 brilliant brown ink and one note pad with a matching heart.

The clip and the trimming are 24 carat gold-plated.

This beautiful high-quality resin fountain comes complete with a 14 carat gold with a rhodium trim.

Caran d'Ache Dragon Limited Edition : An Imperial Myth

2011-10-04T21:11:00.002+08:00

We are three months away before the year of the rabbit ended, and we welcome the year of the powerful dragon. We will post one dragon theme pen each month as we march closer to welcome the year of the dragon.

Back in 2009, Caran d’Ache and Swiss jeweller Edouard Jud work togather again to release another enchanting and unique piece of decorative art based on the image of dragon on a pen.

Unlike the other Dragon theme pens in the market, which has one or two dragon, Caran D'ache Dragon Limited Edition has nine dragon on it.

Are you able to identify the nine dragon?

Both the pen cap and barrel are decorated with two dragons.

Where is the other 5 dragons?

The Swiss jeweller Edouard Jud added a pavillion and ..

some pine trees to make the pen less boring. It reminded me of the talking tree in the Lord of the Ring. Maybe the jeweller was watch the Lord of Ring when s/he was drawing or conceptualizing Caran D'ache Dragon theme pen.

Did you manage to guess where is the other five dragons?

The remaining free dragons are engraved on the pen section.

The pen cap is decorated with a Japan Akoya pearl, which is a symbol of wisdon.

We feel both Caran d’Ache and Swiss jeweller Edouard Ju has done a excellent job in conceptualizing the Drgaon, we feel that this is not their finest piece of work as compare to the previous limited edition.

Do you know why Caran d'Arche engraved nine drgaon and not other number?

Pen Details

Sterling Silver Limited Edition
- 88 individually numbered fountain pens
- 88 individually numbered roller pens
- Fountain pen comes with 18 ct. solid gold rhodium-coated nib
- Dragon sculpture of rhodium-coated 800 solid silver laid onto a body of red lacquer
- Cap decorated with a Japan Akoya pearl
- The pen’s ring carries the Caran d’Ache logo together with the number and the master craftsman’s mark which guarantee the origin and certification of the pieces.
Each piece guaranteed for life

Solid Gold Limited Edition
- 10 individually numbered fountain pens
- 10 individually numbered roller pens
- Fountain pen comes with 18 ct. solid gold rhodium-coated nib
- Dragon sculpture of solid gold laid onto a body of red lacquer
- Body and cap set with nine diamonds and decorated with five pearls
- Cap decorated with a Japan Akoya pearl
- The pen’s ring carries the Caran d’Ache logo together with the number and the master craftsman’s mark which guarantee the origin and certification of the pieces.

Mont Blanc Tribute to the Mont Blanc Special Edition

2011-09-30T02:37:00.000+08:00

Mont Blanc introduced a snowy white collection to pay tribute to Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. It highest peaking is 4,810 metres, and straddling the French and Italian border.

Mont Blanc adopted the six glaciers and the peak of the iconic mountain as the brand’s emblem.

For those of us who does not have the chance to visit this iconic mountain, Mont Blanc setup a very cool web site which give us a mountain view to celebrate this Tribute to Mont Blanc Speical Edition.

Hmmm... Paying tribute iconic mountain sound like paying tribute to its own archivement.

This snowy white special edition really stand out among the black. We personally like this collection, but we have one worry about using it as a daily pen.

It is an excellent idea that Mont Blanc "print" or silk screen (I think) the silhouette of the iconic mountain on the section.

The section is the part where we hold the pen when we write. As a daily pen, we wonder if the beautiful silhouette of Mont Blanc will come off due long hour of writing.

Other than the concern mentioned above, this pen is indeed a beautiful pen and worth considering.

This Tribute to Mont Blanc Special Edition comes in ballpoint, roller ball and fountain pen. It also comes with a series of leather goods in white color.

Sailor Classic Kyo Maki-e Kimono Bijin (Lady in Kimono)

2011-09-26T22:26:00.000+08:00

The maki-e technique is thousand years old Japanese traditional decorative technique. It has developed into many maki-e techniques, Kyo maki-e techniques is one of them. Since Heian period, Kyo maki-e decorative art can be seen at the musical instruments at the Emperors palace, at ancient temples as well various Japanese lacquer ware products.

Using the Kyo maki-e technique, Sailor Japan and Kosen Oshita launched five Classic 1911 fountain pens. The Kimono Bijin (Beautiful Lady in Kimono) is one of the them.

Using Hira MAKI-E technique, Kosen Oshita painted a lady in red kimono on the pen barrel.

On the cap, Oshita-san artisan painted a golden pagoda.

And a few sakaura flowing in the air and river.

Each pen is signed by the artian.

It comes complete with a Sailor 21K gold nib, but in only comes in Medium nib.

Pen Details:
Model name: Kimono-Bijin (Lady in Kmono)
Materials: Resin Large size 1911
Special features: Hira MAKI-E art Resin Fountain Pen by Kosen Oshita
Filling system: Converter & Cartridge type
Nib selection: M, 21K Gold

Pelikan Special Edition Souveran M600 Green O' Green

2011-09-22T00:55:00.002+08:00

Pelikan released a M800 Special Edition Blue-O-Blue last year. One year later, they released a M600 Special Edition Green-O-Green.

The O in both Special Edition mean the same thing. The o' is short for 'Over', which represent the material design looks. It look like several broad strokes of green (not blue) in different shades are put one over another.

Both Pelikan Special Edition Blue-O-Blue and Green-O-Green uses the same technique and is available for sales at our Marketplace.

Both barrel and cap are made of this slightly translucent material.

It is very beautiful very view under light.

While the idea is not fresh, the design is well executed. We think this pen is capture the heart of those Pelikan fan who feel the M800 is one size too big.

Hmmmm... M800 Blue'O'Blue, M600 Green'O'Green....

Do you think Pelikan will release Special Edition Souveran M400 Red' O' Red?

The Peilikan M600 Green-O-Green is for sales locally as well as at our Marketplace.

Rumours, Rumours Namiki New Yukari Royale

2011-09-18T21:54:00.000+08:00

Two By Two. Namiki discontinue two Yukari Royale last year. This year they are introducing two new Yukari Royale design; The Chrysanthem Flower and Traditional Japanese wrapper.

We are suprised by these new design was we are expecting Namiki to introduce this design that is close to the two was discontinue as it very popular.

Well! I guess the Namiki Limited Edition already give us a hint that Namiki is trying to capture new market using non-traditional design.

Who is the artisan for this two beautiful maki-e pen?

Namiki is keep their lip close about it. Guess we will have to wait to Nov/Dec when we receive our pieces.

In the meantime, start saving for it.

Online Desk Pen Case

2011-09-17T21:58:00.000+08:00

Now we have another option for our desk pen case - the Online Germany desk pen case is now available locally at Fook Hing Trading. It is able to hold 10+3 pens.

The top of the pen case is designed to be a tray to hold 3 pens/pencil and eraser or small accessories on it.

When you slide opened, the lower tray can hold up to 10 pens. However, it can only store standard size pens. It will not take any size like Pelikan M800 or Namiki Yukari Royale or bigger pens.

The pen case open is attached to the case so it will not fall off. You slide forward or backward the case to open the case. There are no locking system. Therefore, it cannot be use to transport any pen, but a truely desk pen case.

It only comes in black and gloss finishing and it is not heavy.

Faber Castell Elemento Olive Wood

2011-09-13T00:54:00.040+08:00

Year 2011, Graf Von Faber Castell celebrate its 250th anniversary. Beside the Pen of The Year 2011, they released The Elemento in Olive Wood as a Limited Edition to mark this event too.

The Elemento collection comprises of a propelling pencil and ball pen, roller-ball and fountain pen. We will only show the Elemento fountain pen.

There is nothing special done on the pen cap, except you will be able to find a olive wood at the end of the cap.

Each barrel is made of cross-grained olive wood, constructed with an innovative technique that enables the grain of the wood to be displayed in a way previously unknown. The display of the wood is very different from the Omas Arte Italiana Olive Wood.

Faber castell uses six individual cross-grained olive wood fitted side by side into the barrel, which are varnished and hand-polished several times.

The result is fantastic. It bring out the extraordinary color of the olive wood. Some in reddish brown, some in honey gold or even salmon pink.

The two tone 18k nib is not decorated.

Cross - 2012 Year of The Dragon

2011-09-06T02:06:00.006+08:00

The launch of the Cross Year Of The Dragon (2012) pens reminded me of the launch of sales of the Chinese Mooncake in Singapore.

The sales of Mooncake started before the end of the lunar seventh month. Some suppliers even start selling it as early as week 2 of lunar seventh month. All this in the hope to capture more market share.

We are four months away before it come to an end for the Year 2011, the Cross Year of The Dragon is already available locally at all authorized retailers. Cross is not the first to launch a Dragon pen this year.

The pens comes in two favors, the red and black lacquer finishing, and comes in three types of pen, naming the ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pen. The box is made from hard board, and a pen stand to display the pen.

While the design idea or concept is good, however, we don't see effort been put into the execution of the idea. Let have a closer look at the pen.

The engraving technique used are very simple as compare to those used by Montegrappa. The only difficulty might be complex to perform engraving on a crurve surface as compare to a flat one.

The design of the dragon is also very basic and single.

It doesn't look complex enough to be called a limited edition.

The pen cap is our favor of this pen. It is engraved with the Dragon Chinese character.

It comes with a 18k gold nib. The pen section and triming are gold plated.

The Cross Year of the Dragon pen is inexpensive as compare to those of Montegrappa. Therefore, one cannot expect complex engraving technique and complex design.

At the end of the day, it is individual choice if they would like to add this pen to their pen collection.

Santos De Cartier Letter Opener

2011-08-30T08:13:00.002+08:00

In the early day, the wristwatches were worn by woman as jewellery accessories. The men uses pocket watches. It was Santos Dumont who made popular the wrist watch among men.

Cartier made this propeller shaped letter opener to give homage to Santos-Dumont, the first performance pilot to wear a wristwatch. And ff course, it is a Cartier stainless steel case with 18k gold.

Every details of a propeller is follows, it even has a screw motif.

The Cartier Santos letter opener is 210mm in length and 120mm in width.

The plate is palladium finished.

The golden visible session are gold plated finishing.

While the design is borrow from the others. It is a pure classic and timeless beauty.

SHJM 8 Budget Fountain Pen

2011-08-28T10:30:00.001+08:00

We received an email from Nariko Tanaka asking us to give her a fountain pen so that she can experience the writing experience. We exchanged a few emails and invite her to join our monthly pen meet so that she can expeience different type of pens from our local community.

We highlight that fountain pen price range are very wide. The cost of pen range from a cup of black coffee at the local Kopitam to a thousands of dollars.

Here is one pen that the cost is the same as two bowls of wonton noodle in Hong Kong or one local weekend movie ticket.

The entire pen is made of steel, even the pen sectionis chrome steel. The pen clip is decorated with a water droplet.

One size fitted all. It come only in one nib size.

It is a fine nib for chinese hand writing.

On the cap top, there is a little pussy cat. Meow Meow!

Nariko didn't show up at the pen meet.

S.T. Dupont Chinese Lacquer

2011-08-26T00:46:00.006+08:00

BE AWARE OF FAKE FOUNTAIN PEN!!!

About two weekend back, I met a friend at China Square flea market. While browing at the flea market, I found a S.T. Dupont chinese lacquer gold dust roller ball shown here.

I examined the pen for a very long time. The rollerball pen tip is too far out and look funny. Initially, I was under the impression that it uses the wrong refill. I was wrong, it uses the S.T. Dupont refill.

Next, I examine the engraving of the wording. It look right, however, I feel the 'S' look to cursive.

I still don't want to give it up. Hence, I examine the cap. It fixed nicely with the pen. The cap fixed firmly to the pen barrel.

The clip look right, except the the clip top is a bit too far out. If you don't closer, it will not notice.

Front view good look. The pen clip look right.

It even has serial number.

The serial number is engraved at the correct position. The serial number is 5A2DZ243.

After examining the pen for 30 minutes, I asked the seller if this is a fake. And the seller replied with a firm 'N0'.

I believe that seller will not cheap me for such a small amount of cash, I decided to buy it and send to the S.T. Dupont agent for validation.

Three days later, the S.T. Dupont called me and tell me it is a fake pen. All the sign is mentioned above. The agent also feedback gold dust is to uniform to be a Dupont, and the screw used is not correct. (Hmmm... what screw is the S.T. Dupont technician talking about?)

While I managed to have my refund, the pen is still floating away locally.

Dear friends and visitors, the next time you visit a flea marker. Be extra careful and not end up buying fake products thinking it is 'the real thing'.

Mont Blanc Gaius Maecenas Limited Edition

2011-08-23T00:17:00.002+08:00

Montblanc pays homage to Gaius Maecenas with the 20th edition of their Patron of the Arts series, who was a personal advisor to Octavius as well as a supporter of young artists.

While Maecenas has enjoyed immense wealth and political friendship as advisor to the Roman Emperor Augustus, he true passion was art and culture. This can be found in reference in the recorded patron in the history of the arts and culture. He is also the known symbolic figure and representative for cultural responsiblity and selfness commitment.

The pen clip is shaped like a roman sword.

The ring and pen cap is made frmo 925 sterling silver. The first verse of a poem from Virgil, written in honor of Maecenas, is engraved on the entire cap.

On cap top ring, a laurel wreath is engraved around it. Here you can locate the limited edition number.

The pen barrel is inspired by the roman architecture. It is shaped to look like the columns of the Roman temples using marbled lacquer.

On the pen base, there is an inlaid of a Roman coin featuring Maecenas image. And on the pen cap top, it the usual Mont Blanc snowy star.

The rhodium plated 18k gold nib is decorated with a laurel wreath and Roman numerals "MMXI".

This Mont Blanc Patron of Art, Galis Maecenas Limited Edition, is limited to 4,810 fountain pen worldwide, and it is currently available locally.

Namiki Limited Edition 2011 The Golden Rose

2011-08-18T00:18:00.001+08:00

Namiki go back to contemporary theme for the 2011 Limited Edition, The Golden Rose.

Artisan Yutaka Sato san uses a combination of Togidashi-Taka (Burnished-Raised) Maki-e technique with Raden (Mother-of-Pearl) technique to crafted the Namiki Golden Rose. This is Sato-san first Namiki Limited Edition.

The rose flower is painted using the Taka maki-e and the leaves uses the Warigai (Cracked Shell Inlaid) technique with Aogai (blue shell) to create the necessary depth and contrast giving the necessary dimension to bring the roses alive.

The entire pen is in gold color and decorated with gold powder. You cannot see a spot of black.

This pen is presented in a Inden pouch within a leather-bound gift box with an embossed rose design on the lid. Inden is a Japanese traditional technique to draw a Urushi lacquer pattern onto the deer hide. We have not see the actual Inden pouch but we assume it similar to the one used by Sailor, but it may come in different design.

We don't really appreciate the use of leather in maki-e, but in this case (maybe) it go went with the contemporary theme.

This Yukari Royale size Golden Rose limited edition pen comes in 18K gold nib and a special golden rose ink bottle

It is limited to 150 pieces worldwide, and schedule to be available in November 2011.

William Henry Studio - Fossil Brain Coral Fountain Pen

2011-08-15T00:33:00.001+08:00

The William Henry Studio products is now available locally thanks for the good people at Fook Hing Trading.

William Henry Studio is one of the well known brands within the knife community for designing and making the finest tools. They are know for theirseamless integration of classic natural materials.

The pen that first caught our attention was the Cabernet F8-1101 fountain pen. The pen barrel is made from the natural fossil brain coral.

As this is a natural fossil, no two pens will look alike.

This pens is limited to 250 pcs worldwide, but we feel every pen is one of it kind.

The pen clip is made of stainless steel with a blue sapphire.

The triming is made of titanium and aluminum, and the cap titanium and ebonite. The other unique feature of the pens is the locking Mechanism. It cap doesn't get screw onto the pen. It uses a wave like locking system.

While this is a unique to William Henry Studion writing instrument, we din't really like their wave locking mechanism as compare to the Visconti.

The pen comes in 18K two tone gold nib.

The pen cap top is decorated with patterned damascus to make it really look like a William Henry Studio writing instruments.

Mont Blanc Joy of Mahatma Gandi Special Edition Ink

2011-08-11T01:24:00.001+08:00

For those orange color ink lover out there who didn't manage to get a bottle of the orange ink launched as the Mahatma Gandhi Special Edition ink, Mont Blanc launched the same color this year (2011) as a Ink of Joy Special Edition.

The Mahatma Gandhi Special Edition ink was launched two years ago (2009) togather with the Mont Blanc Mahatma Gandhi Special Theme Limited Edition to mark his birthday anniversary.

The orange color was choosen to align with the fever opal on the clip (approx. 0.1 ct) .

This Gandi Special Edition orange ink is having the same tone as the latest Ink of Joy Special Edition 2011.

This Gandhi Special Edition ink is made in Germany, while the Ink of Joy Special Edition is made in Austria.

Here is a swap sample of the colors.

Mont Blanc Ink of Friendship, Love and Joy

2011-08-05T00:05:00.011+08:00

Mont Blanc has not been successful with their special edition ink locally based on the remind of the past special edition available locally.

Mont Blanc is trying out their luck again with their newly launch Special Edition ink. They label them as ink of Love, Friendship and Joy.

Ink of Love is red color.

Ink of Friendship is in turquoise blue.

And the ink of Joy is orange.

Special Edition come with "Special Edition" ink bottle. It is square glass bottle with standard MB ink bottle cap.

It is priced the same as the regular Mont Blanc ink, of course, with a smaller capacity.

The few bottles of ink that we purchased are made from Austria based on the label on the bottle.

Krone Sherlock Holmes Limited Edition

2011-08-01T00:38:00.001+08:00

Krone honors the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle using his most memorable character created, the indefatigable detective Sherlock Holmes, to craft a superb sterling silver writing instrument.

This unique solid sterling silver pen is intricately detailed with three-dimensional elements, to help you solve the mystery.

On the bed cap and barrel, it is decorated with Sherlock Holmes adventures and the different characters in his adventages.

It also have doors! Not one but two.

Open it! It is a micro-painting of Sir Arthur writing desk.

On another secret door.

Open it. It is a micro-painting of Sherlock Homes adventure.

The pen can also be open. Hmmm... what does it contain?

The cap top is very well decorated.

Embedded atop the cap is a piece of notebook paper from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s personal writing pad.

Are you able to read what was written?

You cannot? Well, you will need a help of a mirror.

It is piston fill.

The barrel botton cap is a magnifying glass.

A Limited Edition of 50 fountain pens worldwide. It is the most expensive sterling silver pen that we come across.

Sailor 1911 Classic Black Matte

2011-07-28T00:28:00.034+08:00

This is not the first Sailor matt black finsihing fountain pen. There is a earlier version in gold trimming.

What make this 1911 matte black special is the black brass, nickel-chrome ion platting gripping section.

The weight balace is exxcellent, making it an ideal pen for continuous writing without tiring the hand and a perfect everyday pen.

The actual name that Sailor from Sailor is 1911 Large For Lawyer Matt Black Rhodium Fountain Pen. A model name that we could not comprehen.

Are you bother by the model name that is "For Lawyer"?

Sailor Limited Edition 100th Anniversary Arita Yaki Somertsuke Kiri Hou-ou

2011-07-19T22:10:00.007+08:00

Beside the Sailor Shima Kuwa Mulberry Limited Edition, Sailor also released an Arita Yaki Samertsuke Kiri Houou in paralle with the Shima Kuwa Mulberry to mark their 100th years of pens making.

This beautiful Arita-Yaki luxury writing set is the fine product produed by the craftmans co-operated by Koransha (company with 400 years of history) and Sailor Pen Co.

Unlike the Arita non limited edition, the Kiri Hou-Ou Limited Edition is presented in a black glossy finished multi-tiered lacquer box and accompany with a set of desk accessories.

The box comes with two drawers, and a open top pen tray for five pens. The box is finished with the Aizu-nuri, a special urushi technique used frequently to decorate and protect special wooden products.

The Hou-ou (Phoenix) is choosen as the pattern to mark this significant event becuase it eastern culture, it is symbol of good luck. The pure white procelain body of the pen painted with a Phoenix in an elegant and delicate manner.

The Phoenix drawn is the same and original Phoenix design of the Arita-Yaki presented to The Emporer 'Taisho' by the Koransha Company at the end of the Meiji era.

On the pen can triming, Mokume-Gane is used. It is a very special metal process technology of Koransha. A technique that was invented by the company at the begining of the Edo era, which utilize the different color between metals to created a profound wooden gain pattern.

The trimming is made with 18K white gold and silver.

The desk accessories are also made of Arita-yaki.

On the top of the paper weight (picture above) is the Hou-ou.

At the side, it is decorated with flower design.

On the ink bottle cap, it is the decorated with old Sailor logo.

The whole ink bottle is also decorated with Phoenix.

The pen tray is no exception. It is also decorated with Phoenix design.

On the side of the tray, it is decorated with the same flower design as the others.

Beside the above mentioned desk accessories, it also comes with a cleaning kits and cloth.

Both the pen and box are engraved with the limited edition number.

This beautiful Arit-Yaki Somertsuke Kiri Hou-ou luxury writing set is limited to 100 set worldwide.

Pen Stand for the Emporer

2011-07-16T23:16:00.002+08:00

Last month (June 2011), while waiting for our children to finish their class, I visited Aesthetic Bay.

Since I am not able to find a nice pen tray for the my desk, I thought it will be cool if I can have a few pen stands display on my desk at disfferent height for my desk fountain pen.

Out of curosity, I asked if the pen stand that Aesthetic Bay using for their display was for sales. Now, I am a proud owner of a few pen stands.

The pen stand is made from wood (hmmm... not sure the kind of wood). I don't think it is one of those exotic wood based on it selling price. It is redish in color, and lacquer gloss finished.

The maximum size it is able to support is the Namiki Emporer fountain pen. As I foundout just two days ago while taking the pictures of the stand, it is actually mean for Namiki Emporer. It doesn't look look on a regular size time.

The picture below is my Nakaya cigar size fountain pen rest on the stand.

Does it look good?

We think the stand is too big for the pen.

Sailor Ink - New Color 2011

2011-07-14T21:47:00.000+08:00

After 6 months of waiting, the new colors Sailor ink finally landed in Singapore retailor over the weekend.

There are 6 colors. The Peach, Sky High, Ultra Marine, Grenade, Epinard, and Apricot.

The pinky peach.

The Sky High blue.

The Ultra Marine dark blue

The Grenade.

The Epinarde.

The Apricot.

Here is a swap sample of the six colors.

Sailor Mont Fuji and Crane

2011-07-12T00:22:00.046+08:00

Sailor Japan Co. released a few new maki-e on 1911 Classic fountain pens. The Mont Fuji and Crane is one of the them.

The artisan Kosen Oshita uses hira maki-e technique to illustrate Mt. Fuji and crane. Unlike most Mt. Fuji drawn by other artisan, Oshita-san has choosen to paint a red Mt. Fuji.

I think Oshita-san chose red to reflect the high energy level of the Japanese people.

At the foot of the red Mount Fuji, is a pine tree. It is green throughout the year, the pine tree symbolizes youth and longevity and is used as decorative plant in most Japanese gardens. It is also very popular for Bonsai.

On the pen cap, artisan Oshita-san painted a pair of Tsuru cranes flying freely in the sky.

Tsuru, in Japanese, is among the most majesyic of all cranes. Pure white with a magnificent red crest. For this pen, artisan Oshita-san painted in the red crest crane in gold to show the true value and import ant of this cranes.

Details:
Model name: Akafuji-ni-Tsuru (Mt. Fuji and Crane)
Number: 11-5010-420
Materials: Resin Large size 1911
Special features: Hira MAKI-E art Resin Fountain Pen by Kosen Oshita
Filling system: Converter & Cartridge type
Nib selection: M, 21K Gold

Swan Fountain Pen

2011-07-08T00:12:00.000+08:00

Last month, we have a special guest in our monthly fountain pen meeting. He is Mike from the Fountain Pen Emporium.

The Swan fountain pen shown here is one of the few pens that we purchased from him.

This eye dropper founatain pen comes complete with a green color hardboard pen box and a glass eye dropped.

Both end of the pens are decorated with a 18k plated art deco.

At the pen trim, it is engraved with it patent number.

I was surprise that the nib is not flexible as compare to my other Swan that I owned.

We added this pen to our collection because of the decoration.

Rumours, Rumours Pilot Capless/Vanishing Point 2011 Limited Edition

2011-07-05T00:12:00.018+08:00

No more guesses. Pilot has launched Capless Limited Edition 2011. The theme color, Pretty in Pink. The Pilot Vanishing Point Limited Edition 2011 is set to capture hearts of the fairer sex.

As Singapore is a very small market, rumour is Pilot Singapore only managed to secure less than two pecents of the limited edition worldwide. And, more than half of the allocation of this two percent has been booked.

It will be available in September 2011, and make your reservation early to avoid disappointment.

Fisher AG7 Space Pen Special Edition

2011-06-29T00:12:00.001+08:00

Fisher launched it Fisher AG7 special edition to celebrate 40th Year Moon Landing. The move of the pen was engraved with Apollo 11 astronauts holding a America flag on the moon.

On the top of the pen, it is engraved with the word "40th Anniversay Special Edition" beside the pen release.

One the last threeline, it is engraved with "Apollo 11", "Men's First Moon Landing" and "July 20, 1969"

On the top of the pen body, it is engraved with the men landing on moon image.

The astronauts.

And on the good pen clip, it is the engraved with the model number.

The refill of the fisher pen is pressurized. Hence, it can write in odd pressure, even upside down and even under water. It is made of solid brass with an chrome plating, giving it solid body.

It is a very good pen for any occassion, and in any emergency.

Namiki Golden Pheasant Fountain Pen

2011-06-27T18:27:00.001+08:00

The Namiki Nippon Art artisan painted a pair of pheasant on the pen; one of the cap and one one pen barrel.

Both pheasant are flying toward each other, symbolizing attraction.

Do you know which is the male?

Nature makes a males pheasant to be very attractive to their female counterparts. It is so attractive that the males pheasant often have a harem of three hens at once.

I was once told that this is a symbolic of creativity, sexuality, influence and magic. Why?

Because females hold the gift of life (reproduction, creation of offspring). And the number three is a magical number that deals with the union of two to bring about the creation of another.

The Namiki Golden Pheasant fountain pen comes in 14K gold nib, and it is not signed by the artisan.

It is available locally at all Namiki retailers and at our marketplace.

Tokira airplane paper weight

2011-06-25T00:37:00.015+08:00

Paper weight was once a must desk accessory on our office desk before the invention of air conditioning. It was use to hold down the papers so that it will not get blow away by the fan.

The designer bring live back to paper wright by intergrating it with a paper clip holder (magnet). This Tokira chrome airplane paper weight has four pieces of magent inserted in it turbine engines.

The airplane paper weight is also can help you kill time when you are bored. The airplane will move forward when you pull it back. My son like to buy with it. Just not sure how long before the spring give up.

It is about 236g.

ST Dupont Limited Edition HOPE: help the victims in Japan

2011-06-23T00:02:00.002+08:00

The ST Dupont Limited Edition HOPE to help the victims in Japan is now available locally.

This limited edition HOPE is based on a Défi pen and a Ligne 8 lighter, both conceived in bright lacquer red, with blossoms a Sakura tree on both side of the pen.

According to ST Dupont, all profits, namely 50 Euros per product, will be donated, through the French Red Cross, to the Japanese Red Cross, as a token of our support for Japan

The Kanji wording is decorated with Sukara.

The ST Dupont logo "D" is crowned at the pen top.

This limited edition only comes in ballpoint. We are not able to find the limited edition number on the pen. We suspect the pen are not individually numbered.

Urushi Vermilion Fountain Pen

2011-06-21T00:12:00.001+08:00

The Red has been my favor color. Therefore, it is not suprise to some of my friends that we write with a Namiki Urushi vermillion or red fountain pen. A friend of our, asked something back what other urushi in such color is available in the market nowadays.

Here are three pens side by side for your consideration.

From left to right: Namiki Yuakari Royale, Sailor King Of Pen (KOP), Namiki Emporer.

The Namiki Yukari Royale and Sailor KOP have almost the same length. Beside the different in shape, the clip style and color is also difficult.

On the Sailor KOP pen cap, there is a line at where the clip is fixed. This is similar to all the Sailor pen. It is how Sailor fix it clip.

On the Namiki,there are no line at all, and clip is very beautifully fixed on the cap.

One look at the clip, you know it is a Namiki, unlike Sailor. The clip is very no character of it own. Sailor KOP clip comes in both silver and gold platen.

Both the Namiki Yukari Royale and Emporer comes in 18K gold nib, and the Sailor comes complete with their popular 21k gold nib.

The picture shown here is Sailor in silver clip, therefore, the nib is silver in color. If you choose Sailor KOP in gold clip, the nib will comes in gold color to match the clip.

We really like the feed of the Namiki very much. It is in red color. From here, we can see that Namiki make effort to ensure that the pen is really "red".

There is another pen in our collection which we didn't post it because urushi "cracked" near the nib. It is a Dani Trio. We will post the pictures of the pen in future.

Both Namiki and Sailor vermillion fountain pens are available locally.

Graf Von Faber Castell Pen Of The Year 2011

2011-06-14T00:12:00.000+08:00

Our first encounter with Pen Of The Year when in Year 2007. Graf Von Faber Castell released the petrified wood to craft the POY 2007 LE.

At that time, we were very attracted to the Garf Von Faber Castell idea of exotic materials, and two worries. First, the pen name "Pen Of The Year" bother us. Second, the material used.

Why?

In my option, I would like my any collection theme to have a end so that I can start on another theme. With theme like Pen Of Year, it suggested it is never going to end.

Our worry ended with the Pen Of the Year 2011. Graf Von Faber Castell has decided that 2011 marked the end of the Pen Of Year theme in celebration with their 250th anniversary. Garf Von Faber Castell was found in the year 1761. Faber Castell uses their founding year as the limited production number for the Pen Of the Year 2011.

The craftman need extraordinary skill to work on material such as jade, as it is a remarkably hard with a good resistance. An correct amount effort or force need to be applied to the material constantly, any small amount will cause the material break. Hence, the craftman need a steady hand thoughout the process of crafting the jade to bring out the astonishing qualities of this gemstone.

In the Chinese Society, no other stone was or is valued so highly. The Chinese defined jade as “beauty in stone with five virtues”. They are the human understanding, modesty, wisdom, justice, and courage. The virtues that should still determine the way we treat people.

We are delighted that Faber-Castell has choosen this fascinating green gemstone for a special role in thier history making.

The Pen of The Year 2011 has eight segments of jade symbolize the eight generations that have made their mark on the family firm to date with reference to founding year.

There are many type of jades. Faber Castell choose the Russian Jade for the final installment for their Pen of The Year.

We are not sure why the Russian Jade was choosen as compare to other well-known value. We suggested it is due to the (1) price (2) materials that are familiar for the craftman at the Stephan gemstone laboratory.

There is no change in the pen cap. It is platinum-plated. An elaborate faceting of the stones on the barrel and cap is the crowning glory of the Pen of the Year 2011.

A platinum-plated frame encases the individual pieces of jade, making the pen a special piece of jewellery. On the barrel, only one of the piece of the jade is decorated.

The Pen of The Year 2011 was crafted by the master craftsman of the Stephan gemstone laboratory. He is backed up by the long tradition of the Idar Oberstein workshops, that were set up in the 15th century.

There is also no changes to the 18-carat bicolor gold nib. It is decorated with the Faber-Castel Crest.

Technical Details
Barrel -Jade
Cap – Platinum-plated with solid spring-loaded clip,rew thread
End Piece - Platinum-plated
Nib -18-carat bicolour gold;
Filling mechanism – Plunger
Weight – 80 grams approx.
Overall length -137 mm
Numbering -Each pen bears an individual sequence number on the little metal plate under the end cap.
Production – 1761 pieces (limited edition)

There an article on Count Anton Wolfgang von Faber-Castell on MoneyWeek.

Rumours, Rumours Sailor Kohaku Fountain Pen

2011-06-11T00:36:00.002+08:00

Sailor Co. Japan seems to be taking the cue from the watch industry, which the manufacturers are working on different and difficult materials.

Sailor Co. collaborated wit Kuji Kojaku Co. Ltd to create this special edition Kohaku fountain pen, made from the natural top quality amber from the Kuji area of Iwate Prefecture, Japan's largest source of quality amber.

The pen barrel and cap are crafted using special developed sintered and pressing technique applu brown/red colored amber.

Do take a some time to visit the nearest retailers to experience the deep, warm and unique feeling of this special amber fountain pen.

Nib selection : M, 21K Gold
Size : Ø17.6x155.7mm
This special Kohaku fountain pen is presented in a handmade wooden box (212x154x68mm) with ink bottle (black), ink convertor, cleaning cloth and instruction book.

S.T. Dupont Opera Garnier, Paris

2011-06-07T00:12:00.055+08:00

This is the third and last pen in the Collection d’Exception second series. The first two pens were Washington ( United States Capital), and Venus de Milo (Louvre Museum,Paris).

The S.T.Dupont Collection d’Exception was the creation of a successful partnership between S.T. Dupont and Philippe Tournaire. Philippe is a designer and jeweller for more than 38 years. His has boutique in Paris Place Vendôme, United States, China and Switzerland.

While the basic structure look of the Paris Opera Hoouse is the there, what make it so beautiful in my option are those beautiful sculptures.

On the root top, there are two golden sculptures or others which make it unique. I took the picture when I was travelling in Paris.

It is missing from the S.T. Dupont Opera Garnier fountain pen limited edition.

The are sculptures in each round window, which is also missing the fountain pen.

Here is angled front view of the Opera Garnier sculptures fountain pen.

Do you know which part of the building there the following sculpture picture located?
Hints: Look at the sharp of the outline.

The side view of the Opera Garnier sculpture fountain pen.

Below show a picture of the actual dome root top at the side of the Opera House.

At the back Opera Garnier sculpture fountain pen is not as grand as the front of the building.

An angled view of the back and view of the Opera Garnier sculpture fountain pen.

I think Philippe has choosen a difficult building to created as compare to the other two in this series. This Opera Garnier sculpture fountain pen doesn't bring up the true character of the building.

This is just my view.

Pen Box/Chest by Aesthetic Bay

2011-06-04T00:12:00.000+08:00

This was the wooden pen box/chest that we were using before we upgrade to the 3 tiers pen box sold at Fook Hing Trading.

This is a solid wood pen box/chest was made by Aesthetic Bay for their customer. It is a much heavier as compare to leather chest sold at Fook Hing (FH) due the wooden material.

While this pen is a small box chest, it is not cheaper (slot per pen) as compare to the FH leather box. This Aesthetic Bay pen box might be be costly, but is worth every cents because the finishing is good, the wood grain is beautiful, the weight and the made give you the confidence that it will protect your precious pen.

This pen chest can hold 16 pens. Each layer holding 8 pens. The top layer can hold eight Namiki Emporer size pens, and the lower drawer can hold a Sailor King Of Pen or Namiki Yukari Royale pens.

The lower layer cannot be removed. It doesn't have a hander too. There is a tiny slot at both side of the drawer for you to hold and draw our the drawer, which give you a very simple yet eleagance design.

Like the Fook Hing pen chest, the disadvantage of this pen chest doesn't have a lock.

Sailor 100th Anniversary - The Shima Kuwa Mulberry

2011-06-02T00:12:00.003+08:00

Sailor Japan Co. is 100 year old this year, and to mark this special day, they have choosen a special material, Mulberry wood (Shima Kuwa) from Mikura-jima in the Izu group of Japanese Islands. The Shima Kuwa is also known as the Golden Kuwa because of its natural golden color.

The wood is a very special material as compare to other materials because of it grain. The Shima Kuwa beautiful grain has been very much appreciated for many generations.

In the Edo era, Shima Kuwa was a special and very precious wood material, which could only be work on by the highest level of artisans, whom are called 'Kuwamono-si' out of great respect.

The beauty of this fountain pen is further enhanced by extreme gloss finish using the highest qualtiy urushi from Iwate prefecture. This top quality of urushi, known as Joubou-ji urushi, is make famous because they are choosen material use for repair and maintenance of the Golden Hall of Chuuson-ji in Iwate, Rge the Toshogu of Nikko in Tochigi and the Golden Temple in Kyoto, and many Japan national treasure.

Sailor Japan Co. seeked the help of top maki-e artisan Kosen Oshita to carefully applies coating and burnishing technique to their 100th Anniversary fountain pen.

The design of the pen is antique in form as it is modeled from some of Sailor Japan Co. historical fountain pens in their earlier stages of the Company.

The top of the clip is designed to look like the Sailor Co. Japan symbol and motif; An Anchor mark.

The pen cap is maki-e decorated in gold by artisan Kosen Oshita. The word 100 years' and and elegant 'wave' design symbolic of the 100-year history of Sailor Japan Co. are decorated around the cap ust below the clip.

Each Shima Kuwa Mulberry is individually number. It is limited to 1000 pieces worldwide. The individual number is stamped on the barrel end.

The pen comes with a decorated large size solid 21K gold nib plated with 24k gold. The Sailor Japan Co. symbol mark, the Anchor and the chain are stamped on the nib. This fountain pen only comes in M nib.

It also comes with a bottle of standard Sailor ink label as Sailor 100th Anniversay, a pen warp, cleaning cloth, and a box of cartridge ink (5 pieces).

It is presented in a special Aizu-urushi gift box.

Mont Blanc Mark Twain Limited Writer Edition 2010

2011-05-31T00:01:00.001+08:00

Mark Twain is regarded to this day as the founder of Modern American literature.

Mont Blanc dedicates 2010 Writer Edition to this remarkable writer. One of this all time classic is the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in 1884.

The pen clip is sharped like a a stylized jaw’s harp, a musical instrument popular in the old America South.

A platinum-plated filigree on the top of the cap is shaped like a steamboat chimney, overlaid onto ivory precious resin.

Sinuous curving lines on the cap and barrel of the writing instruments are engraved on deep blue precious resin, inspired by the Mississippi River and its shallow waves.

The curving lines reminded me that line is not a bed of roses. Something it just need to take a longer route to reach the end point. We need to take time, take a step back to have a clearer pictures of our goal and purpose in life.

The cap ring is engraved with the author’s signature and the serial number.

The handcrafted 18K gold fountain pen nib is engraved with two rope fathoms used to indicate the depth under a boat’s keel.

Like all Mont Blanc pens, the pen cap needs to have a white star. This pen is not different. The pen top is finished with ivory-coloured Montblanc emblem.

The Mont Blacn Limited Writer Edition is limited 12,000 individual numbered fountain pens worldwide.

Pen Case/Chest By Fook Hing

2011-05-28T11:11:00.008+08:00

Our pen collection has grow recently that we have reach a stage where I have to find a pen case that hold all the pen in one place and keep the original box in the store room, or "basement".

We purchased this Fook Hing Trading house brand pen case that can hold 30 pens.

It has two drawers, each has the capacity to hold 10 pens. The top layer has a glass panel over top, as show in the picture above.

The top layer is able to hold the Namiki Emporer fountain pen, or the Sailor Susutake. Both type of pens fixed nicely in each slot.

The upper draw is able to hold that has the length of the Namiki Emporer too, but because of the big pen clip of the Namiki Emporer fountain pen, you cannot lay the pen straight up. The drawer will not close. Others pen like Sailor Susutake is fine.

The lower drawer has a removable plen slot. Therefore, the slot pen is shorter as compare to the upper drawer.

The only thing that I don't like about this pen is case is the slot width. We feel it is too wide for al the small pen. This is also the the case advantage as you don't have to buy another for the bigger pen.

It come only in black leather.

Namiki Chinkin Technique

2011-05-26T00:01:00.000+08:00

This youtube was share by Fook Hing Trade. I share with others.

The following are our blog on Namiki and Sailor Chinkin fountain pens.

1. Namiki Chinkin Dragin and Hawk
2. Namiki Chinkin Tiger
3. Namiki Chinkin Peony
4. Sailor Supreme Chinkin Cat
5. Namiki vs Sailor Chinkin Cats fountain pen

Porsche Design Pure Black by Pelikan

2011-05-24T00:24:00.088+08:00

Pure Black or All Black, they are the same. It is just a play of word. The look, or rather the color, of the fountain pen is the same. It is black, matt black and not glossy black.

The other brands are starting to catch up with Parker Premium Black Edition. They might not the same, but like Pilot Capless All Black, Parker Premium Black Edition is still on the Top of all the Black Edition.

The Porsche Design Pure Black is fountain pen using the popular PVD coating technique to give the pen the extra protection against scratches, wear and abrasion.

The entire pen is PVD coated. Like Porsche car, this writing instrument follow the close to the same style, impressive and precise lines. The pen clip was a simple arc curve, which we think borrow it Porsche 911 Carrea. All the edges are very well finished.

Similar to the Pilot Vanishing Point, Capless, the fountain pen nib is the imperfect part of the this elegant pen.

Somehow, Porsche Design choose to have the 18k gold nib to be rhodium plated glossy finish, and not matt finish. We feel this is the imperfect part of a Porsche Design Pure Black fountain pen.

The ink converter is also different from the standard pen, or should we say that the way the ink converter is secured differently.

The user cannot fill the ink by dipping the pen into the ink bottle and start drawing the ink.

The standard Pelikan ink converter is secured in a cradle. The cradle is released by unscrewing it at the bottom of the pen.

We can think of two way the ink can be filled. One is to remove the converter from the cradle, and dip the converter into the ink bottle, or uses a syringe to draw ink from the ink bottle and inject it into the converter.

This reminded me an Omas pen. Do you know which Omas pen?

On the pen cap, the engraved the word Porsche Design.

This special edition pen comes with a solid aluminium paperweight finished in matt black with PVD coating as shown in the first picture.

Parker Duofold Senior Red Limited Edition

2011-05-19T00:20:00.002+08:00

After the Blue comes the Red. As our friends know that Red is favor color, hence, we feel that the Parker Duofold Senior Red LE is prettier pen as compare to the previous, Parker Duofold Senior Blue Limited Edition.

The Parker Senior styling is similar to Parker Duofold Senior Blue Limited Edition. It has the same type of nickel palladium plated trimming.

Instead of the "dependable" blue and "classic" grey color play, the new Senior uses the "exciting" red to increase to increase enthusiasm of the Parker Duofold.

Well! We think it does give the effect ... the pen was added to our collection.

Here is a few pictures of the Mr. and Mrs. Parker Duofold Seniors.

The side view from Mrs. Parker Duofold Senior Red.

The beautiful Parker Duofold Senior pen barrel.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker Duofold Senior laying side by side.

From the top.

Both Parker Duofold Senior Blue and Red Limited Edition have the same type of nib. They are no decorated.

The Parker Duofold Senior Red Limited Edition is limited 1000 pieces worldwide.

Caran d'Ache Buddha Limited Edition

2011-05-17T05:55:00.003+08:00

These Buddha pictures were taken last year when my family visited Hong Kong.

After 20 mins of cable car ride, we got to the foot of the Buddha statute. Today is Vesak day (韦塞节, 佛诞) in Singapore, but not in Hong Kong or other part of Asia.

I wish all our Buddhist friend a Happy Vesak Day.

Vesak day is a Buddhist holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the historical Shakyamuni Gautam Buddha.

As there are diverse Buddhist cultures around the world, Vesak day is celebrated on different days by different traditions. Chinese Mahayana Buddhist celebrates the Vesak Day on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month while the Theravada Buddhist celebrates Vesak on the on the full moon Uposatha day.

The Vesak reminded me of a Caran d'Ache fountain pen launched in 2007. It is the Caran d'Ache Buhhda Limited Edition.

Caran d'Ache Buddha Limited Edition was created in collaboration with the Swiss Jeweller Edouard Jud, to honour the life of Lord Buddha, a major figure in both the Indian and Chinese spiritual life.

This sterling silver fountain pen is decorated with high-relief classic gilded images of Buddha.

The cap top was decorated with a cabochon 1.5 carats emerald of 8.5mm diameter, which to bring good luck to those who possess them, as well as to have great healing powers.

While this might be a very rare limited edition pen, sadly, the bicolor 18k gold nib is not decorated.
The Caran d'Ache Buddha Limied Edition is limied to ten pieces worldwide.

THINK - Bruce Lee Limited Edition

2011-05-14T00:37:00.000+08:00

First there was the Monetegrappa Bruce Lee Limited Edition, which was model after the 1995 Dragon limited edition pen. Here is another Bruce Lee pen to celebrate his seventy birth anniversary, Bruce Lee Limited Edition from THINK.

From a distance, this is a nice pen due to the red and black colour combination. A closer look, the dragon clip make it look like a over price pen.

The cutting and edge is also pooring finished.

The gold plated plastic trim is badly finished. The edges and finishing are just not sharp enough to labelled itself as limited edition.

It comes with steel nib with the "THINK" engraved on it.

On the cap top, it engraved Bruce Lee famous flying kick.

This Bruce Lee fountain pen is limited 888 worldwide.

S.T. Dupont Defi HOPE Japan Limited Edition

2011-05-12T00:01:00.000+08:00

In order to support and help one of the world most important market, S.T. Dupont created the HOPE limited edition to put forward their support for the Japanese.

The Sukara trees is imprinted on Dupont red Defi ballpoint, and finished off with rich lacquer layered on the pen. S.T. Dupont also created a lighter using the same design.

According to S.T. Dupont, all profit (namely 50 euro per product) will be donated, through to France Red Cross, to the Japan Red Cross, as a appreciate for their support.

Namiki Emporer Night Line

2011-05-10T00:12:00.001+08:00

This is one of maki-e pens that didn't get much attention. This is likely due to the fact that most maki-e collectors and users prefer traditional design and theme as compare comptemory design. I think the artisan Yumi-san has capture the beauty of the night excellently using the raden maki-e technique.

It make me feel sun had completed its day tour, and a dark curtain fell over the land. The twinkling spotlights adorning the velvet texture of the night.

The colorful raden on the pen barrel reflect those of the pen cap giving me the feel there is a low and warning gibbous moon hovered tenuously in the quiet night. The street lamp supplying a very dim light to the passerby.

Ah! I could almost feel the cool night wind blowing on my hair.

It bring back a lot of those good memory when we are much younger. Those wild thing that younger do. Those thing when energy is always unlimited, and time since to be always on our side.

As you turn the pen, you will notice the color of the raden changes. The artisan has skillfully make the transition of the color, giving us the feeling that we are walking under the inky canopy.

The pattern on the barrel is the reflection of the cap. It not only give you the feel of walking under the inky canopy, but beside the river.

Gold dust sprinkle on both end of the pen ... representing the shinning star.

This is a silent beauty among the Emporer.

OMAS One Hundred Percent Italy

2011-05-04T08:28:00.003+08:00

One of our local FP user shared this with us. I share it with others. It was uploaded to YouTube by novelli1951.

Pelikan Four Leave Clover Maki-e Fountain Pen

2011-05-01T00:22:00.045+08:00

May 1, the world come togather to celebrate Labor Day. Six days later from today, it will be Singapore 2011 General Election (May 7).

With the Pelikan Four Leaf Clover maki-e limited edition fountain pen, we wish all candidates best of luck in their campaign, and brighter future for my beloved country Singapore.

The four leaf clover is one of the most famous good luck charms. Each individual leaf clover has a specific meaning: fame, wealth, faithful love, and glorious health and are believed to bring good luck.

It was also believe there are four guardian spirits of the direction (north, south, east and west).

Five leaf clover is the rarest. It is believe that the individual parts which are thought to bring love, wealth,health, luck and sucess as well as prosperity and fortune.

The artisan useshis skillful hand painted the clover uses the Kaga Togidahi maki-e technique.

There are many three leaf clovers on the entire pen, but only one five leaf clover and six four leaf clovers.

He uses mother-of-pearl and cut gold work amongst other techniques to create this leaf clover good luck charm.

Like all the previous Pelikan Maki-e Limited Edition, the nib of this pen is also not decorate.

This pen is individually numbered with 88 pieces available worldwide.

Sailor 1911 Profit 30th Anniversary Limited Edition

2011-04-28T00:31:00.002+08:00

Some beauty last for ever, and some are not. The same goes for design. The Sailor Profit fountain pen is one such beauty.

This year (2011) mark the 30th Anniversary since it was introduced to the world back in 1981. The briar wood is selected as the material of choice for this special edition pen. The wood is bright and shiny. It is very hard too and has very high heat resistance and durability.

All these characteristics are similar to those Sailor 1911 Profit pen characterisctics when Sailor company manufacture the pen for the last thirty years.

Briar (root) wood is taken from the root of the white heath tree grown in the Mediterranean coastal regions of Europe. It is called the jewel of wood because of the beauty of the unique spiral grain.

It is the most popular type wood for used for making smoking pipes and knife handles.

Every piece of pen is unique, and not two pen will look alike due to the natural material use.

This beautiful briar (root) wood is limited to worldwide. It is individually numbered.

The 21k gold nib with rhodium plated is decoate with the number "30th".

This Sailor 1911 Profit 30th Anniversary Limited Edition also comes with a standard Sailor black ink bottle with a aniversary label.

It is now available locally.

S.T. Dupont Venus de Milo

2011-04-25T23:25:00.001+08:00

Aphrodite of Milos, better known as the Venus de Milo, is a ancient Greek marble statue and one of the most famous works of ancient Greek Sculpture. It was created between 130 and 100 BC.

This a marble sculpture is slightly larger than life size at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) high. Its arms and original plinth have been lost. It is thought to be the work of Alexandros of Anthios.

The Venus de Milo was discovered by a peasant in 1820, inside a buried niche within the ancient city ruins of Milos, on the Aegean island of Milos (also Melos, or Milo).

The Vénus de Milo statue is created using about 6 grams of 18k white solid gold with Rhodium finishes.

Tournaire goldsmith and solid gold hallmarks on the bottom of the statue.

The column engraving is inspired by the friezes that decorate the buildings in Paris at the end of the French 17th century.

S.T.Dupont brand is engraved on the top of the pen under the dome and on the base.

The writing instrument is made from bronze with a palladium finishes. Each pen and base take shape is hands made. This fountain pen come with Olympio XL nib 18 carats solid gold nib with rhodium decoration.

The pen is set on the magnetic base.

It is limited to 30 pieces worldwide.

Sailor Sakura Special Edition

2011-04-22T00:12:00.006+08:00

This Sailor Sakura is a not for sales item that was given to Japanese "Prisoners of War" in Soviet Union during the WWII.

This group Japanese did not consider themselves as "Prisoners of War" because they voluntarily laid down their arms after the official capitulation of Japan; after the end of the military conflict. They refer themselves as "internees".

Initially, we mistakenly thought this was new flat top Sailor Milky way. See picture below.

Sailor Milly Way, 金彩蒔絵花星座

While the both pens using the same basic design and technique of using the gold or silver dust to create the milky way, the main different is the in between design pattern.

In the Sakura Milky way special edition, raden was used to create cherry blossoms. The entire pens is decorated with cheery blossoms only.

At the cap top, is not Sailor logo.

The only way that we can identify this pen is a Sailor pen is through it nib. It comes with the Sailor 21k gold nib.

The other thing that tell us it is a Sailor is the shape of the ink bottle that come in a special logo on the cap.

Happy Good Friday!

Pilot Vanishing Point Matt Black

2011-04-18T00:18:00.008+08:00

After Parker All Black, here is Pilot, first Japanese brands that offer an "All Black" for it world most popular pen - capless or vanishing point. It is not in glossy finishing, not matt.

The clip and button are all black.

Due to it matt finishing, and no special treatment, it is easily stain with finger print.

Unlike Parker All Black, we would say that the Pilot Matt Black as a 99% all black.

When you push out the nib, the pen transformation itself to imperfect All black pen. This would be a perfect stealth pen if not for the nib.

Rumour has it that that the "kansi" Pilot Singapore only import very limited stock, and there is not plan for second shippment.

It is currently available in Singapore.

Graf Von Faber Castell Pen Of The Year 2010

2011-04-14T00:12:00.074+08:00

The Garf Von Faber Castell “Pen of the Year 2010″ is a high-end writing instrument inspired by the hunting rifles. The first thing that we notice is the beautiful metal inlay on the pen barrel and the color of the precious and beautiful Caucasian walnut wood.

The metal inlay is made from pure gold. The engraver cuts a groove with a dovetail cross-section on the barrel before the hardening process, and set the 24-carat gold inlay work just before the final stage, polishing.

On the opposite site of the pure gold inlay, is the "herringbone" pattern wood carving. The herringbone design is one of the popular and difficult technique used on work engraving.

The Graf Von Faber Castell shared their passions for woods and traditional (wood hardening technique) with the launched of the Pen of the Year 2010. Like all it previous Pen Of the Year, the 2010 contains a mix of precious materials and processes, which gave this high-end writing instrument each unique character; No two pens will be the same.

The pen comes complete with an 18-karat two-tone nib with hand engraved Graf von Faber-Castell. The pen cap is platinum-plated end cap embedded with burnished metal to protect the knob of plunger mechanism.

This beautiful Pen Of the Year 2010 is currently available, and the Graf Von Faber Castell Pen of Year 2011 is coming our way.

S.T Dupont Magic Wishes

2011-04-12T00:12:00.085+08:00

This S.T. Dupont Magic Wishes limited edition is the prelude to the "One Thousand and One Night" Limited Edition which will be released later part of the year.

Addadin and his Magic Lamp is one of the most successfull Disney animation ever make. It is love by people of different ages.

Aladdin and his Magic Lamp tells the story of a young man who was persuaded by sorcerer from the Maghreb to retrieve a magical oil lamp from a booby-trapped magic cave who grant three wishes of the lamp’s owner.

On the pen is a motif depicting a curl of smoke represents the appearance of the genie. The smoke starts from the bottom of the pen and rise up to top of the pen cap.

The curl line was expertly crafted on black lacquer and silver powder was spike within the path of the "smoke" to give the smoke it dimension.

ST Dupont pays homage to the beauty and mystery of this classic fairy tales with this limited edition - "Magic Wishes". Just like the magical oil lamp, we hope all the wishes of our reader will come true in the Year 2011.

Finally, the craftsman finished it off with a rich palladium finishing. S.T. Dupont is one brand that doesn't decorate it nib. It uses the same type of nib as the non-limited edition.

This limited edition consists of a Ligne 2 lighter and three Olympio Large pens: fountain, rollerball and ball point. These items are numbered 888, a lucky number in Asia.

It is available at the all authorized retailers, including major department stores.

Rumours, Rumours ... Sailor 100th Anniversary Limited Edition

2011-04-07T00:12:00.004+08:00

Sailor Company, Japan is 100th this year. They are released two limited edition to mark the 100th milestone.

The Arita is limited to 100 pieces worldwide.

The high grade Mulberry wood pen is limited to 1000 pieces worldwide. The crafted from a mulberry wood from the Island of Mikur Mikurajima, a small Island in the Izu archipelago. The Island is well know for its very rare and precious natural material.

Both the Arita and Mulberry wood pens comes compelted with a 21K solid gold nib which is stamped with the ‘100 Years’ insignia and also shows the ‘anchor’ with special draped chains signifying the 100 years history and the close connection to the sea

It will be available in May 2011.

It is available for pre-order at the local authorized Sailor retailers.

Pelikan Natural Phenomena Eternal Ice

2011-04-04T04:44:00.006+08:00

Pelikan continue to remind us on the beauty of natural and their unforettable moments and foreces of the nature.

This year (2011), they bring us the beauty of Ice - A rock that made from H2O. They called it Eternal Ice.

We like the name as it defined the live of a water - eternal. Water will not go away. We can heat it. It become stream, and rise up to the air. It condenses, and come down as rain.

The ice-blue colored resin barrel is crafted to look like a cracked ice. A close up picture is available at our marketplace.

It is lacquered with high gloss finished metal shaft.

Similar to it previously released of the Natural Phenomena series, the nib is not specially decorated. It uses the M600 standard 18k nib.

The Pelikan logo is screen printed on the pen cap.

The Pelikan Eternal Ice comes in Fountain Pen, Rollerball and ballpoint.

The Pelikan Special Edition Eternal ice is available for sales at our MarketPlace.

Facts and figures
Type of pen Size/Length, Weight
Fountain pen 13.6cm, 33g
Roller Ball 13.6cm, 33g
Ball pen 12.5cm, 32g

Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Ink Blotter Special Edition

2011-04-01T00:31:00.028+08:00

When the digital computer was invented in 1937, it was supposely improve us life.

Today, we save a lot of time using computers - only to find that time is somethig we have less and less of.

A Blue Fluted blotter desinged over 200 years ago may have been the most appropriate now - a gentle reminder to us to enjoy time with family and friends, and the better side of life.

We may be able to meet and communicate on the Net, but the spirit of craftmanship and the gesture of taking time are values which will undoubtedly grow.

The Royal Copenhangen Blue Fluted ink blotter is a work of art which bears the painter's personal signatures on the base.

It is a pieces of art for all those who appreciate the finer thing in fine, and personal ties between people.

Dimension: 7 x 14 xm.

S.T. Dupont Washington - United States Capital

2011-03-29T00:31:00.001+08:00

With the successful of the S.T. Dupont - Tournair partnership, they worked togather again to create the second series of architectural writing instruments, which was inspired by famous monuments all over the world.

The United States Capitol - Washington is the one of the three architectual writing instruments.

Its construction started in September 18, 1793, when George Washington laid the cornerstone.

The Capitol building, is marked by its central dome and two wings, one for each chamber of Congress: the north wing is the Senate chamber and the south wing is the House of Representatives chamber

The dome is the most emblematic & well-known part of the Capitol. It is inspired by the Pantheon in Paris. Its dimensions are impressive : it rises to 289 feet (88 meters) & its diameter reaches 95 feet [29 meters].

The Invalides dome is in white 18 KT solid gold with rhodium finishes. It is about 5 grams.

The column engraving is inspired by the friezes that decorate the buildings in Paris at the end of the French 17th century.

S.T.Dupont brand is engraved on the top of the pen under the dome and on the base.