Rumours, Rumours Pelikan Souverän M800 Brown Tortoiseshell

We heard rumours that the Pelikan Souverän M800 in Tortoiseshell Brown will be available locally here by end Jan 2013.

If you are looking for a Pelikan Souverän M800, you might want to consider this special edition as it is both a good writer and collectible.

Pelikan Ginko & Maple Leaves Limited Edition

Every year, Pelikan will released two maki-e limited edition. The Pelikan Maki-e “Ginko & Maple Leaves” Limited Edition is the second maki-e limited edition. Pelikan maki-e artisan Yamazaki-san continue to show case the beauty of Japan with the Pelikan Maki-e "Ginko & Maple Leaves" Limited Edition fountain pen.

In autumn, both the ginko and maple leaves changes their colors. The ginko leaves turn a bright yellow, then fall, sometimes within a short space of time from one to 15 days. The maple will turn orangish red.

Trigger Fountain Pen

We managed to purchase this pen many thanks to our good friend Kite who oraganized a MO for Shawn Newton made pen. This is our first Shawn made to order (MTO) pen. We don't know what to expect from Shawn as this is our first pen.

The finished pen turn out to satisfactorily.

The 18K two tone gold nib was grind to a sharp italic by Shawn.

Namiki Emporer Kylin 麒麟

The Qilin or Kylin (麒麟) is a mythical East Asia creature and one of the important mythological animals. It is believe that the Qilin bring prosperity, serenity, and male offspring

It is also believe that is will appear with the imminent or passing of a wise sage or an illustrious ruler.

Kirin is sometimes listed as one of the four noble animals, along with the Chinese dragon, phoenix and tortoise - instead of the tiger. Like all great rulers, the Chinese believe Qilin is always lonely

It is believe Kylin As a rule this animal is depicted having a few horns, green and blue scaly skin, hooves of a deer, the head of a dragon and a bear's tail.

The appearance and desciption of Qilin/Kirin (麒麟) has change over time.

 It is believed that the original appearance Kirin have the head of a fragon, a body of a tiger, with green and blue scaly skin and a bear's tail due to culture different in the China dynasties, and different culture in Japan and Korea.
One of the believe the Qilin appearance is giraffe like, and giraffe is the modem version of the Qilin which might have the magical power of the kirin.

This may becuase the giraffe has horn-like "ossicones" on its head.

Do you know that the giraffe is called kirin (기린) by the Koreans and kirin (キリン) by the Japanese?

Namiki Emporer is the third Kirin maki-e pens we come acorss. The first two was launched by Dani-Trio and Sailor.

Parker Lady 45

The Parker Lady 45 will not fix the bill for most lady pen in this era. The length of the Parker Lady 45 is just too long

When Parker launched the Model Lday 45 (Parker Lady 45) back in the 1960, it marketing pitch for Parker 45 refilling was as easy as loading the the ubiquitous Colt .45 Peacemaker gun.

Pelikan Raden Kyokko (Sunlight) Limited Edition

After a long wait, Pelikan finally launched the Pelikan Raden Kyokko (Sunlight) Limited Edition, the matching pen for last year Pelikan Gekko (Moonlight) Limited Edition in Souverän M1000.

For the "M1000 Sunlight", Japanese abalone is used. The pictures posted didn't mange to bring out the full beauty of the Pelikan Raden Kyokko (Sunlight) Limited Edition.

If you have the opportunty to look at the actual pen, you will notice the beautiful rainbow color the Japanese abalone. It colors shine right into your face, making one very happy. It is the Pen to start the day.

Hong Kong Pen Shops

It's Decemeber school holiday again. A lot of our friends and their family start to have their holiday. Hong Kong is one of the top ten destination for local. We would like to share with our friends, and visitors the popular pen shops in Hong Kong that we visited in the past.

Maki-e A Story Waiting to be Written

The sign of vivacity growth of maki-e art has inspired Alberto Gerosa to reseach on it and published a new book to help us under this ancient Japanese arts of lacquering, and maki-e technique.

Unlike the "Four Season of Namiki" by Christopher, Alberto focus on the maki-e art, and not brands specify.

This 200 pages book accompanies the reader on a journey of discovery of countless extraordinary fountain pens with  a good representatives maki-e fountain pens from some of the big three Japan pens maker such as Pilot-Namiki, Sailor and Platinum-Nakaya, as well as makers from various corners of the planet. Just to name a few of the big boys, Caran d'Ache, Pelikan, Waterman, Loiminchay and others.

Sailor Kurenai (Sunset) Limited Edition

Nature has always been a good theme for maki-e art.

Sailor uses 'yuuyake', which mean sunset, sunset, twilight, or evening, as theme for thier last 33 pieces limited edition series for the year 2012.

Beside the day break, the sunset is the next most significant moment in a day. A sign that indicate to us the day is coming to an end; the time to let our hair down, rest and reflect on our achivement for the day.

Kyoto urushi artisan Kurotobi-san illustrated an abstract view of this significant moment on the Sailor King of Pen (KOP) in ebonite with gold trim.

Caran d'Arche Buddha Limited Edition 2013

After completing the Indian culture only gods theme, Caran d'Ache and artist Edouard Jud collaborate to revised Buddha theme with a new limited edition.

Unlike the Caran d'Arche Buddha Limited Edition 2007, which is limited to 10 pieces worldwide for each edition, the Buddha Limited Edition 2013 fountain pen is limited to 88 pieces worldwide with each pen individual number.

Beside making many more pieces, the material for the pen and semi precious stone use to crown the pen are all different. Hence, the big different in their price too.

Herbin Marie-Antoinette Ink bottle

Last year (2011), J Herbin commemorate the last queen of France, Marie-Antoinette, by launching perfume bottle look alike, which they called is "Chest" bottle filled with Herbin Rose Cyclamen ink.

Nakaya Pen Clinic Singapore

Hello Singapore!

Nakaya nib master Shinichi Yoshida from Nakaya Japan will be coming to Singapore after a three long years to spice up our little red dot.

Many thanks to Mr. Tan Fong Kum of Aesthetic Bay who invited Shinichi Yoshida for a three (3) days stopped over in Singapore to allow our local and neighouring countries pen lovers to purchase Nakaya and Platinum fountain pens and have it adjusted to one writing style on the spot.

Mr. Shinichi Yoshida will meet and help all Nakaya and Platinum fountain pen owners adjust their nib on the following 3 days.

Sailor Yosegi Zaiku Special Edition Fountain Pen

Yosegi Zaiku (寄木細工) is an unique traditional wood working technique which originated at the end of the Edo era (1603-1868).

The mosaic work is made by making best use of natural fine grains and textures of wood. Timbers of different colors are cut into oblong rods of desired sections.

Pilot Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyō) (般若心経)

The Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyo) is a very common theme of many Japanese and Chinese makers including pens manufacturer.

The latest Pilot Heart Sutra on fountain pen is not their first such project. If we remember correctly, Pilot did a similar project back in the '70.

The full script of the Heart Sutra, which consist of  260 Chinese characters, are beautifully painted on the fountain pen.

Cross 2013 Year of Snake Special Edition

Early bird catches the worm. . .

Cross launhed their Year of Snake Special Edition this month (October). They are the first to launched a Zodiac Snake pen.

Unlike the Year of Dragon Special Edition, the Year of Snake Special Edition is made Cross bigger fountain pen, the Apogee range of fountain pen.

Montegrappa Mayan Calendar Limited Edition

The Montegrappa Mayan Calendar Limited Edition reminded me of the 2009 science fiction disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich. It is a epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

The Mayan Calendar predicts the end of the world on December 21, 2012. The December 21,2012 : Myth or Truth?

The Mayan calendar moves in cycles with the last cycle ending in December 2012. It is often interpreted as "the world will end on 21 December 2012, at 11:11 UTC".  The last day of the Mayan calendar corresponds with the Winter Solstice (or December Solstice), which has played a significant role in many cultures all over the world.

Jac Zagoory Flaming Monks Pen Rest

Recently, we discovered this interest pair of monkey pen rest by Jac Zagoory at Fook Hing Trading, and later discover it was also available City Lux.

It is actually called Flaming Monks pen holder.

Ryan Krusac Studio Mermaid Fountain Pen

New range of fountain pen was launched by Ryan Krusac Studio. It uses brass for all its triming, clip and all visible metal parts. It has other design, but this mermaid fountain pen caught our eye as there are not many pen with mermaid in the market.

OMAS COHIBA Limited Edition

IMPORTANT
We are not promoting Tabacco and products inspired by tabacco bardns. We are against the use of tabacco and smoking.

SMOKING IS NOT COOL. WRITING IS COOL.

Omas continue to launch new fantastic limited edition pens under the "Best Internation Flavour" series. After a successful launched of the Perrier Jouet Limited Edition last year (2011), Omas didn't disappointed us this year (2012).

Cohiba is the flagship brand of Habanos S.A.. The name "Cohiba" is an ancient Taino Indian word for the bunches of tobacco leaves. The leaves for Cohiba cigar are made from five finest leaves  at Vuelta Abajo region.

It was created in 1966 for President Fidel Castro himself and was made at the then top secret but now world famous El Laguito factory. Initially, it was given as a gifts for heads of state and visiting diplomats, but later in was later offer in limited quantities to the open market. Hence, driving up the price doe this famous cigar up.

Rumours, Rumours Namiki Emporer Kylin, and Yukari Royale Parrot with Peach

Namiki will be releasing two new maki-e pen coming November. One EMPEROR maki-e pen titled Kylin, and a Yukari Royal maki-e pen titled Parrot with peach.

The Emporer maki-e pen Kylin look like a hot and upcoming pen like the goldfish. Kylin is a ancient China mythical auspicious beast  which is part deer, part dragon, part ox, part horse and part fish. It is believe to bring good fortune, peace and propserity. In East, you will be able to see Kylin in a lot of the retailer shops and home.

Pelikan Maki-e Unique Collection: No. 10 Samurai

The Namiki Limited Edition 2012 reminded us of the Pelikan Unique Collection number 10, titled Samurai. In our option, this is most beautiful maki-e pen in this year (2012) Pelikan Unique Collection Edition 2012.

Looking at the both pens, we couldn't help but wonder if both maki-e artisan Yamazaki and Kawagaki has a informal tea session over the artwork and theme for both pens before the project was launched.

This is not the first time we noticed such similarity in theme and artwork of maki-e pens by different brands ... sound like the Apple and Samsung smart phone.

Pelikan Maki-e Unique Collection: No. 4 Maki-e Toledo

We are three weeks away behind the first Pelikan Unique Collection pen go up for auction. It is one of the major and interesting event this year. If Pelikan did it successfully, we are sure that the other big Boys will launch a similiar event.

The first time that we feel many collectors might be keen is maki-e Todelo. The Pelikan Todelo is a ICON to the Pelikan fans, and it like a must for them.

The Toledo maki-e pen is the fouth pen in this year Pelikan Unique (ONE) Collection 2012. The idea of using different craft/painting technique to draw Toledo is not unique, but this year (2012) , Pelikan maki-e Toledo Unique Edition 2012 is the first such maki-e pen in the market using the tradition Japanese maki-e.

Sailor Professional Gear Regency Fountain Pen

The Sailor Professional Gear Regency fountain pen is a new additional to the Professional Gear of fountain pen family.

The main feature of this pen is the additional rhodium plated metal wrapping around the pen barrel. The rhodium stripe and barley corn pattern adorn the barrel, giving the pen new sparkle and heft.

Rumours, Rumours Signature Gallery Last Days

It is with heavy heart that we have to bring you this sad news. Signature Gallery located in the central business district is closing it door soon due to the UOB Plaza shopping mall re-development. Till date, they are not able to find a suitable location.

Rather than shipping the pens back to their warehouse, they are offering a few brands at a deep discount. For maki-e fans, you might want to check out their NOS of Dani-Trio which going as high as 60-70% off the retail price.

We understand from their manager that the last day of operation is tentative on September 21, or earlier.

Graf Von Faber Castell Pen Of The Year 2012

When we first saw the Graf Von Faber Castell Pen of the Year 2012, we were have a happy yet sad feeling. We feel sad because inacorrect information was given that Graf Von Faber Castell Pen of the Year 2011 will be the last pen of the Pen Of Year series since it was launched in 2004.

We feel happy as the Graf Von Faber Castell 2012 pen was surprise beautiful even thought was sooooo golden in color.

The combination of gold leaf and ancient wetland oak are perfect. Both materials are well loved by people for decades.

Montegrappa Espressione Fountain Pen

First there is a new range of pens called Memoria. An Italian word which mean memory.

Now, Montegrappa launced their Espressione with a new look and colors.

The first thing that attracted us is the mother-of-pearl resin materials that was used for the pen, and the plating used. Unlike other brand, Montegrappa chose to use rhodium plating, which will maintenace it beauty and shine as look as there is no bad scratch on the trimming.

Event: Fellowship of Fountain Pen Lover August Meet Lucky Draw Winners

Here is the lucky winners of the SFPL August FP meet lucky draw:

Rumours, Rumours Namiki Emporer Limited Edition 2012 Yabusame

Yabusame is traditional japanese mounted archery. It is a yearly ceremony in which archers clad in the hunting outfit of medieval warriors shoot at three targets as they race by on horseback.

The yabusame events are held across Japan and the best known ceremony we know of is the held every September 16 event at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine in Kamakura.

Omas Roma Limited Edition 2012

Omas launched a new collectable fountain pen series called "Le Citta" (The City). They chose Roma (Rome, Italy) as their first city as Rome was the cradle of the Western Civilization, and of the Roman Empire, the biggest in terms of management and quality of the territory with a strong socio-political organization, that laid the foundation for the modern culture. 

This is second time Rome is use as a theme by Omas for a limited edition pen collectable. The first was in the Year 2000 under the Roma 2000 Millennium Limited Edition.

You might have noticed that Omas is also bring back the Ogival shape fountain pen back into production. This Roma Limited Edition 2012 is in Ogival shape too.

Rumours, Rumours Pilot Capless Limited Edition 2012

For all those Pilot Capless fan out there.

The Pilot Capless Limited Edition 2012 has landed!!! It should hit the local retail stores this weekend or early next week.

Pilot bring out the old red and green marble like capless look alike but in black granite glossy finishing and in limited 2012 pieces worldwide.

Pelikan The Unique Collection 2012

Pelikan is following the watch industry with a twist, and taking the lead to bring the 'One' concept into the writing instruments industry, hence, history in the making.

For the first time in writing instruments history, a Pelikan is made eleven individual and a set of unqiue maki-e fountain pens. It will be the ONLY ONE such function pen globally.

These One (Unique) Pelikan maki-e fountain pen will be up for auction in October 2012.

Rumours, Rumours Maki-e World Pens Promotion

Located in a quiet corner of Ubi Avenue 3, there is a little maki-e pen shop which house a good range of Dani Trio maki-e pens. A good one stop shop for the maki-e and hardcore Dani Trio fan.

Starting from August, Maki-e World is having a marketing campaign to promote maki-e pens. They will giving a miniumm of 20% discount from their range of selected.

You can check them out on their web site.

Rumours, Rumours Pelikan Adjusting Price

Pelikan Singapore will be adjusting their price mid-August or early Septemeber. We understand from our souces that the adjustment is to align with the global (U.S.) pricing.

If you plan to purchase Pelikan pen(s), we suggest you visit the local authorized retailers soon.

Have a safe weekend.

ROMAIN JEROME MOON FIGHTER FOUNTAIN PEN

THE ROMAIN JEROME MOON FIGHTERS HAVE LANDED IN SINGAPORE.

Now we can feel and "ride" the actual locally in Singapore. A few of the Moon Fighters landed in Fook Hing Trading some two weeks ago. In our last visited, half of the Moon Fighter has took off.

Romain Jerome is a very young Switerland watch company founded in 2004 who is now renowned for using materials from famours legends to create their watches.

If I remember correctly, the very first materials that Romain Jerome was the rusty steel from the Titanic.

Last Oct (2011), Romain Jerome launched their very first fountain pen, The Moon Fighter. The Moon Fighter cames in three version. The heavy metal, black metal and vintage.

Stipula Netto Ink Filling System

We love the idea of a clean filling system, and Stiupla created just the cool "gadget" for us, the fountain pen users.

Stipula uses the capillary action principle to create this patented ink filling system, which they called it Netto ink filling system.

LOUIS CARTIER TRANSATLANTIQUE WOODEN FOUNTAIN PEN

Louis Cartier recently launched fountain pen under it Transatlatique range of products. The material is not rare Kotibe wood. Regarless, Cartier made this fountain pen as a limited edition of 1847 individual numbered worldwide.

Pelikan Maki-e Limited Edition Fuji And Cranes

Pelikan has almost always hit the right theme for their past maki-e limited edition pens. The maki-e artwork done by the Pelikan maki-e artisan is top notch too. However, it does not directly mean a successful launched of a limited edition pens.

Pelikan has been losing market share for the last few years. In fact, we have not saw a successful Maki-e Limited launched since the HEAVENLY MAIDENS OF DUNHUANG Limited Edition.

This year (2012), we think Pelikan might have found the correct balance between their theme, artwork and price point with their latest launched of their Fuji and Cranes maki-e limited edition.

One can find all the favor and popular motif in the new Pelikan Maki-e Limited Edition 2012 Fuji & Cranes.

Like all  the oriental theme art, the artisan paints not any other number but three cranes which is cherished symbols of long life and good luck.

Mont Blanc Special Edition Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period.

Born in Hamburg Germany, Brahms was a composer and pianist who spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the muscial scene and a influence figure.

Brahms's popularity and influence were considerable, and is sometimes grouped with Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven as one of the Three Bs.

Brahms wrote a number of major works for orchestra,but it was the premiere of A German Requiem, his largest choral work, in Bremen, in 1868, that confirmed Brahms's European reputation that led many to accept of his conquered Beethoven and the symphony.

This year (2012), Mont Blanc pay tribute to this popular and important German composer and pianist Johannes Brahms with thier 2012 Donation Pen Johannes Brahms Special Edition.

Graf Von Faber Castell Intuition Platino Wood

Wood has always been our favor material for almost everything we used in our life style as it always give the feel good warm feel of the mother natural.

When Graf Von Faber Castell uses the platino wood on their Intuition range, we instantly fallen in love with it.

One of the design feature we love about the Faber Castell Intuition design is the section is hidden inside the barrel, making the pen look totally complete; there are no join, and no thread making the design look pure and elegance.

Rumours,Rumours OMAS 360 VINTAGE DLC - Diamond Like Carbon

Diamond Like Carbon or DLC was a PVD coating process that was made popular by the watch industrial started to penetrate the pen industrial last year and not going away.

The first time that Omas uses the PVD coating was in year 2010 when they launched the Lamborghini Limited Edition.

This is not the first time that Omas uses titanium for a pen. Their first time was back in Y2000 when the launched the T2 titanium, an extremely pure Titanium containing 2% oxygen and hydrogen.

Now, Omas combined their two First to  bring the 360 Titanium Collection lives again in the precious 360 Vintage DLC Limited Edition, enriched by the Diamond Like Carbon treatment.

With the married of these two innovation,  the 360 Vintage DLC Limited Edition show a very luxury and sophisticated surface, and its rose gold trim stands out among the All Black fountain pens.

The Omas 360 Vintage DLC comes completed with exclusive engraved 18K gold nib in standard nib sizes of  EF – F – M – B.

The Omas 360 Vintage is individually numbered and is limited o72 pieces: 60 piston filled fountain pens and 12 roller balls.

It will be available locally in July 2012.

Graf von Faber-Castell :: Passion and Precision

OMAS AVENTADOR LAMBORGHINI LE

With so many news about super car, we thought we can also one one to it.

After the successful joined project between Omas and Lamborhhini, last year Omas launched a Orange 360 Automobili Lamborghini Limited Edition Aventador.

Rumours, Rumours SummerHouse Sales Promotion @ Elephant and Coral

Elephant and Coral is having a Summer House Sales Promotoion. The discount go as high as 50% for selected pens, and there are some collectable pens for sales too.

If you are in Orchard Road, why not just drop by at Elephant and Coral to support their Summer House Sales Promotion.

The sale period will be from 1 to 14 June 2012 while stocks last!

Sailor Take-Nuri

Nobuyoshi Nagahara Commemorative Limited Edition is the latest Take-Nuri launched by Sailor Japan Co. While this is a Take-nuri (Bamboo finishing) pen, there are a few differences as compare to the previously launched pens; Take-Nuri LE Series One, and Series Two.

The very most noticable different is the length and color of the Nagahara Commemorative LE as compare to the others

Mont Blanc Alfred Hitchcock Special Edition Ink

Mont Blanc launched the Alfred Hitchcock Speical Edition pen not too long ago. At the same time, they launched a Alfred Hitchcock Special Edition ink too, but ...

We discover this Alfred Hitchcock Special Edition ink was actually not special at all.

Unlike the Mont Blanc Writer Edition Carlo Collidi Ink, which has it specially design ink bottle and packaging, the Alfred Hitchcock does not has the same faith as Carlo Collidi.

Mont Blanc repackage the Ink of Love Special Edition to Alfred Hitchcock Special Edition.

Sailor Giant Panda Limited Edition Fountain Pen

After taking a break for a year from it "88" limited edition, Sailor is back with a new series this year. The lovely Giant Panda kick start the new "88" limited edition series.


There are three lovely panda on this limited edition pen. Three (三, Pinyin: sān, jyutping: saam1) panda were draw, because the chinese sounds of three is similar to the character for "birth" (生, Pinyin: shēng, jyutping: saang1), which we chinese consider as lucky number.