The official blog of Troy LaPlante of Selma, NC. Find more of Troy's online presence at troylaplante.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Wing Sung 3008 Fountain Pen Review
Today I review the Wing Sung 3008 fountain pen. This pen has gotten a lot of attention lately. Is the attention warranted? I will let you know what I think.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Finally back to doing a video. Recent acquisitions, recent experiences, ...
After a hiatus out of necessity because of work, vacation, and family, I finally was able to sit and record a video. I cover a few recent additions, upcoming additions, and where we are going next.
Wednesday, January 03, 2018
By Request: Jinhao 15 Fountain Pen Review
By request, I review the Jinhao model # 15 fountain pen. I used a different nib than came with the pen, however. I used a fude nib (that was given to me by chrisrap52 here on YouTube) instead of the erroneously sent fine nib that came with the pen. On a side note, I tried using a different microphone and was horrified to hear its results. I won't be trying that mic again.
Tuesday, January 02, 2018
Latest acquisitions and shopping advice
Today I cover some of my latest acquisitions, which include several Watermans, some Esterbrooks, Thornton's disposable fountain pens, a Baoer, a Jinhao, Montblanc 221, Monteverde Indicia; I also cover pen storage, ink sample vials, and the use of and lessons learned from wish lists.
Labels:
amazon,
boer,
ebay,
Esterbrook,
fountain pen collecting,
fountain pens,
ink samples,
jinhao,
montblanc,
monteverde,
pen storage,
thorntons,
waterman
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
When your 5-year-old gets on your computer
This is what happens when you are not in your office and your five-year-old knows how to open your webcam software. He has done this more than once.
Friday, December 15, 2017
Aline Kelly's Life Remembered
This is the video that the funeral home provides to the family for the remembrance service and for posterity. They take scanned photos provided to them and produce a simple video in a generic template, but it is nice to have and see. This is what played during the visitation service for Grandma Kelly.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Wednesday, December 06, 2017
Cross 3506 (Century) Fountain Pen Review
Today I review a somewhat vintage Cross 3506 fountain pen in lustrous chrome. For decades I have owned Cross ballpoints and was familiar with the quality of the Cross name. Cross now makes this pen under the Century model name.
Monday, December 04, 2017
PEN MAIL - Vintage Sheaffer Fineline, Waterman Jif, and Hero 91
It is another pen mail day in our household. My wife has been getting a lot of inexpensive Chinese pens from wish.com lately. The one I am showing today just happened to arrive this morning and it was still on my desk, so I am showing that one to you. I also show you the Waterman Jif I got since the last pen mail video. To top it off, I got an old Sheaffer Fineline pen that I was able to restore back to some semblance of glory and working order today.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Homemade Pen Flush for Fountain Pens
I have been asked more than once how to make homemade pen flush rather than purchasing it from an online retailer for $11 per pint. Well, here is the top secret recipe.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Matthew's latest pen mail from viewers Nov. 2017
Matthew wanted to share his latest pen acquisitions that he received from generous viewers of our YouTube channel. He was impatiently waiting for days to get his pens cleaned up, inked, and to be able to do this video together.
The YouTube channel for Grandmia Pens that we mentioned in the video is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMJL--dNIwr7eJRMc2MQ4qg Check out Stef's channel if you have not already, subscribe, and learn from him as I have be able to do.
The YouTube channel for Grandmia Pens that we mentioned in the video is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMJL--dNIwr7eJRMc2MQ4qg Check out Stef's channel if you have not already, subscribe, and learn from him as I have be able to do.
Friday, November 24, 2017
By request: The Platignum No. 5 Studio fountain pen
By viewer request, I am reviewing the Platignum No. 5 Studio fountain pen.
Labels:
fountain pen collecting,
fountain pens,
Platignum
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Jinhao 911 Fountain Pen Review
By viewer request, I am reviewing the Jinhao 911 fountain pen. It is actually a pleasant surprise, so you may want to stay tuned.
Monday, November 20, 2017
J. Herbin Clear Demonstrator Fountain Pen Review
In this video, I review the J. Herbin clear demonstrator fountain pen that I got through massdrop.com.
A Phenomenal Pen Mail Day!
This has been a phenominal pen mail period. We have gotten some Platignum, J. Herbin, Jinhao, and Chren brand pens. Some pens were specially requested by viewers for a review. My son got pen mail from two different viewers, and a video will be forthcoming on that. And to top it off, I got four exquisite Danitrio fountain pens. I am a huge fan of older Danitrio pens and their exquisite detail and quality.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Another Pen Mail Day? Mais Oui!
I share the latest in pen mail that arrived, a Waterman student pen, a Waterman semi-hooded aerometric filler, and a Hero Chinese manufactured pen.
Labels:
fountain pens,
hero,
vintage fountain pens,
waterman,
Wing Sung 590
Thursday, November 09, 2017
Troy's fountain pen nib smoothing technique
In this video, I go through the process that I use from start to finish in smoothing out a fountain pen nib. This is the most requested topic that I am asked to cover in a tutorial video. This video does NOT fully encompass issues like tine alignment (though I touch on it), making a pen write wetter or drier in its ink flow. This tutorial is totally for the purpose of demonstrating the technique that I personally use on every nib smoothing job that I perform from start to finish. It should be noted that the technique that I am using assumes that tine alignment has been checked already. It also assumes a fairly new nib that is in good shape, since that is what I am using in this video. I am using a personal pen that has been in my collection for quite a while but was not a smooth writing pen, hence the reason I chose to use it for the video. I take the pen from a scratchy writer with a few skips to be one that writes smoothly.
Wednesday, November 08, 2017
Yet another pen mail day - Vintage Parker 21 and Wearever button filler ...
I got a vintage Parker 21 and a vintage Wearever button filler fountain pens in today's mail.
Monday, November 06, 2017
Monteverde Monza review and a real life comparison to the Lingmo Lorelei...
As requested by a viewer, I review the new Moneteverde Monza fountain pen and compare it to similar pens on the market like the Jinhao 992 and the Lingmo Lorelei. I compare them side by side, their features, nibs, and writing samples. I will also give you my personal recommendation in looking at all three similar pens.
OMAS, Waterman, Wearever, pen mail, and a new project announcement
I go over pen mail since the last video and tell about an upcoming project that I am working on for pen newbies.
Saturday, November 04, 2017
Jinhao 159 fountain pen review
This was going to be Matthew's solo debut, but he was feeling a little shy about doing it all on his own, so together we review the Jinhao 159 fountain pen.
Friday, November 03, 2017
Waterman Lauréat fountain pen
The latest addition to the Watermen fountain pen family is the Waterman Lauréat. I will also compare the Lauréat to some of its similar slender bodied Waterman siblings. Both the Lauréat and Executive models discussed in the video are no longer in production.
Executive (c. 1976 – c. 1989)
Lauréat (c.1985 – c. 2000)
For more on the Lauréat, you can go to http://dirck.delint.ca/beta/?page_id=5209
Executive (c. 1976 – c. 1989)
Lauréat (c.1985 – c. 2000)
For more on the Lauréat, you can go to http://dirck.delint.ca/beta/?page_id=5209
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Pen mail, pens to arrive, and future video plans
A new package from Anderson Pens arrived with inks, pens, notebooks, and pen repair supplies. I also show a preview of the Waterman C/F addition to the collection.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Vintage Wahl-Eversharp Skyline Review
The vintage Wahl-Eversharp was manufactured between 1941 and 1950. This particular pen has quickly become one of my favorite pens in my entire collection because of its looks and how well it writes.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Aihao 202503 and Uranus fountain pens
In recent pen mail, we got two inexpensive Chinese manufactured fountain pens, the Aihao 202503 and the Uranus (made by Duke). Both are decent writers for the small price paid for them. I have long said that collecting fountain pens does not have to be expensive if you don't want it to be.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Vintage Waterman Crusader
Today I review the vintage Waterman Crusader, second generation, circa 1948 - 1953. I got a second one and refurbished my first one. I compare the two, discuss what I had to do to get them both to optimum performance, and share some details.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Levenger True Writer, Zenzoi, & Jinhao Dragon Pen
Our recent additions to our pen family are an amethyst colored Levenger True Writer, which is a joy to write with, a relatively unknown brand called Zenzoi, which is based in Wyoming but manufactured overseas, and the Jinhao Dragon Pen. Jinhao has really improved their quality and presentation lately.
Labels:
dragon pen,
fountain pen collecting,
fountain pens,
jinhao,
Levenger,
True Writer,
zenzoi
Thursday, October 05, 2017
Waterman Torsade 1970's Vintage Fountain Pen Review
Today I review the Waterman Torsade fountain pen from the 1970's
Monday, October 02, 2017
Pen Mail - 3 Russians, One US Vintage Waterman, & One new German
In today's mail, I got three Soviet Union surplus pens from the Ukraine, another Waterman Commando, and a Schneider pen (my wife's new purchase).
I have already restored the Waterman Commando since getting it today and it writes AWESOME! It was already in great condition and just needed a little polishing and a new sac. Two of the Russian pens have been smoothed out and write well. One is a problem child still and needs more work.
I have already restored the Waterman Commando since getting it today and it writes AWESOME! It was already in great condition and just needed a little polishing and a new sac. Two of the Russian pens have been smoothed out and write well. One is a problem child still and needs more work.
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