Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Postcard from Paris

One of our longtime VPC members (and ink connoisseur), Glenn Marcus, emailed me this photo of an ink he just purchased in Paris while on vacation---the new Caran d'Ache Chromatics INKredible Colours ink in Magnetic Blue.
(click on photo to enlarge)

Glenn was impressed with the colours of these inks, saying they were "intense colours in an interesting bottle". He paid €31 for one bottle, making it one of (if not *the*) most expensive fountain pen inks around, but I know Glenn is very particular about ink, so if he likes it, it must be good :)

According to their website, the Caran d'Ache Chromatics line is "a new collection of ink bottles with 12 colours inspired by the prism. The new Caran d’Ache ink bottles synthesize a unique expertise: the science of colours. Named Chromatics INKredible Colours, the collection uses Caran d’Ache’s colour experience to master the most intense pigments across a spectrum of 12 vibrant, deep shades. From ultramarine blue to luxuriant green, from shimmering orange to passionate red, they give the words a soul and the text a uniquely vibrant style."

Friday, April 18, 2014

April Showers Redux (with photos this time!)

Many thanks to all 18 VPC members (including newcomers Stephanie, Aaron, Adrian, Mavis & Steve) who braved the rain (and traffic tie-ups) to attend last night's meeting. Our theme for April was 'Constant Comment'- Pens that evoke interest/comments whenever you pull them out (which, Bruce explained, was inspired by this tea) .
Bruce started the informal show & tell by showing us his Waterman Charleston, Retro 51 'Double Eight' green marbled special edition and Pelikan M800 fountain pens, which have elicited comments from both pen people & non-pen people alike (bonus points to Bruce for the latter!). Sienca brought a perennial favourite - the fabulous Parker '51', Bob brought a lovely urushi lacquered Dani Trio fountain pen, Anne brought her Cross 'Matrix'- a cool old-style stylus & fountain pen combo, Julienne brought her Platinum President, a very large pen with an incongruously-fine (but very smooth-writing) needlepoint nib, and Joie brought her adorable Sailor Sapporo "Hello Kitty" fountain pen, as well a Waterman Exception Slim in the gorgeous Raspberry colour.
For new acquisitions, Mark brought a stunning vintage OMAS desk set he recently picked up, James showed us his new "sumgai" find---a Montblanc StarWalker pen he found in a pawn shop overseas, and Stuart displayed the newest additions to his budding collection of Lady Sheaffers, as well as a Kaweco "Student" fountain pen. In addition to his oft-commented-on Lamy '2000', Greg brought along some brand-new nylon pen cases by NOCK he recently acquired, including this zippered roll case which had everyone oohing & aahing (because it's such an awesome idea):

NOCK started a Kickstarter campaign and have produced several styles of pen cases. For more info, take a peek at this page.

I brought a few pens (my tiny Sailor Chalana, a Pilot M90 & Pilot Vanishing Point, a Sheaffer Snorkel), including this love-it-or-hate-it Rotring "Core" fountain pen, which is actually a nice writer...it just looks weird :

Our May meeting will be held on Thursday May 15 at our usual venue (Perks pen store at 5844 Cambie Street in Vancouver, BC) from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Theme: To Be Announced. We will be having our twice-annual Ink Swap (bottled ink , ink cartridges and ink samples, too) during our May meeting, so please bring any ink(s) you'd like to trade.