The Pen Addict

It’s an old school podcast this week, with Field Notes and TWSBI discussion right from the start. Brad then breaks down the new Writewell launch from Good Made Better, plus explains his choices for the updated Top 5 Fountain Pens between $100 and $200.

Hot Takes are the internet’s favorite currency, but are they a thing in the stationery world? Brad and Myke explore what is, and what isn’t, a hot take, and discover-gladly-that we reside in a more lukewarm territory.

In an episode full of fun and surprises, Myke discovers the biggest one right near the end.

Lamy released pictures of their best collaboration yet, so why is Brad upset? He explains, and also discusses new Kaweco builds and collaborations, and the return of Conid. Finally, he breaks down the Top 5 “Next” Fountain Pens list update, recently published on the blog.

It’s Horror Story season! Brad and Myke kick things off with two great stories, and an accidental third that needed to be discussed. Then, Brad breaks down his updated Top 5 Beginner Fountain Pens list.

We discussed the launch of the OKB48 vote last week, and this week, Brad cast his ballot. Brad then attempts to explain a traditional eyedropper mechanism to Myke, with varying levels of success.

The most important election of the year is underway, and that is the pen vote at OKB48! Brad breaks down last years list, updates his Top 5 Pen In The Store list, and digs into his first experiences with a group of freshly inked fountain pens.

New Sailor releases! Paper discontinuations! Weird products! Planner changes! It’s an all the great things episode of The Pen Addict Podcast this week.

Myke is back, and boy do he and Brad have some catching up to do! From all the King’s Pens, to an oddly-placed Naruto experience, they cover it all in this week’s episode.

Brad is joined this week by C.Y. from Tokyo Station Pens and the Tokyo Inklings Podcast. They met in person at the San Francisco Pen Show for the first time a few weeks ago, but it took until C.Y. returned to Japan for Brad to record their conversation. Way to go!

There are always sacrifices when picking the perfect paper for yourself. Brad breaks down how he tests paper, what he looks for, and the pens and pencils he uses to make decisions on what’s good.

Brad is back from the San Francisco Pen Show and has all the tales to tell.

Before Brad heads to the San Francisco Pen Show, we have some important things to discuss. Mainly, Hobonichi’s plan to phase in the new Tomoe River paper in time for 2024 planners. Brad also pen show preps, and then gets help from Myke on how to sort his loose fountain pen nibs.

Brad is on a pen show bender-when will it end? Not for several weeks, at least! Brad has signed up for classes in San Francisco, started updating his Top 5 Pens list, and rails on ink bottle design thanks to an #ASKTPA question. Myke is here, too.

Brad auditioned for not one, but two new jobs this week. What are they, and will he be leaving Myke in the dust? Tune in to find out!

It’s DC Pen Show week-will you be there? Brad and Myke won’t, but that doesn’t stop Brad from being the unofficial hype man for the “Supershow.” What will you find there? Maybe some of the new products we discuss on this episode.

What is the P.A.R.? Brad breaks down the stationery grading system he shares with Pen Addict Members each week, and gives out grades for a few popular products. The show also makes a guest appearance on the most recent Office Ladies podcast, which is the highlight of a lifetime for Brad and Myke.

Do you have a pen type? Can you define it? Is there a single pen that encapsulates your pen type perfectly? Brad explores what he looks for when buying and selling pens in an effort to make the best decision possible.

International. Paper. Standards.

How much Ultem is too much? We aren’t there yet, according to Brad. In fact, he wants more Ultem in his pens and pencils. He and Myke discuss that, plus and interesting Sailor North America release, National Mechanical Pencil Day, and a hopeful conclusion to the TWSBI/Narwhal saga.

What is the ultimate EDC? Could it be the ULTEMate EDC? Brad and Myke discuss a new product from Tactile Turn featuring everybody’s favorite plastic alternative, a wild release from Franklin-Christoph, and Brad’s thoughts on the Kaweco Premium nib after months of use.

Myke is back! Or is he? Brad talks to some person on the other end of the line about all things stationary, including Lamy making some Vista moves, skulls on a stick, and a decade of greatness that culminates in … something else.

Brad is joined this week by April Wu. April, aka Penguins Creative, is an avid traveller, journaler, and stationery junkie. In short, she is one of us! She also works for DESIGNPHIL, the parent company of Traveler’s Company, Plotter, and other well-known stationery brands.

It’s #ASKTPA time! We are long overdue in answering your questions, and in typical Pen Addict fashion, didn’t get to all of them!

We didn’t simply pick one pen this episode, we picked five each. Brad and Myke updated listeners on the current Top 5 Fountain pens, and Brad went further, detailing plans for the start of his 100 pens project.