His Nibs.com Update --
The Mega arrives
April 23rd, 2006
This was a busy end-of-the-week, with the return of
two favorites from China -- the Haolilai ZHF101 and
the Ouguwen SH2. Speenos are still on back-
order...but I'm hoping! And...
Drum roll please! After months of waiting, the
Monteverde Mega has finally arrived. This is the
newly-designed fountain pen with a rollerball tip! I've
contacted everyone on the waiting list and am
already nearly sold out of my initial order. If I
am sold out by the time you read this, please
let me know if you'd like to be included in Monday's
reorder.
Lai Yee -- Her Nibs to you! -- has created a
number of new T-shirt, framed brush calligraphy and
pillow designs for Mother's Day (including a pillow
that says 'For a pain in the butt' -- in case you're not
that close to your mom). Get your orders in
early please, as her work is all handmade.
Speaking of Mother's Day, I've gotten in a supply of
Monteverde Diva red, heart-shaped boxes again this
year. So, even if you don't want to give mom a
red fountain pen or ballpoint Diva, I can box
one of the many other patterns in the heart-shaped
box.
On the blog...Bob hangs up his pens after a labour of
love (don't correct my spelling, Bob's 'labor' took
place in England!).
Oh, and I've been meaning to mention for some time
Pen Passion (http://www.penpassion.com/ [1]), the website of Mark Bacas.
He's got a neat site focusing on fountain pens -- and
recently, hand-turned ones -- and has also done a
series of podcasts, which are great to listen to.
Check it out...he'll make you feel welcome!
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in this issue
* Haolilai ZHF101
* Ouguwen SH2
* Monteverde MEGA Ink*Ball
* Mother's Day from Lai Yee
* Diva's heart-shaped box
* On the blog...Bob hangs up his pens after a labour of love
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Haolilai ZHF101
Here we have a pen from a Chinese manufacturer
that's coming up with some really terrific designs,
and the ZHF101 fits the bill in a number of ways. This
would be considered as a large or full-sized pen,
measuring a bit over 5-1/2" capped and a full 6-1/4"
posted. When I first saw this pen I was immediately
reminded of a Dunhill-Namiki maki-e pen from the
1930's that I'd seen in the November, 2005 issue of
Pen World magazine.
The subtle use of gold-colored flecks against the
black lacquer background gives a similar appearance
to the gold powder used on Japanese maki-e pens
(which often run into the many thousands of dollars).
It actually has quite a subtle appearance, unless
brought under direct light (as in these photos),
where it sparkles. The classic, modified-torpedo
shape and understated use of gold highlights of clip,
rings and crown (which bears the Haolilai 'opposing
triangles' logo) makes one feel that perhaps they
have acquired a fountain pen from the golden age.
The solid, gracefully-curved clip has a triangular
piece removed near the top, which really adds to the
overall beauty of the pen's design.
Read more here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/zhf101.htm [2]
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Ouguwen SH2
The first thing I thought when I saw this slim, mid-
sized pen (5-3/8" capped, 5-7/8" posted) was that
I'd only be able to use it while wearing a certain polo
shirt, for the clip and cap band are adorned with an
open-mouthed crocodile. Fortunately, these are left-
facing , unlike the more famous logo, so no legal
complications ensue and I can wear anything I like.
The pen is a sleek, black lacquer over brass model,
and comfortably fits any hand. Despite its reptilian
aggressiveness, from a distance it's actually a rather
demure design.
It's when the cap is removed that things get a little
wild!
The pen has a semi-hooded steel nib, in an x-fine
only, and when viewed in profile seems to suggest
the gaping maw of the swamp creature depicted on
its cap band and clip.
How many fountain pens do you have with eyes?
Whether they're cubic zirconium or glass I really
couldn't say, but they definitely add some interest
when you're writing down your shopping list or doing
the crossword puzzle!
More photos here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/ouguwen.htm [3]
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Monteverde MEGA Ink*Ball
I'm just going to tease you here with a quote. Follow
the link to read the whole story on the website.
"For the first time in the history of this magazine
we've dedicated our cover story to a rollerball. And
we are happy to do it because the product in
question represents a true revolution in the writing
world." Paolo Bargossi, PENNA magazine, January
2006
See more here.... - http://www.hisnibs.com/mega.htm [4]
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Mother's Day from Lai Yee
I could hardly resist making this the photo I shared
from Lai Yee's latest work (just don't tell her!). She
has created a number of items that say -- in
Chinese -- "Mom", "Mother" or "I Love Mom", in a
slightly more dignified manner.
Here brush calligraphy can be applied to T-shirts,
framed signs, totes and her handmade pillows. Just
let her know what you'd like -- or ask any questions -
- through the normal orders@hisnibs.com [5] email address.
Oh, and I should mention that she's now also offering
zippered pillow covers without the pillow, for
those who would like to use their own pillows and
save a bit on materials and shipping.
See more... - http://www.hisnibs.com/lai_yee.htm [6]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diva's heart-shaped box
I've laid-in a supply of these boxes for Mother's Day.
Any of the Diva pens -- fountain or ballpoint -- will
fit.
Diva webpage.... - http://www.hisnibs.com/diva.htm [7]
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On the blog...Bob hangs up his pens after a labour of love
"A retired school teacher, who has hand-written the
church electoral roll in Horsted Keynes for the last 20
years, is hanging up his pens.
Bob Cullens, 82, of Highbrook, took up the job of
listing all the names and addresses of parishioners at
St Giles' Church after attending an evening class in
scribe work.
Though his predecessor had typed the list of 130
names, Bob said he got a lot of pleasure from his
writing and every year he re-wrote the document by
hand using a variety of nibs and a pot of ink.
Bob said: 'I was never good at typing, and hand-
written script is one of the things I've always wanted
to do.'"
Read more here... - http://hisnibs.blogspot.com [8]
Regards,
Norman Haase
His Nibs.com
www.hisnibs.com [9]
Blog: http://hisnibs.blogspot.com [10]