Last Week, we kicked off a new format for our monthly giveaway and, oh boy, did the pen-loving public respond. We had over 100 facebook likes, tweets and comments on our giveaway blog post. I know this may not be a lot to some bloggers with a larger following, but seeing all the nice comments and notes of thanks from all of you really put a smile on our faces.
The lucky winner is @dangold from Twitter. Congrats! We'll be contacting him shortly to get his pen selection and address to send his prize out. This month's awesome pen giveaway is the Goldspot Exclusive Monteverde Invincia Grand Prix Ballpoint Pen, with any choice of color ($95 retail value).
Thanks to everyone for participating! Stay tuned for more updates and our next giveaway shortly.
We've decided to host the monthly giveaway here on our blog. Since most of our subscribers are also fans and followers on social media, we wanted to make the giveaway more interactive and exciting for those who are participating. We will still use our newsletter to inform our e-mail subscribers about the giveaway, but we are going to choose our winner differently.
You have (3) possible entries for this giveaway. One is by simply commenting on this blog post. The second and third entries can be obtained via Facebook and Twitter. If you have an account with either social network, simply find our page (details below) and Like or Re-Tweet the giveaway post link. This month's awesome pen giveaway is the Goldspot Exclusive Monteverde Invincia Grand Prix Ballpoint Pen, your choice of color ($95 retail value). We've recently dropped the price on these excellent collectible pens because, to be honest, we have way too much stock and need to clear the shelves for back to school inventory.
Find the link to this giveaway post. It should be the most recent link.
"Like" or Re-Tweet the link (1 Entry per Twitter and/or Facebook Account).
...and that's it! We'll keep track of all the entries and then choose a fan using a random number generator to select one lucky winner. Deadline for Entries is Wednesday, July 23rd at 2p ET.
We will contact the winner directly through either Facebook or Twitter to obtain the shipping information and send out your Monteverde Invincia Grand Prix Ballpen!
Summer, particularly in the fashion sense, is all about color : Bright and lively hues that match the blooming flowers, green leafed trees and amber sunsets. The new Monteverde Intima Pens for 2013 are offered in a set of four beautiful acrylic colors that compliment the summer color palette. They are now on sale for pre-order on Goldspot with an expected fulfillment of Wednesday, June 19th.
Here are the new colors with their suggested retail prices :
Last year, we introduced our first limited edition set of Monteverde Pens called the Invincia Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is an exclusive collection of racing-inspired pens
available in twist-action ballpen, smooth-writing rollerball and
old-fashioned fountain pen with a black stainless steel nib. It only took us a few months, but we've got our dedicated video reviewer Mike Jones to produce a video of his unboxing and review of the Invincia Grand Prix fountain pen in Laguna Seca Blue.
In this video, we review :
The exclusive Monteverde Invincia Grand Prix white box sleeve.
The Invincia Pen materials, body shape, nib and design.
Included Monteverde fountain pen ink cartridges (2 Black, 2 Blue)
Writing sample text using the supplied black ink cartridge.
Please check it out and feel free to drop a comment to let Mike know what you thought of his video.
Fans of Lamy Pens know that their beloved ballpoint pens are only filled using the Lamy M16 (or M22 in cases of the mini-sized Pico and other mini- or multi- style pens) refill. These types of refills have been traditionally made proprietary by Lamy, Germany, meaning that a common Schmidt or Parker-style refill would not fit inside of a Lamy Safari. That means Lamy fans are at the mercy of the manufacturer when it comes to the available choices of colors, point sizes and *gasp* the prices they set. In comes Monteverde to help by providing an alternative at a lesser cost and more variety.
Based out of California, Monteverde is the largest manufacturer of third-party refills that are made to fit pens like Lamy, Parker, Waterman, Mont Blanc, Pelikan and Sheaffer, to name a few brands. Their Lamy M16 ballpoint refill is engineered with Soft-Roll ballpoint technology, Swiss-made writing tip and low viscosity ink that produces excellent flow and smoothness.
Besides the usual Black and Blue ink colors that Lamy offers, Monteverde opens up the color palette with 8 additional hues, including turquoise, orange and blue-black.
The reputation of the Monteverde M16 refills grows with every piece of feedback we receive from our customers. The consensus has been overwhelmingly positive. Talk of the Monteverde M16 refill outperforming it's OEM competitor is apparent even on Fountain Pen Network. Have you made the switch? Please comment below. We'd love to hear your thoughts.
As shoppers around the globe scramble to the stores and click their way though cyber deals, they are in search of the answer to the age old question, "What should I get for so-and-so?" While the big corporations may want to answer that question for you by pushing the next greatest thing, most people are looking for helpful advice. And, lets face it, you're not going to find anyone helpful at a big box retail chain. Our answer is the Goldspot 2012 Holiday Fine Pen Gift Guide which offers sets of gifts in a variety of price ranges (from $15 to $395) that are geared toward everyone, from fountain pen novice to techie to co-workers.
The 2012 Gift Guide is home to hand-picked suggestions from our staff, combined with research and feedback from our customers. We've combed our website and the 1,000's of fine writing products that we sell to give you the top picks based upon value, quality and popularity. Think we missed one? Feel free to comment below to add your suggestion.
A few highlights from our list include the Namiki Falcon for a fountain pen connoisseur. This unique writing instrument from Japan is one of the few modern fountain pens that has a solid gold nib with a degree of flexibility. See the Falcon in Flight!
We also did not forget about those who need pen & paper to stay organized and manage their busy schedules. We suggest three Filofax lines that are of exceptional value and available in new colors to match the latest in fashion trends.
Whether it be a smartphone, iPad, tablet, Kindle or android device, most people are going to be receiving (or already own) a touchscreen device that takes us a step away from good ol' pen and paper. However, touchscreen devices do not completely replace the tactile preference our brains have for writing things down on paper or using a pen. Think of how difficult it is to use your finger as a paintbrush in the "Draw Something" App. A touchscreen-compatible pen that can write on paper and be used for your mobile devices is a perfect complement gift to any gadget lover. You can go with a stocking stuffer of a Monteverde One Touch Stylus or upgrade to the ultra-modern Invincia Stylus Fountain Pen.
In our research, we've noticed a significant overlap in those who like fine pens and those who like fine automobiles. If you have a person on your list that drools every time a Ferrari passes by, then a Sheaffer Ferrari pen would be a great gift. For a more high-tech, high-octane aesthetic, we offer our exclusive Monteverde Grand Prix collection of limited edition pens in four sporty colors.
If you peruse our Gift Guide and are still stumped, please feel free to contact us through our Help Desk so a customer service representative can assist you with your specific gift needs.
"Pen People" love sharing their addiction with others in hopes to bring more people to the "write" side. And more often than not, it works! When you've converted someone to loving a nice pen, there's a high degree of self-satisfaction, like you've just given an angel its wings. Sometimes, all it takes is one great pen gift, and what better time to get the young hooked than for their graduation.
The key to reaching out to a potential pen acolyte is to aim for smaller transitions (a.k.a. baby steps). What I mean by that is, if you give most non-pen people a fountain pen, they won't think it's working properly because it has no ink in it to start. You may as well have handed them a fork to write with. You need to get an idea of the writing implements they already use and enjoy, building off the qualities they are looking for in a pen to give them a better one that will WOW them. To help you get some ideas on where to start looking for that perfect pen gift, let us offer a few suggestions based upon the person's current "pen personality."
For those who write with disposable bank pens. Just because TD Bank gives away free pens to their customers doesn't mean you have to take one, people! Lightweight, non-refillable and made of cheap translucent plastic, the main appeal for people who use these pens is that they never have to worry about losing their pen since they can get a new one for free. These people are reluctant to buy any valuable pen because they can't trust themselves to take care of it. You have to work them up the ladder of value and give them something inexpensive, but durable and with a better, longer-lasting writing experience. Recommendation : Caran d'Ache Metal Ballpoint Pens
For those who have an iPod, iPhone, iPad and iEverything. Technology has made many of our daily communications easier and more efficient. Still, it has not replaced good ol' analog writing, especially when it comes to the intimacy and warmth that pen on paper gives the writer. Heavy tech users are really hard to convince that their new whiz-bang device is not capable of everything. When you can't beat them, offer them an analog writing device that also assists their digital addiction. Recommendation : Monteverde One Touch Stylus (for iPad, iPhone and other touch screen devices).
For those who think buying a pen over one dollar is pricey. Most college kids are used to living on a shoe-string budget, and look the best dollar value - buying used textbooks, picking up dozens of single subject, wirebound notebooks for two dollars, folders for 20 cents and that 36 pack of Bic ballpoints for a nickel. But, if we applied that type of mentality to everything else in life, we may as well be living in Soviet Russia. As the old adage goes, "You get what you pay for." When the Bic pens run out of ink and the notebooks become ratty and torn from a few weeks stuffed in a backpack, it will be clear that "cheap" is cheap for a reason. People of this mentality need to be shown what a real quality writing experience is all about and that it can still be affordable. Recommendation : Lamy Safari Pens
For those who need a pen with a fuzzy adornment on top. Not much can be done here. Best of luck. (Photo courtesy of movie "Clueless")
This week I am reviewing the Monteverde one touch stylus ballpoint pen. Each pen in this unique series is composed of superb lacquered brass, which your eye cannot manage to ignore. This pen also features stealth black clip and appointments that finish off the simple, yet alluring appearance. This ballpoint/stylus combo is presented in five unique colors (new Gradient Colors just added), leaving you to choose which hue suits your personality. Perhaps the most intriguing part of this pen's physical appearance is the back end, which features a conductive rubber top that can also be used as a stylus on any capacitive touch screens, including my iPod (see below).
I decided to see what this unique pen could do. Loaded with a Monteverde Soft-Roll Parker-style ballpoint refill, this pen soon sat cozily in my hand, hovering over the paper. The push-mechanism is convenient in that one can easily perform the task with a single hand. Possessing precisely the amount of weight needed to make the pen feel well-balanced in the hand, this pen allowed exceptional control while still moving continuously and steadily across the paper. While providing a pleasurable fine writing experience, the pen's attribute that is going to make it a must-have item, especially for those who own touch-screen electronic devices, is the stylus.
Taking out my iPod touch, I decided to test the quality of this unusual pen trait. Flipping the pen over, I was soon astounded at how easy it was to use. Gliding easily along the surface of my iPod, this pen allowed me to play games, check e-mail, and peruse websites as easily as though I was using my finger, but with more control. As I have used my iPod touch for a few years, it is hard not to notice that it is covered with fingerprints that I constantly have to wipe away. Undoubtedly, owners of this pen will not have to deal with this frustrating dilemma.
Summary:
-Writing Quality: Nice weight and shape allow for good control as the pen seems to slide across the page. (Grade A-)
-Aesthetic Quality: Brilliant in its simplicity, the lacquered brass and black appointments make for an high aesthetic appeal. (Grade A-)
-Utility: At 5 3/8 inches long and a weight of 30 grams, this pen is a good size and light enough allow for improved quality in medium to long periods of writing. (Grade A)
-Price: Highly useful as a stylus, in addition to its high quality as a ballpoint pen, this writing instrument is available for only $30.00. (Grade A)
Final Grade: A
This is a pen that surely will flying off the shelves. Not only a fine writing instrument, it also solves the problems of long finger nails, gloves, and finger prints for those who wish to use touch screens. This pen can also improve touchscreen typing accuracy; whereas the larger surface of a finger may hit two keys at once accidentally, this pen will allow people to minimize the mistakes they make. This pen has multiple applications that are sure to be extremely helpful.
We here at Goldspot pride ourselves as a full-service store for writers and those inspired by fine-writing. And as such, instead of reviewing each of these products separately, I decided to review them together, because their qualities compliment each other in ways that our pens and accessories often do.
Story of the Libelle Brass Chromatic
One day a week or so ago, our esteemed manufacturers of Libelle pens sent us a shipment with an unmarked box. It was a Libelle Chromatic ballpoint pen that we had never seen before. We placed an order for one with a silver brushed barrel and brass trim, which have been discontinued. Instead, we got this odd, C3PO-looking fella completely in brass color. After looking through our price lists and inventory, we figured that this must have been a one-off that they never sold to retailers.
A phone call later to Kenro Industries would confirm my suspicion that it was indeed a prototype of a color finish they never put into full production. I already liked the color of the pen and the fact that it is a rare style only made me want to have it more! Gracious as they were for making the shipping error, they let me have it. Couldn't be happier to add to my collection!
The pen has a very interesting texture, weight and feel. The high metal content gives it a nice, sturdy weight. The matte and polished contrast, along with the wire mesh areas build into the barrel really gives this pen a unique identity and tactile feel. The first thing I had to do was change the refill. As an avid fountain pen user, pasty ballpoint ink just doesn't do it for me. So I opted for the next item on this review : a Monteverde Parker-Style Capless Gel ink refill...in BROWN.
Brown, you say? Yes, I chose brown because #1 I can #2 it seemed to be the ideal match for a brass-colored pen. The gel ink writes smooth and evenly, writing like a fine tending toward a medium point (in fountain pen speak). As for the color brown, it is not very saturated as a dark brown, I would even call it a lighter tan-ish brown. I wrote that line, along with the other samples, on a Moleskine large lined journal.
That particular journal has been around with me for the last year or so, even before we started carrying Moleskine (yup, I paid full price for it). I had to see what all the hub-bub was about and needed a journal to replace my previous one that filled up the year before. I already heard about Moleskine's lack of fountain pen friendliness, so it wasn't a surprise to me when some pen and ink permutations permeated through the page and feathered a bit. However, I've found the general rule of thumb to find a good Moleskine-friendly combo is to go with a finer nib and with a lighter colored ink. The expandable pocket in the back is nice for depositing movie ticket stubs, candid photos and cocktail napkins with the phone number from that girl at the bar last night. However, I'm eagerly awaiting the finish of this notebook, as I want to upgrade to a Rhodia Webbie as my next journal of choice for the smoother, higher quality paper.
Putting away the Moleskine, I realized that there has to be a better home for my traveling pens. I have four fountain pens inked at the moment, which is a bit more than usual for me, but some (like the Aurora Optima or the Pelikan m215) never seem to run out soon enough for me to want to try new colors or pens. I usually keep them all in my messenger back, clipped to what used to be a cellphone pouch, but I turned into a perch for my inked pens.
One good turn deserved another, I thought, and purchased my own Libelle Black Leather Zip 10-pen case. In my case (shown below, left to right), I now have the Aurora Optima Auroloide Blue Marble in extra-fine, the Libelle Chromatic Brass ballpen, an ST Dupont Orpheo Palladium fountain pen in fine, Pelikan M215 in blue/black in fine point, a Lamy Safari Blue in extra-fine, a Black Parker Sonnet ballpen and a Parker Executive multi-function. And these are just the pens I have inked at the moment. Each pen is secured by two elastic loops, which are tight, yet stretchy enough to even fit the generously sized Orpheo.
As you can see from the second picture, the felt flap that covers one side of the case protects the pens from clanging into one another when you close the case and zip it shut. The quality of the leather is very good considering the price. The covers are plush, finely grained and supple to the touch. The soft inside material, the flap that goes over the right inside cover and the quality of the sewn elastic bands really makes me feel confident that my pens will be safely transported and kept in great condition.
So, that's the whole story, touching every base while coming back home to the point of fine writing taking over my organizing style, messenger bag and (unfortunately) wallet. Hope you enjoyed and feel free to share your daily arsenal (#dailyarsenal topic on Twitter), including any pen-related accessories that help with your writing or maintenance of your writing instruments.
Voting will be live for 1 week and will close on November 9th at 12:00 AM Eastern Time. Winner will be announced Tuesday on this blog and through our Facebook and Twitter accounts. There is a write-in option if you so please. Remember, have fun!
If you are having any issue with entering an "Other" write in option and it doesn't seem to be going through, you may also leave a comment below with your selection.
Fountain pen lovers are sure to enjoy this little story that happened last weekend at my Brother's wedding.
I'm sure our readers already know how jazzed we were about the new exclusive Monteverde Formula Red pens that just arrived last week. I got one that has my named engraved (in black) on the red cap and could not resist bringing it with me for the weekend up in Jersey City for my Brother's wedding. Somehow, I already lost the converter, but wanted to fill up before I left the office so I took one of my Levenger converters I wasn't using and filled it up with Private Reserve's Burgundy Mist.
After filling the pen, I'm writing with it, making sample entries in both my Moleskine and my Rhodia notebooks to record the color and how it performs in the pen. Very nice. The fine point on the fountain writes more on the extra-fine, much like my Pelikan Fine point does.
I bring the pen with me and decide to include it as an accessory to my tux. I put it in the inside jacket pocket, where I had things like my index cards for the best man speech (which I wrote with the pen), directions on how to drive to the hotel, etc. The morning of the ceremony, the groomsmen and myself were downstairs at the hotel bar (what do you mean they don't serve until after noon on Sundays!?) and we got on the topic of pens.
Everybody knows I work for a pen company and everyone expects me to have a pen on my person, which is partially the reason why I decided to tote a fountain pen. I take it out of my jacket pocket to let the guys take a look. Someone asks me, "is it refillable?" I say, "Of course!" I screw open the front section to reveal the converter that is loaded with Burgundy Mist. "See," I say as I flick the converter with my finger, "it fills with bottled ink."
One of the fellas then points, "Dude, you've got it all over your hands!" Apparently, the connection was loose since I was not using the specific Monteverde converter that came with the pen and ink had been leaking all inside of the barrel and all over the converter. Thankfully, someone pointed it to my attention before I started to put the pen away and touch everything, which would have ruined my Joseph Abboud tux and surely would have cost me a few hundred dollars at the tux rental place.
While my Brother shakes his head and gives me a stack of napkins from the bar, one of the groomsmen asks me, "aren't you supposed to be the pen expert? And you have ink all over your hands?" Ha Ha. We all had a good laugh. I'm now wondering if the photographer caught that I had an inky hand. We shall see.
It's the beginning of the month and you know what that means... Besides the rent/mortgage being due, the Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper is debuts this week over at OfficeSupplyGeek (in rhyming fashion).
Note Booker, Esq did a fine job reviewing the Monteverde Invincia Stealth fountain pen. To show the rich black color of the Stealth (which also happens to be the pen pictured on the left that OfficeSupplyGeek uses), he took several pictures of the pen versus some "black" objects to show the contrast. He even took a picture of the pen on top of his cat. I love a review that is not only thorough, but humorous.
Lady Dandelion has got some of the nicest looking photos of all the fine writing blogs out there. The review on the Lamy 1.1mm italic Safari is no exception. If you love Safari fountain pens, check out the italic nibs for a change.
Lastly, but not leastly, Nancy Olson spotted a promotion graphic of the new Retro 51, Disney licensed Tron pen that is coming out next month in conjunction with the movie release. Retro 51 really struck gold with their licensed pens. Their Harley and Mickey Mouse lines have been leading the way for their brand the last year or so. Would not be surprised to see more editions that are inspired by Disney movies to be released by Retro in the future.
We are officially celebrating the crossing of the 500-fan threshold on our Goldspot Facebook Fan Page with a giveaway and a discount!
The prize will be one (1) of our new, exclusive Monteverde Formula Red ballpoint pens (Retail Value $80). We will randomly select one of our Facebook Fans on Tuesday, September 7th (in observance of Labor Day). We will announce our selection and contact the fan directly for a shipping address.
So, if you're not already a fan of Goldspot on facebook, here is where to find us : http://www.facebook.com/GoldspotPens
For a special Labor Day Discount, please use promo code FALL10 during check out to get FREE UPS shipping for orders of $75 or more (US shipping addresses only). Our free shipping is done through UPS so we can still provide fast, insured and traceable shipping to our customers. This is a limited-time offer that will expire soon.
Good luck and have a great Labor Day Weekend!
Our second big announcement in the last two weeks is the arrival of our very own, Goldspot Exclusive edition of the Monteverde Invincia. Called Formula Red, this red / black design is inspired by high-octane performance racing and sports cars. Available in twist-action ballpoint, rollerball with cap and fountain pen that is fitted with a black, stainless steel nib in fine, medium or broad widths.
The pen is packaged in a deluxe Monteverde gift box, accompanied with the pen refill (fountain pen has package of ink cartridges plus a converter). The outer sleeve is a custom design black and red box that is exclusive only to this series.
Above is an extra shot taken from today's impromptu photo shoot. You can expect the same level of high quality that you've come to know from Monteverde. The regular Invincia collection is their runaway best seller and most popular pen offered by the company. The shape is a classic, Italian-inspired design that is well balanced while offering a nice weight in-hand. Our first shipment is in-stock, but very limited.
Formula Red Exclusive Edition on sale
Carbon Fiber Ballpoint Pen $71.95Carbon Fiber Rollerball Pen $80.95Carbon Fiber Fountain Pen $89.95
Dear Pen Friends,
Wow, the first half of the year has gone by quickly, hasn't it? It doesn't seem long ago that we were shoveling ourselves out of 4 feet of snow. To bring you up to speed on the best, new pen releases this year, here is our Top 5 pens that debuted so far in 2010:
Visconti Homo Sapiens - early front-runner for Pen of the Year, the Homo Sapien, also known as the "Lava Pen," embodies innovation with a rock-solid design that makes for a truly unique writing experience. To see more of why this pen "rocks," check out or Lava Fountain Pen review.
Parker IM / Vector / Urban - This year, Parker is looking to reassert their well-known brand of writing instruments to the general public with their new model designs that fall within the $20 to $60 price range. We've reviewed a few of these pens, which will be posted on the blog this month, and are quite impressed with the value that these pens offer.
Monteverde Prima - Affordable, colorful, well-made and nicely-balanced, the Prima is a great everyday writer that is in tune with a pen addict's budget.
Lamy Studio Platinum Dark Grey - The extremely popular Studio line is always known for its quality in craftsmanship, artistic modern design and sensible price. Each year, it seems, Lamy spawns a limited edition color that is always a hit with pen enthusiasts. Continuing in the tradition of Pearl White, Violet, Bronze and now the Platinum Grey, Lamy never ceases to satisfy their fans. Check out our review of the Stainless Steel Studio and see for yourself why you should probably pick up one of these pens if you don't already own one.
As we get closer to the fall, we are sure to see more releases by the best brands in fine writing including Pelikan, Aurora, Montegrappa, Waterman and Visconti. Stay tuned to our blog and sign up for our e-mail newsletter to keep current on all the new releases.
Upon special request from fellow pen tweeters @Garbonza & @ecram, here is our review of the Monteverde Invincia fountain pen in the new Black Pearl finish.
The Monteverde Invincia collection has been around for a while and continues to be one of the best-selling Monteverde pens that we offer. In late 2009, the Black Pearl finish was released, adding subtle sophistication to the grand, contoured design. It is also the first time the Invincia has a screw-off cap for the fountain pen and rollerball pen models.
The first impression is striking. The Invincia has a large profile (length 5 3/8" capped, 6 1/4" cap posted, ~1/2" diameter) with the "heft" and size found in pens that usually cost over $200. Even the steel nib is big, adorned with an unique Monteverde imprint on the metal.
I'll admit I haven't given Monteverde fountain pens their due and have "written off" (pun intended) any potential in their nibs. I was pleasantly surprised at the smoothness of the nib and the fact that the "medium" standard nib wrote more on the finer side, which I usually prefer. The nib wasn't 100% smooth, but far better than a baseline iridium point, steel nib.
There is a grip gripe I have about the front, chrome section of the pen. As I continued to write, the chrome felt more and more slippery. Forget it if you've got a case of sweaty hands, or just ate a handful of french fries.
So, what is with the Black Pearl finish? Sparkly? No! Imagine a glossy black finish on a car. If you look at it closely, you can see the sheen in the surface. Looks sharp and is much nicer than a plain, flat black.
Summary:
Writing Quality : Large steel nib performs well as a fine-ish medium point. (grade B)
Aesthetic Quality : Large, grand in size and contour. The deep and complex lacquer pairs well with the chrome trim, clip and nib. Design is reminiscent of higher-end Italian-made pens (grade A)
Utility : Chrome front section gets a bit slippery while writing for longer stints. Can be filled by cartridge or converter. (grade B-)
Price : For $80 retail (on sale for $63.95 at Goldspot.com), the Invincia Black Pearl is a great value buy for the luxurious feel of a high-quality writing instrument. (grade A)
Final Grade : B+
The Black Pearl is a sophisticated, yet understated finish that is a great addition to the successful line of Invincia pens. If it weren't for the narrow, slippery front grip section, this pen would have been a top pick.
