Retro 51 x Goldspot Pens Introduce the Coffee Tornado

It's no secret that the Goldspot office has a love affair with coffee. Most mornings, one can smell the first pot being brewed before getting in the door.

So, when we were discussing the design of an exclusive collaboration with Texas-based Retro 1951, we thought an ode to the mighty bean was in order.

Retro 51's Tornado twist-action rollerball pen has rapidly become an iconic writing instrument, with many styles that take on a variety of themes. Cats, zombies, space rockets, baseballs and ugly sweaters were the topics of several recent limited edition Tornadoes. So, why not coffee?

Brewing a Cup of Retro

We approached Retro with a tall (or venti) order. We placed a great deal of trust in their stellar graphics department, who really came through in achieving our vision of a caffeinated Tornado Pen.

The base of the pen's barrel takes its texture and color from the burlap sacks that transport the whole coffee beans. Retro's acid etch technique, combined with a matte finish, achieve this rustic effect.

Icons of coffee beans and espresso cups are imprinted on the textured finish. Coffee terms, written in varying typographic styles, are poured over the beige colored barrel in varying tones of brown. This design will be right at home with your coffee wall decor that may already be adorning your breakfast nook or kitchen.

The antique metal accents, clip and knurled turning mechanism complete the style in a way that is distinctively Retro. An espresso brown disc tops the crown of the pen.

The Ink

The Tornado rollerball includes a short, capless rollerball type refill which has smooth-writing, gel type ink that lasts for some time in a retractable pen. The Tornado pens can also accept Parker-style ballpoint refills, which are available in a wide array of colors, even in gel inks. So, it would be possible to match your Coffee Tornado with a brown or sepia ballpoint cartridge.

Retro x Goldspot Coffee Tornado Packaging (no beans included)

Packaging

As with any special edition Retro pen, the Coffee Tornado received the full treatment with a matching art for the tube packaging. The label has a big mug with the Goldspot logo, along with our website address.

Is It a Limited Edition?

We decided the Coffee Tornado is too good of a pen to limit in number. After all, don't you hate it when the last drop of coffee is gone? We do, too.

So, when this batch of Coffee Tornadoes are sold, we will obtain more. However, our first shipment is limited for the Holidays, and we wouldn't expect the next shipment to arrive until after the New Year. If you're looking to get the Retro 51 Coffee Tornado for yourself or as a gift for Christmas, we would recommend to jump on this as soon as possible so you don't miss out on your hot cup of pen awesomeness.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR RETRO 51 x GOLDSPOT COFFEE TORNADO TODAY

Monkeys, Skyscrapers and Pens, Oh my!

Cross is going all King Kong on us.

Not counting the Star Wars collection, two of AT Cross' flagship limited editions that are slated for 2015/16 involve a Monkey and Skyscrapers, so I couldn't help but combine the two together in my mind, and it makes me smile.

Cross Chinese Zodiac 2016 Year of the Monkey Special Edition

Firstly, the latest release in the Chinese Zodiac Series, the 2016 Year of the Monkey takes the curvaceous, Cross Sauvage body style and compliments it with a decorative engraving of a snub-nosed monkey. Indigenous to the mountainous forests of Southwest China, this majestic, endangered species represents the 9th sign of the Chinese Zodiac. The monkey symbolizes status, magical power and good fortune.

Left to Right : Tibetan Teal & Brushed Platinum Plate

The Year of the Monkey will be offered in two colorways - a vibrant Tibetan Teal lacquer with gold plated appointments and a Brushed Platinum Plated silver, also with gold trim. As you can see in the detail shots, both finishes appear to have a textured feel to the barrel and cap,. The playful monkey can be seen engraved the full way down the barrel and cap. The engraving is more contrasted in the Teal version, as it is filled / plated in gold to stand out from the blue.

This limited edition collection will be available October 1st and will be offered in 3 modes : twist-action ballpoint pen, selectip rollerball and fountain pen fitted with an 18ct gold nib. Each pen is accompanied by special edition packaging unique to the Year of the Monkey theme.

Cross Peerless Citizen Special Edition

The grandiose Peerless 125 collection is being expanded with a special edition of three finishes that are crafted after architectural motifs related to three major cosmopolitan centers of world culture : London, New York and Tokyo.

The London's 23ct gold plate engraved finish is inspired by the Gothic Revival architecture of London's Elizabeth Tower. New York City is engraved in platinum plate and borrows design elements from the iconic Art Deco of New York's Chrysler Building. Tokyo's steely, satin black takes its design cue from the Neo-Futuristic architecture of Tokyo's Skytree Tower.

From left to right : Tokyo, London, NYC

Each Peerless Citizen has a brilliant Swarovski crystal set in the top of the pen's crown. The city's name and the latitude / longitude of the city are engraved on the ring right below the crystal. This monumental collection is available as either a twist-action ballpoint pen or a fountain pen with an 18ct gold nib. Coming February 2016.

Do you collect the Cross Chinese Zodiac pens? Are you excited for this new Year of the Monkey edition? Have you tried the Peerless? Let us know if you're excited about these new pens from Cross. If you would like to place a pre-order, be sure to call us at 800-963-7367. If you would like to be notified when these pens will become available on our website, please SIGN UP for our E-MAIL NEWSLETTER LIST.

Pelikan Stola III Collection Preview

Coming soon from Germany, the Pelikan Stola III is a new line of professional writing instruments that rivals the Lamy AL-Star and Pilot Metropolitan in contemporary style and affordable luxury.

Did I miss the Stola I & II? What was it about?
The Stola III is part of a trilogy of pen designs from Pelikan that are similar in model with some minor design differences. Chartpak, Pelikan's US distributor, is only going to bring in the Stola III at this time to test the market. Although Pelikan's website does have information and images of Stola I & Stola II for you to check out, we're going to focus on the third act, since that is the one we are going to have in our hands shortly.

Acting as an entry-level point for emerging professionals and students who are looking for a high-quality and sharp-looking writing instrument, the Stola III has the weight, finish and writing quality to compete with other well-known pens in the $30-$45 price range.

The Stola style has an elegant, contemporary look. Sleek, polished and well-designed with a high-degree of utility in mind. Multiple layers of silver coating give the impression of a metallic, automotive paint finish. The black, stainless steel clip is outlined in the shape of the iconic Pelikan beak with a modern twist. The pen's cap sits flush with the barrel, creating a streamlined look to the pen body. The rounded, black end of the barrel has an "Apple"-esque flair.

The Stola III Fountain Pen

The Stola has a significant weight in hand that feels more luxurious, thanks to a brass-lined barrel and front section.  The fountain pen comes with an ink cartridge to start, but also accepts a Pelikan converter (sold separately). The German-made, stainless steel nib writes fluidly and smoothly from the get-go, with excellent flow. The Stola III is only available in medium point, which is the most common nib size for fountain pen newbies.

The snap cap fits securely over the front end when the pen is capped. The cap itself is made from aluminum, and doesn't add much weight when posting it to the backend of the pen while writing. Posting the cap is a tad difficult, as you have to be quite forceful to get a secure fit.

Fountain Pen Specifications : 4.625" length open, 5.313" closed, 6.188" cap posted, 0.438" width at thickest point, 1.2oz, 0.375" diameter at section.

The Stola III Rollerball Pen

With the free-flowing, Pelikan rollerball ink cartridge installed, the Stola rollerball provides a smooth and liquid writing experience. Similar to the fountain pen, the rollerball also has a brass-lined barrel and front section to give forward weight-in-hand while the cap is a lighter aluminum. The cap snaps over the front send with a satisfying CLICK between writing sessions.

Rollerball Pen Specifications : 4.625" length open, 5.313" closed, 6.25" cap posted, 0.438" width at thickest point, 1.2oz, 0.375" diameter at section.

Pelikan Stola III Ballpen - I am not a hand model :-)

The Stola III Ballpoint Pen

The twist-action ballpen has a unique design characteristic in the front end grip area. The section flares out to 0.438" in diameter, which provides finer balance and more comfort for your grip. The Pelikan ballpoint refill that is included can be replaced with any Parker-style type ballpoint or gel ink refill, which makes it very easy to find refills for your pen, since you aren't tied down to a particular manufacturer.

Ballpoint Pen Specifications : 5.438" length open, 5.313" closed, 0.438" width at thickest point (grip section), 0.9oz.

Comparing the Stola III with the Lamy AL-Star & Pilot Metro Fountain Pens

It is hard not to immediately want to compare this new Pelikan model up against some of its tried and true competitors that dominate the entry level pen arena. The closest analog (especially since it's also made in Germany) is the Lamy AL-Star. The aluminum-bodied AL-Star has a more utilitarian look, as most Lamy pens are designed in the Bauhaus style. It is also larger in size, as you can see from the comparison photo above.  The brass-lined Stola fountain pen is 55% heavier than the AL-Star at 1.2oz versus 0.77oz. The retail price points are nearly the same, with the Stola winning out by a few dollars less than the AL-Star.

The Japanese-made Pilot Metropolitan is similar to the Pelikan Stola III in its streamlined profile, sleek design, metallic barrel and black front sections. The Metro fountain pen is lighter by a third of an ounce, while being only slightly longer. The Metro comes with a converter to start with and is priced under $20, which is half the price of the Stola. However, I felt (and this is my opinion) that the nib on the Pelikan was much smoother than the Metro.

I can see the Stola III being a great option for an entry-level Pelikan that has more style and elegance than a kid-friendly Pelikano. Will it be in the conversation for "best beginner fountain pens?" One could certainly argue that such a well respected fine writing brand like Pelikan should have their name in the mix, but only time will tell. One thing I would suggest for Pelikan is to offer this pen in multiple nib sizes.

The Stola III ballpoint is really intriguing and I think will be a pleasant surprise for Pelikan fans and those who need a solid, everyday carry ballpen. The engorged front grip area and brass-lined barrel is great to experience and comfortable to hold.

We expect to have the Pelikan Stola III line available within the next few months. If you would like to be notified of when these pens will be available for sale on our website, please SIGN UP to our E-MAIL NEWSLETTER to be the first to know.

Expecting Parker's Great Expectations New 2015 Sonnet Collection

It's been a while since we've seen something new and refreshing from the illustrious Parker Pen brand. 2015 seems to be the year that they begin to head in a new direction with the Parker Sonnet Great Expectations Special Edition.

Finally, Something "New" from Parker

The past two years have cultivated a sense of revival within the brand's aesthetic motif. During that time, the Duofold line added 3 colors based upon historical favorites like the "Big Red." Parker's IM & Urban lines added a "Vacumatic" set of colors that took its design cue from the layered, pearled striping of the Vacumatic pens initially released in the 1940's. Since the introduction of the Parker Ingenuity 5th mode in 2011, there really hasn't been anything "new" to talk about within the brand.

Until now.

The Parker Sonnet line is expanding with the "Great Expectations" Editions of contemporary design pens. The model itself is the same, reliable, balanced - yet weighted pen profile that many writers enjoy as an everyday luxury pen.

The core Sonnet line features classic color combinations - black & gold, black & silver, stainless steel and a red with gold trim. The "Premium" line of Sonnets become more adventurous with grid patterned designs, sterling silver pens, rose gold and pearl white. Parker's new Great Expectations designs seem to fit more with the higher-end, premium models, featuring some stylish, yet sophisticated designs.

The aesthetics of the pen finishes are a departure from the conservative, appearing more European in the fashionable and stylish sense. Each design combines an unconventional color or pattern with the traditional to create a contrast within the pen's appearance.

Parker Sonnet Great Expectations Lineup

Parker's preview of the line includes six finishes :

• Sonnet Contort Purple Cisele - Plum violet cap and front section paired with an ivory pearl barrel. Cap is patterned with a rose gold grid and complimented with rose gold trim and clip.
• Sonnet Subtle Pearl and Grey - Pearl grey cap and front section paired with an ivory barrel. Trimmed in rose gold with a rose gold Parker arrow clip.
• Sonnet Secret Black Shell - Matte black cap and barrel with a dark ruthenium grey trims and clip. The metal front section is patterned with a herringbone engraving.
• Sonnet Subtle Big Red - Glossy black lacquer cap, barrel and section with an anodized red cap band and trim ring toward the front section.
• Sonnet Contort Black Cisele - Matte black barrel and cap with silver trim and grid-patterned cap design. Silver metal front section on the fountain pen and rollerball.
• Sonnet Secret Blue Shell - Blue lacquered cap and barrel with silver trim and clip. Front section on the rollerball and fountain pen have a thatch patterned metal section.

Each pen color and design combination have a distinct look and personality unique to each style. The "Contort Cisele" styles seem to be the most high-end and distinguished.  The Black Shell and Blue Shell are more conservative, with exception to the front section of the rollerball and fountain pen. I'm drawing the conclusion that the "Secret" is in reference to the intricately engraved section that would be revealed when the cap is removed. The Subtle Pearl and Grey and Subtle Big Red utilize interesting color combinations to create an elegant and professional-looking look.

Since we have yet to receive definite information here in the States regarding this collection, some of the details may change and we may not see all six finishes here in the states. As it has happened in the Past with Parker, some pen variations were kept only to the European market. We'll update our blog when the pens are released to reflect the pens will be available to the US market. **EDIT** 10/06/2015 - All 6 finishes are available in the USA.

I know many fountain pen fans will be wondering about the nib. The nibs are crafted with 18kt solid gold that is either plated in gold, ruthenium or rose gold to match the trims of the pen. The rollerballs will use the standard Parker rollerball cartridge and the twist-ballpoint pens will use the ever-popular Parker-style ballpoint pen refill.

These designs are certainly intriguing and call for another look at the modern Parker brand. We hope that this is just the beginning and Parker returns to its roots as an innovating company that creates a fine writing instrument with mass appeal that is both affordable and durable. What do you think about these new designs? Looking forward to ordering them or seeing them in the flesh? Or do you think that this is just another re-hash of the same product?

#WriteitWednesday Bottom's Up!

Sorry if you missed us last week. We had missed putting the Write it Wednesday announcement on the blog. Hopefully, you'll forgive us this week, as we share a drink together. This week's #WriteitWednesday activity is to write/draw your favorite beverage. What liquid fills your soul with contentment and utter joy?

Share the pic of your entry on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #writeitwednesday and mention @goldspotpens to make sure we see it! You may also opt to e-mail us the picture at social@goldspot.com.

Deadline for entries will be Friday at 10:00am Eastern US Time. We will randomly select a winner on Friday at 12 Noon.

This Week's Prize

Our giveaway item this week is also our Weekly Dip that is the pen featured in the Write it Wednesday photo - the Aurora Style Paprika Red Rollerball Pen. (Retail Value $85) Smooth writing, Italian made writing instruments always make great give-aways!

About #WriteitWednesday

Each Wednesday, we run a new social giveaway challenge with a different giveaway prize every week. Anyone around the world with an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or E-mail account can enter. Once the entries have been collected and the deadline has passed, we randomly select one of the entries as the winner of the giveaway and send the prize accordingly.

No purchase is necessary to enter the #writeitwednesday giveaway. Those who enter the contest via social media may have their images shared by Goldspot on this blog or on Goldspot's Social media accounts. The winner will have 1 week to contact us by e-mail to claim their prize. If the prize is unclaimed, it will be used in a future giveaway.

This Just In - Hot Retro 51 Summer Pen Releases

This summer, Retro 1951 is making a splash with its new editions, including a limited sterling silver pen and a special, numbered Tornado to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company.

Vintage Metalsmith Tornado Juliet
Retro 51 has fallen in love with designs that give the feeling of antique or rustic quality. The Juliet gives the impression of a tree design with a heart and arrow going through it, as if it were scrawled by a star-crossed lover. It would be a neat idea if a couple wanted to have their initials engraved in the center of the heart.

Big Shot Blue Agave
The Retro 51 Big Shot offers a thickness and weight superior to the Tornado, while keeping the same tapered profile and function. The Blue Agave has a pleasing matte blue finish with a dimpled diamond pattern that wraps around the V-Shaped profile.

Tornado Snapper Black Cherry
Click - Click. The Snapper looks similar to the original Tornado, but the knurled crown atop the pen is click-action instead of twist. An easy flow 9000 ballpoint refill is installed for long writing sessions. The Black Cherry is a glossy, red-black color that is rich and subtle.

Tornado EXT Fountain Pen Marlin
Truly the most appropriate summer color of the bunch, the Marlin was recently released as a Tornado rollerball and now is available as a fountain pen that uses both international-sized ink cartridges or a converter for bottled ink (included). The swirling blue acrylic is deep and undulating like the open ocean. The stainless steel nib, available in medium point only, is reliable and provides a smooth, flowing line.

Big Shot Natural Titanium
Made with recreational grade Titanium, this generously-sized rollerball pen has a solid feel of metal in-hand. The silver accents are done with rhodium plating on the clip and trim.

Tornado 25th Anniversary
Numbered, but not limited, this commemorative Tornado marks the 25th year of the Retro 51 brand with an acid etched, repeating pattern of "25" that wraps around the entire barrel. The design is plated in a stonewashed pewter finish to give the material a vintage look. The clip and trims are plated in gleaming rhodium silver.

Tornado Limited Edition Sterling Silver
Retro 51 took Tornadoes to the next level with this beautiful, lined, .925 sterling silver finish barrel. These are numbered and limited to 180 pieces. Contrary to other Retro 51 pens' packaging, this special Tornado is packaged in a Piano lacquered wood gift box, complete with a polishing cloth to keep that silver finish gleaming.

As of this posting, we have all of these Summer 2015 Retro 51 styles available and in-stock. Some, including the Limited Edition Sterling Silver rollerball, will be limited in inventory, so be sure to get your order in ASAP to guarantee a piece for your collection.

First Look : Waterman Ombres et Lumieres Special Edition

Waterman, Paris introduces the 2015 special edition Ombres et Lumieres to follow up their 2014 Blue Obsession line extensions of their most popular pen models. This time around, the Carene, Perspective, Expert III and Hemisphere get a noir makeover inspired by the chic Parisian fashion trends that focus on the interaction of light and shadow.

The glossy black lacquer seems to dissolve into the matte white, silkscreened with dots that scatter down the end of the pen. It can remind one of the glittering lights of Paris against the dark or the bright lights reflecting on the rippling waters of the river Siene.

The Ombres et Lumieres is an elegant and tasteful finish that fits well with Waterman's European fashion sensibilities.

The Carene Ombres et Lumieres is the lone fountain pen in the group that sports an 18k solid gold nib in either medium or fine and is rhodium plated to match the palladium silver finished trims.
All other fountain pens in the collection use a stainless steel nib. Nibs will be available in fine or medium point sizes and fill using ink cartridges or converter.

Matching ballpen and rollerball pens are also available in every Ombres et Lumieres model. Each pen is gift boxed and wrapped with an exclusive themed sleeve.

The arrival timeline for the Ombres et Lumieres is early April. We will be adding them to the current Waterman lines on our website and will accept pre-orders soon.

---Edit : May 29th, 2015 - Ombres et Lumieres is now available and we have stock on sale at Goldspot Pens.

ACME Studios Spring Social Giveaway

We're so over the winter. After coming back from another snow day, we're looking to create positive thoughts to bring Spring closer. This week's social giveaway, we've got a fresh, colorful pen up for grabs.

Karim Rashid has made his mark on several ACME pen designs. His "Angles" Pen is reminiscent of Tetris pieces with a bubblegum pink color scheme. Even if pink isn't your cup of tea, you can always gift it to a lover of pink, we all know someone.

We're changing up the Social giveaway a bit and are using Rafflecopter to keep track of all the entries. You earn "points" on multiple entries. Check it out below. This is new to us, so if you're having problems with entering, please let us know in the comments below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deadline for entries is Tuesday, March 17th.

Legal Fine Print

No purchase is required to participate in the ACME Studios Giveaway. Giveaway winners have 30 days to contact us to claim their prize. If Goldspot Pens is not contacted within 30 days, prize will be offered up in subsequent giveaway.

Get them Before they Pop Off the Shelves - Retro 51 Bandit Tornado Pens

The latest Limited Edition from Retro 1951 is the Bandit Popper. Each of the three colorful bandana design pens are limited to 300 pieces worldwide. The Popper Editions sell out very quickly, and we do have a limited supply, so be sure to spur your horse and get to buying one of these pens before they vanish into the desert, partner.

Retro 51 Tornado pens are refillable using either the short Schmidt capless rollerball style refill (P8126) or the Parker-Style Ballpoint/Gel refill. Be sure to stock up on your refills and save on volume purchases using our sister website, RefillFinder.com, where we offer refills for the Tornado and thousands of other pens, including bottled inks and Filofax refills.

Sneak Peek at New Parker & Waterman Pens for 2014

In 2014, Parker & Waterman, both owned by the Newell Rubbermaid Company, are both not looking to shake the boat this year with all new pen designs or innovative writing modes. What we have this year is a simple add-on of color in several Waterman Designs and the Parker Jotter.

Harkening to the brand's blue color scheme and style, Waterman is offering all of their popular, upscale lines of Hemisphere, Expert Deluxe, Carene Deluxe and Perspective in a rich, cobalt blue.

Last year, Parker had released a set of colorful Jotters for their 125th Anniversary. This year, we see another set of colors in white, hot pink, fluorescent orange and teal. True to the jotter design, the top section with clip and clicker are all brushed metal while the color barrel is plastic.

We expect to have inventory of these new pens by the end of April. We will have them available for pre-order soon on the website and you can sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know. Thoughts? Feel free to share your comments below or tweet us @goldspotpens.

Goldspot Social Giveaway of an Aurora Style Rollerball

Lucky for you, March's newsletter giveaway prize went unclaimed!

That means everyone with a twitter or facebook account can now enter this giveaway! The odds are certainly now in your favor to win this Aurora Style Paprika Resin Rollerball Pen ($75 retail value).

Here is How to Enter (no purchase necessary) :

1. Click over to our page on Facebook or Twitter. 
2. Find the link to this giveaway post.  It should be the most recent link.
3. "Like" or Re-Tweet the link.

...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, April 9th at 2p ET.

We will contact the winner directly through either Facebook or Twitter to obtain the shipping information and send out your Aurora Rollerball Pen!

Your #2 is Always Kept Sharp with this ACME Pen

From ACME Studios in Hawaii, we are excited to welcome a new addition to the ever-popular, whimsical #2 Pen. Now, with the retractable, twist-action rollerball pen and mechnical pencil, you can write your #2 in a click-top ballpoint pen!

Produced by ACME Pens, here is a video of the #2 line, including the new ballpoint.


Available to ship in time for Father's Day and Graduation (May 2014). Just imagine giving your graduate, who aspires to become a teacher, a nice pen that looks like a gratuitous, yellow #2 pencil. It's a perfect, fun gift for all ages!

Coming this Halloween - Montegrappa Skull Pens

] Whether you're into Ed Hardy, Harley Davidsons or the macabre themes of Halloween, the new Montegrappa Fortuna Skull Pen Design should be right up your alley. Due to arrive right around All Hallow's Eve, this Montegrappa pen gets dressed up with a pattern of engraved skulls around the acrylic resin barrel of the pen, and a large skull emblazoned on the top cap portion, positioned 180 degrees from the location of the clip. The cap band, trim and clip are all dark gunmetal colored to match the "black" theme of the pen.

The Montegrappa Fortuna Skulls design will be available in three standard modes : twist-ballpoint pen, screw-off capped rollerball pen and fountain pen fitted with a black, stainless steel nib that fills via cartridge converter.

We were just informed by our Montegrappa US distributor that the prices on these pens will come in significantly less than originally anticipated at the $600 level (fountain pen). Prices are not official yet, but we are being told the price of the fountain will be in the high $300 range, which is far more reasonable.

Sneak Peek at New Parker Pens for Fall 2013

As Summer comes to a close, new colors are usually brought to us by the changing of the leaves.  In the pen world, new colors take the form of new pen designs. Parker has brought to us the first bushel from the harvest with a new extension from their popular and affordable IM and Urban collections.

The Parker IM and Urban collections are known for their contemporary design that honors the prestige of the Parker brand for a new generation of writers. The new Premium extension of the IM and Urban pens accomplish this goal with vibrant color and style. The cap and barrel are finished in anodized aluminum to provide a satin-like tactile feel to the metallic surface. Each color was chosen as an homage to historical Parker Pens.

I'll let our readers guess the names of each of the colors. The hint is each one of them are named after a popular, historical Parker Pen.

These will be available at our store Goldspot.com at the beginning of November. We will begin to add them to the site soon to allow pre-orders.

The Urban Premium will be available as a twist-action ballpoint pen, capped rollerball and fountain pen (in medium point only, stainless steel nib). Prices will range from $37 for the ballpoint, $46 for the rollerball and $60 for the fountain.

The IM Premium will be available as a click-top ballpoint pen, capped rollerball and fountain pen (in medium point only, stainless steel nib). Prices range from $45 for the ballpoint, $57 for the rollerball and $75 for the fountain pen. Prices indicated are MSRP. Final sale prices have yet to be determined.

In case you were wondering, these new finishes engrave fantastically and make great gifts. Below is an example of our laser engraving on the Urban fountain pen.

Sneak Peek at Lamy AL-Star Matte Black

Lamy follows up the release of the AL-Star Pearl with the new Matte Black AL-Star that is estimated to arrive in the US within the next few weeks. With the Pearl being such a quick sell out (fountain pens are all but gone), Lamy looks to satisfy its fans with a black-on-black, "stealth" model of its renown, aluminum bodied AL-Star design.

The AL-Star's black matte aluminum barrel and cap is matched with the black wire clip and a black stainless steel nib fitted to the fountain pen. Each mode has a translucent front section that is signature to the AL-Star collection. Click top ballpoint pen uses the M16 ballpoint refill while the capped rollerball uses the M63 rollerball ink cartridge. The fountain pen is supplied with a Lamy T10 ink cartridge in blue.

Be sure to sign up for our New Pen E-mail Newsletter List to get notified when the AL-Star Black will be available for sale on Goldspot.

Cross C-Series Rollerball Review

Cross is always looking to bridge the high-tech roadster aesthetic with a writing instrument and was extremely successful with the C-Series. Having produced duds like the Autocross ballpen and the Turismo, Cross was coming up light on the masculine pen design until they nailed it with the large, heavy-hitting C-Series rollerball.

The unique feature to the C-Series is that it was the first Cross Pen to feature a twist-action gel ink rollerball. In fact, you can choose between either the Jumbo "Selectip" ballpoint cartridge or the gel ink rollerball cartridge. Of course I needed to try out both for the writing sample below:

 

Since I'm more of a fountain pen guy anyway, the liquid flow of the gel ink refill seemed more of a natural fit. Although the weight does make it feel more like a luxury pen, the balance seems to be a bit back heavy when writing and the faceted chrome tip is not very pleasing to hold either, making the pen more of a looker than a solid writer.

The spring-loaded clip with the hex screw nut detail is a great convenience for those clipping their hefty C-Series to their pocket. After noticing that your posture is now slouching over as you have the pen perched in the shirt pocket, it may be a good idea to store it in a leather pen case instead.

Summary:

• Writing Quality : Heavy back end and chrome grip design does not suit long writing sessions. (grade C-)
• Aesthetic Quality : Certainly a solid pen with great metal trim design and motor-head features. (grade A)
• Utility : Ability to go from ballpen to rollerball is convenient. Spring loaded clip is sturdy and well designed. (grade B+)
• Price : At $100 retail, the C-Series rollerball is a bit on the high end for a Cross Pen. However, compare the size and weight to a typical $40 Cross Century ballpen and you see a significant difference, but it really does not justify the cost.  (grade C)

Final Grade : B
Although the C-Series does appear a grand entry into the world of fine-writing, its lack of everyday writing quality and higher price point make it an average value pen buy.

Winner of Goldspot Aurora Rollerball Giveaway

Congratulations to Michelle C., one of our Facebook Fans, for winning our New Year Giveaway for the Aurora Ipsilon rollerball. She was randomly selected amongst all of the blog comments, facebook feedback and tweets that we've received in the last week.

A big thanks goes out to everyone who entered, "tweeted" or "liked" this giveaway. Keep posted for the next giveaway, which we will be running in the next week or so. If you didn't win, but are still interested in having this pen, pick up your Aurora Ipsilon Rollerball at Goldspot.com today!

Monteverde Invincia Formula Red Carbon Fiber Exclusive Edition

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 $71.95 Carbon Fiber Rollerball Pen $80.95 Carbon Fiber Fountain Pen $89.95

Forms and Fountain Pens

With the 2010 Census stuffed in mail boxes around the US and dutiful taxpayers filing their taxes (for better or worse), Americans are filling out important forms this month. As a retailer of fine-writing goods, we often get the question of which type of pen is best for the job? Forms can be tricky, so pay careful attention to the type of form you are writing on before whipping out a Lamy Safari with Fiesta Red ink. The Census, for example, clearly says to write in only blue or black ink. Would Blue-Black be acceptable? Do you want to invite the census workers to call you out on it? The main purpose of using blue or black ink is to provide the most contrast against the white paper. Especially when photocopied or electronically scanned, lighter colors will not show up as clearly. Another thing you want to look for is if the form has a carbon (or carbon-less) copy attached. The carbon copy needs enough pressure exerted by the tip of the pen on the top form in order to make an impression on the bottom copy. Fountain pens and rollerball pens are generally not recommended for these types of forms since the writer is supposed to use little to no force in pressing with the tip or nib. Either your writing will never reach the bottom page or you will snap the tines on your fountain pen nib trying to do so. Any forms or papers that need to be faxed, scanned or e-mailed should be written in a dark ink, but the mode of pen choice is completely up to you. Signatures are usually easier with a rollerball pen or fountain pen. If you're signing many documents a day, you may find yourself with hand cramps if jotting them with a ballpoint pen. However, the utility and convenience of a twist-action or click-top ballpoint pen may come in handy if you're signing on-the-go. Ink color can be a sensitive issue in a business environment. While showing personality and individuality, choosing an ink color other than the standard blue or black can come off as unprofessional and may be looked down upon by your boss and peers. Imagine that your coworker Bernice always hands you phone messages, TPS reports and important memos written in bright pink against white paper. Her eyes might be able to take the punishing onslaught of fuchsia, but you are popping a Tylenol every afternoon for some unknown reason... A good way to tell what ink colors are business appropriate is the same way we observe attire. See what others are using in their pens. Most darker colors are suitable in a casual office environment. Typically, a standard red should only be reserved for those who are editing or grading papers. Since there is such a strong mental connection to the color red as a "warning" or "error," you should refrain from using it when filling out forms or participating in office correspondence. What kind of pens and inks do you use in your day-to-day business writing? Have you experienced any double-takes or refusal to accept a form written in an odd ink color? As always, your feedback is much appreciated!

Review : Tombow Zoom 2000 Rollerball Pen

This special request review comes from Chris C. over on our Facebook Fan page. If you would like to request a review of a product that we carry on our website, please feel free to tweet, comment or post on our Facebook fan wall. The Tombow Zoom 2000 gives me the impression that it is a writing utensil of the future. It looks like the Terminator dropped it on his way back to help John Connor save the world. It has a brushed chrome finish and an unique "spacepod-like" shape. Diamond-like cuts repeat in a pattern along the central band of the barrel. The design is simple, yet extremely intriguing as you turn the pen in the light. The grooved pattern flashes its facets like fine crystal. The smallish cap would be the payload of this futuristic writing missile. It fits very tight on the business end of the pen, ensuring that the liquid rollerball refill will not be dry when you pick it up to write. It posts nicely on the back-end of the pen and doesn't add any significant weight to cause imbalance when writing. Speaking of the weight, although the pen is solid metal, it is lighter in the hand than you would think. However, it does not give the impression of being flimsy or cheap. My only issue with the overall design is the grip. The brushed chrome barrel drops off to create an uncomfortable edge between the front section and the rest of the pen. When holding and writing with it, I feel like my grip is further away from the point than I would prefer. Aside from the slightly awkward grip, writing with "sputnik" is a smooth, enjoyable experience. The Tombow rollerball refill is smooth, rich with a dark line and fine-pointed (also available in extra-fine). If you are used to writing with fountain pens all the time, this is definitely a good alternative. There is a slight amount of bleed-through on Levenger Circa paper, but nothing more than what fountain pen ink would usually produce. Summary:

• Writing Quality : Tombow 05 Fine rollerball ink flows very nicely. The light weight and balance of the pen make it easy to write for longer periods of time. I gripe about the grip, but that could just be me. (grade A-)
• Aesthetic Quality : Very space-age with high-tech appeal. (grade A)
• Utility : The small cap can easily be misplaced. The firm snap of the cap ensures ink refill freshness. Clip is well build and attaches smoothly to the pocket. (grade A-)
• Price : At $100 retail (on sale for $79.95 at Goldspot.com), the bargain would be the Tombow rollerball refills, which we sell for $2.10 each in a variety of colors. Compare that with a Waterman or Parker, which rollerball refills cost $4.70-$5.75 each. (grade B+)

Final Grade : A- If you like the space-age aesthetic and smooth-writing rollerball refill, the Tombow Zoom 2000 should definitely be on your Christmas list for an everyday writing pen.