I could get into all kinds of stuff right now, but I know the thing most of you are checking for is to see who won the Edison Nouveau Premiere Autumn Harvest from last week’s 1000th post giveaway! I had a LOT of entries, over 400, and I was totally blown away by how heartfelt the comments were. It’s food for my soul to keep going and doing this blog for another 1,000 posts ;)
And the winner is:
Mike
Here was Mike’s comment: “Ink Nouveau has not only answered many of my questions and introduced me to many new products, it’s also put a face on the wonderful family behind Goulet Pens. Thank you for all that you do and for the extra work that goes into your excellent customer service and producing worthwhile content for the blog and videos. “
Mike was chosen at random by Random.org after we put everyone’s comments into a spreadsheet and assigned each one a number. So Mike, email me at GouletQA@gouletpens.com to claim your pen :) I’m sorry to everyone else who didn’t win, giveaways like these are fun right up until this point, when I know I’m simultaneously crushing the hopes of over 400 people! Still though, you’re all great sports and I really appreciate your honest comments.
Here are this week’s questions!
 
1) Tom Johnson- email (11:57):
Sweet hack for saving an inked up VP nib unit (follow up to Q&A Episode 47 question 10).
  • demonstration of how to cut up a disposable pipette tip to store inked up VP nibs
2) Benjamin S.- Facebook (15:23):

The Konrad uses the same nib and feed as the Ahab. The Konrad has no breather tube. No pen I own has a breather tube other than the Ahab. What is it supposed to do, and what is your opinion on the idea that the Ahab works better without it?

  • breather tube isn’t essential to use the pen
  • it’s removable
  • necessary if you want to fill the pen all the way (1.9ml instead of 1.7ml)
  • if having flow issues, sometimes helps to remove it
 
3) Winnie U.- Facebook (18:12):

Would you consider selling GP t-shirts like you wore last Q&A? It would be a great way to share your company and a conversation starter with others. Thanks for all you do!

4) Andrew B.- Facebook (20:20):

Your online store is one of the more successful places for inks, and supplies, as well as some great fountain pens: do you plan to ever expand to a physical location, or is that strictly out of the question?

  • not going to happen
  • our company mission statement is “To provide writing enthusiasts with the most personal online shopping experience through comprehensive education, exemplary service, and products we believe in”
5) Andrew B.- Facebook (23:47):

Also, as your catalogue expands, would you ever consider working directly with any nib-meisters (e.g. Mike Masuyama, Pendleton Brown, etc.)?

  • great theory
  • they’re all stinking busy!!!
  • they don’t need our references, but I’d be open to the idea
6) Stephen K.- Facebook (25:04):

Update on Noodler’s Neponset, please.

  • several months out
7) Geralee H.- Facebook (28:20):

Question from a newbie. When inking up your pen, should you shake the ink first, gently stir, or just take it as it sits?

8) Paul S.- Facebook (31:04):

How does a beginner get started? Seems like there are endless possibilities I like to write in bold.

9) Exequiel L.- Facebook (33:23):

Do you have the entire UK series inks by Noodler’s? (Empire Red, Britannia’s Blue Waves, The Sun never Sets, etc.)

  • definitely not, only a narrow selection
  • don’t know the full range
  • we only have the few that Nathan was will to offer us, many are still ongoing exclusives or used dyes that are no longer available (discontinued)
10) Exequiel L.- Facebook (34:37):

Do you think than a italic 1.5 mm is like a music nib? I think so, if there is a good flow and the nib is wet?

  • No, not really
  • 1.5mm is really more of a true stub, more variation between cross/downstroke than music nib
11) Analise A.- Facebook (36:15):

What printer paper do you guys use for the packing slips?

  • HP 24lb LaserJet
  • would use HP 32lb Premium Laser if it weren’t more expensive (this is what I recommend for personal use)
12) Heath C.- Facebook (38:25):

LOVE that new Pilot E95S in Burgundy and Gold! Is there any flex in those gold nibs? Particularly the EF.

  • I’m always careful to throw around the word flex!
  • I wouldn’t say it flexes, but it is springy
  • you can get line variation, about a size or two above
  • don’t go crazy, but it is a fun nib
13) Devvy L.- Facebook (43:47):

I’m going to start writing memory books for my two young children (2 & 4 years old) in Rhodiarama notebooks, to give to them once they’re adults. It’s hard to find evidence of inks that will really last the test of time and that’s exactly what I need them to do–quite honestly a lifetime. What inks would you most recommend? … And my daughter would prefer green if it’s possible. Thanks!

14) Brian H.- Facebook (50:46):

I am currently using a pen with a medium nib for a lot of my writing at school. I write so much that I have to refill my pen at least once every 2 days. Converting to an eyedropper is not an option because of the metal screws and the nib is not able to be switched. So, What can I do to increase the time between refills?

  • you can only use less ink, or put more ink in the pen!
  • if keeping the same nib, same ink capacity, the only thing you can really change is the paper
  • some papers are much more absorbent than others, will soak up more ink
  • probably more hassle changing your paper than is worth just for this purpose
15) Allan B.- Facebook (53:55):

Will we be able to access the ink drop member’s page in October?

16) Carlos Q.- Facebook (56:13):

Hi Brian! I hope everything is good!! so… I have a Edison Nouveau Premiere Winter Edition pen that I have inked up with different inks… however… with some inks there is no nib creep whatsoever… but with other inks there is a whole lot of nib creep… what is going on?

  • it’s the ink!
  • the amount of lubrication varies from one ink to another, the more lubricated (generally) the more it can creep
  • common in more saturated inks, heavier dye content needs to be counteracted with lubricants to ensure proper flow
17) Yan T.- Facebook (59:03):

If there is paper stuck in the middle of the nib, how can I remove it?

Next week’s Q&A will be an open forum again. Be sure to check out old Q&A’s here, and ask any questions you have for next week in the comments below. Have a great week!
Write On,
Brian Goulet