It's a bird! It's a pen! It's the Pilot Falcon!

Pilot Falcon

Color: Red with silver toned trim

 

Specs:

• Description: A lightweight pen with a unique looking semi-flex nib
• Nib: 14kt gold Semi-flex nib
• Material: lightweight resin
• Filling Mechanism: Cartridge / Converter
• Weight: 10 grams uncapped, 19 grams posted
• Measurements: 5.4 inches capped, 5.9 inches posted
• Ink Capacity: .87ml converter 

Appearance & Packaging:

The Falcon was originally produced by Namiki, Pilot's higher end line, the pen is now being produced under the Pilot name which is why you may see it called by either name. The pen's packaging is really nothing special, it comes in a plain pilot gift box which is lined with a soft material to prevent scratching. This plain gift box is nice though because it prevents the cost of the pen going up more just to account for some fancy packaging. The pen itself is rather sleek and classic looking especially if you opt for one of the black resin models which are polished to a deep shine. The bright red model I have is quite nice and really stands out in my collection, the silver toned trim is also a nice contrast to this bright poppy red. The nib itself is quite unique looking and is reminiscent of the nose on the Concorde airliner, the first supersonic commercial air craft. 

The nib design is what gives the pen its name as it is also somewhat resembles the beak of a falcon with the way it is curved and angled down. Other than the nib the pen is pretty low-key and understated with its design, almost like its hiding its most impressive feature that can then be revealed and appreciated at any time.

Nib & Performance:

The nib on this pen that gives it the falcon name is truly something unique and special, the feed for this nib was actually specially developed and made by Pilot to provide this nib with enough ink so that the user didn't have to worry about railroading or skipping. The nib is classified as a semi-flex so while it is flexible you should be careful not to treat it like a full flex and push it too hard or else you will end up springing this pretty soft nib. One thing to note when thinking about a nib size is that the wider the nib size you go with the less flex induced line variation you'll be able to get so if you want something really noticeable go down to an EF or F nib which will give you some really variable lines. The nib I have is the soft broad which as I stated earlier doesn't give as much line variation but is a very wet and consistent broad nib that I've been really enjoying, the flex is comparable to the nib on the Pelikan M800 but is not quite as springy as the M1000 which is much more springy with their Medium resembling something more like a Broad or double Broad. 

This nib has not skipped on me or railroaded on a "full" tank of ink but once the capacity starts getting a little low the pen becomes prone to both those issues so combined with the relatively small capacity of the converter I find I have to fill this pen rather frequently. The one gripe I have with this pen is less to do with the pen as it is to do with the con-40 converter that it comes with. This is the same converter that is in the Pilot vanishing point and in my experience, it's very hard to get a good fill with this converter. I've inked both my Falcon and VP numerous times and am lucky to fill the converter halfway which is annoying because I feel like I'm constantly refilling these things. This problem can be fixed with a snorkel filler which basically allows you to draw from the bottom of the ink bottle in a smaller opening to prevent air getting into the converter instead of ink allowing for a better fill. While this is a somewhat easy fix its just annoying to have to deal with when picking up a new pen.

Pros:

• Interesting and unique nib and feed system
• Good value for a gold nib at around $150

Cons:

• Price increasing by 15% on Sept. 1st
• very light in the hand especially unposted
• Con-40 is hard to get a good fill with
• Competing with other very good "starter" gold nib pens

Price & Conclusion:

The price of this pen puts it in a very difficult spot, especially now that the MSRP is increasing on September 1st from $190 to around $218.5. This price increase puts it even closer to the price of the Lamy 2000, in my opinion, a way better bang for your buck due to the large ink capacity and piston filling system among numerous other reasons and for only $200 compared to the new price tag of the Falcon at around $175. This pen also competes directly with the Pilot vanishing point and custom 92 which are often sighted as the "go-to" gold nibs for beginners. This isn't to say the Pilot Falcon is suddenly not a good pen with this price increase, it just puts it closer to pens that have a little more to offer in terms of unique materials like the Makralon of the Lamy 2000 or higher ink capacities and filling systems. This pen is still a fun choice and interesting introduction to gold flex nibs but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it over the Vanishing Point or the Lamy 2000 simply because those, especially the 2000 have more to offer for roughly the same price. 

    In short, this pen is very interesting and the nib gives it quite a unique look and feel when writing with it but the price increase pushes it to a little more than I would pay for the pen. This pen is a great choice and addition to an established collection due to the unique nib design and performance but I think there are better value pens in this price bracket, that is unless you are looking for a lot of line variation that regular nibs can't offer. Whatever you decide on, make sure to enjoy and keep writing!

-Kyle

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Paper. Whats the Difference? What to choose?

 Introduction:

    Paper has been such a constant in eveybody's life that we tend to forget that not all paper is the same, not just whether its graph, lined, grid, etc. but also the qualities of the paper, how it deals with different pen types, the bleed through, the feathering, dry time and things of this nature. The difference in paper will be most clear when a fountain pen is used so for the sake of the comparison I'll be using the same fountain pen with the same ink on all the different paper in this example. The pen I'll be using is the Lamy 2000 in a medium nib size inked with Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki which I feel are widely popular and an appropriate choice for the sake of this example. The paper brands I'll be comparing are Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Montblanc, Tomoe river, Mnemosyne, and the Write pad. 

Let's meet our competitors:

• Rhodia- Arguably the most accessible brand I'll be comparing is Rhodia as they are available in an abundance of different types of stores, I've even seen them available in art stores and craft stores. The Rhodia brand offers a wide variety of sizes on 80 gsm paper and sometimes even 90 gsm paper however the 80 gsm seems to be more common. In 1997 Rhodia was purchased by Clairfontaine (another brand I'll be comparing later on) but some of the founder's family stayed on with the brand after this purchase, all Rhodia pads are made in France just like in 1932 when the brand was founded and still known as the Verilhac Brothers. 

• Clairefontaine- Another staple of French paper manufacturing is Clairefontaine who, as I mentioned earlier, acquired Rhodia relatively recently in 1997. Clairefontaine has been making paper in France for over 150 years and actually started their production in 1858. Unlike Rhodia, Clairefontaine is primarily offered in 90 gsm paper this means it will be a tiny bit heavier than the Rhodia paper. The paper comes in a couple different sizes but not as many unique sizes that a company like Rhodia provides, more of the usual spiral bound or cloth bound sizes.

• Montblanc- Next we have a company that really needs no introduction, whether you are just starting your journey into the fountain pen hobby or are a seasoned veteran, you've heard of Montblanc. Arguably the most famous pen company in the world, Montblanc not only makes pens but also makes notebooks that are leather bound with 85 gsm paper sheets. While they are more expensive, these notebooks aren't really meant for everyday note taking, in my mind they are meant for something like journaling or an activity that you want to keep a record of due to the high build quality and high end materials. 

• Tomoe River- If you ask any fountain pen user their favorite type of paper there's a fairly good chance they'll answer with Tomoe River paper. Tomoe River paper used to be quite hard to get with only 1 or 2 vendors in the United States having it but is now widely coveted and available in the United States. The paper is unusually thin for fountain pen paper and is offered in 52 gsm and 68 gsm which are also relatively low for fountain pen paper. Despite the thin profile of each sheet, it handles fountain pens beautifully and really stands out amongst other brands due to the uniqueness of the product at hand. PenBoutique carries the Sakae Technical version of the loose sheets in A4 size in both plain and dot grid. It also comes in a pad or cloth bound notebook closer to an A5 size. This paper's lightweight feel isn't for everyone and some people opt for a thicker paper which is understandable because it takes some getting used to if you are used to writing on higher gsm papers.

• Mnemosyne- Like Tomoe River paper, Mnemosyne is also a Japanese brand that offers exceptional experience while writing with a fountain pen. The paper is manufactured by Maruman and comes spiral bound in a variety of sizes and paper types including grid, plain and lined, the paper's weight is 80 gsm. This is a particularly good line of products for students and business people because each page has a dedicated space for a title and date making it good for taking notes in class or a meeting. The Maruman brand has been in the business for over 90 years and their dedication to the quality of their product is reflected in this fact. 

• Write Notepads- the last brand that will be included in this comparison is a local company from Baltimore that makes quality notebooks out of environmentally friendly materials like vegetable based dyes, premium cover stock and 110 gsm paper. The heavy paper makes these notebooks a good option for drawing as well as note taking. Most of their offerings are spiral bound but they also have a classic hardcover version of a notebook as well. The brand is an off shoot of a book binding company and their three generations of expertise in the subject shine through in the quality and craftsmanship of their notebooks.

Putting Them to the Test:

Below are the pictures of the samples I created on each brand of paper listed with the same pen and ink to make it a good comparison of how the same pen acts on different paper. 

Rhodia:

Clairfontaine:

Montblanc:

Tomoe River:

Mnemosyne:

Write Notepads:

Show through/Ghosting:

Show-through is an important aspect of paper because it affects the legibility of the back of the paper, if you can see everything from the front of the page on the back it may be harder to read. Show-through is different than bleed through because show through just means the other side of the page can be seen, bleed through is an over saturation of ink that comes through to the other side of the paper. 

Brands	Show-Through	Feathering	Dry-Time	Paper Texture	Price
Rhodia	Low
Clairfontaine	Medium
Montblanc	High
Tomoe River	High
Mnemosyne	Low
Write Notepads	Low

Best in category: Write Notepads

The reason they win the bleed through test is because they are the thickest and heaviest paper out of the bunch at 110 gsm. This means that there is more paper behind the ink to absorb so it doesn't even show through the other side. Even with the swab of ink it can't be seen from the other side, only leaves a slight warping where the swab was applied. This makes the write notepads a strong option for people drawing with their fountain pens whether you need a sketchbook or you draw while you journal, the low bleed through allows you to have crisp clean pages on each side of the sheet.

Feathering:

Feathering can be very annoying when using a fountain pen and luckily most higher quality paper tackles this issue quite nicely. Feathering is when ink from what you are writing spreads from the line you drew making the line appear messy and more broad than the nib size you may be using. When using a fountain pen there a bunch of different nib sizes and you want those to be true, not be ruined by feathering making your line appear messy and not as crisp.

Brands	Show-Through	Feathering	Dry-Time	Paper Texture	Price
Rhodia	Low	light
Clairfontaine	Medium	light
Montblanc	High	light
Tomoe River	High	light
Mnemosyne	Low	light
Write Notepads	Low	light

Best in category: Mnemosyne

It was really hard to pick a winner for this category because all of the paper performed so well and had light feathering. You could really pick up any of these paper brands and not have to worry about feathering but Mnemosyne edged it out just a little better with clean and crisp lines. Mnemosyne paper is right around the same weight as Montblanc, Clairefontaine and Rhodia so the difference is by no means major but performs a tad bit better in terms of feathering than those other brands. But again, you don't really have to worry about feathering with any of these brands.

Dry Time:

Dry time is probably one of the most noticeable things when using a fountain pen especially if the pen being used has a high ink flow. Paper needs to be absorbent but this is a fine line to walk because if its too absorbent it can lead to feathering and bleed though. Fountain pens by nature are going to take longer to dry than something like a ballpoint which is virtually dry once it hits the page so a quick dry time is better to minimize smudges and messy hands or paper.

Brands	Show-Through	Feathering	Dry-Time	Paper Texture	Price
Rhodia	Low	light	medium
Clairfontaine	Medium	light	low
Montblanc	High	light	low
Tomoe River	High	light	medium
Mnemosyne	Low	light	low
Write Notepads	Low	light	low

Best in category: Clairefontaine

To test the dry time I wrote Dry Time Test and then timed it after I completed writing the three words, Clairefontaine dried in 8 seconds which is quite good. This problem can also be combated with a blotter sheet or a hand held blotter so if a paper has medium dry time there is a solution to prevent smudging and ink spreading. The other paper with low dry times dried only a second or two after the Clairefontaine so again, no huge gaps between all the low dry time papers.

Paper Texture:

Paper Texture and weight affect not only the thickness of the paper but also the behavior of a fountain pen on that paper. Something with a higher weight in gsm (grams per square meter) will likely be smoother than something with a lower weight. Usually you see really high gsm with art paper meant for watercolors or markers so higher gsm is also better for drawing or painting. This doesn't necessarily mean that a paper with a higher gsm is definitively better but simply that the paper will perform differently, high quality paper comes in a variety of gsm so lower doesn't mean worse.

Brands	Show-Through	Feathering	Dry-Time	Paper Texture	Price
Rhodia	Low	light	medium	80-90 gsm / smooth
Clairfontaine	Medium	light	low	90 gsm / smooth
Montblanc	High	light	low	85 gsm / smooth
Tomoe River	High	light	medium	52-68 gsm / smooth but thin
Mnemosyne	Low	light	low	80 gsm / smooth
Write Notepads	Low	light	low	110 gsm / very smooth

Best in Category: It depends

While looking at this table above the clear winner would be write notepads however the reason I didn't pick them is due to the fact that people may need or prefer different weights of paper and smoothness. Tomoe River paper for example, is the lightest and thinnest paper in the list and is beloved by many due to its thin but well behaved sheets but the thinness makes it a polarizing feature that people tend to love or hate. The same could be said about the write notepad being too thick or smooth for some people or nibs. This category is more based on a personal feel and preference so its hard to pick one that is the "best".

Price $-$$$:

Now to arguably the most important point when comparing any product, the price. High quality paper does not have to be expensive, it's going to be a little more than loose leaf from an office supply store but we do still carry some reasonable options that are packed with value for the price.

Brands	Show-Through	Feathering	Dry-Time	Paper Texture	Price
Rhodia	Low	light	medium	80-90 gsm / smooth	$1.60-25.95
Clairfontaine	Medium	light	low	90 gsm / smooth	$3.95-$12.00
Montblanc	High	light	low	85 gsm / smooth	$44-$140
Tomoe River	High	light	medium	52-68 gsm / smooth but thin	$11.40-$29.00
Mnemosyne	Low	light	low	80 gsm / smooth	$6.80-$15.00
Write Notepads	Low	light	low	110 gsm / very smooth	$8.99-$24.00

Best in category: Rhodia

The sheer amount of different sizes, binding styles, and the choice between 80-90 gsm on some of their products makes Rhodia the best price value. They are also more widely available than the other brands mentioned because I've seen them at pen stores, art stores and craft stores. The other brands here aside from the obvious price jump for Montblanc are also great values for the quality of paper and unique feelings and performance they each provide. This is not to say the Montblanc notebooks are in anyway bad, they are a luxury brand and the price reflects this fact, they also come in interesting themes to go with some of their limited edition pen models making them a good choice for a dedicated journal or something that you want to keep for years to come.

Overall:

You really can't go wrong with any of the paper brands I mentioned, most of them are over 50 years old which should tell you the level of quality they've grown to expect and provide in their products. There is something here for every price point whether you're looking for quality everyday items or a luxury products for special occasions or journal keeping! No matter what you pick, enjoy it and keep writing!

-Kyle

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Back to School

    Despite the current circumstances, the 2020/2021 school year is fast approaching and having all the supplies to ensure a successful year is more important than ever. Online classes, despite the name, aren’t completely online and most still require work written on paper but don’t worry, Pen Boutique can provide quality products for all your back to school needs. We have something for everyone this school year whether you need a nice new fountain pen, pencil, ballpoint, or stationary we have a ton of brands to choose from in all different price points. 

Fountain Pens:

    Fountain pens can seem a little intimidating at first, especially if they are being taken on the go because of leaks and ink bottles  and things like that but don’t worry here are some pens that are great everyday writers. 

• Best Choice for a Cartridge/ Convertor pen:

    The Lamy Safari is a great option for any student because the price point is fairly low at $37.60 and at Pen Boutique we offer it for $29.60. This pen comes in a variety of fun and interesting colors to add some style to your school work. Lamy also has a variety of colors in their proprietary cartridges which make refilling the pen at school easy and mess free. Simply take out the empty cartridge and pop the new one in, the only thing is that you shouldn’t mix colors so if you want to switch to a different color cartridge it is always good to clean the pen and then insert the different color cartridge. The pen is also offered in an aluminum finish for extra toughness and these are priced at an MSRP of $47.00 but we are able to price it at an affordable $37.60. Lamy cartridges will need to be purchased with this pen in order to fill it, you can also buy a Lamy convertor to fill the pen using an ink bottle.

• Best Choice for a Piston Filler:

    The Twsbi Eco is an eye catching pen that much like the Lamy Safari, comes fin a variety of different colors however there is another unique design element to this pen. All of them are demonstrators, this means that the barrel is transparent which not only looks cool but also allows the user to sleep an eye on the ink level. This pen is a piston filler which means it can only be filled with ink bottles and probably can’t be refilled in a school setting but the clear barrel will allow you to check the capacity before heading off to school. The Twsbi Eco is right around the same price point as the Lamy Safari at $30.99 and is well worth the price due to the high quality materials and the unique filling system. Ink bottles or samples will need to be purchased with this pen in order to fill it. The Twsbi company also has a partially aluminum model that is similar to the Eco called the Diamond 580 which features a slightly larger nib and an aluminum section and filling components. 

• Best Choice for a Rugged Pen you can throw in your backpack:

    The Kaweco Alsport is constructed in Aluminum which gives the small pen a very solid and substantial feel in the hand. The pen has a very small form factor but the cap is designed to post on the back of the pen making it a very comfortable size pen that writes very well. The pen comes without a clip but one can be purchased if the user finds themselves needing it for a pen case or pocket. Another good thing about the Kaweco is that it has a replaceable nib which can provide more choice after purchase and also means if the pen is dropped the whole pen won’t need to be replaced, only the nib unit which we offer for $15.00. This pen also comes in a variety of colors and I find that the pens look even better with some wear and tear and due to their small form factor, are easy to carry everywhere in a pocket or backpack. 

Mechanical Pencils:

    Some assignments and note taking require changes in information or erasing wrong answers and pencils are good for this due to their erasability. Pen Boutique has a variety of pencils offered in a lot of different lead widths and most have replaceable erasers and lead which ensures a pencil that will last for school years to come. Lamy and Kaweco offer pencil versions of the Safari and Sport/Al sport which are the same as the descriptions above with the exception that they are pens and not pencils. The Safari pencil is offered at a price of $16 and the Kaweco Sport pencil is offered at $27 with a plastic construction.

• Best Value Mechanical Pencil:

    The Rotring Tikky is a nice feeling pencil that isn’t too long or too thick, it has a grip built in which is a nice touch. The pencil comes in 0.35, 0.5, and 0.7 and the pencil comes in a few different colors. It has a replaceable eraser at the end of the pencil under a cap that uses Rotring’s eraser refills which can be purchased in a pack of 3 for $3.73.  The pen is made of plastic that has a good weight and feel in the hand which provides comfortable writing for even long term writing sessions. Pen Boutique offers the Rotring Tikky at a price point of $6.27 which is a steal for the quality and lifespan of this mechanical pencil.

• Best Value “next-step” Mechanical Pencil:

    If you are looking for something a little nicer and more substantial than plastic, the Kaweco Special Mechanical Pencil is worth checking out. The pencil is longer than the Tikky which makes it better for larger hands and is constructed of an unfinished brass. The brass gives it a nice weight and since it is unfinished, the brass will patina over time giving each one a look unique to the user. If brass isn’t for you the pen also comes in matte black, and a blue finish which still has the nice weight just without the brass patina. The pencils are offered in 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 with replaceable Kaweco erasers that we sell for $2 each. You can pick up the Kaweco Special Pencil from Pen Boutique between $50 and $70 depending on color and lead width and this is an exceptional price for the quality and performance of this pencil.

Rollerball & Ballpoint Pens

    Sometimes you need a pen in a hurry that you don’t have to worry about, a pen that you know will write every-time you put it to page with less hard starts and priming. Rollerballs and Ballpoints are great for this and are generally less susceptible to leaking which makes them worry free writing instruments you can carry in your shirt pocket or pen case. Just like with the pencils and fountain pens, Lamy also offers the Safari in a ballpoint variant which is similar to the pencil and fountain pen and can be purchased from Pen Boutique at a price of $16.00.

• Something for everyone:

    Retro 51 is a very interesting brand in that they truly have a design for everybody, whether its sports or the periodic table, they have something for most interests. The pens are a good size that should be comfortable for longer writing assignments and have a very smooth feel on paper of all qualities. Pen Boutique has an abundance of different styles in rollerball and we also offer some in a ballpoint but ballpoint selections are a bit more limited. The pens uses a refill that's the same size for any Parker style refill which are quite common so you don't have to worry about not being able to find a refill. The Rollerball and Ballpoint variants of the Retro 51 can be purchased for around $36 with limited editions costing around $60. 

• Low Profile pens with style:

        The Caran D'Ache pen company offers a model of pen that they've named the 849 and it is an attractive option for students due to the rugged build quality and variety of colors that aren't too over the top. They use any Parker style refill which again, are quite common so the issue of not finding a refill isn't a problem. The pen is light but still has a quality feel with not a very "clicky" click, it feels more subtle than other click pens. We are able to offer the 849 at a very reasonable $24.00 for base colors and $54.50 for the more limited editions. 

Inks & Stationary

Ink may be one of the most overwhelming parts of owning a fountain pen simply because there are so many to choose from, whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting out, we have something for everyone. Paper is also a very important part of fountain pens, due to the nature of the ink, some paper works better than others in terms of minimizing bleed through, feathering and dry time.

• Best Value Ink Bottles

    When it comes to getting a good value with ink bottles and having a massive range of colors to choose from, two brands come into mind. Diamine and Noodler's both prioritize large capacity ink bottles at a relatively low price for the amount of ink you are getting compared to some other brands. We offer over 95 different bottles of Diamine ink that range from 40ml to 80ml at a price range of $15-$20 and even some shimmering inks if you want to mix it up a bit. We offer over 100 different bottles of Noodler's inks that range from 3oz to 16oz at a price range of $8.75 to $45.00. These ink bottles are a staple of any collection and perform very well for the price and volume making them a very good value for any fountain pen user. 

• Versatile Paper Choices:

    Paper may not seem very important at first but actually depending on the paper, fountain pens perform very differently, some higher quality papers allow for no bleed through, quicker dry times and less feathering which provides crisp clean line. The brand with the most choice is Rhodia because we offer it in a multitude of different sizes, even some rather odd sizes that may not be offered by other brands. The paper is a high quality 80gsm that has low bleed through, low feathering and a relatively fast dry time which is perfect for those who don't want to worry about blotting. The Rhodia pads and notebooks have a reasonable price point for the quality and start at $1.60 for the smallest and $25.95 for the largest notebooks. Another option that is a strong choice for students is the Mnemosyne line from Maruman which is great for note taking and organization due to the layout of the pages. The top of the page has space for a date and makes it easy to flip back to meeting or class notes from that specific date. These notebooks come in a couple standard sizes and are offered from $6.80 to $15.00 depending on size.

**Important information for August**

Back to school section: https://www.penboutique.com/collections/back-to-school

    

For the Month of August all teachers get 5% off their orders whether you're buying for yourself or your students, take advantage of this discount because it's ending soon!!! click the link below to verify and get your discount.

Verification link: https://www.penboutique.com/pages/pen-boutique-exclusive-discounts 

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