Ohio Pen Show 2016!

[FrozenPen]

Making the trip. Pen show newbie.

Looking forward to spec'ing out an Edison and participating in the Richard Binder nib smoothing workshop. And picking up a new journal. And getting a nib fixed. And maybe some more ink. And I have this 1930-ish lady's Duofold ringtop I need to get appraised/rid of. And the auction looks interesting. And I always wanted to get up close to a Parker 75.

So much to do - so little time.

[gweimer1]

Making the trip. Pen show newbie.

Looking forward to spec'ing out an Edison and participating in the Richard Binder nib smoothing workshop. And picking up a new journal. And getting a nib fixed. And maybe some more ink. And I have this 1930-ish lady's Duofold ringtop I need to get appraised/rid of. And the auction looks interesting. And I always wanted to get up close to a Parker 75.

So much to do - so little time.

 

Richard Binder's nib workshop is worth the cost of the entire show. Enjoy!

[inkstainedruth]

 

Richard Binder's nib workshop is worth the cost of the entire show. Enjoy!

 

+1 on that. I took it the first year I went to DCSS.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Parker51]

Good Morning, today is the first day the Ohio Pen Show opens to the Public. I plan to leave for it at 12:30 pm so as to be at the door at 1:00 pm. For you who live a bit farther away you might need to leave soon. It is open until 6:00 p.m.today.

[trdsf]

Okay, I'll be there some time before noon tomorrow (Saturday). If you see a guy wearing pince nez, that's probably me (those are my mid-range prescription). If his name badge has 'FPN: trdsf' in the corner, it's definitely me.

[hh1990]

This was my first pen show, and did not really know what to expect, but I had a really great time. All of my shopping had been done online prior to this point, but I see why people say they will only buy in person. It was very cool to be able to try out different inks, papers, and pens I've been interested in, and I went a little nuts.

 

On Friday, I went right to the Indy Pen Dance table to have my M800 nib tuned, and Linda restored it to great working condition within a few minutes. I was very happy to be able to put the pen to paper comfortably.

 

Then I headed to the Points of Distinction table to try out a few Diplomat pens. Larry and Hillary were extremely nice, wonderful people to speak with and buy from, and even patient with my having to run to the ATM in the middle of my purchase when my card refused to work. People have great things to say about Diplomat pens, and I was very happy to find that they lived up to my high expectations. They were also kind enough to include a bottle of Diplomat royal blue ink with my Excellence A, which I have been enjoying very much as well. I will be happy to send some more of my business to mydiplomatpen.com in the future.

 

After that I headed to the Anderson Pens and purchased a bottle of ink and my first Rhodia pad and Clairefontaine notebook (wow, I didn't know what I was missing out on).

 

Next I went to the Franklin Cristoph table. The ladies were extremely patient with me as I finally decided on the brown model 03. I loved trying out all their different nib offerings, but settled on a basic broad in the end.

 

I finished up by stopping by the Edison Pens table to ask Brian a few questions about the Menlo, and he was very personable and helpful.

 

I headed back this morning wanting to just take my time and take a look closer look at the rest of the show. I am not a vintage pen enthusiast, but it still awesome to be able to see so many older models I've never been aware of. While I was walking around, I stumbled on Michael Sull's table when I recognized his instructional cursive writing book that I'd seen on the internet beforehand. I've seen about a dozen Youtube videos of Mr. Sull writing at pen shows, but I didn't realize exactly who he was until he offered to write my name. He was extremely gracious with his time and made suggestions on learning cursive and Spencerian script including suggesting writing instruments and inks and doing a couple writing samples. I loved watching him work on my name, but also seeing others' reactions as he wrote theirs. I wandered around for a little bit longer and purchased some more ink and paper and finally made my way out.

 

The best part was meeting people whose videos I've watched or whose sites I've visited and in all cases finding them to be wonderful people.

[Florenze]

This was my first pen show, and did not really know what to expect, but I had a really great time. ..

The best part was meeting people whose videos I've watched or whose sites I've visited and in all cases finding them to be wonderful people.

 

What a wonderful report! It sounds like you had a great experience-- thank you for sharing with us!

[trdsf]

I didn't see anyone with FPN on their tag, alas. But I had a great show. Got my first TWSBI (Diamond 580), an Eversharp Skyline in royal blue with a gold cap, and two Spors glass-nibbed pens. Also a fresh load of sacs, two new inks (Venustas Dark Blue and Robert Oster Purple Rock), a 9556 Estie nib, a tube of Simichrome... and one of Ariel Kullock's modded 51 bodies (he was there, got to say hi, really nice guy), a demonstrator taper that fits gorgeously on my '48 Aerometric (and the whole thing fits perfectly into my magnetic ball base). It also fits the 21, so if I put it in circulation (by, say, taking it to work), it'll probably go on the 21 rather than the 51. Just 'cause, cheaper to replace in case of disaster.

 

There's a remote chance I'll go back tomorrow, but I've spent myself out, so probably not, unless there are FPNers who want to get together for dinner or something after.

[Parker51]

Hello, I was there with my screen name on my tag almost all day, as was a certain lady from Pennsylvania who in person actually sounds the same as she writes. Plus one of the dealers identified themselves by there screen name when they read mine. It was a busy show however and I may have been either at a presentation, involved in a transaction, or having a pen repaired and thus in a different part of the show from you. If you do go tomorrow, you likely will see me, especially near the end as the place gets rather deserted. While I applaud those who come from far away and understand their decisions to leave early, it does result in an unfortunately sad situation. I felt so bad for one young person who came last year that I gave him a pen as he was going home empty handed as there where few left to buy from a the late hour he and his father showed up, especially for a beginner. I on the other hand stick around, as even if there are only a handful of dealers at the end, they still have more pens than I can see and touch at one time than anywhere other than my own home, or of course another pen show.

[trdsf]

Oh, maybe I will show up and look at things other than table tops.

[Mags]

Please post your pen pictures of your pen, ink and paper hauls. How about some pictures also of the venue, vendor displays, the crowd and of course pen meet ups that informally occur with FPN members and other pen enthusiasts. Did the Black Pen Society convene an informal meeting?

[trdsf]

Okay!

 

Venustas Dark Blue and Robert Oster Purple Rock:

 

Royal blue Eversharp Skyline:

 

Two Spors glass-nibbed FPs:

 

TWSBI Diamond 580 Demonstrator:

 

Ariel Kullock demonstrator taper barrel for Parker 51:

[Parker51]

I must assume the Black Pen Society did so. I was "caught" and paid my dues. I however do not engage on the social aspects of the Society due in part to allergies and in part to being married and of the custom of being home with my wife in the evening. In regard to pictures, sorry, but I didn't take any, but I did see someone else doing so.

[gweimer1]

I've been there all week. You'll find me easy enough..the old guy in the Hendrix suede jacket walking with a cane. It's been a tough week, though. I've gotten a lot of what I intended done, and plan to add to my black pen collection today. It's a pen I've been wanting for a while, and the one I'm getting was actually on the tables last year. I made a deal for a small bag of Esterbrooks with an attendee that I met and started talking to, and we were joined by Ruth after that for a non-pen discussion. The auction last night was full of Esterbrook goodies. I'll find out what the cracked ice pens went for.

[Mags]

Love to see pictures from the pen haul and to hear a bit more on how the meetings and chats go. Thank you!

[TheRealMikeDr]

We just got home a few hours ago - my wife and I had a great time! I'll follow up later with my thoughts and impressions - below is the booty:

 

Parker Vacumatic from 1941 - I inked it up with some Serenity Blue and it writes wonderfully!

 

http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p799/sandygriff/Parker%20Vacumatic_zpsfuqg7jvr.jpg

 

Montblanc 214 from the 50's - writes great!!

 

http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p799/sandygriff/Montblanc%20214_zpslcrvdk4e.jpg

 

Pelikan 400 from the 50's!!

 

http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p799/sandygriff/Pelikan%20400_zpsgsuuyljs.jpg

 

Sheaffer Balance from the early 40's!

 

http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p799/sandygriff/Sheafer%20Balance_zps4t1ktsrp.jpg

 

Parker 51 Aerometric - from the 60's I believe

 

http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p799/sandygriff/Parker%2051_zpscsqv5ifd.jpg

 

 

A Pen made out of Cocobola wood - from Ryan Krusac Studios. Very cool!

 

http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p799/sandygriff/Cocobola%20Pen_zpspnkc2frr.jpg

 

 

All together:

 

http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p799/sandygriff/All%20Pens_zps4nmwikdn.jpg

 

 

Looking forward to the 2017 show already!

Edited November 13, 2016 by TheRealMikeDr

[trdsf]

Ended up not going today (couldn't fall asleep until unspeakable-thirty in the A.M.). Gorgeous pens, great buys you got there!

 

I think next year's show will be the Year of the Montblanc. I want one, and by golly, I'm going to get one.

[KZ900]

I went today and go every year. Attendance by vendors seemed to be way down. I had requested three times via the website to rent a table but never heard a response. I figured it was sold out. I wonder if others did not get a response also. I would say it was at least 30% smaller than last year. Did see a couple really nice Bexley 51's. I thinking of going back and try to make a deal.

[Buzz Jack]

I also thought attendance was down this year there were a number Empty Tables and Open Spaces in the hallways where are dealers would normally set up

[gweimer1]

It was clearing out earlier than I expected today, as well. Attendance was also really low today. I got a bunch of parts, a few Skylines and a small bag of Esterbrooks to restore and sell. I got just one pen for myself this time. It's a set that I passed on last year, and decided to get it this time. It does have a bit of barrel swell, but I can live with that.