London Writing Equipment Show 2017

[Diplomaat]

Nah, we both browsed but didn't pull the trigger. We met near Oxonian's table!

[Tas]

Nah, we both browsed but didn't pull the trigger. We met near Oxonian's table!

 

Perhaps I should take selfies with people this year so I don't forget . . .!

 

http://www.taskyprianou.com/me_blush.jpg

Edited August 21, 2017 by Tas

[BT_Summers]

Is there a Vendor List for the WES show?

[kilraughts]

I am hoping to go to my first show this year, not sure what to expect, but have a list of inks and parts I am hoping to source. Will be good to be amongst those with same interest. Am I correct in assuming there will be dealers with good stocks of pens for breaking as well as complete restored ones. I am looking forward to this show.

[Tas]

I am hoping to go to my first show this year, not sure what to expect, but have a list of inks and parts I am hoping to source. Will be good to be amongst those with same interest. Am I correct in assuming there will be dealers with good stocks of pens for breaking as well as complete restored ones. I am looking forward to this show.

 

There has always been one table (no idea whose it was) with plenty of boxes containing bits of old pens for sale. I would guess you'd do well there . . .

Edited August 22, 2017 by Tas

[Beechwood]

.

 

Its a busy day. Some pics attached from 2016.

 

There are a very large number of stands selling vintage and new pens, inks, accessories, journals. I dont know what your particular interest might be but you will be able to see pens that you will not find on the high street, such as Conid and other very special makers. You can try out inks, buy pen cases, pens that are bargains and sold from large carboard boxes at, for example, 'any pen in this box for £10', there are specialist repairers of pens and nibs and many people to talk to. Its an enjoyable day.

 

A few pieces of advice that I would offer are

 

Do not bring a wheelie case, they are a nuisance

 

Have some form of shoulder bag so that you can have both hands free without having to put your case down

 

Cash only

 

Its usually too warm in the halls, be prepared

 

Take a bottle of water in with you.

 

The catering in the hotel isnt great in my opinion and the pubs nearby do mediocre food but there is a very good Pret a Manger 2 minutes walk away opposite Russell Square Tube.

 

Take a break and go back in later, you will be surprised at what you have missed.

 

Dont be shy, everyone in there has the same interest, talk, ask, share, only grumpy ol' gits like me will be offhand.

 

A caveat, dont assume that every dealer has been sent from heaven to sell you the perfect pen. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and fail to see cracks or nibs that are not perfect. Have your wits and loupe about you.

 

There may be some flexibility in the pricing, its worth asking.

 

There are usually some american and european dealers, if you have dollars or euros at home then you may get a better deal in buying in the currency they want.

 

If you are looking for parts, you may need to look harder, possibly seeking out lower priced pens that you can take apart yourself, but as I said, there are people who have the bargain basement boxes of pens, usually very cheap because of faults or missing bits.

 

You are doing the right thing in having a list of what you want to buy and if there are key items ask other people if they have seen anything in particular or know of anyone that has a certain part or pen.

 

Its a good day out, hope that you enjoy it.

 

 

One possible vendor, as pointed out by Tas, is Vintage Fountain Pens UK, Mark usually has bargain boxes of pens and parts for sale, plus repair bits too.

 

https://www.vintagefountainpens.co.uk/

[kilraughts]

.

 

Its a busy day. Some pics attached from 2016.

 

There are a very large number of stands selling vintage and new pens, inks, accessories, journals. I dont know what your particular interest might be but you will be able to see pens that you will not find on the high street, such as Conid and other very special makers. You can try out inks, buy pen cases, pens that are bargains and sold from large carboard boxes at, for example, 'any pen in this box for £10', there are specialist repairers of pens and nibs and many people to talk to. Its an enjoyable day.

 

A few pieces of advice that I would offer are

 

Do not bring a wheelie case, they are a nuisance

 

Have some form of shoulder bag so that you can have both hands free without having to put your case down

 

Cash only

 

Its usually too warm in the halls, be prepared

 

Take a bottle of water in with you.

 

The catering in the hotel isnt great in my opinion and the pubs nearby do mediocre food but there is a very good Pret a Manger 2 minutes walk away opposite Russell Square Tube.

 

Take a break and go back in later, you will be surprised at what you have missed.

 

Dont be shy, everyone in there has the same interest, talk, ask, share, only grumpy ol' gits like me will be offhand.

 

A caveat, dont assume that every dealer has been sent from heaven to sell you the perfect pen. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and fail to see cracks or nibs that are not perfect. Have your wits and loupe about you.

 

There may be some flexibility in the pricing, its worth asking.

 

There are usually some american and european dealers, if you have dollars or euros at home then you may get a better deal in buying in the currency they want.

 

If you are looking for parts, you may need to look harder, possibly seeking out lower priced pens that you can take apart yourself, but as I said, there are people who have the bargain basement boxes of pens, usually very cheap because of faults or missing bits.

 

You are doing the right thing in having a list of what you want to buy and if there are key items ask other people if they have seen anything in particular or know of anyone that has a certain part or pen.

 

Its a good day out, hope that you enjoy it.

 

 

One possible vendor, as pointed out by Tas, is Vintage Fountain Pens UK, Mark usually has bargain boxes of pens and parts for sale, plus repair bits too.

 

https://www.vintagefountainpens.co.uk/

 

 

Getting excited already!!! Really down to having my "wits about me". Thank you for your guidance. Will be good to see 'in the flesh' those things I have been reading up about here.

[Beechwood]

Those attending the London Show may wish to see the current table plan.

[View from the Loft]

Thank you for the plan; always helpful when planning my annual visit.

 

Slightly disappointed that The Writing Desk won't be there this year.

[eciton]

Those attending the London Show may wish to see the current table plan.

 

Thanks for the plan, Beechwood.

[bbs]

Thank you for the plan; always helpful when planning my annual visit.

Slightly disappointed that The Writing Desk won't be there this year.

Thanks from me too, and also disappointed not to see Martin and Anna there - also Yard-o-Led, I wanted to talk to them. Ah well, more than enough to feast the eye and empty the wallet on.

[twdpens]

Thanks from me too, and also disappointed not to see Martin and Anna there - also Yard-o-Led, I wanted to talk to them. Ah well, more than enough to feast the eye and empty the wallet on.

Don't Panic! We're taking a well-earned break and going as regular visitors this year. After having a table at the London Show almost every year (we had to pull out last year due to illness) since 2005 we thought we should do it a bit differently this year.

 

Hope to see you all there.

 

Martin & Anna

[kilraughts]

Those attending the London Show may wish to see the current table plan.

Thank you for your guidance and advice.

[Beechwood]

I hope that it is of some use to you.

 

Something else that I would take with you is a notebook of some sort, not all dealers will have paper for you to try out the pens although some may object to you filling a pen, or even dipping a pen, so ask first.

 

You will enjoy the show more if you take the opportunity to talk to others, everyone has a similar interest to you and there is a great opportunity when you are looking at a pen to buy to ask the person next to you - what do you think of this?

 

Take your time, there is a huge amount to see, take a break, have a coffee and go back in. A new development for this year is an ink testing station from Niche Pens, last year KWZ had a stand where you could try out a few of their inks, I dont know but an ink testing station sounds a little more formal and organised, again another good use for your journal.

 

Every stand at the show will be interesting and have pens you want to see but for me there are a few stands that you will not see anywhere else, not to be missed:.

 

Jack Row is an artist and craftsman of the highest order, his work is simply amazing.

 

Conid, the engineering and superb manufacturing behind their pens exceeds anything else whether current or past production.

 

Sarj is a one man pen show, his stock of pens is the highest possible quality

 

Henry Simpole, again his craftsmanship is superb and you will struggle to meet a more knowledgable or amiable person

 

John Sorowka, an expert at making a nib work just as it should, is always busy at the show, you may not have a nib for him but it would be worthwhile trying to hovver around his stand to see how he does what he does.

 

There are some new names on the plan for this year, so something new for everyone.

 

All the stands have something that is worth seeing, as the expression goes, a kid in a sweet shop, just take your time and enjoy yourself.

Edited September 8, 2017 by Beechwood

[ys_jenn]

Beechwood,

 

Thanks for sharing all the tips. This is my second pen show and my first one abroad, so I'm thankful for each and every bit of advice. I'm in the UK for awhile and am so delighted that I have the chance to go to LWES while here.

 

I especially appreciate you pointing out the won't-see-anywhere-else stands.

 

Much thanks!

[View from the Loft]

Don't Panic! We're taking a well-earned break and going as regular visitors this year. After having a table at the London Show almost every year (we had to pull out last year due to illness) since 2005 we thought we should do it a bit differently this year.

 

Hope to see you all there.

 

Martin & Anna

Quite understandable, and you have had a busy year anyway. Hope you enjoy the experience from the other side of the tables.

[BT_Summers]

A reminder that this event is coming soon on October 1.

 

I have heard that there may be a free bottle of Diamine ink for every person that attends the show - presumably until stocks run dry.

[TheBigGuy]

The Writing Desk now has a very nice shop in Bury St Edmunds. They told me they are going to the London Pen Show, but only as visitors, not exhibitors.

 

They have a Facebook meetup at the event here, if you want to chat to them:

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/491769231193130/

 

Thank you for the plan; always helpful when planning my annual visit.

Slightly disappointed that The Writing Desk won't be there this year.

[sandy101]

Hi, Beechwood. I went to the London Pen Show for the 1st time last year.

 

You've done what I did (and I'd recomend everyone to do) and drawn up a list of wants. I went last year wanting an MB broad nib. Having this "want" made it much easier to navigate the stalls. There are a lot of pens and other stuff at the show - a list means you can ask the vendor do you have X? It saes a lot of time, and a lot of looking - after about an hour every pen started to look the same - there were a lot of P51's I seem to remember.

 

Have a budget, and do haggle. Don't accept the 1st price you are given, but bear in mind that the sellers do have to make a pofit too. If you get a price, and both of you are smiling then that's not a bad sale for either side. I agree with the paper suggestion - take your regular notebook/paper and test pens with that - most sellers will allow you to dip test. A loupe wil also be handy as you get to see the nibs up close. "I will pay no more than X for Y is useful" - and it doesn't hurt to ask about what you want here, before you go to the show. If something exceeds your budget, then walk away. You might find it cheaper elsewhere.

 

A water bottle is a good idea.

[Tas]

Looking forward to seeing everyone today.

For those of you I won't recognise, ie not Alc3261 or Migo984 come up and say hello if you see me.

This is my doppelganger . . . only I will be smiling most of the time

http://www.taskyprianou.com/me_the_hood.jpg