True Writer Pen Collection - So Far

[donnweinberg]

And, like you all, I’m very pleased that Levenger restored (most, if not all) of the history.  Now, we can check our collections against the history and, if so inclined, try to find what we don’t already own but want (including from the after-market).

[Misfit]

If only more fountain pen users were aware of the True Writer fountain pens. 
 

Retro 51 made a way to convert fountain pens to rollerballs. I contacted them about making a way to turn rollerballs into fountain pens. Their response was “unfortunately, we only have the Tornado Fountain pen to rollerball kit available at this time”.

 

It’s disappointing US pen companies have more rollerball pens than fountain pens. Saves money I guess. 

[Misfit]

On 10/30/2024 at 7:36 PM, Carguy said:

Also I have said I was gonna try Circa for years and still haven’t pulled the trigger….am I missing something here? Is the paper really good with fountain pens?

I find their paper works for my writing style. I noticed a difference between my brother’s and my writing with the same pen and paper. I think I write with less pressure vs my brother. 

[Misfit]

The Kyoto Circa discs arrived today. I plan to use them with the Letter size Circa that was my first Circa. It has reversible covers, and is currently on the Pumpkin side. The other side is, I think, Sunrise or Sunset, with more red to the color. I’ll keep the Pumpkin side because the Kyoto discs will go better with that side. 

[AmandaW]

17 minutes ago, Misfit said:

The Kyoto Circa discs arrived today. I plan to use them with the Letter size Circa that was my first Circa. It has reversible covers, and is currently on the Pumpkin side. The other side is, I think, Sunrise or Sunset, with more red to the color. I’ll keep the Pumpkin side because the Kyoto discs will go better with that side. 

Will you post a photo? I have no idea what these things are and very curious.

[Misfit]

1 minute ago, AmandaW said:

Will you post a photo? I have no idea what these things are and very curious.

For you, yes of course I will. I’m watching the Chiefs game now. Still I could probably change out discs while doing that. The Circa is like Office Depot/Max Tul and Staples Arc (I think that’s what they call it). 

[Misfit]

Here is the Circa with original 3/4” black discs. 
 

 

The Pumpkin side has some wear. The Kyoto 1” discs are more of a match to this side. 
 

 

The Kyoto discs contrast a bit with the Sunrise side. Since the plastic ruler, and three plastic holders/folders don’t need to be messed with often, I need to choose the right side to use. 
 

 

Maybe it Sunrise’s turn this time.  What do you think @AmandaW or anyone else who reads this before I decide. I haven’t put the paper and folder's in it yet. Must choose the outside cover first. 

[AmandaW]

I think the contrasty Sunrise looks fun.

 

Thankyou for the pictures and education.

[Misfit]

The nice thing about disc notebooks is you can easily move papers and put them in different order. A punch is sold to add mushroom shaped “holes” to anything else you might want to add. I’ve found you can use Tul items with Circa, and visa versa. 
 

Sunrise side won, and now that it is put back together, it likely needs more paper as the 1” discs allow for more to be put into the notebook. I have backup paper for the Junior size, but not the letter size. Sometimes eBay has good deals on Circa paper. 
 

I checked eBay, and not so great for Letter size right now. I think after I vote tomorrow, I could go to Office Depot, and see what they have. I checked the website, and there are options. I like some of the Circa items, but they are more expensive, and the shipping costs would apply.

[Misfit]

Well, Levenger is having a sale! The two fountain pens I wanted were half off at $47.75. So I ordered them. They are Northern Lights and Carrara. I also ordered the new Levenger ink Sugar Plum. They have a code on the site that gets free shipping if you spend $50, and 30% off. The code only worked on the ink in my order. 
 

edit: sale appears to be over, now that it’s Tuesday. I ordered on Monday. 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Misfit

[Misfit]

Here are my newest True Writers the Northern Lights and the Carrara. Plus the newest Levenger ink Sugar Plum. 
 

[mge01park]

Those pens are gorgeous! 😍 I got the ink a few weeks back and I’m finally going to use it this weekend. I wish they still made a broad nib on the epic True Writer 😊. That’s my favorite nib size. I even bought extras when they sold that size separately. 😀. 

[donnweinberg]

Is the Sugar Plum ink in the burgundy family?  Can you show what it looks like on paper, in both thick and thin application of that ink?

[Misfit]

@donnweinberg just as soon as I can. I think I will put it in the Northern Lights. 

[inkstainedruth]

The Northern Lights pen is GORGEOUS!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Misfit]

30 minutes ago, inkstainedruth said:

The Northern Lights pen is GORGEOUS!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Thank you. I suspect the pens vary, and some get more purple than mine did. I’m a bit curious why it doesn’t have any green in it. I wish my house had better lighting in the living room. I have to see pens in other rooms where the lighting is better. I do recommend True Writer pens.  
 

edited to add there is some shimmer or sparkle in the material.  

[Misfit]

 

[mge01park]

Thanks for posting, I didn’t get around to it. Other pen things taking up my time like some maintenance stuff. They’ve had nice reddish/purplish family inks through the years like the Fireball Red, Cardinal Red, Shiraz, Claret, Amethyst, Regal, Pinkly and the last new one before the SP, the Peony Pink. 😀. I’m checking for others as I’ve bought every color since the mid 90’s. I miss them not having a good gray right now. I’m posted an ancient 6 pack of non-traditional ink colors from the 90’s. 

[donnweinberg]

Thanks, Misfit, for providing photos of the Levenger Sugar Plum ink writing samples.  Reminds me of the color of the Robert Oster Hot Pink (# 50708).  Both are really nice colors.  

 

I haven’t forgotten that I need to post photos of some of my more recent purchases.  Levenger is proliferating “new” TW colors at a fast pace, although many are color variations of existing patterns.  If Levenger can sell them, then all the more power to Levenger.  If Levenger can’t, then we’ll all benefit when it sells them at huge discounts.

 

Hi, mge01park.  I also purchased the same color pack back in the 1990s.  They are interesting colors.

[mge01park]

I actually on the regular TW stopped buying them within the last 3-5  years except maybe some ball points because I love the Monteverde Parker style Broad refills which I get from Yafa so it made those pens quite enjoyable but without a without a broad nib, and the fact that now they’re not offering the TW Select line which I bought the last two lines which were amazing and then of course the Plumpster group, I’m probably like sort of on a short leash. I’m looking lately (better not say lately Twsbi since 2013 and Opus 88 since 2018) more at and buying too many Twsbi and Opus 88s and some other brands but I use my TW’s every day & always have about 6 inked and what I also love about the rollerballs is they take the Pilot G2 and there’s a special G2 very hard to find in navy blue in broad so I have them in three rollerballs. I have all the TW demonstrators from years ago so I love them in all 3 types.