Skip to content

Tag: 2022 DC Pen Show

2022 DC Pen Show, Part 6Instagram image for 2022 DC Pen Show posts
August 19, 2022
Rachel
2 Comments

2022 DC Pen Show, Part 6

Posted in Pen Shows

A New Noodler’s

I’ve decided to end my 2022 DC Pen Show series here. While I have a couple more posts peripherally related to the DC show, I’m going to post them as “stand-alone” entries.

Straight up, this post has caused me some trouble. First, I wasn’t sure it was something I should write. Then, I didn’t like how I’d written it. Then I questioned if I should post it. Now, well, I think it’s about as good as it’s going to get.

Because this is a contentious topic, I’d like to remind everyone reading that all comments on my blog go through manual review and approval. That isn’t unique to this post.

Keep Reading2022 DC Pen Show, Part 6
2022 DC Pen Show, Part 5Instagram image for 2022 DC Pen Show posts
August 15, 2022
Rachel
Leave a Comment

2022 DC Pen Show, Part 5

Posted in Pen Shows

Pen and Nib Mini Reviews

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

Although I purchased and received several non-pen items, I’m only going to review the pens and nib in this post and the Jinji chocolate in a later post. Feel free to jump down to a specific mini review: Analog Notes | Namiki | Platinum | Mayfair Pens | Gravitas Pens | Nahvalur | All in the Nib

Keep Reading2022 DC Pen Show, Part 5
2022 DC Pen Show, Part 4Instagram image for 2022 DC Pen Show posts
August 12, 2022
Rachel
Leave a Comment

2022 DC Pen Show, Part 4

Posted in Pen Shows

Nib Wars
Nib Wars

When Esterbrook first announced Nib Wars, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was described as a competition where, “the nibmeisters will participate in three rounds, each round tasking the competitor to execute a specific nib grind.” I didn’t know if it would be fascinating or boring. But, it sounded interesting enough that I registered to attend.

I was especially intrigued by Esterbrook’s description of nibmeisters: “the unsung heroes of the pen community, nibmeisters build their skill over years of training and persistence. Not unlike a Jedi, if you think about it.” I’ve definitely found that people new to the pen world either don’t know about, or are somewhat skeptical about, going to nibmeisters. And, while I 100% advocate learning to tune your own nibs, nibmeisters are fabulous for narrowing a nib or changing the shape of a nib (e.g. standard round to stub or architect).

Keep Reading2022 DC Pen Show, Part 4
2022 DC Pen Show, Part 3Instagram image for 2022 DC Pen Show posts
August 11, 2022
Rachel
Leave a Comment

2022 DC Pen Show, Part 3

Posted in Pen Shows

Show Review

Normally I wouldn’t review a show I’ve already reviewed. However, this year’s DC Pen Show was a bit different, as the hotel was undergoing renovations. So, I’d like to address how Barbara and Jeff, the main show organizers, handled the inconvenience. I’d also like to revisit some of my concerns from last year.

Overall, I was very pleased with the show organization. I think the show organizers did an excellent job given the difficulties they faced. They definitely seem to be learning from mistakes and oversights, and I give them immense credit for that.

Note: I’ll be discussing the show layout. For those of you who didn’t attend the DC Pen Show, you can take a look at the PDF version of the interactive show map, created by Alexander Kramer (pen_show_maps on Instagram) for the DC Pen Show organizers, to get an idea of the layout.

Keep Reading2022 DC Pen Show, Part 3
2022 DC Pen Show, Part 2Instagram image for 2022 DC Pen Show posts
August 10, 2022
Rachel
7 Comments

2022 DC Pen Show, Part 2

Posted in Pen Shows

General Show Experience

You all know I write a lot. Too much, really. And I knew this post would be no different. So, I broke out my Thursday experience in my last post, since it was something new. Today is an overview of what I did and purchased each day of the show. There are pictures this time, but no reviews of anything. That’s for another day, because this is ridiculously long already.

Of note, I made plans before the show. I had a shopping list of pens and inks I really wanted to get. I was… somewhat successful.

For those of you who didn’t attend the DC Pen Show, you can take a look at the PDF version of the interactive show map, created by Alexander Kramer (pen_show_maps on Instagram) for the DC Pen Show organizers, to get an idea of the layout. I’ll also refer to table numbers for those who want to check locations to jog their memory.

Keep Reading2022 DC Pen Show, Part 2
2022 DC Pen Show, Part 1Instagram image for 2022 DC Pen Show posts
August 9, 2022
Rachel
Leave a Comment

2022 DC Pen Show, Part 1

Posted in Pen Shows

Trying Something New

As I do every year, I’d been eagerly anticipating the DC Pen Show for the past month. Beyond the pens, knowing I’ll get to see maker and pen friends is a huge draw, and something I greatly look forward to. Last year, I indulged in the weekend trader pass for the first time, and went Friday through Sunday.

This year, I did something different again. For the first time, I attended the DC Pen Show on the Thursday. My hope was to sell some pens and inks to augment my show budget. That didn’t really happen. But, I had fun anyway.

Keep Reading2022 DC Pen Show, Part 1