From Dudek Modern Goods - Thank You For Sharing

December 23, 2014

As the year is wrapping up and I've been scrambling to get all the final pen holders sent out (nearly all in time for Christmas!), I've been reflecting on just how grateful I am for the support I've received. I've been blown away by not only the demand for Dudek Modern Goods pieces, but by the overwhelmingly positive feedback I've received. Thank you!

I wanted to take the time to put together a post of some of the pics shared or sent to me by customers and friends (I don't have them all...) showcasing their Dudek pieces. If you have some, also feel free to share them with me as I'd love to see how they are being used!

Thanks again for an amazing 2014,

Mike Dudek

rOtring Lambda Ballpoint Pen

December 21, 2014

Its been awhile since I've posted an official rOtring review. In my observations, it looks like the prices on the discontinued models are a bit on the decline which is good as things got a bit crazy (not that $150 isn't a bit crazy) about a year ago.

If you've been following the blog for a bit, you may recall kind of an odd rOtring I reviewed back in November of 2013 called the Lambda. That particular review was of the rollerball version, but I've been watching eBay from time to time and was able to snatch up a ballpoint for the collection for a reasonable price of I think $30 or $40. I've seen these go as high as $100+, so I feel pretty good about it.

The history of the Lambda is a little dicey. I've seen some places where they say it is older than the 600 while others say it is younger, but I'm not really sure. Regardless, they have long since been a discontinued model and are more of a collector's item today.

When I think of rOtring, I think of metal barrels, generally of the 6 sided variety. rOtring has made several other models outside of the 600 or Newton, but they seem to be the most iconic and memorable. Oddly enough, they still only produce the mechanical pencils which is a strange business decision all on its own.

From a design standpoint, the Lambda can best be described as a "stealth" style pen. It is completely matte black from tip to tail. A pen definitely for Batman or a ninja. The pen does have some metal components (likely brass) in the tip section as well as the knock and clip, but the barrel I believe to be a matte black, rubberized plastic. It doesn't feel like metal.

One aspect of the pen that gives it somewhat of an edge is the knurling found on the grip as well as wrapped around the knock. A little bit of subtle kick-butt goes a long way on the Lambda as it takes what could be your average looking clicker and gives it just enough to allow it to stand out. Even though I'm not into anything super tactical with spears, saws, or glass breakers, I think the edgy look of the Lambda is well played.

I call the grip, "the grip", although there really isn't one. The knurling I spoke of is a thin, 1/4" line of knurling that wraps around the circumference of the pen at the barrel and tip break point. Since the barrel is one long cylinder, there are times that my hands don't even grip the knurling. Lets just say it isn't as apparent as in the 600 series as it makes up the entire grip in those varieties.

The pen takes your standard Parker style ballpoint which allows you to use refills like the Schmidt EasyFlow 9000, Moleskine Gel Roller, Parker gel, or even the Fisher Space Pen with the adaptor. I used to abhor ballpoint refills when gel pens were all the craze, but they've actually grown on me quite a bit. Even though they aren't usually the crispiest or darkest writers, they serve their purpose and fit a wide range of writing environments where gels, rollerballs, or fountain pens dare not go...

The Lambda is pretty light weight, but feel sturdy. In using it I'm never in fear that it will break or even that a gentle drop will damage it. The knock has a very satisfying click and it's design makes it literally feel like you're pressing a button or plunger of sorts.

Should you race out to buy a Lambda ballpoint? Probably not, unless you happen to be a collector. They are, oddly enough, fairly tough to find for a decent price. There is also a fountain pen version, but I've only seen them ridiculously priced at around $300 or so. Pass. Good deals do pop up from time to time it seems as I got my rollerball for around $35 if I remember correctly.

So why review a pen that is hard to find or discontinued? Simply to provide some history and awareness. Although, sometimes these elusive rabbit holes are the hardest ones to get out of!

Pelikan M205 - Adding a Gold Nib; I Must Be Insane

December 14, 2014

I seriously must be out of my mind. With as much grief as the Pelikan M205 seems to have caused me in the past, I'm still sinking money into them in hopes that some day I will buy one that knocks my socks off as sufficiently as it does other people.

I think we might finally be there...

What did it take? Buying a gold nib to switch into it. Desperate times...

I'll have to pass the credit for the prompting over to Mr. Myke Hurley of Relay FM, co-host of one of our favorite podcasts, The Pen Addict. Over a year ago I imagine it has been now, Myke bought an M205 and swapped in a gold nib. He raved and raved about it, but from what everyone else seemed to be saying was that the steel nib was still good. I decided to give the steel a try.

After going through a couple of M205s to try, they never really grabbed hold of me. Actually, three M205s to be exact. One I had sent off for repair which came back writing well, one I sold which was "ok" in my opinion, and another recent purchase I got from Pen Chalet with an italic nib which is fun. Still, buttons not really being pushed like crazy; until this gold nib.

I was perusing another pen retailer, Cult Pens, out of the UK as they stock Pelikan gold nibs ranging from the 400 to 1000 series. The M400 14k nib came in at £60 (after excluding VAT), and I had a 10% off coupon code at the time. So £64 shipped (at the time a little less than $100) got me a new nib on the way from the UK which I thought was cheap.

So, couple a Pelikan M205 from Pen Chalet with one of the coupon codes floating around for less than $90 with about $100 nib from Cult Pens, you can set yourself up with a gold Pelikan that probably rivals the M400 or M405 for about $100 or so less. Hey, I'm open to saving $100 where I can...

What this gold nib has done has actually made me really, really enjoy the Pelikan. Honestly, it is probably one of the most fantastic nibs I own. Super smooth, just enough flex, great flow; excellent. This swap, if in your budget, is something I would highly recommend.

I went with a medium which puts down a pretty wide line, but can't argue with the smoothness. Eventually I may end up purchasing another in a fine, but we'll see. Honestly, I don't want it to seem like I was throwing the M400 or M405 under the bus as I don't own one, but for the sake of giving the experience a fair shake one of those may pop up sometime in the future. A little side-by-side comparison would be nice rather than me making potentially outrageous claims.

With all of the praise I am now giving the pen, I am still a bit irked if I'm being honest. I know a lot of people have good experiences with the standard, out of the box M205, but mine were mediocre at best. I mentioned in a previous review that there is probably a lot of "it's not you, M205, it's me" going on which I'm certain clouds my willingness to move on. A $200 (retail) pen should write like a $200 pen, case closed. Compared to others in this price range like the Pilot Custom 74 or Vanishing Point (both come with gold nibs), the standard experience of the M205 doesn't stand up. I hate feeling like a am paying a premium for a "brand" if that makes sense.

Still, I know now the the M205 will be more frequent in the rotation due to the swap. This pen feels like it is finally worth its salt.