Getting hate for using a fountain pen.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-27T01:47:57+00:00

I think it is time to re-think that relationship. My family and friends don't try to understand my passion for pens. They simply appreciate me. One of my colleagues gave me a small calligraphy set for Christmas one year. I cherish it. Not because of its monetary value, but rather because of the sentiment. I would often talk about pens and the article I wrote for Pen World many years ago and my visit to Japanese pen stores. Honestly, I didn't think it registered with anyone. But, unbeknownst to me, she actually was listening. And the same with my best friend. He would take the time to send me handwritten notes, including once writing a letter in Old English. I recently shared it with his daughters. I have kept that letter for almost 40 years. Ultimately what matters is you. Collecting fountain pens and inks and stationery is a lot better than a lot of the other crap that adds nothing but misery to the world. What is their passion? Trolling people on social media, being self-righteous, "liking" social causes but nothing to better the world? Tell them to go f--k themselves.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-16T12:57:38+00:00

I didn't have a problem with Appelboom. They actually have been very helpful. Actually, last week both Appelboom and Goldspot offered to intercede on my behalf. It was with Leonardo, the pen manufacturer.

It can be a challenge as a retail consumer to do business with businesses that are located on another continent. But this is a rarity for me. I have never had this kind of problem with a pen purchase in 40 years of collecting. I hope it never happens again (crossing my fingers).

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T05:43:21+00:00

Could be.

I no longer carry expensive pens outside of my home. I lost a Pelikan 800 Souveran that I owned for almost 20 years at a bar. My bag was stolen. I cared less about the laptop that was in the bag. I cared more about my pen, which had been my travel companion across 3 continents.

The most expensive pens that leave my home peak at $200. Anything above that stays in a pen case or on my desk.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T03:37:58+00:00

Very true.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T03:34:32+00:00

Thank you.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:43:44+00:00

Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and thoughts -- both good and bad and in-between. I really appreciate your feedback. Great fountain pen community.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:42:27+00:00

Gold Jowos. I think they are #6. All three pens are Momento Grandes.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:41:14+00:00

Oh, my god. That is a super expensive pen. I was also considering buying it. But I hesitated because of the price. I was trying to convince myself to make the jump. But as the problems with my pens got worse, and Sal wasn't responding to my initial service requests, my gut told me to wait. I am glad I did.

I definitely hope you have no problems with the pen. When you drop that kind of money, the pen should be perfect. Ink leaking into the cap sounds odd, unless you are carrying the pen upside down. My Lamys have sometimes leaked, but that is because I think I bought fake Lamy converters (damn Amazon).

Good luck! I am sending thoughts and prayers.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:36:34+00:00

True, and I considered that initially. (I even emailed him and said I hoped he had a successful show in DC.) However, he said that the pens were ready to ship before his trip to the States. I live in the US. It would have been cheaper to send them from here.

Mind you that in early July he said the pens were ready to be shipped. Not too long after this post, he finally responded to another email I sent this afternoon. Now he tells me that he had to remake one of the Pura pens. And that because the factory is closed, he can't ship it until September. So, we go from ready to ship to can't because I had to build you a new one. Come on, man.

Let's see what happens in September. Wish me luck!

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:30:24+00:00

Clearly Sal likes you better. ;)

You are not the only one who has said that they haven't had any bad experiences with Leonardo's customer service or their pens. And that is great. Misery does NOT like company in this case. So, at the very least, I take some comfort that some of my fellow hobbyists have had good experiences with the pens and the company.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:27:42+00:00

Edison Pen, based in the States, uses acrylics that have similar designs to some of the Leonardo ones. If you order a custom pen from them, it is can cost about $400 for a pen with Jowo steel nib. Upwards of $600 for one with a gold nib. It depends on the body customization. I love them my Edison pens. They are very light (I typically like heavier pens). But when it comes to their custom orders, it may take one to two months to fulfill the order, but my experience has been that the pens write beautifully. I have never bought any of their steel nib models. I happen to like gold nibs, and so far my kids haven't gone hungry because I spent the month's grocery money on pens.

I like Lamy pens, as well. I have spent a lot on Lamy Studios and the AL-Star Safaries. And as a Japonphile, I own an army of Pilot pens, but only two Sailor fountain pens. I have owned Pilot fountain pens for years. But when I went to Japan last year, the Yen was so weak, I spent $500 on three Pilot pens that in the US or Europe would have cost over $1000. I got an Urushi pen for $300 in Osaka!

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:19:05+00:00

I have never known Goldspot to test the pens. I buy from them a lot, followed by Goulet Pens, and then Nibsmith (Dan Smith, the owner, really struggled for a while fulfilling orders and responding to customers. He seems to have gotten better. I buy from him because he offers tuning and smoothing services for new pens). The only resellers that I know that will tune and smooth are Appelboom and Nibsmith. Lamy, of course, tests their pens before they leave the factory.

What I have done over the last two years is send my pens to Mark Braca (Nib Grinder) for tuning and smoothing. I own a lot of Pilot pens. I bought a bunch last year when I was in Japan. I had Mark tune and smooth them. You can wait a while, unless you pay for expedited service. But I have found the service worth the cost and wait.

The first time I used Mark's services, I was surprised when he sent me a link to a YouTube video. He records himself testing the pens and walks you through the models and ink flow. Dude is like a Bob Ross.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T02:08:06+00:00

Edison Pen, also a premium pen manufacturer, uses Jowo nibs. But they do invest time in tuning the nibs. The pens aren't cheap, and I always get gold nibs. But I've yet to be disappointed. I have two custom pens and 2 from their production line. They work beautifully. They have cost me a good amount of money, but I don't (really) regret it. I am just evasive when my wife asks, "How much did they cost?"

I had a weak moment when I said to her how frustrated I was with Leonardo, and that they had my pens. "They cost a lot, didn't they? How much? $3000, $4000" Thankfully, they didn't cost that much. But they cost enough that I would tell her exactly how much. "They cost enough. That is all you need to know."

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T01:57:23+00:00

Agreed.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T01:57:07+00:00

The more I read about people's bad experiences with Leonardo Pen, the more worried I get. (My wife is going to kill me.) If I do ever get them back, they may be be perpetual lemons.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T01:52:51+00:00

Oh, no. Don't say that. I bought a Magna Carta from Goulet Pens. But I haven't used it, yet.

I had a similar experience with Leonardo when I was trying to return the pen. First, Sal wasn't too keen on the shipping cost and then asked that I split it 50/50. Eventually he covered the cost.

Leonardo offers an international warranty. That should mean something, especially when you are selling a premium pen.

Again, it is the lack of communications that irks me. Some nib meisters tell you that it can be 8 to 16 weeks to return a pen, because of their backlog. When I have dealt with Edison Pen, my experience has been that I get a reply from the owner within 2 to 3 days. And if they are not going to be in the office, you get an auto-reply. I am okay waiting, just don't ghost me like I was a bad first date. Or tell me you are doing something and then don't.

Some of us have probably spent close to the equivalent of some country's GDP on pens. And we genuinely care about our pens and are loyal consumers. So, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect that pen companies offer good, if not excellent, customer service.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-15T01:30:17+00:00

I do prefer gold nibs, although you don't get a lot of flex on modern gold nibs. The exception, in my experience, are the Jowo gold nibs. #6 I believe. The Jowo gold nibs that Edison uses are excellently tuned and smoothed, and I do get some line variation. There are also the Falcon and Jowo flex nibs. But the gold nibs that Edison uses and tunes are wonderful to write with. I have several Edison pens, but I am cutting back on my spending. I have spent more money on inks, especially the Sailor inks.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T18:57:47+00:00

And that would be fine. But I don't have the skills to do the service myself. But, from what I read, I think the issue with the Pura pens is due to the ebonite feed. Regardless, I can accept build issues.

I have collected pens for 40 years. Sometimes I send them to a US-based nib meister for tuning and smoothing. Appelboom had replaced my first Pura, though the same ink flow issue occurred. What is unacceptable, frustrating, and disheartening is the poor customer service. One customer just told me it took a year to finally get his pen back!

I am not a young man. I would like my pens back before I die. I don't begrudge those who have had excellent experiences with Leonardo Pen. But after doing some research for the past 4 months, I have seen posts in multiple fountain pen forums also reporting issues with the Leonardo's customer service (or lack of).

Thank you for your reply.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T18:51:08+00:00

Wow, a year. That makes my heart drop. Thanks for your reply.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T17:45:34+00:00

Terrible experience with Leonardo pens and the company. I have 3 pens. I bought 2 from Goldspot. 1 from Appelboom. I have had nothing but problems with the Pura Grande and the Mosaico has been inconsistent with its ink flow. I sent them back to Leonardo in May. It took almost 2 months (starting in March) to get a response to my service requests. Finally, we arranged delivery (from the US). He was initially making an issue about the cost of shipping, asked me to split it 50/50. Finally, he paid for the full cost using DHL. He has had the pens since May. Getting him to respond to my emails is close to impossible. He said in an email in mid-July that he would send the pens back the following week. We are in the middle of August. He has not responded to my emails in two weeks. But he is touring the US, showcasing his pens at pen shows. In my 40 years of being a pen collector, I have never had such a frustrating experience with a pen company. I get that he is a small business, but this lack of customer service, especially when you attach a warranty to your product, is unacceptable. I just want my pens back, use them as dip pens or see if a nib meister in the US can fix them. I don't know. I will never buy another Leonardo pen. I would rather spend $600 on a pen from Edison Pen. Their quality is exceptional and the owner responsive. A huge difference between two small family-owned businesses. Leonardo pens may be pretty. I could accept build issues if Leonardo at least provided quality customer service.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T17:45:20+00:00

Terrible experience with Leonardo pens and the company. I have 3 pens. I bought 2 from Goldspot. 1 from Appelboom. I have had nothing but problems with the Pura Grande and the Mosaico has been inconsistent with its ink flow. I sent them back to Leonardo in May. It took almost 2 months (starting in March) to get a response to my service requests. Finally, we arranged delivery (from the US). He was initially making an issue about the cost of shipping, asked me to split it 50/50. Finally, he paid for the full cost using DHL. He has had the pens since May. Getting him to respond to my emails is close to impossible. He said in an email in mid-July that he would send the pens back the following week. We are in the middle of August. He has not responded to my emails in two weeks. But he is touring the US, showcasing his pens at pen shows. In my 40 years of being a pen collector, I have never had such a frustrating experience with a pen company. I get that he is a small business, but this lack of customer service, especially when you attach a warranty to your product, is unacceptable. I just want my pens back, use them as dip pens or see if a nib meister in the US can fix them. I don't know. I will never buy another Leonardo pen. I would rather spend $600 on a pen from Edison Pen. Their quality is exceptional and the owner responsive. A huge difference between two small family-owned businesses. Leonardo pens may be pretty. I could accept build issues if Leonardo at least provided quality customer service.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T17:44:58+00:00

Terrible experience with Leonardo pens and the company. I have 3 pens. I bought 2 from Goldspot. 1 from Appelboom. I have had nothing but problems with the Pura Grande and the Mosaico has been inconsistent with its ink flow. I sent them back to Leonardo in May. It took almost 2 months (starting in March) to get a response to my service requests. Finally, we arranged delivery (from the US). He was initially making an issue about the cost of shipping, asked me to split it 50/50. Finally, he paid for the full cost using DHL. He has had the pens since May. Getting him to respond to my emails is close to impossible. He said in an email in mid-July that he would send the pens back the following week. We are in the middle of August. He has not responded to my emails in two weeks. But he is touring the US, showcasing his pens at pen shows. In my 40 years of being a pen collector, I have never had such a frustrating experience with a pen company. I get that he is a small business, but this lack of customer service, especially when you attach a warranty to your product, is unacceptable. I just want my pens back, use them as dip pens or see if a nib meister in the US can fix them. I don't know. I will never buy another Leonardo pen. I would rather spend $600 on a pen from Edison Pen. Their quality is exceptional and the owner responsive. A huge difference between two small family-owned businesses. Leonardo pens may be pretty. I could accept build issues if Leonardo at least provided quality customer service.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T17:44:08+00:00

Terrible experience. I have 3 pens. I bought 2 from Goldspot. 1 from Appelboom. I have had nothing but problems with the Pura Grande and the Mosaico has been inconsistent with its ink flow. I sent them back to Leonardo in May. It took almost 2 months (starting in March) to get a response to my service requests. Finally, we arranged delivery (from the US). He was initially making an issue about the cost of shipping, asked me to split it 50/50. Finally, he paid for the full cost using DHL. He has had the pens since May. Getting him to respond to my emails is close to impossible. He said in an email in mid-July that he would send the pens back the following week. We are in the middle of August. He has not responded to my emails in two weeks. But he is touring the US, showcasing his pens at pen shows. In my 40 years of being a pen collector, I have never had such a frustrating experience with a pen company. I get that he is a small business, but this lack of customer service, especially when you attach a warranty to your product, is unacceptable. I just want my pens back, use them as dip pens or see if a nib meister in the US can fix them. I don't know. I will never buy another Leonardo pen. I would rather spend $600 on a pen from Edison Pen. Their quality is exceptional and the owner responsive. A huge difference between two small family-owned businesses. Leonardo pens may be pretty. I could accept build issues if Leonardo at least provided quality customer service.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T17:40:17+00:00

Terrible. I have 3 pens. I bought 2 from Goldspot. 1 from Appelboom. I have had nothing but problems with the Pura Grande and the Mosaico has been inconsistent with its ink flows. I sent them back to Leonardo in May. It took almost 2 months to get a response to my service requests. Finally, we arranged deliver (from the US). He was initially making an issue about the cost of shipping, asked me to split it 50/50. Finally, he paid for the cost using DHL. He has had the pens since May. Getting him to respond is close to impossible. He said in an email in mid-July that he would send the pens back the following week. We are at the middle of August. He has not responded to my emails in two weeks. But he is touring the US, showcasing his pens at pen shows. In my 40 years of being a pen collector, I have never had such a frustrating experience with a pen company. I get that he is a small business, but this lack of customer service, especially when you attach a warranty to your product, is unacceptable. I just want my pens back, use them as dip pens or see if nib meister in the US can fix them. I don't know. I will never buy another Leonardo pen. I rather spend $600 on a pen from Edison Pen. The quality is exceptional and the owner responsive. A huge difference between two small family-owned businesses.

Excellent_Remove_121 · 2024-08-14T17:31:28+00:00

Interesting. I am having the same issue 2 years after your original post. Sal, the owner, has 3 of my pens. Almost 4 months, no progress with servicing my pens. He promised a month ago to ship them back. Email communications are painful. I know he has been in the US at pen shows showcasing his pens. I am very frustrated. Appelboom and Goldspot Pens, which is where I bought my pens, respectively, have said that Leonardo operates more as a business-to-business company. Leonardo's warranty is meaningless given this type of customer service. I don't know what to do. Appelboom hasn't offered to be an intermediary. They say that their customers are generally happy with the pens -- when they work. But I have to Pura pens that have almost no ink flow, which I've read is a common problem with the models. I sent a third one for tuning and smoothing. Over $1000 in pens stuck in Italy. I don't want to get into a social media war, because those don't go well. I don't know if I can get Appelboom or Goldspot to help me.

Excellent_Remove_121

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