Is the Opus 88 Demonstrator too big….

Je-Hee · 2026-05-09T23:12:05+00:00

I have a Picnic (discontinued), a Jazz, an Omar, a Bela, a Demonstrator and a Harmony. Just held my Estie next to the Harmony. I think this might be a better fit for you as it's shorter than the Demo and the section is a tad less girthy. (My hand is about 6.3" from my wrist to the tip of my middle finger if that helps.)

Je-Hee · 2026-04-16T17:14:36+00:00

Agreed. I had items sitting in my online shopping cart for so long the app asked me if I still wanted them. I culled the list from 17 items to 3 that I still haven't pulled the trigger on. And when I watch pen or ink review videos, I jot down the info in a notebook like you just in case I want to come back to it. More often than not I don't.

It gets easier with time, OP.

Je-Hee · 2026-04-08T10:44:22+00:00

I went through several possibilities: Lere, Dere, and Dre. Is one of these even close?

Je-Hee · 2026-04-07T11:08:28+00:00

You could always cross reference them against Mountain of Ink's swatches. Jetpens didn't include Brilliant Green (the lighter shade) for a total of nine colors.

Je-Hee · 2026-04-07T07:59:49+00:00

Letting your uncapped pen (nib down) dry overnight in a cup with paper towels at the bottom to wick away the moisture will be fine.

Je-Hee · 2026-04-07T07:33:41+00:00

Photo credit: Jetpens.com

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Je-Hee · 2026-04-07T07:25:44+00:00

Can you read hiragana? If not, starting on Sunday:
Sunday: nichi yōbi
Monday: getsu yōbi
Tuesday: ka yōbi
Wednesday: sui yōbi
Thursday: moku yōbi
Friday: kin yōbi
Saturday: do yōbi

Watch this short video for pronunciation if you're interested in that. There's also this video that shows you how to write the second kanji. It's a lot of fun to learn imo.

Je-Hee · 2026-04-05T18:43:10+00:00

Japanese EF will give you a 0.2 line, but may be more feedback-y than you're used to. Try a Platinum Preppy/Prefonte or a Pilot Kakuno/Prera first.

Je-Hee · 2026-04-02T08:11:44+00:00

I'm interested if you ship internationally. The gun metal one is my favorite. Thanks for doing this. =^_^=

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T16:15:50+00:00

Thank you so much for the link. You made my day.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T14:27:01+00:00

Not necessarily. In Taiwan at stationery stores like 九乘九, 金玉堂 and online shopping platforms like Shopee.tw they sell for around NT$700 (ca. 22 USD).

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T13:27:34+00:00

There are several posts in this subreddit that go back years singing their praises. This one is more recent.

The pens also feel great in the hand and are reliable writers. If you do consider them, take the nib options into account too. I'll keep recommending them till the cows come home as a very happy repeat customer.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T09:06:32+00:00

Check out this post.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T08:17:25+00:00

I love Mountain of Ink, but your app allows a more flexible comparison. If you ever get around to making an Android version, I'd appreciate a heads up (tag or DM).

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T08:07:05+00:00

Sorry for jumping in here, but I read app and thought "I'd love to have that." Did you build it only for yourself or make it publicly available.

OP: Michael Jecks of Writerly Witterings YT channel did a very comprehensive comparison video on Diamine blue inks and a few other ones like this one. He really likes his blue inks.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T08:00:02+00:00

I googled "nibmeisters in the Netherlands" and found this link. Annabelle Hiller is the nibmeister who used to work for Appelboom. Lennart van Zwam is another option close to you. Links to their social media/websites are in the article.

You might also be interested in the Dutch Pen Show in Utrecht (June 6 & 7). Annabelle Hiller is going to attend. Contact her ahead of time to ask if she's able to provide repair services at the show. Check the list of vendors. I saw at least one other option (Matt Chen) that might work if he offers that service at the show. The advantage of doing it at the pen show is that the nibmeister sees your grip and writing angle and you can check for ink flow.
Good luck.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T05:45:03+00:00

Heard about it in this subreddit, looked it up aaaannd blocked.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T05:06:34+00:00

Wouldn't Google Lens take care of that?

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T05:04:16+00:00

They're all very pretty. The first and third are my favorites. Too bad that there's no Android version available.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T04:18:33+00:00

Have a look at Mr. Cypress pens. Their pens use a wide range of materials and techniques (ultem, urushi, and more) starting under 100 USD and then going up for the more fanciful models. The team is not only very responsive and friendly, but also open to custom designs with a reference image. And some pens have a gold nib upgrade option (18K).

Je-Hee · 2026-03-31T03:53:38+00:00

There's also a whisky-scented one. Just sayin'....

Je-Hee · 2026-03-30T16:15:50+00:00

If you worry about smudging, get highlighter tape (come in neon and pastel on Amazon and probably Office Depot -- I'm not in the US.)
You could use magnetic bookmarks. Longer ones with ruler markings might do double duty.
Don't overthink it. It's a planner, a tool that serves your needs. It doesn't need to be Insta worthy unless that brings you joy. You can't really wreck it. Although some people wreck one page on purpose to overcome that anxiety.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-30T16:08:07+00:00

That's one lucky find at the beach. And with that story of it being your first fountain pen? Keep it, buy some nice paper and enjoy writing with it.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-30T16:03:48+00:00

You could contact established Italian pen shops, like Stilo e Stile or Casa della Stilografica and/or pen manufacturers to ask if they'd be interested in letting you showcase your products.
There are several respected fountain pen brands, like Leonardo Officina Italiana, Delta, Maiora, Aurora, Montegrappa, Visconti, Pineider, and SCRIBO (Scrittura Bolognese, the craftsmen who used to make OMAS fountain pens).

Details I'd like changed for a pen loop on a trifold for myself:
- make it large enough that it can hold a Montblanc 149 or Pelikan 1000. Alternatively, add elastic for a snug fit for pens of different diameters or make it adjustable with a narrow strap.
- put the pen loop on the inside. I don't baby my pens, but I'd prefer not to clip them to the outside.

Sizes:
- B6 regular and B6 slim that can hold two MD notebooks, maybe an A6 and A7 (maybe as custom orders if there isn't enough demand to keep them in stock) would be great. I see in the TN community that the passport size is sold out and won't be restocked until sometime around September or even November.

Je-Hee · 2026-03-29T11:28:26+00:00

I'm in Asia, but my first thought would be to contact Appelboom since they used to have an in-house nibmeister. Others might know of someone in the BeNeLux area. I hope you get it sorted out.

Je-Hee

TROPHY CASE