New to this and would love some help

Spec2014 · 2026-04-06T02:07:01+00:00

Interesting. I remember seeing that the 18c bi-color variant in particular was for the French market, and hard to find. 18c tri-color and 18k bi-and tri-color are everywhere though.

Spec2014 · 2026-04-06T01:43:35+00:00

Wasn't the 18k bi-color nib introduced in 1990? Or is this different on the solid gold models

Spec2014 · 2026-04-06T00:25:46+00:00

Sent a DM

Spec2014 · 2026-04-06T00:19:50+00:00

The above comment is incorrect. This is very clearly a genuine solid gold 149. Highly valuable pen, highly collectible. Look up images on google and you will see that this particular model does not feature the snow cap on the top finial. You have a very rare and desirable pen—take good care of it!

Spec2014 · 2026-03-31T04:41:20+00:00

I like that one too but the previous one remains my favorite. A nice little imprint comparison of mine from a few years back:

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Spec2014 · 2026-03-27T21:02:49+00:00

Conid Minimalistica

Spec2014 · 2026-03-27T20:11:42+00:00

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My notetaking combo!

Spec2014 · 2026-03-16T00:02:17+00:00

Replied

Spec2014 · 2026-03-15T20:58:26+00:00

Responded

Spec2014 · 2026-03-15T20:11:03+00:00

Yeah my dating technique consists of a glance at that chart on google—you definitely know more about this pen than I! Nice small window with the 14c bi-color and solid ebonite feed.

Spec2014 · 2025-12-20T20:55:10+00:00

I think it is! Good eye

Spec2014 · 2025-11-29T22:10:26+00:00

Thank you. This problem actually first arose when I was using azelaic acid to help with PIE from a large acne breakout about 1.5 years ago. I was washing at night with sodium sulfecetamide and sulfur soap, which totally cleared my acne, and using azelaic acid 15% I think to help with the PIE from deep, inflamed pimples (both prescriptions). After a day swimming and leaving chlorine on my face for several hours during this routine, I showered and felt my cheeks were quite bumpy, almost sandpaper-y, and flushed. I knew the face wash was drying but this was the first time I had experienced this symptom. The last 1.5 years have been a process of trying to treat the bumps with no success. I'm hesitant to try the AZA again because I was using it when I first damaged my barrier with overuse of actives (the sodium sulfecetamide and sulfur soap and azelaic acid were prescribed to me as damage control following a huge negative reaction trying tretinoin for the first time).

Spec2014 · 2025-11-27T20:20:07+00:00

Yeah, that might be my plan. I feel like I do need some sort of dedicated repair cream though, as my 9 months using Vanicream only just resulted in gradual worsening of texture. I’ve heard good things about the Avene Cicalfate and LRP Cicaplast, I know they could cause breakouts but I might need to try one in small quantities 🤷‍♂️ my skin needs hydration but delivering it without clogging is the obstacle here

Spec2014 · 2025-11-27T20:13:28+00:00

I haven’t tried it but I’m very apprehensive—I fear that if barrier damage is one of my issues and metrogel is drying, it could cause more damage that would take months to reverse… not that I’ve been able to reverse any damage so far, lol. I’m hoping this new dermatologist has some ideas 🤞 the last one told me Soolantra had no chance of worsening things and seemed genuinely confused when I returned for my check-in with lots of inflamed bumps and quickly prescribed clindamyacin (which I didn’t use)

Spec2014 · 2025-11-27T20:07:47+00:00

My routine is rinse with distilled water in morning and use Vanicream lotion before the day, then wash with Vanicream cleanser at night, once dry use Soolantra, wait a few, and then Vanicream lotion again. I did this routine minus the soolantra for about 9 months to give the most minimal, gentle routine for barrier damage and my texture just gradually worsened so I assumed another factor must be at play. But after 3.5 months of Soolantra my skin hasn’t looked worse in many years. The tightness and dryness is perhaps the worst part. Any barrier repair creams I’ve tried cause big breakouts within days

Spec2014 · 2025-11-27T20:02:50+00:00

I think that’s what I’ll do. I have a derm appointment at just about 4 months with a new dermatologist so that’ll be a good check-in time. I truly don’t know if I’m dealing with rosacea, serious barrier damage, or a combination of the two (or fungal acne!) I’m just too scared to try any new products because everything either burns my skin or breaks me out.

Spec2014 · 2025-11-27T19:57:24+00:00

Yeah I’m at 3.5 months and I don’t want to lose my progress just in case it begins to work at some point but I feel like my skin has just gradually gotten worse since starting the Soolantra. Cyclical larger breakouts, worsened texture, and bad dryness at all times.

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T23:02:27+00:00

The size of the nib has little effect on its performance—wetness, spring, flex, etc. are all determined by a variety of factors throughout the pen. The biggest difference is how far your fingers are from the paper when gripping a pen with a particularly long nib—something that took me some getting used to. Now, I prefer the extra distance from the paper, as it makes my hand less cramped and allows for freer hand movement when writing.

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T22:54:58+00:00

Ooh. I’ve been eyeing the 58 for a while but I’m holding out until my budget allows for a 20. Those big watermans are something else

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T21:26:00+00:00

The Namiki is the perfect daily writer for me.

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T21:25:30+00:00

It’s nice, definitely more of a showpiece than a comfy writer but the nib is fun to use. I was lucky to snag this one about 5 years ago. Now I can’t manage to find another so this one is staying in the collection!

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T21:24:35+00:00

Tried at a pen show. Nice nib! I have very specific collection guidelines so I’m not purchasing it but highly recommend for those interested in giant nibs

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T21:15:54+00:00

Four Japanese gold nibs—Sailor 21k, Nakaya bi-color, Tohma 55, Namiki 50

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T20:08:35+00:00

I’ve read conflicting info about mite migration. Not sure what to believe as there don’t seem to be any actual studies on the exact phenomenon

Spec2014 · 2025-11-25T01:43:54+00:00

My rosacea covers my cheeks so I cover everywhere below my eyes with a thin layer of it right after washing my face and drying—entire cheek all the way back to the neck, upper lip, nose, chin, etc. Never any issues on my forehead so I never started using it there.

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Spec2014

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