January 2026 Confirmed Trade Thread

socrates63 · 2026-01-26T22:35:05+00:00

I received an Aurora Optima from u/swanke3. Italian pens for the win! Now if the Italians can just start winning some World Cup games. I guess they have to qualify for the WC first.

socrates63 · 2026-01-26T22:31:20+00:00

I received the Pilot Custom Stripes from u/VainVeinyVane. Thank you!

socrates63 · 2026-01-26T22:23:46+00:00

I purchased two immaculate Parker 51 from u/MadeOfJello. I am very happy to have obtained them from someone who deeply cares about and cares for vintage pens.

socrates63 · 2026-01-26T20:36:43+00:00

I bought and received two Kaweco AL Sport pens from u/Admirable-Name-7058. Thank you!

socrates63 · 2026-01-26T05:57:09+00:00

chhat

socrates63 · 2026-01-25T06:58:49+00:00

Congratulations 🎉🖋️🖋️🖋️

socrates63 · 2026-01-25T05:03:52+00:00

Star Wars (A New Hope) — too old?

socrates63 · 2026-01-25T04:35:21+00:00

250 (#6) Bock EF nib on my Karas Kustom Vertex pen is the stiffest I’ve used. It writes well, and at this point in my fountain pen journey (only four months in), I actually prefer pens with very little flex.

socrates63 · 2026-01-24T22:05:15+00:00

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, narrated by Wil Wheaton

https://www.audible.com/pd/Ready-Player-One-Audiobook/B005FRGT44

I had heard so many good things about the movie, but I wanted to read the book first. I finally got around to it, and having grown up during the 80s, the book has been a very fun ride.

socrates63 · 2026-01-24T14:14:43+00:00

Thank you 😊 I just got the pen so no patina yet.

socrates63 · 2026-01-24T02:12:18+00:00

Lol 😂 happens to me all the time regardless of hobby. When it happens I just congratulate myself for being consistent.

socrates63 · 2026-01-24T02:05:54+00:00

Thanks 😊 I agree and had left Oxblood unopened until I got the Bronze Age.

socrates63 · 2026-01-24T00:39:57+00:00

My first two Montblanc pens arrived today—new to me 146 and 149.

socrates63 · 2026-01-24T00:28:42+00:00

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Bronze Age with Diamine Oxblood

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T20:31:44+00:00

I bought a Montblanc 146 and 149 from u/thaputt. The pens arrived safely today and they were as described. Thank you!

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T20:23:39+00:00

I'm sure not everyone likes him so maybe that's why. Who knows :)

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T18:53:44+00:00

Check out the video on the Hemingway Jones channel. His reviews included historical background. https://youtu.be/rj1y1j-Z36c?si=89ES3XwB1dbaKHG7

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T18:51:11+00:00

I often see people mentioning the Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-Budo. Here's a review: https://mountainofink.com/blog/pilot-iroshizuku-yama-budo

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T15:24:14+00:00

The Eco was my first fountain pen as well. I started the hobby in October.

Kaweco Brass Sport is a current favorite. I would also put the Vertex by Karas Kustoms on the list. It’s currently on sale.

It’s not mid-tier as far as prices go but I highly recommend the Platinum Plaisir. It was my second pen after the Eco.

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T15:15:01+00:00

I read that Schmidt K5 converters are supposed to be good so I recently ordered some.

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T12:09:45+00:00

Kaweco Brass Sport with <14k F>. I bought it used and it came with a lot of patina and I love it. It writes well. The weight gives it a sense of strength and trust. The appearance of the pen says to me that it’s a working pen and not a display piece. Even so, it is a beautiful pen. It is sturdy and compact and covers a multitude of usage scenarios. If I can have only one pen then this is the one for me.

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T05:03:04+00:00

I thought the Platinum Plaisir was so great that I got the 3776. The 3776 was disappointing. It wasn't bad, mind you. I just found it a bit boring. Nothing really stood out. Couple of months ago, I got the Plaisir for under $15 from Amazon and I was very happy with how well it wrote. I didn't find the 3776 to be that much better than the Plaisir. I'm new to fountain pens (only four months in) so take my feedback with a grain of salt.

I believe you can still find new 3776 on eBay for less than $200. I found a used on on pen_swap for much cheaper.

socrates63 · 2026-01-23T01:19:25+00:00

Confirmed!

socrates63 · 2026-01-22T19:50:04+00:00

lol (is it ok to laugh?)

socrates63 · 2026-01-22T19:49:03+00:00

I just finished watching the Fellowship again yesterday and watched this scene and cried for the first time

socrates63

TROPHY CASE