Editing The Pen Addict 476/transcript (section)

== Drillog Nib Compatibility ==


'''Myke:''' Sam asks, do you know if the Drillog nib would fit with any other pen body? Can I just back the nib, or is the nib only option only really for you if you're going to get a second nib for your pen with the body?

'''Brad:''' I mean, technically, someone can make something that threads onto the back. Like, I have dip nib front end units. Like, I have a dip nib unit that at one time I commissioned Sean Newton to make a holder for. So, I mean, the answer is sure, but it's not designed out of the box to say, hey, this is going to screw into a Yovo housing. Like, if that's the question, no. But if the question is, is it theoretically possible for someone to make something that fits in this type of threading? Yes. But I think the question is more of, hey, can I put this into something I have today without it getting custom made? The answer is no.

'''Myke:''' Next question comes from Gustavo. When it comes to expensive pens, are there specific things I should look for that warrant that price tag? Or is it more about how the pen makes me feel?

'''Brad:''' That's a tough question, honestly.

'''Brad:''' I think you start with the latter, right? Like, you're only going to pick up the pen in the first place because you have a certain feeling about it.

'''Myke:''' Don't buy a pen just because it's made of expensive materials.

'''Brad:''' That's a good way to put it. Like, yeah. Like, in short, yes, that's a great answer. Because you're never going to be happy with a product that you're just not inherently happy with, holding, using, looking at, you know, appearance, feel, wise, despite going, ooh, man, this one is full sterling silver barrel. Like, that's fancy. And that warrants the price tags because it's, like, literal silver and it's expensive. But is it functional? Is it fun? Does it put a smile on your face? Those are the more important things in buying expensive pens. Like, you know, my vice for, like, the expensive pens is the Nakaya. And I know that, first and foremost, whenever I use one, and the reason why I like them so much is they make me feel good. They, it feels like I'm holding a story that someone told in my hand. And that's why I like Nakaya's, not because, hey, this is a $900 pen or whatever, and, like, it's got a gold nib, and it took, you know, six or nine months to make, but that there's a story within this writing instrument. That's what's important to me, and that's the way I kind of look at it when I think about that. So, yeah, I mean, the bigger question is the warrant, the price tag bit of the question, and that's such an individual thing. You know, we all value different things differently. So, are there technical things like a piston filler and a gold nib that warrant prices? Yes, right? Like, but does a pen that doesn't have either of those things and cost the same price just as worthwhile? Also, yes, right? So, it's a complex question to answer directly, but I think you've got to look at how it makes you feel first. And if you're, importantly, if you're going to use it for its intended use, which is writing instead of staring at, you know, you start from there, and then you kind of figure the rest out.

'''Myke:''' I think that there are things to look for, right? Like, if a pen feels good in your hands, but it's really expensive, unless it has some elements to it, too, though, right? Like, you don't want to buy it. Like, $700 steel nib pen. You're like, all right, I need to check what's going on here. You know what I mean?

'''Brad:''' You have to ask more questions. You have to ask more questions of yourself.

'''Myke:''' Because maybe there's a good reason, right? But, like, you want to confirm what's going on with that. So, there are definitely boxes you might want to tick off or things you might want to check. You know, like, how is it made? What is it made of? What are the key parts? I don't know. But, as you say, it does start with a few. This actually goes into a second question, which I think might help a bit more. Yeah. Chris, what is most important to you? One, how a pen looks. Two, how it feels in the hand. Three, how it writes. And what is, like, a combination of three? How do you rank this? For me, it is that exact order is my importance. I want to... The look has to be a thing that grabs me and draws me in the first time.

'''Myke:''' Then, when I pick it up, how does it feel comfortable for me to hold? With how it writes being last. The reason being is that's the one thing I can change.

'''Myke:''' How it writes is definitely last. Yes. For me. Because it is... That is a changeable thing. Now, I mean, I'll say, like, there's the odd occasion where somebody gives me a pen and they're like, don't just trust me. And then it can change the order, right? Then it could be like, all right, I don't like how this pen looks, but it is unbelievable to write with or whatever, right? And that was kind of like the king of pen for me where I thought it looked kind of ridiculous. And then I tried it and was like, oh my God, this is incredible. So, stuff can move around. But typically, that is my order when looking at a pen myself.

'''Brad:''' Right. And having how it writes last is definitely a luxury of experience, right? Someone with less experience, that's going to be number one because they may not have, like, the knowledge or education to go, you know what? We can change this if necessary. But why should I have to, right? So, maybe writing is number one for some people. I think writing is number three for me also. I want to say number two is first, but I don't think I can. I'm trying to get there, but I think I'm still not going to figure out how it feels unless I think it looks good first. And I'm trying to think of a situation where the feel trumped the aesthetic.

'''Brad:''' And I don't know that I can come up with a real answer off the top of my head. So, it must be that order one, two, three for me. And it's honestly, three is, I don't want to say three is insignificant because it's not. Because, like, if I have a pen that looks perfect and feels great and has a broad nib in it, I end up buying it and it gets sold. Like, I just proved that in the sale that I've made. I sold two Nakayas with broad nibs because they do not write well for me. That doesn't mean they're not perfect in looks and perfect in feel, but they're not perfect in writing. So, it does have to be down to all three. But, I guess it's looks. But, I'm trying to determine a way that it's not looks first, Myke.

'''Brad:''' I don't know.

'''Myke:''' You just don't want to be judging a book by its cover, right?

'''Brad:''' It's not even that. You know, like, my fancy pens. You know, like, my gaudy, like, ridiculous looking pens. Like, so, maybe it's just how it looks. But, like, you know, there's some great looking pens that feel terrible, too. That's important. Both of those are more important than how it writes, I guess, though. So, yeah, I guess I have to go with how it looks, then how it feels, and then how it writes. Way down the list.

'''Myke:''' Last question today comes from Match3. I accidentally dyed a fountain pen with a white grip section while refilling it. What are my options? Hashtag horror stories. Yeah.

'''Brad:''' I'm asking this question, and this is in the show notes, because I literally do not know. Most of the time, I'm going to say there's no way out of this, right? Because you're dealing with materials that are absorbent, in whichever case this pen is. It's some type of absorbent material, and to reverse that process with a fountain pen ink, and some type of either just basically water or chemical, is going to be detrimental. It just has to be. So, I am asking listeners.

'''Myke:''' To remove it in any way, you're kind of attacking it further. Mm-hmm.

'''Brad:''' Yeah. So, this doesn't sound like it's an exterior surface issue. Because you just clean it, wouldn't you? Yeah. Well, I don't know necessarily. It could still die. I want this question in here in case anyone has any feedback and has any experience with anything like this. I've only had some fibrous pens that I've stained, and there's just no coming back from a MyCarta stain or anything like that. There's nothing that I'm willing to do. I'm not going to bleach it or something like that. It just is what it is. But for this, maybe even if you had a more specific, tell me the pen. And if listeners have had any experience doing this, I would love to hear it. Because I don't have an answer other than I don't see how it's possible to reverse this without... And make yourself happy with the end result. Like, that's what I'm getting at. Can you get back to 100% normal? I doubt it. But we'll see. I will definitely get some feedback. So Match 3, reach out to me with some more specifics. And any listeners, let me know.

'''Myke:''' If you'd like to send out a question of your own, you can send out a tweet with the hashtag AskTPA. You can use question mark AskTPA in the RelayFM members Discord. Or you can email longer questions to hello at penaddict.com. At penaddict.com is where you'll find Brad's writing along with a talented crew of pen addicts. You can find loads of great reviews and info over there. You can go to Spokedesign.com and Noc.co to pick up Brad's wonderful products. Brad streams live three days a week at twitch.tv slash penaddict. It's 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. And then basically straight after we finish our recording of the podcast on Wednesday. So you can go follow Brad there and you'll be notified when he goes live. You can find Brad on Instagram. He's penaddict. Dowdyism on Twitter. Brad on micro.blog. I am imike. I-M-Y-K-E. I have products of my own. Journals and notebooks over at cortexmerch.com. And please donate to St. Jude. Go to stjude.org slash relay. But don't forget we have something fun to talk about about that next week. With Brad's wonderful raffle going on. Thank you so much for listening to this week's episode of The Pen Addict. Thank you to our friends over at ExpressVPN, Pen Chalet, and Canalea Penco for their support of this show. And we'll be back next time. Until then, say goodbye, Brad. Goodbye, Brad.

[[Category:Podcast Transcripts]]
[[Category:The Pen Addict Podcast Transcript]]