Scottsdale Pen

New Moleskine Added at Scottsdale Pen

2012-01-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

Scottsdale Pen has expanded its offering of Moleskine journals with the addition of the music notebook and the sketchbook. They have also added the color red in both the large ruled and plain journals.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/moleskine-journals-c-419.html?osCsid=65753af1bc10ac4fbfa8cd96fbe332f7

New Noodler's Inks Arrive at Scottsdale Pen

2012-01-25T09:02:00.001-08:00

Scottsdale Pen has added some new inks to their Noodler's selection this week including Bernacke Black, Bernacke Blue, The Blue Nose Bear, American Eel Blue, American Eel Turquoise, and Black Swan in English Roses. http://www.scottsdalepen.com/refillsink-noodlers-c-114_175.html

Sherpa Announces Year of the Dragon

2012-01-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

The makers of the popular Sherpa pen shell announced today the upcoming Limited Edition Year of the Dragon Sherpa. Only 888 pieces will be released worldwide to commemorate the 2012 Chinese Year of the Dragon.

The body of the pen will feature green dragon scales while all trim will be in black. A dragon logo will appear on the clip and a serial number will be on the cap band. These will sell for $39.95 and we expect sales to be brisk.

Scottsdale Pen is proud to distribute this reasonably priced collectible. Please contact us to reserve yours now. The release dated is projected to be February 15th, 2012.

January Clearance Sale at Scottsdale Pen

2012-01-15T05:14:00.000-08:00

January is always a time to restock the shop after a busy holiday season, but it is also a time to reconsider the merchandise mix, or to prepare for new ideas in the pipeline.

In that spirit, the Scottsdale Pen January Sale and Clearance is now in full effect. Numerous items shown at 20-40% off msrp can be found by clicking on the Specials icon in the header of our site.

For a limited time, we are also offering 25% off on these in-stock items:

Waterman Exception and Carene;

Visconti Michelangelo, Opera, and Van Gogh;

S.T. Dupont;

and Parker Premier.

These discounts apply if you walk-in, call-in, or e-mail. We apologize that we cannot show these discounts on our website due to manufacturer restrictions.

Parker Ingenuity Soars at Scottsdale Pen

2012-01-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

We're off to a flying start for 2012 with the Parker Ingenuity leading the way. Certainly curiosity has driven some sales of the Ingenuity, but there have been a number of repeat purchasers, too, indicating a high level of satisfaction with the writing experience.

We must stress that this is not a fountain pen, nor is it meant to persuade loyal fountain pen users to switch. This is a new, patent pending ink delivery system more akin to a fiber tip from a refill similar to a rollerball housed in a shell that looks like a fountain pen. The tip itself is thermoplastic with noticeable flex and a smooth, dark delivery. Parker tells us that these refills will not leak when flying, and the tip will not flatten or push in either.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/parker-pens-ingenuity-c-36_500.html

Happy New Year from Scottsdale Pen

2012-01-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

The "staff" at Scottsdale Pen wishes you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! We also thank you for your past support in helping to keep us growing. We look forward to another exciting year in 2012, the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

Happy Holidays from Scottsdale Pen

2011-12-27T14:07:00.000-08:00

We wish you and yours the best of holiday seasons! May your days be merry and bright!!

Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane Visits Scottsdale Pen

2011-11-27T05:53:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, November 26, 2011 Scottsdale's Mayor Jim Lane visited Scottsdale Pen. He arrived just after 10am with entourage in tow, his main purpose to purchase a pen to sign a proclamation for Small Business Saturday.

With cameras rolling, or clicking, the Mayor spent some time chatting with us about his background, which included working in his father's pen factory. They made pens for the education trade. He grew up in New Jersey and graduated from St. Joe's in Philly, whereas Karen and I graduated from Temple, another of the "Big Five" schools. How interesting that we had such strong common connections!

A good time was had by all, but his visit was brief as he was off to Southbridge for the Small Business Saturday events. Scottsdale was one of only fifteen cities across the U.S. that American Express sponsored for this occasion due to the concentration of small, privately owned shops in the area. Scottsdale Pen was pleased to have been included in the event in such a personal way and was mentioned in the Mayor's speech during the official launch of the event.

Black Friday Sale at Scottsdale Pen

2011-11-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for the Friday Frenzy, otherwise known as Black Friday?

Well, fasten your seat belts and jump right in to our Black Friday Black Pen Sale. We are offering 10% off msrp on any black pen in stock. As long as the pen has a black cap, or a black barrel, or both it qualifies for the event. No brand or style is held back!

Come early for best selection!

www.scottsdalepen.com

Pen Event at Scottsdale Pen Saturday 11-19-2011

2011-11-15T15:15:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce the upcoming show and sale at Scottsdale Pen featuring Ken Jones, the National Sales Manager for Yafa. His lines include Conklin, Delta, Monteverde, and Stipula. We will offer 25% off msrp on any purchase over $100 for any of these brands or combination thereof. The sale pricing applies whether you walk-in, call-in, fax, or e-mail.

Acme Beatles November Release is Here

2011-11-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

Scottsdale Pen is pleased to announce the Acme Beatles releases for November, 2011 have arrived and those include 1964, 1965, Rubber Soul, Help, and Beatles for Sale. The "year" pens are produced in editions equal to the number of the year and sell for $98, while the "record album" pen and card case sets are limited to only 1000 pieces at $130. The "record album" sets are sold out at the warehouse, so when our allotment is gone there are no more to offer.

The Acme Beatles series is the first numbered limited edition of anything ever approved by The Beatles, and the entire collection has been accepted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Scottsdale Pen Has Joined Local First Arizona

2011-11-12T14:52:00.001-08:00

We are pleased to announce that Scottsdale Pen recently joined Local First Arizona.

Local First Arizona (LFA) is a non-profit organization working to strengthen communities and local economies through supporting, maintaining, and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout the state of Arizona.

Studies have shown that for every $100 spent in a locally owned business, roughly $42 remains right here in Arizona, while for the same $100 spent in a national chain store, only $13 remains here.

Noodler's Ink Flex Nib Pens at Scottsdale Pen

2011-10-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

Scottsdale Pen is pleased to announce the long-awaited arrival of Noodler's Ink Flex Nib fountain pens, now featuring Bumblebee, Clear, Ivory Darkness, Cardinal Darkness, December 25th, Yellow, Pink Panther, Arizona, Pumpkin Poltergeist, Jade, and Lapis Inferno. Supplies of these pens have been very limited during 2011, so please act quickly to get the best selection. We will post them all as soon as we can...

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/noodlers-pens-c-421.html?osCsid=a201b88116d97ee03ffce5087547ef25

Visconti Van Gogh 2011 Now at Scottsdale Pen

2011-10-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

The much anticipated Visconti Van Gogh 2011 has arrived at Scottsdale Pen. After a highly successful ten-year run of 600,000 pens that ended in 2009, Visconti has redesigned the Van Gogh and introduced a new shape and new colors.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/visconti-pens-gogh-2011-c-38_492.html

Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch painter who created over 900 vibrant and emotionally charged paintings. Sadly, he sold only one during his lifetime. His finest works are known for their swirling motion, impassioned brush strokes, and intensity of color.

Visconti recaptures some of Vincent's magic in the new Van Gogh series. Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Room in Arles provide the inspiration for the first three colors used in this collection - blue, yellow, and red respectively.

Cross 2012 Year of the Dragon at Scottsdale Pen

2011-10-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

The exciting Cross 2012 Year of the Dragon Special Edition Collection is now at Scottsdale Pen.

Powerful, bold, ambitious, the dragon is the mightiest sign of the Chinese Zodiac. The Special Edition embodies the intense beauty and fiery spirit of the dragon with beautiful etching and rich, high gloss finishes, and celebrates the dragon's place as the imperial symbol.

Please follow this link to view this fabulous series:

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/cross-pens-dragon-c-89_502.html

Parker 5th Technology Now at Scottsdale Pen

2011-10-04T12:40:00.001-07:00

Scottsdale Pen is pleased to announce the arrival of the Parker Ingenuity featuring the all-new 5th Technology.

There has been little innovation in the pen world since the introduction of the rollerball in the 1970's giving us all four modes of writing - fountain, ballpoint, fiber tip, and rollerball.

After intensive consumer research, Parker has combined the best features of those four technologies to give us the 5th Technology.

The Parker Ingenuity is a specially designed line of pens that mimic the look of a fountain pen while employing a 5th Technology refill. This breakthrough refill has a thermoplastic tip that lays down ink that is dark and fast drying. The tip is also flexible and adjusts to the owners' writing style without worries about mashing down, pushing in, or leaking.

Scottsdale Pen is one of only four U.S. retailers chosen to roll out this innovation through the end of 2011.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/parker-pens-ingenuity-c-36_500.html

Conklin Glider Now at Scottsdale Pen

2011-08-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to annouce the arrival of the Conklin Glider at Scottsdale Pen. Modeled after a classic Conklin pattern, the Glider features "chasing", or engraving, along the entire length of the the body of each pen in a "rick-rack" pattern. These are classy writing instruments with a limited lifetime guarantee. http://www.scottsdalepen.com/conklin-pens-glider-c-44_488.html

Pearl Pink Vanishing Point at Scottsdale Pen

2011-08-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Limited Edition Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen in Pearl Pink has arrived at Scottsdale Pen. Only 850 pieces were imported in the United States, so we anticipate a strong demand for a fairly small supply. Please order soon to avoid being shut-out.
http://www.scottsdalepen.com/pilot-vanishing-point-2011-limited-pearl-pink-fountain-p-2940.html

Acme The Beatles Due in August at Scottsdale Pen

2011-07-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

The Acme Studio announced the pending arrival of The Beatles collection back in January, 2011. They have an extensive project worked out with Apple Records, a groundbreaking series of writing instruments in honor of the Fab Four and their incredible body of work. Scottsdale Pen expects to receive the first issues of this historic offering in mid-August, 2o11. For more details please follow this link: http://www.scottsdalepen.com/acme-pens-beatles-c-152_452.html

Visconti Van Gogh 2011

2011-07-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

Visconti will release a newly remodeled Van Gogh series in September, 2011. The pen will incorporate features from the Michelangelo including 18 facets on the cap and barrel and a magnetic closure. Colors will be based upon famous works from Van Gogh including Sunflower (yellow), Room in Arles (red), and Starry Night (blue). Prices will range from $199 to $279. Four modes will be available - ballpoint, rollerball, eco-roller, and fountain pen. The fountain pen will be a cartridge/converter with a stainless steel nib. Scottsdale Pen should be receiving their first shipment in late September.

Pilot Limited Edition Vanishing Point 2011

2011-07-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

Pilot has announced Ice Pink will be the limited edition color for the 2011 Vanishing Point. There will be 2011 pieces available worldwide, but only 850 here in the United States. The list price for this pen will be $225. We expect delivery will probably be in late August or early September. Scottsdale Pen will be limited to only 12 pieces, so please reserve your pen early to avoid disappointment.

S.T. Dupont Defi Hope for Japan at Scottsdale Pen

2011-07-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

On March 11, 2011 Japan was slammed by a 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami that caused a nuclear disaster. In response, S. T. Dupont has created this limited edition Hope for Japan ballpoint pen. It is presented in bright lacquer red, a symbol of love and life, on which blossoms a cherry tree called Sakura, signifying renewal in Japan. Dupont is donating all profits from the sale of this pen through the French Red Cross to the Japanese Red Cross as a token of support for Japan. It is built upon the Defi frame - modern and sleek.

At the same time, we'd like to introduce the new Defi Grill ballpoint. Also a Defi model, the Grill features a stainless steel mesh overlay giving this pen a distinctively new look.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/dupont-pens-defi-c-368_369.html

Welcome Baseball Fans, Calligraphers and Penmen

2011-07-11T14:32:00.001-07:00

This is a busy week here in the Phoenix area as we are hosting the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game with all of its surrounding hoopla.

And just as this is winding down the IAMPETH Annual Convention kicks off.

Welcome one and all to The Valley of the Sun! It's monsoon season, so don't be too surprised to see an occasional pop-up dust storm or thundershower.

Cross Spire Revives Thin at Scottsdale Pen

2011-06-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

Cross brings back thin with the new Spire. Dubbed as "Revival of the Thinnest", the Spires' slim silhouette stirs the senses while the refractive surface is etched in memory. The pocket clip strikes a new pose with a whole new personality. Aspire to a whole new writing experience.

New Retro 51 Arrivals at Scottsdale Pen

2011-06-27T16:46:00.001-07:00

Retro 51 has been busy this quarter getting some new items to market including the Disney Mickey Vintage Deluxe in a slimmer version, the Hex-o-matic in white, and the Masters of Mystery Magic rollerball pen.

In the Hex-o-matic series, the new white finish in both the ballpoint and the mechanical pencil replaces yellow. So, the line-up now includes black, silver, and white.

The new themes in the Disney Mickey Vintage Deluxe series are Mickey's Nightmare, Whoopee Party, and Wild Waves.

The Masters of Mystery Magic rollerball is a beautiful pen that pays tribute to magicians of yesterday whose advertising posters are captured on each barrel. Special packaging adds to the thrill of ownership.

Pen World 2011 Reader's Choice Awards

2011-06-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

The June 2011 issue of Pen World Magazine is out and the winners of the 2011 Reader's Choice Awards have been revealed.

Visconti came out the biggest winner with four awards:
2011 Pen of the Year for the Golden Man,
Most Incredible Value for the Eco-Roller,
Easy Writer for the Homo Sapiens,
and Most Creative Use of Materials for the Carbon Dream.

Best Brand Icon was won by Delta for the Dolce Vita Oro, while William Henry Studio also received mention for Most Creative Use of Materials for the Cabernet.

Best Metal Mastery went to Grayson Tighe for Maple Leaf,
Most Glamorous went to David Oscarson for Diamond Seashell,
Best Maki-e went to Loiminchay for Tibetan Goddess Set,
Finest Tribute was a tie between Krone for Humphrey Bogart and Montblanc for Elizabeth I. Montblanc also took Best Cultural Theme for Mark Twain.

Rounding out the list, Most Exciting Motorsport Pen was a tie between Omas for Maserati and Tibaldi for Bentley Mulsanne. Best Fashion Pen went to Laban for the Handpainted Kaiser Series.

Graduation Gifts at Scottsdale Pen

2011-05-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

There is almost no better gift for your favorite graduate than a fine writing instrument. A great pen will provide years of enjoyment and is a perfect way to launch someone into the next phase of their lives. Fine pens can be a long-lasting reminder of important milestones.

Recent additions to the store include these items: Conklin Stylograph, Cross Spire, Delta Gallery Non-Stop, Monteverde One Touch Stylus and Aboriginal, Parker Sonnet Pearl PGT and Sonnet Pink Gold, Visconti Michelangelo, and much more.

Prices start at only $12.50, so there's something for almost every budget.

Monteverde One Touch Stylus at Scottsdale Pen

2011-04-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Monteverde One Touch Stylus is now available at Scottsdale Pen in five colors - red, white, black, grey, and pink. Continuing the success of the One Touch ballpoint pen series, the Stylus features a soft end opposite the tip suitable for use on all of your touch pad devices. The refill is the ultra-smooth 1.4mm SuperBroad Monteverde SoftRoll ballpoint with low viscosity ink. For only $30 you can't find another pen that covers both your digital and analog pen needs!

Visconti Michelangelo now at Scottsdale Pen

2011-04-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Visconti Michelangelo has landed featuring an industry-first 18-sided body and available in either black with bronze trim, or midnight blue with palladium trim. The collection features a twist-action ballpoint, a rollerball, an eco-roller, and a fountain pen. All of the capped modes have a magnetic closure.

Metropolitan Museum of Art pens at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-24T14:44:00.000-08:00

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, otherwise known as "The MET" and located in Central Park, New York City, is an amazing destination for art lovers and houses one of the world's greatest collections. Various items from that collection give inspiration for the development of the MET Collection of ballpoint pens. A portion of the proceeds from sales of these nicely crafted ballpoint pens goes to benefit the MET.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/metropolitan-museum-c-396.html?osCsid=9cc1f1ba1421f8d3202a342c92004b21

Pelikan M205 Duo Highlighter at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-16T12:36:00.001-08:00

Pelikan announced the M205 Duo Highlighter Fountain Pen Set in the second half of 2010 and proceeded to sell out the first 900 in the U.S. before they ever sat on any store shelves. We finally have a couple to show here in the shop.

Following up the popular M205 Translucent Blue, the M205 Duo Highlighter is a see-through yellow topped with a double broad nib. It arrives with a bottle of yellow highlighter ink to complete the clever packaging.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/pelikan-m205-highlighter-fountain-p-2557.html

Retro 51 Stealth Stripes 2 at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Retro 51 Tornado design is a modern classic in the pen world and helped make the Retro 51 brand what it is today. So, when they offer a unique limited edition of only 500 pieces worldwide its a good idea to jump on it very quickly as they will disappear before you can say Retro 51 Stealth Stripes 2 Tornado. Based upon the popular all-black Stealth model, the Stripes 2 Tornado rollerball pen has added elements of interest with additional color and patterning.
http://www.scottsdalepen.com/retro-limited-edition-stealth-stripes-rollerball-p-2789.html

Porsche Design Slim Line at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-13T14:09:00.001-08:00

New for 2011, Porsche Design has just released the Slim Line, reminiscent of the Classic line, the first range of writing tools from this luxury brand. These were characterised by a strongly geometric, cylindrical design. All of these fine writing instruments are made of polished palladium-plated brass and are finished with a precisely milled groove on the barrel and cap. The clip is made of a special copper alloy, renowned for its strength and robustness.

The ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil offer true innovation: twisting the pen's tip makes the clip retract into the casing to give an uninterrupted writing experience. The ballpoint pen and the mechanical pencil also feature an integral palladium-plated ball to prevent them from rolling off your desk. http://www.scottsdalepen.com/porsche-design-pens-c-302.html?osCsid=99cc220fcb387de19b83ea703481b0b6

Red Pens for Valentine's Day at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

If a red pen will make that someone special happy, here are some brands and styles that will make your day:

Aurora Alpha, Caran d'Ache Office, Conklin Symetrik, Cross Affinity, Cross Apogee, Lamy Safari, Libelle Chromatic, Mazzouli Ducati, Montverde Invincia Color Fusion, Omas Cruise, Pilot Axiom, Knight, Metal Falcon and Vanishing Point, Platinum Plaisir, Retro 51 Tornado, and Visconti Rembrandt.

We will be open this Sunday, February 13th from noon to 4pm.

Aurora Alpha at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

The Aurora Alpha is the beginning of a new journey. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, the most brilliant star of a constellation, and above all it represents a new beginning, like Aurora is the dawn of a new day. By this name we want to express a change...a new journey for a company representing Italian excellence in the world for almost a century.

Light reflects the colors of the unique Italian landscapes in these pearlescent resins: Tuscan Night glows of a speckled night; Sienese Land shows the red of still unexplored paths; while Florentine Sky shows the rare tones of a spring sky. The knurled grip sections and chromed fittings are the perfect finish for this brilliant collection.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/aurora-pens-alpha-c-21_447.html

Platinum Plaisir at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

One of the surprise hits of the 2010 Christmas season here at Scottsdale Pen were the Platinum Plaisir fountain pens. At only $21 and in seven shiny colors, they were flying off the display and in rapid need of replenishment before we knew it.

So what's the big deal? Well, the folks at Platinum developed a new cap liner that dramatically reduces ink evaporation from the nib when the pen is capped. Experiments show that your Platinum Plaisir fountain pen will start up even after months of inactivity. How many times have you loaded a fountain pen, used it for a while, and then set it aside and forgotten about it? Usually, the pen will not start up again unless you either prime it with ink or dampen it with water. Platinum's new cap design all but eliminates this!

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/platinum-fountain-pens-c-233.html

Pilot White Vanishing Point now at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

The game-changing Namiki-Pilot Vanishing Point retractable fountain pen burst onto the American pen horizon in 1970 and has been a best-seller for them ever since. Scottsdale Pen is pleased to announce a new color for 2011, white, now in stock.

Please visit our Namiki/Pilot section for more details:

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/namikipilot-pens-vanishing-point-c-80_95.html

Lamy Dialog 3 at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-03T09:37:00.001-08:00

Its been just over a year now that the Lamy Dialog 3 swept onto the scene creating quite a furor at the time and for many months into 2010. Lamy was shocked at the unprecedented demand for the product and struggled deep into the year to fill their backorders.

Scottsdale Pen was fortunate to receive an early order but then had to wait another nine months for restock from Lamy. Since that point, we've been able to keep some stock on hand, so if you're still curious about this ingenious retractable fountain pen, please contact us!

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/lamy-pens-dialog-c-139_343.html

Stipula Passaporto at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Experienced travelers have always known to pack light and bring only the essentials. The Stipula Passaporto from Scottsdale Pen may be the most efficient pen you'll ever see. The clip-less design is small enough to carry in your jeans pocket or purse, but expands to the perfect writing size when the cap is posted. Better yet, Passaporto fills directly from the included eyedropper and has four times the ink capacity of a full-sized cartridge/converter pen (although you can also use an international cartridge instead).

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/stipula-fountain-pens-c-150.html

Retro 51 Pens and Refills at Scottsdale Pen

2011-02-02T13:09:00.001-08:00

It isn't really any news that Scottsdale Pen has been selling Retro 51 pens and refills since we opened. Its been one of our best selling brands. However, what is news is that there are so few places in the Phoenix metro area to find these pens and refills.

Franklin-Covey used to sell Retro 51 here in the valley, but they dropped the line earlier in 2010. At that point, their managers began to refer people to us, particularly for Retro 51 refills.
Right after Christmas, 2010 we were informed that FC was closing both of their valley locations.
Our hearts go out to those wonderful managers and store employees who tried so hard to make those stores successful.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/retro-pens-c-64.html

Delta Gallery Pens at Scottsdale Pen

2011-01-31T13:46:00.000-08:00

Delta Pens of Italy is off to a fast start this year with a couple of new items. First was the Limited Edition Oversized Button Filler Demonstrator, but now we are pleased to introduce the Delta Gallery collection.

The Gallery writing instruments are the fruit of Delta's traditional handicraft. This collection produced from a special multicolor resin is turned by hand from solid rods and renders homage to Drip Painting, a form of abstract art in which paint is dripped or poured onto the canvas. This style of painting has been used since 1946 by various famous American artists who defined it as: "expressive power through material outbreaks in a frenetic vortex of signs".

Each pen offers a unique combination of swirled, muted tones of red, brown, black, and yellow.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/delta-pens-gallery-c-50_463.html

Major League Baseball Pens at Scottsdale Pen

2011-01-31T13:33:00.000-08:00

Although Spring Training hasn't yet kicked in, its not too soon to think about baseball. We are fortunate to have some fifteen Major League Baseball teams playing here in Arizona, and THINK Pens has licensed with seven of them to create their own unique designs.

Using vintage logos and color schemes, THINK has created both fountain pens and rollerball pens for these Cactus League teams: California Angels, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants.

Other MLB teams with associated THINK pens include: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and New York Yankees.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/think-pens-major-league-baseball-c-377_445.html

Acme The Beatles from Scottsdale Pen

2011-01-20T14:20:00.000-08:00

The Acme Studio has just released some photos of their upcoming limited editions featuring The Beatles. This is an historic collaboration, the first pen company to work with Apple Records to create a series of limited edition pens commemorating the Fab Four.

The first pieces will be available sometime in May, 2011. We are taking non-cancellable pre-orders and expect sales to be brisk, so avoid disappointment and book your orders soon.
http://www.scottsdalepen.com/acme-pens-beatles-c-152_452.html

Delta Limited Edition Oversized Button Filler at Scottsdale Pen

2011-01-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2011!

We're off to a flying start with the introduction of the Delta Limited Edition Oversized Button Filler Demonstrator fountain pen. Wow, that's a mouthful, and this pen is a handful, too. However, it is nicely balanced and not at all heavy having been crafted from highly polished, completely clear acrylic.

Only 25 pieces were made and each one is serial numbered. The button is hidden by a blind cap, and the nib is rhodanized 14K gold. We have a fine nib and medium nib in stock at the moment.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/delta-pens-button-filler-c-50_462.html

Delta Limited Edition Oversized Button Filler

2011-01-07T15:41:00.001-08:00

To start the New Year off we're excited to offer the Delta Limited Edition Oversized Button Filler Demonstrator fountain pen. Only 25 pieces were made, and we've got a fine, medium, and broad for you to choose from.

These are crafted from highly polished acrylic and are completely see-through so you can watch the button filler mechanism in action. To operate you must first remove the blind cap to access the button. All trim is silver-plated and the nibs are 14K gold.

Start your New Year with a very limited edition fountain pen!

After Christmas Sale in Progress

2010-12-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

In past years we've done a big close-out sale in January, but it really makes more sense to do this immediately after Christmas. We are doing a Red Dot event right now - any pen with a Red Dot on the tag is 50% off the marked price.

This sale includes items from Aurora, Caran d'Ache, Monteverde, Montegrappa, Pilot, S. T. Dupont, Visconti, Waterman, and more.

Please come in soon for best selection!

Monteverde One-Touch Ballpoint Pens at Scottsdale Pen

2010-12-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

Just in time to use as stocking stuffers, the Monteverde One-Touch ballpoint pen has arrived in six delicious colors: Aquamarine, Cobalt Blue, Dove Grey, Graphite Grey, Sunflower Gold, and Sunset Pink. The series features pearlized lacquer finishes, smooth flowing super-broad 1.4mm low viscosity ink refills, and a convenient click-action.

We will be open every day through December 24th for your shopping convenience.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/monteverde-pens-onetouch-c-52_454.html

Pen Event This Friday, December 10

2010-12-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

This Friday, December 10, 2010 we will have a show and sale featuring S. T. Dupont, Faber-Castell, Porsche Design, and Visconti. Manufacturer reps Howard Siegel and Ryan Davidson will be here to show you the latest models and to assist you in your choices from 12 noon to 5pm.

Since we don't have reps available for Cross, Parker, or Waterman we will also include these brands in this one-day event. Save 25% off msrp on all purchases over $100 for all six of these brands.

From 3:30pm to 5:00pm Cindy Zimmermann from Writing in Style will be on hand to discuss how "Business Success Begins with a Fountain Pen." Cindy is a writer for Pen World magazine and a local resident.

The store is packed with merchandise for the holiday season. Please come on in if you can!

Visconti Carbon Dream Limited Edition Fountain Pen at Scottsdale Pen

2010-12-01T14:57:00.001-08:00

The Visconti Limited Edition Carbon Dream fountain pen has arrived. It features a ripple pattern carbon fiber shell surrounding a clear resin body, so this is a demonstrator where you can see the operation of the Double Reservoir Power Filler. Titanium fittings keep this large fountain pen surprisingly light in the hand, while the Dream Touch nib is pure pleasure to write with. The pen arrives in a black, piano-lacquered wooden box and includes a carbon fiber inkwell.

The Power Filler is a unique mechanism that makes it safe to fly with a fountain pen. You can actually back off the ink supply in the front reservoir so that no ink will leak during flight.

The Carbon Dream is a limited edition of only 993 pieces worldwide.

http://www.scottsdalepen.com/visconti-pens-carbon-dream-c-38_432.html

THINK Major League Baseball Writing Instruments

2010-11-17T10:01:00.000-08:00

We're pleased to announce the arrival of the THINK Major League Baseball writing instruments. Rich team color bands of luminescent Italian resin are carefully arranged and crafted representing a MLB team. A three-dimensional vintage team logo adorns the clip and each team name highlights the band.

So far, these eleven teams have been released: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, California Angels, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants.

Available in fountain pen ($195.00) and rollerball ($185.00).

Parker Pen Write Big Contest

2010-11-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

The new Parker Premier Black Edition is the center of attention for their advertising with the slogan, "Write Your Own Story". Not only that, Parker is doing a national contest called "Write Big" which you can learn more about at www.parkerpen.com. If you enter you might win a trip to New York and a Parker Premier Black Edition pen. Contest ends November 30, 2010, so hurry!

Delta Italiana now in stock

2010-11-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce the arrival of the Delta Italiana collection. What really caught our eye was the old-time matte finish on the Brown Swirl series. Highlighted with gold-plated trim, these rich looking pens are easy on the budget at $175, $155, and $145 msrp for the fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint respectively.

If you're in the area, please join me on Wednesday, November 10th at Eddie's House at the corner of Indian School and Marshall Way from 12pm to 2pm for a discussion on The Power in Your Pen. I'll lead the way with some relevant stories, but if you have a favorite pen and/or writing story please bring that along with you!

Friday and Saturday Pen Events

2010-10-28T15:13:00.001-07:00

This Friday, October 29th we will host Skip Sklanowsky from Filofax whose brands include Caran d'Ache, Lamy, and Yard-O-Led. We'll be offering 25% off msrp on purchases over $100 for any of these brands or combination thereof. Skip will have a drawing for a free Caran d'Ache Shiny Dunas ballpoint pen for those who attend. Hours 10pm to 6pm.

On Saturday, October 30th we will present Ken Jones from Yafa whose brands include Conklin, Delta, and Monteverde. We'll be offering 25% off msrp on purchases over $100 for any of these brands or combination thereof. Ken is flying in that day, so we expect him on-hand from about 11am to 6pm.

For all of you who are not able to attend we will still honor the discounts if you phone, fax, or e-mail your requests.

Pelikan Souveran 800 Limited Blue o' Blue at Scottsdale Pen

2010-10-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Azure, Cerulean, Indigo, Lazuline or Sapphire....every time you look at the Pelikan Souveran 800 Limited Production Blue o' Blue fountain pen, you'll see a different hue. With a translucency which shines, this brand new fine writing instrument from Pelikan is destined to be a future classic.

The 'o' is short for 'over' because the barrel looks as if several broad strokes of blue in different shades are put one over another. Both barrel and cap are made of this slightly translucent material.

The technical production process goes through several steps. First, the acrylic material is cast into thick slabs, then cut into rectangular pieces. These pieces are next turned into a round shape and hollowed. Then the ready blue o’ blue sleeves are put into a mould where the filling reservoir (or inner material of the cap) is added. In the last step, the final pieces are cut into their spherical shape and polished to a bright sheen.

The clip and the rings are 24K gold-plated. The nib is made of 18K gold with a rhodium trim and an iridium grain. This model is available in the nib sizes F, M, B (please specify when ordering) and features the Patented Pelikan Differential Piston Refill System.

Saturday Pen Show and more...

2010-10-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, October 23rd, we will host Ryan Davidson representing Faber-Castell, Michel Perchin, Porsche Design, and Visconti. We will offer 25% off msrp on all orders over $100 for any purchase of these brands or any combination thereof.

There will be special savings of 40% off msrp on the following items from Visconti: Homo Sapiens Mazzi, Venetia Silver, Venetia Vermeil, Van Gogh, and Wall Street. All discounts apply to orders in-store, phone-in, fax-in, or e-mailed.

We are also offering 40% off msrp on all S.T. Dupont Orpheo ballpoints and fountain pens in stock. This is a great time to save on those holiday gifts!

We look forward to seeing or hearing from you. Our hours are 10am to 6pm.

Sailor Limited Edition Summer Collection Ink

2010-10-19T15:08:00.000-07:00

We have just received the Sailor Limited Edition Summer Collection Jentle Fountain Pen Ink in four colors; Fuji-Musume, Souten, Doyou, and Rikyu-Cha. We have only five 50ml bottles of each, and when they're gone, they're gone. You can mix these to create your own custom colors, too. $12.50 per bottle

Faber-Castell, Porsche Design, Visconti Show This Saturday

2010-10-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

This coming Saturday, October 23rd we will host Ryan Davidson who will represent Faber-Castell, Michel Perchin, Porsche Design, and Visconti for this one day event. We will be offering 25% off msrp on orders over $100 for any of these brands or combination thereof. There may be a couple of super-specials from Visconti, too!

This Wednesday, October 20th, I'll be at Eddie's House for lunch from 12pm to 2pm to hear Larry Siegel speak. Larry is the Community Relations Manager for Barnes and Noble. At the same time Larry will present Tanya Lemani George, author of "Have Belly Will Travel" which showcases "one girl's journey unveiling provocative Hollywood mysteries from Elvis to Star Trek to Ambassadors and Kings!" Please come over and join me there on the patio for good food and good conversation with people who are dedicated to the power and the magic of the written word. Corner of Indian School and Marshall Way, 480-946-1622 for reservations.

Namiki/PIlot Pen Event This Saturday

2010-10-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, October 16th, Scottsdale Pen will host John Lane, the National Sales Manager for Namiki/Pilot. We will be offering 25% of msrp on all orders over $100 for Namiki/Pilot products, including ink and refills.

This Friday, October 15th, marks the beginning of the valleywide Care Card event. Care Cards can be purchased at select participating stores for $50 and entitle you to 20% off regular priced items. All proceeds benefit Ryan House and other community projects. The Care Card is good from October 15-24, 2010.

New Fall Arrivals

2010-10-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

It was another long, hot summer, but as today is October 1st there is hope that cooler weather is on the way in the not too distant future.

The early fall season also brings new designs from various pen manufacturers. We have most recently received the Conklin Herringbones, the Libelle Chromatic Speed series, and the Retro 51 Monochromes. Other recent additions include the Waterman Expert Deluxe and the Carene Contemporary.

Sailor Pens are back in stock now after several months of waiting for them to set up their new U.S. distributor. We're still waiting for the Graf von Faber-Castell Titanium Anello, the Parker Premier Black, and the Pilot Custom 74 in smoke or blue. Cross has a couple of new ideas coming soon in the Torero and the Edge.

The Lamy Dialog 3 is in stock and still generating lots of interest. And we've been very pleased with the reception for the Visconti Homo Sapiens collection.

Pilot 2010 Limited Edition Ice Green Fountain Pen

2010-08-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

This just in from Namiki-Pilot...the 2010 Limited Edition Vanishing Point will be cool Ice Green with rhodium trim, a rhodanized 18K gold medium nib, and a matching Ice Green leatherette storage box . Only 1000 serial numbered pieces are coming into the U.S., so please book your order now as this series tends to sell out quickly. Delivery expected in mid-September.

Late May Update

2010-05-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

During the past few weeks we've had a good stretch of new arrivals including the following:

Delta Dolcevita Oro in fabulous marbled orange resins
Delta Via Veneto Torsion, the last three available
Franklin-Covey by Cross (not shown on our site yet)
Giuliano Mazzouli Officina Museo Ducati
Monteverde Prima in Brown Swirl, Green Swirl, and Tiger Eye
Omas Bologna Purple Swirl and Turquoise Swirl
Pilot Fermo retractable fountain pens
Pilot Axiom ballpoints
Pilot Iroshizuku bottled inks
Pilot Parallel calligraphy pens
Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pen sets
Rhodia Webnotebooks

If you're in the area please stop in, otherwise keep checking the website for updates. Graduation season is upon us and Father's Day is coming.

Pen Event May 5th and New Arrivals

2010-05-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 from noon to 7pm we will host four manufacturer reps representing Delta, Dupont, Monteverde, Namiki/Pilot and Visconti. There will be special discounts offered and new models introduced.

We have just received our first shipment of the Pilot Fermo retractable fountain pens in black, blue, and silver. These operate with a twist of the tail rather than with a clicker like on the sister model Vanishing Point. The Fermo is also just a bit slimmer than the Vanishing Point, but features the same excellent nib/feed/converter.

Coming this week are the first samples of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Tiffany Pine Bough series as seen in Pen World, April 2010, page 32.

We're also expecting a number of new items from Cross including the Advantage Chrome/Mosaic, the Masquerade, the Sauvage Smoke/Stingray, and a variety of leather goods. Also, under the Franklin-Covey name, we'll have examples of the Melbourne, Nantucket, Harrisburg, Bristol, and Freemont, all priced between $7.99 and $14.99 and perfect for corporate gift giving and engraving.

We'll also be receiving some fabulous Iroshizuku bottled ink from Pilot in nine different colors.

Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava Pens Arrived

2010-04-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the first of the Visconti Homo Sapiens collection arrived. The look is unlike any other pen on the market with their dense but porous basaltic lava bodies from Mt. Etna in Sicily, Italy. This material is virtually unbreakable, flameproof, and absorbs sweat during use. It is dense to the touch and wonderfully highlighted by bronze fittings, which lean towards a pale rose gold color. The name Homo Sapiens was chosen "to symbolize how two uniquely human activities, writing and metallurgy, form the basis of all writing instruments."

The Homo Sapiens fountain pen has numerous unique features, not the least of which is the just-developed two-tone 23K palladium Dreamtouch nib. It has a moderate amount of flex and is extremely corrosion resistant due to its purity. The piston rod in the High Vacuum Power Filler is titanium, known for its strength, light weight, and non-corrosive properties. The system itself does not leak on airplanes and holds the equivalent of ten ink cartridges.

Overall, the Visconti Homo Sapiens collection represents a significant step forward in the use of unusual materials, both ancient and space-aged at the same time, in the creation of understated, elegant writing instruments.

Pen Event April 17th, New Arrivals

2010-04-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

Our first pen show of the year will be April 17th featuring Acme, Faber-Castell, and Michel Perchin pens and accessories. There will be special pricing and new items to view.

Speaking of new items, we're constantly on the hunt for new additions to the store.

The Delta Dolcevita Oro has arrived in all of its orange glory with a gorgeous orange leather pen case, too.

From Noodler's Ink we've added in several new bulletproof inks including #41 Brown, Bad Belted King Fisher, Bad Black Moccasin, and Bad Blue Heron.

The Sherpa line has continued to perform well and we've added Flower Child, Short Circuit, and Mr. Pinstripe II to the assortment.

We're also pleased to announce the arrival of The Metropolitan Museum of Art ballpoint pen collection. At only $30.00 each these are sure winners for the ladies in your life.

Scottsdale Pen was recently awarded a Four Star rating by Talk of The Town for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction. While we are pleased to have earned this unexpected honor, we will strive to improve since we'd like to have all five stars next to our name!

Until next time...

And Winter fades into Spring...

2010-03-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, it looks like the Arizona winter has yielded to spring as the skies have cleared and the temperatures have jumped. The storms of the El Nino have most likely neared the end of their strong run for the first quarter of 2010 leaving hefty rain and snow totals behind, and we thank Mother Nature for that gift!

Along the way there has been significant pen activity, too.

On the heels of the overly popular and difficult to find Lamy Dialog 3 retractable, twist action fountain pen, Pilot has announced the pending arrival in May of the same in their Fermo. The Stipula Da Vinci Carbon T, although much higher end, is well worth considering, too.

Speaking of Stipula, they have hit it big this year with both the Passaporto and the Model T fountain pens.

In our store, Visconti has a surprise monster in their Opera Master amber demonstrator. We can't seem to keep those in stock! On the other end of the spectrum, the Rembrandt series is catching on quickly.

THINK has just sent out the first of the Dr. Seuss limited edition fountain pens and rollerballs, limited to only 888 1/2 of each worldwide. These are wonderfully presented in Seussian red and white striped bodies!

Retro 51 has released new colors in their Tornado line, including purple and ice blue.

Monteverde is running fast with the new Invincia Titanium and Invincia Stealth. Their value-priced Prima line is looking very good, too.

We've been very pleased with the Parker Premier series, released in the last quarter of 2009. This collection is a solid value with all-metal construction and impressive lines that say "Parker", but in an updated manner. I'd compare these in quality and popularity with the Waterman Exception line, a sister company to Parker. Both are manufactured in France.

Well, that's enough for today, but there will be more news soon!

Lamy Dialog 3

2010-01-29T10:13:00.001-08:00

Where does the time go? I can't believe its been so long since my last post. Anyway, Happy New Year. Hope your holidays were merry and bright. Scottsdale Pen did very well, thank you.

We were disappointed that the Lamy Dialog 3 didn't arrive until the week after Christmas since there had been so much excited anticipation beginning in mid-October. However, regardless of the timing of their arrival, I must say that the execution of the design is amazing enough and that the Lamy Dialog 3 does not dissappoint in any regard.

The operation of the mechanism is flawless. The clip retracts slightly, the ball valve throws flawlessy, and the nib is a tried and true model already in use on other successful Lamy models. In the limited world of retractable fountain pens, Lamy has most firmly established itself as a player. While it may not unseat the Pilot Vanishing Point in this field, I expect it will perform very well in the years ahead.

While a bit on the thick side, you'll find this is very comfortable to hold. And you're going to love the twist mechanism itself- its just too cool- almost like playing with a switchblade knife according to one avid pen and knife collector.

Tough Pens for Tough Times

2009-10-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

The latest Stylus magazine, Fall 2009, has come out and features an article called "Steel Yourself: Three Moderately Priced Fountain Pens for Tough Economic Times" starting on page 80. Howard Edelstein and Mel Strohminger Road Test the Waterman Phileas, the Pelikan Pura, and the Libelle Chromatic Sport in red.

All three score in the 89 to 92 point range on a scale of 100 points with the Waterman and the Pelikan tied at an average of 91, while the Libelle comes in right behind at an average of 90. Scottsdale Pen carries all three models and can agree that all three models are top performers in their price range ($75- $85).

Montegrappa Arrives and Other Delights

2009-09-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

We're very excited to announce the arrival of our first items from Montegrappa, the NeroUno collection. At the same time, Montegrappa announced new, lower pricing, too! You can't beat the Italians for style- the pens from Montegrappa are truly beautiful.

The big hits of the summer were the Pilot M90 and the Pilot Vanishing Point in Vivid Red, both limited edition fountain pens. They came and went in one heck of a hurry. But, no use in crying over spilled milk, let's look forward to the next hot pens...

Coming this last quarter look for the Lamy Dialog 3, a retractable fountain pen. Oh yeah, baby, this is going to be hotter than Phoenix in August. Lamy will also introduce the violet Studio series.

Visconti is bringing out variations on the Divina series including the limited edition Divine Proportions ballpoint, and the Divina Royale. These are going to really jazz up the holiday season. They are also introducing the very limited Knight's Templar fountain pen. For everyday, you'll love the all new value-priced Rembrandt series.

We'll have the new Faber-Castell Ambition Rhombus in engraved precious resin very shortly.

Sailor will be landing here within the next week with new demonstators in the Professional and Sapporo lines. The Procolor 500 series will also arrive in four great colors along with the Sapporo purple!

The Parker Premier series will be at full strength and all three modes will be on display within the next 10 days.

The Cross Affinity collection has arrived at special introductory prices through the end of the year. And in a similar mode, the Pilot Knight collection of value-priced pens are now here at full strength.

Caran d'Ache has just announced the release of their popular office pens in the all new Zodiac series. We'll have this display within the next two weeks. Hey, what's your sign?

And have you seen the Pilot Custom 823 Demonstrator yet? A great fountain pen for everyday with a huge ink capacity!

Wow, that should do it for now. Come and see us soon! Our store hours will expand in October to Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.

Best of Phoenix 2009

2009-08-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

We're proud to announce that Scottsdale Pen has been cited in the September 2009 issue of Phoenix Magazine as one of the 105 "great local businesses that struggle to lure you away from the chains." This is their highly anticipated annual Best of the Valley issue and it is an honor for us to be included after less than two years in business. If you search out the issue, you'll find us on page 108 under the heading "Best Place to Sign Off in Style".

In other news, the Pilot Vanishing Point Limited Edition Vivid Red fountain pen has arrived. Only 650 will be released in the United States, so supplies will be tight. The MSRP is $225. This pen features a lipstick red body with rhodium trim and a rhodium-plated 18K gold medium nib.

Pilot 90th Anniversary M90 Fountain Pen

2009-07-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Pilot's 90th anniversary they have released the limited edition M90 fountain pen. Featuring a sleek, brushed stainless, one-piece nib/body design, the M90 appears both retro and futuristic in the same instance. I can say without hesitation that I find this pen design inspiring. If you're looking for something that begs for you to write, this is it!

Limited to only 9000 pieces worldwide and maybe 1175 in the U.S., supplies are going to be very tight. The Pilot M90 was produced in fine and medium nibs only and operates with either a cartridge or converter.

Pelikan Souveran 400 Tortoise Celluloid

2009-06-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Pelikan Special Edition Souveran 400 tortoiseshell celluloid has arrived and its a delicious fountain pen for your collection. The main draw is, of course, the wonderful barrel material that varies in shading from cream to tan to brown and is alluringly transluscent allowing you to see hints of the plunger filling system in action.

Keeping with the color scheme, all parts are a deep, dark, brown highlighted with gold-plated trim. The nib is 14K yellow gold.

This pen will be available for a limited time only.

Father's Day is June 21

2009-06-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe, but Father's Day is upon us, coming up Sunday, June 21. We've got the perfect gift for dad with pens to fit almost any budget. We recently added in some new Jack Georges briefcases, too.

We've also been adding to our bottled ink selection with some new colors from Noodler's and Private Reserve. Visconti is now in stock, and a selection should be arriving shortly from J. Herbin and Caran d'Ache, too.

As of Sunday, June 21 Scottsdale Pen will be closed on Sundays through the summer months. Store hours will be Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm.

Pen World Reader's Choice Award Winners

2009-05-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

The Pen World 15th Annual Reader's Choice Award Winners have been announced, and here is a list of the winners:

2009 Pen of the Year: Sailor, Tale of Genji Mikado Collection

Incredible Value: Diplomat, Excellence Collection

Creative Use of Materials (tie): Faber-Castell, 2008 Pen of the Year, and, Jean-Pierre Lepine, Titanic DNA

Metal Mastery: Conway Stewart, Evolution

Fine Art: Sailor, Arita Koransha Komari

Best Maki-e: Sailor, Tale of Genji Momiji-no-ga

Most Glamorous: Laban, Diamond Series Totality

Finest Tribute: Montblanc, John Adams

Cultural Theme: Delta, Capri- The Blue Grotto

High Style: Monteverde, Sleeping Beauty

Transportation Theme: Tibaldi for Bentley Continental

Best Contemporary Design: OMAS, Arte Italiana Wild- The Paragon

From the above winners, Scottsdale Pen is an authorized dealer for Conway Stewart, Delta, Faber-Castell, Monteverde, Omas, Sailor and Tibaldi.

Time for Moms, Dads, and Grads

2009-05-01T16:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's that time again to start thinking about Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Graduation, too. There aren't too many gifts that can fit all three like the gift of a fine writing instrument. A fine pen can last a lifetime and is a cherished gift. We are offering numerous in-store specials including 40% off on selected Conklin, Parker, and Visconti models.

Another fun gift for your mom or dad is My Autobiography Novella from Phoenix resident Deborah Ehlert. This clever patent-pending idea includes a journal with removable pages and 99 sentence idea cards to help the writer get their life on paper in an organized fashion. Only $39.95.

Time is running out, so don't delay. Come in now to select your gifts for those special people and occasions in your life.

Visconti Ragtime Road Test

2009-04-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

The Visconti Limited Edition Ragtime fountain pen was issued in celebration of Visconti's 20th anniversary in 2008 and is a more refined and updated version of the original design released in 1988. It features a special 14K gold anniversary nib that is "rigid but smooth", and double solid gold bands on the cap. The material is a somewhat translucent resin milled from a single rod with colors swirling in tans, golds, whites and browns.

According to Howard Edelstein and Mel Strohminger in the December/January 2009 issue of Stylus magazine, "The pen is relatively lightweight, but well-balanced..." Further comments included, "Fit and finish are superb", and "Long and thin- looks good- the clip is very retro..." Their combined score was 87/100, a solid "B".

The Ragtime is a serial numbered limited edition of on 1988 pieces worldwide. It is a cartridge/converter fountain pen with an msrp of $575.00. Click for more details on the Ragtime collection...http://www.scottsdalepen.com/visconti-pens-ragtime-c-38_315.html

Pilot Custom 74 Clear Fountain Pen

2009-04-23T15:30:00.001-07:00

Demonstrators are always a popular addition to any collection, and the Pilot Custom 74 should be on your list. At only $190.00 msrp with a 14K gold nib its an excellent value.

In the February/March 2009 issue of Stylus magazine in the Road Test article, Howard Edelstein and Mel Strohminger drive the 74 and come up with an averaged rating of "90" on a 100 scale. "A handsome pen and an excellent value", "...the ink flow was steady and smooth", and "The converter is almost as good as a true internal filling mechanism" are some of the comments in the article. Further, "...a high-grade, medium-sized fountain pen that looks good, feels good and writes well."

I have stocked the medium and the broad nib, which tend to lean towards being about a half a step finer- typical with Japanese nibs. Check it out at:
http://www.scottsdalepen.com/pilot-custom-demonstrator-fountain-p-1415.html

Platinum #3776 Music Pen

2009-04-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

In the Spring 2009 Stylus magazine, Howard Edelstein and Mel Strohminger review the Platinum #3776 Music Pen. We've sold a number of these and the feedback has always been very positive.

This fountain pen features a unique nib with two slits rather than the usual single slit and enables the user "to write thin horizontal lines and broad vertical lines with the same nib." Further, "it gives solid performance at a moderate price. The nib will even most likely appeal to the everyday fountain pen user who just wants to introduce a little flair into his or her writing."

Strohminger rates the pen 88/100, while Edelstein gives it an 84/100, a solid "B" average. The main rub is the plain styling of the pen, but you have to weigh that against the very, very reasonable cost, $170.00 msrp, for a fountain pen with a specialty 14K gold nib. To quote Mel, "As the music nib breaks in, the owner will be rewarded with unique line quality and shaded handwriting."

Check it out at http://www.scottsdalepen.com/platinum-3776-music-fountain-p-1204.html.

Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Anello Fountain Pen

2009-04-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

In the October/November 2008 issue of Stylus magazine, Mel Strohminger and Howard Edelstein teamed up to do their Road Test of the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Anello fountain pen. On a scale of 100, Mel gave the pen a 91, while Howard marked it was a 90. That looks like an "A" to me!

The Anello fountain pen is a cartridge/converter fountain pen sporting a semi-flexible 18K gold two-tone nib and features a matte black ebony barrel with platinum-plated rings. The fluted cap has Faber's fabulous spring-loaded "S" clip. A sampling of comments includes "uniformly well made" and "smooth consistent writing. This pen carries a limited lifetime warranty and is priced at $495. http://www.scottsdalepen.com/fabercastell-classic-anello-fountain-p-1722.html

Conway Stewart Dandy Heritage

2009-04-06T13:52:00.001-07:00

Please take a couple of seconds to view the beautiful Conway Stewart limited edition Dandy Heritage fountain pen with sterling silver fittings. Only 200 pieces are being released!
http://www.scottsdalepen.com/conway-stewart-pens-dandy-heritage-c-221_293.html

Pasguale Pagliuca Passes

2009-03-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Fellow Pen Enthusiasts,

This morning I received the unfortunate news that Paquale of Pens International has passed away. Many of you know Pat from his roughly 18 years of devoted service to the pen industry, much of it from his wonderful little shop at the corner of 24th and Camelback. Pat had not been well for a number of years, and a fall and resulting injuries this past December put him into a nursing home situation. His wife Mary has been running the shop part-time during the last few months.

Karen and I visited with Pat before we opened our shop. Pat was very encouraging and often referred customers to us. Regardless of him being a bit rough around the edges, I think his actions speak volumes about the kind of person he was. The pen world will miss Pasquale...

Pagliuca, Pasquale P.of Phoenix, Arizona died on March 10, 2009 at the age of 66. Pasquale was born to Mary and Patsy Pagliuca in Buffalo, NY, March 7, 1943. Pasquale enjoyed sharing his love of fine pens and views on life with all who came into his shop. Pasquale was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and friend to all. He will be greatly missed by his family whom he loved dearly, his wife Mary, children Morgan, Page, Dominic, Anthony, Andrea, Patricia, Rico, Rocco, seven grandchildren, his mother Mary, and brothers John and Ross. Services will be held on Tuesday, March 17th at 10:00 am at St. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6341 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ. "Thank you and arrivederci". Arrangements by Hansen Mortuary.

Sledding

2009-02-19T09:59:00.000-08:00

Snow in Arizona is often a hit or miss proposition, and when its a hit you have the downside of not knowing how long its going to stick around. Last week Arizona had a major winter storm dumping about 2" of rain in the Phoenix metro area while leaving up to three feet of snow in the higher elevations of the state.

Yesterday, Wednesday, February 18th we closed the store to go sledding. Located about 10 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona is the Wing Mountain Recreation Area, managed by the state. The skies were clear and blue and the sun was shining brightly over the acres and acres of glistening snow- nice and powdery on the approach to the sledding zones, but perfectly packed for fast rides down the hills. We found our best rides were had on an inflatable tube rather than on our plastic sleds. Wow, what an amazing time we had! I'll admit that a 300 mile roundtrip commute is a bit much to go sledding for 1 1/2 hours, but you can't measure the pleasure in miles. I hope we have more snow soon...

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

Do you remember when you were in elementary school and celebrated Valentine's Day? Do you remember the excitement- addressing cards for the entire class and giving away candy hearts to everyone? Of course, the most exciting part was receiving cards and candy from everyone else and trying to read meaning into their little notes. Or even better, reading meaning into the little saying on the candy hearts! And then even better yet, eating the candy hearts!!

OK, so we don't have pens with cute inscriptions, nor are we going to send out Valentine's cards to everyone, but we do wish you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day. Since pens are us I will mention that we have red pens in stock from Aurora, Caran d'Ache, Cross, Lamy, Monteverde, Pelikan, and Retro 51.

Recent & Upcoming Developments

2009-01-26T12:15:00.000-08:00

January is the big month for auto auctions in Scottsdale in the forms of Barrett Jackson, Russo & Steele, and Kruse. With this in mind, we have brought in a special selection of fine pens from the Aquila Group and Tibaldi in Italy, makers of Bentley, Ducati, Jaguar, Mercedes, and Smart brands. All feature metal construction with lacquer finishes providing a solid-in-the-hand feel. We also have the Omas for Maserati limited edition rollerball for you to eyeball.

The Pelikan display has new additions including the Special Edition Mt. Everest, the Zircon Silver Epoch, and both the Ductus Gold and Ductus Silver, all in fountain pens. We've also added the famous Pelikano and Pelikano Junior lines. In Lamy, you'll discover an expanded selection from the Accent series, and in Visconti there are some Opera Specials that you'll have to check out- very limited availabilty and super low prices.

Coming very soon, the first-class Conway Stewart limited edition Dandy Heritage and Duro Heritage fountain pens with silver fittings.

Holiday Greetings to All!

2008-12-26T11:27:00.000-08:00

Karen and I would like to thank you all for being so supportive of Scottsdale Pen during our first year. It is ironic that we opened our store December 1st, 2oo7, what is now being called the beginning of the recession. However, even against that challenging backdrop, we're pleased to say that our year was very successful and the holiday shopping season was busy. We couldn't have done it without you!

With your continued support we anticipate an exciting 2009. In the meantime, we wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Factory Authorized Sale in Progress

2008-12-09T12:07:00.001-08:00

For the holiday season the kind folks at Sanford have authorized a 20% off sale on all Parker and Waterman pens. This is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on some great pens for you and yours at reduced prices.

The holiday season is off to a great start. Hot stocking stuffers include pens from Lamy and Retro 51, while people looking for "impact" gifts have been gravitating towards the Visconti Black Divina, the Waterman Exception, and the Cross Apogee in rose gold.

We cannot publish prices on our "in-store" specials, but you'll find some incredible bargains if you come into the store. The sun is shining, the weather is great, so come on in and have some fun!

Thanksgiving Update

2008-12-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

With all you hear about "Black Friday" I figured I'd update you on happenings in our little slice of retail heaven. In a word, "busy". Overall, we had a very busy week with Saturday being the big day. Interestingly enough, we did almost equal sales volume on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. We had a strong November to mark the one-year anniversary of Scottsdale Pen.

But we were busy for other reasons last week, too. Our son came in from NAU for the holiday weekend, while our daughter threw a large party on Saturday night to celebrate her 17th birthday. And, we're breaking in a new puppy, too. Yep, we had our hands full last week.

If you're in the area please stop in. We're offering special in-store savings on many items. Prices are too low to publish!

Trunk Show Report

2008-11-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

Our 1st Annual Fall Trunk Show and Sale, held November 14-15, is one for the history books now and we couldn't be happier with the results. Our thanks to Tess from Acme, Kathryn from Cross, Ryan from Michel Perchin/Faber-Castell, and BC from too many brands to list, for your generous gift of time and expertise in helping to make our event a success. Thanks go out also to people behind the scenes who sent in stock to boost our store including Danean from Aurora/Omas, Jeanette from Parker/Waterman, Dana from Krone, Cathy with Caran d'Ache, Lamy, and Yard-O-Led, and Rick from William Henry.

Of course the biggest thank you goes out to you, our wonderful customers, who took time out from your busy lives to attend our little event. Scottsdale Pen would only be a theory without you. Have an amazing Thanksgiving and keep on writing!

Fall Update

2008-10-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how much time has passed since my last blog. Just to follow up, we did not bring in much in the way of vintage pens yet. There are some collections floating around nearby, so let me know if there is something you seek and we'll see if we can help.

Our vacation in early August was a one week trip to Seattle for a family wedding. The weather was just right, meaning the temperatures were mostly between 70 and 80, a perfect break for us desert dwellers. We had sunshine and we had rain, we had wonderful meals with family that we see too seldom, and did some incredible kite flying with my cousin and her husband.

Back here at the store we had a good summer and have officially firmed up November 14-15 for our 1st Annual Fall Trunk Show. We are expecting reps from Acme, Cross, Faber-Castell, and Michel Perchin. Other manufacturers have agreed to send in some special items for the show. I believe we're going have a calligrapher here at the same time- that's going to be a real treat as she is a very talented artist.

We are back to normal hours, which means we're open seven days a week. Since we're active with our daughter's high school marching band we are usually not open late on Friday nights yet, but that will change soon enough.

We are adding new items as we can. We've just received some of the Waterman Perspective and Waterman Expert City Line, and put in a display of high quality ink pots and pen holders from El Casco of Spain. From Monteverde see the Artista Wild Stripes and the Jewelria woods, while from Pelikan be awed by the limited Yellow Toledo. From Montblanc we have an amazing selection of sold out limited editions, while from Visconti some new colors in the Van Gogh line have brightened our showcase.

What's Hot Besides the Weather?

2008-07-08T11:51:00.002-07:00

We're into that time of year in Scottsdale when we dream of the winter season ahead. That seems far away right now, but we're in the early stages of planning trunk shows later this year and into 2009. Special events always ramp up the excitement factor and we're always up for a good time!

We're also in the early stages of bringing in consignment goods from pen collectors. We will be showing vintage pens dating back to the 1920's along with more modern pens that may no longer be in production or are from limited edition collections. Recently, famed vintage pen expert and author George Fischler stopped in to say hello. With some luck he will be assisting us in determining fair market value for some of our older items.

During the summer months Scottsdale Pen will not be open in the evenings and closed on Mondays. We will also be out on vacation from July 29 through August 4.

New Shop Dog, New Brands

2008-04-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

This past month has been a busy one. Perhaps the first big event was the arrival of Emma, who has become the shop dog. A diminutive four pounds, she's a six-year old "Tea Cup" Yorkie that loves lots of attention and doesn't care who that attention comes from. Emma had belonged to the groomer next door at Oh My Dog but decided to adopt us. After a couple of weeks of staying here and going home with the groomer all parties finally agreed that Emma belonged with us full-time. She joins a 12 year-old Jack Russell and a 6 year-old Mini Australian Shepherd as part of our family.

Besides a new dog, we also added new brands including On Line from Germany, Platinum of Japan, Yafa, and Yoropen to our growing blend of writing instruments. Our long awaited Via Veneto Torsion models arrived from Delta, and they are stunning, as did the wide-bodied Monteverde Mega Ballpoints. And if you haven't looked at Cross lately, check out the Sauvage collection with their sexy profiles and safari themed textures.

Gem of the Southwest

2008-03-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

If you are able to pick up the latest issue of Stylus magazine, April/May 2008, you'll find a nice article about Scottsdale Pen beginning on page 68. It turned out that the writer, Stephen Herman, is a frequent visitor to the Phoenix area and he popped in on us within the first month we were open. We couldn't be more thrilled to have such a nice spread done so soon!

So far our experience in the pen community has been very gratifying. Before we even opened we visited Pasquale at Pen's International in Phoenix and he encouraged us to pursue our dream. Fred from Bromfield Pen Shop in Massachusetts visited a few weeks back while he was out here on vacation, Anthony from Penworks about 20 miles to the north of us visited shortly after we opened, and Pam from A Pen Lover's Paradise in Virginia called to congratulate us when she saw the article. The folks over at Art Brown and Fountain Pen Hospital in New York City have also been very supportive. Actually, the folks at Art Brown's told us about the article before we even knew it was out. We're glad to be here and invite you to stop by anytime. You're gonna' love it here!

You make a living at that?

2008-02-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

For our entire adult lives we've been asked the question, "Do you make a living doing that?" To give you some context for that, we've been licensed Indian traders, purveyors of custom knives, have owned a fine jewelry store, and now own Scottsdale Pen. This year marks our 28th year of self-employment pursuing the resale of beautiful objects. It is perhaps because I am left-handed that I gravitate towards the artistic side of life, marvelling at art and architecture in the myriad forms those take. I can't help myself in this regard, and my life-long partner in crime, my "first" wife Karen, has graciously attached herself to this willy-nilly sleighride I've taken her on. We love beautiful things and are always excited when we're able to satisfy or stimulate similar interests and longings in others. You hear people say that you should pursue your passions and we're great believers in that. I'll never be "The Richest Man in Babylon" (to borrow from a book title), but I'll be able to look back and say I've been true to myself and did the things I wanted to do regardless of how they turned out or if other people can ever understand why.

Superbowl and Scottsdale Pen

2008-02-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

At first you might not think there would be a connection between a pen shop and the Superbowl, but in our case we were at ground zero for the ESPN broadcast booth, set up some 75 yards from our door during the week leading up to the big game. Celebrity parties were scheduled at venues surrounding our location as were several charity events. Some of the names connected with these events included John Travolta, Carmen Electra, P. Diddy, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, and Paris Hilton. Of course, during the many broadcasts from ESPN numerous big name football stars both past and present sat in including Emmett Smith, Matt Leinhart, Jerry Rice, Donovan McNabb, and Mike Ditka. The Goodyear blimp circled over our shopping district for several days adding to the general air of excitement and anticipation. One evening, Bill Clinton appeared at an event at a restaurant directly across the street from us.

Through the kindness of the folks at Parker/Waterman, Scottsdale Pen was able to participate in two of the main charity events by giving away 100 Waterman Expert rollerball pens. We don't have an official list of who of the who's who received our gifts, but we were thrilled to have been able to be part of the festivities. And what a fun Superbowl it turned out to be, too!

Welcome to the Scottsdale Pen Blog

2008-02-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Scottsdale Pen blog.

Scottsdale Pen at The Mix opened December 1, 2007 in the heart of Scottsdale's most concentrated shopping/dining district near the intersections of Camelback and Scottsdale Roads. With the combined attractions of the mall, the Waterfront, and The Mix at Southbridge Scottsdale Pen is at the epicenter of what's new and exciting in food, fun, and fashion.

We are Jay and Karen Sadow, area residents since 1980. Our goal is to enthusiastically encourage you to write. We're not picky about what you write with as long as you do so. There is nothing more personal than a handwritten thank you note or a hand-signed birthday card or holiday card. Don't you just hate getting Christmas cards that are pre-printed? Or have a label slapped on them?

We represent about 20 different pen manufacturers along with well-known brands of stationery, ink and refills, and leather accessories.