In this episode of Appelboom Bites, Joost Appelboom and co-host Clare Coco sit down with a true legend of the fountain pen world: Michael Gutberlet, CEO of Kaweco, now fondly known as the OBG – Old But Gold. We dive into Kaweco’s latest innovations, including the ingenious Mini Foldable Converter and the hugely successful Piston Sport—with exciting news from Michael about more colors joining the lineup soon!

Michael also gave us a sneak peek at a one-of-a-kind Liliput fountain pen made from a mystery “Rainbow” material currently in testing, and we discussed Kaweco’s strong presence at the Dutch Pen Show, especially the beloved DIY Kaweco Sport station.

As a special treat, Joost revealed the Kaweco Dutch Pen Show Waterworld 2025 Special Edition—a stunning collector’s piece featuring exclusive sleeve artwork by the talented Anne Nossack.

Plus, we had a blast with the amazing energy and questions from our YouTube Live Chat audience, who helped make this episode even more fun and interactive.

🔗 Listen now and bite into the best of the fountain pen world!

In this special episode, we’re joined by Kate Dmitrieva, CEO of BENU Pens, for a lively and insightful conversation about all things BENU. Co-hosted by Alexandra Richardson—making her final appearance on the show—we kick things off with a pen check that, to our surprise, featured an all-BENU lineup! Kate shares the inspiring story behind her journey and the creative influences that fuel her designs. We dive into BENU’s latest releases, including the wildly popular Pixie, the shimmering Euphoria Golden Beach (which Kate showed off live!), the elegant White Beach, and the newest Talisman editions in Moonstone and Ametrine—both featuring rare gold-colored nibs.

We also had a few exciting product announcements: Joost revealed the new TWSBI Eco Matcha Green, Graf von Faber-Castell Sage Green, and the adorable Wancher PuChiCo Lilac Mist. Wrapping up the show, Alexandra asked her heartfelt final question, capping off an episode filled with inspiration, sparkle, and fantastic engagement from our YouTube audience. Don't miss this memorable sendoff and deep dive into the dazzling world of BENU!

In this episode, co-host Alexandra Richardson shares her behind-the-scenes experience helping out at the Chicago Pen Show, from meeting fellow pen enthusiasts to navigating the buzzing event floor. We’re then joined by Tom Gyr, the creative force behind Tom’s Studio, who reveals his grail pen and joins us for our weekly pen check.

Tom dives into the origin story of Tom’s Studio, starting with his first dip pen design and evolving into multifunctional, design-forward tools like the Lumos, Wren, and Studio Fountain Pen. He also shares why interchangeable nib options matter so much to his customers and how thoughtful design is at the heart of every product.

Whether you’re a calligraphy lover, fountain pen fan, or curious about innovative pen design, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and inky conversation.

In this episode, we sit down with Anuj Poddar, the visionary founder and owner of AP Limited Editions — one of the most exclusive and luxurious fountain pen brands in the world. Known for their extraordinary craftsmanship and artistic excellence, AP Limited Editions pens are created using time-honored techniques such as Maki-E, Urushi, and Russian Lacquer Art.

From the origins of his passion for fine writing instruments to showcasing some of the most stunning, handcrafted pens we’ve ever seen, Anuj takes us deep into the world of collectible fountain pens. But the conversation takes an unexpected turn when we ask Anuj about his very first fountain pen — his answer might surprise you!

Joining us as co-host is Alexandra Richardson, who brings her sharp insights and thoughtful questions to the discussion. We’re also grateful for the amazing contributions and questions from our live YouTube audience throughout the show.

🖋️ Whether you're a fountain pen enthusiast, a luxury collector, or simply curious about the artistry behind these rare pieces, this episode is packed with fascinating stories and pen passion.

In this episode, we sit down with Mathias Ringeard, CEO of Diplomat, alongside our co-host Alexandra Richardson, to discuss the incredible success of the Diplomat Viper releases in 2024. We also dive into three exciting upcoming models from Diplomat: the classic-styled Aero Rhomb, the vibrant and colorful Aero Funky, and the sleek new Diplomat Xo – a limited edition cigar-shaped fountain pen with a striking long cap and unique design. Joost also shares exciting news about two new products at Appelboom: Diamine Forever Ink, a premium, waterproof, and lightfast ink for fountain pens and calligraphy, and the Montegrappa Cult Harry Houdini Limited Edition Fountain Pen, a true masterpiece that celebrates the legendary illusionist. Plus, we’re thrilled by the fantastic support from our YouTube audience, who contributed some excellent questions for our guests. Don’t miss this jam-packed episode filled with insights on luxury writing instruments, upcoming releases, and much more!

In this exciting episode, we welcome Mareike Mert (@my_and_my_happydesk) as our guest, with Alexandra (@alexandrasartinsanity) co-hosting! Mareike, known for her creative workshops, shares all the details about the two incredible journaling workshops she will be leading at the upcoming Dutch Pen Show on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. These workshops, Travel Journaling and Coffee Journaling, are perfect for pen enthusiasts and journaling lovers alike.

Mareike returns with her Travel Journaling workshop, which was a hit last year, and introduces a new Coffee Journaling workshop. We dive into the benefits of these workshops, how they inspire creativity, and why journaling is such a fulfilling hobby. Additionally, we discuss the broader world of workshops at Pen Shows and share our excitement and expectations for the Dutch Pen Show.

We also revisit a thought-provoking question from our previous guest: What use does a pen have, besides writing? Our conversation goes deeper into the versatility of pens, exploring how they can be artistic tools, collectibles, and more.

The episode also features Joost, who announces some exciting new product releases! Get the scoop on the Lamy Al-star in Aubergine and Denim, the S.T. Dupont Line D Eternity Game of Thrones pens, and the elegant Sailor Pro Gear Slim Kimono pens. These new releases are sure to pique the interest of pen lovers and collectors alike.

A huge thank you to our YouTube audience for all the great input and live chat during the episode. Your questions and comments made the conversation even more engaging!

Tune in for all the details on journaling, new pens, and everything happening at the Dutch Pen Show. Whether you're an avid journaler, pen enthusiast, or just curious about the latest in the pen world, this episode has something for you!

Listen now to get inspired, learn about new products, and hear about upcoming workshops at the Dutch Pen Show!

In this week's episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Nadia, the Head of Marketing from the British-based brand Wingback. Wingback is renowned for its meticulously crafted writing instruments made from solid metals like brass, stainless steel, and titanium, as well as their sleek and stylish pen sleeves.

Our wonderful co-host Vanessa Langton joins the show this week, and we’re so grateful she could step in! The conversation is filled with laughs as we dive into the world of premium writing tools, and somehow, we end up veering into an unexpected discussion about James Bond.

Nadia and Vanessa also share their thoughts on their dream pens, giving us a glimpse into their perfect writing instruments. Plus, Joost reveals some exciting new product launches, including the TWSBI Eco Slate Blue with Onyx fountain pen, the Armando Simoni Bespoke 2025 fountain pen, and a stunning new brand, AP Limited Editions. These fountain pens feature exquisite Maki-e and Urushi lacquer craftsmanship – you won’t want to miss hearing about these beautiful new additions!

Tune in for a fun and informative episode filled with everything from dream pens to new releases, and of course, a few good laughs along the way. Don’t forget to subscribe and join us for the next episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast!

Welcome to the Appelboom Bites Podcast, where we bring you the latest in fountain pens, stationery, and exclusive collaborations! In this special episode, we’re thrilled to have Helen Wang, the owner of TheCoffeeMonsterzCo, a renowned stationery brand known for its creative artwork on stickers, washi tapes, and more. Helen talks about her exciting new collaboration with Esterbrook, creating the Esterbrook Estie x TheCoffeeMonsterzCo Fountain Pen, crafted with unique materials from Jonathon Brooks (Carolina Pen Company). This stunning pen comes with a one-of-a-kind gift box designed as a desk, complete with a drawer that holds the pen, as well as special ink and blotter paper developed in collaboration with Esterbrook.

Thanks to the enthusiastic audience tuning in live on YouTube, the show became even more interactive and engaging with their valuable input, making this episode extra special. We also say goodbye to our amazing co-host, Lori Tata, who has been with us for the past five episodes. Lastly, Joost shares exciting new arrivals in the Appelboom store, including the Pelikan M200 Marbled Red, TWSBI Eco Slate Blue with Onyx, and the Nahvalur Nautilus Ti Black fountain pens. Don’t miss this fun and informative episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast!

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Salvatore Matrone, CEO of Leonardo Fountain Pens, about their latest release, The Power of Flower collection. This stunning new collection features three vibrant colors: Dalia Eveline, Sakura, and Fiordalisso Blue, all crafted from unique materials provided by Jonathon Brooks of the Carolina Pen Company. Salvatore shared insights into the strong partnership he has with Jonathon and the incredible success they’ve had working together on these beautiful pens.

We also discussed the Radius brand, Leonardo's sub-brand, and Salvatore's exciting vision for its future. The Radius line recently introduced three new models, again using Brooks' materials, and Salvatore revealed that they’re working on a new flex nib and plans for a larger Radius model in the future.

Joining us as a co-host for this episode was Lori Tata, who made a fantastic contribution to the discussion, providing valuable insights and adding depth to the conversation. In addition, Joost shared some exciting new arrivals, including the Pelikan Edelstein Apricot Achat, which is now in stock, as well as the beautiful new Sailor Kyoto Garden pens. These pens come in two new colors— Isho and Nishiki Goi— featuring stunning red and yellow hues with gold-plated trims. Tune in to hear all about Leonardo’s creative journey, their collaboration with Jonathon Brooks, what’s next for the Radius brand, and the latest additions to Joost’s collection, with Lori Tata’s fantastic input throughout!

In this exciting episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jilliano from Wancher Pens, a renowned Japanese pen brand known for their exquisite Ebonite and Urushi fountain pens. Jilliano is responsible for photo and video content and plays a key role in sales in the Philippines and global marketing. We dive deep into the world of Wancher Pens, which has made a name for itself with stunning pens like their Pichico and Pochoco collections, blending charm with exceptional craftsmanship.

Our co-host for this episode, Lori Tata from The Juicy Broads, also joined in to offer her valuable insights into the world of fine pens. Together, we covered a wide range of fascinating topics, including:

• The differences between Chinese, Japanese, and Thai Urushi and the reasons behind the price variations of these types of Urushi.
• The intricate process of creating Ebonite and Urushi pens and what makes Wancher Pens stand out in the luxury pen world.
• Wancher's new and exciting releases, including the Pichico and Pochoco fountain pens.
• A recap of the just concluded London Pen Show (March 2nd), where we discussed the latest trends and highlights from the event.
• Joost’s new fountain pens introduced at the show: the Kaweco Collection Sport Honey and the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0 – The Power of Flower.

This episode is a treasure trove for fountain pen enthusiasts, offering insights into the art and craftsmanship behind Urushi and Ebonite pens, the global appeal of Wancher Pens, and a look at Joost’s latest pen launches. Whether you're a seasoned pen collector or just starting to explore the world of fine writing instruments, this conversation is sure to captivate your interest.

Tune in for this informative and fun discussion with Jilliano, Lori Tata, and Joost, as we explore the fascinating world of luxury fountain pens and the industry’s latest innovations.