In this episode, we sit down with Ian Schon, owner and designer behind Schon DSGN, and Azizah (GourmetPens) for a deep dive into innovation, craftsmanship, and the world of boutique fountain pens. We explore the highly anticipated MONOC nib and the upgraded MONOC EVO, with Ian sharing the design thinking, engineering challenges, and performance improvements behind both models. Azizah adds her expert writing impressions and practical insights for pen lovers.

One of the highlights of the episode is an exclusive workshop tour, where Ian walks us through the tools, machines, and processes that bring Schon DSGN pens to life. It’s an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at true craftsmanship.

We also break down the pros and cons of Black Friday sales, how discounts impact small makers, and what listeners can expect from Schon DSGN’s upcoming Black Friday promotions.

The Buzzsprout listeners will also appreciate how amazing the YouTube Live chat was during the recording, contributing thoughtful questions and adding energy to the entire conversation.

In This Episode:

• The story and engineering behind the MONOC nib
• What’s new and improved in the MONOC EVO
• A behind-the-scenes tour of the Schon DSGN workshop
• Writing impressions from Azizah (GourmetPens)
• The realities of Black Friday for small creators
• Sneak peek at upcoming Schon DSGN Black Friday deals
• Community-driven Q&A from the fantastic live chat

If you love fountain pens, maker culture, product design, or behind-the-scenes insights from small creative brands, this episode is packed with inspiration and valuable knowledge.

Follow, rate, and subscribe for more interviews, deep dives, and conversations with makers and creators!

In this exciting episode of the Appelboom Podcast, host Joost Appelboom is joined by Azizah from GourmetPens and special guest Kate from BENU Pens! We celebrate Fountain Pen Day and dive deep into the brand-new BENU collection for 2025. Kate gives us an exclusive first look at the stunning new Haute Collection release, and we explore the latest updates on the Tessera and Pixie pens.

Joost also introduces two incredible new arrivals on the Appelboom website:
✨ Montegrappa Sea Shepherd – Caretta caretta
✨ Leonardo Cigar LeonArco Mother of Pearl – Authentic Celluloid

As always, the audience contributed amazing questions and insights, making this another inspiring and interactive fountain pen conversation.

In this special episode, we sit down with Francesco Poggesi, CEO of Visconti, and Azizah from GourmetPens to explore the exciting Visconti fountain pen releases of 2025 — a lineup that blends Italian artistry, innovation, and timeless design.

Thanks to the incredible contributions and questions from our YouTube audience, this conversation goes even deeper into what makes these unique writing instruments so extraordinary. Your curiosity and passion helped shape a truly inspiring discussion about craftsmanship, creativity, and the future of fine writing.

🖋️ Homo Sapiens Full Demo – a transparent reinterpretation of Visconti’s most iconic pen.
🌌 Homo Sapiens Carbon Abyssus – where modern materials meet bold Italian design.
🌀 Visconti Maze – a stunning creation that celebrates geometry, perception, and art.
⚡ Visconti Nikola Tesla Limited Edition – a tribute to the genius of innovation and imagination.

Each of these Visconti fountain pens is more than a writing tool — it’s a piece of art, a collector’s dream, and a symbol of creativity in motion.

Join us as we explore the inspiration, engineering, and artistry behind Visconti’s 2025 collection — and discover how passion, design, and community come together in the world of fine writing.

In this episode of our Appelboom Writing Podcast, we dive deep into the world of Sheaffer with a very special guest — Nikhil Ranjan, CEO of Sheaffer. Co-hosted by Azizah (GourmetPens), this conversation explores the rich history, timeless legacy, and exciting future of one of the most iconic writing brands in the world.

We discuss the revival and relaunch of the Sheaffer Legacy fountain pen, shedding light on the complexities of bringing back classic models while staying true to the brand’s heritage. Nikhil shares fascinating insights into Sheaffer’s historic filling systems, and hints at a brand-new filling mechanism expected to debut in 2026, inspired by Sheaffer’s innovative past.

Another highlight of this episode is the new Sheaffer Coffee Scented Brown Ink, launched earlier this year — a perfect example of the brand blending tradition with modern creativity.

Nikhil also gives us an exclusive first look at the upcoming Sheaffer x Emily in Paris collaboration, launching this November. This luxury collection will include fountain pens, ballpoint pens, notebooks, leather accessories, and more — featuring Swarovski crystal embellishments for an extra touch of Parisian glamour.

To top it off, Joost shares news on some exciting upcoming products at Appelboom, including the Montegrappa Montgolfier and the Pelikan M809 Back Matt

🎙️ The Appelboom Bites Podcast is Back! After a long summer break (since mid-June), host Joost Appelboom returns with co-host Azizah from GourmetPens and special guest Salvatore Matrone, CEO of Leonardo Officina Italiana, for a brand new episode filled with exciting pen talk!

We kick things off with a brief recap of the DC Pen Show, then dive into the world of Leonardo fountain pens—including some exclusive new releases, upcoming materials, and the incredible collaborations with Jonathon Brooks. Salvatore shares his favorite filling mechanism, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship behind Leonardo pens.

Joost also unveils some amazing new arrivals at Appelboom:
🖋️ TWSBI Eco Carrara Onyx
🖋️ Visconti Homo Sapiens Full Demo
🖋️ Sailor 1911 King of Pens Tamenuri Raden Nami

💬 A big thank you to our amazing YouTube audience for your input during the live chat—your questions and comments made the conversation even more insightful and interactive!

We had a lot of fun recording this episode and we hope you enjoy watching it just as much. Whether you're a pen collector, a Leonardo enthusiast, or simply love writing instruments, this one’s for you.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more pen content and future episodes!
🔔 Hit the bell to stay updated!

#LeonardoOfficina #GourmetPens #AppelboomBites #FountainPenPodcast #PenCommunity #DCpenShow #TWSBIEco #ViscontiHomoSapiens #Sailor1911 #LuxuryPens #FineWriting #FountainPens #Podcast #PenTalk #WritingCommunity

In this vibrant episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast, host Joost Appelboom and co-host Clare Coco welcome the always-insightful Sue Beck for an engaging conversation about craftsmanship, design, and artistic expression in the world of fine writing instruments.

Sue shares her favorite David Oscarson fountain pen, and the discussion flows into the fascinating world of Japanese art forms on pens—from maki-e to urushi. Which brand does it best? And on which pen would Sue love to see these traditional techniques applied? You’ll have to listen to find out!

This episode is also a special milestone, marking Clare Coco’s final appearance as co-host. The heartfelt chemistry between the trio is amplified by the incredible live interaction from the YouTube chat, with viewers contributing thoughtful questions and commentary throughout.

Joost also takes the opportunity to introduce two exciting new fountain pens:
✒️ The revival of the Sheaffer Legacy Heritage – a modern tribute to an iconic design
✒️ The Montegrappa Casanova 300th Anniversary Limited Edition – a stunning, artisan-crafted pen celebrating the legendary Venetian figure with cloisonné and lost wax artistry

📌 In This Episode:

• Sue Beck’s favorite David Oscarson pen
• Deep dive into Japanese pen artistry & design
• Which brand leads in traditional craftsmanship
• A pen Sue dreams of seeing with Japanese art
• Introduction of two new fountain pens by Joost
• Clare Coco’s final episode as co-host
• Fantastic questions and engagement from the YouTube community

✨ Whether you're a dedicated pen enthusiast or simply curious about the artistry behind fine writing, this episode is packed with personality, passion, and beautiful farewells. Don’t miss it!

In this exclusive episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast, host Joost Appelboom is joined by co-host Clare Coco and very special guest David Oscarson, the founder of the renowned luxury pen brand David Oscarson.

David takes us deep into the world of high-end writing instruments, sharing the fascinating story behind his brand and what makes David Oscarson pens so extraordinary. From the intricate enameling process to the detailed handcrafted work, David explains how each pen is a true piece of art.

We explore the craftsmanship, the limited-edition pieces, and the stunning color combinations that set his pens apart in the world of fine writing. With David Oscarson now officially joining the Appelboom family of brands, this episode offers an exciting introduction to what collectors and pen enthusiasts can look forward to.

Listen now to learn more about the heritage, artistry, and innovation behind one of the most exclusive pen makers in the industry.

In this special episode of our pen enthusiast podcast, Joost Appelboom and co-host Clare Coco dive into the highlights of the Dutch Pen Show 2025 in Utrecht, joined by special guest Darla van de Riet, President of the Netherlands Pen Club. Although Clare couldn’t attend in person, she was there in spirit as Joost and Darla shared their experiences from the show floor—exploring rare finds, exciting releases, and the joy of connecting with fellow pen lovers.

Joost also introduced the three exclusive Dutch Pen Show fountain pens created by Scribo, Leonardo Officina Italiana, and Kaweco—each a stunning limited edition designed especially for the show. We talk about what makes pen shows so exciting, why they’re more than just shopping events, and how communities like the Netherlands Pen Club keep the love for writing instruments alive.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the world of fountain pens, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of Appelboom Bites, host Joost Appelboom and co-host Clare Coco welcome special guest Michal Kulka, master artisan and owner of Tamenuri Studio. Renowned for his breathtaking Urushi and Tamenuri lacquer work on fountain pens, Michal shares insights into his creative process and previews what he’ll be bringing to the upcoming Dutch Pen Show 2025, taking place the weekend of May 31 – June 1.

We also discuss several exciting new product announcements:

• The newly released Lamy Safari 2025 Special Edition colors: Sunset and Dark Dusk
• The introduction of a new luxury brand to our store: David Oscarson
• The reveal of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2025 – Teal Edition, featuring 25 exclusive inks for the holiday season

Whether you're a fountain pen aficionado, a lover of fine craftsmanship, or just curious about what’s new in the pen world, this episode is packed with inspiration, exclusive news, and a sneak peek at what to expect at the Dutch Pen Show.

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!