It looks like an Opus 88

https://goldspot.com/products/opus-88-fountain-pen-in-demonstrator

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/01/nx-s1-5313853/doge-savings-receipts-musk-trump

Oh gnome…

“For the ultrawealthy, the document floats eliminating the federal estate tax, at an estimated cost of $370 billion in revenue for the government over a decade. The tax, which charges a percentage of the value of a person’s fortune after they die, kicks in only for estates worth more than around $14 million.”

So cut $37 Billion/year the government gets from dead rich people and make up for it…by slashing benefits for the middle class and poor. Truly the party of the people.

Remember when we had a whole impeachment hearing against Trump for withholding aid to Ukraine so he could get a political hit piece on Biden? I’m wondering how long it will take before a quid pro quo scenario pops up again. Either in Ukraine or elsewhere. So ya, we’re all feeling for Zelensky in the next few years.

My wife and I have met this woman on different occasions. Both in her personal and professional capacities. She’s a self-serving asshole. She couldn’t make Governor so shes going for Senator. If she doesn’t get that, she’ll try for something else. She just wants to stick a fancy title as the bookend of her legacy other than “local news anchor”. She sees Trumpism as her vehicle to that and will do/say whatever to make it happen.

Well now I need to go watch Duck Soup.

The tines may be too tight so my suggestion would be to floss the tines. It should be no problem if you have a brass shim. It’s worked wonders on a number of my cheaper pens to fix ink flow. Although I have noticed that the flow is slower on my 9019 as well.

Yup! I’ve only been into fountain pens for a few years but I use them every day for journaling, work notes, and most other writing I do.

It probably more depends on what you’re looking for in a nib. Gold nibs typically have some kind of bounce to them. The Viper is a hooded steel nib so it’ll probably be a much more stiff writing experience. But I’ve heard Diplomat nibs are pretty smooth writers. In my experience, Sailor nibs have some feedback and can “sing” on the page.

I think it’s well worth it for the price. But I’m easy to please lol. It’s a metal pen with metal threads for where the grip section and barrel meet. The finial and trim pieces are pressed in, not threaded or glued. It feels solid but not bulky or heavy. And it uses the same nib as the 82 which is great in my opinion.

I’d say the one drawback I have is the grip is narrower side. So if you’re not comfortable with a grip that’s probably closer to a pencil then it may not be worth it for you.

I’ve had hit or miss luck with Lamy converters. In my case the seal in the back was letting in air and drying out the ink. I’ve found using a blunt-tipped syringe and refilling old cartridges works better. There’s a bit more ink capacity as well.

Thinking through my own collection. The Jinhao 95 might be worth a try. It’s basically a metal version of the 82 but has a really nice capping feel. It’s kind of like the Pilot Explorer, where you press it on and you can feel that inner cap spring tensioning and then snaps closed. But the Jinhao is much more satisfying.

The one on the lower end of the spectrum that comes to mind is the Jinhao 95. It’s essentially a metal version of the 82. The one I have has a really satisfying snap cap that’s a bit like the Pilot Explorer but a harder click.

I think snap caps fall off on the higher end but the Pilot Vanishing Point/Decimo which are retractable. They are always good go tos for a solid click.

Ya it’s very much a PR statement to address the drama but not the core issues. Especially since they decided to downplay the facts.

They ones that come to my mind are:

Goldspot, Vaness, Pen Chalet, Jet Pens, Birmingham Pens, Amarillo Stationery, Pen Boutique, Anderson Pens, Cult Pens, Endless Pens, Enigma Stationery,

Lots of options.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-episode-pride-month/id1723599105?i=1000657476753

I figured I’d link directly to the podcast episode in question in case anyone wants to listen first-hand. The “Eric” in this episode seems to be introduced in a later episode as starting the church attended by the Goulet’s. I saw the transcriptions originally but the tone of the hosts really put me off.

I’m thoroughly disappointed at the situation and it’s completely soured my perception of the brand. Luckily, there are plenty of retailers to choose from in this hobby.

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/joseph-ducreux-archaic-rap

For the uninitiated

Do it! You won’t be disappointed.

Oh I think I mixed up the names. It’s Majohn/Moonman. There was some legal reason they had to rebrand a few years ago but you can sometimes still get pens with the old branding. They are on Aliexpress as well at around the $20 price point.