The Pen Addict 702: Still Sweet, Just With Edge
Feb 5, 2026
They unpack LAMY's Flamingo and Pine AL-Star limited releases and speculate about Safari variants. Confusion around OMAS's revival and who is actually making the pens gets debated. A new large Blackwing retractable pen and its price, mechanism and fit spark a detailed look. Conversation touches on beloved mechanical pencil designs, Esterbrook Bestie marketing, and hard-to-find gel pens.
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Omas Revival Is Promising — And Confusing
- Omas's future remains murky but a new entity linked to Novelor/Unibrands aims to revive the brand and move production back to Italy.
- Brad warns the announcement introduced naming confusion and multiple 'Unibrands' entities.
Brad's Early Impressions Of The Blackwing Pen
- Brad received an early Blackwing pen prototype and found it large, chunky, and marker-like in hand.
- He appreciated the Schmidt P8127 rollerball refill choice but felt the pen's size and magnetic cap design needed refinement.
Fix Weak Magnetic Caps Before Release
- Test magnetic caps in everyday use and request a stronger magnet if the cap can detach during casual clicks.
- Tell manufacturers about small reliability issues early so they can strengthen components before retail launch.