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Testimonial Archive
1992 thru 2003 |
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John and Pat, Hi Pat and John! John: I just received my Pelikan M800 with the fine cursive italic nib. After using it for the past hour, I can honestly say that I am truly impressed. You do outstanding work! I have never used a fine nib, let alone italic, which writes so beautifully. It is very smooth, which is important to me, yet still is crisp. I have custom nibs from other suppliers but not one comes close to the performance of yours. Great work... Regards- "Pat
and John, Mr. Mottishaw, I received the package today. The pen writes like a dream! I can't believe the difference in how it writes now versus before I sent it to you. Your work is absolutely outstanding. I won't even think of considering anyone else for any work I may need done in the future. You are a gifted craftsman. Thank you very much. Richard Carlino (10/31/03) John and Pat, Pat/John, I just picked p the Paragon waiting for me on my front porch. Inked it and now I am another one among very happy customers of yours. The attention and care you took to provide me with a great pen really exceeds my expectation. It turns out that medium nib is perfect for me as well as the ink flow. And I want to say thank you very much. Now, after all the mistakes I made (as well as wasted money) with other pen shops, I know where to buy my future pens... Thanks again, il kim (12/4/03)
My word! Are there really still businesses like you left in America? Quick superb service. Stands by your work. Wow!
The VP is PERFECT! Not a note of singing and brilliant smooth line. I could not be more pleased. It warms my heart to see that pride and craftsmanship still flourish – and in LA of all places!!
Thanks,
Scott D. Nelson (10/30/03) Dear Pat: The Pen came yesterday, and it's excellent - Thanks so very much for this! (the gold nib, by the way, is without any question the best nib I've ever written with, so I'll keep the steel nib stored away as a backup.) I'm really very pleased.. Best Sean (10/30/03) Ed. Note: this arrived as a hand-written letter: Hello John... I thought I'd take a minute to write you a note to let you kow just how pleased I've been with my Namiki Vanishing Point/italic nib combination. It's been the perfect combination of form and function; the vanishing point is ideal and most convenient for notetaking during meetings & court work, and keeps the ink from drying, while the custom shaping you effected on the nib is exactly the style I had hoped for in my writing.... Best regards, Adam Brener (10/31/03) John, I have been writing with the pen for a few weeks now. You
did a Thank you! John T. (10/25/03) Thank you so much for your excellent nib regrind and repair of my Waterman #7. Without doubt, this is the finest work I have seen and best of all, it works perfectly. It has gone from an occassional user pen to an every day writer! The italic nib cuts a fine line and the ink flow adjustment suits this nib well. Best regards...Mark Druash (10/23/03) Pat, Perhaps understandably, I had a little trepidation about purchasing a pen with a custom nib from a web-site and a company that I hadn't dealt with before . Clearly there can be no opportunity to try-before-you- buy; however, the extensive information to be found on your site instills confidence that proved to be well-founded. The Pelikan pen arrived this morning and looks as elegant as I had imagined. I've just finished a 15 minute test drive and wanted you to know that the nib is wonderful, the ink flow is better than any pen I've owned and that I am a very happy customer with a new pen which I am sure has just become an all-time favorite. Now if only the Yankees can win game 7 it'll be a perfect day! Chas Bernstein(10/16/03) John: Again, thanks for a true Master Craftsman's
job on this pen. Dear Pat: I have to write again about the cursive italic nib that John made for my pen. It is spectacular! I've used it for several days now and can tell that it will become my everyday nib. It makes my less than stellar writing look beautiful and even my printing has more panache. Thanks, Hi John and Pat (Ed: this arrived as a hand-written note and concerns a Waterman's Carene and Ideal) Dear John, What can I say - I've been Mottishawed. I love this pen like I never knew I could. I love the other one too. They are both so smooth, so perfect, so addicting. I can't put this one down. You have another very satisfied customer. Now the problem, what next.... I will send more. I just have to prepare myself - like sending a child to college. Til next time, Warmly, Pam (Murray, 9/22/03) Where have you been my whole life? I received the Omas desk pen (for which you have worked miracles.)...
It is wonderful. . .absolutely wonderful! I hate you. Now
I have to go through my pens, my Father's pens and my Grandfathers
pens and figure out what I want to use or make more useable.
It's no wonder you are kept in hiding and protected by the
lovely woman that controls the phone. . . you are obviously
a scriptological genius, a national treasure and the CIA must
be scared to death that the Russians will kidnap you (I know
that dates me.) Never the less, the pen is perfect and, now
I understand, one of the few I own that actually writes as
smoothly and comfortably as it should. Thank CWD (9/15/03) Dear Pat, Pat, The Pelikan tortoiseshell arrived yesterday and I couldn't
be more pleased. The pen is absolutely gorgeous. I can't imagine
why they no longer make them. I had some doubts about modifying
a fine nib to cursive italic but, as I had hoped, it is perfect
for my small handwriting. In short, I love the look, the feel,
and the performance of the pen. Please convey my thanks and
appreciation to John. As usual, your help was invaluable and
I look forward to speaking with you when next the urge to
own just one more pen strikes. John and Pat, I received the modified Omas Arco Brown Celluloid and the Omas 360 75th anniversary last week..... The Arco Brown Celluloid is superb. The line variation is noticeable and quite elegant. The flow is perfect for my writing style. It has skyrocketted to the top of my list of favorite writers. I also am having a lot of fun with the Omas 75th 360. The line is indeed broad, but is great to write with. I like the bold smooth style of this pen. The commercial angle seems fine for me as well. Let me write with it for another few months and I will let you know if I still like it or whether I wish to modify it at all. Thanks for your help. I look forward to doing business with you again. Terry Sheppard (8/19/03) Just a quick note to say I received the Omas 360 and am very pleased on first impressions. Nice flow, just enough rotation to ensure perfect contact (less than I thought I needed - thanks for the precision!), and no hint of skipping or hesitation and of course that buttery smooth nib. In other words all the best characteristics of an Omas without their occasional QC headaches you get buying from elsewhere. Thanks again John and Pat ! DM (8/19/03) Just a note to let you know I recieved the Waterman
pen Friday. It's yours,
Hi John/Pat, Well, I am stuck at home working on the computer so I was here about 10 minutes ago when the UPS guy arrived. So of course I took a break from work to load the cartridge and give it a whirl. I do really like the way it makes my penmanship look more expressive, (sorta the southern California version of fountain pen plastic surgery to make it look better than it was....ha ha). So thanks again for the quickness, taking the time to chat with me about all the choices,etc. Now that interest rates are up perhaps my appraising business will die down (hopefully not too much) so that i have time to write some letters with the sharp new blue carbonesque custom hot rod courtesy of THE NIB MAN, best wishes, James umgelter(8/15/03) John and Pat, My red demonstrator arrived Tuesday as scheduled.
I had to be on campus that day because of all the trouble
with the WORM. It kept me busy all Thanks very much for your skills and attention
to detail in handling my With best regards, Don (Robinson, 8/15/03) I received the m805 & have to say it is fantastic! I think you were right to suggest giving the nib a limited amount of flex initially; as I find I can write with it in a fairly "fearless" way, without worrying too much about bending it beyond the point of no return! Interestingly I found that I was instinctively
writing in cursive, I am really impressed that the nib was just
right the moment it hit the I received the pen yesterday. It is more than
I expected. I filled it Nick Newton(6/26/03) Pat and John, Pat, John, et al: Hi Pens arrived exquisite and lovely. Me go play now. Thank you for dwelling in this universe now.
8-) Carmen (Hermosillo, 6/26/03) I got my nib today. It is wonderful! I had no idea that my favorite flexible nib styles of the 1920's-30's could be recreated today, starting from modern, firm nibs. You have truly satisfied me with these two creations (Ed: M600 and M800 14K nib units with our added flex modifications), and I am very happy with them. Warm regards, Budd (Parrish, 6/19/03) "Dear Pat & John - The Venice Blue Paragon is my dream pen! Big, beautiful, and blue. Lightweight and the smoothest fine nib that needs only the lightest touch - just the way I like it! Yes, I'm happy with it. Truly, Elizabeth Wilde" (in a written note on 5/20/03) John/Pat:
I am delighted with the stub nibs you created from my Pelikan 800 BB and Namiki V.P. B units. The exceptional smoothness of these nibs has been retained while the line variation is wonderful. This is exactly what I wanted! I would say more but am reluctant to raise the specter of magic. However, dictionary.com does provide a definition (#2) for Wizard that is ... "a skillful and clever person" ... will that do?
Much appreciation,
George Feyerabend(5/17/03) The nib arrived yesterday and I installed it last night.
Another fine job. It took only about half page or so of writing to “understand” how the new nib works. It’s very smooth, starts first time every time and I really like the look of the line it produces. Heck, it even makes MY printing look good.
Thanks again for the great work. Jim (McCool, 5/15/03)
Just a brief note to let you know the Pelican
M 1000 fountain pen arrived this afternoon in perfect condition.
It's an absolutely beautiful instrument, the nib just glides
so very smoothly over the page and writes absolutely magnificently;
it's exactly what I wanted. I own several fine pens but I
believe I could not have asked for one better than this, thanks
to John's skill and expertise with nibs. I am thrilled to
add it to my collection but plan to use it on a daily basis
of course. Thanks so much Pat to both John and yourself for
an excellent service provided in such a warm, friendly, knowledgeable
and professional way. John & Pat, My 100N feed unit with replacement gold nib arrived today, and I love it. There is nothing quite like combining the history and feel of a late 1930's fountain pen with the comfort and reliability of a modern gold nib, fitted and adjusted by the Mottishaw team. I tore into the packaging the moment I got home for work, put the nib into the pen and filled it. What a great feel. The ink flow is great, and it is wonderfully smooth on paper. Of course, its so much better than the old steel CN nib, which felt like I was writing with a rusty nail. You guys have once again demonstrated why your
reputation is as Feel free to use this note as a testimonial. Thanks again, John Davidson(3/26/03) Hello Pat and John,
The Moore Midnight blue pen arrived. What a splendid restoration it is ! I think this pen will surely be one of my treasures.Thank you very much!
Best Regards, Kei Wakiji (3/25/03) (Ed: CP5 & CP6 with italic customizations) I am more satisfied than I could expect to be.
The details: The line which the pen produces is much more elegant than I believed it would be, and it is so smooth to write with. Regular nibs are scratching the paper much more thsi one does.
The overall impression: It seems that these are the only pens that I will need for the rest of my life.
Best regards, John (Christensen, 3/24/03) I have received them . I am much satisfied with your work . I could not feel better ! Thank you very much . (H. Sakuma, Japan) Dear Pat and John: Considering the number of pens I have gotten from you in the last six to seven months it is only right that I write and tell you how wonderful I think they are. I have just received the Pelikan M850 and the OMAS Saffron Blue celluliod. I am particularly impressed with the OMAS. It is much more interesting "in the flesh" than in any picture. As you know, I have several of the OMAS celluloid pens and in addition to being wonderful writing instruments they are works of art that enhance the writing experience. The Saffron Blue is a welcome addition to my collection. This is not to ignore the Pelikan. It is a
wonderful pen and the nib is superb, exactly what I had in
mind. It is just that my focus is on the I appreciate the fact that you thoroughly check out and adjust each pen to my specifications before shipping it. I do not have a collection of uninked pens. A good high quality pen is a tool that I use and enjoy. But it has to be "right". Your pens are "right". They have nice smooth nibs, correct ink flow and do not leak, beyond the beauty of the pen, this is what is important to me. The enjoyment I derive from having and using
these beautiful tools is no Very best wishes, Stuart Houston (3/19/03) Pat and John:
Incredible (Ed: an Omas Paragon with Broad cursive italic customization). John is an absolute Master. I love it, absolute Perfection. The service you gave me Pat leaves me speechless. Thanks so much. Mike (Farha, 3/17/03) John,
I received the nib yesterday that you reground for me. It is a tremendous improvement. It writes smoothly and there is no skipping at all. Thanks for being so understanding with a real newcomer. Your willingness to take time in your busy schedule to talk and then to make this nib right makes it clear why you enjoy the respect of all others in the pen community.
Thank you,
Steve Blanks(2/9/03) Dear Pat, John Mottishaw, Pat, tell him that I wanted to sign it Bill,
but Dullword doesn't allow (then, from his authorization-to-post email:) [Dullword on] Dear John and Pat. John is the nibmaster. I have been using fountain pens since the first grade (about 50 years). When I tried my Stipula with the recently reground nib I realized that I have wasted my life! ;-) (Stephan Miller, 02/04/03) "I received my Omas Saffron Blue fountain pen on Friday. I really like how the colors blend together and how effortlessly the nib moves across the paper. This is a beautiful writing instrument -- thank you. Again I also want to thank you for your prompt and courteous service. Hopefully in the future I will call upon your outstanding personal services again. Respectfully Yours, Bruce Lewis" (1/26/03) Dear John, I received the nibs today, and I am, to say the least, extremely happy. The Pelikan nibs have a truly vintage feel and line, and are just outstanding. I had expected the nibs might look a bit funny due to the adjustment, but this is not even remotely so. The nibs look great. The Namiki Vanishing Point oblique is a double surprise, as the pen is now a much more comfortable writing instrument, and the line variation is far more than I expected considering the small nib size. You have a formidable reputation in the fountain pen community, and I now know that your reputation is fully deserved. Thank you...for a set of nibs that exceeded my high expectations.
Rick Witter(1/24/03) Dear John ----- Very few things in my experience live up to
expectations; however, in Jim Huse (1/22/03) Guess what arrived just now, yes, my wonderful pen (Editor: M1000 with 3B cursive italic customization). I am speechless, it is so lovely, and sooooo smoooooth and sweeeet! I have tried it... and calligraphy and expressive handwriting has been a wonder. Thank you so much for your patience, and for
doing exactly what I was All they say about your nibsterbility is true with bells on John!!! Sincerely, in awe, Chris" (Cull, 1/20/03) (Second message from Chris, same day:) Thank you for the great job on the Parker 75! It is a pleasure to use, and I dare say the finest fine point that I have ever had in terms of smoothness and flow. The other people in our pen collectors club were very impressed as well. I look forward to doing more business in the future! Bryan (Stone, 1/16/02) Hey! Fred (Rosenberg, 1/16/03) Dear John and Pat
I just got back to the office to discover the arrival of my "new" pen. It works out of the box just as guaranteed. I can't express enough thanks for your prompt and courteous service. I wish I would have only sent it to you sooner!! You've definitely found a long term customer.
Christian Wagner (2/21/03) (Ed: this arrived as a hand-written note) If I could, I would sign this with musical notes - my song of praise for your wonderful work yet again. Instead, consider this a lot of hum... Thanks again... Elliot (Abemayor, 12/14/02) The pen arrived today. You guys are magicians. It writes better than ever - truly. The flow and feel is great. A joy to use....
Thank you so much.
Karen (Sikorski, 12/12/02) Dear John:
I wanted to let you know that I received the pens today. I have to say that the quality of your work is of the highest caliber and you exceeded my expectation in every regard. Back when my son was a toddler, he bent the nib on the Parker Royal Challenger. I thought that it was beyond repair and that it would find its final resting place in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. A local pen shop took the first stab at the repair and the result was what you saw- a bubble on the nib and an ink flow that left blotches on the paper.
I am delighted that I found your company on the internet. You absolutely made the pen look like new, and the writing quality is spectacular.
I have to admit that I had reservations about sending the pens (especially the Parker) to a complete stranger across the internet. I don't know if you recall, but I sent you an email outlining my concern with doing so and you sent a reply that made me feel at ease. Furthermore, you set the expectation on delivery at the outset. You informed me of the backlog in your workflow and because you informed me, I was fine with it. The end result was that you had the pens back to me about 90 days before I expected. I am in sales management and you did what I always tell my team; "undercommit and overachieve."
To wrap this up, I just wanted to restate my extreme satisfaction with my dealings with your company and with the quality of your work. You obviously take a great deal of pride in what you do and how you do business. My best wishes for continued success. There is no doubt in my mind that your other customers feel as I do.
Best Regards,
Steve Blais (12/6/02) John et al, Not only is the Madrid Pelikan lovely to hold and see, it writes beautifully! After years of writing with balky, crabby pens that leaked and dragged fibers from the paper, it is such a pleasure to have such silky cooperative nibs. Thank you for again working your magic to improve and refine another fine writing instrument. Appreciatively, Karen (LaFleur, 11/22/02) As usual, the pens you sent are spectacular. I am convinced that my entire pen budget should go to you to improve my existing pens! Thanks again. I look forward to sending you more.
Barbara (Schone, 11/21/02) dear john and pat, Pat, The three pens are a joy to behold, be held, and be written with. Thank you. Alan(Ziegler, 11/18/02) Hi Everyone,
Thank you for..... my new Pelikan M600 Fountain Pen. As a former customer service manager - I know that customers are constantly looking for merchants who will listen and respond.... Other(s) should take lessons from you. The fine/stub nib is great, as is the "drier" inkflow. Well worth the investment.
Sincerely, Tim Vaughan (10/30/02) Dear Mr. Mottishaw, The Namiki Vanishing Point pen, two spare converters, and Namiki ink arrived safely. Thank you very much. My first thought when seeing the new VP pen style in catalogues was skepticism. I thought the old, simpler style was about as simple & functional as one could hope for in a design. It has been my everyday pen for more than ten years. But, I was wrong. The new style is larger, as you said, and fits more comfortably in the hand- the lack of ridges is much easier on the inside of the middle finger for extended writing.. The extra weight, due to the new body, seems to ease writing. The Blue Carbonesque and Raden finishes are added bonuses. The new, twist converter seems to hold more ink.... Thank you for narrowing the medium nib, and improving the ink flow. Now the pen glides across the paper, and my grip is lighter on the pen. The stub nib you made for me a few moths ago is a real joy to use. It took me quite some time to become accustomed to its virtues. You have increased what had been a modest affliction for fountain pens, and perceived idiosyncrasy by others, into a full blown virus. Thank you again, Ivan Keesey P.S. Do you fix cars? I have an old Saab....... (10/29/02) It's beautiful. I've missed it but it was certainly worth the wait. You guys are FANTASTIC. I'll dance at weddings,
buy you all coffee, Thank you a thousand times over! John Ben (Sutter, 10/23/02) The pen arrived today, in perfect order. It writes beautifully. Maybe I will learn not to buy fountain pens from concerns other than John. They all end up going to him anyway, be it for repair or tune up. The man is a genius. Again, thank you very much. PS: could you stop making such an attractive web site, full of wonderful pens? No, I hope not. Regards, Bill (Senn, 10/16/02) I received the pens about two weeks ago. I moved
recently and life is Sincerely yours, Ray (Okoniewski, 10/15/02) I received my repaired Pelikan M800 the other day and have been enjoying it. Its amazing how far a pen can go downhill without one realizing it. The repairs and particularly the nib modifications are just great. I didn't realize just how flexible a nib could be made. This writes as smooth as silk. The same is true for the medium italic nib. This one is just fun to write with. All in all, its better than when the pen was new. My final thought is that while I own and have tried a lot of fountain pens, there is simply nothing like a good Pelikan. Thank you. Robert St. Claire, 10/11/02 What can I say? Thank you, thank you. I am now in possession
of a very rare bird indeed: an XF stub! It's just wonderful.
I've been writing The only additional praise I can think of is:
It was definitely worth Thanks yet again for your wonderful work.... Take care. Eric (Warshaw, 10/9/02) Hi John, hi Pat.
What can I say? The Namiki Raden VP arrived today, and... well, it was like the restaurant scene from When Harry Met Sally. Now I've calmed down a bit, I'm coherent enough to say that this is absolutely the perfect nib, exactly what I wanted. And it's the prettiest pen I've ever seen. Right now, I'm not sure whether to write with it or just worship it for a while. I haven't been this excited about the contents of a parcel since I was a kid!
Many, many thanks. I don't know how you did it, given the limited and imprecise information that I gave you, but you did. Brilliant!
With very best wishes Karen Traviss (10/4/02) My PCA pen with your nib work arrived today. I should really
have I am almost at a complete loss of words to properly
express how happy I I cannot tell you the number of pens I have
ordered which look great in Obviously upon inking the pen and putting the
nib to paper my fears I am so very glad I found your website and have
finally come across Many, Many Thanks, Randy Ferris (9/27/02) Dear Mr. Mottishaw... This is just a quick note of thanks for the lovely nib for my Vanishing Point pen.... It is exactly what I hoped it might be and precisely to my liking!
Thanks... for the immediate understanding of my needs and the remarkably quick service.
I’m looking forward to working with you again.
Sincerely,
Jon Aase(9/19/02)
Pat / John, Brian Lee Dear Pat & John, I felt like STeve Martin in "The Jerk" as I was almost running around yelling, "my pens have arrived, my pens have arrived." After yearning for a Parker Senior Duofold for more years than I care to admit, the Big Red arrived safely today. I filled it almost immediately, but I had to fondle it for a few minutes first. It is a dee-light to use. Very, very smooth. It is odd something more than 70 years old can give one such pleasure. Planned obsolescense wasn't part of the business plan at Parker at that time. What a differance from the Esterbrook I first purchased back in 1973. The new Namiki Stub nib is a treat. Smoother than the medium nib I replaced it with, and the ink flow allows for a much lighter touch. I plan to get another Namiki from you, the Blue Carbonesque, later this fall. I believe they are the best everyday pen made and have been using one for more than ten years.
Do you fix autos as well? I have an old Saab . . . .
Many thanks, Horace Keesey IV (8/29/02) Hi, Got the nibs yesterday, and both are just swell!
I'm mailing my son's Regards, Hi, The pens arrived today, and just in time
for me to take them home and Best Regards, Ansel (Olson. 8/12/02) Hi, John & Pat - just to say am really enjoying
this pen very much - I I've never had a Pelikan before but I'm a convert
now. I've never had a Thanks again David (Wight, U.K., 8/10/02) Dear John, Thank you for another outstanding job! The Omas is perfect! It's as if you were reading my mind. And that Waterman #7 - Wow!! With these two pens I could almost give up collecting and be a happy writer forever! Thanks, again, Terry (Clark, in a penned letter, July, 02) It arrived in perfect condition yesterday morning... (ed: a Pelikan M800)... The pen balances perfectly; the ink flows perfectly; the line is a perfect italic cursive (within the writer's limits); the nib glides smooooooooothly. No problems with up strokes. As we say here in England, "it's not bad". Then I had a look in the Oxford English Dictionary. motti-shaw, verb transitive. To take common
materials and to transmute motti-fact, noun, An object created to be totally fit for its purpose. mott-astic, -acious, adjective. Having qualities of perfection. motti-, prefix. The form denoting an object
in its perfect condition, Perhaps that explains it... I've just got me a motti-pen! Thank you very much. I got the pens today, and they are awsome! :) way better than what I was expecting. The widths of the medium and Xfine are perfect, and they feel great; very comfortable! Be sure to thank John for his groovy work on the extra fine nib!!
Thanks again,
Cassidy(Scott, 7/8/02) The big boy arrived safely! The infamous M(iles)-1000
is now inked and Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot say
that enough! The pen is Again, thank you for the fantastic work! Miles (Turner, 6/29/02) I've had some fairly expensive modern fountain pens in my collection in times past, including a MB Lorenzo and a Hemingway. Until today, however, I had no clue a fountain pen could write so well and feel so good on paper. THANK YOU!! Needless to say, I received the Pelikan broad, stub nib today, and I brought the pen with me to work this morning just in case it arrived. I filled the pen with the Herbin ink I received in the mail yesterday, and I am a very, very pleased customer. What a difference Mottishization does to a nib! <g> Kudos to you guys down there! I am truly amazed. Trent (Amonette, 5/16/02) I wanted to let you know that I have received the pen and just now have gotten to test drive it. I had to get used to writing with this nib before I was able to get the writing to flow uninterrupted. Now I am so very happy. Finally, I have a pen that I can use for the purpose that I had initially intended it for. Again, your craftsmanship has brought out an instrument to be used and not placed in a drawer only to be forgotten. Sometimes I can just imagine what my estate sale will be like. :-)
Best regards,
Ed (Estoye, 5/15/02) Thank you for sending my new Namiki Falcon fountain
pen, with a soft Steve Meunier (5/13/02) The pens arrived here as expected yesterday... I am absolutely stunned, each one is absolutely perfect, exactly what I had wanted. I cannot really praise them highly enough. My only regret is that I can’t use either one in an email. Anyway, very many thanks again, it was a pleasure dealing with you and I am very glad we could get all this accomplished via email and am just simply blown away by the craftsmanship that went into the customizations I ordered – it’s easily of the highest order. Next year, probably at about this time or slightly earlier, I hope to be able to order two more.
Great job! All the best. Mick Clarke(5/10/02) The pen arrived back last evening. The conversion
from broad to med John, Thank you so much for smoothing out the M800 EF flexible nib for me--the nib now draws like its silky twin. I've never drawn with a nib so responsive as these two ultra-flex nibs you've made for me.... I don't know of anybody anywhere who is doing the kind of work you do. You say on your web site that you are a "lapsed metal sculptor." "Lapsed"?--or simply working in a new medium? By my lights, the magic you work on little bits of gold--coaxing them to talk and sing with ink--embodies the highest ideals of both craft and art. Thanks again... Dale Roberts The pen arrived last Thursday.... After writing with it for several hours I can say unequivocally that it’s perfect! Once again you amaze and spoil me by letting me have exactly what I wanted.
Take care. Thanks,
Lelan (McLemore, April 21, 02) To: John Mottishaw Thank you for all your work - John on the pens
and Pat to keep up with Ann & Arvin(Chaikin, 4/20/02) John, Pat, Sarah & Greg, As you know, we 'Bexley Boys' are incurable
pen enthusiasts. So, it's I'm looking forward to writing with my Bexley
Deluxe & Gold Line pens With hearty thanks, Jack Leone John and Pat, this is again full success! My pens are like never before. Omas T-2 with a B-nib modified to an italic F/M point writes perfectly and so wonderfully smooth. The vintage MB146 which I have been hardly using before, is amazing now. Again smooth, with a good ink flow and a beautiful line variation. My "Big Red" has improved considerably too.
Frankly speaking, I truly regret that my English is insufficient to find the right adjectives that could properly express the pleasure of writing with these pens right now.
John and Pat, thank you so much for your perfect service.
Kind regards, Kasia Leijten-Nowak, The Netherlands(3/18/02) I received the Pelikan Red M800 with O3B Nib and the Parker 03B Nib today. I immediately put the Nib easily into the Parker 75 Pen I own from way back, and proceeded to write with both Pens. The Red Pelikan is a beautiful piece of workmanship, and fits so nicely in the hand. And, the nib is nothing short of spectacular. I really like the ink flow and the variation in width of this Nib. To say it is wonderful is an understatement.
The new Parker Nib has brought new enjoyment to a Pen I haven't used since the 70's when I was in Medical School. It brings back fond memories, with a smoother, nice writing Nib.
Thanks so much for the great service, I don't think there is anything you neglect to think of in terms of excellent customer service... Jorge Camara(3/18/02) Dear John, Pat, et al.,
The pens arrived safely today. It's hard to describe my satisfaction with your work. After owning the Parker 75 for the better part of two decades, I finally know how it should have been all along, which may explain why the original owner parted with it. In addition, the Lady Skripsert is working flawlessly and amazingly smooth for a nib that is that fine. I can't even see where the missing tine was replaced! Thanks. You'll be sure to get any future work from me.
Mark Z. (3/18/02) Just a quick note to say that all the nibs arrived safely today, delivered to my door. My warmest congratulations for such a fine job:
- the Vanishing Point nib is truly wonderful. This won't be the last one I'm ordering from you! - the M1000 M is way better than the original ever was! - the CS and the Stipula are perfectly smooth yet with lots of line variation. - the 4 Waterman Mans: they finally work after 20 years of frustration! They not only work, they are extraordinary!.
Thanks and very best wishes to your whole team, cheers, Michael (Scharf, U.K., 3/12/02) My fine italic Pelikan arrived today... and
it's superb! Best wishes, Couldn't resist temptation. Put my work aside
to tear open your package and try my new nibs. They are very
fine indeed. You work miracles out there. My thanks to John
and Pat and anyone else who had a hand in the transformation.
Thanks very much--it is my fist really nice
fountain pen and I am I have just received the pens back and what delights they are! The Sheaffer writes like a dream, I could not imagine a more perfect nib for my florid style of writing and the Montblanc, though less responsive, will I am sure with use, become a regular. Thank you, the long wait was well worth it. Regards Tony Cassie (3/5/02) Received the Pen shipment today. AWESOME, ELEGANT, SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE, SHEER DELIGHT, A great joy to use. Beautiful work. My compliments to you Pat, John the whole gang. Am greatly pleased with the beautiful pen and nibs... Regards, Andy (Morales, 3/4/02) Hi John and Pat, I arrived home from a trip to find my beautiful new pen. Your suggested specifications for the nib seem perfect - my mundane handwriting looks (almost) distinguished. The pen has inspired me to look for a "proper" ink and equivalent paper.
Thanks for your precise, professional, and most pleasant assistance.
Regards,
Rob (Greer, 2/18/02) Just a quick note of thanks.... All over the Internet I see people arguing about what pen or nib is the best. As far as I am concerned, this is a ridiculous discussion. No two people like the same thing, or write the same way. The best you can say truthfully is that this or that works best for you. Which brings me to my pen... It took me a while to articulate what I was looking for... what impresses me about your work is that you were able to translate my desires, most of them inchoate, and transform them into a nib and pen that write the way I want. No easy task! Well, if the proof of the pudding is in the eating, you are looking at one well-fed customer. Thanks for your great work. Adam Rodman (2/5/02) I am simply stunned at how well the Dandy and Parker 51 turned out!... You 'mottified' them both to exactly - and I do mean precisely - the specifications that I had requested. The Parker 51 which you modified using my Great-Grandfather's nib means so much to me and you got it so incredibly smooth and expressive that I truly look for any excuse to write with it. I will treasure this pen for as long as I live and it will mean so much to my son, as well, when he is old enough to use it. I really can't thank you enough for that alone. The Dandy project was one which I really didn't think anyone could do right, but you did it just as I had requested and it is a pure delight to use. .... I am so grateful that we have such an absolute artist such as you and your incredible staff who can truly make the most bewildering request possible. You are truly miracle workers! Thank you all so much!
Best,
Dan (Levine, 1/26/02) Dear John,
All four fountain pens arrived safely. Each has its own definite writing "character" now. I'm especially pleased with the Parker 75 and the steel nib pens. To my "untrained" eye, the Parker (although you classified it as "near mint") is perfect. The steel nib pens are the smoothest pens that I've written with, outside of the gold nibs you've done for me. My order was well worth the wait.
Best regards, Timothy Vaughan (1/26/02) Hi John, BOB Cohen (1/24/02) Dear Pat (for John): Yours sincerely, Dear Pat & John,
Thank you for sending the "improved" Pelikan 1000 so promptly. To say that I am pleased is an understatement. The first few letters have emerged from it to tell a tale of a nib as silent and supple as a jungle cat: elegant, graceful; I like it. I'm only sorry I have waited so long to decide to get it. To polish the miracle, I find that the total cost in time and funds ends where purchasing the pen from another and sending it on to you for modification would have only begun. Well done.
Michael (Munro 1/14/02) I received the Pelikan M-800 with medium stub nib yesterday... The pen is beautiful... From the moment I first touched pen to paper, I knew this was going to get a lot of use. The ink flow is perfect - wet, but not so much that ink is bleeding through or taking forever to dry.... your recommendation for a stub nib was right on the money. I get decent variation in line width without having to worry too much about how I'm writing.... (the nib) seems as close to perfect as I've ever seen. The pen writes first time, every time. No skips, no blotches, no hard starts. Even when my wife left the cap off for some time to make hot cocoa the pen didn't dry out, and it started right up again. I guess my only regret about this pen is that I didn't get it sooner... (it) appears to be everything it is claimed to be, and your work richly deserves all the accolades it has received. Many thanks, Steven R. Touchi (12/17/01) Just a quick note to confirm that the pen shipment arrived this morning... please know how appreciative I am of... John's good work. You have taken favorite pens that were, for a variety of reasons, difficult for me to use and turned them all into daily users. Simply stated, your work has increased the value of these pens to me....
Fritz (Kopeinig, 12/14/01) The nib units arrived yesterday as I was leaving for a meeting. I quickly filled both, put one in a Namiki VP and the other in a Pilot VP.
I was worthless in the meeting. I wrote, doodled and was otherwise distracted by your wonderful work.
I like them both, but the stub is my immediate favorite.... Sam (Marshall, 12/12/01) I just got my new Namiki pen and it is a beauty! I've never written with a stub nib before and I have to tell you that it's just wonderful! It writes very smoothly and adds a certain character to my writing - and I love the way the nib feels against paper - very very nice indeed! I also have to mention that your customer service is superb - I will definitely purchase any future pens from your company Thanks again! Mareska Fox (11/29/01) John and Pat, I just received the pens and have tried them on the best and worst paper that I could find. You have done a SUPERB job on these nibs! They write as if they cost $1000 each and smoother than velvet. I am truly impressed and will tell all my associates that you two are the US pen "athletes" gold medalists for repairs. It was definitely worth every penny and the time to wait simply vanished when I began writing. Kudos to you both and have a great Holiday! T.Masciangelo (11/28/01) Hello John/Pat & Everyone Else! Wanted to thank you for the last order. The only thing I can really say is, "WOW"!! Unbelievable, you never cease to amaze me on what you can to do to a nib to make it perform to ones likeness.... God Bless, I use my pen every single day (ed: a Pelikan 1931 with thirteen interchangeable nibs). I enjoy having the different nibs, sometimes I need a fine point and other times I need a med nib; it's easy and quick to change the nibs... The nibs are so "fine" in the quality of your craftsman. I have tried every single nib, and the very first stroke always, always, always lays ink. I never have to stroke and then stroke again as I've had to do with the pens I've used in the past. Even my "well-loved" pen when I received the new grind nib the first stroke always layed ink. Then when I lost all hope of my "well-loved pen" (when it) broke (a vintage Sheaffer Targa, run over), you asked me to send it to you to see if "we" can fit it. Boy, you'd never know that it was ever broken. You will be my only source for pens, nibs and repairs. The greatest on earth!!! A friend for life....... Dee (Burdick, 10/30/01) John,
I received my Pelikan 730 with a customized medium stub flexy nib. Even though I have a bunch of pens in my “to be tried” pile, this one moved to the head of the class. I’ve heard so much about Mottishaw nibs that I had to give it a try. I must say, that I’m glad I did. I can see what everyone has been raving about! It’s smooth, great ink flow characteristics, and writes as a medium stub flex nib should! Thanks very much for this great pen.(Peter Galvin, 11/8/01) John & Co., Help! I need a set of brakes for my Pelikan White Tiger. The new 14K fine nib you.... put on my Tiger is so smooth, it races across the page almost effortlessly. I have never written with such a silky smooth nib before. I'm convinced that the pen could probably write by itself if I let it, it's that wonderful. Thanks again for the superb workmanship. My White Tiger is performing now as it should have in the first place. (Jeff Lyss, 10/24/01) Dear Pat and John, The pens arrived today (Thursday). John has done a most spectacular job with my pens, and I am very pleased! Thank you ever so much, John! I don't know what I would have done without finding out about you! Again, thank you so very much! I love the pens, and they are like brand new again! Sue Brodsky (11/29/01) WOW! Dear John and Pat, I have received my M600 and I absolutely love it! The wonderful nib shows off just what I've been missing in my writing. Every letter comes out more graceful and more flowing than I thought possible before. Thank you very much, --- CV (Constantine Vetoshev 10/12/01) Dear John and Pat, The pen arrived today and - no sense beating around the bush - I love it. Such a decided improvement and a real pleasure to write with. I have been writing with it all afternoon, and it just seems to keep on getting better. You have turned the decision of which pen to write with into a difficult one indeed. Without qualification, I can say it was worth the wait.... Thank you so much. John Shumadine (10/11/01) Dear Pat and John, In a single word, "LORDY!!!!" The three pens work and write great! It makes me, once again, grateful to be able to afford such a wonderful luxury. My only complaint is that I can only use one of them at a time. Thanks, CCB (Craig Brandau, 10/05/01) Dear John, Thanks for the wonderful, precise and attentive work performed in customizing my Omas and Pelikan nibs. These now write as smoothly as intended, but as the "factory release" could never hope to achieve. Your work has greatly enhanced my pleasure in writing and appreciation for what these pens are truly capable of delivering. Best Regards, Elliot (Abemayor, 10/2/01) I would like to thank you all for transforming the three pens I sent from hideously dull and painfully plain writers into extraordinarily expressive works of art. The Ogiva and Bibliotheque Nationale... are just as remarkable as your reputations led me to expect - if not far better... I have not written with a stub as smooth as the Bib's before..... The cursive italic has all the joys of the stub with that subtle hint of calligraphic potential... Thank you all so much - I have to decide which pen to send you next! Best regards until then! Dan Levine (9/28/01) Just a quick note to advise that the new M800, 3B Stub nib arrived this morning and it is wonderful! Tnanks, Pat, for making this such a smooth and easy transaction; now I'm really looking forward to the re-worked Agatha Christie. With all best wishes, Fritz (Kopeinig, 9/28/01) Pat/John - I've been out on vacation and just
now got back to find my Namiki VP package waiting for me.
Just love it! The carbon fibre finish is quite nice but the
italic nib is superb! I've had you folks work on some of my
nibs before, but just restoration work, not flow/point modification.
I may just box-up and send all my pens for a nib rework.... I received my pens yesterday and can't stop
writing with them, especially the Ancora LE. When I gave you
that pen in Chicago you expressed some reservation, but the
results speak for themselves -- I've never used a more expressive
nib in my life! You transformed a very boring broad nib into
a magical stub/italic that lays down lines rich in character
and grace. If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't
believe it could be true. My only problem now is -- which
pens do I send next? Pat and John --- to say that I am happy with the results is an understatement. I am delighted with your work on the nib. It now writes as it should. I am on the hunt for my grandfather's pen ... it was misplaced, but not lost (I hope) during a move. It needs a new nib. Thank you so much. It was worth the wait to have the pen back with such a wonderful stroke. John, you are indeed a master.... Carlos Piad (9/6/01) Dear Pat/John, Hi Pat & John, Dear Pat and John, Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Ohhhh, Wowwwwww!!! Can you tell I like it??? -) Marie (Clapsaddle, 7/20/01) I just got the new nib for my M800 Pelikan. I think its great. I have never had a calligraphic style (for lack of better terminology) write so well. I can actually write as fast as I want and the nib keeps up without any scratchiness whatsoever. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks Bob St. Clair (6/20/01) John, Greetings... I want to tell you that the Pelikan M730 I bought from you is absolutely perfect in every way. You did your "magic" on it, and I am a very satisfied customer.... I am so pleased with the 730, that there is NO WAY I will ever buy a Pelikan from anyone else... Thanks again, Jeff Liss (6/18/01)
John & Pat -- Thank you so much for the work you have done on my great-grandfather's pen! You did an excellent job repairing the cap, the blackening looks great, and the new original issue nib is so much easier for me to control than whatever that other nib was! The ink flows smoothly and I love the "scritchy" feel of a fine point! Now I'm looking for opportunities to write...! But even aside from the fact of the pen itself is the little link I can claim to my past. I never met my great-grandfather (he having passed before I was born) and as I understand he wasn't the easiest man to get along with at times. Nevertheless, for whatever reason it was important to my own father that I have that pen. So more for my dad than anyone else -- thank you. Sincerely, Gregory Tuss (5/4/01) Dear John and Pat, Many thanks for the work on this pen. (Ed: this testimonial arrived in an actual hand-written letter.) As you can see another wonderful restoration, for which I am extremely grateful. With you 'chaps' there is no such thing as a 'broken' pen. Thank you.... Gerard (Pereira, 6/9/01) Dear Pat & John - To say that I am thrilled with the work on my Edson is an understatement. Your craftsmanship is phenomenal. It is genuinely gratifying to see that master artisans still exist. Frederick Wohlschlaeger (5/17/01) Hi John, Pat, I received the pens. One is more wonderful than the next!! I believe the burgundy M250 is my favorite -- nice and dry with a good italic 'cut'. It is going to be a tough decision for me every morning when I have to choose my pen for the day. Once again, I thank you. Dear John, thank you very much for the repair. I'm very surprised at your marvelous work. My pens are brought to life!!! Best regards, Kazuo Fugita, 5/17/01 Hi Pat, Pat and John, Arrived home from my honeymoon Friday afternoon and by evening got around to trying the modified Vacumatic nib. Buono! Magnifico! Stupendo! Get my drift? I asked you for a wet, flexible writer with all the gouges and bends taken out of the much-abused, stiff-writing nib. I got exactly what I asked for and it is truly wonderful. I've spent more than a year reading people's compliments of John's work (on PenTrace) and now I'm one of those who are full of praise. Thanks to you guys for providing such a high-quality product... Regards, Fran DeRespinis (5/7/01) |