Appelboom Bites

Welcome to a new episode of the podcast with host Joost Appelboom and co-host Douglas Rathbun, featuring a special guest: Marius Visser, CEO and founder of Ashera. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of luxury fountain pens, design, and craftsmanship as Marius shares the story behind Ashera and his design philosophy of treating pens as true design objects.

We discuss the Ashera Aeon fountain pen, a sleek and elegant writing instrument featuring a wooden cap and barrel paired with a gold nib. Marius explains why working with wood makes pen production especially challenging and what sets Ashera apart in the high-end pen market. Midway through the show, Joost also introduces a new release at Appelboom: the Edison Collier Ancient Orchid fountain pen. The episode is enriched by great live input from our YouTube audience, making it an engaging conversation for pen enthusiasts, collectors, and design lovers alike.

Step into the world of fine writing instruments with this festive Christmas edition of the Appelboom Bites Podcast, recorded just days before the holidays and streamed live on YouTube. Hosted by Joost Appelboom, with co-host Douglas Rathbun (Inkquiringminds), this special episode is a must-watch for fountain pen collectors, stationery lovers, and anyone passionate about craftsmanship and heritage brands.
🎄 Special Guest: Giles English (CEO of Yard-O-Led)
In this episode, we are joined by Giles English, CEO of the legendary British writing instrument manufacturer Yard-O-Led. Together, we explore what lies ahead for Yard-O-Led in 2025, reflecting on their recent achievements and the enduring success of this Birmingham-based brand with over a century of history.
✒️ Topics Covered in This Episode
The heritage and legacy of Yard-O-Led, proudly handmade in Birmingham, England
The brand’s exceptional all-handmade craftsmanship and traditional silversmithing techniques
A deep dive into the Yard-O-Led Pocket Fountain Pen, one of the most exciting and anticipated fountain pen releases of 2025
Discussion of other notable releases, including the Yard-O-Led Ambassador and the elegant Piccadilly Necklace Pencil
Insightful questions and lively interaction from our YouTube live chat audience
🌸 Exclusive Highlight from Appelboom
Joost Appelboom also introduces a spectacular new release from Japan: the
Namiki Emperor Maki-e Blooming Flowers in Profusion – 2025 Limited Edition Fountain Pen, a true masterpiece of maki-e artistry and luxury pen design.
🎁 Why Watch This Episode?
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the world of fountain pens, this episode offers expert insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and first-hand information straight from the makers. Wrapped in a warm Christmas atmosphere, this podcast blends tradition, innovation, and community in one engaging conversation.
👉 Watch the Appelboom Bites Podcast on YouTube and stay up to date with the finest fountain pens, luxury writing instruments, and industry news for 2025 and beyond.

Welcome to a new episode of Appelboom Bites, the podcast where we dive deep into the world of fine writing instruments! ✒️

In this episode, we’re joined by Douglas Rathbun as co-host and special guest Frank Zhang, CEO of Nahvalur Fountain Pens. Together, we explore what makes Nahvalur such a standout brand in the fountain pen community.

We discuss Nahvalur fountain pens in general, why they offer exceptional quality and design, and how the brand successfully delivers pens across every price range—from accessible everyday writers to high-end collector pieces.

A major highlight of this episode is the Vacuum Filling Mechanism. Frank explains how it works, why it’s such a satisfying and practical system to use, and why vacuum fillers are so popular among fountain pen enthusiasts.

We also take a closer look at the Nahvalur Ikkaku, featuring stunning urushi artwork, craftsmanship, and traditional techniques that elevate these pens into true works of art. To wrap things up, Frank shares insights into Nahvalur’s future plans for 2026, including what fans and collectors can look forward to.

Whether you’re new to fountain pens or a seasoned collector, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most exciting brands in the industry.

🎧 Topics covered in this episode:

Nahvalur fountain pens overview

Pens at every price point

Vacuum filling mechanism explained

Why vacuum fillers are so cool to use

Nahvalur Ikkaku & urushi artwork

Future plans and vision for Nahvalur (2026)

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment to let us know your favorite Nahvalur fountain pen!

#AppelboomBites #Nahvalur #FountainPens #VacuumFiller #Urushi #Ikkaku #PenPodcast #LuxuryPens #WritingInstruments

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.