Philadelphia Magic Expo 2023 is set to be one of the most anticipated events in the world of magic and illusion. The expo, which will take place in the historic city of Philadelphia, promises to be a magical extravaganza like no other. **Featuring world-renowned magicians and illusionists from around the globe, the expo will showcase the latest in magic tricks, illusions, and mind-bending performances.** Attendees can expect to be mesmerized by incredible acts of levitation, mind reading, and disappearing acts, among many other astounding feats. Not only will the expo feature incredible live performances, but it will also provide a platform for aspiring magicians to showcase their talent and learn from the best in the industry. **With workshops, seminars, and panel discussions led by some of the most accomplished magicians in the business, attendees will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights and techniques to enhance their own magical abilities.
Now at the start I was very much averse to vintage pens – I thought they might be unreliable, it would be hard to find the parts, a risky purchase.
This might sound simple, but actually it took a LONG time to find pens like that I made a lot of mistakes and had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found pens I was happy with. Even seasoned pen addicts may never drop a few grand on some hand-painted maki-e or full raden beast, but many of us have tried urushi, and fallen in love.
**With workshops, seminars, and panel discussions led by some of the most accomplished magicians in the business, attendees will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights and techniques to enhance their own magical abilities.** In addition to the performances and educational opportunities, the Philadelphia Magic Expo 2023 will also have a dedicated exhibition space where attendees can explore a wide range of magic-related products, including props, books, DVDs, and collectibles. **Whether you're a seasoned magician or simply a fan of the art form, the Philadelphia Magic Expo 2023 is a must-attend event that is sure to leave you spellbound.
Fountain Pen Review: Pilot Custom 912 FA Nib (Falcon)
The Pilot Custom 912 with the FA (Falcon ) nib ($240) is unique pen. While it’s often compared to the Namiki Pilot Falcon fountain pen, they are not the same beast. For starters, the 912 only comes in black and features a 14K gold nib with side cuts to help increase the range of flex. The Namiki Pilot Falcon is available in several colors or metal body and an unusually-shaped 14K nib. Prices for the Falcon are $180-240 depending on barrel material.
The nib shape is clearly visible in the images above and below. The side cut looks like a hole punch took a bite out of the nib.
I borrowed the photo above of the Pilot Namiki Falcon from Parka Blogs. I don’t own a Namiki Falcon Fountain Pen so I can’t do a side-by-side. But after doing my own copious internet research, I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t worth purchasing both or saving a few dollars and buying the Pilot Namiki Falcon over the 912 with FA nib.
Inside, the 912 includes the Pilot CON-70 converter which is the pump action converter. The Namiki Falcon ships with a standard CON-40 twist converter.
The real magic of the Custom 912 with FA nib is obviously the way that it writes. There is very pleasant bounce and flex with the FA nib. To be honest, it flexed more than I expected it to do.
As a lefty, I tested the nib in overhand and side writing as well as traditional under writing. All directions worked but the side and overhand writing lost a good deal of the line variation because I was pushing the nib on the paper rather than pulling it (which is what causes the tines with open and create the desired thick strokes). At some angles, since the nib is so fine, there was some scratchiness — more so with over writing tha side writing. To get the most out of a flex nib like the Custom 912, you really need to be able to write from below so that your down strokes are thick and your upstrokes are thin.
While the 912 FA is not a “wet noodle” in terms of flex, it’s a good option for using a light touch and adding some thicks and thins to your everyday writing rather than pushing it to extremes. Part of this stems from the fact that the plastic feed will not keep up with the amount of ink necessary for excessive flax writing. As seen in my writing sample above, too much flex writing with cause the nib to be depleted of ink until gravity forces more ink into the feed fins.
To increase the ink flow, I think I will invest in an ebonite feed from Flexible Nib Studios (approx. $42). Do you own a Namiki Falcon or the 912 FA? Have you upgraded the feed in yours?
Final Thoughts
Overall, I am pleased with the out-of-the-box performance of the Pilot Custom 912 with FA nib. To be honest, I am more pleased than I thought I would be. While there are some ink flow feed issues with regular flex use, its not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Do I wish the 912 was available in other finishes? Heck, yeah I do. But for a workhorse, off-the-shelf flex nib, the 912 FA is probably the best quality for the price. I’ve had a couple other modern flex pens (Aurora. pardon the pun, springs to mind) and they have been stiffer nibs overall. If you have a heavy hand, I wouldn’t recommend the 912 FA because it is a light, fine nib but if your goal is to find a modern flex pen, the Pilot 912 FA is the best I’ve tried thus far.
DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by Pen Chalet for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
** Make sure to mark your calendars and prepare to be amazed at this extraordinary celebration of magic and illusion..
Reviews for "- "Sparking the Imagination: The Philadelphia Magic Expo 2023"
1. John - 1/5 stars:
I was highly disappointed with the "Philadelphia magic expo 2023." The event was poorly organized and lacked a variety of vendors and performers. The stage shows were boring and predictable, and the overall experience felt amateurish. I expected to see some mind-blowing magic tricks and illusions, but instead, I found myself being underwhelmed. The ticket prices were not worth the disappointment I faced at the expo.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars:
I had high hopes for the "Philadelphia magic expo 2023," but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The event was overcrowded, and it was difficult to enjoy any of the performances due to the large number of people. Additionally, the lines for the vendors were incredibly long, and the staff seemed unprepared to handle the crowd. I had hoped to find unique and interesting magic-related merchandise, but there was a lack of variety in the vendors' offerings. Overall, it was not the magical experience I had anticipated.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars:
Attending the "Philadelphia magic expo 2023" was a letdown for me. The overall atmosphere was chaotic, and it seemed like there was a lack of organization. The performances were mediocre at best, and there was a limited number of shows to choose from. Furthermore, the venue was not well-maintained, and the seating arrangements were uncomfortable. I expected to be amazed and entertained, but unfortunately, I left feeling unimpressed. I would not recommend this expo to any magic enthusiasts looking for an exceptional experience.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars:
The "Philadelphia magic expo 2023" was a major disappointment for me. The ticket prices were high, and I expected to see top-notch performances and mind-boggling tricks. However, most of the acts were lackluster and unoriginal. The event felt disorganized, with long lines for everything from tickets to food. The stage was poorly lit, which hindered the visibility of the performances. Overall, I left feeling like I wasted my time and money on an event that did not live up to its name.