Testimonials Archive 1992-2000

The package of pens arrived today and I thank you and John very much!  The Arco is wonderful--writes with such a very light touch but with lots of line variation when the pressure is changed.  Really neat!....... Thanks so much!  I'll be a repeat customer!

Kim Sosin, 12/28/00


........the Scheaffer's green pen with the large stub nib that you worked on in November has become my correspondence pen.  When I first got it back I liked what you did but after I got used to it I love what you did.

Thanks!

Regards

Lemuel Stephens, December, 2000


I received my pen yesterday and I am absolutely delighted with it. Thank you so much.  It now feels like something I will enjoy using rather than pushing it to the back of my pen cases.  In fact, I am going to use it as my purse pen for a while -- a badge of honor.

Thanks!!!!

Laura Gasaway, 11/7/00


Pat and John,

I've delayed entirely too long in sending this. My Bexley 5th Anniversary arrived Thursday. It now starts perfectly and has a really elegant, silky feel. After two failed attempts by Bexley to get it right, you've performed a major miracle. I am immensely gratified. Thanks VERY much!

Best regards,

dick (Binder), 11/1/00


Dear John,

I just received your shipment of all of the pen repairs I sent to you over the past couple of weeks. I must say, the gold band on the Mandarin Duofold is an absolutely spectacular job. It has turned an unusable, relatively low value pen into what will become one of the treasures of my collection. I absolutely love it.

The nibs on the Moore and Swan are excellent.... also the repair on the Duofold Junior nib is a beautiful job.

John, you are truly an artist and I thank you for saving these pens and making them useful instruments once again.

Regards,

Dick Gaucher, April, 2000


Thanks for all the beautiful work on the nibs..... The 14K BB is perhaps my ultimate writing experience... The O3B is an ink cannon, the Dirty Harry of fountain pens. A wild ride to say the least....

Blaize Pabon, October, 2000


I've been writing with a fountain pen for about 45 of my 57 years--and I own a number of excellent pens--but nothing I've ever seen writes as well my "retooled" Symphony. It's unbelievable!

Obviously you know what you're doing. And, equally obvious, you genuinely care about what you're doing. The bad news is that this will surely spoil me.

Lelan McLemore, 10/25/00


I'm sure you must get this all the time but allow me my turn: WOW!!!!

I can't stop playing with this music nib!!  Beats my Platinum by a mile and oh, so pretty in that Chilton!  Actually, I think the pattern in the Chilton's inlay is a bit like the music nib...  Am I justifying?  :-) Who cares, you guys do wonderful work!  Thank you! .... and know that I too will spread the word!

Pat Lotfi, 10/25/00


John Mottishaw and staff,

Received my pens in today's mail.  All pens are working extremely well and I am pleased with your results.  It is such a pleasure to see old dusty pens that have been laying around for years writing again.  These pens add another dimension to my growing collection.... Again, many thanks for really great work!  Until next time I remain sincerely in appreciation of your artistry.

Ramon Scavelli, 10/24/00


Two words....

It's awesome!!! (In reference to an Omas T-2, Limited Edition, with Broad nib which we had customized to a Medium/Broad cursive italic.)

Cheers,

Harlan Crowder, 10/27/00


Just wanted to let you know I've been playing around with these  flexified Aurora nibs.  What a gas!!!  They're great.  The combination of added flex and cursive italic point is almost too pleasurable to bear.  Thanks a million.  Also, I wanted to thank you for returning my E. A. Poe in time for Halloween.... 

Thanks again.  I am indeed delighted with the nib work. 

Take care,

Bernadette Fritsche, 10/31/00


John, I received the Waterman 55 RRHR back from your shop last Thursday, a day earlier than promised. I can only say I am utterly shocked. Having read many excellent things about your work, my expectations were very high. Please know that you have far exceeded them. The pen writes incredibly smoothly with its newly shaped stub and lays down a beautiful wet line, just as I like it.

The pen (especially the nib) looks as though it just came from the factory in New York, circa 1925. This is now my favorite writer.

Regards

James F. Angelos, 10/28/00


I just wanted to let you know that my pen arrived safely, and I couldn't be happier with the work...it definitely exceeded my expectations.  I won't hesitate to send more pens your way in the future.

Thanks much.

Paul Gust, 8/9/00


I picked up my Omas today, filled it with ink and wrote with it. It is much better than I had anticipated. It will become an everyday writer for me. Again, I thank John for taking the time to call me and inquire about my handwriting. I've never had such excellent service. He truly is an artist!.........The Sheaffer nib will be my fourth one from John and I'm always impressed by how well they write. The workmanship is out of this world!

Take care, and good luck,

Bruce Booher, 6/7/00


My pens arrived today and I couldn't be happier with the work that John did for me.... I was a bit nervous about sending such an investment cross-country to have work done, but your communications... eased my "separation anxiety"....  I won't hesitate to use your services again, and I would be pleased to recommend John to anyone needing his skill and expertise. 

Thank you again,

Mark Stokes, 6/2/00


What awesome work on my Bexley!  I can't believe how smooth it writes.  Many thanks, and a check is in the mail.  Like a kid in a candy store, I can't wait to try  more.   I'm sending three more pens today.

Sharon Persich (3/13/00)


The nibs arrived...... the Minka nib went back into the Bexley Goldline whence it came, and the pen is unbelievable!  You hit the nail right on the head (even if that is a cliche). Smooth, great line width variation on pressure, crisp edges.  Exactly what I wanted.  So thank you very, very much!

Ross McKinney, Jr. (5/17/00)


  I just received the three pens that you recently worked on for me.  I am delighted.  As usual, you did exactly what I hoped for with each of them. The Contessa safety is not a pen I expect to use but you made the nib look as if it just left the factory.  The other two are among my workhorses and I have developed a favorite nib style (fine stub) and they are now exactly to my liking.

My check will be in the mail to you before the weekend.  Thanks again.

Mark Blumer (East Lansing, MI) (3.1.00)


Just wanted to thank you for the beautiful job on the Parker 75! It looks like new again... Thanks again for your extraordinary service and craftsmanship!

Best Regards, Bob VanDeventer (January 22, 1999)


...I tried out my LeBoeuf pen after your repair. It is absolutely wonderful! It is now a four-star kick-ass pen. It will be one of my favorite pens instead of something to look at instead of use. The nib is so smooth, just the right size, and lays down a lot of ink. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect fulfillment of my request to you. Thanks again.

Mike Hassenplug (June 23, 1997)


Youza! Are you a magician? Are these the same pens you left Oakland with? The nibs are supreme. Thank you ever so much....The [Parker] nib just blew me away -- wow!

Lisa Snow (November 12, 1998)


Wow!  I love it! 

I have been looking all over the world for a pen that would write like this....  I finally found what I've always wanted, thanks to the skill of Mr. John Mottishaw.  If anyone is hesitating, don't -- life is so much better when we can have at least one thing that works the way we would like!

David J. Ring, Jr.   (October 13, 1999)


The Sheaffers arrived a couple of hours ago, and I just wanted to let you know I think you've done another outstanding job for me once again. The points are EXACTLY what I wanted, and my Sheaffers have been transformed.

Craig Pahigian (December 21, 1998)


My pens arrived today and I am indeed grateful to you. I am simply delighted. You are truly a craftsman. I do not understand how you do such things, but this is one very satisfied customer! Thank you very much. Best wishes!

Ray Hill (April 22, 1997)


The repair is absolutely amazing! Your artistry is much appreciated!

Bob Tefft (February 22, 1993)


Pens received, nibs inspected. As thrilled as Elmer Fudd when he finally kills the wabbit. Haven't filled them all, but have felt the nibs. Great work, congratulations. Have already sent word to The Pope to have you canonized.... You're a gentleman, a scholar, and a pen re-tipper.

Jay (April 2, 1998)


It was a gorgeous job on that nib.... Many thanks.

Otto Yang (November 2, 1998)


Many thanks once again for adding so much to my writing pleasure. This last batch of nib repairs was superb! Your craftsmanship is greatly appreciated.

Elliot Abemayor (January 27, 1999)


Nibs arrived today and look to be peachy keen. Thanks much.

John Strother (November 10, 1998)


I appreciate the quality of the craft and the individual, not just the point! That's the point!

Henry Jannol (March 22, 1997)


Thanks for the new nib on the Sheaffer 1500 and for doing everything so quickly . The pen is working well....If I ever need work done on a nib, I know who I'll contact.

David Bodner (from Japan, December 13, 1998)


Thank you so much for your work on my MontBlanc nib....It writes wonderfully, and I am totally satisfied with it. Your work took a useless nib and transformed it into a perfect and functional writer. When you said in NJ "You will be satisfied with the work," I was pleased, but I thought it a statement of excessive confidence. I apologize now for having had such a thought. Your skill and talent at nib repair is extraordinary. I have become and will remain a vocal and public advocate of your expertise. I’ve sent nibs directly to [the factory], and they were butchered in comparison to what you did. Thank you for your wonderful work.... Keep up the excellent work....

Sincerely, Barry Gabay (November 6, 1992)


I received the nib. It's absolutely smooth, absolutely perfect. The smoothest nib I ever had. It's definitely the kind of work I wished to have.

Antonio Pinter (March 1, 1998)


This is just another word of appreciation for the excellent work you did on the three pens you repaired for me. All three are roaring successes; I really enjoy writing with the 51, although it runs out of ink frequently. I guess it's mainly a signature pen. I'm still getting the feel for the music nib, and have actually tried writing music with it. The MB is better than ever. Thanks again for your talented work.

Best, Blake Weston (February 3, 1999)


Thanks for the great work and speedy return!

Mike Jennings (February 1, 1999)


The pens are perfect. Thanks so much! I wonder if you know how important it is to me, a non-collector, to have the right writing tool -- about as important as having a car, in terms of practical need; and more important in terms of aesthetics. Glad you’re there.

Sincerely, Elizabeth DesMarais (March 31, 1998)


Phenomenal! It’s like writing with a tiny metallic brush. I love it.

Thanks. Bill Adams (August 1, 1998)


Thanks a lot for your excellent work. Not only are the two pens writing beautifully, but the nibs looks great, too.

Cheers, Geoff Harrison (January 22, 1999)


The fact that I’m using the same pen my grandfather used is so meaningful. The flexible nib satisfies my craving for massive quantities of ink -- and you did a great job on the cosmetics. You’ve come through once again.

Thanks. Fred J. Grossblatt (March 8, 1998)


Well, I heard you were good - I believe it. Just got the pens back from you today, on my doorstep... and I am very pleased with the results.

Naomi Moore (August 17, 1999)


Just wanted to let you know that the pen arrived safe and sound on the 25th and it writes beautifully! It feels smoother and easier to control than when it was new. For something I'd given up on as a lost cause, you've done a magnificent job of restoring it.

Regards,  Drew   (August 26, 1999)


The pen came today. Beautiful work. I could not be more pleased to see such a high degree of craftsmanship. I have had many pens restored by others and none approaches the quality of your work.

Best Regards,  Charles Guest  (October 11, 1999)


All the good things I heard about your work were understatements. Your work inspires me to continue to do my best. I’ll be sending more.

Thanks again,  Rick Horne

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