Can confirm that on the Nakaya dorsal fin that is layered Urushi and not just the shape of the ebonite underneath, saw an x-ray of one on Instagram and it is quite clear where the ebonite is and isn't whilst still being able to see the outer profile so you know it's the dorsal fin. Most likely they use a thickened Urushi with clay powders to build up the fin so it isn't necessarily hundreds of layers to build up but it is still quite the process and if I had to guess, still probably 50 or so layers of lacquer.
@@1968gadgetyo if that's the case my mistake. I just assumed clay powders as usually Sabi urushi is used to build up large volumes which is a mixture of clay powder, water, and urushi. Charcoal powder makes sense as well though
@@jason_weaver No problem. It's something I lean from Maki-E painting, that also uses urushi. They paint using urushi, apply charcoal powder, and polish using charcoal powder, repeat. This create 3-D effects. (Simplified version) And they uses charcoal powder to 'rub off' some of the top colors to create the 2 tone color effects.
@@eh86055 Nakaya is not about making pens, it's to 1. Retain skill workers that can be productive, but have to retire. 2. Skills are not lost to automation. A minor thing I notice is that the penmakers (as well as knife makers, copper wear makers ect), refer to themselves as 'craftsman', not 'artist'. They take joy when we use their items.
Most of us won't mind watching what we can never obtain. You can consider breaking your rule of not reviewing pens not in market. At the least, we get see something cool than missing out a pen altogether.. thank you for this video. I watch these top 10s over and over when i get bored.
I’m glad I found you because my dad is a HUGE fountain pen nerd and I’ve been looking into joining the fountain pen connoisseur club but haven’t known what’s good. I only have a random Sheaffer with an italic nib that was donated to me and a cheap speedball dip pen and some different nibs. I know that the pilot pens are good because my dad owns a few and has let me try them so I know that those are already on my list for when I get to know a little more about fountain pens.
These pens are all just STUNNING! I don’t blame you for not wanting the stress of actually ranking them! I must say, I am really happy that I own at least one of the pens on this list! Which pen you ask? Well, the first limited edition Figboot Momento Zero of course! I am so happy I was able to get one of these pens! Excellent list, David! Bravo!
I am surprised that the Night Sky Sakura didn’t make your final 10. When I saw it in your original review, I thought it was just amazing. A bit outside my comfort range in price, but I have found myself considering maybe if I don’t get a new pen or ink for a while, I could go for it. When I started down the fountain journey, never thought I’d spend over $100 for a pen, but I have passed that limit now. Maybe someday.
I really like Chatoyance in a pen. Only one that I have is the Momento Zero Prugna but it only has a thin strip that produces any Chatoyancy. Which ones do you like that may be more readily available on the market? I have seen several of your videos talking about them. While I really love that Arco it is not readily available.
Always amazed to see LB5s pop up and even more Omas pens which are more my favorite and realistically obtainable. I know the brand is in another company's hands right now with plans to make pens again. We're all waiting here in the meantime.
Really nice video! Not sure what I envy you the most for: the fabulous pen collection, or meeting and interviewing Neil deGrasse Tyson. As a Belgian, nice to see the Conid in the honourable mentions ... still hitting myself over the head for not picking one up when they were still accepting orders.
Look at it this way, down the line that pen will be a memorable acqusition. That if you can save up for one before something else catches your eye, as for the pen do you plan on a limited edition or the standard models?
@@labibsaud8064 If they ever start up production again, I think I'd order a "Regular Bulkfiller". If not, it will depend a bit on what comes on the market.
Fascinating. For next year, try a pen by Giovanni Santini, perhaps one of his Giants or one of those he made some time ago when he owned Ancora. I only have seven of them, but I find each one to be something so special that I could never bring myself to sell one.
I wish I had grabbed one of the turquoise Leonardo Momento Zero pens. That thing is gorgeous! Actually, I'd be happy (ecstatic!) with any of the pens you showed here, but that turquoise Momento Zero makes me drool more than a little a bit.
Tinsui.. for me. This video is great. I like your reviews and your collection is completely amazing. 💜🥳💜🥳💜 So many stunning pens. That Visconti blue and white, the HITCHCOCK Mont Blanc.. wow.
Don't know how I found this channel. But I'm here for it 🤣 I think when he said "I miss traveling and seeing my pen friends" he missed a real opportunity to say "pen pals"
Honorable Mentions: Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize, Rockster Daydreamer, Pen 18111 Night Sky Sakura. Top 10 (in no particular order): Visconti Blue Ripple Omas Milord Arco Brown Pilot Custom Urushi Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2 Sailor King of Pen Pro Gear Sky Classic Pen LB5 Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Danitrio Tame-nuri on Shu (Red) on Genkai Leonardo Momento Zero Figboot on Pens Namiki Emperor
Always enjoy your videos, and always look forward to your end of the year lists. Getting a rough price point for the pens would have been great. Also, just curious, how many pens do you have in your collection?
I watch your videos occasionally since months, And I always read it Bigfoot untill I heard Figboot from you. I am shocked at how this word tricked my mind this whole time!
Excellent list. If I were to offer a top ten ranking it would be as follows: 10. Danitrio Genkai 9. Pilot Custom Urushi 8. Namiki Emperor 7. Leonardo Moment Zero 6. Visconti Blue Ripple 5. Sailor King of Pen 4. Nakaya Dorsal Fin 3. Classic Pens LB5 2. Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock 1. Omas Milord in the Arco Celluloid
Seemingly a hundred years ago, I held and seriously considered both an LB5 and a Namiki Emperor. I passed on them because they were pretty dear (but doable); now pretty much out of reach. C'est las vie!
Since I work in an office, I can't even imagine using the colours shown on some of the pens. Sheesh! My top 3 FPs are... MB 149, MB 149 and MB 149. What a pen!
Figboot- thanks for your review. I have had my eye on the Conid but they have not been making them for many months per the website. Did you buy from them in the past or get it on another site?
Dear Lucky man you are One of those would make my decade A bit like penultimate Dave Will ink up my best preppy and enjoy it writing as my eye desires Cheers
Here's how I would sort your list: 10. Danitrio Genkai 9. Nakaya Dorsal Fin v2 8. Leonardo Momento Zero 7. Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock 6. Visconti Blue Ripple 5. Namiki Emperor 4. Sailor King of Pen 3. Pilot Custom Urushi 2. Classic Pens LB5 1. OMAS Milord Arco Bronze
I tell myself I really ought not to watch some of your videos... due to the adverse impact they have on my bank balance :). I think my #1 from your top ten would have to be the Nakaya Dorsal Fin II, so beautiful.. also responsible for sending me off on an urushi collecting rabbit hole that I'm still deeply engaged in. Thank you for showing these to us, makes for some super fun watching you try and remain neutral in your "I'm not going to rank them" pledge, can't imagine how hard that must be, I probably would have snapped.
New to your channel and just curious...is Figboot from Strawberry Shortcake? It's the only Figboot I know of, but I would be surprised if that is the reference. ;)
I answer that in my very first Q&A: czcams.com/video/mGtRqVeFh48/video.html In regard to the NDT interview, it can be viewed here: czcams.com/video/x_RIhl_UFSQ/video.html
i've watched so many figboot videos i was able guess most of the top 10, but some still surprised me. the only one i have myself is the pilot custom urushi and it's absolutely in my top 10. it has what is by far best nib i've ever written with. mine is the vermillion model which i find to be a little more interesting than just plain black, but it's not as exciting as some of my other pens, so i don't know if i would rank it #1 overall, but it's at least top 5 for me.
soon i'll have a leonardo momento zero of my own and it's already basically guaranteed a spot in my top ten because it's the new figboot carolina midnight model, but i'll wait to make it official until i've had a chance to actually get it into my hands and write with it.
Thank you for the video! It's very interesting how different tastes are. Except for the Montblanc 149, I wouldn't buy any of these pens. Nevertheless, your list is very interesting.
The blue LB5 probably needs extra TLC now after losing out. Probably feeling very blue. I’d gladly add it to my collection so that its poor bruised ego could recover.
Nice content, and I am a newbie. But. No links to the products, no prices? Your site is too much work for me then. Second video of yours I've seen where you have ink on your fingers or hand. Makes me not want to bother with a fountain pen? Since my experience of them has been a little messy.
Most of the pens on my list are available from multiple retailers. It would be unfair of me to link to one and not others. There are in-depth reviews on my channel of each of the pens from this list, where you can learn more. In regard to inky fingers...some would consider that a badge of honor. Thanks for watching.
Can confirm that on the Nakaya dorsal fin that is layered Urushi and not just the shape of the ebonite underneath, saw an x-ray of one on Instagram and it is quite clear where the ebonite is and isn't whilst still being able to see the outer profile so you know it's the dorsal fin. Most likely they use a thickened Urushi with clay powders to build up the fin so it isn't necessarily hundreds of layers to build up but it is still quite the process and if I had to guess, still probably 50 or so layers of lacquer.
Mino nitpick. It's charcoal powder.
Wow! Their integrity is astounding, most companies would never go that far to do something that ultimately makes no difference.
@@1968gadgetyo if that's the case my mistake. I just assumed clay powders as usually Sabi urushi is used to build up large volumes which is a mixture of clay powder, water, and urushi. Charcoal powder makes sense as well though
@@jason_weaver No problem. It's something I lean from Maki-E painting, that also uses urushi. They paint using urushi, apply charcoal powder, and polish using charcoal powder, repeat. This create 3-D effects. (Simplified version) And they uses charcoal powder to 'rub off' some of the top colors to create the 2 tone color effects.
@@eh86055 Nakaya is not about making pens, it's to 1. Retain skill workers that can be productive, but have to retire. 2. Skills are not lost to automation.
A minor thing I notice is that the penmakers (as well as knife makers, copper wear makers ect), refer to themselves as 'craftsman', not 'artist'. They take joy when we use their items.
Most of us won't mind watching what we can never obtain. You can consider breaking your rule of not reviewing pens not in market. At the least, we get see something cool than missing out a pen altogether.. thank you for this video. I watch these top 10s over and over when i get bored.
I'd say both videos are something I'd like to see.
Thanks for showing us these pens!!! Love seeing the different brands side by side!
Great list David! This has been a great year for your channel and I hope the next will be too!
I’m glad I found you because my dad is a HUGE fountain pen nerd and I’ve been looking into joining the fountain pen connoisseur club but haven’t known what’s good. I only have a random Sheaffer with an italic nib that was donated to me and a cheap speedball dip pen and some different nibs. I know that the pilot pens are good because my dad owns a few and has let me try them so I know that those are already on my list for when I get to know a little more about fountain pens.
Very impressive list! You have an awesome collection, David! 😍
Another excellent list
Really appreciate you sharing your experience. So helpful when making decisions about future pens. Thanks so much
These pens are all just STUNNING! I don’t blame you for not wanting the stress of actually ranking them! I must say, I am really happy that I own at least one of the pens on this list! Which pen you ask? Well, the first limited edition Figboot Momento Zero of course! I am so happy I was able to get one of these pens! Excellent list, David! Bravo!
I am surprised that the Night Sky Sakura didn’t make your final 10. When I saw it in your original review, I thought it was just amazing. A bit outside my comfort range in price, but I have found myself considering maybe if I don’t get a new pen or ink for a while, I could go for it. When I started down the fountain journey, never thought I’d spend over $100 for a pen, but I have passed that limit now. Maybe someday.
I've learned a lot from your reviews. Thank you!
Those are, for the most part, some BIG pens! Beautiful and certainly something to pass down to your offspring - congrats!
Dude I love your transitions to camera two.
Superb video David; thoroughly enjoyable.
I really like Chatoyance in a pen. Only one that I have is the Momento Zero Prugna but it only has a thin strip that produces any Chatoyancy. Which ones do you like that may be more readily available on the market? I have seen several of your videos talking about them. While I really love that Arco it is not readily available.
I like the ones that look more simpler, like the Sailor KoP Ebonite. very cool
Always amazed to see LB5s pop up and even more Omas pens which are more my favorite and realistically obtainable. I know the brand is in another company's hands right now with plans to make pens again. We're all waiting here in the meantime.
Really nice video! Not sure what I envy you the most for: the fabulous pen collection, or meeting and interviewing Neil deGrasse Tyson. As a Belgian, nice to see the Conid in the honourable mentions ... still hitting myself over the head for not picking one up when they were still accepting orders.
Look at it this way, down the line that pen will be a memorable acqusition.
That if you can save up for one before something else catches your eye, as for the pen do you plan on a limited edition or the standard models?
@@labibsaud8064 If they ever start up production again, I think I'd order a "Regular Bulkfiller". If not, it will depend a bit on what comes on the market.
Great list David!
You should do a top ten list of in stock available pens. That would be nice 😊
here ya go. czcams.com/video/C34OU2SmEio/video.html
Fascinating. For next year, try a pen by Giovanni Santini, perhaps one of his Giants or one of those he made some time ago when he owned Ancora. I only have seven of them, but I find each one to be something so special that I could never bring myself to sell one.
That Visconti is absolutely gorgeous. I love it!!!
Hey David! Great video. What inks to you find yourself utilizing in your Danitrio and Namiki Emperor?
I wish I had grabbed one of the turquoise Leonardo Momento Zero pens. That thing is gorgeous! Actually, I'd be happy (ecstatic!) with any of the pens you showed here, but that turquoise Momento Zero makes me drool more than a little a bit.
Tinsui.. for me. This video is great. I like your reviews and your collection is completely amazing. 💜🥳💜🥳💜
So many stunning pens. That Visconti blue and white, the HITCHCOCK Mont Blanc.. wow.
Just wow 🤩 a truly great pen collection.
Don't know how I found this channel. But I'm here for it 🤣
I think when he said "I miss traveling and seeing my pen friends" he missed a real opportunity to say "pen pals"
Compliments for your incredible collection!
Happy New Year David!
Honorable Mentions: Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize, Rockster Daydreamer, Pen 18111 Night Sky Sakura.
Top 10 (in no particular order):
Visconti Blue Ripple
Omas Milord Arco Brown
Pilot Custom Urushi
Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2
Sailor King of Pen Pro Gear Sky
Classic Pen LB5
Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock
Danitrio Tame-nuri on Shu (Red) on Genkai
Leonardo Momento Zero Figboot on Pens
Namiki Emperor
Thank you for making this video. My favorite was the Alfred Hitchcock pen, spectacular.🎉 Rachelle in Seattle
Always enjoy your videos, and always look forward to your end of the year lists. Getting a rough price point for the pens would have been great. Also, just curious, how many pens do you have in your collection?
Too many. I need to have a bit of a purge. :-)
I watch your videos occasionally since months, And I always read it Bigfoot untill I heard Figboot from you. I am shocked at how this word tricked my mind this whole time!
Great video and great pens! Take a look to the "Santini Giant", maybe it could be what you are looking for!
Excellent list. If I were to offer a top ten ranking it would be as follows:
10. Danitrio Genkai
9. Pilot Custom Urushi
8. Namiki Emperor
7. Leonardo Moment Zero
6. Visconti Blue Ripple
5. Sailor King of Pen
4. Nakaya Dorsal Fin
3. Classic Pens LB5
2. Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock
1. Omas Milord in the Arco Celluloid
That was quite simply amazing.
Seemingly a hundred years ago, I held and seriously considered both an LB5 and a Namiki Emperor. I passed on them because they were pretty dear (but doable); now pretty much out of reach. C'est las vie!
Amazing top 10 list!
Love this list! I don't consider myself a collector, but I now NEED to find the cherry blossom pen!
The company is called Pen 18111. Highly recommended.
@@FigbootonPens yes, I visited the website. He is not currently taking commissions. I'll just have to keep watching his Etsy shop and IG. 🙂
Do you think a Montblanc is worth it. I just pulled the trigger on my first one and as it comes in I wonder if it is worth the steep price.
Have you heard if CONID would be returning to shipping pens?
how long does it take for urushi finish to wane off?! How durable is urushi pens to resin?
Really nice list. Can you do a first gold nib list?
This top ten pen list blew my mind🤯🖋️ WoW❗
That 845 looks nice; reminds me of Waterman 100 or Parker Duofold. I like it
Beautiful writing instruments :)
Would love to know what your collection is insured for!! :D Great top 10.
So, random fact about your Homosapian. You can fit a #5 and #6 vintage Waterman nib in the nib unit. My sterling silver HS has one and I love it.
The MB Hitchcock is one I wish I could find!
Is it possible to list your top ten list in a note? Sometime I don't catch the names and spelling.
Thank you.
Wooo !great top 10 :)
Since I work in an office, I can't even imagine using the colours shown on some of the pens. Sheesh!
My top 3 FPs are... MB 149, MB 149 and MB 149. What a pen!
Figboot- thanks for your review. I have had my eye on the Conid but they have not been making them for many months per the website. Did you buy from them in the past or get it on another site?
I purchased it a few years ago when they were still in production.
How about a top 10 2021 inks?
Dear
Lucky man you are
One of those would make my decade
A bit like penultimate Dave
Will ink up my best preppy and enjoy it writing as my eye desires
Cheers
Since the Bulkfiller is not in the top 10, I’d be more than happy to purchase it from you 😂
The Sailor King of Pen in Royal Tangerine is a pen that I hope to obtain someday.
Thanks for the video! Is medium your favorite nib size? seeing a common theme here
Typically...but I am working to broaden my nib horizons
Here's how I would sort your list:
10. Danitrio Genkai
9. Nakaya Dorsal Fin v2
8. Leonardo Momento Zero
7. Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock
6. Visconti Blue Ripple
5. Namiki Emperor
4. Sailor King of Pen
3. Pilot Custom Urushi
2. Classic Pens LB5
1. OMAS Milord Arco Bronze
Watched the video too late. Was unaware that you had a collaboration with Leonardo. Leonardo was the first "expensive" pen I purchased.
I tell myself I really ought not to watch some of your videos... due to the adverse impact they have on my bank balance :). I think my #1 from your top ten would have to be the Nakaya Dorsal Fin II, so beautiful.. also responsible for sending me off on an urushi collecting rabbit hole that I'm still deeply engaged in. Thank you for showing these to us, makes for some super fun watching you try and remain neutral in your "I'm not going to rank them" pledge, can't imagine how hard that must be, I probably would have snapped.
Nice collection review! And no one deserves to have 2 LB5s! LOL.
New to your channel and just curious...is Figboot from Strawberry Shortcake? It's the only Figboot I know of, but I would be surprised if that is the reference. ;)
what do you interview for? NDT is a huge honor to interview too.
I answer that in my very first Q&A: czcams.com/video/mGtRqVeFh48/video.html
In regard to the NDT interview, it can be viewed here: czcams.com/video/x_RIhl_UFSQ/video.html
you really should call your pen friends pen pals :)
i've watched so many figboot videos i was able guess most of the top 10, but some still surprised me. the only one i have myself is the pilot custom urushi and it's absolutely in my top 10. it has what is by far best nib i've ever written with. mine is the vermillion model which i find to be a little more interesting than just plain black, but it's not as exciting as some of my other pens, so i don't know if i would rank it #1 overall, but it's at least top 5 for me.
soon i'll have a leonardo momento zero of my own and it's already basically guaranteed a spot in my top ten because it's the new figboot carolina midnight model, but i'll wait to make it official until i've had a chance to actually get it into my hands and write with it.
@@Danny.._ Thanks for supporting the project!
Awesome ink
So how many pens was that?!
Pls help me with the name of the author of the pen at 20:00
A little surprised the burl pen didn’t make the top 10 because it’s unique.
If it was a material the company made themselves, then it would have absolutely made the list. But I still felt it warranted an honorable mention.
grear collection
The Kuseki pen is the best choice.
Whats the point ? Have you written anything good with them?
Of course I have. Tons of great stuff. 😎
Same concept if ever asked a top 10.... Which pens, music albums, posters to take on desert island
From all the pens showed today, the only ones I'm interested in are not really in your top 10. They are the Night sky sakura and the pilot custom 823.
About the Dorsal fin, I remember seeing someone posting on Ins Xraying their pen and indeed the underlying ebonite is round.
The Emperor got in the top 10, twice?
Let someone else use my custom urushi ??' Nooooooo
It broke my heart that you left the Conid off the list, but I begrudgingly understand.
Is Conid still in business?
They are...but they have put a temporary hold on production.
Thank you for the video! It's very interesting how different tastes are. Except for the Montblanc 149, I wouldn't buy any of these pens. Nevertheless, your list is very interesting.
as someone who only use ballpoint pens imo the colorful ones look tacky.
classy ones just look better
The blue LB5 probably needs extra TLC now after losing out. Probably feeling very blue. I’d gladly add it to my collection so that its poor bruised ego could recover.
To be abandoned such that one has only ten pens?! Oh, the horror, the bane to humanity...David, this video is upsetting me!
def koseki
Hey man can I borrow a pen? (two hours later)
I'm sure that if someone gives me some of these pens I will be happy to accept them ... also all
:-)))
Nice content, and I am a newbie. But. No links to the products, no prices? Your site is too much work for me then. Second video of yours I've seen where you have ink on your fingers or hand. Makes me not want to bother with a fountain pen? Since my experience of them has been a little messy.
Most of the pens on my list are available from multiple retailers. It would be unfair of me to link to one and not others. There are in-depth reviews on my channel of each of the pens from this list, where you can learn more. In regard to inky fingers...some would consider that a badge of honor. Thanks for watching.
If you want to be rid of your awful Conid Bulkfiller, drop me a line. ;-)
Nice pens if you look at fountain pens as collectors items. Pretty rubbish as writing instruments.
You are free to travel and see all of your pen friends. Free your mind man, seriously.
Great list, but the honorable mentions deserve to be on it. How to resolve that? Our connec….tion is breaki…u….p…………