Are You Overlooking These Great Pens?
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- Brian’s here to share his list of commonly overlooked and underrated fountain pens! All of these pens are flying under the radar right now (or at least Brian thinks so) - take a look and see if you can find a hidden gem for your next writing adventure - or maybe you already have one!
Oops! Brian made a mistake is saying that the Explorer was the only steel nib Pilot pen that was compatible with the CON-70. The Pilot Kakuno has also take that converter! Also, we have a typo on the "Pilot Explorer" title. Sorry!
Listen to The Goulet Pencast here: gouletpencast.fireside.fm/
SUBSCRIBE to our CZcams channel: bit.ly/GP-YTsubscribe
LINKS TO PRODUCTS FEATURED:
Platinum Plaisir: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Sailor HighAce Neo: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot Explorer: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Traveler’s Brass Pen: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
TWSBI Vac Mini: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Kaweco Supra: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot Decimo: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot Custom Heritage 92: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Platinum Prefounte: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot e95s: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot Custom 823: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
00:46 Platinum Plaisir
02:14 Sailor HighAce Neo
03:54 Pilot Explorer
04:59 Traveler's Brass Pen
06:36 TWSBI VAC-Mini
07:28 Kaweco Supra
08:38 Pilot Decimo
09:23 Pilot Custom Heritage 92
11:02 Platinum Prefounte
11:22 Pilot E95s
11:44 Pilot Custom 823
11:54 Closing
ABOUT GOULET PENS:
Brian & Rachel Goulet started The Goulet Pen Company in 2009 and you can see the evolution of our mom and pop into a full-blown company through this channel. We run a dedicated online store with fountain pens, ink, paper, and other fine writing accessories. Our goal with this channel is to provide fountain pen fans at all levels of experience with comprehensive product reviews, round ups, and how-to videos to answer all the fountain pen questions you may have. Shop at www.gouletpens.com.
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What gets me the most is that some of these inexpensive pens write better than the high-priced ones, I have an inexpensive cross pen that I bought 20 years ago and I'm still using it.
I, too have a Cross Bailey fountain pen that I got too many years ago. It writes better than most of my other pens. It’s all in the nib. I just wish I could find out what this nib is all about.
Thanks! I love hearing about under-rated/overlooked pens. I also love your topic specific CZcamss!!
My pink Plaisir was my first fountain pen. I love that pen. Handy for use on cheaper paper, great for journaling with the fine nib. As a plus, you can interchange the drip section with the Prefounte when I want a bigger nib. 👍🏽
Love the Plaisir and the Prefonte (I have two of the latter). When my son expressed an interest in fountain pens, he tried all of my starter pens and he picked the Plaisir...a good choice. It has traveled with me internationally with no issues and always wrote well and comfortably. But yes, the converters are an issue, but on the other hand the cartridges are very durable with a large capacity and easy to refill.
The Pilot E95 as an honourable mention I personally feel will not be so for very much longer. I have only been using The E95s for a few months now and they are an absolute delite to write with. Almost didn't pull the trigger on these as they look more like a pocket pen and need to be posted to make them full sized. Thanks to Yours and Drew's reviews on underrated pens, I went for it and the rest is history. Thank you so much.
Can confirm the Pilot Explorer. I just acquired one last week, and am impressed. Very smooth writer, it just glides across the paper, and at a great price. I got one in blue as my dedicated Bay State Blue pen.
Nice! - Drew
I think the Diplomat Magnum is also very overlooked, as a starting pen is amazing.
Excellent list. Explorer and Prefounte are always in my rotation. They fit nicely in Leuchtturm pen loops .
My love of the con 70 has me interested in the Explorer.
I LOVE the E95S so much that I got both colors.. it was early in my collecting. It’s a gem of a pen.
I dig vids like this.
I love my Decimo !! It is very a reliable fountain pen, no skips , no hard start. I used it with an Extra Fine nib, and I love the fact that It is capless makes the writing process even more easier.
Love the list. I only wish Pilot Custom 91 was more talked about, since it's an amazing pen that sadly doesn't get sold in the US.
I have both the Vac Mini and Decimo and I LOVE them. They are both fantastic pens. I personally prefer the vac fillers that TWSBI does over their piston fillers.
I just bought the TWSBI vac mini last week and I'm in Love!
I love the TWSBI Vac Mini. It's currently my fav pocket pen because of that ink capacity.
I love my TWSBI Vac Mini. When I got it for my collection, I thought I’d just use it during my vacation but I have continued to enjoy using it way after. It’s tiny and pretty and handles ink so well.
Thanks to your pencast on underrated pens, I just ordered the vac mini.
Stilform, Narwhal, Gioia and Laban have all impressed me in the last year. Along with Zebra Sarasa, Pentel Energel, Rotring and Caran d'Ache in the budget rollerball department.
Brian might not carry them but I greatly admire what he does for the pen community worldwide.
Only 2 minutes into the video and YEP! Love the Plaisir it's my favourite pen, and definitely agree with jen about it being the perfect throw in the bag pen. It's also my go to, out and about pen, if I were to loose it then I'd be miffed but I'd buy a new one without hesitation. And the colour selection is great
I love my Twisbi Swipe. It writes so well and my Lamy Safari. They both write the first time every time. I started out with a couple Pilot Metropolitan's and they never write at the start. Always have to prime them with a bit of water. And honestly I have a school of very inexpensive Shark pens that I love. I'm a water color and pen and ink artist and I just love all the "things" so cheap is more in some cases. Great video Brian! 💥❤
Thanks for watching, Susan! - Drew
Simply great video reviews !
OPUS 88 is a VERY underrated pen brand. They make several wonderful pens. Particularly the demo, clear Omar, the Jazz & Bela
My decimo my favorite pens. I brought a VP for my husband, he loved it... i was disappointed because the nib and retractable mechanism were perfect but it was just too heavy for me. Some months later, I got myself a decimo, absolutely adore it
It's so good, right! I need one! - Drew
Picked up an Explorer the other day, love it!
I really love my Pilot Custom Heritage 92, the pen is absolutely smooth and amazing writer!!
Finally, a mention of Plaisir & Traveler's Factory fountain pen 🥰
The CON-70 actually fits in the Kakuno as well! I put one in mine the other day :)
In Europe they sell standard CC version though :)
came here to reply with this! the con-70 in a clear bodied kakuno is so pretty
Agree on the Plaisir, fantastic pen. I just keep refilling the cartridge it came with. Strangely, I didn’t find the Prefounte as comfortable to write with; my theory is something to do with the diameter of the grip, though I should try it out again sometime. Similar story with the Explorer; I liked that it was less, er, potentially attention-grabbing than my Kakuno while having the same weight (I go for very light pens due to hand and wrist problems; the Metropolitan is my idea of heavy), but I found it awkward to use at first, since it’s slimmer and longer, though I’ve been using it a lot lately. Still, though - should I ever become famous, a pink and white Kakuno is likely to make a somewhat atypical entry to the catalogues of Writers’ Relied-On Pens.
Regarding Pilot Kakunos and writers' relied-on pens, have you ever watched the Korean drama, "Romance is a Bonus Book"? One of the backstories in that drama is about a famous author (in the drama's world) who disappeared from public life, and one of the things he had been noted for was always writing his manuscripts out by hand. And when they finally showed a flashback scene depicting him working on one of his manuscripts, what pen was he using to write with? A Pilot Kakuno, of course!
You were spot on with the Plaisir. My first pen was a gift Visconti which intimidated me and sat unused for YEARS-my friend then gave me a Plaisir-French for “pleasure”-and it was! I have never looked back, 30 pens later.
Definitely underrated! - Drew
Hard agree on the Vac Mini. Love mine, and it's like a toy that writes well. I love watching the ink slosh around.
I do this with my clear Eco-T way too much lol
I'll second that. I thought the Vac 700R was great for writing, but a little long to sit in some shirt pockets.
With my Vac Mini, I find I need to unscrew the back cap about 2 and half turns to avoid vapor lock. Less than that and the pen will stop writing fairly quickly. With the cap unthreaded sufficiently, it writes all day.
I totally agree, it's a great pen the Vac Mini.
Think I’ve got to get me one of these:) - absolutely loved my TWSBI 580 w EF nib but would prefer sthg smaller:)
@@anguswhite8233 Make sure you get the TWSBI Vac 20A ink bottle. Filling the pen becomes risk free with very minimal need to clean the pen. In fact, if you don't mind the feed being oversaturated, you can use the pen without wiping it down after filling.
Cool setup.
I love my burgundy/champagne e95S. Wonderful nib, amazing to post and a great style!
Awesome! I didn't know anything about the Sailor HighAce neo. I own the Pilot Parallel and that's my go-to open for most of my card projects because they write so easily. However, now that you've put these Sailor pens on my radar, I'm going to add them to my wish list to add to my fountain pen calligraphy collection. Thanks!
I like my HighAce, preferring it to my Parallels, but I must say it dries out a lot faster.
I adore my Sailor HighAce Neo in 2.0 mm, it is a joy to write with.
So glad to see it highlighted here.
@@ichirofakename And you've absolutely highlighted how the Parallel has ended up being my got to pen for quick calligraphy. It always lays down a very wet line and offers very beautiful shading when I want that from a larger piece of work; think 3.5mm nib stuff. With this intro to the HighAce I'll see how it performs on standard cardstock or poor quality envelopes which Parallel absolutely soaks if you don't have a quick and light hand. I'm excited about this find!
You were absolutely bang on about the Vac Mini. I even like it better than the Vac700R.
Pilot Petit 1, a very small pen that is very hard to use unposted, can be purchased for around 5$, has the same nib as the Pilot Varsity with a massive ink capacity if you eyedrop convert it.
I wish they imported it to the US! Sadly, we can't get it here. - Drew
@@Gouletpens Such a shame, that pen can be difficult to obtain outside of Japan.
Thanks...the TWSBI mini vac has been on my wish list for a couple of years. I may get one this year since I am finally able to travel. To me the screw-to-post (not push) is a MAJOR plus. It means I am unlikely to lose the top and waste time searching. Imagine if the top fell off in a crowded airplane? Or while sketching in a field of weeds? Definitely a plus! I love demonstrators since I can see the ink inside, but admit I'd love to see it with some color options. My favorite pen to date is the TWSBI mini for many of these reasons, but one like the Vac that would withstand airplane cabin pressure is a Good Thing. Second favorite: the Lamy Al-Star--I like the feel of the pen better than the resin Lamy.... OK. Off to surf the website. Trip in 3 months!
I love my Platinum Plaisir. I have the pink, currently inked with Monteverde Rose Noir, and it's one of my go-to favorites. I have a Pilot Prefounte as well, and although I don't use it as often, I'm very happy with it. Oh and the Kakuno as well. Great reliable pens.
I have 2 Diplomat Magnums that I also like quite a bit. They perform well, no issues, and they are lovely and lightweight, which is good if you're like me, and find your hand gets tired easily if you write a lot.
Plaisir was my first fountain pen, in fact it inspired me to start collecting orange body fountain pens. 4 years on it has some scratches on both body and cap (I dropped it once), had to change the nib 3 times but I still love this pen. It works great on any kind of paper, some dry ink shouldn't be a problem too 👍👍👍
I have two CH92s in two nib sizes, broad and the Japanese fine medium, and I love them both. They hold a fair amount of ink, feel good in hand and are reliable writers.
Great reviews, thanks
So far I only have two pens: a Speedball pen with a stub nib, and a Kaweko Sport with a fine nib. I, uhh...may be getting more in the mail very soon, thanks to your videos. The amount of money I have given you guys now...whoops!
Welcome to the club! 😂
I have a Kaweco Sport too and I love that little pen! It rattles around on my desk, in the drawer, in my pocket or purse, in a pencil holder with other pens and pencils, and never seems to get scratched. It writes very nicely and is easy to hold and screw and unscrew the cap.
@@pfridell8424 I’m loving mine so far! Currently have it inked up with Nitrogen. What a beautiful ink; I need a full bottle of it, even if it doesn’t match my burgundy Kaweko…
I’ve been using a Decimo fine point as my work pen (Bullet Journal notes) since it was available in the USA. Pilot’s most practical pen IMHO for every-day carry ergonomics.
Interesting selection. I heartily endorse the Kaweco Supra. I absolutely love mine.
It's a good one! - Drew
This is a good list, I would add the Lamy logo and a Moonman Wancai. The Lamy is a rather slim but sturdy elegant and good priced pen, while the Wancai is one of my favourite pocket pens, it comes with an o rings so you can eyedropper convert it out of the box, I have dropped this pen a lot and I never had a problem with spilled ink.
I agree about the Moonman Wancai. I recently received one as a gift, and I love it. I eyedroppered it right away. It wrote immediately and hasn't leaked. I keep Private Reserve Infinity Black in it, and it's super reliable, including on poor quality paper -- to the point where it now lives permanently in the pen loop of my wallet.
Thank you for the tip! It looks very interesting and is now on my wishlist. 😇🩵🙏🙌
Love my Prefounte don't see a need to step up to the Plaisir. Though I will definitely take a look at the Vac mini
The TWSBI Vac Mini is an excellent pen. Superb nib and filling capacity, like you said, and you can seal off the chamber to prevent any leaking if you have to take it on a plane. Yes, you screw to post, but you have to do this with the Diamond Mini, too.
My husband loves the Platinum Plaisir and keeps one on his desk at home and at the office.
The first thing that always comes to mind for me as an overlooked pen is the Platinum Procyon. As for the Plaisir, I have a handful but never use them anymore because it's nearly impossible to clean the feed. You have a long feed that's fully encased in clear plastic and not removable, so it's nearly impossible to get the ink out and you see what's left behind.
Good call! We should mention that one! - Drew
Yes. You have to use the same ink with it.
The TWSBI Vac Mini is a great daily-use and carry pen, especially when paired with a Vac 20A ink bottle; and you always have the fun of trying to guess where the crack will appear.
Pilot Custom 74 - all the way - everyday - with a medium nib, smoke color, and filled with Noodler's Zhivago - my favorite ink, and I'm in fountain pen ecstasy!
My underrated pen is the Ohto Tashe. It's got an interesting and compact form factor, but is full size when posted, it has a metal body which makes it feel a little more premium than other low cost starters in its range, and it has a very smooth writing experience that feels like entry level pilot pens. Comes in at $10-12 depending where you find it. I have also recently seen the design knocked off by chinese companies lately selling for at least 4x as much.
Cartridges are standard international short. I don't see why you couldn't fill this up as an eyedropper, but thus far I just refill the cartridge with my own ink since I get a lot of messy burping with most eyedroppers where I live, and because I bring the pen around with me, the cartridge is just a bit more secure. If you start getting into fountain pens, I highly recommend getting a blunt needle syringe. It allows you to refill anything, so you don't have to worry as much about what kinds of ink vessels your pens have. Best $3 purchase I've made in the pen hobby.
Ohhh that Kaweco Supra looks great. Will be my next purchase, I think
I totally love the Pilot Custom Heritage 92 - I have all three available colours (clear, transparent blue and transparent grey) and would get another if available. I have many pens but these are the ones I use all the time for for sketching, each inked in a different Document ink colour. I also have two Pilot E95S that I love for writing and use daily. Have wondered about the TWSBi Vac Mini but, dare I say, I don't need any more pens...!
That's a nice selection of great pens to call on depending on the day. I was intrigued by the TWSBI Vac Mini as well but, I've decided to be content with what I have now.
Woop! Pilot Explorer for the win! My absolute favorite, even after buying more expensive pens!
I love my preppies but have had several of the caps crack. I might want to give the plasir a try. I hate that it doesn’t come with a converter though. What other pens don’t come with converters?
I have small hands and prefer the Decimo over the VP - Agree on the Explorer - nice pen for the $$. Plasir will also hold ink for months (like the TWSBI and I don't have to worry about the lid/body cracking.
Sailor Compass High Ace Neo nibs have a heart cutout AND an anchor?!?! Gotta get one! Or two. To sit alongside my 14 Parallels and 4 Joys. And 4 Plumixes. Thanks for including the Neo!
It's a great one! - Drew
I love the Vac mini! A great and attractive pen.
Thanks for doing this video. Suggest more proof reading before launching (i.e. Pilor; Burgandy???)
Love my Pilot78g+ blue/grey which I bought with an EF nib(got small handwriting so a Pilot F nib is about as broad as I can manage) - know you don’t stock this pen but, for what it’s worth, they are available in quite a broad range of nibs, colours and trims and they come with a con40: might be worth adding to your line up - love the build quality of the metropolitan but prefer the more lightweight plastic body of the 78g+ which, I guess, has the added advantage that it’s eye dropper convertible too if you needed a huge ink capacity:); very interested in that CH92: thanks for the heads up:)
Come on, Goulet: this is a valuable contribution to GouletPens - just because you don’t stock it doesn’t mean you didn’t miss it: this is an ace pen: hurry up and stock it for your subscribers!:)
I love the Pilot Decimo and use mine everyday. I have several but usually purchase directly from Japan (at a premium) because they offer the best colors. I really wish Pilot would give the North American market some love and offer us some new exclusives with maybe some gold trims and unique colors. I would love to be able to buy them from Goulet! 😃
I know! I would love to have a black matte Decimo! - Drew
@@Gouletpens 100% YES!!
Both the Plasier and the Explorer are two of my favorite daily carries and I always have them inked up. My biggest complaint though is that Platinum raises their prices too high on the special editions. It's such a bummer. I get paying a bit more for a special edition but almost $30 more for a pen that has the same nib as a preppy because it's ombre is just too much. I would have all the special editions if they were priced lower.
I loved seeing the decimo on this list. This was actually my grail pen that I recently acquired and I love it. I think I want to get an additional nib for it.
I liked my plaisir, but the tines were misaligned (potentially due to user error when I let my brother give it a try, but hard to know for sure) and after a while it started to leak pretty substantially around the grip. However, I was genuinely impressed with its signature cap which prevents the pen from drying out for months on end, I also liked the outside durability, and the nice light weight was a plus as well. I don't know if I'd buy another, but I'd love to find mine again!!
I love my Pilot Decimo. How can you not love a pen that clicks like a ballpoint instead of uncapping? Plus the fact the clip is by the nib makes the clip into a finger guide, the nib is always positioned correctly, and when placed vertically into a pocket will not leak since the nib is pointing up. My favorite fountain pen, ever.
Love my Vac Mini. I use it every night for my scripture writing and carry it when I'm not at work. For work, I use Preppy's. I'm an Inventory Supervisor for a School District and tend to lose track of my pens sometimes. I don't mind losing a Preppy every now and then, but I'd hate to lose my Mini Vac.
I have long been a fan of inexpensive pens, so both the Plaisir and the Explorer are well represented in my collection.
I can’t wait to get myself an 823 someday. My personal grail pen.
I am coming from pilot lamy sailor kaweco , but Waterman allure, parker jotter and vector surprised me with their nib and ink flow, they are perfect for a cheap entry level pens.
I have many Platinum pens from Preppy to 3776 Century, but I only recently bought a Plaisir. It’s become one of my favorite pens for writing letters. Explorer no, Metropolitan yes. The Sailor Compass 1911 is an excellent pen. I’ve bought several, and always have at least one inked up. It’s one of the best values available.
I was almost going to mention the Sailor Compass 1911. But I believe they are now actually quite popular and have been selling very well. You’re among the many fans of the Compass pens who say they have more than one of them. I have three. So, I’d say the Compass isn’t exactly overlooked anymore. Goulet still offers them at the lowest discounted price.
I'm definitely going to have to say the Pilot Elabo Metal Falcon. People always go for the resin for the price but the metal is superior and has a perfect weight. The design and ergonomics are flawless. It's the best section of any pen with no drop. The design aesthetic is classic with small robust details. And the nib is one of a kind amazing in the pen world. One of the very most pleasurable stock nibs with so many customizable options. Perhaps one of the best daily writers or calligraphy fountain pens ever made. I've seen so many people just not "understand" them and trade them just for something more colorful with a steel nib....
A Prefounte has been on my list of pens to get next. If I like it, I might rethink the Plaisir, but I don't like that so many colors are only available in fine nibs. I think Opus 88 pens are highly underrated. Almost everyone who has them seems to love them, including me. I think it's mostly their price that does it -- at that range, there are pens that are a lot flashier, like Benu, or some limited numbered editions, like from Conklin. The price point is also just below the bottom end of the range for entry level gold nibs, which probably doesn't help. And at Goulet, they aren't really sold in different colors -- which I suspect is that same dynamic you mention about the Custom Heritage 92, they don't sell well because there aren't a lot of colors, so you don't carry more colors or models, and so on in an endless loop. I also suspect the competition from TWSBI probably hurts them. They aren't *quite* as reliable as TWSBI, nor do they have as good of a seal. TWSBI makes a lot of reliable pens with high ink capacity in a variety of colors at a cheaper price point. And I get it. TWSBI is my favorite brand. But Opus 88 is definitely my second.
I mean the prefounte is super similar to the preppy, the only difference is colours and cap
So i would probably get swap the nib with a medium or EF preppy, i really liked how the prefounte looks, but couldn't find it locally, so settled for a crystal preppy, kinda regret it thou, when eyedroppered, it looks like shit
@@krazybonnie5523 That makes sense. Yeah, I don't have a Preppy, myself because I don't like the way they look.
@@S.L._ Which part thou, like the markings, cause that's why i bought the crystal preppy(no marking,full transparent) , the only change between the prefounte and preppy is really the cap, markings and colours
Was my EDC for a fairly long time, since the snap cap is super great, and the nib was fairly smooth, plus the fine nib won't feather much on cheap paper, replaced my dark lilac lamy safari(F), which i didn't really like the nib
@@krazybonnie5523 The markings are part of it, but mostly I like the colors and the relative opacity of the Prefounte compared to the Preppy. I think the clip and the cap look flatter. And for some reason, the Prefounte just looks more streamlined to me, overall.
I love my decimo. I thought that all retractable nibs by pilot was called "vanishing point", the saleslady corrected me that the decimo was the small brother to the VP. The decimo also has the benefit of carrying slightly smaller nibs
Uh, the Decimo uses the exact same nib unit as the VP.
I really want a pilot elite 95. Or known as e95 in US. My local shop just doesn’t have the M nibbed one stocked atm and I prefer thicker inky lines.
I am interested in explorer sadly in my country it only has 6 colour options and my preferred colour is not available. I would order from goulet but I think pricewise it in overal makes more sense to stay with more local webshops. Downside to that does make the option pool of whats available smaller.
I own the Preppy, Prefounte and Plaisir and can wholeheartedly say that they are some of my top favourite, most reliable go-to's.
Having heard a lot of good things about the Pilot Explorer, I bought one for myself in medium. HATED it 😆 It felt so scratchy that I thought maybe I got a dud nib. I ended up giving it away.
There is another underrated pen, however you don't stock the brand. It's the Laban 325. Not too expensive (slightly over US$100) and writes so buttery smooth. Was surprised I'd never heard of it before.
Dude same, the preppy is just so reliable and consistent
I also really hate the pilot nibs, i have a kakuno(F) and Penmanship(M) and i just find both extremely scratchy(i can tolerate the medium, if i write with like zero force) , i think they are just like that cause i checked under microscope, the tines are fine for both
Kinda regret buying the kakuno, since i imported it from china for a limited edition glass green colour that i really like but on a pen i never use
That's great to hear! Thank you! - Drew
I love my throw in my purse brass Traveler … but as I watched this video, I have half of these pens !! Love them :)
But I am a big fan of Esterbrook Pens also, I’ve been told repeatability they are not that popular either 🤷🏼♀️
I love my inky fingers … write on!
I have 2 Custom 92's, clear blue and clear grey. Great companion pens to my Custom 912.
About the Custom H. 92, it's exactly as you say. The pricing is a bit off.
A little more money and you have one of the best pens of all time (Custom 823) or if you want to go the cheaper route the 74.
Very good list btw!
LOVE my Decimo💗
I don't own a Plaisir but I adore my Small Meteor/Little Shooting Star I have so many now which uses the same parts as the preppy and plaisir
A bit late to this party but one up vote for the Traveler’s pen ⬆️. I swapped my nib in it to an EF and this writes like a dream. Was supposed to be a travel pen but I often reach for it at home. I know a lot of people opt for one of the Kaweco’s but I love the design of this pen. I also have the interchangeable rollerball nibs so two pens for one.
Love my Traveler's Brass Pen. That thing is indestructible. It has made it through two washings when it didn't make it out of my pants pocket. Just a little clean up and it writes like new again. I do not go anywhere without this on me.
Hi would you say their nib sizes are the Japanese size fine or more the western style fine? Thank you
@@floragasparovich4826 I would say it leans more towards a European Fine nib. Not anything like a Japanese needle point lol
Kakuno takes the con-70. I’m using it right now!
You're correct! This was an oversight on our end. Thank you! - Drew
I hate the look of the metropolitan, but I live how smooth it is for it's price point, especially over my lamy safari.
Thank u very much for putting if in my radar
I have a Clear Kakuno with a CON-70 in it (cost as much as the pen, but works great). Maybe with the recent change to the CON-70, they don’t fit anymore?
Hahah my hubby has a plasir and never fell down the rabbit hole like i did. I think hes got 2. Funny coz when we first met before even going out i commented on his fountain pen he had at work!
Do you think that the Platinum Prefounte is taking sales away from the Plaisir? I only ever used the preppy, but i think the Prefounte looks sharper and can still be eyedroppered.
Brian, I love that you clarified that you have NOT YET washed the Traveler's accidentally! LOL!
There's an idea for a video: Which pocket pens fare best after a trip through the washing machine?
I generally only use Pilot Penmanship EFs and Pilot Plumix F and M. All of them are eye-droppered, although some of the Plumixes leak like crazy from the nibs 🙈💦 In spite of that, I’ve stuck with the same pens for the past 5 years 🖋🖋🖋🧐🤔
Okay, I need to jump in with the Pilot Explorer here; it's NOT the only Pilot steel nib that can accept the CON-70; I've put three of them into Kakunos and I've had zero issues.
I easily agree with several of your picks here.
Without overthinking it much, some seemingly overlooked/under-rated fountain pens that instantly spring to my mind are the following:
Kaweco Dia2
Lamy Aion
Aurora Style
Aurora Ipsilon
Aurora Tu
Platinum Procyon
Pilot Custom Heritage 91
Stipula Etruria
Sheaffer Icon
Diplomat Excellence A2
I'm a huge TWSBI fan, I just bought two AL Minis and two AL 580s (to go with all my other TWSBIs). I do not recommend either of the Vacs. First of all the vacuum refill is cool one time, after that it's so obscured that you don't see what's happening. Also the little bottles are fussy and they compound the risk of spillage and third, the real deal breaker - is that for some reason these pens crack and fall apart. I've replaced parts a couple of times and finally just gave up. The caps just can't take the stress. Instead I highly recommend the TWSBI Ecos as starter pens, but for a totally reliable durable pen either the AL 580 or the AL Mini - the 'AL' refers to the metal ring right above the nib. I have never had one of these pens crack on me - some are over five years old. I have an Eco and other all plastic TWSBIs that developed really annoying and impossible to fix hairline cracks that turned my fingers blue. (I'm a DIY guy but epoxy, superglue - even heat shrinkable tubing couldn't solve the problem. TWSBI is terrific about replacement parts - but skip the hassle. So kids buy an Eco, love it but in a couple of years, or several drops when it starts leaking just move up to an AL anything. The other newer TWSBI starter just seems a bit too big and clunky. I've got one around someplace... happy to give it a new home.) The Mini is an absolutely amazing pen. It's small so people with smaller hands will love it (mine are about average.) They are so lightweight you can write for hours. Because of its large reservoir you won't have to fill it for hours. If I had only one fountain pen it would be an AL TWSBI Mini.
Instead of fussing with the Vac bottles, I now make sure I have at least two bottles of my favorite blue inks, keep one filled near the top. When the refiller bottle gets low I'll buy another bottle - this way I'm always filling near the top. And Pilots of course all have super smooth nibs, never any complaints with those. If you're really young (you haven't read this far) the super cheap Pilots are amazing starters, you can turn them into eyedropper pens - I started with these in middle school many many years ago.
Thanks for making me want to give you my money on more pens 😂
I would wonder what you think about the «Indigraph» fountain pen, which can take india ink. Probably also an overlooked pen.
Man I’m lookin to get either the pilot vanishing point or the Kaweco Supra. I’m a big Kaweco fan. My first 3 pens were unintentionally German but I’ve always used Japanese ballpoints and pencils. I own one pilot penmanship, which has got to be my most low cost but quality pen, that fine nib is a dream to write with. A vanishing point would enter me into the gold nib world for the first time so I really may have to postpone the Supra… the fact it’s a full sized nib appeals to me, not the biggest fan of the Kaweco nib size. Though the actual thickness of the lines are great, love their medium nib
Can you do a show where you talk about the “look alike pens” and why certain designs and colors are reproduced by so many brands.
Also I want to add one of underrated pens. Sheaffer 100 comes with converter, has lacquered metal body (appx. 34g) and its rigid nib writes like butter. Too much people have prejudice about modern Sheaffers due to production country or their classic design but i highly recommend that pen if you like little heavy metal pens or you are beginner and looking options. Im using also Kaweco sport and m200 but still Sheaffer is mine favorite.
damn i shouldn't spend money but you tempt me.
Please share the price or price ranges. That would be helpful
Thanks Brian. Yey to the E95s! This vid was interesting and I learned some things. Have a great weekend an say hi to Rachel for me. BLESSINGS. -Pat
Thanks, Pat! - Drew
I have the explorer and its essentially a plastic metropolitan with flat ends... Mine skips a bit and Im a but too lazy to clean and disassemble it... Might do so in my next pen rotation hehehehe
I have the Pilot E95S: best pen ever. No scratch, smooth, precise. I guard this though as it is my best pen.
To carry around I have 2 plsirs and Prefounte. Smooth durable amazing. Can never go wrong with Japanese fountain pens.
Also Canadian made Ferris wheel Press Carrousel. Similar to Prefounte.
My biggest problem with the Plaisir is that it's like trying to write with a live eel dipped in oil. They're so damned slippery and I have no idea why.
As for the CON-70, this also fits in all of the Kakunos that I own, and it adds some welcomed weight to make it a more pleasant writing experience.
I love the Plasir. I've had preppy pens leak on me.