GPC is one of the best fountain pen companies hands down - you guys are very responsive, and carry a wide selection of pens. I rarely comment but I've just come to notice how I take for granted how useful the tools like nib comparison on the website is
It's just the chemicals and properties within an ink that can cause it to sheen. Paper & nib play a big part in it as well. Brian touches on this a bit in our 'Top 10 Sheening Inks' video: ua-cam.com/video/_np2EZpmIGA/v-deo.html - Colin
I have a VP F and a Custom Heritage 92 M, which is like the C74 but with a piston filling system. I had some personally bad experiences with my VP: The ink kept spitting out whenever I clicked the pen, it had a very inconsistent flow, and the coating on the clicker cap was scratching off just from me clicking. It took almost a year for me to figure out that the converter that was included with it was faulty, which after replacing it with a refilled cartridge, made it perform a LOT better (as well as allowing it to hold a lot more ink). However, while my VP is a good writer now and has that nice retractable point for notes, I greatly prefer my CH92 since it works great outside of the box, holds more ink, weighs less, and is personally more aesthetically pleasing as a demonstrator (now as of writing this I REALLY want Pilot to figure out how to make a demonstrator VP). The only real downsides I have with mine so far are that it's a bit more difficult to clean and that you have to explain to a lot of people that it's not a vape.
Talking about premium finishes, yes for VP/Capless you have the Namiki Raden versions, but I think Custom 74 also has its own Namiki Japan Art line --- the resin versions are essentially a custom 74 in Urushi and Hira-Marki-E
Just picked up a VP as my first >$40 pen and it's great, I carry it around all the time and take all my notes at school with it. Would definitely recommend it to anyone. I'd like a 74 but that will have to wait until my finances recuperate some
KL005 arrow was going the wrong way, whoops! Sadly you won't get one for cheaper than like $150, I think Goulet has the cheapest I have found at $148, that's where I got mine
I like Pilot pens in general, but never got the excitement over the Custom 74. I have one with a fine nib, and don’t think it’s at all like the Decimo fine I have. The Decimo is much softer and springier. Maybe I got a defective 74, but to me, it feels like a stiff, slightly scratchy steel nib.
Thanks for this. I don't have a VP but can attest to Pilot's overall nib quality. I do have a question though: could Brian do a comparison on gold nibs (like Pilot's) versus Visconti's (Dream Touch) Palladium nibs and Titanium nibs? I don't know if Goulet offers any pens with titanium nibs, but know many of the Visconti's are Palladium. Thanks for all you do there!
Yes. I've watched ALL the Goulet videos and been a fan for years. The Nib Nook, while being an extremely useful tool, doesn't give a hands on, verbal comparison a video would. I'm curious about the handling of a usual gold nib (like Pilot's) compared to Palladium nibs (like Visconti's.) Are they bouncier? Flow better? Have equal memory? Smoother on paper? (even though probably have similar tipping) How do they compare in day to day handling? Consistency? While Visconti has grown in popularity, I know they've also switched their nibs from Gold to Palladium, and I'd like to know what difference (if any) that makes. There's bits and pieces of info out there, but no one has done a true comparison. Titanium nibs are on the upswing too. General consensus is that they're a little more springy but easier to spring (the nib) with less snapback. The nib nook, while very helpful, doesn't address the general use question across different nib compositions, although steel vs. gold has seen a lot of discussion.
You bring up a lot of great points. I think a definitive comparison video of the nib material options out there and what we offer could definitely be helpful. Thanks for the feedback and hopefully Brian can tackle this in the near future! - Colin
If i have to choose one fine nib fountain pen, which one to choose? Vanishing Point Black matte. Pilot custom 74 demonstrators. Pilot herritage 92. Please help
The writing experience between the 3 will be relatively similar as fine gold Pilot nibs. It comes down to features for me after that, so I think I would go with the Vanishing Point. The retractable nib is really unique & helpful plus it has replaceable nib units if you want to switch things up. - Colin
Hi, I'm wondering if I can get some advice on an EDC pen on a college student budget. I've got a pilot metropolitan currently, but after the cartridge having run out and swapping to the converter, on two occasions I've noticed the weight was off and found that the converter had come out of the section and was inside the end of the barrel. This is presumably caused by the pen being jostled around in my backpack. Currently I'm eyeing the TWSBI Classic in order to skip cartridges all together, but am wondering if you have any other suggestions.
TWSBI is definitely a good option to go with. Classic/Eco/580/VacMini, all great pens that don't use a converter and have a high ink capacity, which is great for a student. - Colin
To be honest, as much as I like the TWSBI line, I found the pen to be a little to easy to turn when it was in my pocket, thus opening up. Had a bit of ink drip on the paper, so I ended up trading it for a bunch of other pen related paraphernalia. Now, that said, I would pair it with an Aston pen sleeve like Brian carries the C74 in with the TWSBI. It will stop it from opening up, and protect it. Just a thought.
The VP reminds me of a ballpoint pen. For me the whole point about carrying a fountain pen is its difference in relation to a ballpoint pen and that includes appearance.
Well, the writing experience is much different that a ballpoint pen, so that's why people still gravitate towards it. A retractable nib is such a unique feature in the fountain pen world as well. To each their own though! - Colin
I like your videos and revies. But I do not like your background :) There are so different object and distracting thing. Please make a different minimal design for your background.
This is Brian's office. Lots of people love the background with the LEGOs and our values. Adds some character & personality that would lack with a minimalistic background in my opinion. - Colin
GPC is one of the best fountain pen companies hands down - you guys are very responsive, and carry a wide selection of pens. I rarely comment but I've just come to notice how I take for granted how useful the tools like nib comparison on the website is
The Nib Nook is so helpful, I use it on a daily basis. Thanks for your support, write on! - Colin
I prefer the 74....I find that the VP has some slight movement in the feed as you write with it.
Have the vanishing point, use it as my daily writer for work. It also has the cool factor because fountain pen that is clickable.
Yeah, the retractable nib is such a unique feature. Not sure why other brands haven't tried to do something similar. - Colin
A Chinese company called Dagong tried, and it almost worked, but didn't sell well as it cost as much as the non-gold nib option for the VP.
What causes ink to sheen, and why do some sheen more than others? Would love to see a video on this!
It's just the chemicals and properties within an ink that can cause it to sheen. Paper & nib play a big part in it as well. Brian touches on this a bit in our 'Top 10 Sheening Inks' video: ua-cam.com/video/_np2EZpmIGA/v-deo.html - Colin
I've seen that video before, It's great! I was hoping for a more in depth answer to it, but I guess that's all top secret!
I have a VP F and a Custom Heritage 92 M, which is like the C74 but with a piston filling system.
I had some personally bad experiences with my VP: The ink kept spitting out whenever I clicked the pen, it had a very inconsistent flow, and the coating on the clicker cap was scratching off just from me clicking. It took almost a year for me to figure out that the converter that was included with it was faulty, which after replacing it with a refilled cartridge, made it perform a LOT better (as well as allowing it to hold a lot more ink).
However, while my VP is a good writer now and has that nice retractable point for notes, I greatly prefer my CH92 since it works great outside of the box, holds more ink, weighs less, and is personally more aesthetically pleasing as a demonstrator (now as of writing this I REALLY want Pilot to figure out how to make a demonstrator VP). The only real downsides I have with mine so far are that it's a bit more difficult to clean and that you have to explain to a lot of people that it's not a vape.
Talking about premium finishes, yes for VP/Capless you have the Namiki Raden versions, but I think Custom 74 also has its own Namiki Japan Art line --- the resin versions are essentially a custom 74 in Urushi and Hira-Marki-E
Just picked up a VP as my first >$40 pen and it's great, I carry it around all the time and take all my notes at school with it. Would definitely recommend it to anyone. I'd like a 74 but that will have to wait until my finances recuperate some
Aaron you got a VP for less than $40? Where? I'm on the lookout for one myself
KL005 arrow was going the wrong way, whoops! Sadly you won't get one for cheaper than like $150, I think Goulet has the cheapest I have found at $148, that's where I got mine
KL005 Staples has had it at a low as 80 US, but it sells out super fast. Other than that, second hand is the way to go.
Aaron is the vp enough ink? And are u in college?
KL005 you can get it cheapest for 80. But shipping form Japan stings in the ass
I like Pilot pens in general, but never got the excitement over the Custom 74. I have one with a fine nib, and don’t think it’s at all like the Decimo fine I have. The Decimo is much softer and springier. Maybe I got a defective 74, but to me, it feels like a stiff, slightly scratchy steel nib.
Thanks for this. I don't have a VP but can attest to Pilot's overall nib quality.
I do have a question though: could Brian do a comparison on gold nibs (like Pilot's) versus Visconti's (Dream Touch) Palladium nibs and Titanium nibs? I don't know if Goulet offers any pens with titanium nibs, but know many of the Visconti's are Palladium.
Thanks for all you do there!
Yes. I've watched ALL the Goulet videos and been a fan for years.
The Nib Nook, while being an extremely useful tool, doesn't give a hands on, verbal comparison a video would. I'm curious about the handling of a usual gold nib (like Pilot's) compared to Palladium nibs (like Visconti's.) Are they bouncier? Flow better? Have equal memory?
Smoother on paper? (even though probably have similar tipping) How do they compare in day to day handling? Consistency? While Visconti has grown in popularity, I know they've also switched their nibs from Gold to Palladium, and I'd like to know what difference (if any) that makes. There's bits and pieces of info out there, but no one has done a true comparison. Titanium nibs are on the upswing too. General consensus is that they're a little more springy but easier to spring (the nib) with less snapback. The nib nook, while very helpful, doesn't address the general use question across different nib compositions, although steel vs. gold has seen a lot of discussion.
You bring up a lot of great points. I think a definitive comparison video of the nib material options out there and what we offer could definitely be helpful. Thanks for the feedback and hopefully Brian can tackle this in the near future! - Colin
If i have to choose one fine nib fountain pen, which one to choose?
Vanishing Point Black matte.
Pilot custom 74 demonstrators.
Pilot herritage 92.
Please help
The writing experience between the 3 will be relatively similar as fine gold Pilot nibs. It comes down to features for me after that, so I think I would go with the Vanishing Point. The retractable nib is really unique & helpful plus it has replaceable nib units if you want to switch things up. - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company Oke, Thank you do much Colin, I'd take the vanishing point
hey Brian or The Goulet Pen Company team what is the most expensive pen you guys have sold
The Namiki pens are probably the answer (www.gouletpens.com/namiki/c/483). Some gorgeous piece of art pens for $5k+. - Colin
Hi, I'm wondering if I can get some advice on an EDC pen on a college student budget. I've got a pilot metropolitan currently, but after the cartridge having run out and swapping to the converter, on two occasions I've noticed the weight was off and found that the converter had come out of the section and was inside the end of the barrel. This is presumably caused by the pen being jostled around in my backpack. Currently I'm eyeing the TWSBI Classic in order to skip cartridges all together, but am wondering if you have any other suggestions.
TWSBI is definitely a good option to go with. Classic/Eco/580/VacMini, all great pens that don't use a converter and have a high ink capacity, which is great for a student. - Colin
To be honest, as much as I like the TWSBI line, I found the pen to be a little to easy to turn when it was in my pocket, thus opening up. Had a bit of ink drip on the paper, so I ended up trading it for a bunch of other pen related paraphernalia.
Now, that said, I would pair it with an Aston pen sleeve like Brian carries the C74 in with the TWSBI. It will stop it from opening up, and protect it. Just a thought.
The VP reminds me of a ballpoint pen. For me the whole point about carrying a fountain pen is its difference in relation to a ballpoint pen and that includes appearance.
Well, the writing experience is much different that a ballpoint pen, so that's why people still gravitate towards it. A retractable nib is such a unique feature in the fountain pen world as well. To each their own though! - Colin
The vanishing point feels alot more premium compared to the custom 74 but the custom 74 is better for long writing due to its light weight
Seems like I am the only fp user that hates the vp because cleaning the barrel is a pain...otherwise a very good writer, will not disappoint
First and foremost reason anyone buys a Vanishing point is the practicality due to its caplessness!
for some reason, a costom 74 is only $80 in china. So custom 74 is a clear win
Lol, the VP is about $70 where I live (Bangladesh), so that's a clear win for me. xP
I like your videos and revies. But I do not like your background :) There are so different object and distracting thing. Please make a different minimal design for your background.
This is Brian's office. Lots of people love the background with the LEGOs and our values. Adds some character & personality that would lack with a minimalistic background in my opinion. - Colin