Enjoyed the video. I own all the pens on your list (well, I have two TWSBI minis, not the Vac). I also like top 5 lists. I have to comment that even as one who is decidedly of a non technical bent, I really do appreciate the design of the VP. The quality of this pen is apparent to anyone, right down to the metal protector they provide so if you chose to use a cartridge in it the poor cartridge won't get hammered by the clicking mechanism. Often the mechanics or design wonders of a pen have to be pointed out to me but just inking this pen for the first time made me grin at how the whole thing came together beautifully!
The vanishing point really is a beautiful pen. Yhere must be a bad Pilot pen but I haven't come across it yet! TWSBI might be the best value for your money in my opinion. So many interesting models and great writers.
You gave an enjoyable and informative presentation. I own all the brands you profile, but in some cases, different models. Pilot capless: Now called the Pilot Vanishing Point. I have a number of this type, but my favorite is a Pilot Decimo, easier for me to use because it is thinner than the VPs. Lamy 2000: I have two, one with a M and the other with a F nib. I don't enjoy writing with them because my index finger tends to slip down the tapered section, too close to the nib. Pilot Elite (same as the E95S, but directly from Japan) I have the burgundy one with an M nib, which I love, and a black one with a F nib, but it sports too fine a line for my taste. TWSBI 580: I got it with a F nib, but replaced it with a M. It has a huge ink capacity and writes well. I agree with your general "pen philosophy" with the exception that I don't bother trying to match ink color with the pen color. I have all the major brands of FPs, and have recently begun buying Benu pens made in Armenia (formerly in Moscow), and Hongdian pens from China. China has been dramatically improving the quality and variety of the pens they make there, and some of them are stunningly beautiful. Increasingly, they offer gold nibs on some of their models.
A nice collection of inexpensive starter fountain pens. These are reminiscent of what you see at a vintage pen table at a pen show. I have a desire for oversized Italian pens and Japanese Urushi lacquer pens.
If only my budget allowed for oversized Italian pens and Japanese Urushi lacquers! At the moment, my grail pen would be a Pelikan m600 or a Waterman Carene, but I'll have to save up for either of those.
There are some great, inexpensive pens being made these days. If I had a choice between an expensive grail pen and several nice, inexpensive pens, I'd choose the inexpensive pens! The reason for this is that I enjoy experimenting with different ink brands and colors.
TWSBI makes good, practical pens, and the ink bottle designed for the Vac Mini and 700R is delightful. The Mini is always in my shirt pocket. My favorite writers are my 700Rs, which I have in fine, medium, and stub nibs. I know TWSBIs are not exactly grail pens, but they work well and I don't have a lot of spare cash.
@@PEIPenGuy I shouldn’t be so bashful about TWSBIs. I’ve got six of them at this point. Fine, medium, and stub 700R’s get daily use and a Vac Mini is always in my shirt pocket. The filling system is nice, particularly with the purpose-built TWSBI inkwell. An Eco and a Go round out my TWSBI fleet. They all work well, with the 700Rs being my little flagships.
Good video. After seeing your first three, I was a little surprised to not see Waterman Carene or Sheaffer Legacy. I have some vintage pens and look forward to seeing if any of my favorites show up in your top 5 vintage review. Thanks.
Thanks Don! I don't have either of those pens but The Waterman Carene is on my grail list. I really love the look of the marine amber. I've worked on a couple Sheaffers but somehow I've not added any to my collection. A big oversight on my part. So many classic Sheaffers!
@@PEIPenGuy Have you considered the Waterman Carène L'Essence du Bleu theyre selling for a limited time? It's on Appelboom & there if you give them a review for an item you own already they give you 15% off your next purchase. Just some advice from a fellow frugal penthusiast. If i may gently/respectfully add, the TWSBI Vac Mini is generally known as a vacuum filler, not piston filler, thus the "vac" in its name; the piston fillers are more like the Lamy 2000 & TWSBI Eco where you turn the end knob to adjust the piston, the vaccum fillers use the built up vaccum behind the rod to suck up the ink from the bottle all at once when the vacuum is broken near the grip section to fill like the Pilot 823 or Asvine v169. God bless & thanks for a great video!
Hi Rob, I have seen images of the Carene and I like it. The one on my wish/dream list is the Marine Amber, and I can't think of a more beautiful pen! I toss change in a jar and put it aside for pen purchases. Maybe someday I'll get one. I realise now that I missed something while speaking about the Vac Mini. I knew that information, but somehow in my rambling I wandered off and didn't realise I'd made the mistake. I do love that Vac Mini, though, and TWSBI gives great value for its products. I try not to get too fussy when shooting the videos, and yes, it shows. I should do a video about the Vac Mini and try to get it right. It's great to hear from you and thanks for watching.
Great video. Pilot E95s is on my grail list. I agree with you on the TWSBI eco, and love my newly acquired Pilot Vanishing Point. What was the ink in the TWSBI Vac Mini? Thanks for the video.
I love the E95s the nib is simply beautiful. Lovely writer too! I have Diamine Sherwood Green in my Vac Mini. I really feel TWSBI gives you the one of the best pens for your money.
That was enjoyable to watch, because the TWSBi Vac Mini is my art pen(s). The Pilot Elite 95S is my EDC pen, and the Pilot Custom 835 is my journal pen (I really like this pen and it may become my journal pen and my EDDC pen).
Always interested to hear what fellow artists like. The workhorses in my current collection are the Platinum Carbon, the Pilot Petit1, and the Pilot Parallel. A small, a middling, and a large nib: they cover all my needs.
Thanks for this video, I can know the pen information without actually buy it to experience myself. Ever since I got a Pelika M800 I know I do not really need other pen anymore, M800 is the one pen I need.
Thanks for watching! A Pelikan M800 is a grail pen for me. They are things of beauty. For me, I love fountain pen inks so much that I need more than one pen, but I admire someone who knows they've found that one great pen.
Wow. Your list is very similar to what I think of as my favorites. I use a Decimo instead of a Capless. My 2000 is wonderful. Don't have a E95S, but I have two TWSBIs. One I had ground to an Architect Nib. My Metropolitan was my first fountain pen. Love it. Replaced the nib with and Extra Fine and use it for drawing. Thanks!
Hi Bruce, It's great to read your comments. I haven't explored nib grinds yet, though I've tried a friend's pen with an architect grind and found it very interesting. I have a Metropolitan too, and I really like it. Thanks for watching!
@@PEIPenGuy It is gratifying to see others like the same pens I think are terrific. If you ever want to try getting a nib reground, try Gena Salorino. She is terrific. She must be because she has a waiting list. She learned under one of the nib meisters.
The look of pilot capless and the lamy 2000 remind me a little of my vintage Sheaffer “dolphin”-and the pilot nib shape is a lot like my vintage Sheaffer vacuum filler! I really like all of these nibs shapes! (Also love my TWSBIs…)
My Pilot vanishing point will dry out over the weekend. I cannot skip more than 1 day and still write with the pen. I have to be able to set a pen down for a few days and still be able to pick it up and write. If you do any fine writing, try the Pilot Posting (PO)nib. You can find that nib on the Pilot Custom 912 and some other models in Japan. Thanks for the video.
I've never had that problem happen yet with mine. I wonder if there is a problem with the closing mechanism. The little door that closes when the nib retracts. Maybe talk to the seller about it or even contact Pilot about it.
Hello neighbour! (A Nova Scotia pen gal here :) I really enjoyed seeing your selection. I love my Lamy 2000 too. It’s feels wonderful in hand, and the design is so classic. Silly, I know, but it always makes reminds me of James Bond (R Moore) in a tux. It’s great to hear your thoughts on the E95, as it’s tempted me many times. I understand the Ecos being your ‘favourite’. They write beautifully, and are a remarkable value. Lamy Safaris fill that daily niche for me. My first fountain pen was a Safari, bought in the mid-90’s, and of all my pens, they still feel the most comfortable in my hands. I sketch and paint too, but have only dared use Platinum Carbon with a dip pen. Have you ever had trouble with it clogging your pen? Thanks again for showcasing your favourites. (PS - in case you haven’t tried it, just wanted to mention that Diamine Red Dragon goes beautifully with burgundy pens).
Hi Vicki, It's great to hear from another Atlantic Canada pen user! I love that James Bond image you've planted in my mind! I haven't had any issues with Platinum Carbon Black clogging my pen. I use it in a workhorse TWSBI Eco and it's a great ink to use with water colors. I want to try the Diamine Red Dragon ink. I love reddish inks!
Want to try a Pilot capless but worried about the clip...I like everything about my Lamy Safari but the grip section so I'm worried the clip would bug me. A TWSBI is high on my list to try as well
Yes the clip on the capless takes a bit of getting used to but I really love it. I have 4 TWSBI pens and I love them. They are real workhorse pens and the vac mini is a great pen. TWSBI has some interesting models with lots of cool colors.
Majohn (Moonman) A1 is a clone of the Pilot Vanishing Point, but has the option of coming without the clip. It even can take the Pilot nib unit. At less than $40 it can make trying a capless pen more affordable. Though I love my VP and Decimo.
@@invaderzim1964 I've not looked at the Moonman but it sounds interesting. I really wondered if I'd like the capless but once I tried it I really loved it. I'm a member of a local pen club and that's a great way to try out different pens from other pen fans.
Nice list! I'm not really an artist, but I write and I love my Noodler Ahab. They're a bit contentious but I've only good experiences, and there's nothing quite like it at that price (or in so many great colours). I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on DeAtramentis Document inks, which are permanent and purportedly hold up well in watercolour washes.
Thank you! I have a Noodler Ahab and it is an interesting pen. Mine is a dark grey almost black colour and I use it with Jacques Herbin Emeraude de Chivor. A good combination, actually! The strangest thing about the Ahab is the odor. It really smelled odd when I first got it. It has gotten better with age, though. I can't give an opinion about DeAtramentis inks yet as I've only tried a couple samples. My local store doesn't carry that brand. I might have to order some samples to try them out.
I did enjoy this very much! I did subscribe and look forward to more videos. Can you tell me what your favorite waterproof inks are? Waterproof is critical because I watercolor over the ink.
Thank you! I've been using Platinum carbon black with water colors. It's a very well behaved ink and doesn't run or bleed when covered with water colors.
Hello from New Brunswick! I am a newbie when it comes to fountain pens. Thank you for all of your expertise. I am journaling in the Hobonichi Cousin A5 size. I love it! Have you used one?
I SO want a pilot e95s pen. But I can’t justify the price. I think it would be my holy grail pen. Just gotta make some good rich friends in the hopes one of them get me one some day.
It has a fine nib and it's a beautiful writer. Japanese nibs are different than western so it would be similar to a western extra fine. I find myself really loving fine and extra fine nibs.
Surprisingly, the Lamy 2000 was first made in 1966 - making it not very modern, although it was aeons ahead of its competition in the design game and arguably still is.
Great list! I am always amazed at what a wonderful writer the Pilot E95s is. It's also very beautiful and has that lovely capping mechanism My only gripe is that it's impossible to see how much ink you have left even if you remove the barrel, because the converter sits so deep inside the section. I enjoyed hearing about all the ways you use the TWSBI ECO.
I really love the E95S and it's still one of my favorites. I love the pull cap, and yes I wish I could see how much ink is in it. The nib on it is beautiful!
Thank you for sharing! I have a Lamy 2000 in the mail and I’m so excited to receive it! I got the biggest smile on my face when I saw your #1 pen. I share that favorite too 🥰
By the way, I did feel the pain of losing a carrier with (at the time) my more expensive pens. While I lost an Aurora I liked (the most expensive of the 4 pens in the 4-pen carrier), I was most saddened at the loss of my Lamy 2000! It is the only one I ended up replacing. I got trashed by writing this type of comment on one other pen review, but I believe the Lamy 2000 is the perfect fountain pen for an accountant, a lawyer (I once practiced law), or banker, anyone for whom the pen would need to be absolutely safe (no inky fingers), never dry out (the advantage of the hooded nib), and, if capped is secure. The design is not flashy, which the conservative professions often abhor. In short, I think Lamy designed the affordable and the perfect everyday business person’s fountain pen!
That's a very interesting observation. I love my Lamy 2000 and it is very suitable for a professional looking for a great and classic pen. It's also something a person in the design field would love. Another pen I would recommend for a professional would be the Pilot Capless. It's great for someone who takes a lot of notes and comes in a variety of finishes.
@@meshzzizk I haven't tried either of those inks but I've made note of them in my ink wanted list! I will have to find some samples. A friend told me that she used Platinum carbon black to address envelopes and doesn't worry about the envelopes getting wet and the ink running. She used to go over the address with wax before to protect the ink.
@@PEIPenGuy In my experience the hands down ultimate ink for writing that won’t budge or run under any circumstances is Noodlers Kung Te Cheng. The viscosity is a little odd and it tends to nib creep and give hard starts if not used every day, but for permanence/waterproofness that stuff is just incredible.
@@meshzzizk I've heard about some of the Noodler ink that are designed to be impossible to destroy but I haven't tried them yet. Some are bleach resistant and I wondered how they would react in pens?
It's all personal choice, but I can't say I like your choices, especially the Lamy 2000. If there's a worse gold nib pen made, or a worse gold nib, even from a purely objective standpoint, I've never seen it. The Vasc mini is not a piston fill pen, it's a vacuum fill pen, and the difference is very, very real. But i've never seen a TWSBI that you had to tinker with, or use any tricks to make write perfectly. I don't think the pens are at fault. As for the TWSBI ECO, it's a thousand times better in every way, including the nib, than the Lamy 2000. I'm not a fan of steel nibs. Most of them defeat the entire purpose and value of a fountain pen. So does a stiff gold nib. But very, very few people even know how to write properly today, much less how to use a soft gold nib. The write with fingers and wrist, and plop the side of their hands down on the paper like a dead fish. Almost no one still writes with the entire arm. As far as I can tell, you can't even learn how to use a soft gold nib unless you run into a stray Jesuit, or wander into a secluded monastery full of cloistered monks. Which is pretty close to how I learned. I don't even like cheap gold nibs, which, for me, means almost everything under five hundred dollars, with three exceptions. But I made an exception for TWSBI, partly because they do write very well for steel nibs, which makes them fun, and partly because I couldn't afford to buy a five hundred dollar and up gold nib pen every week during the Covid lockdown. So I bought every model TWSBI had to offer, including several GO, several ECO, and several 580ALR. And four Conklin, plus two Opus 88 pens that friends talked me into buying when I had more TWSBI than I knew what to do with. I turned to ink, which was not very bright. I'd already given away two hundred bottles, which was half my collection, and now I'm back up to three hundred again. It is largely personal taste, though I stand by what I said about the 2000. Even if you forget the fiberglass, and the lousy grip, buy pen with a stiff gold nib and a tiny sweet spot makes no sense. The only difference between that nib and a Junhao nib really is just price. There's even a good chance that the Jinhao nib will be softer. I also think the ECO is the best pen of your five. I prefer the 580 because it's easy to damage the feed on the ECO if you need to remove the nib, but the nib unit unscrews on the 580. Just life one nib out, lay another nib down, and screw the unit back into the pen. The 580 also has a larger nib, and, for me, this makes it a better writer.
Hi James, I agree that it's all personal choices, and I stand by mine. I do have to agree with you on handwriting. Mine has become lazy over the years. I remember my teacher prowling the class room with her yard stick, ready to bring it crashing down on the desks of students she thought weren't putting enough effort into learning the MacLean method of alphabets and figures! Good times. I always felt a sense of rebellion by going against her methods! Anyway, the fountain pen hobby is wonderful and I'll work on my handwriting, explore more pens, papers, and inks, and continue having fun making rough UA-cam videos. I hope you subscribe and get a lot of satisfaction from your pens.
Thanks Philippe The Lamy 2000 is one of those pens that people either love or hate. For me, the pen is beautiful. I love the design and the warmth of the material in my hand. I've never had a problem with the nibs' sweet spot, and I really like the sense of feedback in the nib. A smooth writer. What pen would you replace it with on my list?
Great vid bud! I agree, I have 40+ pens and my burgandy/champagne e95s is the one I'd be most pissed about if I lost. 😂 Sooooo smooth.
It's still one of the best I have.
Enjoyed the video. I own all the pens on your list (well, I have two TWSBI minis, not the Vac). I also like top 5 lists. I have to comment that even as one who is decidedly of a non technical bent, I really do appreciate the design of the VP. The quality of this pen is apparent to anyone, right down to the metal protector they provide so if you chose to use a cartridge in it the poor cartridge won't get hammered by the clicking mechanism. Often the mechanics or design wonders of a pen have to be pointed out to me but just inking this pen for the first time made me grin at how the whole thing came together beautifully!
The vanishing point really is a beautiful pen. Yhere must be a bad Pilot pen but I haven't come across it yet! TWSBI might be the best value for your money in my opinion. So many interesting models and great writers.
You gave an enjoyable and informative presentation. I own all the brands you profile, but in some cases, different models. Pilot capless: Now called the Pilot Vanishing Point. I have a number of this type, but my favorite is a Pilot Decimo, easier for me to use because it is thinner than the VPs. Lamy 2000: I have two, one with a M and the other with a F nib. I don't enjoy writing with them because my index finger tends to slip down the tapered section, too close to the nib. Pilot Elite (same as the E95S, but directly from Japan) I have the burgundy one with an M nib, which I love, and a black one with a F nib, but it sports too fine a line for my taste. TWSBI 580: I got it with a F nib, but replaced it with a M. It has a huge ink capacity and writes well.
I agree with your general "pen philosophy" with the exception that I don't bother trying to match ink color with the pen color. I have all the major brands of FPs, and have recently begun buying Benu pens made in Armenia (formerly in Moscow), and Hongdian pens from China. China has been dramatically improving the quality and variety of the pens they make there, and some of them are stunningly beautiful. Increasingly, they offer gold nibs on some of their models.
A nice collection of inexpensive starter fountain pens. These are reminiscent of what you see at a vintage pen table at a pen show.
I have a desire for oversized Italian pens and Japanese Urushi lacquer pens.
If only my budget allowed for oversized Italian pens and Japanese Urushi lacquers! At the moment, my grail pen would be a Pelikan m600 or a Waterman Carene, but I'll have to save up for either of those.
@@PEIPenGuy I also have a lot of very nice pens I like for well under $50. I’ve been very blessed in that I have some nice pens.
There are some great, inexpensive pens being made these days. If I had a choice between an expensive grail pen and several nice, inexpensive pens, I'd choose the inexpensive pens! The reason for this is that I enjoy experimenting with different ink brands and colors.
TWSBI makes good, practical pens, and the ink bottle designed for the Vac Mini and 700R is delightful. The Mini is always in my shirt pocket. My favorite writers are my 700Rs, which I have in fine, medium, and stub nibs. I know TWSBIs are not exactly grail pens, but they work well and I don't have a lot of spare cash.
I love TWSBI! They are great workhorse pens and have some beautiful designs. I'm interested in getting a Diamond 580 navy blue sometime soon.
@@PEIPenGuy Forgot to mention - nice video. I subscribed, looking for more from your channel!
@@PEIPenGuy I shouldn’t be so bashful about TWSBIs. I’ve got six of them at this point. Fine, medium, and stub 700R’s get daily use and a Vac Mini is always in my shirt pocket. The filling system is nice, particularly with the purpose-built TWSBI inkwell. An Eco and a Go round out my TWSBI fleet. They all work well, with the 700Rs being my little flagships.
I have all of these pens. I agree with you. Nice video. Thanks for your time and work.
Thanks Jimmy Britt! It was fun coming up with this list. Always nice to hear from another pen enthusiast!
Good video. After seeing your first three, I was a little surprised to not see Waterman Carene or Sheaffer Legacy. I have some vintage pens and look forward to seeing if any of my favorites show up in your top 5 vintage review. Thanks.
Thanks Don! I don't have either of those pens but The Waterman Carene is on my grail list. I really love the look of the marine amber.
I've worked on a couple Sheaffers but somehow I've not added any to my collection. A big oversight on my part. So many classic Sheaffers!
@@PEIPenGuy Have you considered the Waterman Carène L'Essence du Bleu theyre selling for a limited time? It's on Appelboom & there if you give them a review for an item you own already they give you 15% off your next purchase. Just some advice from a fellow frugal penthusiast.
If i may gently/respectfully add, the TWSBI Vac Mini is generally known as a vacuum filler, not piston filler, thus the "vac" in its name; the piston fillers are more like the Lamy 2000 & TWSBI Eco where you turn the end knob to adjust the piston, the vaccum fillers use the built up vaccum behind the rod to suck up the ink from the bottle all at once when the vacuum is broken near the grip section to fill like the Pilot 823 or Asvine v169. God bless & thanks for a great video!
Hi Rob, I have seen images of the Carene and I like it. The one on my wish/dream list is the Marine Amber, and I can't think of a more beautiful pen! I toss change in a jar and put it aside for pen purchases. Maybe someday I'll get one.
I realise now that I missed something while speaking about the Vac Mini. I knew that information, but somehow in my rambling I wandered off and didn't realise I'd made the mistake. I do love that Vac Mini, though, and TWSBI gives great value for its products.
I try not to get too fussy when shooting the videos, and yes, it shows. I should do a video about the Vac Mini and try to get it right.
It's great to hear from you and thanks for watching.
Great video. Pilot E95s is on my grail list. I agree with you on the TWSBI eco, and love my newly acquired Pilot Vanishing Point.
What was the ink in the TWSBI Vac Mini?
Thanks for the video.
I love the E95s the nib is simply beautiful. Lovely writer too!
I have Diamine Sherwood Green in my Vac Mini. I really feel TWSBI gives you the one of the best pens for your money.
Superb list and your favorite reminded me of the Disney film Ratatouille. I just bought a TWSBI Mini and would like to try the Pilot VP in the future.
Thanks! I love the TWSBI Mini.
That was enjoyable to watch, because the TWSBi Vac Mini is my art pen(s). The Pilot Elite 95S is my EDC pen, and the Pilot Custom 835 is my journal pen (I really like this pen and it may become my journal pen and my EDDC pen).
Thanks for watching!
Always interested to hear what fellow artists like. The workhorses in my current collection are the Platinum Carbon, the Pilot Petit1, and the Pilot Parallel. A small, a middling, and a large nib: they cover all my needs.
It's great to hear from you. I use the Platinum Carbon Black all the time, and I've not tried the Pilot Parallel, but I want to give it a try someday.
Thanks for this video, I can know the pen information without actually buy it to experience myself. Ever since I got a Pelika M800 I know I do not really need other pen anymore, M800 is the one pen I need.
Thanks for watching! A Pelikan M800 is a grail pen for me. They are things of beauty. For me, I love fountain pen inks so much that I need more than one pen, but I admire someone who knows they've found that one great pen.
The M800 medium nib is my grail pen. I kinda lost interest in getting more pen. Although I may save up for a Nakaya pen.
Wow. Your list is very similar to what I think of as my favorites. I use a Decimo instead of a Capless. My 2000 is wonderful. Don't have a E95S, but I have two TWSBIs. One I had ground to an Architect Nib. My Metropolitan was my first fountain pen. Love it. Replaced the nib with and Extra Fine and use it for drawing. Thanks!
Hi Bruce, It's great to read your comments. I haven't explored nib grinds yet, though I've tried a friend's pen with an architect grind and found it very interesting. I have a Metropolitan too, and I really like it. Thanks for watching!
@@PEIPenGuy It is gratifying to see others like the same pens I think are terrific. If you ever want to try getting a nib reground, try Gena Salorino. She is terrific. She must be because she has a waiting list. She learned under one of the nib meisters.
Thanks Bruce. I'll write her name in my information book! Much appreciated!
The look of pilot capless and the lamy 2000 remind me a little of my vintage Sheaffer “dolphin”-and the pilot nib shape is a lot like my vintage Sheaffer vacuum filler! I really like all of these nibs shapes! (Also love my TWSBIs…)
Thank you! I have several TWSBIs and I love them all. I think TWSBI gives you the best value for your money, and the designs are fun too.
I'm crazy about my dolfins. Can't believe such a relatively cheap pen can write so well.
@@donbrownist There are great affordable pens being made these days!
My Pilot vanishing point will dry out over the weekend. I cannot skip more than 1 day and still write with the pen. I have to be able to set a pen down for a few days and still be able to pick it up and write. If you do any fine writing, try the Pilot Posting (PO)nib. You can find that nib on the Pilot Custom 912 and some other models in Japan. Thanks for the video.
I've never had that problem happen yet with mine. I wonder if there is a problem with the closing mechanism. The little door that closes when the nib retracts. Maybe talk to the seller about it or even contact Pilot about it.
I have two and they sit for months and I can write with them.
@@energysourcelove Thanks for the input. I will get mine checked.
I have left mine in a drawer for months and months and it writes first time on the paper.
@@pfridell8424 Thanks for the feedback. Apparently there is a problem with my pen. I am going to have someone check it out, i have just been too busy.
Hello neighbour! (A Nova Scotia pen gal here :) I really enjoyed seeing your selection. I love my Lamy 2000 too. It’s feels wonderful in hand, and the design is so classic. Silly, I know, but it always makes reminds me of James Bond (R Moore) in a tux. It’s great to hear your thoughts on the E95, as it’s tempted me many times. I understand the Ecos being your ‘favourite’. They write beautifully, and are a remarkable value. Lamy Safaris fill that daily niche for me. My first fountain pen was a Safari, bought in the mid-90’s, and of all my pens, they still feel the most comfortable in my hands. I sketch and paint too, but have only dared use Platinum Carbon with a dip pen. Have you ever had trouble with it clogging your pen? Thanks again for showcasing your favourites. (PS - in case you haven’t tried it, just wanted to mention that Diamine Red Dragon goes beautifully with burgundy pens).
Hi Vicki, It's great to hear from another Atlantic Canada pen user! I love that James Bond image you've planted in my mind!
I haven't had any issues with Platinum Carbon Black clogging my pen. I use it in a workhorse TWSBI Eco and it's a great ink to use with water colors. I want to try the Diamine Red Dragon ink. I love reddish inks!
Want to try a Pilot capless but worried about the clip...I like everything about my Lamy Safari but the grip section so I'm worried the clip would bug me.
A TWSBI is high on my list to try as well
Yes the clip on the capless takes a bit of getting used to but I really love it. I have 4 TWSBI pens and I love them. They are real workhorse pens and the vac mini is a great pen. TWSBI has some interesting models with lots of cool colors.
Majohn (Moonman) A1 is a clone of the Pilot Vanishing Point, but has the option of coming without the clip. It even can take the Pilot nib unit. At less than $40 it can make trying a capless pen more affordable. Though I love my VP and Decimo.
@@invaderzim1964 I've not looked at the Moonman but it sounds interesting. I really wondered if I'd like the capless but once I tried it I really loved it. I'm a member of a local pen club and that's a great way to try out different pens from other pen fans.
Nice list! I'm not really an artist, but I write and I love my Noodler Ahab. They're a bit contentious but I've only good experiences, and there's nothing quite like it at that price (or in so many great colours).
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on DeAtramentis Document inks, which are permanent and purportedly hold up well in watercolour washes.
Thank you! I have a Noodler Ahab and it is an interesting pen. Mine is a dark grey almost black colour and I use it with Jacques Herbin Emeraude de Chivor. A good combination, actually! The strangest thing about the Ahab is the odor. It really smelled odd when I first got it. It has gotten better with age, though. I can't give an opinion about DeAtramentis inks yet as I've only tried a couple samples. My local store doesn't carry that brand. I might have to order some samples to try them out.
Well done!!!
Thanks!
I did enjoy this very much! I did subscribe and look forward to more videos. Can you tell me what your favorite waterproof inks are? Waterproof is critical because I watercolor over the ink.
Thank you! I've been using Platinum carbon black with water colors. It's a very well behaved ink and doesn't run or bleed when covered with water colors.
I probably would entitle this My Favorite or the Best Everyday Use Pens. I would certainly not disagree. Good review.
Thanks! I'll be interested in seeing what my top five are in six months or next year.
Hello from New Brunswick! I am a newbie when it comes to fountain pens. Thank you for all of your expertise. I am journaling in the Hobonichi Cousin A5 size. I love it! Have you used one?
Hi from PEI! Thanks for watching. I haven't tried the Hobonichi Cousin yet. Maybe someday!
@@PEIPenGuy have you used the bent nibs? I discovered 2 of my pens have them? Do you use mainly the medium nibs?
I SO want a pilot e95s pen. But I can’t justify the price. I think it would be my holy grail pen. Just gotta make some good rich friends in the hopes one of them get me one some day.
I was able to get it on sale and it's a great pen. I keep a pen jar on a shelf and toss change into it. It does pile up!
After not using these pens After the weekend will they dry out
Plus great video
Thanks! These pens can sit for weeks or longer and not dry out.
Really very nice >>>>>> Thank you
Thank you Sameer.
What is the nib you have in your Pilot E95S?
It has a fine nib and it's a beautiful writer. Japanese nibs are different than western so it would be similar to a western extra fine. I find myself really loving fine and extra fine nibs.
Surprisingly, the Lamy 2000 was first made in 1966 - making it not very modern, although it was aeons ahead of its competition in the design game and arguably still is.
It is a timeless classic!
Greetings from a pen enthusiast living on Baffin Island. We seem to be everywhere.
We get around! A great hobby.
Great list! I am always amazed at what a wonderful writer the Pilot E95s is. It's also very beautiful and has that lovely capping mechanism My only gripe is that it's impossible to see how much ink you have left even if you remove the barrel, because the converter sits so deep inside the section. I enjoyed hearing about all the ways you use the TWSBI ECO.
I really love the E95S and it's still one of my favorites. I love the pull cap, and yes I wish I could see how much ink is in it. The nib on it is beautiful!
Thank you for sharing! I have a Lamy 2000 in the mail and I’m so excited to receive it! I got the biggest smile on my face when I saw your #1 pen. I share that favorite too 🥰
Thank you! I hope you love the lamy as much as I do. TWSBI's are great pens. Real workhorses!
What notepad is that? What paper?
Rhodia.
By the way, I did feel the pain of losing a carrier with (at the time) my more expensive pens. While I lost an Aurora I liked (the most expensive of the 4 pens in the 4-pen carrier), I was most saddened at the loss of my Lamy 2000! It is the only one I ended up replacing. I got trashed by writing this type of comment on one other pen review, but I believe the Lamy 2000 is the perfect fountain pen for an accountant, a lawyer (I once practiced law), or banker, anyone for whom the pen would need to be absolutely safe (no inky fingers), never dry out (the advantage of the hooded nib), and, if capped is secure. The design is not flashy, which the conservative professions often abhor. In short, I think Lamy designed the affordable and the perfect everyday business person’s fountain pen!
That's a very interesting observation. I love my Lamy 2000 and it is very suitable for a professional looking for a great and classic pen. It's also something a person in the design field would love. Another pen I would recommend for a professional would be the Pilot Capless. It's great for someone who takes a lot of notes and comes in a variety of finishes.
Losing pens can be heart breaking!
Nice video, as a fellow artist I second platinum carbon in a twsbi!
Yes! It's such a great ink for artists.
How would you say it compares with
1. Sailor Kiwa Guro
2. R&K Lotte
?
Thx!
@@meshzzizk I haven't tried either of those inks but I've made note of them in my ink wanted list! I will have to find some samples. A friend told me that she used Platinum carbon black to address envelopes and doesn't worry about the envelopes getting wet and the ink running. She used to go over the address with wax before to protect the ink.
@@PEIPenGuy In my experience the hands down ultimate ink for writing that won’t budge or run under any circumstances is Noodlers Kung Te Cheng. The viscosity is a little odd and it tends to nib creep and give hard starts if not used every day, but for permanence/waterproofness that stuff is just incredible.
@@meshzzizk I've heard about some of the Noodler ink that are designed to be impossible to destroy but I haven't tried them yet. Some are bleach resistant and I wondered how they would react in pens?
It's all personal choice, but I can't say I like your choices, especially the Lamy 2000. If there's a worse gold nib pen made, or a worse gold nib, even from a purely objective standpoint, I've never seen it. The Vasc mini is not a piston fill pen, it's a vacuum fill pen, and the difference is very, very real. But i've never seen a TWSBI that you had to tinker with, or use any tricks to make write perfectly. I don't think the pens are at fault. As for the TWSBI ECO, it's a thousand times better in every way, including the nib, than the Lamy 2000.
I'm not a fan of steel nibs. Most of them defeat the entire purpose and value of a fountain pen. So does a stiff gold nib. But very, very few people even know how to write properly today, much less how to use a soft gold nib. The write with fingers and wrist, and plop the side of their hands down on the paper like a dead fish. Almost no one still writes with the entire arm. As far as I can tell, you can't even learn how to use a soft gold nib unless you run into a stray Jesuit, or wander into a secluded monastery full of cloistered monks. Which is pretty close to how I learned.
I don't even like cheap gold nibs, which, for me, means almost everything under five hundred dollars, with three exceptions. But I made an exception for TWSBI, partly because they do write very well for steel nibs, which makes them fun, and partly because I couldn't afford to buy a five hundred dollar and up gold nib pen every week during the Covid lockdown. So I bought every model TWSBI had to offer, including several GO, several ECO, and several 580ALR. And four Conklin, plus two Opus 88 pens that friends talked me into buying when I had more TWSBI than I knew what to do with. I turned to ink, which was not very bright. I'd already given away two hundred bottles, which was half my collection, and now I'm back up to three hundred again.
It is largely personal taste, though I stand by what I said about the 2000. Even if you forget the fiberglass, and the lousy grip, buy pen with a stiff gold nib and a tiny sweet spot makes no sense. The only difference between that nib and a Junhao nib really is just price. There's even a good chance that the Jinhao nib will be softer.
I also think the ECO is the best pen of your five. I prefer the 580 because it's easy to damage the feed on the ECO if you need to remove the nib, but the nib unit unscrews on the 580. Just life one nib out, lay another nib down, and screw the unit back into the pen. The 580 also has a larger nib, and, for me, this makes it a better writer.
Hi James, I agree that it's all personal choices, and I stand by mine. I do have to agree with you on handwriting. Mine has become lazy over the years. I remember my teacher prowling the class room with her yard stick, ready to bring it crashing down on the desks of students she thought weren't putting enough effort into learning the MacLean method of alphabets and figures! Good times. I always felt a sense of rebellion by going against her methods!
Anyway, the fountain pen hobby is wonderful and I'll work on my handwriting, explore more pens, papers, and inks, and continue having fun making rough UA-cam videos. I hope you subscribe and get a lot of satisfaction from your pens.
580 has terrible design issue - the round neck for grabbing the pen has multiple circles which is very slippery.
Good list for 4 out of the 5. I know people really like the Lamy 200 but I don't see the interest for it.
Thanks Philippe The Lamy 2000 is one of those pens that people either love or hate. For me, the pen is beautiful. I love the design and the warmth of the material in my hand. I've never had a problem with the nibs' sweet spot, and I really like the sense of feedback in the nib. A smooth writer. What pen would you replace it with on my list?