Thanks for the review. I have watched every Monoc review that I could find. Besides the cool looks, nobody says there's anything special about the performance or results of this nib. The only reason expressed for paying the extra $400 is to subsidize the maker. For me, that is not a sufficiently compelling reason to invest in one. And by the way, $200 is pretty hefty for the simple orange plastic body, no matter how sturdy. Especially with the violet nib, this pen is quite attractive. Like a Franklin-Christoph (made in USA), at triple the price. For those of us who try to think of our pens as tools, it is unaffordable. Sorry to be so negative, I'm just baffled by the amount of excitement this nib is generating.
Their anodized aluminum models look good IMO and they cost a reasonable amount of money. But the Monoc nib and Ultem pens are just too expensive for what they are. Fine Monoc should be Architect when writing in reverse, but that's about it.
Your channel deserves way more subs. Keep it up. I got into the hobby in February and must've watched at least 20 of your videos. They were all immensely helpful in picking my pen, paper, and inks.
Two points. (1) The reason why the Monoc wrote more smoothly in reverse is because it is designed to be a Medium in reverse of the Fine nib and vice-versa. (It's also designed to give the feedback one would get from a graphite pencil.) (2) The plain, non-anodized Monoc is $385, not $425. SchonDSGN offers a 12% discount if one orders the nib together with any pen on the site, though in that case the Monoc is the only nib provided with the pen. The website gives details. The Monoc was my grail nib and is wonderful.
Thank you so much for the comment. It is pencil-like although I think a Sailor fine feels even more like a pencil. When I looked at the product page I was a bit confused about the reverse writing as I didn't see a huge difference in line width when writing upside down. They show "mega reverse" but mine didn't have those results.
I have the ultem Pocket6. It's a top 3 pen for me. I love the material and overall feel. It's just wonderful. Someday I'm looking forward to testing the Monoc nib myself. Ian Schon does an amazing job. Good to see, Blake - thanks!
Great review, I would like to share some thoughts on those pens in general: Disclaimer: English is not my first language and so if I make mistakes... I beg your pardon but it was the keyboard's fault The model I have is the P6 "Smoltem", it was given to me as a gift and so I won't judge it's value (After taxes, I only paid 50% of it's pricetag) but there is a combo of characteristics that make it perfect for the niche situation I put in: - Biochemist require to have a written record of all patients in a physical/handwritten copy (on top of the digital one) that mean, someone will do Book-Keeping at the end of the day - It's material make it perfect to keep in a lab environment as it is easy to clean with products available in such place that could potentially damage other pens (Ex: Did I stain it with a potential pathological drop of blood? Throw it in a glass beaker of bleach! Something I can't do with my wooden FC Ambition) - Being able to manufacture the nibs in-house is quite the achievement that not a lot of other brands can do (Even those that are several times heavier in monetary terms to Schon still use Jowo/Bock units) - It's built like a tank, it never leaks, the flow is consistent and can hold an amazing amount of ink (I use it as an eyedropper, ~1.5ml of ink in a single charge) - There are options: You can use any Jowo N6 nib (In my case, I use a Leonardo nib), buy the special section for a Bock N8 or pay the extra penny for the Monoc It is an incredible pen, and I wish to someday test that nib as I heard only amazing things about it. Now, is the material, incredible work by a small team, and the uniqueness of an in-house titanium nib worth the price-tag? That's up to the potential buyers. In my case, if given the chance I would totally go for a metal model (even if I can't eye-drop it) or bite the bullet and go for the Monoc. Great pen, even greater review o7
Agree that Schon’s pens are very overpriced. While this pen does have a, US based, in-house nib, if you were to get an engineered plastic pen from his site with std Jowo or Bock nibs, those pens are still 1.5x higher than US based pen manufacturers like ēnsso and Karas who make Ultem pens around $100. Thanks for your thoughts on the pen and nib, Blake!
I have an interest in their copper and brass pens are of particular interest to me and I wish you would review one or the other (or both!). I hate to buy plastic these days so it’s nice to see an option.
The Sheaffer Crest (circa 1990) has a similar nib, so it is not unique. Furthermore, I sincerely wonder if titanium is the best material to make a nib out of.
I don't think there is another pen being made today with a similar nib. What are the drawback of titanium as a nib material? I don't have a lot of experience with titanium nibs but this one writes just fine.
The ultem feed + ultem body is interesting to me, I've always wanted to try experimenting different solvent like runbbing alcohol as onk, or india ink and the alcohol to clean it, though at this price it would be easier to buy 15 safaris
I've been cleaning pens for a couple decades, and alcohol is really only useful for cleaning out some dye based inks that stain. Even then, a limonene D or detergent based product can often get rid of stains quite effectively. India ink is very different and usually comes out better with a technical pen cleaner such as Rapidoeze and some things that contain ammonia which is harmful to Ultem. I don't know what is in Rapidoeze, but if it contains ammonia, you can't use it to clean this pen
It’s a very cool nib designed, reminds me not only Sheaffer’s iconic triumph nibs but it also reminds me some Parker pen nibs too (like parker 25). The anodized finished is just the chef’s kiss… now the ultem material, it is really not that attractive to me. Thanks sharing and for the video.
Thank you for the comment. I did not know about the Parker 25. That's an interesting one, and yes, the nib does look similar. I also would not call the Ultem material attractive, it is cool and industrial looking but not pretty.
the pen/nib has to be oversold as artisan original for it to make any money's worth, but that's why people are willing to spend more money for essentially absolute basic writing tool(as low as $5 preppy vs bic ballpoints in cents), they're just bad at admitting spending that looks bad in front of others
There has to be a large investment to make your own nib like this in-house, so the high price has some justification to it. Not everyone will care about that though and many will be happier with a Platinum Preppy. I am certainly willing to pay more for an in-house nib, especially one made in the USA as it is a rarity. That said, I'm not a buyer at $440 for this nib.
I particularly don't care if a pen is made in America. It may even be a knock against it, as American manufacturing before moving abroad was not held in the highest esteem. Found On Road Dead etc.
I like that an American company is in charge of its production, keeping things local is admirable. Historically, American fountain pens were the most innovative and the most copied. The fact that so many vintage American pens survive today is a testament to their quality. High-quality products can be made in the USA, Europe, and Asia. I don't think you can make a blanket statement that American manufacturing is lesser quality than manufacturing abroad.
Thanks for the review. I have watched every Monoc review that I could find. Besides the cool looks, nobody says there's anything special about the performance or results of this nib. The only reason expressed for paying the extra $400 is to subsidize the maker. For me, that is not a sufficiently compelling reason to invest in one. And by the way, $200 is pretty hefty for the simple orange plastic body, no matter how sturdy.
Especially with the violet nib, this pen is quite attractive. Like a Franklin-Christoph (made in USA), at triple the price. For those of us who try to think of our pens as tools, it is unaffordable.
Sorry to be so negative, I'm just baffled by the amount of excitement this nib is generating.
Your comment aligns with my conclusion. I like the pen quite a bit but it is not easy to recommend at this price with or without the monoc nib.
Their anodized aluminum models look good IMO and they cost a reasonable amount of money. But the Monoc nib and Ultem pens are just too expensive for what they are. Fine Monoc should be Architect when writing in reverse, but that's about it.
Your channel deserves way more subs. Keep it up. I got into the hobby in February and must've watched at least 20 of your videos. They were all immensely helpful in picking my pen, paper, and inks.
Thank you! I am happy to hear my videos have been helpful to you.
I absolutely agree, this is such a good, informative channel! Really appreciate the reviews and the level of detail.
Two points. (1) The reason why the Monoc wrote more smoothly in reverse is because it is designed to be a Medium in reverse of the Fine nib and vice-versa. (It's also designed to give the feedback one would get from a graphite pencil.) (2) The plain, non-anodized Monoc is $385, not $425. SchonDSGN offers a 12% discount if one orders the nib together with any pen on the site, though in that case the Monoc is the only nib provided with the pen. The website gives details. The Monoc was my grail nib and is wonderful.
Thank you so much for the comment. It is pencil-like although I think a Sailor fine feels even more like a pencil. When I looked at the product page I was a bit confused about the reverse writing as I didn't see a huge difference in line width when writing upside down. They show "mega reverse" but mine didn't have those results.
I have the ultem Pocket6. It's a top 3 pen for me. I love the material and overall feel. It's just wonderful. Someday I'm looking forward to testing the Monoc nib myself. Ian Schon does an amazing job. Good to see, Blake - thanks!
I too am a fan of the material and overall build of the pen.
Very comprehensive, well done review. Thanks Blake!
You are welcome!
Great review, I would like to share some thoughts on those pens in general:
Disclaimer: English is not my first language and so if I make mistakes... I beg your pardon but it was the keyboard's fault
The model I have is the P6 "Smoltem", it was given to me as a gift and so I won't judge it's value (After taxes, I only paid 50% of it's pricetag) but there is a combo of characteristics that make it perfect for the niche situation I put in:
- Biochemist require to have a written record of all patients in a physical/handwritten copy (on top of the digital one) that mean, someone will do Book-Keeping at the end of the day
- It's material make it perfect to keep in a lab environment as it is easy to clean with products available in such place that could potentially damage other pens (Ex: Did I stain it with a potential pathological drop of blood? Throw it in a glass beaker of bleach! Something I can't do with my wooden FC Ambition)
- Being able to manufacture the nibs in-house is quite the achievement that not a lot of other brands can do (Even those that are several times heavier in monetary terms to Schon still use Jowo/Bock units)
- It's built like a tank, it never leaks, the flow is consistent and can hold an amazing amount of ink (I use it as an eyedropper, ~1.5ml of ink in a single charge)
- There are options: You can use any Jowo N6 nib (In my case, I use a Leonardo nib), buy the special section for a Bock N8 or pay the extra penny for the Monoc
It is an incredible pen, and I wish to someday test that nib as I heard only amazing things about it. Now, is the material, incredible work by a small team, and the uniqueness of an in-house titanium nib worth the price-tag?
That's up to the potential buyers. In my case, if given the chance I would totally go for a metal model (even if I can't eye-drop it) or bite the bullet and go for the Monoc.
Great pen, even greater review o7
Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! It could be the perfect pen for a lab.
Agree that Schon’s pens are very overpriced. While this pen does have a, US based, in-house nib, if you were to get an engineered plastic pen from his site with std Jowo or Bock nibs, those pens are still 1.5x higher than US based pen manufacturers like ēnsso and Karas who make Ultem pens around $100. Thanks for your thoughts on the pen and nib, Blake!
My pleasure!
I have an interest in their copper and brass pens are of particular interest to me and I wish you would review one or the other (or both!). I hate to buy plastic these days so it’s nice to see an option.
If someone wants to send me one I would be happy to do a review. They seem very similar to the Kaweco Supra.
Wow! What a cool looking pen! It’s almost futuristic. At it again with the excellent thumbnail too!
Thank you! It is a modern looking pen for sure.
The Sheaffer Crest (circa 1990) has a similar nib, so it is not unique. Furthermore, I sincerely wonder if titanium is the best material to make a nib out of.
I don't think there is another pen being made today with a similar nib. What are the drawback of titanium as a nib material? I don't have a lot of experience with titanium nibs but this one writes just fine.
That vintage Sheaffer nib is so cool. Have u done a review on that pen? If you haven’t, u totally should.
I have reviewed it here: ua-cam.com/video/udITl41VXHA/v-deo.html
The ultem feed + ultem body is interesting to me, I've always wanted to try experimenting different solvent like runbbing alcohol as onk, or india ink and the alcohol to clean it, though at this price it would be easier to buy 15 safaris
I would think other manufacturers will at least be able to offer an ultem body and a more affordable price.
I've been cleaning pens for a couple decades, and alcohol is really only useful for cleaning out some dye based inks that stain. Even then, a limonene D or detergent based product can often get rid of stains quite effectively. India ink is very different and usually comes out better with a technical pen cleaner such as Rapidoeze and some things that contain ammonia which is harmful to Ultem. I don't know what is in Rapidoeze, but if it contains ammonia, you can't use it to clean this pen
Great review.
Thank you!
Looks like a sheaffer triumph nib.
You are right their nibs also wrap around.
@@BlakesBroadcast The triumph nibs are outstanding writers. Very smooth, stiff nibs.
How interesting is that! Than you.
You are welcome!
It’s a very cool nib designed, reminds me not only Sheaffer’s iconic triumph nibs but it also reminds me some Parker pen nibs too (like parker 25). The anodized finished is just the chef’s kiss… now the ultem material, it is really not that attractive to me.
Thanks sharing and for the video.
Thank you for the comment. I did not know about the Parker 25. That's an interesting one, and yes, the nib does look similar. I also would not call the Ultem material attractive, it is cool and industrial looking but not pretty.
Though I appreciate Schon Design, this pen is cost prohibitive!
Agreed!
the pen/nib has to be oversold as artisan original for it to make any money's worth, but that's why people are willing to spend more money for essentially absolute basic writing tool(as low as $5 preppy vs bic ballpoints in cents), they're just bad at admitting spending that looks bad in front of others
There has to be a large investment to make your own nib like this in-house, so the high price has some justification to it. Not everyone will care about that though and many will be happier with a Platinum Preppy.
I am certainly willing to pay more for an in-house nib, especially one made in the USA as it is a rarity. That said, I'm not a buyer at $440 for this nib.
Interesting pen but i can't stand the stale urine color of ultem its just nasty ugly to my eye.
The ultem isn't giving this pen a premium appearance.
I particularly don't care if a pen is made in America. It may even be a knock against it, as American manufacturing before moving abroad was not held in the highest esteem. Found On Road Dead etc.
I like that an American company is in charge of its production, keeping things local is admirable.
Historically, American fountain pens were the most innovative and the most copied. The fact that so many vintage American pens survive today is a testament to their quality.
High-quality products can be made in the USA, Europe, and Asia. I don't think you can make a blanket statement that American manufacturing is lesser quality than manufacturing abroad.