Thanks for the warning about bad customer service. Something I really find frustrating is when one has spent good money with a company, and they cannot be bothered to reply to an email!
Ben is a lovely person.. why he paired w Pen Venture.. I love this pen, I’m still understanding the vac filler. I adore the precise machining of this pen. Thank you for this review.
Your review is about the most detailed pen review I have ever seen, wow! As for Gravitas customer service, they have partnered with Pen-Venture and now Gravitas only does manufacturing/design, while Pen-Venture does all sales and customer service. Ben of Gravitas admitted he was doing too much trying to keep all parts inhouse. I can speak of Pen-Venture sales and customer service since last month I bought Gravitas pens from them, top notch customer service, quick communication.
Agreed on all accounts. Ben is a great guy. He was just overwhelmed. I love his creativity. Emy and his folks are great! Though I wish they didn't charge so much for shipping.
I have 2 of the Ultem version of this pen and every word in this review is true! I would just add that when you post this pen the cap becomes the piston knob and it seems to be so by design.
@@Shak-MD the Ultem is also a great pen! I also have 2 of them that I really like. I need to get the clear version also….I love Gravitas pens, but I’ve heard so many horror stories about Ben’s customer service that I’ll only buy his pens on the secondary market. A shame….
6 місяців тому+3
Happy to see a fountain pen enthusiast who can write... Tired of watching people who can not or don't properly use a pen but reviewing it.
Spot on review. I have the ultem, same exact same complaints as you including a poor nib (badly lopsided tipping). Agree on everything else, perfect ergonomics, cap feels cheap, installed a jowo gold nib unit.
I got the gold nib and I love it. Mine is in Ultem. I have two main criticisms: 1. Lack of clip and roll-stop. This is not a huge thing, but you have to watch it doesn’t role. I have hardwood floors on top of a concrete slab, so any fall, capped or uncapped, will be death to a pen. Maybe it’s Ultem and it’ll do better, but it’s not something I want to try. 2. The plastic threads on titanium may degrade over time. I’d have preferred it if the cap had a titanium rim. I guess no pen is perfect. I know you had trouble getting your pen, but I really think you should get a replacement nib. Goods should be of acceptable quality and free of imperfections. It’s always easier to deal with a third-party seller. I guess it’s not a deal breaker as you can slot any #6 JoWo nib in there. I do enjoy that.
Thanks, James. I have messaged Ben. I'm hoping to get a replacement. I think I'll at some point get the Ultim version. We can NOT drop this. :) Cheers.
Another very comprehensive review, Shak! Including a Mag 600 flexing semi-heart attack 😂 These quality control issues are so disturbing, it should not be. I probably would not get Gravitas knowing that their customer service is non existent., although I do like the looks of the pen and the option for a titanium flex. Love your reviews as always - you rock!
The TWSBI is reverse threaded. I know because I junked a 580 trying to remove it counterclockwise. Just thought I’d pass that along. Save some heartbreak.
Recently acquired the Ultem version with an extra fine steel nib. So far it has been superb! Oh, I got mine from a third party seller, so if there are any problems I will deal with them and not Ben.
@@Shak-MD Yep, same place for me too. Not sure if naming the seller was allowed so I didn't say. Slightly fewer options on nibs, but I'm not really into exotic nibs so the regular choices were good for me.
@davyj5216 Sure, no worries. I do not have affiliations with any sellers, and we can call them as we see. I think Emy is a good guy and does pay attention to his customers. 👋 Cheers.
I have one of these pens and I had the same issues with the threads. The metal threads are sharp and not polished enough. I was able to carefully smooth them over with 12000 grit micromesh to solve the issue. I did not trust Ben's customer service. As for the nib, I hope you are able to source another one. I believe the Ti ones are made by Kanwrite, though I'm not certain.
Thanks for a great video unfortunately Gravitas one man show is affecting their potential although very creative and nice products, I have a request can you use plain paper (unruled) in your writing sample I feel that it will make your handwriting look better 😊 Great video as always and a very detailed review.
I hope Gravitas brings some customer service on board. I have always needed rules to follow, being that I am a relatively noobie at the hobby of handwriting :) I have tried a few papers, and have yet to like one over this Clairfontaine. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks again :)
I own the ultum vac pen. Kid you not 3 weeks of using it. The plastic on the piston rod - that creates the vacum fell off. Now, I own a useless, pretty ultum vac pen because getting a response from Gravitas is impossible. I am never purchasing another pen from Gravitas. Pretty pens, but QC and customer service really sucks.
@SHAK-MD I wanted to ask you if you used the Gravitas ultra-flex nib in another pen besides The Gravitas Vac. Do you have any experience with that? I am asking because of my troubles with the nib/nib unit. The problem I am facing is the nib is dripping ink a LOT. I bought the nib/nib unit with Gravitas Polycarbonate Pocket dropper. The pen came with a minuscule converter. It was dripping at the full capacity of the convertor, was fine for a brief moment/ capacity, and dripped again when lower on ink. I tried eye dropping the pen - the nib unit was dripping again. The Vac filler has an extra separate reservoir which I guess might positively improve the nib unit performance. Now I did change the feed for one from Gravitas steel flex nib. It's not an ideal solution as it does not fit well together.
The polymer feed is the problem. It leaks at times. I put my nib in a v200 over the asvine feed. Works great. I use a regalia Crossflex nib on this pen. Love it.
One problem I have with "Gravitas Ultra Flex Titanium Fine nib with Polymer feed" (I have that combo in an Acrylic Vac, Titanium Pocket and Red Torque) is that they leak when they stay nib down after more or less 5 minutes; this happens with the Acrylic Vac too, even with the gasket separating the ink reservoir in the barrel from the section...
@@Shak-MDThe Acrylic Vac has the KWZ Old Gold ink, the Red Torque has the KWZ Maroon (previously the Taccia Ukiyo-e Benizakura), the Titanium Pocket has Kaweco Caramel Brown (previously the Lamy Crystal Azurite and then the Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz). Changing the inks did not eliminate the problem.
Just a thought. Asvine nib units on Amazon come with gasket. If you have one you can try ploting one of those gaskets in and seeing if it makes a difference.
Thanks for the warning about bad customer service. Something I really find frustrating is when one has spent good money with a company, and they cannot be bothered to reply to an email!
My pleasure 🙏
Ben is a lovely person.. why he paired w Pen Venture.. I love this pen, I’m still understanding the vac filler. I adore the precise machining of this pen. Thank you for this review.
Your review is about the most detailed pen review I have ever seen, wow! As for Gravitas customer service, they have partnered with Pen-Venture and now Gravitas only does manufacturing/design, while Pen-Venture does all sales and customer service. Ben of Gravitas admitted he was doing too much trying to keep all parts inhouse. I can speak of Pen-Venture sales and customer service since last month I bought Gravitas pens from them, top notch customer service, quick communication.
Agreed on all accounts. Ben is a great guy. He was just overwhelmed. I love his creativity. Emy and his folks are great! Though I wish they didn't charge so much for shipping.
I have 2 of the Ultem version of this pen and every word in this review is true!
I would just add that when you post this pen the cap becomes the piston knob and it seems to be so by design.
I will probably get the ultim ultimately :)
@@Shak-MD the Ultem is also a great pen! I also have 2 of them that I really like. I need to get the clear version also….I love Gravitas pens, but I’ve heard so many horror stories about Ben’s customer service that I’ll only buy his pens on the secondary market. A shame….
Happy to see a fountain pen enthusiast who can write... Tired of watching people who can not or don't properly use a pen but reviewing it.
Spot on review. I have the ultem, same exact same complaints as you including a poor nib (badly lopsided tipping). Agree on everything else, perfect ergonomics, cap feels cheap, installed a jowo gold nib unit.
Thank you! I installed the Magna Carta Mag 600 nib unit, which fits perfectly. So far so good.
I got the gold nib and I love it. Mine is in Ultem. I have two main criticisms: 1. Lack of clip and roll-stop. This is not a huge thing, but you have to watch it doesn’t role. I have hardwood floors on top of a concrete slab, so any fall, capped or uncapped, will be death to a pen. Maybe it’s Ultem and it’ll do better, but it’s not something I want to try. 2. The plastic threads on titanium may degrade over time. I’d have preferred it if the cap had a titanium rim. I guess no pen is perfect. I know you had trouble getting your pen, but I really think you should get a replacement nib. Goods should be of acceptable quality and free of imperfections. It’s always easier to deal with a third-party seller. I guess it’s not a deal breaker as you can slot any #6 JoWo nib in there. I do enjoy that.
Thanks, James. I have messaged Ben. I'm hoping to get a replacement. I think I'll at some point get the Ultim version. We can NOT drop this. :) Cheers.
Another very comprehensive review, Shak! Including a Mag 600 flexing semi-heart attack 😂 These quality control issues are so disturbing, it should not be. I probably would not get Gravitas knowing that their customer service is non existent., although I do like the looks of the pen and the option for a titanium flex. Love your reviews as always - you rock!
The TWSBI is reverse threaded. I know because I junked a 580 trying to remove it counterclockwise. Just thought I’d pass that along. Save some heartbreak.
Thanks for the headsbup! Will definitely save someone a headache.
Recently acquired the Ultem version with an extra fine steel nib. So far it has been superb! Oh, I got mine from a third party seller, so if there are any problems I will deal with them and not Ben.
That is very smart move. I also got the ef steel nib from Emy for the pocket pen....very very nice.
@@Shak-MD Yep, same place for me too. Not sure if naming the seller was allowed so I didn't say. Slightly fewer options on nibs, but I'm not really into exotic nibs so the regular choices were good for me.
@davyj5216 Sure, no worries. I do not have affiliations with any sellers, and we can call them as we see. I think Emy is a good guy and does pay attention to his customers. 👋 Cheers.
I have one of these pens and I had the same issues with the threads. The metal threads are sharp and not polished enough. I was able to carefully smooth them over with 12000 grit micromesh to solve the issue. I did not trust Ben's customer service. As for the nib, I hope you are able to source another one. I believe the Ti ones are made by Kanwrite, though I'm not certain.
I have the ultem version of this, with a normal broad nib I like it.
It is beautiful!
Thanks for a great video unfortunately Gravitas one man show is affecting their potential although very creative and nice products, I have a request can you use plain paper (unruled) in your writing sample I feel that it will make your handwriting look better 😊 Great video as always and a very detailed review.
I hope Gravitas brings some customer service on board.
I have always needed rules to follow, being that I am a relatively noobie at the hobby of handwriting :) I have tried a few papers, and have yet to like one over this Clairfontaine. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks again :)
I own the ultum vac pen. Kid you not 3 weeks of using it. The plastic on the piston rod - that creates the vacum fell off. Now, I own a useless, pretty ultum vac pen because getting a response from Gravitas is impossible. I am never purchasing another pen from Gravitas. Pretty pens, but QC and customer service really sucks.
That sucks. Ben needs help with customer support.
Slick! What's the other ink at the end?
Thanks! That is Montblanc Marine blue.
@@Shak-MD Cheers!
@SHAK-MD I wanted to ask you if you used the Gravitas ultra-flex nib in another pen besides The Gravitas Vac. Do you have any experience with that?
I am asking because of my troubles with the nib/nib unit. The problem I am facing is the nib is dripping ink a LOT. I bought the nib/nib unit with Gravitas Polycarbonate Pocket dropper.
The pen came with a minuscule converter. It was dripping at the full capacity of the convertor, was fine for a brief moment/ capacity, and dripped again when lower on ink. I tried eye dropping the pen - the nib unit was dripping again. The Vac filler has an extra separate reservoir which I guess might positively improve the nib unit performance. Now I did change the feed for one from Gravitas steel flex nib. It's not an ideal solution as it does not fit well together.
The ultra flex nib from Gravitas fits perfectly over the V200 Asvine. It's one of the most awesome combinations ever!
@@Shak-MD any leaks with your nib unit?
The polymer feed is the problem. It leaks at times. I put my nib in a v200 over the asvine feed. Works great. I use a regalia Crossflex nib on this pen. Love it.
@@Shak-MD Thank you so much! I really appreciate that information!
How does a Gravitas Vac differ from a much cheaper version, such as Asvine?
Asvine is pretty good. I like the V200. It just does not take Jowo nib unit, I wish it did.
@@Shak-MD I have a Jowo nib in a bock housing and it works in my P36. Probably would also work in v200
I should try 😀. Thanks for the tip!
Did you have any issues with the Mag 600 and ink burping, etc?
If you eyedropper it, it does burp at times. But not with the Kyuseido pen body.
Very poor QC on the nib.. sorry for that . Gravitas, what the heck!
Exactly!
Definitely not a jowo. look more likely a Jinhao collar.
Possible.
One problem I have with "Gravitas Ultra Flex Titanium Fine nib with Polymer feed" (I have that combo in an Acrylic Vac, Titanium Pocket and Red Torque) is that they leak when they stay nib down after more or less 5 minutes; this happens with the Acrylic Vac too, even with the gasket separating the ink reservoir in the barrel from the section...
Could that be a defect? I have had no leaking.
@@Shak-MD afffecting 3 different pens? (Acrylic Vac, Titanium Pocket and Red Torque)
@@__mader__ No! That can't be coincidental. I'll be on the lookout.
@@Shak-MDThe Acrylic Vac has the KWZ Old Gold ink, the Red Torque has the KWZ Maroon (previously the Taccia Ukiyo-e Benizakura), the Titanium Pocket has Kaweco Caramel Brown (previously the Lamy Crystal Azurite and then the Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz). Changing the inks did not eliminate the problem.
Just a thought. Asvine nib units on Amazon come with gasket. If you have one you can try ploting one of those gaskets in and seeing if it makes a difference.