Yes! Finally a review of my favorite pens! I love the pocket pens. I got a Stargazer/Stella after watching your review and I’m thrilled with it. I wish you liked the MYU better also, I think they are amazing pens. Thank for this video!!
Thank you for this video, it's really useful: I'm no expert, but there are some great recommendations for pocket pens in this video - some of which I've never heard of or considered. The fountain pen hobby is fantastic because it is so diverse, and this top ten excels in its variety of pens - Thanks David!
Great list with some surprising entries. The wait for this video was worth it. I have a lot of fascination with pocket pens, even if they aren't as great for legitimate writing sessions. It's what led me to my current obsession with vintage Pilot Elites. Unlike you, I have never thought them to look dated though. (One of the fun things about this hobby is seeing people's different tastes and opinions!). Other pens I've come across but have yet to try for various reasons are: Lanbitou 3009 space, OHTO Tasche, Ohto Poche, and Delike alpha.
Great video and selections! I was getting nervous about the Stella/Stargazer, which is also my favorite small pen of my collection! I also like my Lilliput--good writer and a very unique pen. But love my Stella 90S (in dark blue). Sorry to learn it is being discontinued.
One piece of information that does not seem to be discussed often when talking about pocket fountain pens is ink-flow. In particular reliable ink-flow when keeping a pen nib-up in your chest pocket all day. I have bought a few of the generally recommended starter fountain pens and I am currently in love with the Pilot Metropolitan. I have written with nicer pens but, as an everyday pen that is affordable enough that I would feel comfortable carrying it with me everywhere, I could not ask for a better experience. Other than the fact that, at least in my limited experience, it starts to have ink-flow issues when carrying nib-up all day. I don't mean that it doesn't start. It starts fine, but the ink flow is inconsistent. I can normally fix this by letting the pen rest on its side or nib-down for a bit. It is great that it is fixable, but it is not good for jotting down quick notes. Is there a reason that people don't often talk about this factor when discussing pocket pens? Like most people don't really carry them in their pockets often, so it is not really a relevant factor to discuss in a review? Is it that, to make it into such a list, it needed to pass that bar, so it doesn't make sense to even mention it? Or is it that, when you start getting into a higher price range, pens don't really have that issue anymore? Perhaps I am missing something else entirely. I have decided that I want a pen to carry in my pocket everywhere, every day. Size is not a factor. Price is somewhat of a factor (would rather it be something that is not going to break the bank if I lose it or break it). Ink-flow is the big factor though. The idea is to be able to jot something down even in circumstances that might make writing in a legible way difficult. If the ink-flow is inconsistent, then that will not do. Any information regarding that would be highly appreciated.
Great video David! Something like what happened to you with the Visconti Viscontina happened also to me with the Sailor Professional Gear Slim (Sapporo). It is a great little pen, but I consider it a pocket pen because is tiny and thin. The body of the pen is just 1/4" longer than the Kaweco Sport's. Anyway, your Visconti Viscontina is glorious! Thanks for sharing =)
Moonman Wancai, picked one up after you reviewed it, writes very good, smooth for a Chinese fine point. It writes every time I uncap it, no stutters, and holds an insane amount of ink, and is smaller than all of the pens you picked. After three constant weeks of daily carry not a single burp. And it's like $12.00 with shipping from China. What's not to love. By the way David, it was nice to meet you at the Atlanta show, keep up the outstanding videos and reviews.
Not the Stipula Passaporto? I have several, one an italic nib and another a flex nib. They are tiny little guys yet hold a mammoth amount of ink (they are eyedroppered only). The pen itself is tiny, but if you post the cap the result is a pretty reasonably sized pen, okay for big hands like mine.
The Stargazer is a fantastic pen. Solidly built, small but not too small, excellent Pilot gold nib. I think the only thing that keeps it from being more popular than the Sailor Pro Gear Slim is the lack of color and nib choices.
Thanks David, I really love mini pens. I personally collect the sailor sapporo pens which are discontinued, but you can still get them from the nagasaw penstyle format.
I liked this list! I agree with your #1. I got mine after watching your review and I am very very happy. I even bought the same color and nib than you. I am looking forward for more lists like this across this year!! Edit: honor mention to the Kakuno?????
Pilot 89s Legno for Japanese market, same as the Stargazer is really fantastic. The Sailors at 14K slim (classic, pro gear) are at the same size, they are great too, a bit more expensive than the Pilot.
Hi David. I would like to know what do you think wich pens have to be in every pen collection. Maybe thats an idea for another top-10 Video? Nice video.
Thanks, David. I like the idea of a Top 10 by various categories. The pen crowd seems to be quite diverse and this would be a way to show something for everyone! (eg: my hands are NOT as big as Stephen Browns and many other reviewers. Pocket Pens work pretty well for me, though I very much like my Pelikan M800!)
Great idea for a top 10 list. My personal picks for the best pocket pen would be the Pelikan M300 which is a perfect miniaturization of the M800/M1000 and the Sailor Chalana which is ridiculously tiny with a #1 size nib but still writes like a Sailor.
I love my two Pilot Elite fountain pens. The plastic does feel a bit thin, and you're better off using cartridges in these pens. However, a Pilot CON-40 converter will fit inside and it works!... You just won't be able to see the ink window at all on the converter. I alternate between the EF, and F point at my job. And my two are usually filled with red ink inside the CON-40. It's to highlight on my reports if anything is found to be out of the ordinary during the course of my shift. So, maybe two lines or three on a report a full page long. The Elite is great for secondary ink colors used at work. As a main fountain pen or for travel, I'd say stick to cartridges and have extra ones on you.
I too love my pilot elites. I mostly use my extra fine E95S (the red and gold version) that I always keep strapped to my pocket notebook holder (which has a old leather scrap for a cover which makes for a really striking look together with the pen, always a good conversation starter!) for common note taking. I opted to refill cartridges with it and for the most part keep it filled with iroshizuku yama budo, my favourite ink color
Have you heard of the Monteverde Innova? Was wondering if you would do a video on that pen. Also wondering if you would do one on the Hong Dian Forest Series pen. Cheers
Thanks for the video! Now I really want a Pilot Stargazer and hope it's not too late. One of my favorite pocket pocket pens is the Franklin-Christoph 45. I find myself collecting them and with each new one promising myself it will be the last color...
Kaweco Supra is my go-to fountain pen for everyday pocket carry, it is a bit thicker than the Liliput and has a bigger nib, you also get the option to extend it to a full length pen and add space for a spare cartridge using the barrel extender which is included. The only down side is that it doesn't have a clip.
Interesting. If one stipulates (no "Stipula" pun intended) that the Aurora Optima is a pocket pen, then a few others come into consideration, specifically the Pelikan 400 series (modern and NN), the 200 series (same size of course) and I imagine the 100's (don't have one). The 400's are all smaller than my Optima.
I’m surprised you did not include the vintage Peter Pan... considering you mention an old Visconti... those Peter Pans are pretty amazing little pens. 😊
Just to stir the pot a bit, one of my favourite pocket pens is the Delike Alpha. If one avoids the .38 EF nib (which is not great) and goes with either the Medium or Bent .5mm nib I think this pen is a steal! I like the fact that it is slightly longer than the Kaweco, and thus can take a variety of more standard cartridge converters, which the Kaweco can' t do. I have two Kaweco's (one plastic one brass) and on both the nibs are very skippy. The Delike's have written for me with no skipping issues. My favourite is the Brass version. the only thing I don't care for is the "War and Peace" writing on the side, but given the price I'll live with it.
John Meadows Couldn't agree more. Really like my Kaweco Sport, but, even though the Delike Alpha is a Kaweco sport copy ,( for the most part) it's actually a better pen. ( Especially with the bent nib) Go figure.
Hi David, time to brush up on your Italian. The -ina suffix denotes small, so Viscontina means a small Visconti. Oh well...and for my 2c worth I would have included the Cult Pens Mini
Summary:
#10 - 1:20 Pilot Elite
#9 - 3:40 Visconti Viscontina
#8 - 5:10 TWSBI Mini
#7 - 6:30 Kaweco Liliput
#6 - 8:00 Kaweco Skyline Sport
#5 - 9:20 TWSBI Vac Mini
#4 - 10:40 Pilot Prera
#3 - 12:00 Pilot Myu
#2 - 14:00 Aurora Optima
#1 - 15:30 Pilot Stargazer
Yes! Finally a review of my favorite pens! I love the pocket pens. I got a Stargazer/Stella after watching your review and I’m thrilled with it. I wish you liked the MYU better also, I think they are amazing pens. Thank for this video!!
Nice one! Good to see the Prera in there. I have been thinking about the Stargazer. Looks like I’d better get on it if I don’t want to miss out!
Great review Man, excellent descriptions (: Glad I found your channel. Tim
Another great video, David! Glad I ordered my Stargazer.
Hello David! Always good to see a new video!
Thank you for talking about the Stargazer. I asked my sister to get it for me for my bday and I love it! Great videos!
Thank you for this video, it's really useful: I'm no expert, but there are some great recommendations for pocket pens in this video - some of which I've never heard of or considered.
The fountain pen hobby is fantastic because it is so diverse, and this top ten excels in its variety of pens - Thanks David!
Great list with some surprising entries. The wait for this video was worth it.
I have a lot of fascination with pocket pens, even if they aren't as great for legitimate writing sessions. It's what led me to my current obsession with vintage Pilot Elites. Unlike you, I have never thought them to look dated though. (One of the fun things about this hobby is seeing people's different tastes and opinions!). Other pens I've come across but have yet to try for various reasons are: Lanbitou 3009 space, OHTO Tasche, Ohto Poche, and Delike alpha.
I saw you with Brian Goulet and I really appreciate your perspective and I hope you keep going. Thank you
Great video, thanks. The sailor professional gear slim is another great pocket pen.
Hey David great job on the Top 10 small pen review,also liked your interview with Brian Goulet keep up the good work
Great video and selections! I was getting nervous about the Stella/Stargazer, which is also my favorite small pen of my collection! I also like my Lilliput--good writer and a very unique pen. But love my Stella 90S (in dark blue). Sorry to learn it is being discontinued.
One piece of information that does not seem to be discussed often when talking about pocket fountain pens is ink-flow. In particular reliable ink-flow when keeping a pen nib-up in your chest pocket all day.
I have bought a few of the generally recommended starter fountain pens and I am currently in love with the Pilot Metropolitan. I have written with nicer pens but, as an everyday pen that is affordable enough that I would feel comfortable carrying it with me everywhere, I could not ask for a better experience.
Other than the fact that, at least in my limited experience, it starts to have ink-flow issues when carrying nib-up all day. I don't mean that it doesn't start. It starts fine, but the ink flow is inconsistent. I can normally fix this by letting the pen rest on its side or nib-down for a bit. It is great that it is fixable, but it is not good for jotting down quick notes.
Is there a reason that people don't often talk about this factor when discussing pocket pens? Like most people don't really carry them in their pockets often, so it is not really a relevant factor to discuss in a review? Is it that, to make it into such a list, it needed to pass that bar, so it doesn't make sense to even mention it? Or is it that, when you start getting into a higher price range, pens don't really have that issue anymore? Perhaps I am missing something else entirely.
I have decided that I want a pen to carry in my pocket everywhere, every day. Size is not a factor. Price is somewhat of a factor (would rather it be something that is not going to break the bank if I lose it or break it). Ink-flow is the big factor though. The idea is to be able to jot something down even in circumstances that might make writing in a legible way difficult. If the ink-flow is inconsistent, then that will not do.
Any information regarding that would be highly appreciated.
Really enjoyed your list! Couldn't agree more re that Prera "capping" feel! Jack
Interesting! A few of these are pens I never even thought of as pocket pens.
See what you mean about the Prera snap cap - glad it’s not just me! :)
Enjoyed this video so much! I was happy to see the Pilot Prera on the list. I love mine.
Thanks for watching!
Great video David!
Something like what happened to you with the Visconti Viscontina happened also to me with the Sailor Professional Gear Slim (Sapporo). It is a great little pen, but I consider it a pocket pen because is tiny and thin. The body of the pen is just 1/4" longer than the Kaweco Sport's.
Anyway, your Visconti Viscontina is glorious! Thanks for sharing =)
I love most of these pens (probably because i have smaller hands), but nothing beats the click of the Pilot Prera! Great list!
Loved this video thank you
Moonman Wancai, picked one up after you reviewed it, writes very good, smooth for a Chinese fine point. It writes every time I uncap it, no stutters, and holds an insane amount of ink, and is smaller than all of the pens you picked. After three constant weeks of daily carry not a single burp. And it's like $12.00 with shipping from China. What's not to love. By the way David, it was nice to meet you at the Atlanta show, keep up the outstanding videos and reviews.
It was nice to meet you as well. Thanks for saying hi!
Not the Stipula Passaporto? I have several, one an italic nib and another a flex nib. They are tiny little guys yet hold a mammoth amount of ink (they are eyedroppered only). The pen itself is tiny, but if you post the cap the result is a pretty reasonably sized pen, okay for big hands like mine.
I have a Kaweco sport that I use if I need to write notes at work. My Esterbrook SJ and Parker Slimfold are equally pocket pens in my opinion.
I like the personal twist you brought to a list of pens ... Nicely done 😎😎
Hi David, have you thought about doing a top 10 list for vintage pens?
Loved your most recent videos and the Collab with Brian goulet
The Stargazer is a fantastic pen. Solidly built, small but not too small, excellent Pilot gold nib. I think the only thing that keeps it from being more popular than the Sailor Pro Gear Slim is the lack of color and nib choices.
Thanks David, I really love mini pens. I personally collect the sailor sapporo pens which are discontinued, but you can still get them from the nagasaw penstyle format.
Thank you, David. I only have a Kaweco Sport and very rarely use it.
I liked this list! I agree with your #1. I got mine after watching your review and I am very very happy. I even bought the same color and nib than you. I am looking forward for more lists like this across this year!!
Edit: honor mention to the Kakuno?????
Pilot 89s Legno for Japanese market, same as the Stargazer is really fantastic. The Sailors at 14K slim (classic, pro gear) are at the same size, they are great too, a bit more expensive than the Pilot.
Hi David. I would like to know what do you think wich pens have to be in every pen collection. Maybe thats an idea for another top-10 Video? Nice video.
I like smaller pens. Your vids are so great. Thank you.
Thanks, David. I like the idea of a Top 10 by various categories. The pen crowd seems to be quite diverse and this would be a way to show something for everyone! (eg: my hands are NOT as big as Stephen Browns and many other reviewers. Pocket Pens work pretty well for me, though I very much like my Pelikan M800!)
Great idea for a top 10 list. My personal picks for the best pocket pen would be the Pelikan M300 which is a perfect miniaturization of the M800/M1000 and the Sailor Chalana which is ridiculously tiny with a #1 size nib but still writes like a Sailor.
Just ordered the stargazer when I saw it on sale at Goulet
Nice top ten, My go to pocket pen is a Franklin Christoph pocket 20 in smoke
Pilot rocks the top 10 here with so many in it.
I love my two Pilot Elite fountain pens. The plastic does feel a bit thin, and you're better off using cartridges in these pens. However, a Pilot CON-40 converter will fit inside and it works!... You just won't be able to see the ink window at all on the converter. I alternate between the EF, and F point at my job. And my two are usually filled with red ink inside the CON-40. It's to highlight on my reports if anything is found to be out of the ordinary during the course of my shift. So, maybe two lines or three on a report a full page long. The Elite is great for secondary ink colors used at work. As a main fountain pen or for travel, I'd say stick to cartridges and have extra ones on you.
I too love my pilot elites. I mostly use my extra fine E95S (the red and gold version) that I always keep strapped to my pocket notebook holder (which has a old leather scrap for a cover which makes for a really striking look together with the pen, always a good conversation starter!) for common note taking. I opted to refill cartridges with it and for the most part keep it filled with iroshizuku yama budo, my favourite ink color
Thanks for the video. I suggest you hve a look at the Stipula Passaporto.
Have you heard of the Monteverde Innova? Was wondering if you would do a video on that pen. Also wondering if you would do one on the Hong Dian Forest Series pen. Cheers
David the smallest pocket pen i have is my Montegrappa Micra. Thanks for sharing some very interesting pocket pens.
Thanks for the video! Now I really want a Pilot Stargazer and hope it's not too late. One of my favorite pocket pocket pens is the Franklin-Christoph 45. I find myself collecting them and with each new one promising myself it will be the last color...
A great list, although I am missing the Sailor Pro Gear Slim/Sapporo, which is one of my overall favorite pens.
thanks David. My favorite pocket pen is a pelikan m400 brown tortoise which is actually a bit smaller than the optima.
I love my Stargazer and my Lilliput in Fireblue! Both are wonderful little pens!
I wish I could find a Viscontina, but they don't seem to pop up on eBay too often in the past three years.
Thank you David, for the video. I rarely use pocket pens. I tend to wear a coat, so just shove my All American in it at all times. Always on me.
Kaweco Supra is my go-to fountain pen for everyday pocket carry, it is a bit thicker than the Liliput and has a bigger nib, you also get the option to extend it to a full length pen and add space for a spare cartridge using the barrel extender which is included. The only down side is that it doesn't have a clip.
Ever tried a Pilot Petit? Yes, its cheap, but always works, can be refilled, and will even fit in a tiny Old Navy ladies jeans pocket!
Interesting. If one stipulates (no "Stipula" pun intended) that the Aurora Optima is a pocket pen, then a few others come into consideration, specifically the Pelikan 400 series (modern and NN), the 200 series (same size of course) and I imagine the 100's (don't have one). The 400's are all smaller than my Optima.
I totally get sometimes completely glossing over the size dimensions when buying pens and stuff lol
Franklin Christoph has few excellent pocket pens. I have two 45's, but interested in adding the pocket 20 to my collection.
What's the hippo package in the background?
I’m surprised you did not include the vintage Peter Pan... considering you mention an old Visconti... those Peter Pans are pretty amazing little pens. 😊
Is Pilot also discontinuing the Stella 90s?
Just to stir the pot a bit, one of my favourite pocket pens is the Delike Alpha. If one avoids the .38 EF nib (which is not great) and goes with either the Medium or Bent .5mm nib I think this pen is a steal! I like the fact that it is slightly longer than the Kaweco, and thus can take a variety of more standard cartridge converters, which the Kaweco can' t do. I have two Kaweco's (one plastic one brass) and on both the nibs are very skippy. The Delike's have written for me with no skipping issues. My favourite is the Brass version. the only thing I don't care for is the "War and Peace" writing on the side, but given the price I'll live with it.
John Meadows Couldn't agree more. Really like my Kaweco Sport, but, even though the Delike Alpha is a Kaweco sport copy ,( for the most part) it's actually a better pen. ( Especially with the bent nib) Go figure.
Surprised not to see sailor pro gear in the list. pelikan m200/m400 should be considered as pocket pen.
The Stargazer is a great pen!!
Hi David, time to brush up on your Italian. The -ina suffix denotes small, so Viscontina means a small Visconti. Oh well...and for my 2c worth I would have included the Cult Pens Mini
The Aurora Optima a pocket pen.... eh eh, someone had to say it.
Never considered Stargazer to be a pocket pen.
I see your Ivory Hippo back there!
My favorite little pen is my Montblanc Mozart. Super smooth gold M nib and in the burgundy finish and gold trim.
Do you ever shop at Crazy Alan's?
I have been there a couple times.
@@FigbootonPens I heard they were having a “local pen show” Nov 5-7
I lucked out on eBay and got an old Pilot Elite w/18K nib for $25. The color and trim make it a "ladies model", but at that price who cares.
No mention of Gravitas Polycarbonate Pocket? Hmmmm.
This list was from over four years ago...before Gravitas had been founded.
@@FigbootonPens …gotcha…like it now?
Thanks for.
If I could make one suggestion. Please try not to wave your hands as you talk. It makes it impossible to see the pen.
The Aurora Optima is not a pocket pen, by any definition or measure. It just isn’t.