It still baffles me that TWSBI Swipe didn't initially come out in a clear version - it has always felt like a pen that "steps back" to let the ink take the spotlight.
The Opus 88 demonstrator, Lamy Vista and Twsbi Diamond 580 and Vac 700 Iris are all really nice pens but I can’t believe there was no mention of the Pilot Custom 823 clear demonstrator? Ok you can only get it from Japanese suppliers but I’d choose that over the Sailor and Pelikan for sure.
@@JumpingWatermelons Totally agree. The best and favourite pen in my collection. If I could only have one fountain pen I’d choose this one. Smoother writing experience than comparable pens like the Montblanc 146 and Pelikan M800 but at half the price. What’s not to love?
I like the clear simplicity of the Twsbi Eco, and the nice finish of the Twsbi vac mini, the Lamy Vista looks cool and is fantastic to sketch with and was my first fountain pen 😁 but if I had the $ I would love an Aurora 88 Minerali demonstrator - so cool with jewel coloured finials
Been watching for a couple of years and probably visited the site at least 30 times and just kinda nervous but finally got my first fountain pen. Grabbed up a 580 white rose gold with some noodler's squeteague and aristocracy. Transitioning from my MB strawalker extream (flat top) roller and ballpoint.
I really like the Moonman M2 and C1 pens. They can be used as eye dropper pens which provide a large ink reservoir. Not to mention they are low priced yet write really, really smooth. I could leave the pen inked and unused for a week or more and it would write as soon as the nib touched the paper. Also, I was able to get a Secretary de Flex nib for the Moonman C1.
Thank you Alvin, I didn't realize that I already had Moonman C1 and T1 (Brass) pens, or that their nibs can be replaced. I saw them under the brands Majohn and Lanxivl. Chose the C1 for the same reasons you did, and turns out they just write wonderfully as you noted. The eyedropper feature of this thing is mindbogglingly huge. I think you could fit a straight 10ml in there at least. I also have a TWSBI Eco that serves as my daily carry, since these Moonmans don't have clips. They live on my desk at work.
I've owned a Pilot Prera demonstrator for many years. It's not the most impressive pen to look at, but is the most reliable and frequently used of my fountain pens. It''s easy to clean, including the steel nib which can easily be removed for cleaning.
I love the TWSBI Diamond 580, too! The new white rose gold and Iris versions are very aesthetically pleasing. The Diamond Mini is a great sibling to the 580 with the added bonus of being able to screw to post securely.
I have the Opus 88 and the Diamond 580 Demonstrators, but to me the KING of them all is my Pelikan M800 Demonstrator with Engraving which (for any who’s never seen one) has the different parts of the pen laser etched in the plastic. It is a big, juicy writer, stores and shows off a honkin’ amount of ink, and is educational too. It’s just awesome.
@@SirIsaacTheRed ..I totally fell for it, and just extremely glad I did. The clear transparent KoP is a superb demonstrator. I’m baffled by the complaints about it here.
@@SirIsaacTheRed ..Yea, I get that. For such a pricey purchase, you must choose carefully and trust your instincts. I have three KoPs, the other two being the black & chrome and the black ebonite pens. And yes, the KoP’s nib is just peerless. That alone justifies the prices I paid for mine. And makes it truly the King of Pens, in my book.
The Noodler Tripletail holds ink in the grip section too. I used Apache Sunset and Autumn Oak in mine and the grip now looks like a roll-up chain smokers finger!
Ooooo for me, I'd say either the TWSBI Eco. It's reliable, it's the most accessible piston filler, it's so ridiculously affordable and hardy. I personally like it better than the 580. For an expensive pen, I'd go with the Platinum 3776 Century, the demonstrator options, obviously. Most of them are translucent at least, though.
Yes. Agree with TWSBI Eco and 3776 demonstrator/translucent options. And boy there are some nice variations there (on the pricey side). Honorable mention to the preppy. Nice writer (for its price) and slip and seal cap.
If you're going for a lower-price demonstrator pen then I would have to go with either the Jinhao 992 or the Wingsung 3001, bot come with converters and can be made into eye dropper pens.
I have a Pilot 823 in Clear Demo, it's got a beautiful #15 nib. When tuned, it's a very smooth writer. Visconti has some amazing demonstrators, and partial demonstrators (Antarctica, Blue Lagoon, e.g.). Then there's the Pelikan M800's, there are about a dozen or more, some of them with very interesting engravings. I started with TWSBI and I won't look down at anyone that has one, but up against a gorgeous Pelikan with one of those perfect nibs... I'll take the Pelikan.
I just recently purchased the Sailor 1911 small and honestly it's not my favorite purchase. The converter takes up so much space inside the housing that there's very little ink "demonstrated" inside. Plus like they mentioned early in the video, ink can leak into the double housing which annoys me....especially at that price point. I have the Twisbi 580 rose gold edition and it's my favorite daily carry. Phenomenal construction.
Absolutely love PenBBS, especially the 456. Great variety of finishes and nib units, incredibly affordable and writes really well. Their demonstrators are really good.
Greetings. Have you tried directly recharging the ink without using a cartridge? I say this because you can get about 3 mL of ink and it works perfectly. In particular in this type of fountain pens.
Though I am very happy with my TWSBI, and just plain happy with other demonstrators, the Opus 88, especially filled with Noodler's Apache Sunset, rules.
I own three TWSBIs -- a 580, a 700, and an ECO -- and I like the ingenuity of the maker and the marketing behind the brand (which you guys very well know). None of those three pens beats my Pilot 823, my Aurora Optima Demonstrator, and my Pelikan 805 Demonstrator. Of course, TWSBIs are cheaper and their nibs are workable. However, I would always stick to my better FPs when a satisfying experience is the case.
Love my VAC700R (just got a new nib unit!), Prera, Preppy, and Charlie pens...and my first Eco just arrived yesterday! It's not a problem, it's a solution... 🖋
So happy to hear this. I just bought a 580 (B) from you guys I'm waiting to come in. Does anyone know if it works well pumping out the shimmer in shimmering inks?
I once had Herbin's Emerald of Chivor in my medium nib 580. Worked very well but after couple of days without using it, I had to clean it out. Which was no problem at all. Enjoy your 580, good choice!
I don't have a TWSBI 580, but I do have the VAV700R Iris and one that I don't think is made anymore, the Stipula Suprema Nuda. The last has a powerful vacuum filler. You can get about 90% fill with one push of the plunger.
I got a TWSBI Eco as my first pen and I’m still a bit in mourning that the nib is thicker than I want even at extra fine. After thinking about it for a bit I’m considering the Pilot Kakuno in EF but I love that piston filler on the Eco. I want to keep it decently affordable since my goal is to have several with different inks in them (and then maybe one nicer for daily writing once I know what I like). Any ideas as to a pen that could give me the best of both worlds? Where the worlds are very fine nib, nice filling demonstrator like the Eco, (and affordable)
i started with a pelikan m200 with broad, then got m800 in BB, then a 805 in 3B, all demonstrators. love them all. however, the twsbi is so affordable, its worth buying for sure. just have to work the nib a little, mine is a 1.3 and a bit gritty.
I personally just got a Lamy vista black would it ever be possible to see that with different colors like the nib,clip,top of cap,and cap seal in other colors like how the safari’s are colorful. Also it would be cool to see a crystal safari line so it would be clear colored resin with matching colored nib,clip,top of cap,and cap seal
I like how you're brainstorming about details here! Me, I'd like the converter in my (ordinary) Vista to have a *shiny* *silver-colored* band (instead of a *brushed* *chrome-colored* one) to better match the shiny silver clip. (I already use the Z27 instead of the Z28 so I have a black piston knob instead of a red one.) The various Vistas you've dreamt up could have converters that coordinate with them too :)
Taccia spotlight. Not piston fill, but pretty great. The big Narwhal is pretty classy too. It's hard to argue with the Pilot 823 for 'flagship' standing demonstrators though.
Great choice. The demonstrator is the best Spotlight pen. I have it. With a steel (Sailor) music nib. Goulet even had it repeatedly on sale at a sweet discounted price of $79. I love Taccia pens. The Spectrum is even nicer.
Guys, the flagship carried the flag officer - someone of commodore or admiral rank, who flew his own flag over the quarterdeck. They commanded the fleet, as you say, from what was usually the biggest ship. My flagship FP suggestion is the Sailor Pro Gear Classic demonstrator LE - not that I can afford one! 🤭
I consider the Pilot Custom 823 to be the king of demonstrators. Put a Custom 823 beside any TWSBI and tell me which one reigns supreme! That said, Wancher has a collaboration with Sailor to make a King of Pen demonstrator, but that's a special edition and the king of demonstrators should really be a standard production pen. I can think of no better regular run demonstrator than the 823.
The guys are saying the TWSBI Eco gets cloudy when you take alcohol to it, but I own two of them and both of them came with a very clear warning not to do that. So that may be true but whoever rubs alcohol on their Eco does so against the express instructions of the manufacturer and I don't think that should count against it.
Aesthetics-wise, do you prefer your demonstrators full, part full with the little air bubble floating around, or mostly empty so you can see the ink slosh around?
i love my Twsbi vac 700 r and my ecos but the Opus 88 with jowo´s nib No. 6 WOW, you can put Frankling Christoph nibs custom stack nibs gold nibs etc etc
Missed this condensed version! I think it was actually better to leave the definition of ‘king’ open to interpretation. Not that Brian wouldn’t have found a way to avoid a straight answer anyway. 😂
im typically on a budget so from bottom up for me at least and that i own. preppy, kakuno(in ef bit scratchy but damn its fine) go, eco/T, vista/saf (preferably in M because butter) and the one time i could splurge i got on that curidas as soon as i could and did. im not one for super high end luxurious and alluring items because i typically break and on the super rare occasion lose my stuff except my phone wallet and keys. these might not be the fanciest of pens but theyre cool and see through (just something about transparent see through tech and things is appealing to me). im not even really into fountain pens but when my eyes saw the lamy vista it looked so cool i got it for a present to my self and the rest is history. the curidas is my workhorse until it runs out of ink in which case i have big boy eco for back up
I’ve had three 580s that literally fell apart on me.and leaked around the nib and grip area. I’ll stick to my ECOs and doubt I’d ever get another Diamond 580 because they just don’t last
Just incase you're not aware, there are homage copies of the 2000 made with clear material. I forget who makes them. Maybe Hero. If it's Hero, obviously the quality will not be on the level of the Lamy
TWSBI 580AL in Prussian Blue was my first more expensive pen purchase (what I thought was expensive, I now own many more expensive). Unfortunately the pen had a chronic skipping problem. TWSBI customer service was great. They ended up sending my replacement nibs, but the problem persisted. This is the only pen I've ever returned for a refund. This video had me almost contemplating giving it another try.
You have to unscrew it a little bit when you are using a less runny ink. With smoother and more wet writing inks like the iroshizuku, you most of the time don't have to
Pilot 823 (whether you prefer amber or clear) is the king of demonstrators because it's the king of all pens and also is a demonstrator. If you get an 823 at a good (Japanese) price it's a good value for money. But If analyzing more strictly on value for money, the king can only be the PenBBS pens. I think their prices are much higher than before but they're still worth it. They have amazing materials, a good simple design ready to use as a big eyedropper, and mostly good nibs and flow, for like $8. (now $15 or $20?) . TWSBIs are definitely good and easily available at low prices. But you need to be careful about which model. I think perhaps all of the models they made in the first few years of operation have serious design flaws resulting in them breaking easily.
@R..I would, easily. I have the Compass clear demo pen. I have to say the clear resin looks especially clean and very crystal clear. That’s what made me decide to buy it. And I wasn’t disappointed when I actually had it in my hands. Go for it, if you’re thinking of getting it.
I just threw three TSWBI VAC 700s into the garbage. They all broke. I kept the nibs and the feeds. But wow, what cheaply made products. I bought them about 7 years ago. They broke within the first two or three years, from very light use. The sections literally broke off. One was still working but it was cracked and the last thing you want is for one of those to leak. Such a shame, because the nibs are great, especially the 1.1 mm stub.
Flag ship is where the Admiral or who was in charge of the fleet would sail. Admirals and Generals are flag officers. So, if you will, its the top of the line.
Eh, you say that you need to pay more for clear plastic. I have two Wingsung 3411s that were 50p each including shipping that can be fully disassembled. They are both super clear plastic.
Obviously the king is a conid bulkfiller kingsize. Those aren't really possible to get anymore. The attainable king of demonstrators I believe is the 823. Just a damn classic. The KOP pro gear demonstrator is pretty sick too, just not as iconic as the 823.
The demonstrator I use is the eco. But the demonstrator I crave is the Conid King Size - flat top. I dread the day they once more accept orders and only my discipline and common sense stop me from getting one.
@@MissMarilynDarling …The name itself sounds quite hideous to me. An instant turn-off. And then it’s a knock off of the Jinhao (992??) In any case, I’ve been burned by a few Monteverde pens before. And as with Conklin, I’m never buying a Monteverde pen again. The only ones I still own today are the very inexpensive, but miraculously very decent writing Impressa and the Tool pens.
Lol, we still locking Nathan out of the building? Is he down in the parking lot with new labels? I kid. I think Noodler’s certainly deserves a mention, what with being able to get the Creeper, Ahab, Konrad, Triple Tail, etc. as demonstrators. If you trawl the depths of eBay you can even find demo versions of the Boston Safety that were just at pen shows. Are these pens kings, I would say no, with the exception of the Boston Safety. I have two and I’ve had more fun fitting those with vintage nibs than I’ve had stuffing the other Noodler’s pens with gold nibs. Anyone know if Krone has made some crazy limited edition demo? Knowing them it would be made from real crystal and be infused with the DNA Louis Tiffany.
Why are demonstrators never shown in the promo pictures filled with ink?? Even the shots you use in this video of the TWSBI 580, that is heralded for its ability to show off the ink in a unique way, is depicted empty.
I have always felt my fountain pens are more feminine. The way they feel when you hold them, soft and smooth to the touch, beautifully shaped, inspirational, not needy, reliable and appreciative of the care and love I show them.
Why this obsession to declare a "king"? It seems that with every successive generation, people feel obligated to rank even our everyday things like our fp's. Your "king" is probably not mine, and vice versa. Let's just all enjoy ours at all different price ranges, all different brands. Like Huey Long said during the Depression: "Every man a king"!
@@TristianWrites yeah. And I wish all who did it were doing the way Drew and Brian have their conversations. No fake antagonism or big statements whatsoever.
nah sorry i disagree ... to me a demonstrator means the pen has to be transparent see-thru (doesn't have to be crystal clear) in all parts except the nib therefore the king flagship top cream demonstrator is the fountain pen that has the most complicated filliing system that is all transparent clear along with the rest of the pen (barrel, section, cap etc.. ) but the nib. this means if there is a transparent buck or syringe filler demonstrator, it would be the closes to king. all eyedroppers will never be king demonstrator cause that is just a bottle carrying liquid with a nib attached, lazy fools !
“i can’t looking at ink where i can’t get it cleaned “ i feel you. it gets on my nerve too
I know, right? - Drew
I am so so happy to see this video. I love Demonstrator pens. Didn't know it has a seperate fan base.
It still baffles me that TWSBI Swipe didn't initially come out in a clear version - it has always felt like a pen that "steps back" to let the ink take the spotlight.
I love the Pilot Custom 823. You can get a clear version if you want a demonstrator.
The Opus 88 demonstrator, Lamy Vista and Twsbi Diamond 580 and Vac 700 Iris are all really nice pens but I can’t believe there was no mention of the Pilot Custom 823 clear demonstrator? Ok you can only get it from Japanese suppliers but I’d choose that over the Sailor and Pelikan for sure.
823 is the king of ALL pens. Not just demonstrators.
@@JumpingWatermelons Totally agree. The best and favourite pen in my collection. If I could only have one fountain pen I’d choose this one. Smoother writing experience than comparable pens like the Montblanc 146 and Pelikan M800 but at half the price. What’s not to love?
I like the clear simplicity of the Twsbi Eco, and the nice finish of the Twsbi vac mini, the Lamy Vista looks cool and is fantastic to sketch with and was my first fountain pen 😁 but if I had the $ I would love an Aurora 88 Minerali demonstrator - so cool with jewel coloured finials
Wow! Together in the same room! Much more understated shirt. Thanks for a nice demonstrator video.
Opus 88 demonstrator is really incredible. love the build quality
YESSSSSS!!!
My ABSOLUTE F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E !!!
YeS! Drew! Diamond 580. I got mine quite recently and haven't inked it up, but I will now. I'm glad Brian agreed with you.
Been watching for a couple of years and probably visited the site at least 30 times and just kinda nervous but finally got my first fountain pen. Grabbed up a 580 white rose gold with some noodler's squeteague and aristocracy. Transitioning from my MB strawalker extream (flat top) roller and ballpoint.
I really like the Moonman M2 and C1 pens. They can be used as eye dropper pens which provide a large ink reservoir. Not to mention they are low priced yet write really, really smooth. I could leave the pen inked and unused for a week or more and it would write as soon as the nib touched the paper. Also, I was able to get a Secretary de Flex nib for the Moonman C1.
The q1 also deserves a mention, really love that one!
Thank you Alvin, I didn't realize that I already had Moonman C1 and T1 (Brass) pens, or that their nibs can be replaced.
I saw them under the brands Majohn and Lanxivl. Chose the C1 for the same reasons you did, and turns out they just write wonderfully as you noted.
The eyedropper feature of this thing is mindbogglingly huge. I think you could fit a straight 10ml in there at least.
I also have a TWSBI Eco that serves as my daily carry, since these Moonmans don't have clips. They live on my desk at work.
Yes, the Moon Man C1 is a great pen. I put a Goulet 1.1 mm stub into one. It's a bargain of a pen. With the right nib, you can't go wrong.
Completely agree on the 580's ability to showcase the ink. Follow up question: what types of inks, and colors, have a tendency to stain demonstrators?
Yes would love to know this!
I've owned a Pilot Prera demonstrator for many years. It's not the most impressive pen to look at, but is the most reliable and frequently used of my fountain pens. It''s easy to clean, including the steel nib which can easily be removed for cleaning.
I love the TWSBI Diamond 580, too! The new white rose gold and Iris versions are very aesthetically pleasing. The Diamond Mini is a great sibling to the 580 with the added bonus of being able to screw to post securely.
Pelikan M200 Golden Beryl is the winner for me.
The TWSBI Vac700r is my favourite demonstrator because it has such a large ink capacity.
I have the Opus 88 and the Diamond 580 Demonstrators, but to me the KING of them all is my Pelikan M800 Demonstrator with Engraving which (for any who’s never seen one) has the different parts of the pen laser etched in the plastic. It is a big, juicy writer, stores and shows off a honkin’ amount of ink, and is educational too. It’s just awesome.
I love the clear Platinum Preppy, but I have been planning to try the TWSBI ECO.
TWSBI Diamond 580 Fountain Pen - Iris is gorgeous!
Drew, I'm with you on the Sailors. Even worse when water gets in there while cleaning, and it takes FOREVER to dry!!! GAH!!!
Good thing I didn’t fall for the demonstrator KOP then!
@@SirIsaacTheRed ..I totally fell for it, and just extremely glad I did. The clear transparent KoP is a superb demonstrator. I’m baffled by the complaints about it here.
@@sajjadhusain4146 I was a bit scared so went for the regular plain old classic PG KOP. That nib though… amazing!
@@SirIsaacTheRed ..Yea, I get that. For such a pricey purchase, you must choose carefully and trust your instincts. I have three KoPs, the other two being the black & chrome and the black ebonite pens. And yes, the KoP’s nib is just peerless. That alone justifies the prices I paid for mine. And makes it truly the King of Pens, in my book.
The Noodler Tripletail holds ink in the grip section too.
I used Apache Sunset and Autumn Oak in mine and the grip now looks like a roll-up chain smokers finger!
Sailor King of Pen (w/B nib), in a heartbeat.
I love the Pilot Prera. Great pen. A little price high for the category it is in, but still a great pen.
I like it too but mostly for the medium italic nib option. A relatively cheap way to have a bit of adventure 🙂
The perfect pen!
Ooooo for me, I'd say either the TWSBI Eco. It's reliable, it's the most accessible piston filler, it's so ridiculously affordable and hardy. I personally like it better than the 580. For an expensive pen, I'd go with the Platinum 3776 Century, the demonstrator options, obviously. Most of them are translucent at least, though.
Yes. Agree with TWSBI Eco and 3776 demonstrator/translucent options. And boy there are some nice variations there (on the pricey side). Honorable mention to the preppy. Nice writer (for its price) and slip and seal cap.
Any Noodler's demonstrator.
If you're going for a lower-price demonstrator pen then I would have to go with either the Jinhao 992 or the Wingsung 3001, bot come with converters and can be made into eye dropper pens.
I agree with Drew…the TWSBI 580!
I have a Pilot 823 in Clear Demo, it's got a beautiful #15 nib. When tuned, it's a very smooth writer. Visconti has some amazing demonstrators, and partial demonstrators (Antarctica, Blue Lagoon, e.g.). Then there's the Pelikan M800's, there are about a dozen or more, some of them with very interesting engravings. I started with TWSBI and I won't look down at anyone that has one, but up against a gorgeous Pelikan with one of those perfect nibs... I'll take the Pelikan.
I just recently purchased the Sailor 1911 small and honestly it's not my favorite purchase. The converter takes up so much space inside the housing that there's very little ink "demonstrated" inside. Plus like they mentioned early in the video, ink can leak into the double housing which annoys me....especially at that price point.
I have the Twisbi 580 rose gold edition and it's my favorite daily carry. Phenomenal construction.
After getting the PenBBS 456, I quite like it, even over than the Vac 700R.
PenBBS kill everything on value for money
Absolutely love PenBBS, especially the 456. Great variety of finishes and nib units, incredibly affordable and writes really well. Their demonstrators are really good.
The conid king-size bulkfiller is THE king of demonstrators..... But id never spend that much money on one
Okay...that is the ONLY one that I would agree on OVER the "Opus-88 Demo".
The ONLY one.
I was hoping others would bring this up as well. Not sure what the usual retail is for one but they’ve definitely caught my attention.
@@Gr33nShirt pretty sure they're $800+ even with steel bock nibs.
@@aych131 ah, okay. Probably won’t happen even if they resurrect it. Thanks for the info!
Conid still has their stop order in place from checking their website last week, so would have to try other ones instead.
Greetings. Have you tried directly recharging the ink without using a cartridge? I say this because you can get about 3 mL of ink and it works perfectly. In particular in this type of fountain pens.
Prera with the CM nib is just fantastic.
Though I am very happy with my TWSBI, and just plain happy with other demonstrators, the Opus 88, especially filled with Noodler's Apache Sunset, rules.
I own three TWSBIs -- a 580, a 700, and an ECO -- and I like the ingenuity of the maker and the marketing behind the brand (which you guys very well know). None of those three pens beats my Pilot 823, my Aurora Optima Demonstrator, and my Pelikan 805 Demonstrator. Of course, TWSBIs are cheaper and their nibs are workable. However, I would always stick to my better FPs when a satisfying experience is the case.
I love my Preppys, but I wish they were available with a 1.0mm stub nib.
Love my VAC700R (just got a new nib unit!), Prera, Preppy, and Charlie pens...and my first Eco just arrived yesterday!
It's not a problem, it's a solution... 🖋
I would add the Sailor Pearl Veilio. Lovely to look at.
So happy to hear this. I just bought a 580 (B) from you guys I'm waiting to come in. Does anyone know if it works well pumping out the shimmer in shimmering inks?
I once had Herbin's Emerald of Chivor in my medium nib 580. Worked very well but after couple of days without using it, I had to clean it out. Which was no problem at all.
Enjoy your 580, good choice!
I don't have a TWSBI 580, but I do have the VAV700R Iris and one that I don't think is made anymore, the Stipula Suprema Nuda. The last has a powerful vacuum filler. You can get about 90% fill with one push of the plunger.
Another vote for the Custom 823, however, have a lovely Pineider Demonstrator - maybe not available in the US?
I got a TWSBI Eco as my first pen and I’m still a bit in mourning that the nib is thicker than I want even at extra fine. After thinking about it for a bit I’m considering the Pilot Kakuno in EF but I love that piston filler on the Eco. I want to keep it decently affordable since my goal is to have several with different inks in them (and then maybe one nicer for daily writing once I know what I like). Any ideas as to a pen that could give me the best of both worlds? Where the worlds are very fine nib, nice filling demonstrator like the Eco, (and affordable)
i started with a pelikan m200 with broad, then got m800 in BB, then a 805 in 3B, all demonstrators. love them all. however, the twsbi is so affordable, its worth buying for sure. just have to work the nib a little, mine is a 1.3 and a bit gritty.
I personally just got a Lamy vista black would it ever be possible to see that with different colors like the nib,clip,top of cap,and cap seal in other colors like how the safari’s are colorful. Also it would be cool to see a crystal safari line so it would be clear colored resin with matching colored nib,clip,top of cap,and cap seal
I like how you're brainstorming about details here!
Me, I'd like the converter in my (ordinary) Vista to have a *shiny* *silver-colored* band (instead of a *brushed* *chrome-colored* one) to better match the shiny silver clip. (I already use the Z27 instead of the Z28 so I have a black piston knob instead of a red one.)
The various Vistas you've dreamt up could have converters that coordinate with them too :)
@@SmasherBunny I like the way you think
Taccia spotlight. Not piston fill, but pretty great. The big Narwhal is pretty classy too. It's hard to argue with the Pilot 823 for 'flagship' standing demonstrators though.
Great choice. The demonstrator is the best Spotlight pen. I have it. With a steel (Sailor) music nib. Goulet even had it repeatedly on sale at a sweet discounted price of $79. I love Taccia pens. The Spectrum is even nicer.
Guys, the flagship carried the flag officer - someone of commodore or admiral rank, who flew his own flag over the quarterdeck. They commanded the fleet, as you say, from what was usually the biggest ship.
My flagship FP suggestion is the Sailor Pro Gear Classic demonstrator LE - not that I can afford one! 🤭
Conid Bulkfiller would be my choice (RIP)
I consider the Pilot Custom 823 to be the king of demonstrators. Put a Custom 823 beside any TWSBI and tell me which one reigns supreme! That said, Wancher has a collaboration with Sailor to make a King of Pen demonstrator, but that's a special edition and the king of demonstrators should really be a standard production pen. I can think of no better regular run demonstrator than the 823.
How about the Pelikan M800 and the Aurora 88 Demonstrators?
The guys are saying the TWSBI Eco gets cloudy when you take alcohol to it, but I own two of them and both of them came with a very clear warning not to do that. So that may be true but whoever rubs alcohol on their Eco does so against the express instructions of the manufacturer and I don't think that should count against it.
Can fountain pen write well if we holding it on farther back on top ?
Do you think TWSBI will ever do an Eco Mini?
Or would that cut into their market for the 580 or vac minis?
Aesthetics-wise, do you prefer your demonstrators full, part full with the little air bubble floating around, or mostly empty so you can see the ink slosh around?
i love my Twsbi vac 700 r and my ecos but the Opus 88 with jowo´s nib No. 6 WOW, you can put Frankling Christoph nibs custom stack nibs gold nibs etc etc
Missed this condensed version! I think it was actually better to leave the definition of ‘king’ open to interpretation. Not that Brian wouldn’t have found a way to avoid a straight answer anyway. 😂
im typically on a budget so from bottom up for me at least and that i own. preppy, kakuno(in ef bit scratchy but damn its fine) go, eco/T, vista/saf (preferably in M because butter) and the one time i could splurge i got on that curidas as soon as i could and did. im not one for super high end luxurious and alluring items because i typically break and on the super rare occasion lose my stuff except my phone wallet and keys. these might not be the fanciest of pens but theyre cool and see through (just something about transparent see through tech and things is appealing to me). im not even really into fountain pens but when my eyes saw the lamy vista it looked so cool i got it for a present to my self and the rest is history. the curidas is my workhorse until it runs out of ink in which case i have big boy eco for back up
I’ve had three 580s that literally fell apart on me.and leaked around the nib and grip area. I’ll stick to my ECOs and doubt I’d ever get another Diamond 580 because they just don’t last
Airleak? Create a gasket using paper around the back of the feed
My eco have same problem and that hack fixes it
the early TWSBI pens were poorly designed. They did much better with the ECO
There could be an argument for the TWSBI Vac700R and for King I would put the Stipula Etruria Nuda up there.
I would give anything for a Lamy 2000 demonstrator. ANYTHING.
Just incase you're not aware, there are homage copies of the 2000 made with clear material. I forget who makes them. Maybe Hero. If it's Hero, obviously the quality will not be on the level of the Lamy
TWSBI 580AL in Prussian Blue was my first more expensive pen purchase (what I thought was expensive, I now own many more expensive). Unfortunately the pen had a chronic skipping problem. TWSBI customer service was great. They ended up sending my replacement nibs, but the problem persisted. This is the only pen I've ever returned for a refund. This video had me almost contemplating giving it another try.
You have to unscrew it a little bit when you are using a less runny ink.
With smoother and more wet writing inks like the iroshizuku, you most of the time don't have to
Pilot 823 (whether you prefer amber or clear) is the king of demonstrators because it's the king of all pens and also is a demonstrator. If you get an 823 at a good (Japanese) price it's a good value for money. But If analyzing more strictly on value for money, the king can only be the PenBBS pens. I think their prices are much higher than before but they're still worth it. They have amazing materials, a good simple design ready to use as a big eyedropper, and mostly good nibs and flow, for like $8. (now $15 or $20?) . TWSBIs are definitely good and easily available at low prices. But you need to be careful about which model. I think perhaps all of the models they made in the first few years of operation have serious design flaws resulting in them breaking easily.
You can't go wrong with a Noodler's Triple Tail.
Would you recommend the inexpensive Sailor 1911 Compass demonstrator? Any thoughts pen folks?
@R..I would, easily. I have the Compass clear demo pen. I have to say the clear resin looks especially clean and very crystal clear. That’s what made me decide to buy it. And I wasn’t disappointed when I actually had it in my hands. Go for it, if you’re thinking of getting it.
I just threw three TSWBI VAC 700s into the garbage. They all broke. I kept the nibs and the feeds. But wow, what cheaply made products. I bought them about 7 years ago. They broke within the first two or three years, from very light use. The sections literally broke off. One was still working but it was cracked and the last thing you want is for one of those to leak. Such a shame, because the nibs are great, especially the 1.1 mm stub.
Opus 88 is the best hands down
Flag ship is where the Admiral or who was in charge of the fleet would sail. Admirals and Generals are flag officers. So, if you will, its the top of the line.
Opus-88...tough, durable, Eyedropper with NO burps, shutoff valve, nice THICC design, logically priced...
*drops Mic*
I like my Pilot Prera.
How come Conid is not a competitior ? If its the price point then Asvine will be a competitor as well. Both Conid and Asvine can chew out TWSBI
Eh, you say that you need to pay more for clear plastic. I have two Wingsung 3411s that were 50p each including shipping that can be fully disassembled.
They are both super clear plastic.
For sure, that's not always true. - Drew
Opus 88 #6 nib & pilot parallel swap 👑
YEESSSS! - Drew
I love the 580 but I prefer the nib on the eco. If the nib from the eco was on the 580, it would be the best demonstrator pen
I'm surprised to hear they don't have the same nib.
I don’t have the Eco. But I’m sure it has the same nib as the Diamond 580 pens.
Obviously the king is a conid bulkfiller kingsize. Those aren't really possible to get anymore. The attainable king of demonstrators I believe is the 823. Just a damn classic. The KOP pro gear demonstrator is pretty sick too, just not as iconic as the 823.
The king of demonstrators is the Conid Bulkfiller 👍
Platinum Preppy è la migliore in assoluto !
Opus 88 Demo. No doubt!
Been wanting to get a Diamond 580. My grail pen. Don't aspire to anything more.
Moonman M2
The demonstrator I use is the eco.
But the demonstrator I crave is the Conid King Size - flat top. I dread the day they once more accept orders and only my discipline and common sense stop me from getting one.
The Conid Bulkfiller
There's a pen community!!!!
Diplomat. Nexus. Demonstrator Blue.
Everything else forms a line behind it, full stop, no competition, IMO.
TWSBI VAC MINI!!!
the monteverde monza has a clear feed
But it’s such a lousy, pathetic pen, in my experience.
@@sajjadhusain4146 I have to agree.
@@sajjadhusain4146 yes it is ... it sure is however it was a good starter pen thank goodness I discovered others :)
@@MissMarilynDarling …The name itself sounds quite hideous to me. An instant turn-off. And then it’s a knock off of the Jinhao (992??) In any case, I’ve been burned by a few Monteverde pens before. And as with Conklin, I’m never buying a Monteverde pen again. The only ones I still own today are the very inexpensive, but miraculously very decent writing Impressa and the Tool pens.
TWSBI has the stub. (Drop 🎤)
QUESTION: Brian and Drew - are you guys "watch enthusiasts"? If so, which watches do you own?
Lol, we still locking Nathan out of the building? Is he down in the parking lot with new labels?
I kid.
I think Noodler’s certainly deserves a mention, what with being able to get the Creeper, Ahab, Konrad, Triple Tail, etc. as demonstrators. If you trawl the depths of eBay you can even find demo versions of the Boston Safety that were just at pen shows. Are these pens kings, I would say no, with the exception of the Boston Safety. I have two and I’ve had more fun fitting those with vintage nibs than I’ve had stuffing the other Noodler’s pens with gold nibs.
Anyone know if Krone has made some crazy limited edition demo? Knowing them it would be made from real crystal and be infused with the DNA Louis Tiffany.
Fair enough - though I've always found Noodler's demonstrators to be a bit on the murky side. - Drew
Why are demonstrators never shown in the promo pictures filled with ink?? Even the shots you use in this video of the TWSBI 580, that is heralded for its ability to show off the ink in a unique way, is depicted empty.
Good question! The truth is that if we inked them up, we wouldn't be able to sell them as new. - Drew
I vote for the Lamy Vista over Twisbi. I second your praise of Pilot Prera. I would love seeing more Sailor demonstrators
Pelikan 1005. what else.
YES!
I have always felt my fountain pens are more feminine. The way they feel when you hold them, soft and smooth to the touch, beautifully shaped, inspirational, not needy, reliable and appreciative of the care and love I show them.
2:15
Another bargain low-end demonstrator is the Pilot Petit1.
Want demonstrator but too poor to afford one? Pilot kakuno
Poli
Drew, you need to teach Brian the proper way to speak into the 🎤 microphone. He has to be loud and clear and he has to stop eating words.
Why this obsession to declare a "king"? It seems that with every successive generation, people feel obligated to rank even our everyday things like our fp's. Your "king" is probably not mine, and vice versa. Let's just all enjoy ours at all different price ranges, all different brands. Like Huey Long said during the Depression: "Every man a king"!
It’s just for video purposes. It’s to start a conversation and drive engagement.
@@TristianWrites yeah. And I wish all who did it were doing the way Drew and Brian have their conversations. No fake antagonism or big statements whatsoever.
There's only one King, and that's Pilot Namiki.
Quite mad, both of them. King demonstrators? Huh ! Mind you, I’m enjoying it all. Oh, dear I must lie down… I need a rest… demonstrators ?
nah sorry i disagree ... to me a demonstrator means the pen has to be transparent see-thru (doesn't have to be crystal clear) in all parts except the nib therefore the king flagship top cream demonstrator is the fountain pen that has the most complicated filliing system that is all transparent clear along with the rest of the pen (barrel, section, cap etc.. ) but the nib.
this means if there is a transparent buck or syringe filler demonstrator, it would be the closes to king.
all eyedroppers will never be king demonstrator cause that is just a bottle carrying liquid with a nib attached, lazy fools !
Don’t use Baystate Blue in a demonstrator.