For those who are disappointed that BIC no longer makes this pen, fret no longer. Zebra makes the identical pen (formerly called the Fuente, now sometimes packaged as Zensations, otherwise just called Fountain Pen). It has a .6mm nib (sort of half way between fine and medium) that writes smooth as silk and costs $3.
Pilot Varsity's is unique: not only the breather hole is dummy, but so is the slit between the "tines". Slit is restricted only to the very tip, hence the tip of the feed is very close to the nib's (though worth experimenting with adjusting this setting by pulling the nib a millimeter forwards). Ink flow is probably facilitated by what appears to be a fiber-glass wick extending from the back of the feed right to almost the end of the under surface of the nib.It is amongst the most well designed and crafted feed I have seen. Thank you for your superb vides.
I think what I like most is the sort of purply blue ink that comes in the pen. The Pilot is a much darker blue-black, but I quite like the lighter blue.
I have this and was wondering why can't I open it, didn't know disposable fountain pens are a thing, lol (I think refillability is one of the biggest pluses of fountain pens). For it's pluses, mine's got a nice black ink and is writing nicely after sitting around for about 8 years, but I think a slimmer nib would fit me better. Thanks for the video!
I have one of the bic models that accepts cartridges, i forget the model, it writes ok but its just part of my collection , i used the Pilot Vpen disposable as a spare carry and they never ever dont write . i've got one in the car that's been there unused for months yet it writes first time without issue. I'm not sure if the Vpen is the same as the varsity or perhap just the european version Thanks Chris
matthew Beddow i just discovered tbat bic made a fountain,I am starting to enter the fountain pen world/community and was wokmdering what is a good beginmer fountain pen since I dont wamt to bite off more than can chew so if you habr the chance to reply I would be more than happy to takr some of your advice,thanks!
Dude's got hundreds of pens, how's a comparison with other similar pens bad? If anything that's a good thing since you have other things to compare it with.
I pulled out my Zebra disposable fountain pen while watching this, and it seems to have the EXACT same nib/feed with a slightly different body. The Zebra is my abuser at work, and aside from a few hard starts, it's pretty nice and smooth like the Bic. I wonder if they have the same source for parts, since neither Zebra or Bic are big into the fountain pen market.
The body is also identical--it's hard to tell because they're colored differently. I have both the Pilot V and the Zebra and feel the latter writes smoother, but I do prefer the Pilot's blue ink color. In both, the nib quality is hit or miss as to the smoothness, but if you have one (of the same brand) that is smoother than the other, you can always do a nib transplant to the pen with your preferred color ink. Also (and I'm assuming Chris and I are similar in age) the BICs we grew up with were not that thin stick he showed. They were thicker and hexagonal in cross section, either clear or yellow/orange to look like a pencil. IIRC the clear was medium point and the yellow/orange was fine point.
For disposable fountain pens, I think my favourites so far are the Zebra fuente pens. Very nice, a bit thicker than the Varsity, waay more ink capacity than the Varcity, and very nice nibs.Unfortunately, the plastic is quite cheap and easily breaks. I broke the cap on mine.
I love the Bic pen that you review here. I just wish I could get my hands on some. They seem to have vanished off the face of the earth. Anyone know where I can get them? ps Actually there is one fault with them; the cap eventually starts to 'pop' off the pen of it's own accord. I have had to use a small cable tie to keep it in place. Still love them though..
how I think about the disposable fountain pen s they are more meant to be a work horse pen so in my thery that it is probably better than the high end fountain pens plus to me most people will want to collect the more expensive ones than the cheaper one's.
chrisrap52 depends. I got 5 cartridges for $1 and the pen was $1.25 on eBay auction. I seen some sellers selling the pen for $5 and it comes with 10 cartridges.
chrisrap52 lol and do you have any suggestions for a fountain pen on amazons and I'm a mess 2 but ther was stuff everywhere and sorry for saying omfg I ment omg and I'm 11 I no right you would think an 11 year old wouldn't even no what a fountain pen is lol ps I'm way more mature then any one in my school
I'd buy this one - JINHAO 992 0.5mm Transparent Fountain Pen. Pick color you like. Want to spend more look at Platinum Fountain Pen, Preppy, Fine Nib. If you don't have bottle ink, get a Pilot Varsity. Search on Fountain Pen's in Office Products.
For those who are disappointed that BIC no longer makes this pen, fret no longer. Zebra makes the identical pen (formerly called the Fuente, now sometimes packaged as Zensations, otherwise just called Fountain Pen). It has a .6mm nib (sort of half way between fine and medium) that writes smooth as silk and costs $3.
Excellent, thanks for the info. Many have asked about how to get this pen. Now they can.
Pilot Varsity's is unique: not only the breather hole is dummy, but so is the slit between the "tines". Slit is restricted only to the very tip, hence the tip of the feed is very close to the nib's (though worth experimenting with adjusting this setting by pulling the nib a millimeter forwards). Ink flow is probably facilitated by what appears to be a fiber-glass wick extending from the back of the feed right to almost the end of the under surface of the nib.It is amongst the most well designed and crafted feed I have seen. Thank you for your superb vides.
I think what I like most is the sort of purply blue ink that comes in the pen. The Pilot is a much darker blue-black, but I quite like the lighter blue.
thanks chris. love that you review both ends of the spectrum.
I prefer the Bic disposable to Pilot Varsity. Writes much smoother and a little less wet.
I have this and was wondering why can't I open it, didn't know disposable fountain pens are a thing, lol (I think refillability is one of the biggest pluses of fountain pens). For it's pluses, mine's got a nice black ink and is writing nicely after sitting around for about 8 years, but I think a slimmer nib would fit me better. Thanks for the video!
Thank you, Chris. I had no idea that Bic made these at all.
I have one of the bic models that accepts cartridges, i forget the model, it writes ok but its just part of my collection , i used the Pilot Vpen disposable as a spare carry and they never ever dont write . i've got one in the car that's been there unused for months yet it writes first time without issue. I'm not sure if the Vpen is the same as the varsity or perhap just the european version
Thanks Chris
matthew Beddow i just discovered tbat bic made a fountain,I am starting to enter the fountain pen world/community and was wokmdering what is a good beginmer fountain pen since I dont wamt to bite off more than can chew so if you habr the chance to reply I would be more than happy to takr some of your advice,thanks!
I thought he was reviewing the BIC pen. Not every pen he owns...
Dude's got hundreds of pens, how's a comparison with other similar pens bad? If anything that's a good thing since you have other things to compare it with.
I tried the BIC pen before and I tell you it's awsome ,,, it writes better than most of brand fountain pens out there
Interesting. I haven't tried one of these yet, but I am always looking for a cheap pen to give to people.
If you want to give them away, a Jin-hao pen might be a better pick. Not only do they come with slightly better nibs, they are also refillable.
I pulled out my Zebra disposable fountain pen while watching this, and it seems to have the EXACT same nib/feed with a slightly different body. The Zebra is my abuser at work, and aside from a few hard starts, it's pretty nice and smooth like the Bic. I wonder if they have the same source for parts, since neither Zebra or Bic are big into the fountain pen market.
Probably made in same factory.
@@chrisrap52 I have no doubts about that. I still prefer my Pilot Varsity in the disposable lineup. Gonna order some fine point import V-pen's soon.
The body is also identical--it's hard to tell because they're colored differently. I have both the Pilot V and the Zebra and feel the latter writes smoother, but I do prefer the Pilot's blue ink color. In both, the nib quality is hit or miss as to the smoothness, but if you have one (of the same brand) that is smoother than the other, you can always do a nib transplant to the pen with your preferred color ink.
Also (and I'm assuming Chris and I are similar in age) the BICs we grew up with were not that thin stick he showed. They were thicker and hexagonal in cross section, either clear or yellow/orange to look like a pencil. IIRC the clear was medium point and the yellow/orange was fine point.
For disposable fountain pens, I think my favourites so far are the Zebra fuente pens.
Very nice, a bit thicker than the Varsity, waay more ink capacity than the Varcity, and very nice nibs.Unfortunately, the plastic is quite cheap and easily breaks. I broke the cap on mine.
I love the Bic pen that you review here. I just wish I could get my hands on some. They seem to have vanished off the face of the earth. Anyone know where I can get them?
ps Actually there is one fault with them; the cap eventually starts to 'pop' off the pen of it's own accord. I have had to use a small cable tie to keep it in place. Still love them though..
I have the same issue with this pen, I've also found that the ink flow is terrible
I'm not a fan of disposable pens
The only one I tried is the Varsity--scratchy as a sewing needle.
You can buy them at staples online. They go around 10dlls for a pack.
Yes, I got mine at Staples in USA.
chrisrap52 i didn't see the caption sorry, happy holidays and thank you for all this reviews :)
I agree about the notebook costing more than the pen...lol
Thanks man
Staples still has BiC disposable pens in their stock.
Good to know.
The Bic's ink looks like it's much thinner. ( Watered down )
It is what it is. Not the most saturated ink.
how I think about the disposable fountain pen s they are more meant to be a work horse pen so in my thery that it is probably better than the high end fountain pens plus to me most people will want to collect the more expensive ones than the cheaper one's.
I agree. I am amazed when a Pilot Varsity writes immediately after sitting for years.
This definitely has ASMR potential
good pen, but as far as I know it is out of production.
I got mine from staples.
Jinhao X450 is better and cheaper (and can be refilled)
For first timers, need to buy ink or cartridges, cost then much more.
chrisrap52 depends. I got 5 cartridges for $1 and the pen was $1.25 on eBay auction. I seen some sellers selling the pen for $5 and it comes with 10 cartridges.
jomaruyart jinhao makes cartridges. 5 for $1
Omfg plz clean up your pen room plz
It is in order as I see it. I like chaos.
chrisrap52 lol and do you have any suggestions for a fountain pen on amazons and I'm a mess 2 but ther was stuff everywhere and sorry for saying omfg I ment omg and I'm 11 I no right you would think an 11 year old wouldn't even no what a fountain pen is lol ps I'm way more mature then any one in my school
I'd buy this one - JINHAO 992 0.5mm Transparent Fountain Pen. Pick color you like. Want to spend more look at Platinum Fountain Pen, Preppy, Fine Nib. If you don't have bottle ink, get a Pilot Varsity.
Search on Fountain Pen's in Office Products.
chrisrap52 ty you've been a big help I edmier you
What is the point of a disposable fountain pen trust bic to come up with such a crap idea
Low cost entry into fountain pens. Like the Pilot Varsity.
Doo doo
You 2.