I hope that this gets recommended to those who are not into using fountain pens but can possibly love to get themselves one. Brian has reiterated over the years that the inexpensive good pens are how fountain pens stand a chance to grow in popularity.
Mallard the Duck Times change, so do notions of design, and Brian has been right in rooting for the pens that have kept pace with the times and thus have the most appeal to modern potential users.
@@ritwijmishra-writer6278 I think the wider, mainstream market trend is leaning more towards treating them a bit like mechanical watches. They used to be the standard but now they're sub par compared to quartz watches (ballpoint and rollerball pens). So I don't look for practicality in a fountain pen, it can never be more practical than the newer instruments. To me, fountain pens are about intangibles, the nib feel on the paper, the bounciness of the nib, the freedom to choose your inks, the heft or design features that distinguish the pen, materials, ease of maintenance (I guess this falls under practicality but I hope you get the nuance) and with vintage or old brands - the story behind the pen. So the sub 50$ category is a dangerous place. Not as practical or affordable as the newer stuff, not as distinguished and tactile as the higher end pens. Would not recommend these for beginners, rather for people who have an addiction and are trying to keep their expenses low.
@@retardno002 I do agree. As a writing professional I use a Montblanc 149 for precisely the same premise you implied as largely not being there as a unitam in these models. However, with fewer in this exacting socioeconomic drudgery being willing or able to invest in what diligence might better prefer, models for users who may not - or need not - invest enough as a writing professional of my needs (and yours) has to, are fortunate for the industry.
Totally agree. I bought it to try a japanese EF and it suits perfectly my rather small handwriting. A nice bonus is that the con 70 converter fits the pen adding some nice weight to it
I have a collection of pens from Jinhao that are just like the sharks, but the cap, instead of looking like a shark looks like a swan's head. Kind of pretty, in lots of colors. Some are opaque and some are demonstrators. When I ordered them you could get either the traditional nib or the hooded types. Also, there came with converters. They real do write nicely. I was surprised to find that I preferred the hooded ones, but both were good. It's nice to fill up a bunch of these very inexpensive pens, toss them in a backpack and go places that you would never risk taking your beautiful special pen.
it's kaweco sport for me. love the aesthetic, looks different than the other fountain pens and have very nice colors. i can't explain why but there is a classic vintage feel but modern and youthful vibe at the same time too. writes wonderfully and have great balance as well. i like that kaweco sells the nibs separately as well, which is important
I have a Jinhao Shark and their twin, the Swan. They're amazing workhorses for a pen so unexpensive and considering that they come with the converter from the go, it's a must have for anyone starting the journey into fountain pens. I do warn beforehand that the nib is more on the wet side even for the extra fine (hooded 0.38 nib) pen. Still, I do recommend it for the grip that's one of the most comfortable I ever had the chance to hold in such a low price range pen. (Extra: if you like Jinhao, but wants a little more quality, I suggest looking for Wing Sung pens, I have the 308 and 699 models and they never left me hanging in four years of use.) I also have a Pilot Kakuno in extra fine and let me tell you all: you can never go wrong with Pilot. Even though it has a Japanese extra fine (0.28) nib, it never EVER scratches once you learn how to hold it. And I say it as a person who uses a wet ink in it (Noodler's Polar Black) and extra cheap paper for most of my daily activities (you think printer paper is bad? Try newspaper paper), which should make the paper scrap, but nope! Kakuno is so butter smooth that it refuses to scratch and scrap the paper, I need to write like four or five times in the same spot for the mess to be done. Extra points for the fact that the extra fine nib doesn't require that I force myself to write with bigger handwritting. Idk if there's something going on or not, but I'm surprised they suggested TWSBI Crystal, instead of the lovely TWSBI Go or TWSBI Eco/Eco-T, but they're also awesome pens for someone going from beginner to intermediate. Their grip is quite nice, the piston and spring filling mechanisms provide for a lot (and I do mean A LOT) of ink to endure long writing sessions, and the nibs are *chefs kiss* I can't even express how good those nibs are. Personally, I have an Eco in fine nib and it's a dream writing with it. My teeny tiny hands love it. My only complaint? I find it on more on the heavy side when the cap is posted on the back of the pen, but that's easy to solve: just write with the cap down (it also prevents people stealing this marvelous writing instrument, because who would be crazy to steal a fountain pen without it's cap?)
I have a bunch of the swans in different colors, mostly translucent. I love them. They write really well. I turned one into an eye dropper. Nice to have a pretty pen that writes well and cost less than $3 so I can take it where I want and not worry.
@5:00 oh snap! I'm so excited now! We've been going thru the family home and cleaning things out for my grandparents and there are, like, 3 of these and I kept them for the ruler & stylus alone because they were cool. But how neat is that!? I'm gonna double check cuz that's exciting!
I just got the 12 set of Jinhao sharks a couple months ago and honestly I love them and they're nice because I don't worry as much about breaking them or losing them because they're so affordable. Plus they come in a bunch of colors so it helps me color coordinate my notes
Finally some love for the Logo! I love mine dearly. Right now it rides in tandem with my Lamy 2000. The logo with a 1,0 stub nib and Diamine Emerald, the 2000 with a fine nib and Lamy Black. Been doing some sudoku puzzles lately and that contrast as well as a mechanical pencil, comes in handy scribbling the puzzles on loose paper myself before solving. :)
I have the white Kakuno pen with blue lid (medium nib). It was my first fountain pen, and I use it all the time. I used to hold all of my pens and pencils incorrectly, resting them on my ring finger, but after using this pen with its triangular grip, I finally managed to break that bad habit. I use the J. Herbin Encre Violette (violet-scented) ink in this pen most of the time, so whenever I uncap it, the smell is heavenly! I'm considering buying the pen with the purple lid as well and swapping lids to match the ink :)
The Kakuno is a great pen with the EF nib. Extremely fine lines and almost immediate drying. The Diplomat is another great pen. A heavier EF than the Kakuno and a little wetter but easy to write with and the ink window is sharp.
TWISBI ECO should have been on the list. Affordable, comfortable, great ink capacity, and a great writer. Maybe they're getting enough attention that they don't need to be on the list?
Love the ECO, but we considered it one of the top players in that price range. Similar to the Safari or Metropolitan. It's a fantastic pen though and great value. - Colin
I got my first fountain pen a year ago and it came out of the box misaligned and I haven't felt too motivated to get another one. I'll probably order one of these, thanks for the vid!
I've jumped all around this price range, and I was SHOCKED by the quality of my Diplomat Magnum when I recently purchased one. It just works. The nib is as smooth as any I've ever tried, the build quality is phenomenal, the materials all feel good in the hand, the pen is very ergonomic (I love the grip - it's somewhat triangular, like the Lamy Safari, but not quite so extreme, so if that's not how you grip a pen, it doesn't force you into an uncomfortable writing position), and the nib has a little bit of flex to it. When I bought a Diplomat Magnum, I more or less stopped buying other pens in this price range (save for some particularly unique ones with individual features/designs I liked) because I know that no other pen in that price range will match the quality of the Diplomat Magnum. Maybe it's time for me to start looking into some of Diplomat's higher-end pens...
Have you tried others? My first was a metro, then i picked up a few jinhaos in a free pen with every ink deal. And they are all terrible. Now im too scared to buy anything else but pilot in my price range.
A pair of Metropolitans are my every day “go with me” pens. They just are so faithful. If I have a longer writing session, I will use my Ahab or my Rangas.
My Diplomat Magnum was great for a few months but then it started skipping and starting hard. Not sure what the issue is. I flushed the nib, made sure the tines were aligned, etc. When it writes it's a great value! Also, right at the $50 mark and one of my favorite everyday pens is the TWSBI Classic but it always gets overshadowed by the 580, the Eco, and the Go.
Did you floss the tines at all? That'd be my only thought as sometimes little bits of debris can cause flow issues like that. Love the Classic! We went back & forth between the Mini and the Classic. Both great pens. - Colin
This was awesome. Just found your company. I was watching an Etchr video and your company was mentioned by another viewer in the chat. Had to check it out. I love fountain pens. I usually just use them to draw, I've a Pilot Metropolitan and a Sailor Fude nib pen, thinking my next one will be for daily use. Off to check out your site.
As a regular writer. There is nothing like the Lamy CP1. In fact, I don't even see it get mentioned at all in most videos. I wonder why. It is like the sleekest pen I have ever used.
The Kakuno does look like a kid’s pen… but my god, does it right so smoothly and effortlessly! It’s my carry on pen because it’s relatively inexpensive and I won’t be heartbroken if something happened to it, but at the same time I have a great and fun pen to write with anytime.
Hey I believe that I am going to be adding some pens with my next order! Now I just have to decide on the inks I want to order from the samples I got from you guys!
Kakuno nib smilies differ by pen color, NOT by nib width. Clear Kakuno has tongue out smilies, dark colors have normal smile, and pastel colors have winky smile.
I really enjoy my Monteverde soft touch multi-tool. I first got the ball point version because I didn't know the fountain pen version existed. But now, the fountain pen version is tethered in a holder on the back side of my Galaxy S20 phone. The perfect stylus, and the perfect fountain pen in one unit!
I got the brass tool, so far it hasn't completely ran out of ink, but I cannot get the feed to come out, to replace or refill the cartridge. My favorite pen is a Jinhao X450 with FPR Ultra flex nib especially with KWZ Sheen Machine ink.
I have a PLUMINK fountain pen that I bought in France. It has a slim, smooth lime green all metal body with silver hardware. Best of all it has an iridium steel nib made in Germany. It has a number 2 on the feeder which I think is between a medium and fine and It writes smoothly. Cost €10. The other thing about this pen is that it doesn’t dry out. It’s only a click on top but I had it in storage for over a year and when I next used it the cartridge was still nearly full.
I love my Pilot Kakuno for sketching and writing, along with its big brother, Pilot Metropolitan. The Pilot Con-40 converter is hard to fill, but I solved that by using a blunt syringe to fill it. Great video. You make me want to buy all of these pens :-)
I'm definitely going to start grabbing up some of these to have on hand to give away to people who don't have a fountain pen of their own but see mine.
Lamy cp1... the little cousin of the Lamy 2000, created from the same designer. It has a similar shape to the Lamy Logo but in a puristic design. It seems, every fountain pen channel has at least one video about the Lamy 2000 but no one talks about the cp1, which is a classic too. In Germany you can buy it for around 40 €, that's under 50 $.
I got a Jinhao Chainmail style fountain pen today! It's meant to look like a Parker Sonnet Chiselé. I put Pelikan 4001 Violet in it, and while that's a lovely ink formula, it didn't flow through the fine nib well at all. I switched inks to Sailor Kiwa-Guro black and it writes like a champ!! Comparable to my Pelikan M205 and Sheaffer Vintage...and it was only $16! :)
The first pen I ordered from you about 7 years ago wash the Ahab Noodler Red orange/yellow, I became an addict... Now I see some new pens I have to order 😁!!!
@@Gouletpens I gave it to my niece as a gift to write with, she really likes it!! I have ordered an Opus 88, Edison Nouveau, Conklin, a Benu, A Lamy, 3 Kawecko's, from you guys. I am having a custom Edison made, it was an older Edison that is no longer in production, but they have a similar model in Turquoise flake, you guy's sold that about 5-6 years ago, it came in purple too. I also have a Sailor blue-green Sea glass that I love. Goulet pens definately fueled my addiction 😁. Thanks!!!
I have a couple of Vanishing Points, a bunch of Metropolitans, a Pilot Prera, two gifted Cross Pens and I'm going to order a TWSBI Mini. BUT... the pens I use most often are Zebra V-301s with the older unhooded nib. I dunno I just really enjoy writing with them. ($5 with a couple of cartridges?)
I really miss Nemosine pens with that 0.6 stub. Those pens were affordable, came in fun colours, and had a nib that was fine enough to use in everyday writing, but that stub sure made my writing look nice
@@mallardtheduck406 they are fantastic pens, I've limited myself to two per brand otherwise I'd drown in Kaweco sports but they're not underrated, who doesn't love a good sport!
I have one now, but I had not heard of them before, so I would say at least in the USA they are underrated. The Pilot Metro and Lamy Safari are far better known.
I don't know about underrated, but I just received my free-with-a-bottle-of-Borealis-black Noodler's Charlie pen and it is one of the smoothest pens I have ever written with and as an added bonus it fits in the pen loop of my traveler's notebook which is a rare feat for a fountain pen
I personally quite enjoy the Wing Sung 601. It has a very interesting filling mechanism with a big ink capacity and a hooded nib. The only thing I don't like about it is the Parker-style clip because 1) copy and 2) that arrow gets stuck in my pocket every single time.
I like my kakuno and since it is not too expensive don’t feel like I have to baby it. My monteverde is my fave, and I love my twsbi pens... my Lang’s have been my least favorite. They seem scratchy in comparison to my other pens.
I would like to throw in the Lamy Pur fountain pen... I don’t have it yet, but I want to get it and it might fit in here. Seems to be for the people that like the CP1‘s design, but find it to be too thin.
LAMY has a lot of underrated pens because the big ones (Safari/AL-Star/2000) are so popular. Especially these thinner, streamlined offerings like the Pur. Great pens. - Colin
There are really a lot Lamys that get overlooked. I think that everyone that considers a Lamy in general should go through their site slowly and look out for something they didn’t knew, but my like.
I own 6 of the 8 pens.... I would not call the Kaweco an underrated pen. Go on any forum and you will see that almost everyone has one or more than one.
No mention of the Pilot Metropolitan which runs about $15 and is an excellent fountain pen with converters, multiple nib sizes. I've got about 75 different fountain pens collected over the years and Pilot has several VERY good ones worth a look.
The Metropolitan is a great pen, definitely one of the best in that price range. Didn't think it was underrated though, so we wanted to give some love the Kakuno. Plumix, Varsity, Prera all great options from Pilot too! - Colin
I really hate the Diplomat Magnum. It had never flowed well and dries out so easily. I had great hopes for this pen, but it feels cheap (and it's one of my most expensive pens!), the flow varies, making a page look messy and uneven, and I have to use it almost every day if I don't want it to dry out. A big disappointment. :(
I like mine (I have both the gunmetal and piano black), though they're a tad short for my hands (size 9, men's). They write consistently and well even after weeks of non use.
Any idea if the Lamy Logo has cap issues? The caps won't stay on any of the three lamys I've had, but I love the way they write. I'd be a fan for life if they'd just fix their caps, and the Logo looks great.
The cap on the Logo is almost a bit too hard to get off for my taste. I have several Lamy pens, none have any issue with the caps not staying on? I keep them hanging in pen sleeves in my backpack with no issue ever. Even the Aion with its loose-fitting cap holds the body in place without trouble for me.
I am very surprised at how often I reach for my Kaweco Perkeo medium! It's not the prettiest pen I own, but man, it is a smooth writing experience! I love it.
Only thing about mine I don't like is it's a fine nib, and I prefer medium. I often have to dip the fine nib into the ink bottle or it will skip and scratch. That doesn't happen with medium nibs.
I would rather you also put twsbi GO on the list (i appreciate you mention it). I think, because it's new, together with lots of new elements from TWSBI in the pen, not many people (especially TWSBI fan) knew the greatness of it yet. But, because you put the Mini, i wonder if the GO is actually more popular than i think?
Yeah, because of the great price of the GO is a fairly popular pen! That said, it is new so some might not be aware of it. We'll look to give it some love in a future video. - Colin
Coming from third-world country, my budget is between Jinhao shark and kakuno. Holy shit and I want all - I should find a part time job between my college and homework. Will you pick up some nice Jinhao pens later to review?
We'll have a more thorough review of the 993 Shark later today and we're picking up new models later this summer. All under $10, so they could be good options! More videos to come. - Colin
One of my favorite inexpensive pens is the Pilot Varsity, maybe because for years it was the only inexpensive one available to me. There is never a problem with it starting, and I've never had any problem with the nib, except that I can't get it in broad. It is very underrated at under $4.00.
I hope that this gets recommended to those who are not into using fountain pens but can possibly love to get themselves one. Brian has reiterated over the years that the inexpensive good pens are how fountain pens stand a chance to grow in popularity.
True, they are fun and n design and color options are endless!
Mallard the Duck Times change, so do notions of design, and Brian has been right in rooting for the pens that have kept pace with the times and thus have the most appeal to modern potential users.
The “pen World scene”...
I’VE FOUND MY PEOPLE!!!!!!!
@@ritwijmishra-writer6278 I think the wider, mainstream market trend is leaning more towards treating them a bit like mechanical watches. They used to be the standard but now they're sub par compared to quartz watches (ballpoint and rollerball pens). So I don't look for practicality in a fountain pen, it can never be more practical than the newer instruments. To me, fountain pens are about intangibles, the nib feel on the paper, the bounciness of the nib, the freedom to choose your inks, the heft or design features that distinguish the pen, materials, ease of maintenance (I guess this falls under practicality but I hope you get the nuance) and with vintage or old brands - the story behind the pen. So the sub 50$ category is a dangerous place. Not as practical or affordable as the newer stuff, not as distinguished and tactile as the higher end pens. Would not recommend these for beginners, rather for people who have an addiction and are trying to keep their expenses low.
@@retardno002 I do agree. As a writing professional I use a Montblanc 149 for precisely the same premise you implied as largely not being there as a unitam in these models. However, with fewer in this exacting socioeconomic drudgery being willing or able to invest in what diligence might better prefer, models for users who may not - or need not - invest enough as a writing professional of my needs (and yours) has to, are fortunate for the industry.
Thank you for the break from high end
wdym
@@Matto5433 at the time, this channel promoted more expensive ("high end") pens almost all the time.
Pilot Kakuno ef is perfect for an artist! Great pen!
I've got it also, it's great.
My first pen fountain pen actually, it was in medium though. I love how light weight the thing is!
Totally agree. I bought it to try a japanese EF and it suits perfectly my rather small handwriting. A nice bonus is that the con 70 converter fits the pen adding some nice weight to it
I have a collection of pens from Jinhao that are just like the sharks, but the cap, instead of looking like a shark looks like a swan's head. Kind of pretty, in lots of colors. Some are opaque and some are demonstrators. When I ordered them you could get either the traditional nib or the hooded types. Also, there came with converters. They real do write nicely. I was surprised to find that I preferred the hooded ones, but both were good. It's nice to fill up a bunch of these very inexpensive pens, toss them in a backpack and go places that you would never risk taking your beautiful special pen.
it's kaweco sport for me. love the aesthetic, looks different than the other fountain pens and have very nice colors. i can't explain why but there is a classic vintage feel but modern and youthful vibe at the same time too. writes wonderfully and have great balance as well. i like that kaweco sells the nibs separately as well, which is important
I got a Sport-AL for myself. I love it.
I have a Jinhao Shark and their twin, the Swan. They're amazing workhorses for a pen so unexpensive and considering that they come with the converter from the go, it's a must have for anyone starting the journey into fountain pens. I do warn beforehand that the nib is more on the wet side even for the extra fine (hooded 0.38 nib) pen. Still, I do recommend it for the grip that's one of the most comfortable I ever had the chance to hold in such a low price range pen.
(Extra: if you like Jinhao, but wants a little more quality, I suggest looking for Wing Sung pens, I have the 308 and 699 models and they never left me hanging in four years of use.)
I also have a Pilot Kakuno in extra fine and let me tell you all: you can never go wrong with Pilot. Even though it has a Japanese extra fine (0.28) nib, it never EVER scratches once you learn how to hold it. And I say it as a person who uses a wet ink in it (Noodler's Polar Black) and extra cheap paper for most of my daily activities (you think printer paper is bad? Try newspaper paper), which should make the paper scrap, but nope! Kakuno is so butter smooth that it refuses to scratch and scrap the paper, I need to write like four or five times in the same spot for the mess to be done. Extra points for the fact that the extra fine nib doesn't require that I force myself to write with bigger handwritting.
Idk if there's something going on or not, but I'm surprised they suggested TWSBI Crystal, instead of the lovely TWSBI Go or TWSBI Eco/Eco-T, but they're also awesome pens for someone going from beginner to intermediate. Their grip is quite nice, the piston and spring filling mechanisms provide for a lot (and I do mean A LOT) of ink to endure long writing sessions, and the nibs are *chefs kiss* I can't even express how good those nibs are.
Personally, I have an Eco in fine nib and it's a dream writing with it. My teeny tiny hands love it. My only complaint? I find it on more on the heavy side when the cap is posted on the back of the pen, but that's easy to solve: just write with the cap down (it also prevents people stealing this marvelous writing instrument, because who would be crazy to steal a fountain pen without it's cap?)
I have a bunch of the swans in different colors, mostly translucent. I love them. They write really well. I turned one into an eye dropper. Nice to have a pretty pen that writes well and cost less than $3 so I can take it where I want and not worry.
@5:00 oh snap! I'm so excited now! We've been going thru the family home and cleaning things out for my grandparents and there are, like, 3 of these and I kept them for the ruler & stylus alone because they were cool. But how neat is that!? I'm gonna double check cuz that's exciting!
I just got the 12 set of Jinhao sharks a couple months ago and honestly I love them and they're nice because I don't worry as much about breaking them or losing them because they're so affordable. Plus they come in a bunch of colors so it helps me color coordinate my notes
Pilot Kakuno is my first fountain pen. It's really good, since i picked the clear demonstrable i also convert it into ink dropper pen
How did you deal with the holes on the end of the barrel? I want to convert mine, but I have no idea how to cover those safely.
I love videos like this! It’s great to learn about the hidden gems.
Love my Kaweco Sport, very smooth writing, great ink flow. Have to check out the others...
Finally some love for the Logo! I love mine dearly. Right now it rides in tandem with my Lamy 2000. The logo with a 1,0 stub nib and Diamine Emerald, the 2000 with a fine nib and Lamy Black. Been doing some sudoku puzzles lately and that contrast as well as a mechanical pencil, comes in handy scribbling the puzzles on loose paper myself before solving. :)
The Lamy Logo, especially the brushed finished (I have both), is a fantastic pen for the price. It’s my everyday carry. Definitely recommend
I have the white Kakuno pen with blue lid (medium nib). It was my first fountain pen, and I use it all the time. I used to hold all of my pens and pencils incorrectly, resting them on my ring finger, but after using this pen with its triangular grip, I finally managed to break that bad habit. I use the J. Herbin Encre Violette (violet-scented) ink in this pen most of the time, so whenever I uncap it, the smell is heavenly! I'm considering buying the pen with the purple lid as well and swapping lids to match the ink :)
Great video! I love my Kaweco Al Sport and now I want one in each “flavor”... I’ll use the varying nib sizes as an excuse 🤔
Yes! It's a very collectible brand for exactly that reason. The new Frosted Sports are great. - Colin
gotta try that Noodler Ahab
I'll probably pick up the Kakuno since it's more widely available than the Metropolitan in the UK.
The Kakuno is a great pen with the EF nib. Extremely fine lines and almost immediate drying. The Diplomat is another great pen. A heavier EF than the Kakuno and a little wetter but easy to write with and the ink window is sharp.
What an adorable video! Makes me want to go out and buy them all right now...in 2023!
TWISBI ECO should have been on the list. Affordable, comfortable, great ink capacity, and a great writer. Maybe they're getting enough attention that they don't need to be on the list?
Mike W TWISBI Eco has become my favorite everyday writer. I keep it loaded with Noodler's Liberty's Elysium, and it serves me well.
I love the ECO. I use it for school all the time.
I would definitely not call it an underrated pen.
Love the ECO, but we considered it one of the top players in that price range. Similar to the Safari or Metropolitan. It's a fantastic pen though and great value. - Colin
@@Quade235 I think that's why it's not on the list. TWSBI has a stellar reputation. I consider the Eco the top of the entry models.
Thanks for a couple of recommendations for future purchases!
You're very welcome! -Rachel
I've got the Ahab!
It's fantastic.
I got my first fountain pen a year ago and it came out of the box misaligned and I haven't felt too motivated to get another one. I'll probably order one of these, thanks for the vid!
Videos like these are what got me into foutain mens, amazing content
I have 7 of the 8 mentioned (more than one of three of them) and they're all great pens.
Great video! I love the diplomat magnum and kaweko sport. I will have to look into the others.
I've jumped all around this price range, and I was SHOCKED by the quality of my Diplomat Magnum when I recently purchased one. It just works. The nib is as smooth as any I've ever tried, the build quality is phenomenal, the materials all feel good in the hand, the pen is very ergonomic (I love the grip - it's somewhat triangular, like the Lamy Safari, but not quite so extreme, so if that's not how you grip a pen, it doesn't force you into an uncomfortable writing position), and the nib has a little bit of flex to it. When I bought a Diplomat Magnum, I more or less stopped buying other pens in this price range (save for some particularly unique ones with individual features/designs I liked) because I know that no other pen in that price range will match the quality of the Diplomat Magnum. Maybe it's time for me to start looking into some of Diplomat's higher-end pens...
I agree. That's and entry level model that doesn't get a lot of attention. Very nice pen.
The Pilot Metropolitan is one of my favorites!
Have you tried others? My first was a metro, then i picked up a few jinhaos in a free pen with every ink deal. And they are all terrible. Now im too scared to buy anything else but pilot in my price range.
A pair of Metropolitans are my every day “go with me” pens. They just are so faithful. If I have a longer writing session, I will use my Ahab or my Rangas.
My Diplomat Magnum was great for a few months but then it started skipping and starting hard. Not sure what the issue is. I flushed the nib, made sure the tines were aligned, etc. When it writes it's a great value! Also, right at the $50 mark and one of my favorite everyday pens is the TWSBI Classic but it always gets overshadowed by the 580, the Eco, and the Go.
Did you floss the tines at all? That'd be my only thought as sometimes little bits of debris can cause flow issues like that. Love the Classic! We went back & forth between the Mini and the Classic. Both great pens. - Colin
Thanks for the reply, Colin! Haven't tried that yet. I'll get some brass sheets next time I place an order and give that a go.
This was awesome. Just found your company. I was watching an Etchr video and your company was mentioned by another viewer in the chat. Had to check it out. I love fountain pens. I usually just use them to draw, I've a Pilot Metropolitan and a Sailor Fude nib pen, thinking my next one will be for daily use. Off to check out your site.
Thanks for visiting our shop! Please call, email, or livechat us if you need any help at all! - Drew
As a regular writer. There is nothing like the Lamy CP1. In fact, I don't even see it get mentioned at all in most videos. I wonder why. It is like the sleekest pen I have ever used.
The Jinhao 80 is a great value and a fun pen!
The Kakuno does look like a kid’s pen… but my god, does it right so smoothly and effortlessly! It’s my carry on pen because it’s relatively inexpensive and I won’t be heartbroken if something happened to it, but at the same time I have a great and fun pen to write with anytime.
Hey I believe that I am going to be adding some pens with my next order! Now I just have to decide on the inks I want to order from the samples I got from you guys!
Kakuno nib smilies differ by pen color, NOT by nib width. Clear Kakuno has tongue out smilies, dark colors have normal smile, and pastel colors have winky smile.
@@Gouletpens definitely not entirely true. I've bought six in different combos at my local store in SF.
Really all very nice , Thanks dear .
I really like the Pilot Metropolitan--I have 5.
That one is definitely not underrated though. Very well known and probably the very best quality for the lowest price deal out there.
Kaweco is my EDC pen, but that Monteverde Tool Pen is really tempting! :)
I really enjoy my Monteverde soft touch multi-tool. I first got the ball point version because I didn't know the fountain pen version existed. But now, the fountain pen version is tethered in a holder on the back side of my Galaxy S20 phone. The perfect stylus, and the perfect fountain pen in one unit!
I got the brass tool, so far it hasn't completely ran out of ink, but I cannot get the feed to come out, to replace or refill the cartridge. My favorite pen is a Jinhao X450 with FPR Ultra flex nib especially with KWZ Sheen Machine ink.
I have a PLUMINK fountain pen that I bought in France. It has a slim, smooth lime green all metal body with silver hardware. Best of all it has an iridium steel nib made in Germany. It has a number 2 on the feeder which I think is between a medium and fine and It writes smoothly. Cost €10. The other thing about this pen is that it doesn’t dry out. It’s only a click on top but I had it in storage for over a year and when I next used it the cartridge was still nearly full.
Thank you! Monteverde tool pen. I was trying to tell my husband about the other day and couldn't remember the name!
Good pen but only downside is the ink storage.
I love my Pilot Kakuno for sketching and writing, along with its big brother, Pilot Metropolitan. The Pilot Con-40 converter is hard to fill, but I solved that by using a blunt syringe to fill it. Great video. You make me want to buy all of these pens :-)
Yeah, the Kakuno actually fits a Con-70 too which is fun as it almost costs as much as the pen itself! But syringes make everything easier. - Colin
I'm definitely going to start grabbing up some of these to have on hand to give away to people who don't have a fountain pen of their own but see mine.
Ooh that magnum looks way more expensive then it actually is!
Yeah, the one Brian demonstrated with was our exclusive Prismatic Purple! Very unique color for a pen. - Colin
Lamy cp1... the little cousin of the Lamy 2000, created from the same designer. It has a similar shape to the Lamy Logo but in a puristic design.
It seems, every fountain pen channel has at least one video about the Lamy 2000 but no one talks about the cp1, which is a classic too.
In Germany you can buy it for around 40 €, that's under 50 $.
Yess Logo!
What is the ink used in the Logo? Noodlers Apache Sunset?
Great looking ink!
Yep, that was Apache Sunset! (www.gouletpens.com/products/noodlers-apache-sunset-3oz-bottled-ink?variant=11884736839723 ) - Colin
I got a Jinhao Chainmail style fountain pen today! It's meant to look like a Parker Sonnet Chiselé. I put Pelikan 4001 Violet in it, and while that's a lovely ink formula, it didn't flow through the fine nib well at all. I switched inks to Sailor Kiwa-Guro black and it writes like a champ!! Comparable to my Pelikan M205 and Sheaffer Vintage...and it was only $16! :)
The first pen I ordered from you about 7 years ago wash the Ahab Noodler Red orange/yellow, I became an addict... Now I see some new pens I have to order 😁!!!
How's the Ahab holding up after 7 years? Have you moved onto bigger & better things? :) - Colin
@@Gouletpens I gave it to my niece as a gift to write with, she really likes it!! I have ordered an Opus 88, Edison Nouveau, Conklin, a Benu, A Lamy, 3 Kawecko's, from you guys. I am having a custom Edison made, it was an older Edison that is no longer in production, but they have a similar model in Turquoise flake, you guy's sold that about 5-6 years ago, it came in purple too. I also have a Sailor blue-green Sea glass that I love. Goulet pens definately fueled my addiction 😁. Thanks!!!
I have a couple of Vanishing Points, a bunch of Metropolitans, a Pilot Prera, two gifted Cross Pens and I'm going to order a TWSBI Mini. BUT... the pens I use most often are Zebra V-301s with the older unhooded nib. I dunno I just really enjoy writing with them. ($5 with a couple of cartridges?)
I just got a love for Christmas, and I absolutely love it!
The TWSBI Mini is one of my favorites. I have it with an EF nib and it's a go-to pen for me.
I like the Tool, even if it is a bit gimmicky.
I really miss Nemosine pens with that 0.6 stub. Those pens were affordable, came in fun colours, and had a nib that was fine enough to use in everyday writing, but that stub sure made my writing look nice
Great list! (As usual) however I'm not sure how the Kaweco Sport is an underrated pen but keep up the good work!
I have three, I love them, going to keep buying them!
@@mallardtheduck406 they are fantastic pens, I've limited myself to two per brand otherwise I'd drown in Kaweco sports but they're not underrated, who doesn't love a good sport!
I have one now, but I had not heard of them before, so I would say at least in the USA they are underrated. The Pilot Metro and Lamy Safari are far better known.
Incredible video, liked and subscribed. But fyi 1:51 it titled “Nuclear Ahab” not “Noodlers Ahab”
Two thumbs up for both the TWSBI Mini and Pilot Kakuno. Wouldn't mind getting my hands on a Lamy Logo.
I don't know about underrated, but I just received my free-with-a-bottle-of-Borealis-black Noodler's Charlie pen and it is one of the smoothest pens I have ever written with and as an added bonus it fits in the pen loop of my traveler's notebook which is a rare feat for a fountain pen
Great call! Love the Charlie pen, wish it was available for sale individually. Good option if you like a thinner pen. - Colin
I can't use mine as it leaks all the time.
@@andrewgoss1682 :-(
Andrew Goss You might try some silicone grease on the threads...and maybe add a small O ring as well.
Great video!
I personally quite enjoy the Wing Sung 601. It has a very interesting filling mechanism with a big ink capacity and a hooded nib. The only thing I don't like about it is the Parker-style clip because 1) copy and 2) that arrow gets stuck in my pocket every single time.
Would you suggest starting with a Parker jotter
I like my kakuno and since it is not too expensive don’t feel like I have to baby it. My monteverde is my fave, and I love my twsbi pens... my Lang’s have been my least favorite. They seem scratchy in comparison to my other pens.
That's a lovely blue colour and equally lovely orange 😍😍😍
The
Indian fountain pens are pretty great, brands like asa, ranga, gama are very reliable. Also my pick would be platinum procyon.
I want to upgrade from my lamy safari . The nib can be a bit scratchy and I want something smooth
I would like to throw in the Lamy Pur fountain pen... I don’t have it yet, but I want to get it and it might fit in here. Seems to be for the people that like the CP1‘s design, but find it to be too thin.
LAMY has a lot of underrated pens because the big ones (Safari/AL-Star/2000) are so popular. Especially these thinner, streamlined offerings like the Pur. Great pens. - Colin
There are really a lot Lamys that get overlooked. I think that everyone that considers a Lamy in general should go through their site slowly and look out for something they didn’t knew, but my like.
Great selection
Looking for a gift for my doctor who loves fountain pens but I need a price I can afford.... Thank you for this video.
I own 6 of the 8 pens.... I would not call the Kaweco an underrated pen. Go on any forum and you will see that almost everyone has one or more than one.
Jinhao pens are great starter pens, and most are very affordable and available on Amazon.
Faber Castell Essentio is the best $50 fountain pen you can buy.
No mention of the Pilot Metropolitan which runs about $15 and is an excellent fountain pen with converters, multiple nib sizes. I've got about 75 different fountain pens collected over the years and Pilot has several VERY good ones worth a look.
The Metropolitan is a great pen, definitely one of the best in that price range. Didn't think it was underrated though, so we wanted to give some love the Kakuno. Plumix, Varsity, Prera all great options from Pilot too! - Colin
I really hate the Diplomat Magnum. It had never flowed well and dries out so easily. I had great hopes for this pen, but it feels cheap (and it's one of my most expensive pens!), the flow varies, making a page look messy and uneven, and I have to use it almost every day if I don't want it to dry out. A big disappointment. :(
Two pens that remain underrated - Kaweco Perkeo and Pelikan Berry. Both really unique and interesting budget pens.
I’m interested in giving the Faber Castell Loom another shot. So, we’ll see.
I like mine (I have both the gunmetal and piano black), though they're a tad short for my hands (size 9, men's). They write consistently and well even after weeks of non use.
RIP
Faber Castell Essentio is better, superior non-slippery grip and looks better. Only con is it is too long posted but I never post anyways.
I still remember Noadler's Ahob 😁
Like to know about the Saturn V rocket in the background....that is, as we use to say in the late 60s, totally boss
It's a LEGO set! - Drew
What happened to the chapter titles? Never heard of Coeco Sport, Nuclear Ahab, or Lommy. But the video was interesting 😅
Ah, finally something i can afford
Do you have any opinion of the Stabilo Flow (respectively Grow)?
hey guys, what's your thoughts on the Monteverde Monza that is currently available at Goulet, do you think it is worth getting/ is it a good pen?
I like the Conklin Duragraph especially now that it comes with a Bock nib at Goulet
Absolutely! Especially if you're wanting a classic looking fountain pen, the Duragraph is a good option. - Colin
Not familiar with the Tool Pen. I think I’d like one.
Any idea if the Lamy Logo has cap issues? The caps won't stay on any of the three lamys I've had, but I love the way they write. I'd be a fan for life if they'd just fix their caps, and the Logo looks great.
The cap on the Logo is almost a bit too hard to get off for my taste. I have several Lamy pens, none have any issue with the caps not staying on? I keep them hanging in pen sleeves in my backpack with no issue ever. Even the Aion with its loose-fitting cap holds the body in place without trouble for me.
what is the yellow ink yall used for the lamy logo
I am very surprised at how often I reach for my Kaweco Perkeo medium! It's not the prettiest pen I own, but man, it is a smooth writing experience! I love it.
Love the Perkeo! Definitely a worthy choice & underrated as well. Smooth nib and no-nonsense design. - Colin
Only thing about mine I don't like is it's a fine nib, and I prefer medium. I often have to dip the fine nib into the ink bottle or it will skip and scratch. That doesn't happen with medium nibs.
Will Gould this pens ever get the jinhao 992
No plans to pick up that particular model, but we are looking to expand our Jinhao offerings later this year. - Colin
Do one on Cross Apogee
I have 2 Lamy Logos and love them
what size nib was used in the demonstration for the diplomat magnum?
I would rather you also put twsbi GO on the list (i appreciate you mention it). I think, because it's new, together with lots of new elements from TWSBI in the pen, not many people (especially TWSBI fan) knew the greatness of it yet. But, because you put the Mini, i wonder if the GO is actually more popular than i think?
Yeah, because of the great price of the GO is a fairly popular pen! That said, it is new so some might not be aware of it. We'll look to give it some love in a future video. - Colin
Jinhao 992 both Version, Jinhao 911, Parker Jotter fountain pen, Parker vector, Jinhao 211
TWSBI minis are indeed superb.
I think Adam savage would love that last one!! He got a tattoo of a ruler on his forearm to keep one nearby.
hold up, I thought that kaweco used bock nibs and feeds....when did they change to jowo?!
why dont reviewers ever recommend the Pilot Prera!? It's a fantastic little pen
Coming from third-world country, my budget is between Jinhao shark and kakuno. Holy shit and I want all - I should find a part time job between my college and homework.
Will you pick up some nice Jinhao pens later to review?
We'll have a more thorough review of the 993 Shark later today and we're picking up new models later this summer. All under $10, so they could be good options! More videos to come. - Colin
One of my favorite inexpensive pens is the Pilot Varsity, maybe because for years it was the only inexpensive one available to me. There is never a problem with it starting, and I've never had any problem with the nib, except that I can't get it in broad. It is very underrated at under $4.00.
Yeah, the Varsity is a great option especially for the price! - Colin
Strong finger tattoo at 1:37.
Couldn't find a diplomat magnum fountain pen on your website, the only ones you had cost over $200.
Does the Noodler Ahab come with ink?
No, it does not. You'll need either a bottle or samples to go with it. - Colin