9:30 “It brings a little bit of joy into my life so why won’t I do it?” is such a beautiful sentiment. True for all of us who love silly little things like pens
When I was 14 I found a box of old fountain pens in my grandma’s house that she used when she was a teacher. Nobody wanted them, so I took them and got them working again for fun during lockdown. Two years later and now I’m 16, currently toiling away in my neighbours gardens on the weekends so I can afford to buy a Montblanc 149 in rose gold. You have to love fountain pens to justify buying one, but I’ll never write with a pen in the same way now that I’ve written with a quality fountain pen.
dude, if you have to save up for ages to afford a $1,000 fountain pen, you're getting played hard by montblanc. it's a $100 pen with a $900 overcharge for the brand name. at least wait until you have a well paying job so if won't be as big of a deal
When I was your age, I was completely captivated by Montblanc pens. I probably dreamed about them. I would gawk at images in magazines featuring a Montblanc 149. I'd entice friends or relatives, looking for any pretext whatsoever, to go to a store that sells them, so I could stalk the pen counter and gaze at Montblancs. I pestered my parents for a year until they agreed to buy me a Montblanc 144 (about $100 back then, a few decades ago), as a birthday or holiday gift, at Pearl Paint, a small New York chain store that sold Montblancs for about 30% less than the department store prices (it was an amazing market phenomenon; one legitimate retailer selling the same exact luxury product for 30% less than competitors, yet market forces never evening out the pricing as one might expect). Well, my story doesn't really go anywhere, no exciting punchline, moral, denoument or anything. Except this: Certain artisan luxury items are so undeniably beautiful that it's nearly hopeless to overcome the obsession about acquiring one, without actually acquiring it, especially at your age. This obsession can hit you especially hard in late adolescence, midway between puberty and adulthood. It's probably rooted in sexual longing at some level. But you crave that item like sex or a drug. The bottom line is, you only live once, and you might as well satisfy this dream of owning a Montblanc 149, and thereby - hopefully - you will overcome this obsession. Hopefully this will sate you and you won't be distracted anymore. But some people can become addicted, looking to recreate that thrill, perhaps longing to own a Patek Phillipe watch, or a Bugatti automobile. I hope in your case, you get a beautiful 149, and are so satisfied with it you don't need to chase after other luxury items beyond your financial means. I hope you get inspiration from your Montblanc to write beautiful and profound works of scholarship and/or imaginative literature and poetry, or a love letter to someone you fall in love with. In the end, people are much more precious than any pen or any other luxury item. (By the way, take others' advice about resourcefully seeking out ways to get your pen for less; you may find online auctions for mint condition vintage items, or other approaches; at the very least, see if there is a legitimate discount store like Pearl Paint when I got mine, if you're determined to buy brand new, retail; good luck!)
I prefer using my Lamy All-Star over the 2000 just for the lower stress carry. I've used mine every day for the last six years and I've never had to buy a second one.
My daily is a Uniball Jetstream RT with 1.0mm ball. I have gone through dozens of these. The clip is great too. I bought a Mont Blanc ballpoint around 1994 and used it daily for many years. After having Mont Blanc rebuild it twice, I only use it for nice occasions. I also use 1.0mm Mont Blanc refills which I like better than the finer points. Writing on multi-layer invoices for decades will make you press down hard.
Enjoyed your video as a pen newbie. I’ve seen some comments that don’t prefer expanded commentary but again as a new user I found detailed info helpful. Thanks, I’ve subscribed.
Try the Sharpie S Gel 0.7 pen, i picked one up in a multi pack and i now use it all the time, it has great ink and its very dark black which I like. Also like the Uniball AIR again dark black ink. Thanks for your video.
One mechanical pencil you should try is the Kurutoga by Uni. It has a mechanism that slightly rotates the lead every time your touch the lead to the page, it basically keeps your lead sharp. Very consistent lines. It's hands down my favorite pencil
Interesting review but unfortunately most of the camera-time was spent showing yourself talking, with only the shortest glimpses of the instruments you meant to display.
That’s true. I’m trying to get the balance between it being conversational and showing products. Sounds like you would have preferred more or the latter? Will take the feedback on board. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻
@@MarcusCreates I want a ton of close up shots of the nibs. When you showed the vector, the nib was like 57 yards away (I'm exaggerating). You couldn't read anything on the nib on any of the pens. AND I would like to see extra close, close up shots of the iridium tips please. Thank you!!!
“I want”… too many consuming, not enough creating. IMO, this was a perfect way for someone like me, who’s not into pens at all, become captivated by his explanations. It is a long video, but he really seemed genuine with his feedback for each pen. If the majority of the video was a close-up, top-down view of him just writing, I would’ve skipped it a long time ago. I especially love your explanation for having a Montblanc pen. Over a decade ago when my father turned 50, I had no idea what to get him. I walked into a jewelry store that sold luxury pens, and took the time to understand why someone would own one. It’s engraved with the initial of his/our last name, and it will definitely stay in the family, especially knowing how close he is to my 2 year old son. Keep up the great work @marcuscreates, I’m sure you put the right pens to good use when storyboarding and planning these videos 😁
The Uniball Jetstream RT in 0.7 mm is the best overall/general purpose pen in my opinion. Writes very smoothly with dark, crisp lines. The ink bonds with the paper to prevent smudging and bleaching/fraud. I prefer writing with the Jetstream over my S.T. Dupont and Montblanc, each of which cost me hundreds of dollars. I'm looking for a way to install the Jetstream refill in my high-end pens - it's that good.
I never got along with jetstream rt.,But I use jetstream sx-217 1.0mm for the last 15 years.I occasionally also use parker vector rollerball.this pen is completely satisfying...I think 1.0mm tip covers all kinds of handwriting.
Hello. I'm a first time viewer. 87 year old 5th Army Vet, multi-professional to Singer to Truck Driver and more. I love to write, but have been looking for a "truly" smooth writing - I don't care: Uniball or Ball point. So found you in my search. I ONLY wish you did not speak SO FAST. Trying to hear "clearly" the name, model designation, and then your specifics about any given pen, has left me with notes jotted down, I can only HOPE I wrote the correct name, designation, etc. Your MOB 10 REFYNE EP 1 Stonewashed Titanium shorty - really interests me. I'm now sure where I will start looking for a purchase point, and at age 87, I hope it doesn't take too long! :) Thank you for what you did present. I understand. Yes, I KNOW! You can NOT speak slower. Maybe shifting to 2nd gear when giving the exact name and model number. That would be so helpful. GOD Bless. Jess't ole Jess Dixon, Bakersfield, CA
I've been using a Parker Jotter in stainless steel as my edc for years. About $20, small and durable, writes well and takes easy-to-find refills. Very satisfying click too.
5:43 ... hahahaha...You have a very small Channel ?? 😂👍 If you look around other Pen and Journal Ytube channels ...your channel is one of the highest in subs , reaching 26,300 subs....LOL Marcus O'brien is in the top 5 listing , when it comes to RU-vidrs that cover Pens. Your channel is only ONE YEAR OLD....compared to others , who have 5 -8 yrs old ...your doing superbly well in subs and still climbing #1 = Jet Pens / 309 000 subs #2 = Carrie Walker / 81300 subs (pens and journals) #3 = Cindy Guentert baldo / 68,000 (Pens & journals) #4 = Unsharpened / 30 000 subs (Pens only) *#5 = Marcus Obrien / 26300 subs* #6 = Pen Chalet / 18300 subs #7= Seattle Pen Club / 14000 subs #8 = JG3 Reviews / 12600 subs #9 = Always Analog / 3140 subs #10 =
Wow. Thanks for putting time into this list and for also watching my content. When I posted this video I have 11k subscribers but December has just been a crazy month and the channel has grown 15k subs. 😊
Really good pens. Nice to be able to see the ink level as well without opening the pen up. The way they integrate that ink view window and the borderline invisible filling mechanism (until you unscrew it) is a superb piece of industrial design and material selection. There's a reason many consider them a design classic. I'm super happy with mine.
I have found my trusty Fisher Space pen to be my favorite all around pen. Perfect for pocket, purse, and travel. Filling out papers while traveling in weird positions, bad conditions, and, to me, writes amazingly. My two Space Pens are in brass and have developed a lovely patina. I’ve had the black one before, but lost it. I have my eyes on a titanium-ish (blued) one.
Glad I found your survey as I'm looking for a new fountain pen and wondered about trying the Lamy. Watched the whole review after you kicked off with the Uniball. Totally agree with your comments to end on - can't live without my Uniball nearby but will now leave it behind next plane trip!
Finally a man that can take something as simple as a pen and make something truly exciting and meaningful out of it! I’ve collected and enjoyed pens (and pencils) since I was a young kid and started writing and using with the Bic Crystal and now have several hundred pens including the Mont Blanque you mentioned. My grandparents came from Poland and brought Polish fountain pens with them but alas as time went on and they passed away the pens mysteriously disappeared……would have loved to have been able to have these pens today! Really enjoy your video and will be looking for some of the pens you mentioned! Do kids today appreciate the beauty of a fine writing instrument; do kids today even know how to write……unfortunately I know some who don’t 😮! Again, many thanks for sharing your thoughts on something I thought no one else but me would appreciate or give a hoot about 😊! Be safe!
15 or so years ago i got a cheap pen from someone and used it every day for 2 years. It was the most reliable and solid pen ive ever had write that well for that long. I totall forgot about it until about a week ago when i saw someone recommend it on youtube. Its the zebra f-301. I bought some for my office, and i find myself using them over pens 20x the price.
I love Zebra’s Steel line! I personally daily a G-402, but the F-301 is the first pen I remember really leaving a positive impact on writing experience!
It’s like you knew I’ve been crushing on pens lately. Just grabbed a couple of Lamy Safaris for journaling (inspired by your journal video) but my day to day carries are fisher space pens, either black or chrome depending on my watch. Keep up the great vids mate :)
Thanks for all the positivity buddy! Appreciate it and keeps me making the videos. Costs me a future mind because every time I do a review I get recommendations and I end up getting more things 😂
Just because a pen is more expensive, it doesn't mean it writes better. Just like a Rolex won't show time more precisely than a Casio (the opposite is the case). To a certain point, the price (for both: pens and watches) is justified, in my opinion. You get better material, a better maker, etc. But at a certain price level, you pay only for the brand and/or material that won't add any function. I always like to buy the best product in my price range, that if I were to lose it tomorrow, I wouldn't shed a tear. Back to topic: I always carry at least two pens: A fountain pen (Travelers's Company or LAMY) and a Space Pen (even though I hate to write with it) because it just writes, always, everywhere. If I have an extra pocket or bag with me, I might throw in a Pokka Pen, just because they're light/cheap and I don't mind handing them to people. 😊 Really like your channel, just discovered it yesterday and already subscribed! Really like your sweatshirt too!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you to be honest. Except the bit about not stressing if I lose things. I know it’s nuts but I get attached to things. Even cheap things. Carrying something for 10 years makes it become an extension of you somewhat. And replacing it starts from zero. But that’s just me being sentimental.
I trained with Mont Blanc on their pens and watches. They really are overpriced for what you’re getting in terms of materials. So the black part of the pen is quite an inexpensive resin. The white or yellow metal parts are just a base metal with either a gold plating or platinum plating. The nibs on the FPs are however lovely and are usually solid 18ct Gold with an iridium tip. Each one is hand crafted and tested by a very specialized nib maker. Also interestingly you should always let out some of the ink after filling, at least a 6th of the amount. This allows for temperature and pressure changes and helps eliminate leakage. Also Roller ball pens are generally water based inks, these come with lids as the ink can dry up- they give a more fountain pen feel. Ball point pens are oil based inks so don’t flow as easily but are far more practical. Tbh most BP pens will write in a very similar way no matter what they cost. It’s just how much you want to spend on the name or the “jewellery” of the holder. I’ve had numerous Mont Blanc pens and love them but really only for the luxury name and price. Mont Blanc themselves admit during training that it’s the price that makes them special lol.
He describes the Montblanc as having the best writing experience. No. Try the Japanese makers like Pilot, Namiki, or Sailor. In the world of pen geeks, Montblancs are middle of the road, if not overrated. The Japanese are highly regarded as having the best nibs and best writing experience. As a collector I can attest to that.
@@MarcusCreates I highly recommend on the top end the Pilot Custom Urushi, the Namiki Emperor, the Namiki Royale, the Sailor King of Pen, or for the more affordable pens, the Pilot Custom Urushi 845, the Pilot Custom 823, or the Pilot Custom 74. Take care and keep up the good work.
I love the Uniball suggestion. I will try that one next. I've tried the Pilot G2, but have not been impressed. My CHEAP everyday go to is the old, clear Bic Crystal. They write so smoothly and I like the medium point. I just don't like the ink globs that you have to occasionally clean off the tip.
The Bic Crystal is a heavyweight classic for sure. Reminds me of learning to write cursive as a kid. Try the uniball and let me know what you think. Probably not for everyone (nothing ever is), but worth a shot for the money. 👍🏻
Cross Townsend (discontinued) sterling silver fountain pen 18k fine nib is listed on eBay today for $1,250 but I'm sure I didn't pay that much in 1992 at Stevdan Stationers on West 72nd Street, after an early windfall. It's been in my hand ever since. Ahhhhh, the finer points in life. Nice video, thanks so much for doing it. Writing with a fountain pen is one of the secrets of success.
cool video, liked it a lot. seems I am not alone with my love of pens and the search for the perfect one. have you tried Kaweco pens, fountain pens, pencils before?
I hadn’t heard of them until I released this video and then a bunch of people recommended I give them a try. I bought one and I love it. Thanks for the recommendation.
My special occasion pen is a Pelikan M800 with a fine point 18 carat two tone gold nib. It always writes the first time you put the nib to paper, no matter how long it has been since you used it last.
I was curious until you lost me at Lamy Safari and low-end Parker pens. My wife bought a Safari when we both contacted the fountain pen bug. She took an immediate dislike to it (mostly because of the grip but she also didn't like the writing feel and the hard starts). I tried the Lamy as well. It now sits in a box of unused pens. Sometime into my fountain pen journey I bought Parker Jotters, both ballpoint and fountain pen varieties. The fountain pen wouldn't write at all and wouldn't respond to tinkering. The ballpoint works but only after replacing the filler with a non-Parker unit. I've got a '47 vintage Parker "51" I acquired used and it is superb but I wouldn't hand over another dime for the modern stuff. I see from the sidebar that you're also a phone user and a fan of AI. This quick look at your channel suggests you're not my type of person. So long.
your channel has been recommended to me, hence hello i do disagree though, for what you forget to mention is ink properties given to say ballpoint/ roller ball/ " fountain" (whatever that means) and surface you intend to write on so, all in, thanks for your embellished recommendations, but no, thanks ps there is so much more to the stationary than your brief take gives
I think you make a good point. You could go as deep as you like on this topic. What type of nib, which ink on which paper. What is the relative humidity of the room you’re writing in etc. But for me I’m comfortable just talking about my experience. I know it’s not for everyone. I checked out your channel. Cool drone shots. Keep it up. 👍🏻
Hello! I use a pen everyday and I really wanted to like the uniballs but they are scratching the paper, maybe I'm writing or jotting too fast but even after I got the Fisher space pen (the original) it was heavy and slippery in my hand. I stick with a standard dollar Bic pen for everyday use.
very interesting choices. I like many of them. I carry a Fisher Space pen in the fold of my wallet. It's a classic chrome bullet version with medium black ink. Compact and never fails to write great.
I’ve got a couple of Fisher Space pens in my collection for sure. Never fell in love with with writing experience but awesome form factor for wallet carry.
I got the Cap-o-matic and I have to say the writing experience was a major disappointment. It is in a pencil case and never really used. Been keen to get the bullet but if it is the same refill/ink/nib then I would not like it.
> I carry a Fisher Space pen in the fold of my wallet. Same here. I skip the pen body, and just carry the refill. It's ideal and always available when I'm out.
The problem I have with the Montblanc ballpoint is the ink - you can easily buy a better ink refill for it online. The last ones I purchased were Monteverde.
I'm definitely a "stylophile" with more than 45 fountain pens in my collection, with pens at a whole variety of price points including some expensive ones (e.g. Yard-O-Led Viceroy, Pelikan M1000, Parker Duofold, Pilot Custom 823). I also have a whole variety of ballpoints including a Cross Lapis Lazuli. Also numerous mechanical pencils. I journal every day and enjoy switching between writing instruments and the 60+ inks that I have in my collection. All that being said if I could have only one fountain pen it would be my Pilot Elabo (aka Falcon) with its Soft-Fine nib. It's very reasonably priced, and an absolute joy to write with. It's light and comfortable in the hand for long writing sessions, provides a certain amount of line variation, and is easy to clean and fill. For me it's one of my two perfect pens. The other perfect pen in my collection, one that I carry on my person for ad hoc use (notes, crosswords, etc), is my Lamy Pico ballpoint. German made, it is a quality and innovative pocket pen, which transforms to a full-grown ballpoint pen thanks to its sophisticated push mechanism.
@@jtjt210 I have two Pilot Custom 823s, a Smoke Fine and an Amber Medium. Both are always inked, Noodler's Blue-Black for the Smoke, and J. Herbin Lie de The in the Amber. The Amber is a prettier pen, I feel. The Yard-O-Led Viceroy is very special to me as it was a farewell gift to me from my team when I retired from corporate life. It's an elegant pen, and writes well.
@@MarcusCreates hmmm. I will try again (my comments keep dropping out). Definitely RU-vid has an issue with anything I post on your channel. Hopefully this one will go through. If you haven't pulled the trigger yet, do a search on the Pilot Grance with a 14k nib. They are super inexpensive and write like a dream and the 823 has a remarkable ink capacity and nib. Let's see if this comment goes through. If so, I'll try to include a little more information in another one lol... (I'm genuinely laughing at this point at how difficult this has been (lots of reattempts at comments as I have really got into the pen thing in the last couple of years...)) 😝
It's rather strange, that back when I had a much higher paying job, I had numerous Mont Blanc Pens, Highlighter and a Pencil. I used a LeGrand Fountain Pen and Roller Ball almost religiously and thought that they were the best writers ever. Then, I retired. Not as much money, not as much business writing. But instead, I have a part time Music Teaching gig and use a daily planner/calendar, for schedule and student notes. I also do some daily journaling. I started using the Pilot G2 Gel Pens and the Pilot Doctor Grip with the G2 Gel refill. They are my "Go To" everyday pens now. I simply love the way they write. I got tired of using white out correction fluid on my calendar and Planner, so instead I began using the Pilot Frixion erasable pens. I use the 4 color pen for color coding events and a standard 0.7 for notes and writing on other pages in the Planner. My Wife would completely agree with you on the Uni-Ball Pen. She used them for work, but now that she's retired, she has dozens of them lying around the house and wouldn't use anything else. Enjoyed the video presentation.
кадры как в 6:28, 8:01, 8:12, 10:01 и так далее, потому что их очень много - брак, все важно вне фокуса камеры, место им в корзине, а не в видео! все общие кадры как на 0:24 - брак, выставлены некорректные значения соотношения диафрагмы и iso, кадры пережженные, место им в корзине! от себя могу сказать что я не пользовался очень дорогими ручками при этом у автора в наличии есть ручки премиального качества, сказал ли автор как сильно они отличаются от обычных? ни слова! суть видео, перечислить просто ручки которые есть в наличии, но ничего толкового и полезного про них не было сказано, я не понимаю в чем смысл данного видео. все аргументы в пользу какой либо ручки от автора: это ручка у меня потому что она милая, эта ручка у меня потому что она дорога мне, эта ручка у меня потому что она приносит мне счастье, ок верните мне мои потраченные 17 минут на это видео назад!
I have narrowed my ultimate single writing instrument down to the Uni Jetstream 4&1 Metal (or Pure malt wood) with Pentel Energel refills. It's great for note taking with multiple colors, and the energel refills are super smooth and the colors pop off the page. The metal barrel is slightly less in diameter yet slightly weightier than the normal version, for a comfortable, rugged and luxurious feel. The added benefit of having an onboard mechanical pencil and eraser when needed is a total plus too.
Would you mind confirming which refills you're referring to? I've just looked around and Pentel Energel refills I can find look like they're too big to fit in a multipen (I'm in the UK, so that might be the problem). I've found Pentel Sliccies refills which are for multipens and look like they should fit the Uni Jetstream if they were cut down to the right lenth
I agree regarding the Uni-ball, its always in my pen jar. My basic writer is the Lamy NEXX instead of the Lamy Safari as the rubber grip works better for me and the NEXX is much nicer to hold and look at! My EDC is Ensso's natural ultem XL Minimalist because I love the black Bock nib contrasting with the see through amber colour of the pen. The Bock nib is a step up from the more scratchy Lamy steel nib. My one and only grail pen will be Schon DSGN's Black Ultem with the polished blue titanium Monoc nib. The pen is stunning and looks like some kind of magical item. Inking this pen with an eydropper would take the experience to another level!
I have a Montblanc Writer's Edition Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with a fine nib. Its fine nib is quite broad, actually. It looks like a medium nib. I'm glad I bought a fine nib because a medium would be too broad. But I keep returning to a Platinum Preppy with medium nib (which writes finer than the Montblanc fine nib). My most used pens are that Montblanc, Platinum Preppy, Kaweco Sport, Pilot Vanishing Point, Pilot Kakuno, and Lamy Safari/Al-Star/Lx (I find the three quite similar). When I can't use a fountain pen (for instance, I had post-graduate exams using a paper that feathered and bled with fountain pens), I use Pilot Pop'lol or Zebra Sarasa gel pens.
You know your pens. I just started writing with a Kaweco Sport based on some of the recommendations on here and I love it. In fact I’m going to include it in a video set to go live in January.
Thanks for this video! Love the thorough pen exploration and totally get the desire for a special occasion pen. For daily use I just started trying out the Sharpie S-Gel, and really like it so far. I also have a heavy body ballpoint pen I got from the Hay Adams in DC that I love using, but don't particularly like using ballpoints. The heavy body makes it feel special, even though it's a hotel branded pen.
No love for Caran d'ache? They make beautiful ballpoints. Well made. Lovely ink, refillable. Last forever. I got one as a gift about twenty years ago and it is a beaut. Can't vouch for their fountain pens because they are a bit too dear for me, but their art supplies are top notch, so maybe they know what they're doing?
The only thing Platinum on Montblanc pen is the trim colour name. It’s plated brass 😂 And I’m not mocking Montblanc, the fit and finish is excellent. I like your Sheaffer 300, it’s a pen that got me back into using fountain pens.
I'm looking for that Montblanc Meisterstück Le Petit Prince but it is not listed on the Montblanc website. eBay doesn't show them very well. Can you please measure the total length of it and let me know so I can approximate that size from their store? I had a Mozart but the clip broke and Montblanc would not cover it and also wanted to charge me almost $40.00 in shipping back to me so I let them keep it. Terrible company here in the USA. Taken over by incompetence like most other companies in the USA today. I'd like something slightly smaller than my current Le Grand Rollerball. That pen size looks perfect. Thanks!
I’m traveling at the moment and don’t have it with me. Could you google it for dimensions? To be honest the pen is slightly too narrow for my liking. I’m currently using a Pilot Custom 823 and it’s perfect. Have you ever tried one?
I've always loved Uni-balls but I use Pilot Acroballs now. They are technically ballpoints but they have incredibly smooth ink and the benefit over gel pens is they work more places. Gel pens are awful on receipts and other glossy paper. Also, the world of pens is left unexplored if you don't look in to different ink cartridge options. The old Pilot G2 ink cartridge is a pretty standard size that tons of different brands make.
I literally prefer Parker over Lamy. For some reason Lamy looks weird in my eyes lol. I usually write with with normal uniballs, my notes and while doing story or journaling I prefer Pilot fountain pen or Sheaffer or Parker. I really like pen collection and because they are generally pricey I don't own lot but three which I could afford from my savings. I love yor video seeing someone with so many collection. I love for some indefinite reason. I also have that similar sentiment similar to you that I do significant work with the favourite fountain pen.
Having a ‘nice pen’ whatever that may be can be enough to shift your mind into a more productive work state. I love having mine as part of my writing routine.
Fisher space pens, the clicker version. It's made of brass so it has a good weight, not too expensive at $15-20. Pressurized catridges works great in planes. Combined with rite in the rain notebooks, you can write in any condition. Writes well too with its ballpoint design. Great EDC, desktop beater, and budget friendly.
Yep. While I have a "bullet" Space Pen with a clip, I now use only the refill itself. It slips into my wallet, and basically disappears till I need it. The cartridge I tend to buy is the slim "universal" type; less ink, though it can be shortened by breaking off part of the end if needed.
Have you tried Gravitas Pens? Ben Walsh is an irish fountain pen vendor thats really blown up in popularity recently. You said you like solid, hefty pens, he makes them really tough & you can fly with them in your pocket bc Doodlebud checked the seal in a video. I pray im not sounding racist to assume youd like an irish fountain pen vendor bc your irish, just thought youd may like to support your own when he produces high quality product, ive got 2 myself & he keeps coming out with new models all the time. May the triune God bless you!
My personal philosophy is to get high quality tools for the job. Over the years I’ve used many types and brands of pens. For some reason I’ve really fallen in love with Rotring pens and pencils. Something about how they feel in the hand and their reliability. For note taking I mostly use a Rotring 500 mechanical pencil. I kind of prefer it to the 600 even though the 600 is metal, simply because of the lighter weight. For signing documents or whenever I want to use a ballpoint pen I like the Rotring rapid PRO which uses Parker cartridges. I just love the quality of Rotring pens and pencils, and they are surprisingly affordable. Never once have they disappointed me. However, there are a few other pens I enjoy in particular settings, such as Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint (lovely flow but slippery grip), LAMY Safari / AL-star fountain pens (when fountain pens are convenient to use) and Sakura Pigma Micron pens for lettering and illustration.
16:50 "as long as they continue to make them" Not like you'd care since you have a "drawer full of them in the back". Good stuff. There is much truth in thriftyness when it comes to writing instruments. We're spoiled for choice but universally the most basic tools are the best.
I agree with you on the Uniball, and it is my main till this day. However, I never fell in love with a pen like I did with the Zebra Sarasa; I suggest you give it a go. Good video by the way.
Loved the selection of pens…no, you’re not being too much on having a special pen for special occasions…I think those moments require something a lil extra special to sign with.
If you are looking for a good refill for the montblanc ballpoint I would totally recommend the Monteverde capless gel refills. They work in all Montblanc ballpoint pens.
I need a pen for everyday use, a pen that I could keep with me everyday, journal, pocket notes friendly. Should I get a 146, 149 or a starwalker fountain.
A good shout for an everyday carry pen is a Leuchtturm 1917 Drehgriffel. Small, but solid, metal, comes in loads of colours. Good to check out! Great video!
I have twsbi 580 for everything, pilot custom 823 for more festive sht and sailor pro gear for journaling. From time to time, on a weird paper, I like to use uniball air, but I don`t even have any ballpoints.
I have a Lamy safari rollerball, which I find writes quite thick, but then plot twist....with some very minor modifications, it takes a Pilot G2 refill and it is just perfect.
Great video, really liked your explanations and reasoning. Why do you use the cheap Lamy Safari over your more expensive fountain pens for getting your thoughts down daily? If the expensive ones are more pleasurable to write with why still use the cheap one? Is it better for that in some way? This is a genuine question since I am looking for a pen for emotive writing exercises at home and I want only one fountain pen, would you still go with the cheap Safari or spend more?
Lamy 2000 fountain pen is not only an EDC workhorse but a work of art and for $160 is< IMO, the only fountain pen you ever need - you know those ballpoint/gel pens writing ability is solely determined by the refill. IMO, if Monteverde does not make a replacement refill or if the pen is not Parker G2 or Pilot G2 compatible, no need to buy it. After all in all the pens that accept refills the body is just a holder for the refill. Worst refill is the Fisher Space Pen refill. Yeah, it will write anywhere under any conditions with plenty of skips and blobs. IME, the all round best hybrid refill for Parker compatible pens is the Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 and for Pilot G2 the Pentel Energel refill with either the needle point or the conical point. Monteverde makes refills for Montblanc pens that write far better than Mountblanc refills.
I agree. Excellent pens designed in such a way thay you can use just about any type of refills. I have two in titanium, different models, obtained via kickstarter campaigns years ago.
Nice video! My only gripe is that you mispronounced the Pilot G2 pen in 0.7mm, and that you called refills "nibs". You should also learn a bit more about the differences between a ballpoint pen, a gel pen, and a rollerball. In any case, I appreciate sharing your thoughts regarding pens with the world. Since you like the Refyne EP1, you should probably take a look at some USA-made machined pens like the Karas Ink V2, the Kaweco Sport in brass or stainless steel, and the Machine Era Classic. I'm sure you'd like those, especially if you put in them a nice rollberball refill like a Pilot V7 refill (or, for the Kaweco, a Schmidt Easy Flow 9000 M refill).
Mine is even cheaper (believe me, I spend money on high-quality pens), and it's a Saino StarFlo II. It's very similar in look to a Bic, but the nib is a fine 0.6mm. A box of twenty costs £4.99 on Amazon.
Going to try out the Saffari fountain pen… had a fountain pen that was too scratchy and very messy. Looking forward to seeing how this one handles. Thank you for the recommendation! Happy holidays 😁
I've tried most brands, of gel pens like Sharpie S-Gel, Pilot, Parker, Pentel, Papermate, Bic, etc., but like you, my overall choice for best pen is the Uni-Ball 207 Retractable Fraud Prevention Gel Pens, Micro Point, 0.5 mm, Black Barrels, Blue Ink, Pack Of 12. I've ordered the Uniball Jetstream Retractable Rollerball Pen, Bold Point, 1.0 mm, Black Ink/Silver Barrel, to check it out, but the Uniball 207 Micro 0.5mm Blue is #1 in writing for me. Cheers! 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊 😃
How were you able to miss: Muji 0.38 mm Muji 0.50 mm Pilot GTEC C4 0.40 mm Pilot Metropolitan with EF nib Make yourself a favour and ONLY purchase japanese writing products. Everything is garbage compared to them. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just needs to work accordingly to your writing style.
For general use Parker vector ink pen. If ball pen must occasion then BiC ball pen. Or Reynolds fine carb. Both are available worldwide! Whenever wearing formal dress with tie then Mountblanc any model.
The refyne pen is great for its price. I bought my father one and its his favorite if not of of his top 5 things people bought him. Its pretty close to the quality of my tactile turn, but cost less than half. My favorite pen I own us my tactile turn bolt action. Feels, writes and looks good.Only downside is it takes g2 mini carts and they dont sell them, so you gotta buy the whole pen and toss the case. Theres a 3d printable part that you can make and it will take a different cart but im too lazy 😂.
Honestly, Montblanc isn't that good. In my family, Montblanc lost each and every direct stand off against other brands. We go with Lamy (Dialog 3, 2000, cp1 gold nib), Diplomat Excellence A2 14 kt, Graf von Faber-Castell (I love the Intuition Platino Wood) and Parker (vintage 51s, modern Duofold). My EDC is made of at least three fountain pens with different nibs, a multifunctional pen like Lamy cp1 Tri Pen and always a Leuchtturm Drehgriffel attached to my notebooks.
Thank you for sharing. Great selection. I also used the Pilot G-2 07 as my everyday pen, but the pen that took over was the Sharpie S-Gel 07. The Marspark 26 Pieces Disposable Fountain pens in different ink colors are great for daily use. They are better and faster to sign than the Pelikan Toledo M910 Old Style, which is okay but not great. I'm glad to see others use a pen these days. Thanks again.
I have a Sheaffer and a Montblanc (both ballpoint), when using for making notes or write things I prefer my Sheaffer, its the best 20 dollars I have invested, the writing is smooth and its slides perfectly which make me keep on writing and the Montblanc I mainly use it for Signing things. Anybody reading this is thinking to buy a high price pen, I recommend to first use and try a Sheaffer the quality is excellent also, but the Montblanc is also great.
