Underrated Pen Brands You Need to Know - The Write Stuff, ep. 36 

Yay!! Thanks for answering my question! I'm putting these all on a list in my journal 😊

OPUS 88 are under appreciated in my humble opinion.

No question for you, Tom, but I do want to thank you for being about the most dedicated fountain pen ambassador out there.

Jin=hao pens have blown m away. Suggestion for a future episode: why and how to change fountain pen nibs. And maybe what exotic nibs are available to try out bt swappomg?

Waldmann Grandeur owner here. Just wanted to comment on the ultra smooth writing experience. Unfortunately, I haven't experienced PILOT / MONTBLANC and can't compare/contrast. Compared to a sailor 1911, it's obviously polar opposites in terms of smooth. I use my SAILOR as my day to day bullet journal writer. I use my Waldmann Grandeur for my nightly journal reflection, once home, in the comfort of my home. Writing with the Grandeur is a treat and I feel like I'm eating dessert every time I write with it

Hi, Tom, and thanks for another great episode. I've always had a fascination for flex nib pens, but they really intimidate me. Could you recommend a good flex nib pen, and perhaps ways to improve and get comfortable writing with one?

Would Goldspot ever consider including ink recommendations on their pen receipts? I just bought a gorgeous Scribo from you, and have started with an ink that doesn’t do the flex nib justice. It might be fun to get a little extra guidance as I learn about pens and ink.

Can you please analize us the difference between nibs? Flex, scribe, journaler etc... Thanks in advance

Ranga is another fantastic Indian brand. The Abimanyu is a gorgeous pen. And who can forget the behemoth that is the Model 5?

I agree with so many of your sleeper suggestions. Just got a Nahvalur Voyage and I’m obsessed. My question is: what do you find to be the best beginner, mid-range, and high end pen from all the top brands? Or any of your favorite brands. I’m especially interested in untraditional pens (I.e. not the safari, metropolitan, etc). Thanks for doing what you do!

Howdy Tom, great video! I love the look of the Edison's. That could be my next purchase. ❓ My question of the week❓ Are there any great fountain pens that are specifically made for drawing or sketching? Also, are there specific nibs that work well for drawing? Cheers!

Which Indian fountain pen brands would you rate at par with well established international brands like Pelikan, GvFC,Lamy etc

Edison pens are beautiful. I own one of your exclusive collabs. Love it. Underrated brand for me is Ranga from India, specifically their Abhimanyu model. So many acrylics and ebonites to choose from. It’s a cool brand.

I have a question: there are a lot of words people use when describing how a nib writes (smooth, feedback, audible feedback, flex, soft, etc.). What is the difference between all these? Is there really a difference in writing experience between well-tuned nibs from different brands?

I could stare at the Waldmann Tango Imagination for hours! The unusual linework on the barrel is completely hypnotic. I suspect that the Tango Imagination will be my next big pen purchase.

I like to use my fountain pens at work but, of course, the paper is just cheap copier paper or steno notebooks. Can you recommend the best inks and/or ink and pen combinations to use with less-than-fountain-pen-friendly paper?

Hi Tom! Great episode on underrated pens. My question seems to be on the other end of the spectrum. The old saying “you get what you pay for” has been around a long time and for good reason. As subjective as this can be, do you think there is a price point for fountain pens where the value received really doesn’t match the price paid? Thanks!

With so many companies using jowo and bock nibs, how do they make for a different writing experience?

A Question/Idea for the next Episode: „What nibs give the most line variation? What nibs that are not marketed as Flex give a nice line variation?“

What are the most popular customized nib grinds, and what are they best used for?

Newbie to the fountain pen obsession. The more I pay for my inks and pens I wonder are all inks safe with all pens? Are there inks and pens/nibs that don’t mix well or work as good (ex. shimmer ink)? These videos are so informative, thanks!

nahvalur's symmetrical design is right up my alley

I'm curious about the different materials used to make pen bodies, like acrylic, ebonite, resin, metals, etc. What are the pros and cons of these materials, and what are some great example pens of each material?

I’m looking into getting more into inks with sheening properties, but I’m concerned about the ease of cleaning them out of my fountain pens. Any thoughts or tips?

Another awesome video! Sometimes I can spend hours scrolling through ink selections and never end up ordering anything because there are just so many options for every color, which leads to choice paralysis. What would your recommendations be for 5 super unique inks?

I think it's worth mentioning that the Edison Collier Grande uses a #8 Magna Carta nib.

Honestly i love these pen showcases/podcast, but ive been wonder if youcould do a Jinhoa 82 VS a Pro Gear Slim. Also, what makes people normally swich to foutain pens from gel, rollerball and ballpoint pens ?

I can't understand why Xezo is never spoken about. I was gifted a STUNNING albalone and mother of pearl pen by my extremely generous friend as thanks for introducing him to fountain pens. The workmanship is incredible, it is by far the prettiest thing I own, and it is a delight to write with. It is one of the very few pens that I have that I am loathe to let other people try, because I would be devastated if it was lost or damaged. The 2-tone medium nib is engraved "Xēzo Germany," and it literally sings when I write. And not in an annoying way. Do yourself a favour and give one a try, Tom! They have lots of beautiful styles (but the one I have is the prettiest to my eye). I'd love to see them get more (or any!) attention. I thought of loaning mine to one of the prominant pen reviewers, but like I said, I'm like Gollum with the ring as far as this pen is concerned. Thanks for some great info in this vid! My sis was just at the DC Pen Show and admired the Scribos and was really impressed with Schon Dsgn's new one piece nib+feed.

Great video again. What would you consider the most important characteristic for a newbie fountain user? Thanks

Tom, thanks for adding the Waldmann pen line as an underrated pen. I have the Waldmann Commander with a fine stainless steel nib. The fit and finish of this sterling silver pen is top drawer. I have a collection of several other sterling silver pens and the Waldmann is the best. But what is more impressive is the stainless steel nib. It is the smoothest writing stainless steel nib I own. It writes better than several of my gold nibs. I plan to purchase another Waldmann in the future.

There are so many amazing pen brands out there. I adore the look of the new Edison collab and am so excited to see the new Magna Carta pens once there arrive. As for my question, what inks are best for rollerball pens?

Thank you for another great video. I know this has been answered before, but I would love to hear your answer on the subject! What is the best was to clean out shimmer and sheen out of a piston filler with an ebonite feed 😅

Thanks. So many pens to add to the wish list. "What are some effective techniques for adjusting ink flow and nib performance to enhance writing comfort and consistency?"

Hi and thank you for the video. Here’s my question: do you test, tweak or adjust every pen you sell?

Great episode. Thanks, Tom. How can I decide if a gold nib is worth the price for me?

Asvine and Hongdian. Build quiality and price for days!

After hearing about the fude, I wonder what is your favorite unique nib shape or grind?

Great video Tom! My question of the week. Fall is coming soon, shocker! What pen, ink, and notebook combo do you recommend for the fall season?

Thanks for these suggestions. Do your pen and ink pairings change from season to season (e.g., do your summer writing tools look different from autumn?). Or does your writing practice differ based on season?

It would be nice to give Bart Conner a nod. He has been making pens for a year and a half. He does all the work himself out of his garage. He turns a variety of blanks from Brooks, Dupras, and Crowe. He is really working hard to make a place for himself in the pen community. He has worked with some of the better known makers like Jonathan Brooks, Jim Hinze, Rich Paul, to get their advice and help when he is wanting to learn a particular technique. His background is in wood working but at some point became very passionate about pen making. The theme and inspiration for his pens are from the Zodiac hence his branding of Zodiac Pen Company. He lives in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, but travels to many pen shows as a lone vendor for his business and promotes and introduces pen enthusiasts to his unique style of pens. Bart is very approachable, friendly, and will talk about all the things he likes about the pens he has turned and what makes them special.

I'd love to get your take on fountain pens, inks, and papers for long writing sessions such as novel writing or book transcription.

Very cool picks! What would be a good choice of nibs to swap out on a Nahvalur Horizon 2024? I like the on mine but I’d like to try out a broad. Are there generics to fit or do I have to use a Nahvalur nib?

Diplomat is generally wel known but I feel still underrated. They make some beautiful pens great as a daily writer. The customer service and nib tune from the factory is also amazing! I've been using a Diploma A2 skyline blue as daily writer for the last 4 years. It's been truly amazing

Lovely video! My question - what are your favorite sleeper ink brands and/or colors?

As we all know fountain pens require a bit of maintenance. As I attempt to finish law school I find myself gravitating more towards the convenience and comfort of writing on my laptop. What pens/nibs or general suggestions do you have to keep my focus on writing things by hand but also not losing productivity?

My question is: As a person that loves art I was wondering are there any unique, or rare inks worth looking for? Something maybe with unusual colour, or texture?

I love your videos. I learn so much from them. I have always loved pens and the writing experience. As a lefty, for years I shied away from fountain pens. I bought into the tale that they just wouldn’t work for me! A friend of mine convinced me to give it a try and now I’m hooked. I want to experience more of the experiences fountain pens afford. Is there any reason that a fude nib might give a lefty trouble? If so, how do I get past that. Not gonna stand by any more!

Laban!!!! I think you have mentioned them in this same kind of list before but Laban pens are some of the best out there. Magan Carta and Narwhal are getting enough recent publicity that I don't know if they could be considered overlooked or underrated.

Nice selection of pens the Magna Carta's i really need to take a better look at. Question: The 3 big 3rd party nib makers are Jowo, Bock and Schmidt, there are a number of brands who make their nibs in house, why would a brand look to use in house, such as Nahvalur, rather than use 3rd party nibs.

A bit late, but I’m enjoying my SimplPen. Very wet smooth writer and doesn’t cost too much. Only found one RU-vid review of this pen. Love you videos

I have a question as a new pen enthusiast. When a pen nib skips or hard starts regularly is that because the pen nib needs tuning, is it the paper, is it the way I'm holding it? I have two pens and both have this issue. I reduced the skipping/hard starts on one by doing a DIY tuning, but it's not perfect. I just got a Navhalur (the one in this video) and it has a similar issue.

I have a few Edison pens. Highly recommend.

I’d love to hear which pens/nib is recommended for shimmer inks. Thanks for a great video!

Hey Tom! loved the video! Im trying to get into specialty nibs, where would you recommend I start?

Hello New subbie here: first time commenting, decades long fountain lover and long time grateful viewer. Thanks for the range of brands here! I would LOVE to see a side by side comparison of Magna Carta bodies and nibs! Question... If you could design your own grail pen, what would you include, and in what order of priority? Thanks for all your work :)

Hi Tom, great video! I have a question: What are some absolutely safe pens and/or ink bottles to bring on a flight? I'm so irrationally scared that my pens will explode or my ink bottles will leak. Would love to see a video on this!

What flex ribbed pen would you recommend for someone who has never written with one and wants to learn?

Love the Edison!

What brands would you recommend for experimenting with specialty nib grinds, such as Architect?

Hello Tom, I'm new to fountain pens and I do love the nibs that give off the big wide calligraphy brush effect. Which nibs do you recommend for this and what kind of pens? Thank you

Thanks Tom this is a great video!

Thank you for this episode. I did not realize Nahvalur was so underrated. I also have been considering Magna Carta and when there is enough money in the bank, I will certainly buy one (I think it is the 650?) My question is about fude nibs. Is the Sailor Zoom nib considered a fide nib? How does a fude nibs differ say the Lamy Calligraphy nib?

Thanks for the video. How does someone try out various fountain pens? Local stores are about empty and I’m sure there are lots of us who want to try these pens before buying.

Hi Tom, thanks for the great information. I am looking for pens that have great flex nibs to them. Can you recommend some of your top choices and showcase their flexibility in one of your videos?

I’ve always had an interest in fountain pens and writing so recently started collecting inks and pens, but my question is, what do I write about or how do I figure out what nib size is for me? Many thanks look forward to seeing the next video :)

I’m looking to neaten up my handwriting. I’ve got bigger hands and own a few kaweco sports and Lamy safaris. Could you recommend a larger grip budget fountain pen to help me?

Another couple of questions I have is I want to experience gold ink for the first, maybe last, time. Would it be okay to use gold shimmer ink in a medium nib, or do I need to go bigger? Would the size of the nib and the brand of the pen make it easier or harder to clean out?

new fountain pen user here! forgive me if you’ve already answered something like this, i’m still learning - how can you tell if paper is good for a fountain pen besides purchasing the big brand names? it’s my understanding that using a fountain pen on cheap paper can damage the nib. i really love my pens and want to keep them in good working order so i’m really reticent to write on anything that’s not my tomoe river s, midori md, apica, or kokuyo campus paper - is that fear warranted? again, sorry if this is a stupid question or if it’s already been covered and i just haven’t seen.

Tom, my question is how many brands have, debatably, unusual nib designs, how much would I need to pay for them, and how easy would they be to swap out? By that, I mean like etchings/designs on the nibds themselves. Also, unrelated but probably still relevant: I use cheap three-ring binder paper. I only get a certain amount of money per month. What brands of paper can I buy that are, debatably, cheap but fountain-pen friendly at the same time? I am willing to list the fountain pens I currently have, the ones I want to own in the future, the inks I currently use, and the inks I wish to use in the future.

Beautiful pens! My question: Are there any modern pens that are self-filling?

What is it like to go to a huge pen show like the DC Super Show? How often do you have to take pictures with a fan, Tom?

You always have such beautiful choices, what is your favorite brand, and do you like the safety style pens?

Some nice suggestions here! My question: *** Which pen sets (fountain pen, rollerball/ballpoint and pencil) might you suggest at various price points (entry, mid-range, luxury)? *** (I'm enamoured with the Waterman Carène L'Essence du Bleu range!)

Hi Tom! Are Jowo #6 nibs interchangeable across different brands?

How do you keep pens from leaking. I'll have to checkout the Narwhal?

My question would be, How often do you rotate or move or shake the inks?

How do I know what nibs are best for printing and cursive?

Hi! What does it mean to tune a fountain pen?

Question: I know Jowo and Bock nib units are not interchangeable, but assuming a Bock #6 is friction fit, would a Jowo #6 fit / swap in?

I do have an odd question. The same generous friend who gave me the Xezo also gave me several silver and gold-plated ballpoints recently, including one 4-ink-colour silver one from Caran D'Ache. Problem is, it uses a propriatary clutch design, and there is no way to replace the ink. And the pen hasn't been made in forever, so refills, even old ones, are non-existent. Is there any way to rehydrate or refill a ballpoint? The pen is so cool that I would love to use it. I know that it needs to be that viscous oily ballpoint ink, but they are always meant to be thrown out, not refilled. It is kinda heartbreaking.

Thanks for the video! My question is how often should you "realistically" clean out your fountain pens? Especially if you re-ink with the same or similar color every time??? (Can you tell I don't like to clean out my pens lol?)

Do you think fude nibs will take off and gain in popularity? Are they practical in everyday writing, etc.

Thanks, Tom, for reviewing some under-represented pen brands. I wonder why manufacturers stop making some really wonderful models, a couple of examples being the Ohto Dude, a Japanese pen, metal, faceted, that is a dream to use. I had one in their gorgeous purple color, and a pen buddy gave me an identical one. Another model that was terrific was the Faber-Castell Loom, a plastic pen with a dimpled nib that was really amazing. What became of these terrific pens? Could the manufacturers be convinced to resurrect them, but NOT like the Esterbrooks or the P51, please?

Tom, what is your favorite nib type and the one you have most of in your collection. Are there any common nib type you won’t collect. I have no ef nibs. Do you let nib size influence you purchase decisions? Such as would you always favor a size 6 nib over a 5. Thanks.

Love your video's and your web site. I am new to fountain pens and my question is I like ef and f nibs but would love the inks that have shimmer and the glitter do I have to use a different Nib for these inks?

Can I use shimmer inks with an ebonite feed?

Jinhao Asvine,pen bbs,and Hongdian low priced, but worth it?

Question: what is the best pen to use with Baystate Blue?

So excited that I just received my birthday pen from your store. Leonardo X gold spot bella di notte. I love it! I’m new-ish to fountain pens. Excited to get more limited edition pens for my baby collection. 💞🦋 #Q If someone is New-ish and loves smooth writers and loves unique limited edition pens and loves to try new writing styles, what pens would you recommend?

I am not new to fountain pens but have been away from them for awhile and just starting to explore all the new options out there. My question is can I use a shimmer ink in Noodlers triple tail or is it not a good idea?

What would be your number 1 recommendation for an underrated gold nib?

what are the best zoom nibs?

Hi Tom, loved the video! What are some great travel pens and accessories with sturdy materials, convenient design and less likely to make a mess? Also, is there any advice you could give us about traveling with pens?

Are you offering the ink advent Calendar this year?

My question: What are some interesting script styles to try, and what are some pens that would accompany them well? I personally like Spencerian. My natural handwriting is similar, so I think it would be a decent one to learn if I ever want to get extra fancy.

What is the best all around best black ink for extra fine, fine nibs for general office use?

Hi Tom! My question: What is a fude nib? What writing application is this nib used for?

Check out the platypus pen which is engineered and individually made in Australia

With school starting back, what pens would you recommend for school?

Honorable mention ... Sheaffer... Q> Which Nib amongst the following pens have more gold, as in quantity, in them? 1. Pilot Custom 823 2. Pilot Custom 743 3. Lamy 2000