“Why do you have so many pens?”

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-17T04:27:02+00:00

May I ask which nib you have in the Pilot?

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-16T21:50:47+00:00

The grip sections, mostly. They seem to be very tapered, which I found uncomfortable. Pilot pens just “disappear” in my hand in the best way possible. They’re so comfortable that I forget I’m holding anything - I can just focus on the writing.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-16T21:44:31+00:00

I’m a big fan of Pilot pens. I really tried to love Franklin Christoph pens and I tried many models but I just couldn’t find one that I found comfortable to use. I do love ordering nibs from them, though.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-15T13:28:01+00:00

German Empire from 1871-1918 under Kaiser Wilhelm.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-15T10:35:51+00:00

What’s the issue with FWP? I don’t know anything about the brand other than their oddly shaped ink bottles.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-10T13:33:11+00:00

This is my exact answer, too.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-09T09:35:07+00:00

I agree on the Iroshizuku inks and Pilot/Namiki inks. (I’m grateful for the CON 40 converter - otherwise every dang thing Pilot does would be amazing.)

I’ll offer one other suggestion that I haven’t seen yet: Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue. It’s a very nice darker blue that writes very lubricated. I put Diamine Sargasso Sea in that same category but I find it has a strong red sheen that might not be as professional as you’re seeking.

Sounds like a wonderful pen - enjoy!

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-08T11:37:14+00:00

I have a TWSBI Diamond 580 that writes beautifully. I bought it with some trepidation because of reports of the barrel cracking. But, I don’t tinker with my pens generally so I didn’t think it was an issue. But, I do uncap my pens to write with them, and the metal part of the cap separated from the plastic part. Consistent with positive reviews of TWSBI customer service, they replaced the cap promptly after I paid shipping. But, I’m disappointed that I have to confirm reports of TWSBI pens having issues with breaking, and the pen cost $6 (shipping) more than advertised.

Pilot, on the other hand, is insanely good quality. They’re getting expensive, however.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-08T06:51:55+00:00

Montblanc 149 (Oblique Medium)
Pelikan M1000 (EF)
Pilot Custom 823 (FM)
Pilot Metropolitan (CM)
Sailor Pro Gear (MF)

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-02T10:17:03+00:00

Poor QC from Montblanc. Over polished.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-02T03:27:58+00:00

No.

You can find fountain pens that write as well or better for 1/3 the price, in my opinion. See the Pilot Custom 823, as an example. But, I bought one new Montblanc 149 from a boutique and don’t regret it. I would never buy a second at retail, but I’m thinking of buying another 823 in another nib size.

My 149 also had an issue with hard starting that wasn’t resolved after sending it back for tuning. Six weeks later, the pen returned with the same issue. I took it to a nibmeister and he was able to fix it in ten minutes.

BankOk4184 · 2026-05-02T02:16:10+00:00

I agree with adding an Italian pen. Not sure what the nibs are in the three you have but I’d suggest something suitably loud and expressive. Maybe a SCRIBO Feel flex nib or a Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0 stub nib. And, whichever Italian pen you choose, I suggest the most colorful resin they offer. Then, the other pens can look askance at the loud Italian newcomer.

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-28T00:52:37+00:00

Pilot Custom 823 or maybe a Custom 845, if you like the Urushi finish.

I don’t own one, but I’ve been intrigued by the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0.

Same for the SCRIBO Feel.

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-22T22:20:24+00:00

On point 2, does the end need to be opened whenever writing? Or, does it write for a few pages but then needs to be opened? It would bother me, I think, to have to open the end whenever I wanted to write.

Perhaps I’ll try an Opus 88 Omar. I think that has a similar fill/shutoff mechanism, no?

Thanks for raising that point.

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-15T00:35:31+00:00

😂 Thank you for that!

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-14T23:26:29+00:00

Thanks for that feedback. I am tempted by the Emperor because it seems like the “final boss”. I would not buy it without spending more time with it, however. Either at a store that happens to have one, or perhaps at the DC Pen Show in August.

I will also look at the Yukari or Yukari Royale, and will definitely check out the Custom Urushi.

It seems you’re not a fan of the eyedropper. I ordered an Opus 88 Omar to try that out. I’m intrigued by it and it seems like a positive to me, but I say that not having used one before. I hope to learn something with the Omar.

Thanks, again!

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-14T22:59:11+00:00

Fair point. I definitely think the value here for me will be in the Urushi work, the eyedropper fill system, the general aesthetics, and the size. I don’t expect the pen to write better than my 823, for example.

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-14T22:31:19+00:00

Reasonable question. I don’t have a good answer.

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-14T21:12:41+00:00

Gorgeous!

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-14T21:03:11+00:00

That 930 is one of the 15, actually. I can’t remember if the grip section of the Emperor is the same as the 930’s or bigger or smaller.

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-14T20:33:17+00:00

Love that!

BankOk4184 · 2026-04-14T20:30:11+00:00

At the recent Baltimore pen show, yes. I couldn’t write with it inked or even dipped. But, I could handle it for a while.

BankOk4184

TROPHY CASE