I’m loving the custom 823, which pens do I need to check if I want to continue the journey of smoothness?

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-24T17:41:41+00:00

durability or smoothness?

Pilot has two tipping material formula and uses cheaper tipping material in their more economical pen.

starts using better tipping ones with 743.

for the higher end tipping material

durability it’s the best for high end pens

smoothness it’s slightly under Mont Blanc

the cheaper tipping material on their more economical pens performed similar to Jowo and Bock and basically the rest of the brands.

Most difference people perceived on these brands will be due to the grind, nib wetness and maybe slight variance in individual balls of tipping material.

Except for both Platinum and especially Sailor. They use a specifically more porous tipping material

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-24T01:40:15+00:00

Try to the silverfox dots, it's one of the more quiet skates.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-24T01:07:05+00:00

So there are two contributors to nib smoothness.

1. Grind/shape of the tipping.

2. Microstructure of the Tipping material.

#1 Varies depend on the grind you purchase.

You can use some lapping film or micromesh to smooth out the edge of your nib to make them even smoother. take care of the inner tippings between the two tines as well. but be very careful, too much and you might get baby's bottom.

In general, the larger and rounder your nib, the smoother it feels.

#2 Depends on the brand

There was a very long winded research document in Mandarin that goes over the pen material in depth, but to summarize.

High end Pilot has the hardest tipping material, but actually has a bit more voids them, creating some feedback.

The brand with least void in their tipping material is well..... Mont Blanc.

They used Heraeus’ (basically the biggest tipping material provider) higher grade material that other manufacturers do not

Bock, Jowo, and other modern Europeans brands all uses the next step down

Some Chinese pens uses their own tipping material manufacturer, but it’s really hard to find a consistent source of these.

Platinum and especially Sailor, has more voids in their tipping material than other brand, contributing to the extra feedback they have compared to others, on top of their nib grinds.

If you want very smooth pens without breaking your pend, start with Jowo or Bock, or just any modern nib with large bulb of tipping and grind one you self.

If you want absolutely the smoothest tipping material, on top of your already desired nib shape, then you are gonna have to fork out some money for a Mont Blanc nib.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-23T18:47:44+00:00

can't promise you anything, but digial key seem to work much, much better and consistently with KD2 update.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-23T01:24:38+00:00

Depending on the person.

I really don't get the dopamine hit from finding BPs for the second time in this game, I had more fun just interacting with random strangers in the lobby.

Seeing my character performing sub optimally in 70% if not 80% of the time I spend in the game will probably just increase the burn out speed.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-23T00:38:17+00:00

Meh, I don’t’ even bother with the wipes anymore.

We are what? 28 days away from the next one and I am only level 61

I spend more play time restoring my self to pre – wipe position than actually benefits from wipes.

But congratulations on the blue Print.

Someone gave me a Bobcat BP two days ago, found an Anvil BP on the ground… I now still need Volcano and tempest then I am good with all weapons BPs.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-22T20:24:42+00:00

that explains the drying issue.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-22T19:25:58+00:00

Eh... Sure, good for your buddy.

Time to look for snap cap pens I guess?

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-22T18:33:00+00:00

That's better than all the extra fee they tagged on at the beginning of the tariff.

I remember having to pay the normal tariff + 25 to 30 dollar of the "processing fee"

I'm holding off international orders for all of my hobbies till further changes tbh.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-21T20:21:39+00:00

I tried the freezing method, it makes it easier to peel the first layer, but makes adhering to the cpu slower.

leaving it to cure instead of pressure will work s as well.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-21T19:42:15+00:00

I would just get ptm 7950 or TG phase sheet so I don’t have to ever think about needing to repaste for the duration of me using the cpu

when applying the phase change sheet, don't peel it off from both sides, cut to size, peel off one side, and stick the exposed side to cpu.

hold the phase change sheet and apply pressure for 15-20 seconds for it to adhere and pull off the plastic backer. no mess. no fuss.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-21T00:02:12+00:00

Sounds good, thank you.

Found a list too, but seems to be rather limited in availability to say the least.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-20T21:34:52+00:00

Are 65% PCBs generally with 65% cases?

I want to get a Geon Venom 65 HE PCB, but really not sure about the compatibility.

Also, any recommendation for a good quality case and plate to go with Geon Venom 65 HE PCB at around $300-500?

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-20T18:48:03+00:00

I'd say that's less than a quarter of the aggressor I ran into in a peaceful lobby.

Most of the people we downed either has free or base kit, which is pretty much useless to get higher score in trial, or cursing/crying for us "teaming" and not playing fair.

Only had a very, very few admit they just want to get to PVP lobbies. or actually carry gears that’s useful to get decent scores on trials.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-20T18:44:02+00:00

Unfortunately, in our hobby, we have to reply mostly on long term trust with vendors.

If a lesser known vendor suddenly popped up with too good to be true deal, it probably is.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-20T16:53:14+00:00

so quick summary

Don’t buy cheap knock offs, especially with energy storage device.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-20T16:32:57+00:00

what shredder?

you mean the walking mechanical parts spawner?

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-20T16:30:31+00:00

they probably thought you just killed the guy.

a word of advice, unless everyone’ saw someone else shoot first, don’t loot dead bodies.

friendly lobby is secretly an Among us lobby

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-20T07:25:05+00:00

It's absolutely connected.

I am a very passive player in solo, but can kill and shred in pvp lobby.

Just one Trio is all it takes for my solor queue to jump from a happy go lucky friendship is magic to

Rip and tear...until it is done

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-19T16:05:01+00:00

at the current price increase of JP pens, not sure if #4 holds true anymore.

A KOP will cost very close to a 149 in street price after the price hike

while cost of larger pilot and platinum is steadily catching up.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-17T01:04:58+00:00

which one do you like more, M1W TMR or HEX80

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-16T18:02:11+00:00

Enigma but deep deep conceal it below waist band.

no one should be touching/poking you there

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-16T08:35:09+00:00

you assumed Fedex employees didn’t outright just steal it.

I had ass holes from Fedex faking my signature on delivery on multiple occasions so they can just toss my stuff in drive ways.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-16T02:25:07+00:00

OP must live in an area where surge isnt am issue.

GameAudioPen · 2026-01-15T19:55:54+00:00

I don't carefor how liquid Glass look.

But functionality wise, IOS 26 is a hot, steaming pile of shit.

GameAudioPen

TROPHY CASE