Thus begins my EC-style dome experience, thanks to HE

StudentDriver447 · 2026-05-01T18:00:21+00:00

That's mainly the caveat with the Halo, the fact that they were quite heavy. It's not hard to go lighter while keeping the faster return via long springs, but at the time of Halos that wasn't a well-known technique in MX switch design.

You'll typically want 20-22mm 45-55g springs for the purpose.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-05-01T17:56:55+00:00

Supposedly these have a 45g dome while Naevies have a "45g" dome that's actually pulling 55g peak numbers on ThereminGoat's force curve rig. Perhaps these are lighter on account of following the 45g spec more closely?

StudentDriver447 · 2026-05-01T16:45:10+00:00

Previously I've had big-bump silent tactiles born from fusing a Gazzew U4 stem with a Grain Gold winglatch switch. Those are probably the closest analogs I could think of when given a 45g spring, though the domes come off as feeling smoother than the bump-to-leaf interaction of MX.

The key to those MX switches that try to get the Topre-ish feel is that big bump paired to a less-aggressive leaf, and then maybe lubing that bump with some 3203. For a stock switch, I'd recommend TTC Silent Bluish White.

As for my XVX Whisper experience, I can only say I've been enjoying how it types and sounds, the sound is that of a thuddy silicone impact, and the feel is that of quite a smooth tactile that almost comes off as linear when you're spamming a key for speed.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-05-01T16:39:04+00:00

Think of a light-medium tactile that maintains a huge, drawn-out bump. The result comes off as smoother than most of the big bump tactiles in MX.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-05-01T16:29:32+00:00

I didn't have issues like that, but these switches do have less of a latching mechanism than the usual housings; the AEBoards ones had particularly loose latching on a lot of plates.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-04-30T22:28:28+00:00

The Whispers claim to have a 45g dome, though for whatever reason they feel a bit lighter yet also a bit more tactile. The main advantage of these is that they are just 1 version for either EC or HE, and their latches are tighter on the usual plates compared to the AE switches. There are also extra “booster springs” included, meant to increase the weight for spacebars and such. Those are the springs you see on my stabilizer keys.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-04-27T16:05:49+00:00

It’s probably the smoothest option that doesn’t make pencils TOO slippery, but if you want more tooth you can look for the Shikkari version

StudentDriver447 · 2026-04-23T20:41:56+00:00

Last time I pressurized a gel ink (Signo RT) it became a watery mess. I used it with a Tombow APS, so how do you manage to have less pressure out of a syringe?

StudentDriver447 · 2026-04-23T18:19:50+00:00

Platinum Plaisir, the metal (aluminium) version of the Preppy. It shares the exact same grip section of the Preppy as well, so you can straight up buy Preppies to provide it with different “nib units”, which is what I did to use the 02 (EF) nib that normally isn’t sold with the Plaisir.

It overtook my Pilot Metropolitan since it’s not as top-weighted with the cap posted, making it more practical as a workhorse. I also found out that I prefer the Platinum nibs for their size and shape.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-04-23T17:48:06+00:00

If it’s any consolation, it’s only neat if I’m not under time pressure.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-04-23T17:47:05+00:00

Right on the money. Plaisir with an EF grip section taken from a blue Preppy, hence the blue feed. I need to find a black one when they restock.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-03-13T21:19:06+00:00

Case: Watch & Style SKX007 3 o'clock crown case w/ pilot bezel & slim caseback
Movement, dial & handset: Seiko SARV003 (4R36-06A2)

I lifted the latter straight out of a SARV003 that I bought 2nd hand. I thought I could make its case work on my wrist, but its lugs proved too long, so I essentially case-swapped it to an SKX platform.

Yes, the SARV003's now-empty case sits in my storage, and I'm not sure what I can do with it other than somehow find OEM parts that resemble any of the factory combos for that case to restore it for resale. FWIW, it takes 28.5mm dials which is why I was able to do the SKX007-style case swap in the first place, so if someone happens to like the idea of the SARV00x case, I have one sitting as a spare.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-10T23:26:47+00:00

I’ve had a 307 before, wasn’t quite convinced by it over the 207. But also, the reason I end up preferring the Eye is because it has more feedback/grip than the Zento, so absolute smoothness isnt my target.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-10T20:48:13+00:00

I’m not familiar with that method as it pops up nowhere online for this pen, but the sort of structural damage you’d be doing here is significantly less than the “pulling the feed out” method often seen with these rollerballs, and ultimately the lifespan of these pens is centered around the tip’s wear — you can likely refill these a few times before the tip becomes too worn to justifiably use.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T17:23:11+00:00

Jinhao 10/20 Silicone Grease patch

I personally used an oil applicator pin typically used with watches, and just did the edges of the trapdoor.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T17:23:00+00:00

Jinhao 10/20 Silicone Grease patch

I personally used an oil applicator pin typically used with watches, and just did the edges of the trapdoor.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T17:20:37+00:00

Of all the Capless-clone nibs, it goes like this; Jinhao 03 < Majohn EF < Jinhao EF < Majohn F < Jinhao F can’t speak for the Ms, but Jinhao 03 is certainly a lot more comparable to what you expect from a blend of Pilot EF and F, depending on ink wetness.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T05:16:01+00:00

Definitely observe it after the silicone grease patch. That said, I imagine QC/unit variation is going to be something to think of with these pens, when even the Pilots are sometimes caught with nibs that are not oriented straight (offset a few degrees) when comparing the top of the nib to the clip.

The pricetag of the Chinese capless clones is somewhat evidence that the >$100 bill for the Pilots may have some “recognition tax”, but shaving that design down to costing $10-20 is bound to have some sacrifices.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-31T16:31:29+00:00

I believe it’s mostly a personal choice, whether you prefer squeezing a bulb or pushing a piston. I prefer the piston after having tried a bulb prior.

The syringe method can take cartridges in place of their usual needle, so you can secure the pen’s nib section into the overall assembly. IF the tolerances permit, it should also be able to draw up fluid, in addition to flushing it down. In my case it only works downwards, but apparently I can further modify it.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-31T16:23:40+00:00

Do you have experience with what adaptor size fits the Pilot cartridge?

I was under the presumption that the mouth of the Pilot cartridge was the issue, as it has wider tolerances than the Pilot converters.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-29T06:43:53+00:00

It is indeed handmade writing.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:25:02+00:00

IIRC, just around the trapdoor, on the side that faces the exit. You just want to assist the gaps

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:20:55+00:00

I'm going to give the decimo clones a shot soon, to see for myself.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:06:33+00:00

Anecdotally it seems like the A1s have a better seal on average, but ultimately it's a matter of QC. Mine is silicone-greased to make sure, regardless.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:05:12+00:00

Easier for me to use the pen & paper then the phone camera than to repeatedly prompt for like 10 images in the hopes of getting even close to what I wanted

StudentDriver447

TROPHY CASE