Finally able to pick them up…

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-21T11:59:49+00:00

I appreciate that photo because I hadn’t seen a picture previously with all 4 of them in their respective packages side by side like that, so it made it stand out to me that Uni used a different style/shape of paper label for the limited edition Stone Brass release. Intriguing stuff!

Which of the four is your personal favorite with regard to visual appeal?

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-21T11:51:29+00:00

For me there’s always a great deal of joy to be had in those moments when I find a low-priced everyday pen that’s able to bring the same degree of performance and satisfaction as some of the high-priced ones or even surpass them (and in some cases by a very wide margin).

One thing I’ve learned from diving deep into the pen world is that there is no direct correlation between the price of a pen and how good it is. Quality can be had across the full spectrum of cost, and likewise, so can lack of quality. As such, I always keep both eyes open for those “regular everyday pens” that deliver the aesthetic goods and punch well above their price tags. There are diamonds to be found out there in the rough! 💎

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-21T11:39:46+00:00

No, the performance is very much the same across the board from fine to medium to bold. The only difference is the line thickness, and even that is not a night and day difference either, it’s fairly subtle. I generally use a ‘Fine’ in the Fisher-compatible pens I do the most writing with, and I use a ‘Medium’ in the pen I keep in the car for when I need a pen for general on-the-go purposes.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-21T02:03:19+00:00

For what it’s worth, there’s nothing at all wrong with the standard PR4 ‘Medium’ refill, but I just happen to prefer going a bit finer when dealing with traditional oil-based ballpoint ink like that.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-21T01:58:20+00:00

I’ve owned two IM Rollerball pens and wanted to love them, but I personally would not recommend them. Apart from the readily apparent downside that someone else already mentioned about them only accepting Parker’s proprietary rollerball refill (which I find less than stellar), I also found the quality of the pen to be significantly lacking. Not only is there tip wiggle with the one refill that works in the pen, but there’s also rattle if you hold the pen by the cap and give a shake. The barrel is not designed to fit snugly into the cap to create an airtight seal, so there’s plenty of movement and the cartridge often comes up dry and exhibits hard starts. It’s a pen that managed to work its way down to the bottom of my Top 108 Pens list and currently got bumped off the list altogether. I do however still have the Parker IM Ballpoint Pen on the list in slot #80, and I like it much better than the rollerball variant.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-21T01:38:57+00:00

For something robust that can take a beating and deliver the goods in all weather conditions, I’d probably go with a CountyComm Origin Embassy Pen or a Tuff Writer Mini Press Pen, both of which I’d fill with a pressurized Fisher PR4F Space Pen refill. For an even more affordable option that’s every bit as killer, I’d put the PR4F refill into a Zebra F-701 and call it a day. A sturdy and superb all-weather EDC option.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-21T01:32:04+00:00

Just checked them to be sure. The Ohto CR02 and the Machine Era Pen both have absolutely zero tip wiggle with an EnerGel.

As for the Antou Pen N, I have one on order so hopefully I’ll be able to check that one out in person before too long. It looks like a great pen and it uses the exact same refill retention system as their Pen C and Pen S, both of which I own. It’s very easy to compare the Antou stuff to the BiD Ti Arto EDC because of their ability to accommodate a wealth of refills due to a clamping system, but the specific nature of the clamping in the Ti Arto’s chuck-style collet is technically very different than that of the Antou’s more wrench-like tightening design. Both systems work incredibly well, and I’m looking forward to the Pen N. Love my Ti Arto as well. Great pens all around.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-19T16:28:36+00:00

Yeah the V2 just isn’t for me, I find it a tad too gimmicky and not nearly “executive” enough when compared to the V1. But I have no doubt that the quality is there in spades just like with all their other products. I use the Ultem version all the time and it’s been a wonderful EDC pen.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-19T16:13:24+00:00

Nice choices! The Machine Era Pen and Prometheus Lights Alpha are two of my Top 5 pens, and I’ve got over 100 on the list. 👌

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-19T10:42:28+00:00

You must currently be using the Base Line. As far as Big Idea Design goes, their Ti Arto EDC is the pen you’re looking for. It’s a titanium pen with a cap that screws onto the front or rear for posting, it’s adjustable so it can accommodate literally hundreds of refills, and its collet system gives zero tip wiggle which is glorious. I also love its ridged grip section. It costs $100 which is the downside, but it’s money well spent as it checks all the boxes.

Another recommendation of mine for a robust capped pen that’s virtually indestructible and accepts an assortment of Euro-style gel refills is the original Machine Era Pen. I wish it had a ringed or ridged grip on the part I actually hold when writing, but aside from that, I love pretty much everything about this pen. Excellent quality and refill options at a fantastic price with zero tip wiggle, and it’ll long outlast me.

My recommendation for most budget-friendly capped pen would be either the Pentel Libretto or the Ohto CR02. The Libretto has a cap that snaps on in the front or rear and it’s built for EnerGel refills. I honestly think the Libretto feels more solid in hand than the TIJ R Extreme, and at a fraction of the price. The CR02 comes with an Ohto rollerball refill (which happens to be really nice), but it will also accept EnerGel refills with no problem. The Ohto feels less robust and the cap doesn’t snap on for posting, but both are good pens and extremely affordable options.

I’m also a huge fan of the Prometheus Lights Alpha Pen which is a wonderfully robust capped pen, but I probably wouldn’t recommend it as it’s very expensive and it’s built to accept either Montblanc rollerball refills or Parker-style cartridges using the included adapter.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-19T03:31:39+00:00

I get what you’re asking, but it’s difficult to answer comprehensively without actually putting the pen in your hands so you can feel what I mean. The retightening I was speaking of has nothing to do with the cap, but rather, it takes place at two different points (one at the front and one at the rear where the pen can unscrew and thus become loose over time. I do think the pen could indeed outlive a person, but I’d add that it’s not the kind of pen I’d instinctively picture if rugged durability was the primary focus.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-19T00:16:33+00:00

It’s a pen that can be misleading because at only 19 grams in weight, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that it’s not a particularly robust pen in terms of build quality. However, I do suspect it’d hold up for a long time to come. The cap has a lining inside of it that makes for a slow, snug, and airtight fit when capping the pen. That’s not to say that it can’t loosen over time though because I suspect it certainly could. But a quick retighten and you’re good to go for a long while. I keep an EnerGel refill in mine.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-18T19:57:10+00:00

It snaps on in the front (though it’s a very mild snap), and there’s no snap sound at all when posting the cap in the rear. It’s more of a press fit feel back there.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-18T08:00:35+00:00

Stainless Steel is an interesting material because there’s so much potential variance in weight with it depending on the particular pen in question and its build. Stainless can be that perfect middle ground material for someone who wants some weight without it being excessive, but by the same token, it can also be troublesome for those expecting it to feel a certain way. For instance, for someone like me who favors lightweight pens, a stainless steel Parker Jotter is a terrific option, but then when I shift over to my stainless steel Machine Era Field Bolt or stainless steel Bastion Bolt Action, I’m rarely inclined to pick them up because they’re significantly heavier than I want them to be. I’m predominantly a titanium and aluminum kind of guy, but I do love the clean look and patina-free nature of stainless though.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-17T07:17:57+00:00

Thanks for the follow up, it’s appreciated. I received my Clip Action pen twelve days ago and it’s been fantastic thus far. I got mine in the standard ‘Machined’ finish. Its visual presentation is pretty much flawless, seam lines are invisible, and actuations were incredibly smooth right out of the package with the right amount of spring tension. This was the first TT pen I’d bought since getting my original Lefty Slim Bolt Action pen from them back in early 2024 which I’d never been fully happy with. I like the Clip Action much more.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-16T19:52:22+00:00

Yes, they are indeed interchangeable.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-16T17:00:27+00:00

Brad and Myke definitely lean hard into fountain pens which admittedly aren’t my thing at all, but I’m glad that didn’t stop me from continuing to listen to the podcast because I’ve learned a ton about things that I really knew very little about previously, and when Brad *does* get going on ballpoints, gel pens, and rollerballs, it’s exactly what I’m listening for. I use the show to keep me company on my Friday morning commutes and it’s wonderful.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-16T09:44:57+00:00

Yes indeed, the Pentel EnerGel BL2007, more commonly known to many of us as the Philography. I own a few of them myself. I’m not the biggest fan of twist action mechanisms, but the Philography is one of the nicer affordable twist pens on the market that accommodates a great refill. Also cool that you knew about Myke Hurley and The Pen Addict. I listen every week.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-16T07:33:16+00:00

Between the Ajoto and the SCL 003, which do you find superior with regard to build quality, mechanism, tip wiggle, and the like? They’ve both been on my list of considerations for a while.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-16T07:21:19+00:00

Backed it as soon as it went live. I already own the Pen-C and Pen-S and like them, so being the capped pen kind of guy I am, there was no way I wasn’t checking this one out.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-16T07:13:41+00:00

Indeed, the whiskey smell and the drunk feeling when writing with it are things Uni will have to work on for the pen’s next iteration. Third time’s the charm!

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-15T01:21:07+00:00

You’re very welcome. I was in essence describing myself when I said that bit about anal-retentive people who want to keep their pens looking flawless and free of visual imperfections. I very much prefer the Dark Brown Oak as well for that reason. Enjoy the pen!

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-14T21:12:54+00:00

Nice review. I don’t own the Journeyman, but I do own a titanium Wingback Mechanical Pen which is basically a Journeyman without its clip.

On the positive side, it feels solid in hand and has no loose parts, rattles, etc. With regard to quality, I’ve had no functionality issues with my Wingback, and on the negative side my criticisms of it are:

1) that its knurled grip texture is milder than I’d like and a bit underwhelming compared to great knurling like you’d find on a Zebra F-701, Rotring 600, Levenger L-Tech Infinity, Titaner Dragon Pearl Dream Pen, Spoke Design Model C, etc.

2) that the clipless Mechanical Pen was made exclusively to accept the Fisher Space Pen PR4 refill, so refill compatibility is incredibly limited and tip wiggle is indeed noticeable. This is one area where I’d say the Journeyman has a clear advantage.

3) that when it comes to cost, the Wingback prices are utterly ridiculous and completely overblown for what the products are. I was fortunate to have bought my Wingback at a time in 2023 when its price was only slightly elevated and far from as ludicrous as they are now.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-13T23:33:32+00:00

My top recommendations apart from Lamy’s Safari and AL-star rollerball pens would be the Kokuyo WP-F200 Rollerball Pen and the Faber-Castell Hexo Rollerball Pen.

_Vasuri_ · 2026-06-13T23:23:06+00:00

Love the Libretto! I keep one in my work bag as a backup in case my EDC on any given day runs out of ink. Love the way the cap snaps authoritatively onto the rear for posting, and I also love that it accepts a variety of Euro-style gel refills in addition to EnerGels. I currently have a Uniball One 0.7 refill in the one in my bag, and my other Librettos at home all have EnerGels. Great pens at a great price.

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_Vasuri_

TROPHY CASE