Thanks, Mick. Enjoyed seeing what & why you write with. Much to my surprise for many years a black Wing Sung 618 has been inked, reinked & written with regularly. Never fails, always delights. Has Noodlers HOD, great for checks and addressing envelops. Wish you a fabulous New Year.
Love love the Lamy 2000! I finally bought myself a Sailor 1911 large … what a pen! So happy with it. I love Diamine Asa Blue you should try some. I too have a thing about blue / black and blue inks. It’s rather boring but … I can’t imagine any other colour being “sober” enough to use in the world of work. That may change now … Thank you for a great video. I do watch your channels but I think this may be my first time commenting. Happy new year and here’s to a healthy and pen filled 2021.
I feel the same with my Sailor Pro Gear Slim.....I try to use all my other pens, and like them! But when I use the Sailor, it’s just “aaaaaaaah”. The perfect nib. I also love your videos!
Solid selection! The Lamy 2000, the Homo Sapiens and the Sailor Pro Gear in the form of a Wancher Japan Blue is on my "Most used in 2020" list as well.
you all prolly dont give a damn but does someone know a way to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot the password. I would love any help you can offer me!
@Jesse Duncan Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
Thanks for this. Made me think which I use most as opposed to my "favorite" pens. Lamy 2000 with OB nib and Noodlers Ottoman Rose (only); Lamy Dialog 3 M with either Standard Bindery 'Old Friend' (after I saw you review it) or Noodlers Nightshade - very similar inks; Pelikan M200 M with Noodlers Midnight Blue (only); Opus 88 Koloro 1.4 stub with Noodlers Squeteague (only); Lamy Studio with gold F and Noodlers Blue Black or Noodlers Air Corp (another blue-black).
Cool to see what others use. My top five would be Lamy CP1, Lamy Studio (olive), Faber Castell Ambition, Franklin-Christoph SIG, and an Eco with a stub.
Nice video and glad to find an Aussie stationery RUclipsr. Recently got into the fountain pen world and a bit upset that most stationery shops seem to be in Melbourne though.
My most used are my Pilot Custom 823, Sailor Pro Gear, Pilot Capless, steel nib (it's the pen I carry with me everywhere), and Faber Castel Loom. My new Aurora 88 will make the list next year! My Lamy 2000 is a broad and I have yet to find an ink that works the way I want it to...I should get a fine or medium nib and I'm sure it would be on the list. I love the pen, I just write on too small a rule for a broad to be practical normally 😟
Hi Mick, good video 👍. Just picked up a Pilot Custom 823 ~ Smoke ~ wonderful writer! The best I’ve ever used, wonderful. I also picked up (3) Kaweco sports all in fine nibs. I liked the titanium small pocket pen you reviewed (Ennso ?) but thought I’d try a Kaweco sport classic. A design that has stood the test of time for sure (1911). Great, inexpensive, very good fine nibs. Decided to opt for the Al Golden Expresso brown in fine. Wow, love it, small, but feels great in my hand, very solid. Not a large ink reservoir, but a delight to use, and looks good 🤗. Thanks for sharing your fav pens for this year 😎. I normally don’t share much about my fountain pens, but the Kaweco Al, and their sport classic have been such a delight to use and travel so well in my front pocket, I wanted to brag on them 😎 . The 823, well I’m blown away by its smooth writing. Effortless Amazing Awesome. 🤓
I have a Laban Cambridge 325, and I really enjoy it a lot. I almost--almost!--bought a Sun, too, for my orange pen. I really enjoy the Schmidt nib on my Gazing Far tm2. I'm not sure why they don't get more love, but I don't think there's anything wrong with them at all.
I always have too many pens inked up at once - usually 25, on average. That’s the way I like it because I prefer using many of my pens regularly and whenever I want. A great video topic, Mick. And excellent presentation, as always. Except the beautiful Laban, I have the exact same five of the other pens you showed. All of them very compelling, unsurprising choices. Certainly made me think of my own most prolific writers in 2020. Slightly difficult to make a narrow Top 5 the way you did here. I simply use several different pens, in rotation, and regularly throughout the whole year. However, on careful thought I reckon my top 5 most used pens in 2020 would be the following, in random order: Aurora 88 Aurora Talentum Aurora Ipsilon Aurora Duo Cart Montblanc 146 Grande My Aurora-heavy list might amuse you and others here. It’s just that Aurora dominates my current reduced collection of 65 pens (25 of them Aurora) . I love them best and generally use them most. Only my Optimas somehow didn’t get too much use and hence didn’t figure in my list.
Great choice of pens Mick 👍🏻 I enjoy my 823 as well. Like you say not cheap either as I imported a clear one from Japan to the UK. I must say I am always looking at the Sailor Pro Gear as well. I can’t tell just looking here, is yours the new Pro Gear? Didn’t they change the design a bit? Thanks for sharing some nice pens. 😃
From the clip that is the regular Pro Gear. They came out with a Pro Gear 2 (I think that is what it's called). I think Figboot on Pens did a review and comparison over on his channel... I can vouch for the excellence of the Pro gear as well, but I don't have any experience with the pro gear 2
Your handwriting is very cool! In your opinion, is there a big difference between the Lamy 2000 with a medium nib and the one with a fine? As I could see, the pilot writes similar to a medium nib. Thank you so much and may God bless your work!
Fun and interesting list, thanks. I wonder, do you draw as well as write with these pens? If not, I'd love to know what pens got the most use for your drawing. Inks too. I was all over the place in 2020, but in 2021 I am focussing on slender, cylindrical, metal, flush-posting pens (Lamy CP1, Faber-Castell Neo Slim, TiLiner, and?). Ink-wise I am exploring iron gall (first up, Platinum Classic Citrus Black).
These pens are mostly used for writing. But occasionally for drawing when I’m out and about. For drawing I mostly use something like the muji fountain pen or an extra fine platinum preppy with a permanent black ink like noodles heart of darkness. Most of my drawing is done with robert Oster inks because I like use water and they respond well. I’d like to explore more iron gall inks… I’m just hesitant to use them in a lot of my pens
@@echo021 Noodler’s heart of darkness does the job for me... but another black ink I love is Platinum’s Carbon Black. Good solid dark black with excellent water resistance. Just needs a bit more diligence when cleaning the pen.
A very modest budget in comparison to some other reviewers out there! The Lamy 2000 Steel is a very nice pen in the hand. I held one for the first time recently.
@@theoffstageme Lamy Broad is too broad I need to get it ground down like Artisan Sigaro Asian Style Broad. Cost around $84 and the only issue I have with the Sigaro is the lack of an optional slide over clip.
My most used fountain pen in 2020 : Lamy al star Baoer 388 Jinhao x450 Jinhao 8802 Pilot vanishing point For me, Baoer 388 is my new edc pen due to price and it buttery-smooth writer
@@theoffstageme I was referring to the fact that Edison produces nib units in which the nib and feed are one, easily swapped unscrewable (sp?) piece/unit as opposed to a friction fitted nib and seperate feed. I was over the moon when I learned I could have a new nib in my green 325 with a few twists of the pen.
Hmmm... ideally I would have 4... but it regularly gets up to 7-10. It never gets excessive. I generally run a couple of pens dry a week... more if I am busy
You write exactly like me: underwriter (my handwriting is not similar, tho hehe!). Did you have to train being underwriter when you got into fountain pen or have you been writing like that your entire life?
Thank you, Mick! I did enjoy your comments, and your ink reviews as well. I share a lot of your pen choices, but (so far) I have not stretched for the Visconti Homo Sapiens. (I do think it is perhaps in a class of pens that I would have needed as a lawyer, as it communicates class without any gaudiness at all. It would also stand up to everyday office use. As a retiree, I just have a hard time pulling the trigger. I do keep watching for a bargain, perhaps used one. I do love Laban pens, and that pen’s aesthetic appeal is amazing. Again, your reviews are always interesting and helpful. Have a great new year!
Thanks, Mick. Enjoyed seeing what & why you write with. Much to my surprise for many years a black Wing Sung 618 has been inked, reinked & written with regularly. Never fails, always delights. Has Noodlers HOD, great for checks and addressing envelops. Wish you a fabulous New Year.
Yes! I have a 618 that’s been continuously inked for years. Writes first time, every time. Good pen.
Wonderful top 5, appreciate that you wrote with all of them. Looking forward to your next top 5.
Love this list, especially the Leban and the Sailor. I turn 50 next year so who knows I might splurge on something similar for myself. Happy new year
Love love the Lamy 2000! I finally bought myself a Sailor 1911 large … what a pen! So happy with it. I love Diamine Asa Blue you should try some. I too have a thing about blue / black and blue inks. It’s rather boring but … I can’t imagine any other colour being “sober” enough to use in the world of work. That may change now …
Thank you for a great video. I do watch your channels but I think this may be my first time commenting. Happy new year and here’s to a healthy and pen filled 2021.
Yeah, Asa Blue is great.
Thanks Mick for a great year of videos. I agree 100% on the Pilot 823 !!
I feel the same with my Sailor Pro Gear Slim.....I try to use all my other pens, and like them! But when I use the Sailor, it’s just “aaaaaaaah”. The perfect nib. I also love your videos!
May I ask what size nib you use? I'm looking for one that is thin but not scratchy. Thanks.
Mine are both Medium nibs. You might be okay with a fine, though. No scratchiness, just the cool feedback.
goodness, how did I miss this one, thanks for posting
Solid selection! The Lamy 2000, the Homo Sapiens and the Sailor Pro Gear in the form of a Wancher Japan Blue is on my "Most used in 2020" list as well.
you all prolly dont give a damn but does someone know a way to log back into an instagram account?
I stupidly forgot the password. I would love any help you can offer me!
@Jesse Kingston Instablaster :)
@Jesse Duncan Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out now.
Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Jesse Duncan it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thanks so much you saved my account :D
@Jesse Kingston You are welcome :D
Thanks for this. Made me think which I use most as opposed to my "favorite" pens. Lamy 2000 with OB nib and Noodlers Ottoman Rose (only); Lamy Dialog 3 M with either Standard Bindery 'Old Friend' (after I saw you review it) or Noodlers Nightshade - very similar inks; Pelikan M200 M with Noodlers Midnight Blue (only); Opus 88 Koloro 1.4 stub with Noodlers Squeteague (only); Lamy Studio with gold F and Noodlers Blue Black or Noodlers Air Corp (another blue-black).
Old Friend is a beautiful ink. Ive never been sold on Air Corp... it’s too great for mt blue black needs. Thanks for watching. See you in 2021
Cool to see what others use. My top five would be Lamy CP1, Lamy Studio (olive), Faber Castell Ambition, Franklin-Christoph SIG, and an Eco with a stub.
Happy New Year.
Thanks for all you do.
Nice video and glad to find an Aussie stationery RUclipsr. Recently got into the fountain pen world and a bit upset that most stationery shops seem to be in Melbourne though.
My most used are my Pilot Custom 823, Sailor Pro Gear, Pilot Capless, steel nib (it's the pen I carry with me everywhere), and Faber Castel Loom. My new Aurora 88 will make the list next year! My Lamy 2000 is a broad and I have yet to find an ink that works the way I want it to...I should get a fine or medium nib and I'm sure it would be on the list. I love the pen, I just write on too small a rule for a broad to be practical normally 😟
Beautifully done video. That Violet is indeed gorgeous.
Hi Mick, good video 👍. Just picked up a Pilot Custom 823 ~ Smoke ~ wonderful writer! The best I’ve ever used, wonderful. I also picked up (3) Kaweco sports all in fine nibs. I liked the titanium small pocket pen you reviewed (Ennso ?) but thought I’d try a Kaweco sport classic. A design that has stood the test of time for sure (1911). Great, inexpensive, very good fine nibs. Decided to opt for the Al Golden Expresso brown in fine. Wow, love it, small, but feels great in my hand, very solid. Not a large ink reservoir, but a delight to use, and looks good 🤗. Thanks for sharing your fav pens for this year 😎. I normally don’t share much about my fountain pens, but the Kaweco Al, and their sport classic have been such a delight to use and travel so well in my front pocket, I wanted to brag on them 😎 . The 823, well I’m blown away by its smooth writing. Effortless Amazing Awesome. 🤓
Happy New Year, Mick! Thanks for another great year of excellent content and great reviews. I have learned a lot and really enjoyed your company!
Nice! Love this take on MOST used pens of 2020!
Congrats Mick on the new job. 😊
I have a Laban Cambridge 325, and I really enjoy it a lot. I almost--almost!--bought a Sun, too, for my orange pen.
I really enjoy the Schmidt nib on my Gazing Far tm2. I'm not sure why they don't get more love, but I don't think there's anything wrong with them at all.
I always have too many pens inked up at once - usually 25, on average. That’s the way I like it because I prefer using many of my pens regularly and whenever I want.
A great video topic, Mick. And excellent presentation, as always. Except the beautiful Laban, I have the exact same five of the other pens you showed. All of them very compelling, unsurprising choices. Certainly made me think of my own most prolific writers in 2020. Slightly difficult to make a narrow Top 5 the way you did here. I simply use several different pens, in rotation, and regularly throughout the whole year. However, on careful thought I reckon my top 5 most used pens in 2020 would be the following, in random order:
Aurora 88
Aurora Talentum
Aurora Ipsilon
Aurora Duo Cart
Montblanc 146 Grande
My Aurora-heavy list might amuse you and others here. It’s just that Aurora dominates my current reduced collection of 65 pens (25 of them Aurora) . I love them best and generally use them most. Only my Optimas somehow didn’t get too much use and hence didn’t figure in my list.
Great choice of pens Mick 👍🏻 I enjoy my 823 as well. Like you say not cheap either as I imported a clear one from Japan to the UK. I must say I am always looking at the Sailor Pro Gear as well. I can’t tell just looking here, is yours the new Pro Gear? Didn’t they change the design a bit? Thanks for sharing some nice pens. 😃
From the clip that is the regular Pro Gear. They came out with a Pro Gear 2 (I think that is what it's called). I think Figboot on Pens did a review and comparison over on his channel... I can vouch for the excellence of the Pro gear as well, but I don't have any experience with the pro gear 2
@@johnathanrhoades7751 - that’s actually where I went and had another look! 👍🏻🙂 I’d even forgot I’d watched it before, some time ago.
Your handwriting is very cool!
In your opinion, is there a big difference between the Lamy 2000 with a medium nib and the one with a fine?
As I could see, the pilot writes similar to a medium nib.
Thank you so much and may God bless your work!
Would you like to get rid of the med Visconti nib
Fun and interesting list, thanks. I wonder, do you draw as well as write with these pens? If not, I'd love to know what pens got the most use for your drawing. Inks too. I was all over the place in 2020, but in 2021 I am focussing on slender, cylindrical, metal, flush-posting pens (Lamy CP1, Faber-Castell Neo Slim, TiLiner, and?). Ink-wise I am exploring iron gall (first up, Platinum Classic Citrus Black).
These pens are mostly used for writing. But occasionally for drawing when I’m out and about. For drawing I mostly use something like the muji fountain pen or an extra fine platinum preppy with a permanent black ink like noodles heart of darkness. Most of my drawing is done with robert Oster inks because I like use water and they respond well. I’d like to explore more iron gall inks… I’m just hesitant to use them in a lot of my pens
@@theoffstageme Oh yeah, I just got a Muji too, haven't tried it yet, but of course it's another metallic, slender, cylindrical flush-poster.
@@theoffstageme do you have a recommendation for a permanent deep black ink?
@@echo021 Noodler’s heart of darkness does the job for me... but another black ink I love is Platinum’s Carbon Black. Good solid dark black with excellent water resistance. Just needs a bit more diligence when cleaning the pen.
@@theoffstageme awesome, thank you, Mick!
First reviewer I have ever seen that was left handed. Oh my. This is great.
Appreciated, as always! Happy New Year.
So much for the modest budget. Lamy 2000 steel (B) and Waterman Carene Deluxe Negro GT(B).
A very modest budget in comparison to some other reviewers out there! The Lamy 2000 Steel is a very nice pen in the hand. I held one for the first time recently.
@@theoffstageme Lamy Broad is too broad I need to get it ground down like Artisan Sigaro Asian Style Broad. Cost around $84 and the only issue I have with the Sigaro is the lack of an optional slide over clip.
A Very Happy New Year to you and Familly as well
Where did you purchase your pen rest you show when you do a close up of the Sailor?
I believe it came from Dryad Pens when I ordered a pen from him a couple of years ago.
@@theoffstageme thanks for the response
Wonderful video, thank you
Thanks Mick, I dont feel so bad now I only have 45 pens.
My most used fountain pen in 2020 :
Lamy al star
Baoer 388
Jinhao x450
Jinhao 8802
Pilot vanishing point
For me, Baoer 388 is my new edc pen due to price and it buttery-smooth writer
Happy New Year
The Laban always catches my eye.
Hello Mick, have you tried Diamine Blood Orange?.......something tells me yes. I just love it.
I have indeed. One of my favourite inks in the Laban actually.
Has anyone pointed out that Laban 325's are compatible with Edison nib units?
Well they should be because edison use standard Jowo nibs like Laban
@@theoffstageme I was referring to the fact that Edison produces nib units in which the nib and feed are one, easily swapped unscrewable (sp?) piece/unit as opposed to a friction fitted nib and seperate feed. I was over the moon when I learned I could have a new nib in my green 325 with a few twists of the pen.
Love the nib tattoo!
Thanks for your informative video. How many pens would you say you have inked up at any given time? Happy New Year.
Hmmm... ideally I would have 4... but it regularly gets up to 7-10. It never gets excessive. I generally run a couple of pens dry a week... more if I am busy
You write exactly like me: underwriter (my handwriting is not similar, tho hehe!). Did you have to train being underwriter when you got into fountain pen or have you been writing like that your entire life?
Hello Dame Etna! 💜😀🖋🤓
Thank you, Mick! I did enjoy your comments, and your ink reviews as well. I share a lot of your pen choices, but (so far) I have not stretched for the Visconti Homo Sapiens. (I do think it is perhaps in a class of pens that I would have needed as a lawyer, as it communicates class without any gaudiness at all. It would also stand up to everyday office use. As a retiree, I just have a hard time pulling the trigger. I do keep watching for a bargain, perhaps used one. I do love Laban pens, and that pen’s aesthetic appeal is amazing. Again, your reviews are always interesting and helpful. Have a great new year!