I hate this pen: PenBBS 350

[@martynsnan]

I considered buying this pen but hesitated. Thanks for the detailed warning Stephen.

[@stepheninks]

At least one of us should learn from my mistakes :)

[@acrophobe]

I kinda like this pen 🤷‍♂. I mostly bought it because I liked the other PenBBS pens I had and for the interchangeable rollerball tip, which was something I had never seen at the time. I have the matte black version, which I think looks much better than this rose gold situation. Sure it's inelegant to look at it but I kind of like the simple and industrial look.

[@stepheninks]

I think it’s a lot better if you don’t post it. My main issue is with the cap. Also, I’m being purposefully melodramatic in all of these “I hate this pen” videos. Like what you like. I’m glad it works for some. I really do love the PenBBS brand.

[@gunsmokeandghouls]

I regret buying a lamy Al Star. Didn't mind the grip but the clip would always end up against my hand while drawing and was annoyance to stop and repost it. It was too short to use unposted. The nib was a let down in the weight of it. Seemed too thick no matter the ink. It did live up to being a workhorse with no performance issues but it always made me feel 'meh'.
What was ther rollerball pen you mentioned?

[@stepheninks]

I don’t have an Al-star, but I have a Lamy Lx. It’s not a bad pen, but I can’t, for the life of me figure out what it’s worth twice the value of the Safari I also own. It’s the exact same pen, just a different color. Ef is the only nib I can handle from Lamy, and even then it’s a little thick.
The rollerball I mentioned is from J. Herbin. There’s a video about it on this channel. I think it’s the least expensive way to try out the rollerball fountain pen thing. Literally the same setup as what I’m seeing on this pen, but almost 1/3 the price.

[@KendallW]

I don't mind the negativity at all, great insights, but I can't believe you forced yourself to use that pen for the full drawing.. Ouch! I think I speak for most when I say that you could/should have swapped in a different pen for the drawing.
I have a few regrets, mostly because I didn't know my preferences yet. Don't love hooded nibs or extra fine. Similar situation with inks, you don't really know until you try it. So, I love getting ink samples instead of full bottles.

[@stepheninks]

I feel like I’ve made some really great ink purchases over the years. Maybe 2-3 colors I rarely use, but the rest I love.
When I don’t get the pen I want, it’s good to know I can make a video and get the real prize: attention from people in the internet :)

[@KendallW]

@@stepheninks lol, exactly!

[@adrianmuino3412]

I have 2 PenBBS' and I don't like neither of them, nevertheless they were not cheap for different reasons they don't write well.

[@stepheninks]

That’s a bummer. I do have a few models of PenBBS pens that function poorly for me, but most of my experience with them has been positive.

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

That cap is more Faber Castell HEXO than Kaweco Sport. And, with the FC HEXO, the entire body is faceted in that way.

[@stepheninks]

I’ve seen the Hexo, but I’ve never held one. Is it uncomfortable? I mean, at least it’s plastic, right?

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

@@stepheninks Yes, and it's not uncomfortable to me, just not in any way attractive in design. But the broad writes quite well.

[@stepheninks]

@@evayaaasantewaa448 good to know. I almost bought a Hexo, but I ended up going with a Faber Castell Grip. The flow is really nice and the design is… fine. Not uncomfortable, anyway.

[@ichirofakename]

1. Burn it.
2. The only of my pens that I currently hate is my one vintage, a Waterman 52V purchased for that fabulous flex that is identical to my two modern flexers (Franklin-Christoph and Pilot 743). Lever filler, is it EVER clean? Do you want it?

[@stepheninks]

Are you offering me a bad time with an old pen that everyone will get mad at me if I don’t like? Because that sounds fantastic.

[@ichirofakename]

@@stepheninks hahaha

[@evilcritter]

I laughed a couple of times during this, but I did really enjoy your drawing, and I wish you had not suffered while doing it.

[@stepheninks]

Don’t worry. I’m a bit melodramatic.

[@BetaBuxDelux]

Sharp edges is kind of a deal breaker.

[@Cortesevasive]

just use sand paper,

[@stepheninks]

And a finger cutter

[@stepheninks]

You know, I actually tried that, and it didn’t really help. Might have even made it worse.

[@BetaBuxDelux]

@@stepheninksYep, totally not worth it.

[@Cortesevasive]

Well I regret buying Twisbis. Lamys. Maiora, and probably some Sailors, I cant understand 21k nibs . Meanwhile 6different gold nib Pilots and zero regrets for Pilots xD.

[@stepheninks]

Haha. The more you pay, the more you second guess yourself. I feel the same. The Twsbi thing… I feel like I’ve had Stockholm syndrome or something. Why do we accept such shoddy workmanship for such expensive pens? I have 3… I’m not going to get rid of them. But I’m probably not going to buy any more.

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

Can you, just for when you are drawing, post a different cap on it (if you find something that would fit)? Wow, what a sad design.

[@stepheninks]

That might work… but if I’m already getting out a cap for a more comfortable pen… might as well use that pen, right? I have so many great pens, it’s really hard to justify ever using this one for more than this video. There are too many better options at this price point.

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

@@stepheninks Yeah, I know. I have a few pens like that where you have to somehow make it work. As you say, it's not always worth the bother.

[@stepheninks]

@@evayaaasantewaa448 yeah, it would be if there weren’t so many other great options out there.