12 Piston Filler Fountain Pens Under $50

[@jeffreyclayman6922]

“If you get your ‘ethical knickers’ in a twist” has to be on the Top 10 of all comments made in a KZbin FP review! Great quote, Doug!

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL Thanks!

[@theprof_001]

I think this review will help anyone looking for a reasonably priced piston filler. You’ve done all the work for us. As usual, a great video. 👍

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks 👍

[@jjbishop134]

Awesome review! 👍🏾 I took a pause from buying pens, but your top two have been sitting in my cart long enough. Time to pull the trigger ... 😁. Thanks Doug!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good choice!

[@deandesrosiers6857]

Another great video, Doug! Merry Xmas! The $5/mth I give to your channel is some of the best place money I used to own. More “watchers” should do the same to help you do what you do. We are all better for it. Keep up the great work. Your comments about the Admok 800 surprise me as I recollect perhaps negative comments from your review a while back.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I'm glad you like the channel! The Admok M800 was on my top pens list. I had an issue about a vendor selling what was advertised as a 14k nib with it.

[@Unlucky1776]

LOVE THESE TYPES OF VIDEOS

[@Sapta_Chakra]

After so many days, I am watching your video again! Gteat, as usual ❤

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much 😀

[@oscarmedina1597]

@15:33 This was hilarious in context! @22:17 That’s what I said. Well, I’m going to have to pick up a couple more pens… (Good on you for mentioning the Nahvalur.)

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, @oscarmedina1597!

[@lizpilgrim1]

Another great video, Doug! I bought my first Asvine pen, the P20 in amber, after watching your review video. Then I bought a couple of their V126 pen in Frosted black and frosted blue. All three are great pens for the money. So, thanks for your review, and I will have to see about getting an Admok M800!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Awesome! Thanks Liz!

[@lizpilgrim1]

@InkquiringMinds I attempted to order an ink buddy, but shipping is $25. Is there any chance you or your son will be at Scriptus this year?

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@lizpilgrim1 That is Esty doing their standard shipping routine. James will be able to combine orders and give actual shipping costs on smaller orders. Just message him.

[@lizpilgrim1]

@InkquiringMinds Great, thanks!

[@Detman101]

Whooooowee Doug!!! Those Asvines are looking juuuuuuust right! I may have to pick up one this year.

[@InkquiringMinds]

You should!

[@deandesrosiers6857]

I gotta give props to the Wingsung 630. My F steel nib version feels “just good” which has saved me from dropping a wad on a MB 149… for now… the gold nib option is intriguing.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Wingsung 630 is a great value! I love mine with the 14k nib.

[@sunnycharacter]

That P20 is gorgeous! 🩵💚💛

[@johnsomers8269]

Such an encyclopedia of knowledge and details!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@FountainPenNews]

I recently got an Admok M800 with a Schmidt nib and I love it! I wanted something different than the Broad on my actual M800 and I'm so pleased. And the resin is gorgeous. Now I kind of want another one! Thanks for the comprehensive look at all of these!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Great to hear!

[@cheesim]

Great review! Thanks for sharing your recommendations! Now time to buy more pens 😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

Happy to help!

[@Plhmel561]

I have the Asvine P20 in Galaxy and Amber as well and I love both of them for their looks and for how well they write. I have a black and gold Admok M800 which I have not inked yet. I may look at some of the colors as well. I have a Pelikan M800 and it is a great writer.

[@creato938]

What an amazing selection of pens, it's surprising the amount of variety you can get under 50 dollars and a lot of them look that will last.

[@InkquiringMinds]

And great quality!

[@brahmhenkins8732]

Whoohoo! Your videos never fail to impress me. Kudos Dough! I particularly enjoy the element of unpredictability. The first few reviews I saw of the Admok M800 made me cringe, but it is amazing how a good example of acrylic can change one's mind. Luck of the draw. Such a pity that celluloid is no longer in production. PS: Could you maybe persuade Asvine to make the V126 in Amber, as it would still have enough opacity to see the ink level. LOL!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Wow, thanks!

[@impish22]

great video, thanks again

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@HomerIncognito]

Thanks for the video. I wonder how these compare in terms of nib swappability, but I know that would take a long time and effort to make.

[@galessi1226]

I have put a Hongdian EF in my Asvine P20....(using the Asvine feed)....writes wonderfully....just a little thinner than the Asvine EF )

[@InkquiringMinds]

Most of them take a #6 size standard nib. The TWSBI does not, and the Wing Sung 630 is a #8. So swapping is as easy as pulling the nib and pushing in the new one.

[@user-br3sl9go3b]

Great comparisons, like attending a class at my community college. But I'm asking why cleaning/disassembly isn't on your list? My TWSBI (I love it vs. hating the three Penbbs pens I purchased) came with a wrench (plastic) to take it apart and a small bottle of silicon grease. Worth some points, no?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Great point!

[@followyourbrush]

Wow! Asvine really has been busy. I just bought my first. Pink/purple, very pretty and writes well.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@archivist17]

This video addresses (one of) my area(s) of interest! 😀

[@archivist17]

I actually have fewer piston fillers than vacuum, which surprises me. I think my top 3 are: Majohn P136 Hongdian 100 Hongdian N6

[@InkquiringMinds]

Are you getting the P136 titanium?

[@archivist17]

@InkquiringMinds Would love to but I'm stony broke 😞

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@archivist17 I'm too broke for that one too!

[@paulmchugh1430]

Excellent overview and ranking, Doug. I will admit my Admok M800 is wonderful. Mine has a Schmidt nib, not Bock for some reason (it works wonderfully). I finally got the Platinum President with a Medium nib. It is a gorgeous pen and about the same size as the P136 and the Montblanc 146. I am looking forward to inking the pen and writing with it. I just may put up the P136 for sale.

[@InkquiringMinds]

the President is an excellent pen! Beautifully balanced and lovely nib.

[@paulmchugh1430]

@@InkquiringMinds I just got notice that Sally is shipping the 139! Also Goldspot has the Magna Carta 650 in stock!

[@InkquiringMinds]

​​⁠thanks Paul! Tom is sending me a NAHVALUR Eclipse with the Magna Carta!

[@paulmchugh1430]

@@InkquiringMinds Sweet!

[@paulmchugh1430]

@@InkquiringMinds I just got the President. What a nice writer! Better than the 3776 and fits my hand well. I am going to put the P136 on eBay.

[@mustafaucar8873]

I really love the blue Ink used at the beginning of the video. Can you tell me what ink it is ? Thank you !

[@InkquiringMinds]

It is J Herbin Kyanite du Nepal.

[@LewisLittle66]

Some gorgeous looking pens there, especially that Galaxy Blue Asvine 😍. I have the Hongdian N7 which is just beautiful (and I'm one who appreciates the extra weight without it being overly-large), and the TWSBI Eco which is a regular work-horse for me (until it breaks, I guess?). I'd love an Admok 800 but here in the UK, they're over £50 and that's out of my budget at the moment. Hongdian N12 is probably next on my wish-list; I have several Hongdian pens and every nib has been flawless.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, @LewisLittle66!

[@saffronscott6763]

Such an interesting review and so useful to those of us who love fountain pens but need to keep to a budget. I am fairly new to all this and my one disappointment is that very few makers offer stub nibs which are my preference. I would like to learn where to get these nibs and which pens have changeable nibs - do they all have that ability I wonder? Must do more research! Anyway, grateful thanks for such an entertaining and informative review..

[@InkquiringMinds]

Most of these pens, especially the Asvine and Admok, will accept standard #6 size nibs. So buy yourself a Jowo 1.1 stub and swap it. But use the feed and collar from the pen you are swapping to.

[@knoviello23]

New to the channel! Thank you for all the recommendations and the thorough comparison. This is the price point I’m shopping right now and I’m still relatively new to fountain pens. How do you feel about the Asvine v200? Just curious

[@InkquiringMinds]

Welcome aboard! See my review on the V200.

[@BerndtNorten]

You have great musical taste. 70s rock, soft rock, etc., was the best.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Rock on!

[@jeffreyclayman6922]

Great vid as always! What is the 4th new finish you mentioned available from Easybuy or other vendors? I’ve seen the Hawaii; Moon River and pink finishes. What’s the fourth?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The names keep changing with all the different vendors, but there is a light blue sometimes called "Lake Blue"

[@jeffreyclayman6922]

@@InkquiringMinds Thks! The light blue I’ve seen called Lake Blue was part of the original 7 finishes but I can see how other vendors can reuse the names.

[@tootsfour956]

Great video. Thank you. You are so good to share with us. Question: I want to sell some people s but don't know where or how. I don't have FB or Instagram. Blessings

[@InkquiringMinds]

eBay

[@Rgc571]

I agree on the importance of removing the section for cleaning. As a spreadsheet nerd would you be willing to share your spreadsheet. (I am also lazy and desire to forgo copying your work). I sometimes, with absolutely no evidence, think that these Chinese companies may actually make some of the high end pens that we so cherish) thanks for a very informative video.

[@InkquiringMinds]

There's nothing to it. The only formula is adding up the totals.

[@JosephDickson]

Oh, trying to pick a fight. 14:33 😂

[@qinkookoo]

majohn p139 is great also

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have one with a #8 nib on the way finally after three month wait.

[@user-el7of3cz9g]

Where would the Admock m400 have ranked??

[@InkquiringMinds]

Not in the top 12.

[@user-el7of3cz9g]

Okay, thank you. I’m going to take your advice and save up for a real Pelikan!

[@MrBruno1.0]

Doug, thank for the great video! Where would I find the 3rd party P20 nibs such as the one you showed in this video? Also why does asvine sell nibs in 3 packs and all the same width? Why not F M & B for example.. I’ve been fighting with mt P20s nib alignment ☹

[@MrBruno1.0]

…or does the p20 accept any #6 nib?

[@galessi1226]

​@@MrBruno1.0I bought 3 Hongdian soft EF nibs on Etsy, and switched them into my Asvine P20, and Asvine v126, and Jinhao 9016.( friction fit, keeping the original feeds...I love the Hongdian EF nibs!)

[@MrBruno1.0]

@@galessi1226 thx 👍

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Kaigelu long knife #6 size nibs are available on Aliexpress. tinyurl.com/ykn8u59t As to why no FM&B combos, your guess is as good as mine. Ask the vendors if they will supply something like that. And the P20 is a standard #6 size nib so Jowo, Bock, etc will work if you use the Asvine feed and collar.

[@MrBruno1.0]

@@InkquiringMinds thank you. That opens up a lot of options for me.

[@marcopignone9386]

Nice playing... how about a full song performance?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Can’t afford it!

[@MissMarilynDarling]

I've been pondering getting a asvine piston for a while now but something about the grip section puts me off I owned a noodlers ahab and that bottle neck grip section really put me off I dunno why I may have to revis it in the asvine :)

[@vajmanjinha]

I'm just thinking of what can be, unburdened by what has been.

[@East_Anglian]

Such a great phrase there, I bet it gets copied ....😂

[@MrCabimero]

I have the P36. Put an Osprey Broad Architect nib on it....... heavenly.

[@brettsmith1655]

I think it's weird that pens get penalized for being big when I prefer my pens large and closer to 30g+; size and weight are subjective. Hoping this means that we can count on a Top 10 Vac Filler list in the future.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Maybe!

[@unknowncrash1]

I missed this upload. It did not show up in my subscriptions 😬

[@InkquiringMinds]

Sorry about that!

[@unknowncrash1]

@@InkquiringMinds dont be sorry, your vids are great as always, just ought to let you know it's been happening

[@aag24]

Surely you would LOVE to give away one of your BEAUTIFUL galaxy of even amber (or clear, even) pens to give away to your most loyal and grateful fans () who may or may not live in an island off the coast of a continent … which has suffered some scary riots of late … especially if he's a delicate flower … … some of us can never get hold of them!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Don’t call me Shirley!

[@aag24]

@@InkquiringMinds very sorry sir. I await the postman bearing happy tidings!

[@mlsmal]

Leonardo sells the Momento Magico. Isn’t that pretty close to being a Momento Zero piston? It’s a bit longer than the Asvine P20 but isn’t close to Grande size. The Nahvalur Original is also right at $50. I don’t have one yet but if it’s as good as the Original+ is as a vac, it’s worthy. Finally, the way your quantitative rankings are so mismatched to your subjective ones suggests what you think you like doesn’t match what you really like. Just food for thought.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I don’t think the Magico is like the MZ. I had one and sold it. The Original + is a vac and had no place in my round up. The Original is $70.

[@jls3220]

Hey Doug, another excellent review. I’m thinking now of the A800. As an aside which is less likely to make a mess when flying, Piston or Vacuum filler?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Vacuum fillers with an ink shut off valve.

[@jls3220]

@@InkquiringMindsthank you

[@williamcatalano1762]

Why are you making me buy things I don't need Doug??!! LOL

[@InkquiringMinds]

Please buy responsibly.

[@williamcatalano1762]

@@InkquiringMinds LOL At least these won't break the bank too bad!

[@shane6242]

Hey Doug, how do you feel about TWSBI? hahahaha

[@InkquiringMinds]

Don't get me started!

[@BO-kh1iz]

Sure, at first glance the Admok is a one hundred percent clone of the Pelikan m800. But your Pelikan aficionado friend maybe needs his eyes checked? It´s says "Admok" on the cap ring, doesn´t it? And since when do Pelikan pens come with Bock nibs? It may be shocking, but the Pelikan friend is probably an Pelikan school fountain pens aficionado? Nothing wrong with that, of course 😀

[@InkquiringMinds]

To be fair he took it scribbled a few squiggles and said “nice”.

[@BO-kh1iz]

@@InkquiringMinds 😀

[@kristiw.1823]

Oh my head - that DQ quote makes me grown. Yikes!