My Top 5 Fountain Pens of 2023!

I cannot believe it is the end of another year again. Thank you all so much for supporting me through another year and putting up with all my shenanigans! Here's to a happy and HEALTHY 2024 hahaha
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[@catwhisperer911]

Well I could not agree more. My Lamy 2000 is a magnificent writer and always inked up. Like many, I purchased a Jinhao x159 on a whim, not expecting much and boy was I surprised by just how good of a writer it is. So good in fact that I purchased a couple more. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a very Happy New Year.

[@differentkindofGEKE]

I just purchased the Benu Euphoria in Bourbon from Pen Chalet. They had a killer deal and I had a birthday discount. So worth it! I’m in love!

[@trlan55]

I got my X159 with a med nib in today and inked it up with Waterman Serenity Blue. It writes so smooth and really puts out the ink. Thanks for the review.

[@kris.1095]

I hope your nasty cold ends soon and you get your happy energy back! My top 5 for 2023 leans heavily toward pens that just came out recently: -Platinum 3776 Century Sands of Komodo -BENU Euphoria Earl Grey -Opus 88 Demonstrator Sapphire -Pilot E95s Burgundy -Edison Premiere Dragoness

[@jolienkrispijn]

Awww kudos to you for making and publishing a video while you're sick. Feel better soon❤️ Great video! I tend to love my newest pens most, which is the benu grand scepter XI. Next are probably my pilot custom 845 and my Sailor pro gear Parisian.

[@truebajansugar]

Hope you feel better soon. Happy New Year!!

[@karma13612]

Happy New Year! Feel better soon! 🎉🥂🙋🏼‍♀️🖋

[@Calcprof]

Get well soon. Favorites from 2023: Magna Carta Mag 600, Estie Rainforest with scribe nib, Schon DSGN Monoc nib, Aurora Opima Red-Black .

[@gristlevonraben]

May your new year be very blessed, and I hope your cold is over quickly. Beautiful 🎄

[@courtney9212]

So sorry you are under the weather, you are such a trooper! Love love love the blue Pilot💙!

[@edwardstaats4935]

Happy New Year and get well soon

[@sunnycharacter]

Get well soon and Happy 2024!

[@NCcrumpet]

I like your list! I have not tried the 912. My faves were: -Benu Talisman in peacock ore -Shaeffer prelude -Twsbi diamond 580 in Iris (after I changed the nib from an F to an M and inked it with Diamine Jingle berry) Edited to add: Leonardo MZ Prugna with Oxblood

[@mellow-jello]

Personal favorites in 2023: Jinhao X159, TWSBI AL580 Prussian Blue, Lamy Al-Star Petrol, MV Regatta Full Carbon, and Pilot Explorer Blue. Medium nibs all around. Get well soon, and see you in 2024.

[@duybear4023]

I hope you feel better soon.

[@geomancer6371]

We seem to have the same pens in our collection; I have a Lamy 2K, Jinhao X159, Pilot Custom 74 (and 742 with FA nib), and recently during the Manila Pen Show, I got my first Benu - a Talisman, model Hannukah Oil with a stunning blue color and gold accents. My top 5 (so far) Visconti Opera Gold Jinhao X159 Cursive italic Pilot Custom 74 Platinum Century Waterman Expert Honorable Mention goes to the Lamy 2K That may change this year with the Benu and the Custom 742.

[@karmesindryade]

I wish you a very pleasant 2024 🖤🖤

[@Tom4ick]

I actually clean out my con-70 by sticking them under the faucet(135 to 150 angle), and maybe pumping them a little - they get cleaned instantly!

[@psa7211]

Sorry you are not feeling well. DRINK PLENTY OF TEA! Happy new year! Love your list of 5 plus honorable mention. I've been thinking about the 912 with a falcon, so thanks for giving me more reasons so purchase one. Recently bought a Benu Euphoria Earl Grey from Goulet Pen. I remembered your love of Benu but was hesitant about them being tpp flashy. I Briolet you wave was one I considered, but when I saw Earl Grey, I had to have it. The golden brown cleas resin with the gold sparkle and flashes of blue along with real teal leaves just did it for me. And it writes really well. Another pen I wish offered a stub nib. I purchased the Jinhau 159 on your list and was amazed how well it writes. Add that for a less than $10.00 and it writes better than some of my way more expensive pens is astonishing. I think everyone should have at least one in their collection. I may purchase a few more for use solely with the difficult to clean inks. I wish they had a stub nib option. The only reason I haven't tried the Lamy2000 is the color. Black pens just aren't my favorite. Can't they make macrolon in something other than black. I not talking wild colors, maybe deep navy or green and I'd snap one up. Those colors would still fit the classic design, and probably win many more customers who look for another color choice. I have a gold nib Lamy studio and agree, nice nib. Your other choice Pilots are good ones. I've never had I Pilot I don't like I have a Vanishing Point and an E95s both are pleasures to write with and a few additional vintage Pilots. All great writer's.

[@edgaraquino2324]

Get better soon! Happy New Year! Have several "toddys for the body"!😊

[@iliahi2054]

Hope you feel better soon!!!...My loves? Jinhao 9019 and X159 and the Majohn A1 and Pentel Document blue🙀

[@carolewilliamson8344]

I really appreciate this video as I’ve been going through so much and still trying to find the better but not too expensive as I love to write with but can’t afford too much. Will try out at least a couple of these that you’ve recommended. Happy New Year. 🥳

[@impish22]

get better soon !!!

[@judyjacobs5827]

This year I've bought and otherwise gotten so many new pens. I have 6 Benu Briolette, but in different color combinations than yours. Rather than a Lamy2000 I got the Studio for its very cool clip. The Jinhao 9019 is amazing: big nib, big converter, big barrel, good ink flow, not too many colors. Bigger than the x159, which is far better than the earlier painted steel 159. Another surprisingly terrific pen is the Jinhao 82, doppelganger for Sailor and several other higher-priced, better quality pens. Several nib choices, oodles of colors, color combinations, glitter or no glitter, opaque or translucent, and more. Five pen models. Favorite? I can't tell. Get better, don't get sick any more, have some tea (I've got an Indian black high-caffeine blend in the mug now), and am not consuming anything with alcohol as I have an appointment to donate platelets tomorrow. Best wishes for the coming year.

[@grapesgreek]

What? No tea? You could use some. I splurged and bought a Pilot Custom 74 in Forest Green with a broad nib and am loving it. Using J. Her in Bleu des Profendeurs and my writing has highlights from the different upstrokes and darker downstrokes. I love it.

[@ladyredl3210]

Feel better soon! I got a Diplomat and an Opus 88 this year! ❤🎉

[@wendyholiday2021]

Feel better!

[@PensandTea]

Thank you!!

[@bokusimondesu]

Get well! - ink well? Happy new year 😊

[@pilesofthings]

OUUU I was expecting your Euphoria or Pilot 823 to show up haha, but awesome list none the less. My top 5 pens of this year are: Aluminum Muji Fountain Pen, TRC Brass, Jinhao 80 with a naginata nib (this one made the list because of the nib), Jinhao Swan, and Sailor Pro Gear Slim Hallengrotta. Happy new year and hope you get well soon.

[@decluesviews2740]

Top 5: 1) Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age (Palladium) 2) Pelikan M1005 3) Pilot Custom 823 4) Lamy 2000 (even though I can’t use it because of bent nib I need to get fixed) 5) Visconti Rembrandt (1.5 mm Stub)

[@thomashorton8302]

I look forward to the gravitas pocket review! Get well soon! I'd love to see a video on 5 pens you'd like to get in 2024 with a review of what you wanted to buy in 2023.

[@crouserm]

I hope you're already better. Great video "under duress!" Nice pens. I understand each of your choices. I must agree about the Jinhao x159. Splendid writer, although if you paid $30 for it, the Canadian dollar is worse off than I thought. Or, does VAT come into play here? Ugh. I got my Jinhao x159 out of curiosity, loved it, and gave it to a friend whose arthritis needed a girthy pen for an easy grip. Replaced it immediately, and use it for permanent inks or shimmer -- what's there to lose?

[@markedwardkerman3849]

Loved this, Keri. Brilliant that you have a broad range of pens that you enjoy, and it is great that you have found the ones that you like and are enjoying them. Loving your videos as ever, really like the channel and I look forward to more to come! :)

[@John-km9ju]

Thanks for sharing your Top 5; that's a nice selection! May God bless you with health, wealth, and prosperity in the New Year!

[@craftydoodles7279]

Hope you feel better soon. Thanks for this great review always good to see your top five and totally agree with the all wonderful pens in your list. My top 5 : Jinhao 9019 Dadao demonstrator blue, Leonardo MZ Grande with #8 nib, Gravitas Ultemate Vac, TWSBI 580 ALR Sunset, Pilot Elite (vintage) black. Have a Happy New Year!

[@tiantuatara]

Thanks for the video. Get some rest! Lots of colds going around now. Some of my faves for the year: Pilot Custom 823, Pilot Custom Heritage SE, Leonardo Rangoli, Benu Lavendar, Kaweco Brass Sport.

[@mm-qm9zh]

Hi, Keri! I sure hope you are feeling back to yourself again. 🙂 I enjoyed your video, and I’d like to share my favorite pen, which I purchased ENTIRELY because of your video review of it…the Benu Euphoria Bourbon in the M nib 🥃! I have never had such a wonderfully smooth writer before, and it’s so much fun, and so gorgeous to look at. So, thank you for my very favorite pen! 🖊️ On the other hand, I have had a very different experience with the Jin Hao x159 than those who find it a wonderful buy. I must have gotten a “dud”, because I’ve had nothing but trouble and frustration with it from the get-go… hard starts, uneven ink flow, skipping, etc. I have only tried one ink in it so far, so possibly that may be the problem. I’m not giving up on it yet! Thanks again for putting out great content, even when you are under the weather! ☺️ Meline

[@karenholden4740]

So sorry your sick, get to feelings better. Thanks for your video!

[@fossilimprint2954]

I enjoyed your top 5, useful and interesting.

[@Carcharodon1968]

Thank you for this video! I agree with you about most of the fountain pens. However, the Jinhao is a disaster. The nib scratches and the ink flows too weakly in my copy. It will be my last Chinese fountain pen. Wishing you a happy new year!

[@MilatovichFamily]

My pens I have and use is 1980's Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 with B nib that I got from ebay for 300 euros. Like new, paper box was just little banged up. My second favourite is 1940's Waternans W5/515 with M but slightly flex nib. I would also like to get one of the Mabie Todd Swan with wet nuddle flex nib. Other fountain pens I have is my personal Pelikan Pelikano model 7 from the early 90' I had in my elementry school. Here, weriting with fountan pan v cursive was mandatory in elementry schools back in the day. I also have very old Parker or something like vacuumatic but has a piston filler and I have an very old vintage Pelikan that looks like a bit like M805 but it has also piston filler but much older design.

[@archivist17]

So sorry to hear you've been unwell, but appreciate your dedication in making this video. Looking forward to the review of the Hon. Mensh. I got one myself recently. 😀

[@ichirofakename]

1. Interesting show, thanks. 2. BTW the x159 is currently $10US on Amazon. 3. My two noteworthy purchases of this year were the Jinhao 82 and the Good Blue L130 .

[@amyfeigt6715]

I feel your pain! My husband & I both caught a bug while we were at his mom's for Christmas. Hit us both by Wednesday night. So I've literally been living the "pens & tea life" drinking lots of hot tea with lemon & honey & playing with my pens! I have loved fountain pens for as long as I can remember, but 2023 was the year I threw myself headlong down the Rabbit Hole! I don't have a Benu "yet" but more than likely will pick one up for my birthday in January (have my eye on the Euphoria in Earl Grey) If I had to pick 5 favorites... Hmmm... Love my Pilot 823, digging the Kaweco Sport (I'm up to 4 of them now... I think they breed! Lol) a workhorse Pilot Prera has been a go-to for quick work notes & I think the remaining 2 spots have to go to a couple of my vintage pens, a Parker Vacuumatic in azure blue pearl, a vintage Pelikan 400nn with the classic green stripes. I've thoroughly enjoyed your reviews & have turned to them more than once when trying to decide which pen to get. Hope you feel better soon & looking forward to more videos in the coming year!

[@jamieloom22]

Wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. I love Pilot pens, the Custom 74 is one of my favs and I was just gifted the Custom 823 which I am extremely excited about. Hope you are able to get the Benu Euphoria Earl Grey Tea, I think you will love it as much as I do.

[@Helenne20P]

Very nice pen. Can your write the names please?

[@swyftty2]

The lamy 2000 oblique med is on my find one day list. I love the look and idea of a great lamy my brother has a dialog 3 and their 18k? Nib is amazing smooth in f. I prefer mediums and want an elite nib experience with the oblique angle. I know last year was the year for it and I missed out. One day..... back home turf. I love your reviews and book background. I hope you are feeling better soon.

[@sunnycharacter]

Great choices! I need a Benu, a first Benu! Lol Question: I’m intrigued by the framed map on the wall next to your tree. Please tell us about it!

[@PensandTea]

That’s a wooden map of middle earth from The Lord of the Rings

[@sunnycharacter]

@@PensandTea it looks awesomeM I’d love to see the full map!

[@PensandTea]

@@sunnycharacter kzbin.infoDXpj3vLM_x0?feature=share I also have a few photos on my instagram 👍🏻

[@FrankDAgostino77]

Hope you feel better soon! Great choices.

[@eddiecandelaria8691]

Always look forward to your top 5. My top 5 are... 1) Sheaffer pen for men ( f) 2) waterman edson (f) sapphire finish 3) montblanc 149 (m) 4) newly acquired jinhao 996 cream with tiger stripes, a (f) lasered cat face nib from a kannan cat nib fountain pen. This is in honor of our cat Niko who recently passed away. 5). Pelikan stresemann (e/f) Honorable mention it's twin m805 clear demonstrator (m). Hope you get over this bug and feel better.

[@randallhill7979]

Great pen selection ✒️ and feel better soon.

[@andrea135792]

My favorite at the miinute is a Pelikan 205 moonstone special edition , it writes fantastic and is very wet. Steel nib but wow I like the way it writes. I also have a Lamy 2000 , nice pen good writer. I have a Custom Heritage 912 also with a falcon nib. Actually another one of my favourite pens for this year has been an Eversharp skyline , it feels fantastic in my hand and writes really well. I love the pocket pen the Pilot elite and it goes with me to work a lot. Another everyday carry for me is my TWSBI GO, such a functional pen , large resevoir and smooth writer. OK I will stop there, I could gush about many more pens in my collection :).. Get well soon, Just over Covid myself, glad it is gone.

[@MissRuthina]

Noooo. Honorable mentions are great!! Bring back the honorable mentions!!

[@BlushnBlue]

Great choices. The Lamy 2000 and a Benu are the only fountain pens that I lack.

[@run-a-milekyle3835]

I scored a Benu Talisman for 50% for new years. It’s the tigers eye.

[@jamesfahey7188]

Good choices! I love my L2K. Wish I had it in M but what can you do. The FA 912 and 74 are also good choices. Get well soon!

[@az7500]

The Honorable Mention is Gravitas, correct? Hope you feel better

[@Conglomeration32]

Which mic do you use?

[@arliemoses4272]

Is that the Pocket or the Quark?

[@jayebird1070]

I am always astonished at the self-control others have in inking pens. Only 6? I have 3 pens just in my "always inked with the same ink" set never mind all the others with various colors inked up.

[@yourname3336]

Where do you get ebony feeds?

[@PensandTea]

I bought one from Nibsmith

[@Selami432]

Severek izlemeye çalışıyorum seni çok beğeniyorum ancak ingilizce bilmiyorum alt yazılara Türkçe çeviri eklesen çok mutlu olurum 🇹🇷🇹🇷❤️

[@MILC0M]

Purchased a Lamy and 200 cartridges. Cleaned it ....Trashed it on 2nd day. Ink doesn't flow. NEVER EVER LAMY ...SUPER JUNK

[@monabri7387]

Please...invest in a microphone and stop waving the pens around!