The Machine Era Classic Pen: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we're going to take a look at the classic pen by Machine Era/Makerset, a beautifully made, pocket-ready host for a Pilot G2 or Montblanc Refill, and one of the cheapest routes out there to EDC pen perfection.

[@michaelfeenaughty1311]

I was gifted this pen 7 years ago when I was promoted to my first management position in my company. This is still my edc pen 7 years later and I love it. It means a lot to me. I have signed my marriage license, Son’s birth certificate, and multiple offer letters from being promoted a few times over the years. I love this pen!

[@SonicVibe]

It’s last long how the brass hold up ?

[@cloudcleaver23]

Don't get Nick angry. He'll whip out his pen and post a cap.

[@xDarkPrototypex]

I just carry a live goose and a toolbox with me for my edc. As long as i keep the goose alive, i can make an infinite amount of quill pens. Cant get more prepared than that! (You dont want to know what is in the ink).

[@hondasaki900]

I EDC a hammer and chisel. Go through a lot of paper.

[@jordanquinley2471]

At the 11:20 mark, you hit on something I've been looking for. That is, a single pen that looks just as good "at the office" as it does "in the field." A pen that won't seem out of place on a construction sight or in a metalworking shop, or in a lawyer's briefcase or in a suit jacket pocket. Few pens could pull that off, but I think you're right that this pen seems to do it.

[@PlantDaddy1991]

Here we are, a few years after his review is up. I have the steel and brass version of this pen and if you're in need of a pen, this is probably my favorite. I like it better than my DDR custom pens, my Tactile Turn, and whatever other pens may sit [unused] on my desk.

[@pow-low]

I agree. I have a standard Tactile Turn Bolt, a TiScribe Go, and a Big Idea Design Bolt Action, (which I will be returning) and this guy is my favorite by a decent margin. The simplicity, durability, handling and writing quality (with the right refill) can't be beat. And unscrewing and posting the cap to write makes me feel like I'm putting together a rifle lol. This pen is definitely a gem.

[@pyros411]

I'm a simple man; Nick uploads a video, I watch it.

[@hansell152]

Bought this pen cause of nick ! Best one ever . Thank you nick ! Appreciate the review very much

[@edm2822]

Great review! Thank you! I have Fisher Space pens but like the idea of carrying a pocket pen that takes rollerball refills. I’ll definitely get one of these.

[@scoundrel1680]

Seems like a solid little guy. Definitely might check it out. Appreciate it Nick!

[@chrisfossum1499]

Bought mine last month after watching your collection video. Love it.

[@Richard_Barnes]

Nick, I hope you see this comment - I’m now using my Prometheus Alpha with their fountain pen grip and nib. Titanium pen with copper grip section and a fine Bock nib is awesome! I do EDC this pen like it. I just don’t get on with the Montblanc fineliner as it is too much like a felt tip (cus it is one) and that ink just bleeds through most papers far too easily. 🙂👍🏻

[@karljohnson4008]

After watching your video, I ordered one of these Machine Era classic pens direct from their website. They are in stock. I have a Fisher bullet space pen in raw brass and just love it and the way it shows it's personality after it patinas. I hacked a Zebra JK gel refill into it and it writes like a dream. I prefer the gel pens to the Fisher SPR4 refills. This pen will be a step up for me from the Bullet for a clipless, pants pocket, pocket pen. The current price on their website is $38 but that includes free shipping in the US. Great review as always. I watch all your knife, EDC and pen reviews. Keep up the good work my friend.

[@rabbivj]

im loving the fact that it takes pilot G2 cartridges and they make a stainless version...im sold.

[@genestu]

I just ordered a few Pelikan 338 rollerball refills for this pen - works great, fits perfectly. Unsharpen prefers this refill over the Montblanc rollerball refill, no hack required.

[@simplytao]

Fast forward 4 years later and it wins if I could only have one pen. I bought one and love it.

[@bs2096]

I have this pen. Its s good one. At $38.00 it's a must have if your Into pens.

[@jacknemo8021]

For my lefties Zebra makes a refill that will fit anything a G2 will- and the ink dries instantly even in the lovely to use 1.0mm. [Zebra 1.0mm Black Ink Refill (JF-1.0), for Zebra Sarasa Clip ] also comes in the usual suspects of .5 and .7mm as well.

[@bradleyh8044]

Jack Nemo the sarasa refill is very nice. I particularly like the "antique" colors they're making now. I have a blue-gray sarasa in my tactile turn glider right now.

[@DukeJarboe]

Can't believe I just now discovered your channel! Love it.

[@void1984]

I've bought this, because of your recommendation. A steel one.

[@LarryGanz]

I came here to mention that the fisher space pen slide-on pocket clips found on Amazon fit these pens fairly well. The gold clip matches my brass ME pen fairly well. EDIT - hahah around 9.5 minutes he mentions the space pen clip.

[@dcardenal]

Machine Era makes a full size with the clip in brass. I own both and switch based on how I feel like carrying them. I'm going to have to try the Mont Blanc refills.

[@discopanda28]

David Cardenal where is the full size one for sale?

[@dcardenal]

@@discopanda28 www.massdrop.com/buy/machine-era-no-2

[@TheFortKnight]

David Cardenal | I wish they’d bring the clipped cap back w/ addl metal options, especially Ti, and threads on the back for posting. Nick’s suggestions of a little runway to help with posting and not having the back taper would improve it as well. I’m still hoping to add threads to the back of my V2, but for now the clipped cap is on my V1. -Jeff

[@mattlounsbury8607]

Why isn’t this under your gem playlist if you chose this as your one pen?

[@oscarusestools]

Bought it for 24.00 and it's the best pen I have ever bought. I work as a correctional officer and I have to constantly write on papers that are posted on the walls and the g2 pens dont really look good. Best buy for my EDC at work.

[@stvo1081]

I'm so glad you did this video, thank you! I love the Machine Era Pen (and their other products), and I also throw a Mont Blanc cartridge in mine! I especially love the way the brass patinas over time, it makes every pen unique and just looks gorgeous.

[@jhoodwvu]

What refill specifically? Please.

[@synestheticview]

Yes, would love to know what specific refill you use. It looks like I tried to put the same montblanc refill in this video in but it doesn’t not fit. Diameter is too big.

[@mjmiller01]

@@synestheticview Yall ever figure out which montblanc refills fit in this pen? just ordered one and prefer ballpoints

[@synestheticview]

@@mjmiller01 I never had luck. My guess is that maybe the diameter on the inside of the pen varies because other people have no problem using Montblanc refills. It just gets stuck in mine. Still love the pen though.

[@mjmiller01]

@@synestheticview gotcha. Do local office stores carry those Mont Blanc refills? Maybe I can try them out to see what fits. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@NewZonaRides]

Just ordered one. I think I am going to like that pen myself.

[@clintonlewis7041]

Nice review, may have to invest in some good pens.

[@ronb113]

Man, I may have to pick one of these up after watching this review!

[@musar03580]

Hey, Nick. Wondering if you've gotten the titanium version of this pen now that it's available.

[@dso]

Would help if you kept your hands in the frame when unscrewing/screwing the cap.

[@Richard_Barnes]

You, Sir, do a great review! Brilliant.

[@МыколаНетребко]

Is anyone worried about the lead in the brass pens? Now the machine era site says these are lead free, but what about the older designs?

[@jacknemo8021]

just turn the cap a half turn counter clockwise and then screw it on, it will be perfectly aligned.

[@K3zz21]

I love how fast you move and speak

[@neokuji]

In for a titanium version too.

[@johobo2038]

Annnnd they’re sold out everywhere. Haha!! I should’ve known since I was late to the party. Dammit man. 🤣😂

[@hornethandler5312]

Can you link the Mont Blanc refill😍

[@Dodgecharger1212]

I tried the field compact was not a fan of the refill. Um another option for a cartridge would be the zebra sarasa writes better than the g2 from my experience

[@ksrowland]

I recently bought this pen so I could fit a Montblanc Rollerball refill in it. After doing the Pilot G2/montblanc hack (shaving the end of the montblanc refill down) it still does not fit in my pen. It seems the Montblanc refill is thicker which is surprising considering the G2 actually looks thicker. How did you get the montblanc rollerball refill into this pen or is it a different type of Montblanc refill (ballpoint maybe)?

[@synestheticview]

I just had the same problem. Does anyone have an answer? When I put the cartridge in backwards, it does slide in - so it seems like it should fit. But when I turn it around to fit it in properly, it doesn’t not fit. I’d love some help with this.

[@mc3129]

Thanks for the Mont Blanc hack !

[@tingowango2576]

I bet you could fit a cross edge roller gel refill in that

[@mgmmaze]

Karas kustoms look pretty good for g2 and fountain pen world

[@sanidhyashrivastava8020]

Hi bro, can you make a comparison video between Big Idea Design PHX Pen & Machine Era Stainless Steel Pen.

[@carlstanland5333]

Bought the stainless version based on this video. You keep making me spend money! Pssst. When are the other machine era reviews going up?

[@bryanstone654]

Try a Pentel EnerGel 0.5mm refill. Nirvana.

[@ickna2002]

Do you have a link of the refills you use with this pen. Thanks.

[@michael4382]

Thanks. Ordered!

[@mdbassin9120]

would it fit a fisher ink? I am looking for a compact screw cap pen like this with a fisher ink.

[@Stick2011]

Nice video! For this Original pen, has anyone put O-rings in the grooves? I did that for my Hinderer Extreme Pen and would love to do the same for my Classic. Just ca't find the correct O-ring or rubber band. Any suggestions?

[@stevenroman9096]

Need your help Nick. Just bought the Machine Era and Mont Blanc black Medium rollerball refill and it doesn’t fit. Is a tiny bit wider than the G2

[@limited40]

will fisher space pen refill fit?

[@jeremyburris4890]

Dang you Shabazz, I'm spending too much money lol. Great video.

[@1shakasean]

I got a montblanc refill and it is to small. What refill are you speaking of please

[@johobo2038]

Is the montblanc significantly better than the g2? Just curious before I go and buy some.

[@SonicVibe]

Is there any pen 🖊 like this no moving parts last forever and better then this pen ?

[@1598hi]

I own one of these, I absolutely love it with a pilot bold cartridge. But I have a worry, anyone ever question the safety of using a raw brass pen? The lead content? I believe lead can be absorbed through the skin so just because one isn't a pen biter does not mean they are safe. Anyone have input on this topic?

[@ringbadingbingrading1181]

You'll be more than fine

[@mataanek]

Yuo, have one for quite some time. Great pen.

[@SaSpursFan]

Is there one with a pocket clip on it??

[@jaistar4406]

I like this pen

[@carlstanland5333]

Have you reviewed the Machine Era field pen?

[@NickShabazz]

It's not live yet.

[@Sean-jg9ps]

No pocket clip >:(

[@dcardenal]

www.massdrop.com/buy/machine-era-no-2

[@BrianMiller1973]

Love this pen. I did the Mont Blanc hack using blue rollerball ink with no problem. The black ink version was much too large in diameter too fit. Could anyone point me towards a MB black ink refill that will fit?

[@jwpdx]

Strange that the black and blue refills have different diameters. I just tried a black Mont Blanc rollerball refill and the diameter is indeed too large. Am I crazy or...?

[@synestheticview]

So strange. I have the same issue with the blue rollerball ink. Maybe there are inconsistencies with the refills?

[@ascetue]

Hey Nick, anything to say about the other Makerset pens they sent you (particularly the bolt version)? I know you're the GEM HUNTER now, but just wink once to say "they're ok, just didn't have time to review them all" and wink twice for "didn't want to say it, but they suck"?

[@NickShabazz]

Yup, those are coming around the mountain eventually.

[@cavalry1213]

I’m a simple man. Nick talks about a piece of gear, I buy it 🤣

[@dejanzabaljac6950]

Bought it today for $24.00!!!

[@TheMonkeystomp1]

Where?

[@musicandcoffee2853]

What pen was that on top at 2:00?

[@allenlark]

Hi. Nine months later, kaweco lilliput

[@Rockthedice]

I would buy today if it was in copper

[@Soldiershak]

I like this pen, but it's pretty fragile

[@appreciativeobserver4732]

HH EE LL PP !! Want to send a gift to The Nick but cannot find an address to which I can mail a package. Please help. Thank you.

[@NickShabazz]

Shoot me an email, nick@nickshabazz dotcom

[@dejanzabaljac6950]

" Writing with this pen..."

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

👍👍👍👍

[@julianmuller9567]

Boy am I an early bird

[@Tankman333]

its pronounced HOBOKEN!

[@kennymason3518]

5:15 Nick's saliva when he talks lmao or is that a piece of food??

[@justmeeagainn]

Once someone gets the item for free, the review is invalid.

[@nathanandrade876]

Mont blanc, pronounced: Mon Blan And not Mount blankkk🙄🤣🤣 wth man

[@pendulousphallus]

It's stupid for me to say, but I immediately hated this pen on account of the gold flare. Showy, and I question the man or woman who wants to be showy with the writing implement. Then again it's probably a non-factor for him or her and it's just an ink holder. I dunno.

[@NickShabazz]

It's brass. But you can order in steel too

[@pendulousphallus]

Nick Shabazz Oh, geeze, I guess I got told. Fair point and for me it would be way more compelling in the steel. The model on display is just not to my taste.