Parker Vector Fountain Pen Review + Exciting News!

[@jamesmortland7784]

I have a Parker Vector that is at least 25 years old. It has a broad tip. I used it at work for at least 7 years until I retired. I still use it on and off. It will dry out occasionally, I just soak it in warm water to loosen it up, rinse it out, fill it up and use it. It writes beautifully. Nice and smooth. I would use it only with either Parker Quink, or Waterman inks though.

[@donnamcgee5536]

I’ve owned and enjoyed my two Parker Vectors for over 20 years and they still write well.

[@lolacarter2833]

I love fountain pens! I've been using them forever, even made my own quills from goose feathers.

[@warrenfernandes9256]

I believe I had the roller ball version of this pen way back in high school days. I wish I appreciated fountain pens more in my school days.

[@bikkies]

The Parker Vector was my first adult-bought fountain pen when I began this hobby, a whole few months ago. I never had a Parker pen as a child but their reputation was strong. In my school it was Parker versus Papermate and I was the latter (ballpoint sadly). Since then I've amassed *ahem* 'several' other pens including many classic Parkers. The Vector was relegated in the face of all these because it's too narrow and too sharp for me. However I dusted one off the other night and was reminded just how reliable these are. That's why I bought it in the first place, on the strength of the brand, and I have to say it's earned. Not exciting, not comfortable to hold, but would doubtless survive world war three.

[@PeteR-ed9nd]

I have the dark red color, both in fountain pen and roller ball. Love it inked with waterman inks. I think mine are at least 29 years old or more. I use it about once a week after putting it up for over 5 years because I wandered away from fountain pens. I came to my senses and rediscovered my first love..fountain pens and the many varieties of beautiful inks. My vector will be inked in Herbin inks for the holiday writing.

[@lez7767]

Hi James ,,, another enjoyable presentation of a somewhat overlooked pen, I'm sure I had one of these when I was a school boy many hundreds of years ago. .. NOW I wouldn't like it because it's on the straight and narrow side and I like chunkier pens like some of the jinhao pens but I'm not fond of pop tops although I have a couple, it will appeal to others. Well done. And congratulations on getting on AppleboomPenan I'll watch out for that. .. And.... I like how you reviews the lower end of pen prices. . We all watch the other channels that review pens that cost millions of money which are out of range of a lot of us especially schoolies who are usually impoverished plus,,, who what's to take a n expensive fountain pen to school where some unappreciative individual would apply many tons of pressure on the nib or even chew on the end of it. .. 😕 so I think your channel is a good place for starter penmen who are falling into the stationery obsession. .. you are allowed to mention products that you like as it's your opinion on your personal experience, I just had to say so although you probably know that,,, because you liked your test paper but didn't tell us the name of it. Rhodia for journalling are excellent books but I've found that some of my pens struggle because of its coating and many of my down strokes tend to skip, I've gone back to Oxford black n red books. It's good to hear your experience with the eBay seller, very understanding of them to give you the second pen and good on you to use it as a giveaway. . , Please don't get mad at my rambling comments, I apologise to everyone who I annoy. 👃 Best wishes to all PenPeople, ,, mind how you go. LeZc @@

[@kan-zee]

I don't mind the narrow diameter ...It feels like a short mechanical Pencil , in my hand. 5:24...I never noticed this issue , with this fountain pen. yet my only issue (15:26 )is the back capping of the lid. It slids off easily, for me...so i had to use a strip of clear packing tape to tighten its hold, on the end. 8:58 ... *Good Tip* ...I didn't know you could intermix the Lamy converter , inside a Parker...I will have to try this out, when my Lamy Safari Vista Fountain Pen arrives in amazon, 2morrow.

[@nitina8564]

I own a few parker vector fountain pens i like them and the best one is the full steel fountain pen u also get one in matt black metal pen. For the price they are really good.

[@ewy1957]

I've got to say James, I really like your handwriting. You and I both grew up in an era when cursive was a significant part of the grade school curriculum. It looks good! (Oh, and I like your videos too!)

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks. It was definitely a larger part of our schooling. We started in second grade, and all the way through high school sloppy cursive could cost us on an assignment. I had teachers who didn't allow work done in print.

[@hentaiconnoisseur4703]

omg the same haha used to hate it back then, but im glad that i learnt cursve now. brings back old memories! (i sound like an old man, im 18 lol)

[@BMW_Supremacy]

@@JG3Reviews I have recently discovered your channel. I too have been schooled to write in cursive and I found out early on that on ball point pen my hand writing would be very unpredictable (the size of letters would vary) ever since then I bought and used disposable fountain pens. I have recently graduated University and I want to purchase a good fountain pen for my daily use. I have narrowed it down to lamy cp1 and Faber castell Neo slim can you tell me which of the two is better. Also any other slim profile pen that you would recommend. (Nib should be fine or medium)

[@edzejandehaan9265]

I have an old one somewhere, I guess about 30 year old. Hasn't had ink in it for the largest part of that. Wonder if I could revive it. Edit; I found it! Used a syringe to put some Lamy black ink in the cartridge that was in it, and after a bit of shaking, squeezing and moisturizing the nib with water It works! I am quite astonished actually, had written this pen of thinking it would be clogged. Actually bought a Lamy safari with converter and ink a couple of weeks ago ( why I had this ink available). So I guess this is how fountain pen madness begins...😄

[@barbarah-p8661]

I have a whole bunch of Parker Vectors. I really like writing with them. I also prefer a slim pen. If you have big hands, this pen will get lost in your hand. :) I can write with this pen for quite a while. They make an excellent EDC. I like that you showed using the Lamy converter in your Jotter. I have swapped both cartridges and converters between my Lamys and Parkers without any problems. Thanks for the great video.

[@ullano001]

Finally someone that shares my experience with Rhodia paper. The paper behave very well with wet pens, but is awful on more dry pens. The front of the pages have a draggy feeling on dry pens, the back much less so, is quite better. Actually when I use them i wrote mainly on the back of the pages not on the front.

[@vicious8500]

Owned a parker vector for 6 months now. I've gotta say it's my favorite pen and writes extremely well

[@mcescher1957]

I was so glad to see this review. The Vector has been my favorite pen for years. I have very small hands and this pen fits me and is so comfortable. I got my first one (dark blue, made in USA) when I was in high school in the 1970's. I now also have two others (made in France - stay away from the ones made in India, they aren't as nice) a red fine point and a beautiful gold metal medium which is my favorite. I was pleased to hear about the Lamy converter! I do have one converter for my pens, but they really don't hold very much and are a bit of a pain. I usually refill the Quink cartridge with a syring. God Bless...I really enjoy your reviews!

[@badassbassist]

I have used the Vector(made in India) and had quite a few ones. The stationary shops store them in cartloads and the other better pens get less market share. They are really very ordinary and not worth it. However, there are a lot of Indian pens which are really good check out FPR most of them are Indian ones.

[@mikeposner5696]

@@badassbassist hi brother please can you tell me is this pen suitable for long writing nd note making?

[@badassbassist]

@@mikeposner5696 all depends on your preference. Thick grip, A little heavy : FC LOOM Narrow grip and heavy: pilot Metro(it's usually finer than most) Narrow grip but huge ink capacity: TWSBI ECO THICK GRIP LIGHT WEIGHT: LAMY SAFARI (although you can try for Lamy Nexx as well they all use the same nib and feed)

[@sankaranunnitharakkal460]

I have the rollerball version of this pen and it is really good in writing and the quality

[@angelosdkg]

yeah it good .. i used the rollerball too but nowdaus i prefer the fountain pen

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Rollerball pens are great to have a nice body to put gel refills in

[@countduckula9977]

Hey James, Great pen [available in most grocery supermarkets here in the UK [Tesco, Sainsburys & even Aldi]. I liked these so much I bought the stainless steel version [which strangely has a plastic end where you pot the cap]. Wonderful inexpensive quality FP.

[@JG3Reviews]

Now I wish I'd thought to check the stationary section of Sainsbury's when we were in Nottingham last time!

[@countduckula9977]

@@JG3Reviews I picked up a few from Aldi as the price was pretty good, but you have to keep going into Aldi twice a week, as it is one of those things that appears once in a blue moon.

[@varuzhanbasmajyan2265]

Had one at school back in the 80's. Wish I still had it to compare with a modern one.

[@jasonshone1510]

Good review I think I had a Vector about 40 years ago at School, God bless you and stay safe

[@Vin_03]

You remeber that!!

[@markcollins2876]

Looking forward to your Appleboom 3 pens. Way to go.

[@siogaming8045]

I'm using Parker vector for 3years it's still writing well

[@patoeme]

one of my first pen was a parker vector, i still have 2 ( mine are france made) , its so light but i love that , the only problem i had : the plastic crack on the twist point with the metal , but i used scotch tape to solved . Dont overpressure to close the pen

[@martinlebl631]

Either that or the cap. Went through many in the nineties. Tape only helps for a while, as the plastics go sooner or later. On the ones that didn't the non hardened nib turned into a stub of sorts.

[@DarkNova2010]

The design is minimalistic and elegant. I wished I could give it a try buy it's nowhere to be found in my country. Since it's a low-cost pen, shipping ends up being more expensive than the pen itself. I hope it gets restocked someday.

[@martinlebl631]

Back in the 90s I would go through two or three of these in a year. Cap would fall to pieces, nib would go from fine to double broad just from wear, or the cartridges would no longer seal. Found memories. But the plastic does not really stand up to the true everyday use, but then it is a cheap pen, and was even cheaper than.

[@christopherstarr7607]

Cool! I have been looking for one of these. I have a Baoer in my traveler note/sketchbook, both are perfect for thin pens on the go. I would use this Vector Pen in Rohrer & Klingner Sketch Ink Marlene blue. It is easy to clean, waterproof ink, that is affordable. I am looking to get more colors in this ink series, I have the Black, Grey, and Blue. Maybe do a review on the Rohrer & Klingner Sketch Ink on your KZbin channel. Thanks.

[@martinlebl631]

These days the Parker Sonnet is my replacement, as the gold nib has hardened point, so it won't wear like the Vectors did, and it is of much more solid construction than injection molded wonder. Gotta appreciate the posting on the Vector though.

[@kathycullenstern9652]

Thanks for the info about the LAMY converter fitting in the Parker. I recently bought a Jotter and was going to refill the cartridge. I have plenty of LAMY converters at home.

[@thomasvn]

Parker seems to have a bad rep in the FP world, and I don't know why. Maybe it is too European? When I was a kid in the 80's in The Netherlands, it was the ubiquitous brand. The Jotter ballpoint was everywhere, and it was THE ballpoint pen (and for me it still is). If you were a kid, the Vector or Jotter FP was probably your first fountain pen. Maybe one rich kid had a Waterman or Sheaffer pen, but those were exotic names. And Lamy wasn't a rage yet here. Parkers are workhorse pens, and if you consider all the (ab)use these Parker pens got from kids in schools, and still kept writing, I think they should get more credit. I don't think I ever had one fail on me.

[@justyclacky]

South Africa 🇿🇦 was the same!

[@priyansukarmakar1798]

It is a great pen I am using the Fine version of it Lucky enough my pen came with a converter itself I haven't used the cartridges which even came with the pen Just a small note - I have used both the parker blue and black ink with this pen as it will be primary choice for most using parker's pen for the 1st time The blue ink is really cool and smooth but as it dries up it becomes slightly fade, It looks much better than any roller ball pens liquid ink, but it may feels a bit on light shade But don't have issue of blotting even in 60 GSM Whereas I primarily uses the parker black ink, and it just feels too good and really value for money deal for students totally recommended And it also doesn't blot on 60 GSM paper whereas it provides a really dark black colour even when the ink dries up

[@Mity_Moose]

I think that ledge at the finger hold location would really bother me. Glad i saw this. But, I did buy the Amazon basics and have not opened yet. It is my 6th pen. My fav 2 pens are Lamy and Wing W 698. The 698 fits my hand the best, but the flats on the Lamy are a comfort.

[@JG3Reviews]

I've got a WS 698 that I ordered a couple weeks ago on its way. It has a great reputation, so I'm really looking forward to it.

[@Mity_Moose]

@@JG3Reviews Oh awesome! I hope you do a review. I used to watch Pen Habit but he kicked the habit. I'm so glad I found your chanel.

[@adamalarcon4973]

Oh wow, I saw a red Vector for sale in a book store a month ago. They said it was the last one too. I hope it's still there too, I'm quite partial to thin pens like the Muji. Winning that Vector would be quite amazing.

[@martinlebl631]

I mostly had the black ones, with a few in red(like wine), and one or two in blue. Not sure it come in other colors back then. If the plastic was sturdier it would be great pen. After going through well over a dozen I switched to sturdier pens.

[@Neehalmahfuz]

@@martinlebl631 did the plastic break?

[@martinlebl631]

@@Neehalmahfuz It is a cheap pen, and the plastics used aren't the greatest. At the time I used it as EDC, and I had the cap crack on almost all of them eventually, which while ugly isn't end of the world as the cap liner snaps on the front of the section, so it still seals and remains useable. That liner will eventually stretch, and cap will not stay on, although you do really have to use it a lot. The thin cheap plastic barrel screws onto metal section, and thus will crack it. If you are careful, then it will take longer to crack, but crack it will. The nib will get wider with use as it isn't hardened, but that isn't that big of a deal if you use bottled ink. It will become sensitive to the angle you write, so it will work great for you, but perhaps not for others that hold it different.

[@TheAnimaAnimal]

Gotta love your pen snatcher of a wife haha. I am currently looking to buy the XL version which I think is a size up and more similar to the other ones you showed but there are not that many images online of the XL at all. So it will be interesting to see. I myself is a sucker for greens so wrong color but same urge.

[@JG3Reviews]

I was not even aware of the XL, now you've got me hunting, too.

[@TheAnimaAnimal]

@@JG3Reviewshaha, great! Not nearly as knowledgeable as you on this subject but I hope you find it so we can see what you think

[@artkung3629]

hey Pastor James, this is my second attempt to leave a comment. don't know why the first one didn't post. thanks for all the wonderful videos. i blame you for getting me into fountain pens. awaiting my Delike Element to arrive. thanks for the chance at winning a Parker from you in the meanwhile.

[@JG3Reviews]

I'll take the blame! lol And I hope you enjoy the Delike pen.

[@ashayakantawala8601]

Thanks for posting the review James. It's really nice. Can you also please include more details like the weight of the pen? Whether it posts well or not?

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks. Yes, it does post very well. I did forget to post the specs, though, in editing. Specs: Weight: 16g Length: 131mm Diameter: 10mm

[@ashayakantawala8601]

@@JG3Reviews thank you

[@figoligeiro1477]

Thanks for the review, it's great :D

[@tonysameh]

My very first fountain pen ❤️

[@Tailslol]

jinhao (or hero) or other 3.4mm converter work with parker pens. if you want a pack of cheap converters a very similar pen would be the F10 i think, same body shape with a lamy style nib.

[@davidgbeneke1]

Hi James, Like your reviews, what brand of paper do you use? The ink seems to take well to it!

[@JG3Reviews]

It is this marker pad from Hobby Lobby. It does take ink very well. www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Canvas-Art-Surfaces/Drawing-Sketching/Marker-Pad/p/MP64568

[@davidgbeneke1]

@@JG3Reviews Wow, Thanks for the fast reply! I'm going to get a couple of these pads, great price!

[@Johan-vk5yd]

Nice review! I own one Parker Vector. I like to use it now and then, but it feels a bit delicate, so I don’t want to knock around with it. The sharp step- down is intolerable if you dont sand it down a little, but with a pinch of steel-wool it’s done ” in a jiffy”. The metal section gives me no problems with the fountain pen version, as you hold a fountain pen with a very relaxed grip. I once had a ball point Vector, but the slippery section made that one unusable.

[@edgars.rainesjr.3184]

Thanks for a great evaluation of an excellent fountain pen; I have used them for years. I was wondering if you or anyone else has ever figured how to dismantle the nib and feed; I have one that is clogged up and I can’ t get it unclogged. Thanks again for your excellent videos.

[@JG3Reviews]

Thank you, sir. Hopefully someone else here can advise, I haven't attempted it yet myself.

[@PeteR-ed9nd]

Put it in a jar of cool water, and let it sit for a few days, changing the water daily. I clean mine using a jar that once held Bonne Maman jelly. Put the lid on filled with water, and shake for a few minutes each day. I had some clogged that took 4 or 5 days until the water became clear even after shaking. I have a friend who uses denatured alcohol for cleaning pens he uses with some permanent inks. I have never resorted to that as my method has always worked

[@figoligeiro1477]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmetapqZl7t3hZo

[@Jocomu1991]

I also Have a Parker Vector Fountain Stainless steel About 17 years old and the ink and my pen is rights good in some specific paper i just wanna know is it happening to yours or is it just mine?.And it still writes good and i also have a parker vector rollerball in black its about 5 months old

[@214Wildbill]

That Nib on your parker Vector, mine are sharp at the end, Do you know where I can order just the Nib??? Yes, I've seen those on Amazon, but they are sharp at the end too, you get the feed also ans the casing at the end, Was hoping you could tell me where I could just get the Nib, or the whole Nib replacement with you Nib on it, I have looked everywhere for it online, it's a real adventure looking for one. I did order on walmart the pen that you have, hopefully it will have your Nib. I do have the parker Vector, I thought it was very neat. But the Nibs are kind of square and different sizes. I filed them down so that it would write thin like yours, Thank you for reading this... Will Johnston

[@JG3Reviews]

Unfortunately, no I don't. I haven't been able to find any for the Jotter/Vector.

[@akshayk.a9188]

I have a parker vector stainless steel and it is made in France

[@jaycorscadden2486]

Hi James. This is James. Love your reviews. Very informative. My 50th is coming up and looking to move up in to bit higher range of fountain pens ($200 range), any suggestions?

[@JG3Reviews]

Thank you! Now that's a hard choice. The pens in that price range that are appealing are many. Sailor, Pilot, Pelikan, Visconti, Franklin-Christoph...that's before you get into the customs in a shop out back handmade pens. All of the above have pens worthy of a 50th birthday. I'd ask myself a few questions (I feel a flow chart coming on - ha). - Do I want a gold nib? - Do I want a large manufacturer like Sailor, or a hand made pen like something from Woodshop Pen Co or Hinze? - Modern like a Lamy 2000 or more classic like a Pelikan? - Does German, Italian, or Japanese appeal more? - Do you like the pens that feature special resins (Elmo, Momento Zero, etc.) I could ask lots of questions, but you get the idea. Personally, I'm drawn to both the classics like Pelikans (mostly steel nibs at that price), Sailor 1911, and Pilot Heritage, or Platinum 3776, and the more special resin pens like the Momento Zero or Visconti Rembrandts/Van Goghs. So, basically, I probably just muddied the water a bit. That may be the price point with the most variety of good options.

[@jaycorscadden2486]

@@JG3Reviews Thank you James. You have some very good points and have given me lots to think about. I currently have a Cross ATX Brushed Black, Hong Dian Black Forest, Pilot Metro, Cross Bailey, Jinhao 51A, Jinhao x450 , Parker Jotter and a Wordsworth & Black Erudite. So as you can see i am trying to figure that out myself. I will definitely look into your suggestions and see which way i go. I was looking at the Diplomat Aero. I will keep you posted. Thank you for responding to my request. Stay Safe.

[@LakesGeek]

I'm only just getting into fountain pens but out of my small collection so far this is the one I keep coming back to as my daily driver. Reasons - consistent/reliable, pleasant to use and I won't cry if someone steals it. I have things like a Parker 75 which is amazing to write with but too special to use or take anywhere (sort of a family heirloom), a really nice Sheaffer but also was a gift and has problems with randomly stopping and needing the cartridge to be squeezed to get it to flow again so is frustrating to use, some cheap but decent Chinese brands that are very solid but not quite as smooth and the other downside is they're "unique" in a way as usually after a few years they're discontinued for another model so I don't really want to lose them. The Safari is superb and also consistent but twice the price of the Vector so I'd be a little more annoyed if it got lost or stolen. I just keep coming back to the Vector for everyday use. It never frustrates me with flow problems or anything, it just works and is smooth and comfortable and if someone takes it, I can buy another pretty cheap. I think reliability is vital for a daily driver kind of pen, the last thing you want is to want to take a very quick note and find the ink isn't flowing. If there is one downside, that barrel will crack eventually at the thread, I've had similar pens before and it seems to be inevitable. It's not a disposable like the Pilot V-Pen (great to write with but I'm not keen for environmental reasons) but it's not going to last forever either. Another I'd be happy to use daily is a Hongdian I got from Amazon which is a compromise price wise (Vector £10, Safari £20, Hongdian £15) and it's a lot more robust as it's a metal pen. But it's not quite as smooth to write with on normal plain paper, so again, I end up back with the Vector which is an everyday pen that writes nicely on everyday paper.

[@JG3Reviews]

I've really been happy with the Vector, too. Of all the pens in my collection, it is one that is always inked. I've been surprised how much I like it.

[@GS-cg3yn]

Always enjoy your videos. Thank you for them.

[@stever6812]

Great detail in your review. I recently found an older, used Vector. Soaked it and cleaned it and refilled the attached (empty) cartridge with some Quink. Works pretty well, but I do want to install a converter. I tried my Lamy converter and it does not fit. Can you please tell me the size/version of Lamy converter you used? Thanks so much.

[@JG3Reviews]

Well, I have unfortunately swapped that converter out of the Jotter (I don't remember doing that, must have been a while). I had a Safari handy, and that one won't go in my Vector, which has a Parker long cartridge in it. I had a PenBBS pen nearby, and while the converter fits the Vector's feed perfectly, it is to wide for the barrel. I'm going to have to do some digging.

[@deepsisangia04]

I have Indian Parker pens

[@andreemartin9705]

Thanks for the review. Could you please write the paper's name. My english is minimal and I don't ear the name. Thanks.

[@JG3Reviews]

This is a Master's Touch Art Studio Marker Pad from our local art supply store.

[@chrislj2890]

I really like that blue material, and I'm surprised it is made in the USA instead of China. I wish all Parkers were still made in America, but at least the higher end ones are made in France.

[@judassson]

I have the metallic version that is made in the UK. Beware not to overthighten the body, it is susceptible to breaking. My father had a red one years ago it broke. I don’t like how it rides, it feels scratchy. But that’s my opinion

[@palashbharadwaj8958]

Should I go with this or jinhao 911 fine nib ?

[@JG3Reviews]

I prefer the nib in the Vector (mine's M), but the 911 fine is OK. One good thing about the 911, there are 3rd party nibs if you don't like what comes standard.

[@TheNightowl001]

I recently bought a matte steel Vector roller ball to go with the matte steel fountain pen I have, as well as a matte black fountain pen and matching roller ball, and mine came from China, although the caps are all marked "France." *shrugs*

[@JG3Reviews]

How did I only notice today that the intro of the video was somehow unintentionally flipped? Ha!

[@PraveenMV]

Hi, could u suggest a good fountain pen for drawing?

[@JG3Reviews]

I wish I could, but drawing isn't my strength. However, Stephen over at Stephen_Inks is very talented and tests fountains pens from an artist's perspective. I know he'd have some good insight for you. His channel is here: kzbin.info

[@PraveenMV]

@@JG3Reviews Thank You

[@felixaviseyii8878]

Is the nib of a Parker vector can be sis assembled

[@shashijain5084]

Wow !!! That is so decent of the shipper's !!! And even so nice of you to offer to pay !!!!

[@sagnikbhaduri5419]

8 years.....still going strong

[@ichirofakename]

Love me a nice slender pen...

[@dejandjokic5919]

You don't have to use expensive Parkers, becose the nibs are all the same. I recommend fine nib, becose Medium has narow sweet spot, to much skipping.

[@JG3Reviews]

I still need to try a Parker with a fine.

[@idkwhatagah7193]

Can I use it for drawing?

[@adobotachibana732]

Yes

[@jamesaritchie1]

People always say you can't eyedropper a pen when the would come into contact with metal because the metal will corrode. This obviously isn't true if that metal is stainless steel. If ink corroded stainless steel, every sub one hundred dollar pen out there would have a corroded nib. Like many people, I can't use a pen with a bare steel grip. I don't know if my skin is oily or what, but after a few minutes my fingers slide down such a grip, all the way down to where it ends, and it makes writing impossible. If I could hold the pen high enough, this wouldn't happen, but I write holding only the grip. That's really strange about the Rhodia. I've never had any pen give feedback on Rhodia unless it gave even more feedback on other paper. The coating on Rhodia should prevent this from happening. It certainly does with all the pens I've used on it. This said, there is a, well, I guess lower quality, somewhat cheaper Rhodia paper that I haven't tried, and maybe that's the difference? I've wondered, though, if we have different demands from nibs. I don't think any nib on any pen should be the least bit rough, and certainly not scratchy, which is not the same thing as rough. If a nib isn't as smooth as butter on glass when using fountain pen friendly paper, then, to me, that's a bad nib that needs work. There just isn't any reason at all for a nib not to be this smooth, even on a two dollar pen. In fact, several of the smoothest, butter on glass nibs I own are on two dollar pens. If a nib isn't this smooth, I send the pen back, or I I make it this smooth, or I replace it, or I get rid of it, depending on how much I like the pen itself. IOn a cheap nib, I will, like most, use 12000 grit micromesh, and this will often do the trick. But I come from the world of knife sharpening and making knives display ready, and from the world of polishing jewelry. So on an expensive nib, or just any nib on a pen I absolutely love, I'll use stropping compound, starting with the finest grit I need, which is usually 12000, but then I go to 20000, and then to as much as 70000. 12000 grit is still a cutting compound, which is why it really shouldn't be used for more that five to ten seconds at most. Inexperienced users should be extremely cautions when using it, whether it's micromesh or a stropping compound. 20000 and finer are not consider cutting compound, but true polishing compounds. This is what you use for a display ready knife, or for fine jewelry. It's often called "jeweler's rouge", which it is. But it works on nibs as well as it works on a knife edge, or on extremely delicate gold jewelry. It will not over polish a nib and create baby's bottom because, as I said, it won't cut the metal at all, but merely polish it. This is extreme treatment, but it really doesn't take much time, once you get the hang of it, and I think it's fun. Rough nibs are not normal, and are always a lack of quality control. One will slip through every great now and then with almost any company, but when it happens often, it's just lack of quality control, which means lack of customer care. Even Jinhao now gets it right far more often than some of the European pen companies that charge far more for their pens. I can almost always realign tines, and polish flats until they're as smooth as butter on glass, and even get rid of baby's bottom most of the time, and this is fine, if it's one pen out of thirty or forty, but when it's three pens out of four, or sometimes eight or nine out of ten, I write that company off, especially when they have a profit margin high enough to easily pay for quality control, if they wanted to. Or even if they can't afford it. Quality control should always come first, not last, and this is how it is with good companies, regardless of what product they make.

[@mikeposner5696]

Sir I want to know about the nib of this pen... If I press nib of this pen little hard do it will break?

[@JG3Reviews]

It's a pretty strong nib, but it's definitely possible. It's not made to flex any at all, so a light touch is all that's needed.

[@angelosdkg]

i prefer vector xl than original

[@BMW_Supremacy]

May the 4th be with you.

[@Stationeryreviewer2008]

I have this pen but I am not satisfied

[@JG3Reviews]

Sorry to hear that. I think, from watching another KZbinr's review recently, that there is at least one version of the Vector made in a factory that isn't up to par with the older manufactured NOS pens like this one. That's frustrating.

[@apurvatr2u]

All these give away doesn't work for me. I am from India. But to be honest 8 really like your videos. Will keep watching. I may not comment much. But I really like your knowledge sharing to us.

[@aachikojhol]

the muji pen lol

[@princeinkedpens4197]

I personally own two Parker Vectors ( a plastic one and a metal one in the gold finish). They are really great pens for the price. BTW please check out my channel also.