Pilot Kakuno - Underrated Gem

Thank you for watching my video. If you would like to help the channel, take a look at my hand crafted fountain pen line; Artisan Fountain Pens. Use the discount code: JPL10 at the checkout at www.etsy.com/a... to get 10% off your order.

[@origamichik3n]

What's also good about Kakuno is that even after prolonged time (several weeks in my case) of not being used, it still starts writing with no skipping. Even though the ink evaporates over time.

[@Stozeel]

thanks

[@SaraKalla]

Smiley face nib? SOLD.

[@RENEDU2]

the smiling face on it is why I bought it..makes me happy

[@gigawertz2582]

I got the kakuno after being disappointed by the aluminum safari knock offs and the parker vector. I’ve got to say, it is brilliant. The most consistent pen I’ve ever used. Although it doesn’t have much line variation, it writes buttery smooth every time you use it!

[@62_jivangosavidiv.a62]

Nib size

[@petethehawk5186]

Hard to beat the value here. The pen writes very smoothly and the ability to use the larger Con-70 convertor is a huge plus. I have the medium, but just like the Metro it runs very narrow. The Pilot mediums are pretty much equivalent to a euro fine. If Pilot would offer B or even BB nibs I’d love this pen even more.

[@TheTektronik]

I have a Pilot Kakuno EF demonstrator version and it's my everyday writer it's a lightweight pen even when it's posted it doesn't throw the balance off!

[@wildstar55555]

my favorite pen. better than my Lamy Safari. can't say enough about this pen! Features: M F EF nibs all smooth writing with slight flex and line variation (cute smiley face) comfortable ergonomic grip barrel made of comfortable material posts easily and securely with a snap won't roll off table perfect size and weight playful styling great price too good for drawing as well as writing

[@Dobj319]

I found that a Kaweco style clip will fit on one of these pens.

[@Dobj319]

JinxTheMoon it is a slip-on clip. Look up Kaweco to see what it looks like. I got it from Amazon a few years ago.

[@geslinam9703]

Oooh, good to know!

[@marcosmartins2537]

Oh, cool. I've been searching all over the Internet for this particular piece of information. I've been meaning to buy it but I couldn't do it without being sure, since pretty much everything related to fountain pens is worth a fortune here in Brazil. Thank you very much.

[@lymantria10]

Spot on review. The Metropolitan's biggest weakness is that large step down above the section-makes for a very uncomfortable grip. The Kakuno has a much more comfortable grip, and like the old Waterman Phileas (also an entry-level pen, but from the 1980s-1990s) punches well above its weight (price). I have a clear demonstrator Kakuno (more grown-up looking) and it is at least as good as my three Safaris, which cost more. Thanks for giving an excellent review of a really good pen. It shares a daily rotation case with a Platinum 3776 and a Pelikan M400.

[@zoot9393]

The pilot Kakuno is a really great quality fountain pen. Also, they come in a variety of lovely colours.

[@gene7788]

For me I really like the cream color because they look cute and fits most of my journals!

[@thewarmedic2330]

Keep it up mate; I do agree completely. The Fountain Pen Market has definitely opened up to more affordable pens.

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a Pilot Kakuno with a B nib swapped from a Pluminix Calligraphy pen. It's the Red capped dark grey body version. I put a Con 70 converter in mne and a clip from a metal Iraurita Kaweco style pocket pen. I love it. Tough and trustworthy and holds a ton of ink.

[@wildstar55555]

smart! I want to do the same- thanks!

Best video on the Kakuno I've watched. Congrats :) you managed to cover all the bases and sounded like you know what you're taking about. Thanks!

[@geslinam9703]

I LOVE this pen. I couldn’t care less about line variation, I prefer consistency. I got the chance to try some high end pens and they didn’t bowl me over. Pretty, yes, but I’m not going to pay $100 - $300 for fancy packaging. I care more about how a pen writes, and this humble little pen is perfect. Plus, if I break it or lose it, it’s no disaster.

[@tbayless8324]

That was said so well. I am new to this, and I am seeing this with certain online FP peeps. I want results and not fancy packaging. I just bought this pen, Heard about it, thought it was basically a kids pen. I am swapping out nibs with a Pilot Calligraphy which I cannot stand.

[@geslinam9703]

@@tbayless8324 ah, well, this was two years ago, and my feelings have changed. I still think the Kakuno is a great pen at an amazing price, and I still use lower priced pens…but after getting a great deal on a Sailor Pro Gear Slim, I have since bought several gold nib pens, most of which I love, and I like the steel nib Lamy pens too. I think the Kakuno WAS made to be in kids pen, by the way.

[@cliffordbaker4930]

I love it that you ink costs more than your pen! Lol!

[@jpl2475]

huh... never actually occurred to me but heck you are right

[@KarynaLovesToPlan]

Thank you for this video! I'm very new to the fountain pen world and I ended up impulsively buying the Lamy Safari, Pilot Metropolitan, Kaweco Sport and the TWSBI Eco along with the Pilot Kakuno. I've definitely found what I like... I now have three Kakuno pens (and I sold the Safari, Metropolitan and the Sport). This is an underrated pen for sure!

[@marcosmartins2537]

My case exactly. Bought a lot of fountain pens impulsively, kakuno being one of them. Used them all, liked it better, sold 'em all, lost my kakuno on a bus, freaked out (FPs are expensive as hell in Brazil) and almost immediately bought a new one. Can't live without it anymore.

[@LordCinnamon]

Guys using fountain pens to sponsor a fountain pen. Great review

[@heres_the_sauce]

I’ve been writing with the kakuno xf for a few weeks now. It’s my first fountain pen and I love it! It’s a joy to use and I actually enjoy writing now!

[@13eugubino459]

The Extra fine (ef) nib , really is a super fine Quality in these line of Pens ..

[@VyPham-ki4lp]

Do you personally find the EF nib to be scratchy at all? (Using the Pilot ink it comes with).

[@Von_D]

That's been my daily pen for the past nine months! I got mine in Japan, and it's magnificent for writing in Japanese with an EF. I was lucky enough to be able to nab the clear body. Cheers, mate!

[@aegystierone8505]

Got this in medium nib a few weeks ago, comfortable grip and the nib writes with a certain smoothness with very slight feedback, which is just nice.

[@archisabhattacharya372]

i used to use this pen every day in high school until the cap broke, the extra fine nib is perfect for bad paper,no bleed through and very little if any feathering. would refill with waterman and it would work like a dream, and i used it mostly because of hte cute face on the nib

[@VyPham-ki4lp]

Thank you for the review. Very helpful.

[@DD-d6d3]

I love my two Kakuno pens . The con70 gives them great ink capacity.

[@ANURAGUNDERIA]

Does the con 70 really fit these pens? Cause I've read online that it only fits custom 74 type pens. Even the metropolitan does not fit the con 70

[@chrisb7682]

@@ANURAGUNDERIA Yes, I use a Kakuno with a con 70

[@ANURAGUNDERIA]

Chris B awesome . Then this pen is better than the metropolitan. Though I like heavier pens

[@petethehawk5186]

Anurag Gunderia Yep. I literally just got my medium nib clear Kakuno yesterday and the Con-70 fit with zero issues. So much nicer than the tiny Con-40.

[@ANURAGUNDERIA]

Pete TheHawk yeah the con 40 is horrible. I’d rather use the cartridge

[@allyleech]

My Kakuno nib was shocker at first but I tuned and refined it over a few days and it’s one of my favourite pens now!

[@angelusavila3832]

Beautiful! Oh yes, the pen is nice ,too.

[@danmagoo]

Just got one (medium nib), and it's quite nice. I prefer some flex, for drawing cartoons (this has basically none), but it's very smooth, with decent feel and weight, and will be good for quick notes and doodles -- a step up from the Varsity or Preppy. Your review says it all.

[@dimhelmet]

My lefty wife loves her Kakunos!

[@paullambert7840]

I have found Kakunos to write a bit drier than I prefer, but maybe that's why your lefty words likes them.

[@mariojr377]

very good review, thank you very Much.

[@caonabocruzG]

This was my first fountain pen, I have a couple of +$100 and I still return to it. I have it with a Pilot Plumix fine stub nib, so you can turn it into a stub pretty cheap and easy.

[@Jumpeex]

Thanks for this review 🙏 I had to make a choice between the Pilot Kaküno and the Platinum Prefounte for sketching 🖊 Now I just know which one’s right for me. Love your professionalism and authenticity, keep going !

[@chrislj2890]

I like the Kaweco Perkeo with a medium nib and have three of them. Great writers and only $17 U.S. at Goulet.

[@ItsAzail]

My pen arrived today. It's pretty good. I'm getting a fine nib next. The medium is too thick to my liking.

[@mirali9378]

Same here... I got my first one in medium... But its too thick... So I gave it to my sister who really likes it... Got a fine nib now....I like it... But now I really want to buy the extra fine... But not sure whether I am going to like it...

[@solascripturamjc9681]

Brilliant video!! Excellent points discussed- one of the best I've seen and I've been watching a lot of videos, LoL. Just subscribed.

[@piyotan4332]

Your review is so goodd, I used kakuno since 2015/16 something.. I felt unsatisfied because of the aesthetic and considering to buy a new pen. However, I change my mind because of this video 😂 I felt great that I bought kakuno because it was unplanned purchase and its my 1st fountain pen

[@houghwhite411]

I was thinking the same, but the pen grew on me. I paid for metropolitan, safari, but always come back to kakuno

[@DD-d6d3]

Thanks for turning off the desk lamp behind you. 👍

[@jpl2475]

you were right, much better decision

[@2ndskinmineral]

Just got two pens yesterday and come across this vdo.....think about order 2 more today.....lol I try to convince my daughter to convert from rollerball to fountain pen.

[@kan-zee]

📖 ☑✍🏼🖋😎👍 15:20 LOL It has a 😊 on it though !!

[@TC-rv6sz]

I have the orange-grey one with an M nib and to minimize the school-pen look I took some nail polish remover and rubbed off the branding lol. In terms of grip/comfort, the Kakunos are better than the Lamy Safaris IMO since its removable friction-fit nib/feed means you can turn them to fit how you naturally hold the ergonomic section. Plus they're just about as durable as the Safaris, I've dropped mine countless times and wheeled over it with my office swivel chair - it has sustained no cracking whatsoever.

[@BringBackCyParkVendingMachines]

I’ve wanted a beginners fountain pen for a while to practice writing with. I also wanted to improve my handwriting as well, and thought a fountain pen would do the trick. This is irrelevant- but you’re very handsome! Keep it up your channel is great 👍🏾

[@Sonicman415]

Takes a pilot con 70.. ups the price but it’s a plus for me.

[@arisamomoka2765]

I LOVE my kakuno. I never had an interest to cigar shaped fountain pen (might have to do with my age) my preferences is a kinda boxy and stylish-modern type(?) If that's a thing. Pens that catches my eye is something like Safari & TWSBI. That's why having Kakuno really is a blessing. The writing experience is great, and i can buy those rather than metro. I'm using this while i saves up for a kaweco. It's light weight and for someone who used to write with ballpoint it's actually a plus. And for someone who might get thrown off by their childish look, you might choose the clear one, which can look more professional. Because it's a shame that you miss such a great affordable writing instrument just because of its cutesy look. The only complaint i have is probably the absence of a clip. The design is great, but i would love to have option for a clip, maybe additional ones like Kaweco. That would be great. After having one, i changed my mind on buying another preppy, and wants to buy another kakuno instead. (Preppy is around 5USD while Kakuno was like 8-9USD here in my country, so yeah. You know which one i'd rather buy)

[@houghwhite411]

This might be a bit late, but someone said you can buy kaweco pocket clip and fit it into kakuno

[@nicholasadams1283]

Right. It’s a very good pen!

[@rudraneeldey1642]

please review 1. fountain pen revolution ( flex and ultra flex ) . 2. waterman expert fountain pen. 3. monteverde flex nib fountain pen 4. sheaffer award fountain pen

[@RegorForgot]

Beautiful handwriting!

[@seth1393]

I much prefer my kakunos than my metros, the plastic grip section feels better. For some reason the plastic on the metro feels cheaper for me.

[@jpl2475]

Makes sense, I am not 100 percent sure, but I have a hunch that the section on the metro is the same as the section as the cheap and defunct 78g, which I said felt cheap. If this is right then I wouldn't be surprised that the section feels cheap.

[@Ryan_H22]

The nibs out of these pens work great in the Wing Sung 3003 pens in my experience. I've swapped a few and really like the results.

[@houghwhite411]

Wait, it makes a fake prera a real prera?

[@Ryan_H22]

@@houghwhite411 Pretty much! I actually like the 3003 a little more than the Prera. The 3003 feels more comfortable to me. I got a pretty good deal on some Kakuno's and bought them just to use to nib swap the 3003's to wider nibs. The 3003 only comes with an EF nib as far as I know but that EF nib great in my experience. But it should be as it is made on machinery Pilot left in China.

[@catarinacardoso1]

Hi! Could u please make a video showing how to clean it? Just bought mine recently and it’s really important to know how to clean the pen.

[@bharatmadhok6773]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX-9ZGydis5_eJY

[@jmc2284]

Great review. Bought one yesterday for sketching. Fantastic! Just wondering, is there an absolute waterproof ink cartridge for this pen that will take watercolour painting? Or do I have to inject the ink? Thanks in advance.

[@shadowmihaiu]

Very nice review, I think I will look at the Kakuno. Though I must say I do love my Metropolitans, especially with a cursive nib.

[@jpl2475]

I have used a cursive nib in my super 5 pen, very similar to the pilot cursive nib and they are so much fun to write with.

[@bikkies]

I'm expecting delivery of one of these any day now. Over here in the UK it seems very difficult to get a Metropolitan; we have an apparently similar offering in the MR/MR2 Animal range. I have a couple of those and, cliff-face scaled step down aside, they're good solid pens. However some online searches confirm these are not a Metro. For one, they use standard international converters rather than the Pilot-proprietary one. So, the idea of getting some UK-available cheap consumer grade Pilots for comparison with the Wing Sungs and Jinhaos of this world appeals to me.

[@Tube82ful]

a really nice fountain pen..

[@echo021]

I've read you can even put silicone grease to cover the small holes and then eyedropper it that way :)

[@JosephAcena]

Alexa Renee I think silicone grease is not that reliable as a material to be used for the holes. Some people use epoxy or dib the bottom part in candle wax

[@Rubedo777]

Hiya Handsome... Glad your back posting regularly after the kickstarter... BTW my Artisan is one of my top pens... Right well there you go... Like the new background Josh showing your pen workshop... When is your next pen design coming??? UgZyer

[@geneinpennsylvania]

Joel is your backdrop your mad workshop where you create your personal pens ?

[@abdulsamadmohamed6540]

I found a used Romus fountain pen. anyway I can identify its model. Great video

[@safwanmuhaimin8263]

Have you tried a monami olika? They're from korea and are available in EF and F

[@randot6675]

That's a damn nice nib, albeit a simple one. Shame the body was so fragile though. Used mine for about 2-3 weeks and cracks started to show up around the threads, even though I never screwed it that tightly. Would've been better if they'd foregone the cheap acrylic and used something like the bpa free plastic or something softer and flexible instead

[@safwanmuhaimin8263]

@@randot6675 Oh I see, thanks for the info. I've used mine quite lightly as it was a bit pricey when it first came out, so it's kinda special. I got an F an I agree that the nib is well ground, and I look forward to getting an EF, as I don't have any yet.

[@anansiman]

A really good pen you should review is the Platinum Plasir.

[@RoMice]

Good pen, but if in my country Metropolitan is about 10 usd and kukuno 15, why kakuno? c:

[@llanbull]

How is your Montblanc fine nib? after what two years, was it worth it? were you satisfied with the fine nib? I was that video before this. Love my Kakuno EF! That's why I was leaning towards getting an EF nib on a Montblanc.

[@LeoMrz]

This is the only review of the Kakuno that I'm gonna take seriously, just because you have very good handwriting

[@patpatrizio98]

Does anyone knows if the Kakuno's advertised on Aliexpress are real Pilot pens? I found they come in a new box with a converter included

[@petethehawk5186]

My guess would be no

[@henrique552]

It's original. I bought two with a converter included

[@TheCreate78]

Hello, This comment is related to a video you posted years ago. Do you think a Leonardt EF principal nib would fit in a Jinhao fountain pen?

[@paolo.9]

Hi! Have you ever tried Muji’s fountain pen?

[@MikeG-js1jt]

I thought you could just FILL this one up with ink, whithout using a converter or cartridge?

[@carlamariestudios]

This pen cannot be converted to an eye dropper because there are holes on the bottom and the top.

[@paullambert7840]

I wish this came in stub nibs, like the Metro. I have one with a medium nib and it's a bit of a dry writer.

[@paullambert7840]

...I do like the look of this pen, however.

[@anitasamuel-george5788]

You can buy a Plumix and swap the nibs! I did that for all my Metros and a few Kakunos.

[@paullambert7840]

@@anitasamuel-george5788 That's good to know. The metros already have a stub nib option, but I'll consider this for my Kakuno.

[@anitasamuel-george5788]

Paul Lambert yes some retailers do offer that! I find the Plumix pens cheaper....about 10-13$ Canadian for me.... so cheaper in U.S.

[@JosephAcena]

I think it’s not underrated in the Asian side of the world. All my fountain pens are all kakunos in EF.

[@SArthur221]

I have an MR (that i received with some other pens i ordered), and the thing is mine uses the standard international nozzle, which allows me to use anything from the Jinhao converters to possibly even something nicer. To me this matters because the Pilot con-40 is just a joke holing a little over half a droplet of ink. Other pilot pens I use either with the con-70 or by refilling empty cartridges. Edit: Could the kakuno be eyedropper-converted?

[@DD-d6d3]

You can use the con70 in a Kakuno

[@seth1393]

The kakuno has some holes at the end of the body to prevent choking. This model is intended for kids.

[@SArthur221]

@@seth1393 Ah yes. Makes sense.

[@origamichik3n]

@@DD-d6d3 Depends on the market. MR and MR2 are the same Pilot Metropolitan, but for European market. Hence they are international standard compatible and NOT compatible with proprietary Pilot converters/cartridges. I have Pilot Kakuno and Plumix that are international standard compatible.

[@DD-d6d3]

@@origamichik3n there is no Kakuno model that takes standard international cartridges. I think you must mean a different model.

[@deerskin4225]

Just bought one in Mexico. I love it. But no converter. And not familiar with what is a converter? I want one though to fit in my Kakuno. Anyone on this . Some mention here con 70 . Can I buy this separately on Amazon? I bought insuline syringes today with intention to fill the cartridge with ink..is that a good idea?

[@houghwhite411]

Yes, that's a very good idea I refilled my kakuno that way. More economical than buying converter

[@VyPham-ki4lp]

@@houghwhite411 I also just bought 2 Kakunos, one for me and one for my sister. Gonna get syringes and currently researching what ink to use for crappy paper. How long have you been refilling your one original cartridge for? I don't wanna buy converters lol - too expensive, I'm a broke uni student. :')

[@houghwhite411]

​@@VyPham-ki4lp I joined the hobby in 2019 so that's 3 years of refilling. Neat trick I found, if you use tweezer to pull the disk from the cartridge, you could reseal the cartridge by pushing the disk in the cartridge using the butt of other cartridge. For crap paper friendly ink I would recommend either Lamy ink or Parker Quink, or kaweco ink. I personally tried and like them

[@robbys929]

Review the Monteverde innova!!

[@Jonathan-xe4ec]

Keanu Reeves reviewing pens

[@vvtj0402]

Can I use a Kaweco standard converter?

[@houghwhite411]

No

[@danlevene5478]

Comparable to the Perkeo?

[@jpl2475]

Sure, the perkeo had more flex in its nib which if that is what you want is great. The ergo grip is more pronounced on the perkeo too, however it is about 4 grams lighter which may not seems like much but the difference is profound. The grinding on the kakuno is better and for every day writing it is my go to. It also feels like a much better built pen, the perkeo uses a plastic that has a coarser texture. Overall, bother great pens but I would go with the pilot

[@MrRoshanfiroz]

Can we swap this nib to jinhao x159?

[@houghwhite411]

No, someone say you can swap this into Wing Sung 3003 and make a ghetto pilot prera

[@mosesa.3386]

So damn handsome.

[@claudea.thomas5381]

I don't like that pen because it's to big and the shape is not what I like

[@shawnsg]

It looks a bit like a tampon.

[@VyPham-ki4lp]

Oml. 😭😂 I'm gonna think this everytime I use mine. Lmao