Q&A Slices: What is the best budget eyedropper fountain pen?

[@hmApollo101]

Moonman M2: An all acrylic FP with a #5 nib and sturdy construction.

[@bitpusher]

I've been waiting for Goulet to start carrying this pen! Hopefully they have it eventually.

[@NGMonocrom]

Get whichever 4.5 oz. bottle of Noodler's with an eye-dropper top that you like, then enjoy your free Charlie pen. Seriously, been using one of the two (soon to be three) I have for the last 2 weeks at work. Smooth, comfortable, did I mention it's free? *:D*

[@dacksonflux]

Moonman is now producing pens specifically designed to be eyedroppers. I have the M2 and it's amazing. It has a massive body and holds a ton of ink. It comes with an o-ring and I've had so much fun with it.

[@FaithMidnight]

Pilot varsity, any nib size you want, as long as it's medium. Ford model t, any color you want, as long as it's black.

[@brendapace441]

I love my ahabs, but my moonman II and my wancai eyedroppers are the least problematic eyedroppered pens I've ever used

[@billrachmad]

I've recently bought a preppy and immediately turned it into an eyedropper. It worked so good and wrote flawlessly until suddenly the barrel cracked. What I can say is that the barrel wall is pretty thin so if you twist it too tight, you'll end up like me. Now, I'd recommend a Pilot Tank non self filling... Great nib !

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, at the end of the day, it's still a $5 plastic pen, so durable isn't exactly elite. Definitely something to keep in mind when eyedroppering. - Colin

[@ikreer9777]

The Platinum Prefounte is a slightly more expensive Preppy, but I haven't heard of cracking problems with them. Mine is fairly new, but is holding up fine.

[@WhenDoesTheVideoActuallyStart]

The Preppy is a pen that you buy to get an EF Pilot nib, and you get a pen with it.

[@Anegar115]

The 308 cartridges with the Ahab change everything. They hold a lot of ink and you don’t get those burping issues.

[@amaryllisl8928]

The free Charlie is my personal favorite eyedropper pen :D And as a bonus it was introduced with Heart of Darkness, my favorite ink.

[@plainspirate]

yup love my charlie, i like to use mine for mixed ink samples after i chose the color i want in another pen. dark blue now.

[@NGMonocrom]

@@plainspirate Yeah, must admit that if I fell in love with one of the inks out there notorious for being a nightmare to clean out of a pen, dedicating a free Charlie pen to that ink is one option. Ironically, perfect with something like Noodler's Bay State Blue.

[@tonibat59]

Best eyedropper today is Divine Design's Eyedropper model. With is reliable Jowo nib in all sizes, its stylized, modern design, medium size and easy, smooth, almost flat grip section that continues with barrel, makes its usage outstandingly comfortable. The 4 beautiful colors available, its wide-open transparent window that covers most of the barrel makes the inside ink into an integral esthetic element, when fitted to the pen's color. In summary, this turns out not only the best eyedropper available, but the best all-round fountain pen in the under-300$ range. I've found that in my case, it writes better than most over-300$ as well. I have a medium Jade (green) model. Planning on getting the others as well. Brief note on Kaweco's Sport models as eyedropper pens. Kawecos are lovely, useful, fairly priced pens that I own and would recommend everyone. Especially the 'metal' models. A caveat is to be considered when used as eyedroppers: The plastic models, the only ones that can be eyedropped (I tried with the brass and copper models and confirmed that they don't work as eyedroppers. Apparently the ink reacts with the metal and doesn't flow properly). The plastic models can be eyedropped, using some silicon grease to close them. But despite their using the same nib as the metal models, their sections are different and they are worse in writing quality, usually unacceotably so. The 'metals' almost always performed superb. Don't know the exact reason but I've become quite certain this is a fact. And a problem for eyedropping them. PS I have no relation whatsoever to the Divine Design company, nor to any pen-selling business. I think I've never sold a pen in my life.

[@tonibat59]

Best eyedropper today is Divine Design's Eyedropper model. With is reliable Jowo nib in all sizes, its stylized, modern design, medium size and easy, smooth, almost flat grip section that continues with barrel, makes its operarion outstanding confortable. The 4 beautiful colors available, its wide-open transparent window that covers most of the barrel makes the inside ink into an integral esthetic element, when fitted to the pen's color. In summary, this turns out not only the best eyedropper available, but the best all-round fountain pen in the under-300$ range. I've found that in my case, it writes better than most over-300$ as well. I have a medium Jade (green) model. Planning on getting the others as well.

[@namope359]

One thing to note about the Varsity: Tell the newbies to reverse it and/or give them some FP friendly paper. I actually remember being turned off by them since a black one I got feathered a lot. 😅 Carry on. :)

[@silverghost5752]

Some of the best Eye dropper fountain pens are made on India. Airmail 69 is especially good. Also worth checking out are the handmade ebonite pens.

[@zefypissaki]

Jinhao 992 Spiral -Transparent = 2£ great for every day use -RUNGAO WING SUNG 3008 0.5mm Fine = 3£ AMAZED me for its quality and looks

[@Brockthedog315]

Preppy is always good. I prefer the Moonman C1. Fantastic. Bigger nib.

[@lunsj]

I am constantly surprised how much I like the Pilot Varsity. It writes so well and I really have no complaints other than it's "disposable looks". I just tried writing with it upside down and was shocked at how well it does that. It's like having an M and F nib in one.

[@origamichik3n]

Just a quick addition to Jinhao Shark. There is also Swan model. It only differs in cap design. But has more choices of transparent barrel colors. One of the most pleasant nibs i had. But the barrel is prone to cracking at the thread.

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, I've seen the Swans. Cool idea to incorporate a clip. May look to add those in the future. - Colin

[@elvinmay54]

Video or blog post suggestion: Common sizes of o rings and which brands use those sizes. My question is specifically what size o ring for the shark pens but I'm sure it would be good for other brand users to know too.

[@drdiptangshudas]

I love the ONLINE SLOPE very much !!!

[@MysticMarni]

Preppy never disappoints!

[@dreysnaps]

Moonman M2 and Opus88

[@nickelazoyellow7360]

If you "burp" your pen by opening the ink chamber when you in a warmer place and letting the air exchange, will it prevent ink blobs?

[@cabela420]

Is there any reason why it needs to specifically be silicone grease? Could lithium grease be used to eyedropper a pen?

[@FallenHarts]

Generally, lithium grease is not so good. Silicone grease has no reaction with acrylic or celluloid. Lithium grease (I believe) should only be used on metal.

[@plainspirate]

lithium is in the first column of the periodic table these elements react with vigor when in contact with water (specifically oxygen). elements in this column are usually stored in oil to prevent an oxidizing reaction, hence grease. prolonged contact with the water based ink would cause reaction, it would be slow and probably not hot enough to cause thermal problems but H hydrogen and LiO lithium oxide (and who knows what reactions would occur with the ink formula) the product may react with the pen materials. lithium reaction. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLVZ3-Yl8SkrLM

[@XsospoonX]

I’m moving into my first non cartridge pen. Should I get a twsbi eco or a preppy? I don’t really want to spend more than $40 or so until I get more comfortable with them. Open to suggestions :)

[@Gouletpens]

Do you use a lot of bottled ink? If so, the ECO is a great value. If you're wanting to eyedropper, the Preppy makes the most sense (especially because the converter is nearly twice the price of the pen itself) - Colin

[@XsospoonX]

The Goulet Pen Company I haven’t ever used bottled ink before. Only cartridge or the pilot varsity. I don’t use an exorbitant amount of ink per day so I don’t think it would be an issue

[@laurafindsjoy]

Can you use the preppy o-rings on a Jinhao shark?

[@GRJism]

Yes

[@FranciscaPires]

Hello brian, i can't find the eyedropper pen menu on your website, does it still exist?

[@Gouletpens]

The website has has a bit of a redesign since this video, but 'eyedropper' is still a facet to choose from on the collection page. Here's a direct link to those: www.gouletpens.com/collections/all-fountain-pens?filters%5Bcustom_fields.filling_mechanism%5D%5B0%5D=Eyedropper - Colin

[@amandajingleheimerschmidt8986]

About Pilot brand pens: I know that the nib is interchangeable between the Metropolitan and Plumix models. Can anyone tell me if you can get a Plumix nib (and/or feed) onto the Varsity? The Plumix converter holds so little ink, and since I already have a Varsity I’d rather not buy a Metropolitan just to be able to use its larger converter. Also: I MUST have stub nibs, LoL 😝

[@buckeye43210]

You can also move the Varsity feed into a Preppy section...

[@amandajingleheimerschmidt8986]

Richard H: Thanks, but I’m trying to move my stub nib into a pen with a larger ink capacity, without having to buy a new pen. I will try it out when my Plumix runs out of ink again - like in a day or two, LoL!

[@Gouletpens]

Unfortunately the normal Pilot steel nibs are not swappable on the Varsity. It's kind of it's own beast of a pen. I'd opt for the Kakuno over the Metropolitan though as it can take the Con-70 converter which is even bigger. - Colin

[@2010stoof]

Not seeing online pens on site anywhere

[@Gouletpens]

We closed out the ONLINE brand late in 2019 due to low sales. Still good pens though! - Colin

[@Liam00007c]

Do you know if the Jinhao 51A is eye dropper convertible

[@Gouletpens]

Yes, the plastic demonstrator versions are.

[@Liam00007c]

The Goulet Pen Company Thank you

[@jasonsuggs111]

I mean, I use my Charlie pen almost every day. It's not the best pen in the world, but it just keeps working.

[@jeanneclariel4122]

Please helpppp. I just really want to know which one's better for beginners, platinum preppy, pilot petit 1, or jinhao x750 😭

[@jacobj3236]

I would recommend the Platinum Preppy because it is very cheap and it can hold a lot of ink if you convert it to an eyedropper. The Pilot Kakuno is also a great pen for beginners. It can take a cartridge or you can buy a converter for a few dollars as well. It has the same nib as the Metropolitan, but is lighter and cheaper. I love mine. I've never had a Preppy, but I would buy one because of the eyedropper conversion. My first fountain pen was a Pilot Varsity and they are also good.

[@herrsteppenwolf]

I wonder which Eye dropper pen BURPS the least often. Which acrylic or plastic dropper pen is the thickest reducing hand heat transfer which leads to burping?

[@graphingwhale4585]

He said OG!

[@Lisapizza789]

Noodler’s.

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

I like how you go into detail.😆😆😆😆 That one word says it all though. Love their products.