Classic Pens LB5 Kaen Review

[@caomhan84]

This is classic SBRE Brown. He can grow a cool beard, get a cool hairstyle, and wield all sorts of knives and EDC "cool guy" implements, but at the end of the day, he's still a pen geek. And when a pen represents EVERYTHING that you love about this hobby, you can't help it. Your pure enthusiasm and kid-like excitement shows. :-)

[@sbrebrown]

Very, very true :-).

[@PenHabit]

I'm thrilled out love this as much as you do, and that Azizah got it for you! (I've said it before, but welcome to the LB5 club!)

[@SamFerguson]

Definitely don't apologize for your enthusiasm! It's a joy to watch someone be so excited about something. Between your enthusiasm for the LB5 and Mr. Armstrong's love for the model, I'm cursing its elusive availability. I've only looked casually up to this point, but I may have to start my hunt in earnest.

[@johnedgar7956]

MY GOD that is magnificent!! I'm actually stunned by this wonderful pen... I don't have any more words... Kudos to Azizah for getting it for you. This is going to be one of my favorite videos you've ever done sir... ☺

[@TheDavidOrion]

I have 2 of these stunning LB5's, both the Kaen Red and the Kouseki Brown. Hands down these are my 2 favorite pens in my entire collection. I noticed there are 3 models of them currently available on eBay if anyone is interested. You can also email Andy direct for what he still might have in house. At last check he told me he had one white left. Thanks Stephen for the review!

[@knownaigm]

So I've now seen most every pen reviewer all say the same thing, that this is THE best pen made. However, I am a bit confused. So this is really just a Sailor King Of Pen in a different red material... so what everyone is saying is that the Sailor King Of Pen is the best pen made right? I think I may have missed what makes this different from the regular King Profit other than the red material. Either way, great review as always, and it is thoroughly entertaining to see someone find a pen they love so much!

[@arcangel6]

Excellent review! Your enthusiasm for the pen really came through. I am a Sailor fan boy and their coming together with Andy and Classic Pens was a match made in FP heaven. Last but not least thank you for the shout out!

[@sbrebrown]

You're welcome! I agree: I have used the ebonite King of Pen and although it is a beautiful piece, I love what Andy has done to "perfect" the design (at least in my mind).

[@pennfootball71]

I am glad you met your hero! This is so cool! I was excited watching this!

[@MD-wk3gj]

What an amazing line variation. Watching your other videos it’s easy to see this pen was made for you. Congratulations.

[@johnhanley9946]

These reviews are never boring. I wonder if I'm really a fountain pen enthusiast after watching this? He obviously delights in the pen just for it's own sake, and I could never appreciate the thing without considering the use I'd put it to, what I'd write with it...

[@bob963me]

I am envious, Sir. You have found THE pen. Congratulations and I hope it brings you never ending delight each time you use it.

[@thiagao31]

You are not the first to fall in love with this pen, I read numerous accounts on it´s greatness... might pick one myself. I also have the impression that every Sailor pen I have can be used to write upside down, and very pleasantly. Love how excited you soud about this pen!!

[@eugenioparise]

Thank you for this wonderful review Stephen. So far I have been a bit resistant to get a LB5, but after this review I am reconsidering it... Also it is really nice to know that you have got this pen at the Koeln pen show, the same occasion you and Sarj kindly help me to get my beloved 360 Lucens! Always grateful!

[@sbrebrown]

You definitely need one of these :-)

[@eugenioparise]

I will wait for the new colours I think :-)

[@TheDavidOrion]

I spoke with Andy at Classic Pens a couple of weeks ago and he indicated that there were indeed test colors created of the LB5 but at this time, there were no plans to produce them. With the overall positive reaction to this model will he reconsider?.... I found these 3 currently available on eBay if this might help. www.ebay.com/itm/Classic-Pens-LB5-King-Profit-Kouseki-Fountain-Pen-New-Brown-Rich-Color-16-50/122002516573?_trksid=p999999.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160323102634%26meid%3D03bd37c6a03b4123874438ec9d4afc8d%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D361577528296

[@franzdimson]

100% agreed! I am very very enthusiastic about my LB5. Thank you for this review. It is a very awesome pen.

[@lez7767]

I really enjoyed this review. I like it when you take your time to comment and explain like you would when you first started reviews, recently I've found some of your reviews very quick and I got the feeling you were loosing your mojo about pens... SO, when you got this LB5 and started to melt all over it I was pleased that said pen mojo was still there. It's somewhat surprising this pen surpassed the Visconti Master that you felt was 'The Pen,' so if you want to give me that Visconti because it's cluttering the desk, you can if you want! Haha, right well,, loved the video, really enjoyed the relaxed feel you had. The pen, way too expensive for the big majority of us, I would be scared to take it out the house. It should definitely have a filling system other than a converter for the price and the makers of the LB5 let themselves down using a 'Cheap' ink converter on a really expensive, exclusive pen. The nib, whaow!!! never heard or seen one of those before and I think I'll be trying to get a zoom nib to adapt a Jinhao, to try out the similarities you touch on in the review. Matt Armstrong reviews this pen, and like you he says it's 'The One', I've watched his LB5 videos several times and this review of yours will have several visits. Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm for the pen obsession, and for all the videos you post. Your ACE. Best wishes as always to you and Azizah and everyone in the FP Community. LeZc @@

[@lukefalkenholm]

I love your enthusiasm. Every video you make is informative and has your own little flavor :) Keep doing what your doing Stephen

[@sbrebrown]

Thank you!

[@gregm7643]

"Freaking Awesome" is a technical term rarely used in pen reviews. Gorgeous pen! Congrats on many accounts.

[@sbrebrown]

Thank you!

[@johnlopez3996]

Christmas came early for you this year! Congratulations and consider yourself blessed that you have a loving wife who is caring and thoughtful. May you two have long lives filled with much love for each other.

[@mwrkhan]

Very beautiful pen. Were it a piston filler, and perhaps it should have been given its price, it would have been perfect.

[@GamerstableDan]

I let out an audible OOHHHH, on the reveal lol, gorgeous! TY Stephen

[@pvs18]

So would you say it's the Opera Master and then the LB5 for your "perfect fit" pens? Also, have you considered adding an Inventory section to your website with links to your reviews of the pens you currently have in your collection? Matt Armstrong has something like that, and I think it's really to see what's worthy of remaining in your collection!

[@AllanEngelhardt0]

I am not famous like the other people you mention but for what it is worth my version in Amethyst Mauve with a medium nib is always inked and easily my favourite writer. These are lovely, lovely pens and still (June 2016) available with the standard nibs from your usual (premium) retailers. Thank you for a lovely and enthusiastic review.

[@sbrebrown]

I know what you mean: this one has not been inkless either.

[@mikelawrence30]

The best part of your reviews is that regardless of how much you love this pen, you can still be critical where you need to be. My burgeoning pen collection has a few recommendations on the basis of your videos :)

[@sbrebrown]

mikelawrence30 Thank you very much!

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Well, I am glad that you are so pleased, Stephen. A splendid gift from Azizah. Thank you for showing it.

[@JesseDavis]

It's a magnificent pen - I have one in the Kouseki material, but went with a Medium nib because I wanted something I could use as an everyday writer. I can understand the love. :)

[@donovanfisher6945]

Hi I am a painter who is trying to find a nib very much like this but I can’t find this pen anywhere. Is there something available with the same nib?

[@mauliksital9931]

Is the nib also available for KOP or Progear ?

[@evipingleihe9552]

You wrote big knife in kanji 大刀 20:52

[@Longshanks1956]

Always enjoy your reviews, indeed, I have bought several pens purely on your recommendation. Thank you.

[@sbrebrown]

You're very welcome!

[@BlueJon1975]

Good to see your excitement. I imagine much ink will be sacrificed in the coming days, weeks, months!

[@GlennHigley]

A stunning pen. I love my ebonite KOP, but this is in another league. The Cross Point nib is quite interesting but perhaps not for all of us. Congrats on receiving such a lovely gift!

[@sbrebrown]

Thank you! The ebonite KOP is gorgeous.

[@thomasjaeger2577]

Thank you for such a wonderful and informative review! I am curious, is the finish of the LB5 Kaen the same, similar, or quite different than the finish on the Class Pens LB1-Flame Red? They look very similar and the Kaen is impossible to find so I am wondering if it makes sense to go for the LB1 instead.

[@sbrebrown]

Thomas Jaeger I have both, so I can confirm that they are 100% identical finishes. The LM-1 is a bit smaller, it has a more traditional pen shape, but it's a very nice pen. I still have to shoot my review of that pen... But in short, I can recommend it.

[@thomasjaeger2577]

Wonderful thank you so much I look forward to your review of the LM-1! :)

[@thomasjaeger2577]

Does the LM-1 have the same "Sailor" cartridge converter writing system as the LB-5?

[@Inazarab]

What does LB5 mean? is it an abbreviation for something?

[@ChintanPandya01]

That's a great Fountain pen Stephen! I can relate to the joy of getting that perfect package in a pen. I have one such pen and I had known it as soon I held it in me hands. I still wonder about the "legend" of the LB5 though. It's simple to look at but still gets experienced users like you enthusiastic about it! And that says a lot.

[@sbrebrown]

You have to hold one :-).

[@ichirofakename]

Pen shows up at 5:32.

[@Lyander25]

Embarrassing as this is to admit, I haven't been keeping up with your channel regularly for the past few months (trying to avoid spending so much money on pens, etc), which led to my somehow missing this one entirely. All I can say is this: congratulations on the new pen, and thank you; I haven't laughed so hard while watching one of your reviews in ages! The schoolboy excitement was as plain as day on your face and in every word you spoke, and despite my not being as enthusiastic about _really_ broad nibs, I'm starting to seriously consider adding a Cross Point to my collection. Agh!

[@sbrebrown]

Thank you!

[@founink]

Dr Brown: Can you please speak a little about Parker Solv-x Quink ink. I have read suggestions considering this ink as a solution for Parkers not writing well. Can you give your experienced opinion on this particular ink?

[@sbrebrown]

I think it's no longer available, so it's a bit of an academic discussion.

[@850911darren]

hi there, love your vids, I was just wondering if the writing feels any different to a sailor king of pen since it is based on it?

[@sbrebrown]

Darren Lee It depends on the nib, if course, but I think it's a similar feeling

[@850911darren]

thanks a lot man ;)

[@AtilioEscobar]

I was shocked when it went to those super broad lines. Was not expecting that!

[@mrbluenun]

Hi, Can we say you kinda love this pen then? It certainly looks stunning!

[@MrPleers]

For this price, I'm a bit disappointed that it isn't a piston filler. But still a stunning pen.

[@thomasjaeger2577]

Wonderful review, I LOVE this pen!! I don't suppose you'd happen to know anyone with a Kaen or Midorigi willing to trade or sell? I own a few but am desperately trying to locate a green or red one. Thank you and what a great review! Stunning!

[@sbrebrown]

No, I don't know anyone who has one, sorry

[@aag24]

Glad to see you so enthusiastic about something sir. What a lovely wife to do such a thing. I hope you get her a nice present too, sir.

[@danlevene5478]

The holy grail!?

[@EmilOppelnBronikowski]

For a while there it looked like me cheap wooden (rose wood) pen I got on cheap under $15. It "borrows" the design heavily. No the nib, tho. :D

[@jo4dahwin735]

What's that clicking mouse sound in the background?

[@sbrebrown]

A clicking mouse :-).

[@jo4dahwin735]

+sbrebrown who is the queation!?

[@sbrebrown]

+jo4dahwin It's Gourmet Pens

[@theartyone]

Wow... THE pen! That's it now... the journey is over.

[@spruceguitar]

Jeez. You are still the king of pen reviews my friend. But why you’d get a converter pen for what I see costs 2800 CAD is beyond me. Still trying to understand the hype

[@paltieri11]

Wow!

[@eugenioparise]

Stephen, thank to you I am now obsessed with this pen... I know my bank account will suffer! What about a shootout between the LB5 and one of your Visconti Opera Master (maybe the Tobacco one)?

[@sbrebrown]

Yes, that would be interesting!

[@karandesai7774]

This vs the Visconti Oprah elements which wins. I know it was you GOAT pen for a long time.

[@sbrebrown]

This wins.

[@dramolpathak6261]

Wow

[@visualkandi]

Dear god! How much? For me it seems this pen has very little to offer in practicality as I'm from the Western world. Nor could I morally or financially be able to afford it, but we are all different. That said I enjoy all your reviews and your enthusiasm. Thank you

[@roguequill]

Call me crazy, but I think he likes the pen!

[@drasiritzbir]

So, you just casually said "my wife"? :)

[@ORLY21]

Not that it was a State secret or anything; the evidence was out there for anyone to find.

[@feanaaro8652]

wasn't there a video a while ago where they were even sort of flashing the rings? Or am I misremembering things?

[@Danielpi]

Huh. Wild. Congrats Stephen.

[@LuxJewelersLLC]

I had a lb5 I didn't like it

[@LuxJewelersLLC]

+flipper2gv and like I had it was just a standard production sailor nib. Way over priced

[@LuxJewelersLLC]

+Unprintablethinker everyone was raving about the pen and I had a chance at an awesome price so I figured I'd pick it up. I was less then impressed. To each his own but I can't stand sailor converters and the resin wasn't all that special IMO. I did trade it for something cool tho 😁