The Gravitas Pocket Pen: A review for Artists

[@tomxaak]

By far the best review of this pen yet. Subscribed.

[@mkompan]

Thanks for the praise and the subscription!

[@GenWivern2]

Leaving aside the performance issues, I can see this design working well in a plastic or, better still, ebonite. The old-fashioned grip section profile and lack of a step is gratifying, and the aesthetic is a pleasing alternative to the plumbing and centre punch inspired competition.

[@mkompan]

I agree. This pen is probably very nice in its plastic iterations.

[@gerardanthony9834]

Impressive detail. Thank you!

[@mkompan]

@@gerardanthony9834 my pleasure

[@RandomSadBoomer]

I have an Ultem version of that pen. The balance is perfect and I enjoy it a lot.

[@mkompan]

Sigh, I should have gotten the ultem version. Then I could eyedropper it.

[@RandomSadBoomer]

@@mkompan this is the best part of the Ultem version. I filled it 3 months ago and there is still some ink left 😀

[@seniordan12]

I am planning on purchasing a VAC fillar from Gravitas and i really want to get the flex nib but your experience with it is giving me cause for reconsideration

[@mkompan]

I like the looks of that Vac Filler too. I would just avoid that flex nib!

[@seniordan12]

@@mkompan this video was re-recomended to me and ive had very little issues with with the flex nib in the vac especially when i leave the reservoir valve open

[@lisen882]

can you give us a link for that nib you use in your kaweco sport? i got one and i feel the same with the standard nib, dont know what to replace it with

[@mkompan]

That pen has a vintage gold nib that you have to hunt for. See my review of the Kaweco Brass for more details. However an easy to obtain alternative is a semi flex nib custom nib made by FP.nibs com.

[@denisgsv]

The gravitas review all over youtube seemed like bought or forced a bit ... When you check on forums/reddit ppl have plenty of issues while when you look at reviews its basically perfect ... And the price is still 2 3 times of a sport metal does it provide that much of a improvement?

[@mkompan]

I was also surprised with the over-the-top positive reviews, and yes, the Kaweco Sport is a much better pen for a fraction of the price.

[@denisgsv]

@@mkompan but apart from nib which seem to hold most of your criticism do you think it is that good of a pen ?

[@die_schlechtere_Milch]

Is that a portrait of Franz LIszt?

[@mkompan]

It certainly looks like it, but no.

[@ShawneeUnion]

I have the polycarbonate version of this pen if you’re interested in testing it. The pen has a bold nib and writes fine for me, I tried eye dropping it but the burping was annoying with a clear pen. I also reached out to Gravitas about the cleaning the pen and they got back within a day, maybe I got lucky.

[@mkompan]

Thanks for the offer! I hesitate to "promote" another Gravitas pen after my customer service experience.

[@ShawneeUnion]

@@mkompanI can’t blame you. Thanks for these videos too, they are very helpful

[@WallImages]

Great review. I did buy the Ultem version, which works well. However, I suffered the same issues with fulfillment: a frustrating experience and despite the great offerings from Gravitas I would not buy again.

[@mkompan]

Thank you! It's unfortunate, really, since(other than my copper pocket pen) they seem to put out an otherwise decent product.

[@nope8535]

Titanium given the same design of nib as a gold or steel should be more flexible than stainless but not quite to some gold alloys. It should have higher wear resistance than gold but depending on alloy of a steel and titanium those could be similar. Also it's ability to be tuned via tine adjustment maybe problematic due to titaniums higher resistant to cold working and may after adjustment slowly go back to its original condition. Titanium is weird basically. It's great but tricky.

[@mkompan]

Thanks for that detailed info. I've also heard that titanium nibs are easier to spring, which for a flex nib is concerning.

[@nope8535]

@@mkompan yes certain alloys of titanium can have strange characteristics. Several of them can have a "memory" that can be triggered by temperature changes. So as it warms or cools can change shape. Also once "sprung" it could be a devil to repair or just need a dunk in very hot or cold water. That also is not taking into account the oxide layer that forms on it like aluminum that is harder and can make it harder to work with on such small items.

[@paulmchugh1430]

I have had a few copper pens. All were far too heavy to use for long sessions. As for metal pens, I prefer either aluminum or titanium. Titanium is heavier but not like brass or copper or steel. That the barrel is oversized seems to be a problem. Gravitas does make a different pocket pen that does not have that problem and is in titanium. Great review and a pen I would avoid.

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I didn't find the width of thecap to be problematic, but it's such a thick chunk of copper that it weighs almost as much as the entire Kaweco Brass. Perhaps if there was a way to thin out the inside, it would work better.

[@BishopNelson]

I purchased one on Nov. 7th 2023. It's now December 14th and I am contacting my bank to have a charge back done. I didnt receive any updates until i contacted them through their website about my order on November 29th. Since then it has been sitting there still not shipped. I contacted them again on December 8th and they just ignored me. Ridiculous.

[@mkompan]

Sorry to hear that! But that seems to be common with this company.

[@MikeRandolph-kt2fr]

I bought the exact same pen and had the exact same issues with shipping and lack of response. I returned it and got my money back. I also wish him well and hope he irons out his fulfillment issues. But aside from all that, this pen is way, way too heavy for my liking.

[@mkompan]

It's such a shame, really, because it's the easiest thing to fix, much harder than designing a pen and promoting the heck out if it.

[@ichirofakename]

1. Beautiful little pen, though way too heavy. I like copper, but have yet to see a pen I'm prepared to spring for. 2. Given the long list of deal-breaker flaws, it's hard to believe this pen has been through any testing or qa at all. 3. As I've mentioned before, personally I found my one titanium nib pen uncontrollable, and gave it away. Then again I'm not much of a flexer. 4. Thanks for the warnings.

[@mkompan]

1. I love my copper liliput, but in anything larger, you're right to stay away. 2. I'm sure a lot of though went into the original design of this pen, but then there was a rush to make it out every possible material, and that's where the testing broke down. 3. I'm now wondering if part of the problems is the titanium nib itself. I'll have to see how it functions with other feeds.

[@ichirofakename]

@@mkompancopper pens seem particularly expensive perhaps because copper is associated with the PENNY.

[@mivz439]

Hi Marc, love your videos! Can you please rate the fnaf games???

[@mkompan]

Thanks. I don’t review video games. Perhaps my son knows it. :)

[@cristianstefanescu5226]

Bad pens with 0 warranty! I buyed a gravitas pen, the Ti nib was bad and I got the money back for the nib, The section exfoliated , they sent a new section, the second section had the same problem... And that was it (they wouldn't change it), don't buy Gravitas!

[@mkompan]

I don’t want this to become a place to badmouth this brand, but I’m going to leave this up in case someone feels like defending it or just wants to share a more positive experience.

[@cristianstefanescu5226]

@@mkompan I understand thank you, just sarring my 2 cents on the pen!

[@brucedunston625]

Pen snobs like wine snobs are sooooooo shallow and boring.. I do art good art with really cheap pens and Magic Markers And why would anyone buy an expensive pen? Are you a pen collector or an artist. Vincent used reeds..........................

[@mkompan]

I don't know why I'm engaging with you, given the rudeness of your comment, but here goes: One can be both an artist and a pen geek. This video is not for you, but you might enjoy my previous video where I demonstrate how to draw with a quill.