Which Fountain Pens would I buy if restarting my collection?

The latest Fountain Pen video is now available for your viewing pleasure.
In this video I am looking at the 5 pens I would buy if I needed to start my collection again. The pens are :
- Moonman M800 with Diamine Monboddos Hat
- PenBBS 487 with Diamine Oxford Blue
- Narwhal Schuylkill with Diamine Marine
- Pilot Custom Heritage 92 with Robert Oster Tranquility
- Leonardo Momento Zero Grande with Robert Oster Caffe Crema
Join me now to see what I think of these pens and my reasons for them being included on the list.
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Facebook: / garry.eves
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The opinions are my own, based on my own experiences with the product. Not to be used for reference or as gospel.
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Moonman M800 with Diamine Monboddos Hat
05:44 PenBBS 487 with Diamine Oxford Blue
11:05 Narwhal Schuylkill with Diamine Marine
16:06 Pilot Custom Heritage 92 with Robert Oster Tranquility
21:37 Leonardo Momento Zero Grande with Robert Oster Caffe Crema

[@thedirtygot9570]

My 5 I would buy again are: 1- Pilot Custom 823 (B) 2- Pilot Metal Falcon (SF) 3- Pilot Vanishing Point (M) 4- TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR (M) 5- Cross Bailey (M)

[@mikeyhill6224]

I have 25+ in my collection. It would be hard to narrow it down to just 5 but to be true to your question, I would buy the following if I had to do it all over again: 1. Pilot E95s ivory/burgundy (smoothest-literally glides across the paper) 2. Platinum 3776 (love its feedback-the sound it makes gives me joy) 3. Cross Century II (grip size is perfect for my hands and I prefer slimmer pens and it has the best grip material for me) 4. Pelikan Souveran M400 white tortoiseshell (aside from wetness, it is so beautiful and also love its writing sound!) 5. Waterman Carene modern amber (well-built and designed, waterman did a superb job on this timeless piece) All of these are gold nibbed pens.

[@Javi_C]

Very nice selection!

[@JerryBearry]

My top two would be 1. The Onoto Magna Classic 2. Franklin-Christoph model 20 "Marietta" Both of these pens are very comfortable to hold and use for lengthy writing sessions. Both also offer a wide variety of replaceable screw in nibs in both gold and steel. Both are also easy to maintain converter filled. My Franklin-Christoph 14k (extra-fine) is the smoothest I've tried; it performs equally or better than my Japanese 14k (fine) nibs. My Onoto, with its 18k (Fine) is a pure joy to use. Without hesitation, I would restart with these two pens. (If it was just one pen, the Onoto is my choice.)

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Thanks for sharing this Garry. None of my pens were in your list, but isn't that the joy of different people and different choices. I found your choices thought provoking. Be well.

[@SilverSeaOT7]

I have very few pens but I love my lower end Pilots. Your videos are always so well done. They are a pleasure to watch and full of great information. I especially like how your camera even shows ink shading!

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I use my iPhone as a camera but do have two lightboxes each with 5 LED bulbs in to light my writing.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Fascinating list, thank you for this idea.

[@harshalsharma7330]

Many Thanks for sharing such amazing list

[@albertomg7]

Hi, wonderful video, I enjoyed a lot. Your five pens are beautiful especially the Leonardo, that pen is in my top of mind

[@ichirofakename]

Swirly plastic for the win! You know what you like, eh? Through trial and error, I have settled on the nib I find easiest to draw with, and that is the , for beginner, nib. I like them because they are precise, free of any sweet spot, even, reliable, smooth, wet, and sturdy. Of all the 's I have tried so far, I prefer the Pelikano jr, though I still have a couple more to buy. To fill in larger areas, and for occasional line variation, I use the Pilot Parallel. And my wild card is the Wing Sung 765, with its bombproof folded nib, it delights me with its strangeness. Prices in USD. 5. Wing Sung 765 $4 4. Pilot Parallel $8 3. Pilot Parallel $8 2. Pilot Parallel $8 1. Pelikano jr $20 I am NOT getting rid of my 50+ other pens, as there is a non-trivial likelihood that I will completely change my mind some time in the future.

[@GarryEves]

I love the look of that Wing Sung nib - I've just added that to my "to buy" list. I've got a fe Parallels - but my wife has "borrowed" most of them for her craft room. I haven't tried any Pelikan pens yet - that one looks like a really good intro pen for me to try - again its now on the "to buy" list.

[@gewinhughes8402]

Thanks Garry. Great ideas for an introductory set for our granddaughter.

[@MP-lb1bv]

For so much of love and passion for fountain pens your writing is a big giveaway...😊😄

[@impish22]

how did I miss this one.. thanks for posting

[@GarryEves]

I've just been updating this and split it into 3 videos that will come out in June.

[@suzyzhang3505]

Another great video! I've only got a small collection and so far I find Pilot nibs are the most pleasant to write with. My vanishing point is my all time favourite.

[@ichirofakename]

Pilot pens are great, even the lower end models.

[@GarryEves]

I've not yet tried the Vanishing Point. I do love my Pilot pens, I also have a Metropolitan which I still use from time to time.

[@suzyzhang3505]

@@GarryEves I love my metropolitan and kakuno too. They are so reliable.

[@Lorvina1]

I love the Prera as daily driver.

[@crouserm]

"[For] the pleasure it gives me, the joy in the writing, it's worth every cent." I believe, Garry, that you've articulated the spirit of fountain pens in this. As to my top 5 that I would start for rebuilding the collection (presuming the ability), I probably ought to name the top four, leaving space for a new discovery. However, for starters, with a four-way tie for first . . . . Hong Dian 885 14k gold F, cartridge-converter: astounding flex that makes me wonder if they found some old stock gold nibs they were able to imprint. If these are new, let them prosper and grow! Lovely line variation, lovely "tooth" on the paper, yet smooth. And under $90 US. The pen that might keep me from bothering with an expensive "Holy Grail pen". . . . Platinum Maki-e 18k gold F, cartridge-converter: about as good for writing as the Hong Dian 885, at close to twice the price, but so beautiful. Enjoing the sight of the pen is a thing. . . . Scrikks 419 F-M steel, piston fill: leaves a line as varied and pleasing as the foregoing, at under $50 US. Definitely a pocket pen, but posts excellently for balance. And, how many Turkish pens do we have in our collection? . . . Fountain Pen Revolution Himalaya V2 Ultra-flex EF steel, cartridge-converter or eyedropper fill: I'm still trying to solve problems, but the way it makes even my cursive look so good . . . I WILL find a solution between poor flow and leaking!!! Thanks, too, Garry, for helping me see that for me, it is mostly how the nib meets the paper that I care about.

[@GarryEves]

Thank you. I love the look of these pens, especially the Maki-e. I've added them all to my "to buy" list. I'm going to start dropping hints to the wife about the

[@MrCabimero]

Contact Kevin at FPR- they have new ebonite feeds for this. Amazing!

[@carlharrison9503]

thank you Garry

[@jpg5540]

Nice idea, for me it would be Pelikan M1000, Pilot 845, Waterman Le Man 100, Conklin All American and a PenBBS 500

[@pepperpath]

Thanks for this; made me think! So my basic five are LAMY (1.1), Pilot Falcon ( soft fine ), Edison( f), Franklin christoph ( Nagahara medium stub) and Sailor pro gear ( 21k h medium)

[@bernardog.141]

Thanks!

[@MrCabimero]

Gary- thanks as always. So, I bought a tactile gist #6 nib unit in broad and swapped it out. Screw one unit out, one in. Beauteous!

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I have some Pen Chalet Jowo nibs - I'll look at the Tactile Turn ones as well - I need to order some more pen nibs for my parts box.

[@jamesmiddleton2856]

You made some great choices. It was hard but, Wing Sung 699 piston fill w/M nib, Moonman T5 with a medium nib (tines spread and nib polished), Opus 88 Jazz with a B nib, Ranga Abhimanyu with a M jowo nib, and not least, Pelikan M800 F nib, (It took a long time to find one I felt I could afford.)

[@deanandreoli1975]

Great video, Garry! Have you tried out any of the PenBBS calligraphy nibs yet? the #1 callig. nib is incredible and it has a nice juicy, pear shaped nib with a fine point on the upper tip. but a relaxed hand creates a more than broad line. They have a whole line of interesting nibs now.

[@GarryEves]

Not yet. I keep looking for them but have not found any available so far.

[@deanandreoli1975]

@@GarryEves Their Etsy shop has a few of their special nib models listed right now. Even the number 6 callig nib, which is even broader than the #1.

[@a1038954]

A very enjoyable video! I don't have many pens but my primary two would be a TWSBI 580 Fine and a Pilot Vanishing Point F/M. Ink wise, the Noodler's No Feathering Black and Robert Oster's Cosmic Swirl purple.

[@panvart]

Hah thats funny! Those are the only 2 pens I own

[@omeryehezkely3096]

If you haven't tried it already I would suggest you try the Karas Vertex with a broad nib and an ink from Sailor.

[@marilyngardner4269]

What a great theme for a video! I have tried to identify my top 5 pens and have trouble getting down to any less than ten. But I will say that there are two to three Pilots on the list. I have many pens I love, but in the end, those are the most pleasurable to write with. If I factor in aesthetics, which are also important, the list changes a bit. You could get a bold steel nib for that Leonardo MZ Grande without a lot of expense, although shipping might be costly. Just be mindful of the fact that Leonardo has changed from Bock nibs to Jowo; I'm guessing yours has a Bock, but you can probably tell from the shape of the feed.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I've been trying to come up with some different videos to try and grow my knowledge of pens. I believe that the Leonardo is a Jowo nib, as I was bout in April this year. I do have a MZ Magico on the list of pens I'd like to buy and am looking at getting the broad nib on that. Saying that the medium nib is so nice to write with.

[@bestthingeverbyjenn]

Great video!

[@GarryEves]

Thanks.

[@tanjablume6343]

That was really interesting. I like how you move the microphone down to hear the possible feedback. I personally like my pens ultra smooth. The Twsbi Go broad nib is very smooth and so is the Twsbi Swipe. I actually find the nibs in the Swipe & Go much nicer to write with than the Eco's. I love the transparent Ecos, being transparent the hexagonal shape is not as obvious. The Lamy Safari and All-star are also very smooth, especially the medium and broad nibs. I also like the Kaweco Sport pens because I can eyedropper, it's so easy to fill, a 2 ml ink sample fits in easily. I have just got a double broad nib from Cult Pens😊 Which are your favourite broad nibbed pens?

[@GarryEves]

I like the Diplomat Aero and Visconti Breeze. I have ordered the Cult Pens Mini (made by Kaweco), with the double broad nib. I'm looking forward to trying that.

[@tanjablume6343]

@@GarryEves Yes, I like the look of the Visconti Breeze and from what you said it seems to be a smooth writer. I know you love Colorverse Supernova, have you tried Pen BBS Santorini, it's a beautiful bright blue with shading. 3 Oysters Blue, Iroshizuku Kon-Peki or Krishna's Sailor yet?( most if not all are available at Deskbandit) I am looking forward to that Cult Pen exclusive pen review!🤗

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

I started with a Parker - for handwriting rather than drawing, though they had then, and I hope still do, quite a range of nibs and writing experiences. I've moved on to others, but - there's much to be said for Parker pens. That Leonardo, though, is a serious looking pen - which I think is too good for me.

[@GarryEves]

For years I only used a Parker Sonnet and a Parker Frontier, mainly with M steel nibs. I do come back to them every so often.

[@paulmchugh1430]

I think I had not started watching your videos until after this video. Do you still think that your selection is still the same as this one? I would agree with the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande being on the list. I have the steel "elastic" nib attached. I had a bit of a problem with the piston originally (frozen) but now it works perfectly. My Narwhal / Nahvalur Schuylkill is certainly on the top 5. Love the size, shape and performance of the pen. It becomes more difficult to choose the remainder but here goes: The Asvine V126 has to be included. Lovely vacuum filler. The nib is very smooth. My only complaint is that it is just a simple transparent resin. I understand there are more options becoming available and will have to see if any in particular tempt me. The MaJohn T5 is glorious. Nice size, nice weight and the piston filler holds a decent amount of ink. The PenBBS 629 is another vacuum filler that just won't quit. Lovely pen to hold and use. My last one for this list is the Pilot Custom 743. it is the same size as the Custom 823 but does not have the vacuum filling mechanism and is much easier to clean and maintain. I have a gold Soft Fine nib that provides the right amount of bounce and line variation I like.

[@GarryEves]

The list would definitely change. I have just added a future video idea to create an updated list, but to split it into 2 videos, one under $50 and other over $50 .. At the moment I'm not sure that I would include a Leonardo on the list - I have so many other nice pens I still need to try out the v126 - I've looked at it on the website but am not planning any China purchases for w while yet. I need to look more closely at the Pilot. I love the 92 and 823, but would like to explore Pilot nibs a bit further.

[@Gregwisconsin]

Thanks Garry for your vid. I like your speaking and presentation style, it flows (pardon the pun lol) so well. Question: I did not quite get the name of the paper you were using, can you spell it out? Also, were your prices in AUS or USD? Cheers.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. The prices are all AUD. I do try and remember to say that - but do forget accasionally. The paper I use is Optik. I tend to get this in Oxford notepads, available in Australia, and also "Black N' Red" - which I have to buy from the UK or US. i think there are some other companies that use this paper but I am not sure which they are.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I currently have too many pens I love dearly and consider truly indispensable. Quite impossible to narrow down to a mere five I’d buy again starting over. I’d buy more than a dozen of them again, in a heartbeat. However, to be true to your question, I’d answer by naming an essential quintet of pens that instantly springs to mind which I’d buy over again starting out. They are the following: Aurora 88 Sheaffer Legacy I Waterman Carene Esterbrook J Sailor Pro Gear

[@GarryEves]

That's a nice list. I know what you mean about how hard it is to pick, it took me a number of weeks to settle on the list - and I think if I chose again today it would most likely be different.

[@likelyrain]

This video has an unique perspective.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I am trying some different videos to allow me to grow my knowledge.

[@fearlessknits]

I’ll have to think more about my five, but I do believe my Narwhal Schuylkill would make the list. Also my own most expensive pen, a Visconti Van Gogh. And I think my TWSBI Diamond 580 in Smoke Rose Gold. It’s a start of a list, anyway.

[@GarryEves]

That's three nice pens. I liked doing this video as it made me take back a step and think about my pens.

[@yominrak7975]

For the price you spend on the Leonardo pen, I would find it more worthwhile to buy an iPad 9 hahaha. My most expensive pen is the Pelikan M205 petrol marble and I wondered why I paid for that? lol.. anyway... thanks for this video!

[@GarryEves]

I know what you mean - it's a lot to pay for a pen.

[@user-qj4dx4fc3n]

These days, if I had to re-start, I'd limit myself to three pens: a Montblanc 149, a Pilot Custom 823, and, for EDC, a Pilot Vanishing Point. Period. Wish I had realized this years ago! Time for a major purge.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@Theodor71]

The fine nibs are actually medium by any measure.

[@suenagle6608]

Hi Garry, I’m really enjoying your videos. Do I detect East Yorkshire in your voice?

[@GarryEves]

I grew up in Scarborough but did live for a while in Selby.

[@suenagle6608]

@@GarryEves Thought so! I’m in Leeds and I recognised the vowels!

[@oscarmedina1597]

Nice one… If something catastrophic happened to my pens, I would get the more affordable ones first, but if I could only get five, then they would be a Lamy 2000, Pilot 74, Pilot 823, Leonardo Furore Salt, and a Waterman Carène.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I am saving for a Pilot 823 at the moment - but keep getting tempted by other pens.

[@marilyngardner4269]

@@GarryEves That kept happening to me, and I kept putting off the 823 because it would always be available later. I kept spending the money on other pens. Now I'm sorry I didn't get it much, much sooner.

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

If I were to start over, I would not have spent $160.00 on the Pilot Vanishing Point, when you can get a Majohn A1 for $16.00.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@stephenbridges2791]

If, God forbid; someone stole all my pens. I would replace my Lamy Studio, Aion, and one particular Al-Star. A Pelikan and a very old German made Rotring drafting pen which is no longer made. The Rotring could get someone shot. It's that rare.

[@Zeron18]

Of all the fountain pens I bought, I would just purchase the pilot ch 92 and avoid all of the low-priced ones. None of them worked after an extended period of usage besides my pilot.

[@GarryEves]

I do love my pilot ch 92. I love the bounce in the nib.

[@Zeron18]

@@GarryEves it writes so smoothly and the sweet spot is easier to find with a wider range of forgiveness on the sweet spot. The nib is very springy but at the same time, soft enough to make flex with very little effort. I always tell others to splurge on a quality pen with a poison filler and a 18k nib. It’s practically my daily driver at work since the Mont Blanc is too pricy to lose.

[@yominrak7975]

Pelikan Souveran did not make to your list haha...

[@GarryEves]

I don't have any Pelikan pens yet. I do keep looking at them, but the price keeps putting me off.

[@mavleashutosh]

Is that Leonardo fitted with gold nib ?

[@GarryEves]

It's the steel nib. It's so nice to write with.

[@simewn]

@@GarryEves How does the Grande compare with the Leonardo Momento Zero?

[@GarryEves]

@@simewn I don't have a Momento Zero so it's hard to compare. I have recently received a Momento Magico, and it is slightly shorter, maybe about 0.5 - 1 cm. I do like the ink window on the Magico - that lack of a way to see how much ink is in the Grande is one of the main issues I have with the pen.

[@andrewsobey2873]

You would buy them all again, but would you buy the same colours???

[@GarryEves]

For most of them, I would get the same colour. The thing I may change is the nib sizes, mainly as I am finding I prefer the broader nibs at the moment.