Fountain Pen Alternatives: Pens That Use The Schmidt Easyflow 9000

[IndigoBOB]

Hello,

 

Just to avoid confusion of saying pens that hold a G2 refill, since nowadays that can be interpreted as a Pilot G2 Refill...

 

...I must ask if anyone knows or has recommendations for pens that hold a Schmidt Easyflow 9000?

 

I will always be a fountain pen user, nothing can match a fountain pen, and thanks to Kiwa-Guro I can have a fountain pen write on any paper I need (including Mead)... But sometimes having an Easyflow 9000 is just the easiest (Sacrilege, I know ).

 

I have a Parker Jotter with an EasyFlow always on me, my EDC. I love this for quick and easy access, but it's not a long distance writer IMO. It's a perfect jotter, light, fits into tight places, but it's at most a Medium distance writer which can cause cramping and fatigue after a while due to it's narrow size.

 

I have tried the Tactile Turn Mover and Shaker, but I did not like the heavier weight as much and I especially didn't like the tactile grooves nor with the scraping click sound it makes.

 

I tried a Karas Kustoms Retrakt, but it was too heavy, definitely had an awkward balance unless I swapped the section with a brass or copper one and by then it would simply be unwieldy for me.

 

I have ordered a Karas Kustoms Render K, which is on the way. I like the weight of the Render K, as I've tried a Fountain K.

 

I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.

 

I looked for threads and googled for any list of pens that take the Easy Flow, but there's not much out there.

 

 

[usk15]

Parker IM ballpoint

Aurora Ipsilon ballpoint

Herlitz my.pen

Schneider Slide Rave

Parker Big Red ballpoint with adapters

Bexley ballpoints

[aeba]

So in essence any pen which uses a Parker G2, like Parker IM which @usk15 mentioned. Parker Jotter.

Pelikan k-series.

Kaweco Sport rollerball (I know, it's supposed to be a rollerball, but the rollerball refill Kaweco uses is in Parker G2 format).

[SoulSamurai]

The Ti Arto is a titanium pen that claims to be the most refill-friendly pen around:

 

https://bigidesign.com/products/ti-arto-pen

 

[austinwft]

You might consider the Retro 51 TORNADO.

 

I also love the Easyflow 9000 refill and keep my Retro 51's inked with them and use daily for "other than fountain pen use ". I much prefer the Easyflow 9000 over the rollerball refill the 51 comes with.

 

I also find the size and shape of the Retro 51 very comfortable for extended writing even though its not the lightest pen you'll find. And in addition to the standard size it comes in a "slim" and the larger "Big Shot" sizes.

[IndigoBOB]

The Ti Arto is a titanium pen that claims to be the most refill-friendly pen around:

 

https://bigidesign.com/products/ti-arto-pen

 

 

Thank you for this suggestion. This I might have to try. It's a little hefty, but not bad, and I like the shelf from the section to the body as well as the extra grippings. It's a very beautiful pen.

 

Thank you for the suggestion.

 

You might consider the Retro 51 TORNADO.

 

I also love the Easyflow 9000 refill and keep my Retro 51's inked with them and use daily for "other than fountain pen use ". I much prefer the Easyflow 9000 over the rollerball refill the 51 comes with.

 

I also find the size and shape of the Retro 51 very comfortable for extended writing even though its not the lightest pen you'll find. And in addition to the standard size it comes in a "slim" and the larger "Big Shot" sizes.

 

 

The R51T has been in and out of my Amazon cart a couple times. It's one of those I am considering, may eventually try, but wouldn't mind spending more to find something potentially better balanced, with something more to grip on at such a higher weight, and something less weight in general... but it's on my list.

[SoulSamurai]

Thank you for this suggestion. This I might have to try. It's a little hefty, but not bad, and I like the shelf from the section to the body as well as the extra grippings. It's a very beautiful pen.

I was just browsing their site and it looks like they have a slighly lighter alternative in the works that telescopes down to be more pocketable: https://bigidesign.com/collections/on-sale/products/ti-arto-edc-pen Edited February 23, 2018 by SoulSamurai

[IndigoBOB]

I was just browsing their site and it looks like they have a slighly lighter alternative in the works that telescopes down to be more pocketable: https://bigidesign.com/collections/on-sale/products/ti-arto-edc-pen

 

 

I saw that, too. I just emailed them to find out what the weight was on the EDC version.

 

The weight of the Regular T-Arto is bordering on what I like, so I think I might order one once I get the refund back from my Tactile Turn Mover I tried. I felt that Tactile Turn did a great job on the balance of that pen, but I actually didn't like the tactility to it nor that click mechanism made for it.

 

I emailed BigIDesign earlier to see if they were making an Aluminum Ti-Arto, but they said no, which is too bad because I think the weight would be wonderful on that if it were aluminum...

 

...when I think of an EDC I think of something light weight. I know titanium is relatively light weight, but I think of something lighter with that qualification. When I'm going out and I want to take an EDC, I take my Lamy Vista-EF and Parker Jotter and leave the Jinhao's and Levenger L-tech way behind.

 

I have to see how the Render K suits me first. At least with that pen I can get a lighter model (unposted/uncapped) and I can try it with a heavier section to see how I like a little more weight. My main concern with the T-Arto is if they sacrificed comfort for function. I don't care if the Render K uses less refills as long as it's more comfortable. If I can try out the T-Arto with the potential to return it and I am not completely happy with the Render K, then I may.

 

I am still curious as to what else there may be out there. When searching google or forums for pens that fit an EasyFlow 9000 or simply pens that are available to take any size refills there isn't much in terms of lists.

Edited February 23, 2018 by IndigoBOB

[IndigoBOB]

I received the Ti Arto: Lovely Balance, great design, but too heavy IMO to be a fountain pen alternative. It doesn't have the pleasure of the lighter weight of my fountain pens, the max weight of my preference being the x450, which still feels easier on the hand. I couldn't use it for medium or longer writing sessions.

 

I think that if the Ti Arto was made in Aluminum, then it would not only be a true EDC, a better EDC, but a good fountain pen alternative.

 

I did also receive the Render K all Aluminum and I think this pen has excellent potential for a fountain pen alternative. My only problem with it is that using the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 causes a scraping metal sound it clinks from side to side when used. I'm going to contact Karas Kustoms and see if there is any remedy for it because if I can get this Easyflow 9000 to seat more securely into the pen, it would be a wonderful pen.

[milkb0at]

I agree with you that the Jotter is great, but for smaller notes only. I think it's worth trying the Retro51 tornado since they're not very expensive. Mine is nice but to be honest isn't much better than the Jotter for longer writing.

 

I keep looking at all these Kickstarter machined pens that look cool, but they're mostly heavy brass and fairly chunky (and often very expensive).

 

Some of the big fountain pen brands would work but they tend to have proprietary refills. A Lamy 2000 ballpoint or Caran D'Ache 849 but with a Schneider Slider refill instead would be good for me.

[milkb0at]

Ah, it finally clicked that Cult Pens has a filter for G2 refills. They won't have everything but there's quite a range, from very expensive GvFCs down, including Karas Kustoms.

 

I have the Faber-Castell Grip 2011 mechanical pencil and for me it's incredibly comfortable for long writing sessions. If the quality of the plastic was a bit higher I'd buy the ballpoint in an instant. The Tombow carbon pen looks interesting too, and has gone on my wishlist for when I have a moment of weakness.

[IndigoBOB]

If the Lamy 2000 ballpoint didn't take proprietary I'd be more eager. It's still on my list, but behind some fountain pens, ink, paper and ballpoints that can take refills I'm familiar with.

 

That website does really help. That gives me a lot to think about. Thank you. I will consider the plastic pens, but I like the weight of a little bit of metal to push the pen tip into the paper for me.

 

Yes the Tombow carbon pen is quite classy.

 

Yes, there are so many heavy metal pens out there. I love the weight of an aluminum pen. If the Ti Arto came in aluminum I'd be in seventh heaven.

 

The Render K all aluminum has a great weight, but it's a bit back heavy so it tires out my thumb to try and stabilize it.

[SoulSamurai]

So this topic has got me considering the Ti Arto all over again myself... I was on the EDC version kickstart page and I found these:

 

 

 

That suggests that the EDC version is 24 grams and the old version is 32.6 grams; so the new one will be about a 36% lighter (or it's about 74% of the weight of the old one). For what that's worth.

[IndigoBOB]

So this topic has got me considering the Ti Arto all over again myself... I was on the EDC version kickstart page and I found these:

 

That suggests that the EDC version is 24 grams and the old version is 32.6 grams; so the new one will be about a 36% lighter (or it's about 74% of the weight of the old one). For what that's worth.

 

 

You know I was in mid conversation with BigIdesign about the weight of the EDC, but they never got back to me. I appreciate the information. I didn't think it was much lighter since that aspect of it wasn't mentioned on their website.

 

The filled EDC TA unposted (18.8g) is significantly lighter than a Jinhao x750 unposted (22g). I use an x750-Franklin-Christoph-M--BSiER and it's a pleasure. It is only 0.8g more than a filled Lamy 2000 uncapped (18g). Also, the filled EDC TA unposted is the same weight of a Pilot Custom 823 uninked (19g unposted).

 

I think that qualifies it as a descent alternative to a fountain pen.

 

I'm going to have to sacrifice the $10 and wait to purchase this because I am going to put that money towards a Lamy 2000-F to use Kiwa-Guro with to do writing I intended the Ti Arto for, but this EDC version is considered "purchased" in my mind.

 

I'm going to return the Render K and the regular Ti Arto and just stick with my available Fountain Pens, Parker Jotter, Pentel energel pens (plastic and an alloy gel version I just ordered from amazon).

 

I'm really happy to see they made those adjustments with the EDC. I think it may be quite a pen. I'd still like to see an aluminum version, but TBH I think the Titanium has the potential to be quite satisfying.

 

 

You are a terribly wonderful enabler lol

[SoulSamurai]

If you do pick one up, let me know how you find it? You might just end up enabling me back...

[IndigoBOB]

I'd be happy to.

 

I think this company really hit on something with this design. The functionality is matched by it's comfort, which was only depreciated by the excess weight that still managed to be very well balanced.

 

It is a screw top, and may not be as convenient as a retractable pen, but that slight shelf from the section to the body does provide a good wedging for the pen to settle nicely onto the fingers to provide what I believe is a more secure grip, and what I liked is that it was at what I felt be an optimal height for ballpoints/gel points/ect... and it makes me prefer it for longer writing sessions. I mean, it's quite frankly not as attractive for me as a Karas Kustom's Render K, but if they're able to reach that threshold of providing a more comfortable weight and balance I think it's more attractive for me than any other metal pen I've tried (Karas K's, Tactile Turn, ect) for any writing session longer than what I use my Parker Jotter for.

[IndigoBOB]

You know I just went ahead and ordered a Ti Arto EDC anyways. Puts my mind at ease to not have to track it and remember.

 

I'll report back on this later... Late May they say.

 

If there are any other suggestions please let me know.

 

I did order an alloy Pentel Energel pen for fun. I love those refills, even the needlepoint 0.5, which I normally do not.

 

Thank you again for recommending the Ti Arto's. That's really quite a find and it's really nice to see something so utilitarian looking, like sooo many of the metal pens out there, rise above the crowd to have a lot of thought and art developed into it that does surprisingly result in IMO an effective execution put into a final product.

[SoulSamurai]

Cool, I'm glad I could help.

[IndigoBOB]

Well I got to try out the Ti Arto EDC:

 

I didn't try it out for long.

 

It is well balanced, can definitely handle any refill I own. It is robust and seems like it can handle physical abuse. It's a great EDC metal pen...

 

...if you don't mind the sharp threads. For me, the top threads the cap posts onto are very sharp. For my hand they sit right where the pen rests on my hands causing quick irritation that lasts. 2 sentences and I was done.

 

I didn't like how there was a significant gap between the moving portion of the end of the body and the body itself. Dirt, sand, or any relatively small debris can get in between into that space.

 

The kids behind this project are doing some great work, but they haven't reached a great pen; one that can transcend that tough rugged trend of metal EDC ballpoints to make a pen that moves beyond that to regular use, to being a workhorse, and to being what I would call a complete pen; A pen that isn't an intermediate that could use improvement and tinkering; a beta version that requires more considerate engineering for the writer to make it something more than those Metal EDC pens that will wear your hand out either by being too heavy or, in this case, too chafing on the skin of the hand.

Edited June 20, 2018 by IndigoBOB

[IndigoBOB]

But I will say...

 

That the new Karas Kustoms Reaktor line up looks promising.

 

Especially the Galaxie XL with regards to fountain pen alternatives.

 

My pickiness isn't the biggest fan of their older pens, but I was very impressed by their Decograph, a beautiful pen that remains on my wishlist...

 

...and to see this new Reaktor lineup come after looks quite promising.

 

The Galaxie XL doesn't use a Parker style refill, but it uses others I've had good experiences with (Pentel Energel, Schmidt Fineliner and 5888 and the Pilot v5 and v7 RT's). I love the look of this pen : ) I will be getting a tumbled Al version the first day it is available.

Edited June 20, 2018 by IndigoBOB