Pilot Petit 1

[tony1000]

My review of this less than $4 beauty:

 

http://thefrugalfountainpen.blogspot.com/2014/03/pilot-petit-1-mini-fountain-pen.html

[mirosc]

funny pen, but has proprietary cartridges (sizelike) and you have to ram the cap on the pen when posting so that it stays on for a longer period of writing...

But I have a couple of those around for short notes at the phone, kitchen,...

Cute little bugger that one.

[Sailor Kenshin]

My review of this less than $4 beauty:

 

http://thefrugalfountainpen.blogspot.com/2014/03/pilot-petit-1-mini-fountain-pen.html

Good review, thanks. I have a jar full of these because I am mostly about cheapness and color. I think the nib on the Petit is finer and drier than the Varsity, though.

 

The only one that gives me trouble is the pink. It's stuck, stuck, stuck. And yes, cleaned and flushed etc. All the others refuel just fine, using bottled ink.

[WirsPlm]

Good review, thanks. I have a jar full of these because I am mostly about cheapness and color. I think the nib on the Petit is finer and drier than the Varsity, though.

 

The only one that gives me trouble is the pink. It's stuck, stuck, stuck. And yes, cleaned and flushed etc. All the others refuel just fine, using bottled ink.

The Petit1 uses an F nib that seems to be the same as the F nib used in some Varsities or VPens, but most Varsities come with an M nib that is slightly bigger. About the stuck pen, is there anyway to pull out the nib and feed like can be done with the Varsity, that might help with cleaning? I've looked at my Petit but haven't tried to pull it out yet.

 

 

funny pen, but has proprietary cartridges (sizelike) and you have to ram the cap on the pen when posting so that it stays on for a longer period of writing...

But I have a couple of those around for short notes at the phone, kitchen,...

Cute little bugger that one.

Some silicone grease (or Vaseline) can turn them into eyedroppers, and that works pretty well if you don't want to get more of the cartridges.

Edited March 4, 2014 by WirsPlm

[mirosc]

Some silicone grease (or Vaseline) can turn them into eyedroppers, and that works pretty well if you don't want to get more of the cartridges.

Yes, I've done that - but the threads are so wide that you need quite a lot of grease. Compared with other conversions this one felt a bit sketchy.

[Sailor Kenshin]

And the carts are big-bore, which means easy refills.

[mirosc]

Yes, indeed, that makes life much easier with the Petit.

 

And: sorry, I had forgotten to say thank you for the nice review!

[perth]

It's convenient for a cheap pen, but I think it's nowhere near the value you get with Chinese pens at the same price.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Maybe so, but for me the 'cute' factor makes this unbeatable, especially when you have a bunch of colors in a glass jar. Personal taste, after all.

[RudyR]

Great little pens. Small enough to not be intrusive. One currently does double duty as note taker at temple services and gym work outs.

[squishymochii]

I tried one of these earlier at Kinokuniya Bookstore and was surprised at how smooth it wrote. What a steal for such a cute little pen.

[TSherbs]

These other entries were over a year ago, but I want to add now that I just got my first one of these (blue-black) and it is a great mini pen! Once posted, it is large enough for my large hands, and it writes surprisingly well. True fine nib (finer than the Varsity), and even, reliable flow. For $3.50 from Japan!

 

I was vaguely considering the Passaporto, but no longer...I am not looking for multiple pocket pens (and this one has a clip, too).