Faber Castell Loom - What To Think?

[MuddyWaters]

I'm curious to know how you feel this pen stacks up against the Pilot Metropolitan. The Metropolitan is my only fountain pen, and it's the pen I carry in my messenger bag for work, but I'm looking for something for home use. My Pilot is a medium nib, and the only Loom I can easily find here is a medium nib. I understand the Japanese medium will be finer, but can anyone tell me how much wider the F-C nib will realistically be on the page? Also, given that some people feel the Loom is a dry pen, would it have any difficulty with Noodler's Heart of Darkness (on Rhodia paper)?

Hey slowrain,

 

So I have both pens and my first pen was also a metropolitan. I would not say that the Loom writes *much* better. The difference you will find between the two pens will largely be down to preference.

 

The pilot metropolitan had very good flow and it set a high standard for my future pens in this regard. For example, it is a better writer than kawecos sport by far and better than the safari as well. My main reason for not using it anymore is ergonomic (comfort in the hand) because I have a bad grip and wanted a pen that was a bit thicker. The Look's nib is nice because it scratches a bit like a pencil yet is smooth, but the flow is much drier than the metropolitan. To be honest I mostly got it because I wanted to try the ergonomics and I have a thing for the looks of the pen.

 

You will not get an *objective* improvement in writing though, in my opinion. The Metro and loom are both in a nice category in the sense that they are cheap pens in their companies' lines yet have the nibs of their more expensive colleagues like the prera and then e-motion for pilot and Faber castell respectively.

 

What kind of characteristics do you want your home pen to have?

[MuddyWaters]

And I forgot to add, use goulet's nib nook (Google it) to compare the line sizes. I think a medium in both may be comparable because the fc's may run a little narrower in line width. I can't say for sure though because my FC is in fine, but it writes like an extra fine I would say, which may be because of the ink I have on it, I don't know.

[IndigoBOB]

I much prefer the nib on the Loom over the Metropolitan's. If you find it dry it may have tight tines or require a wetter or more lubricated ink like something like Sailor inks, which turn any dry or scratchy pen into a much smoother writer.

 

I do like the flow of the Metropolitan since the converter does have a healthier diameter at the nozzle.

 

One thing I will say is that I've only used the Loom with Medium and Broad nibs and I don't know how their finer nibs are.

[SlowRain]

What kind of characteristics do you want your home pen to have?

 

At this point, I don't have enough experience with fountain pens to specifically know what I want. I'd like something that isn't going to give me a writing cramp and something that is reliable and will last for a relatively long time. Aesthetics are of lesser importance than usability for this particular situation. But, it still has to be entry-level priced. I don't use my Metropolitan for long writing sessions, mostly just a bit of correcting, minimal parent-teacher communication, and a tiny bit of lesson planning. I'd like my home pen to be more of a writing pen, though.

 

Thank you very much for that tip on Goulet's Nib Nook. Wow! Is that ever super helpful for a newbie!

 

I much prefer the nib on the Loom over the Metropolitan's. If you find it dry it may have tight tines or require a wetter or more lubricated ink like something like Sailor inks, which turn any dry or scratchy pen into a much smoother writer.

 

Unfortunately, I'm not yet familiar enough with fountain pens to know what a "wet" pen or "dry" pen feels/writes like. My only frame of reference is the Pilot Metropolitan--which it seems a great many people have. How would you describe these two pens relative to each other? Which one (in medium nib) is wetter and which one is dryer? Would you describe the Loom as dry and needing special ink, or is it quite capable of handling pretty much anything? My problem is, I still have to buy a whole bottle of ink and use it up before trying another ink (samples don't really seem to be a thing here).

[MuddyWaters]

I probably do have tight tines because the fine I tried at the store was much wider and wetter, like I mentioned above.

 

The FC nibs are a joy to write with. I am even considering getting an Ondoro given that it's light. I just want to try the ergonomics to confirm that they are as good as I imagine them to be. I would probably get it in medium or broad.

[MuddyWaters]

 

At this point, I don't have enough experience with fountain pens to specifically know what I want. I'd like something that isn't going to give me a writing cramp and something that is reliable and will last for a relatively long time. Aesthetics are of lesser importance than usability for this particular situation. But, it still has to be entry-level priced. I don't use my Metropolitan for long writing sessions, mostly just a bit of correcting, minimal parent-teacher communication, and a tiny bit of lesson planning. I'd like my home pen to be more of a writing pen, though.

 

Thank you very much for that tip on Goulet's Nib Nook. Wow! Is that ever super helpful for a newbie!

 

The Loom is a heavier pen so it may lead to cramps for long writing sessions, but it absolutely is an indestructible pen, and a great writer like we said before. You could also consider a Lamy Safari though it is no where close to the Metro or Loom in writing quality imo. The ergonomics are good though and it is a light pen. Another you could consider is the TWSBI Eco - it's claim to fame is the filling mechanism (a piston) for a cheap price, but it won't be as good a writer as the Pilot and Loom imo.

 

Maybe a good way to think would be to ask yourself what do you wish your Metro had and had not? People usually talk about whether the following suits them:

-nib width

-flow/wetness

-pen weight

-filling mechanism

-ergonomics

-durability

Any of those don't jive with you in the Metro?

Edited December 21, 2017 by MuddyWaters

[SlowRain]

I'd say I would like the ability to use international converters and a slightly wider area for gripping it in any future pen I get. I don't have any issues with flow/wetness, so I assume I'm OK with how the Pilot is in that regard. But I also don't know what my options are, both in terms of nibs or inks. I don't view this as a huge issue as I'm not using it for art. I haven't tried enough fountain pens yet to have much of an opinion of weight. I imagine I'll adapt provided it's not excessively heavy. It won't be pages and pages of writing at home anyway.

 

I'm reluctant to go with Lamy because of the proprietary converters (a problem with my Pilot, too) and forced way of gripping it. I'm reluctant to go with TWSBI because of ongoing quality-control issues, even though it's made right here.

Edited December 21, 2017 by SlowRain

[MuddyWaters]

I'd say I would like the ability to use international converters and a slightly wider area for gripping it in any future pen I get. I don't have any issues with flow/wetness, so I assume I'm OK with how the Pilot is in that regard. But I also don't know what my options are, both in terms of nibs or inks. I don't view this as a huge issue as I'm not using it for art. I haven't tried enough fountain pens yet to have much of an opinion of weight. I imagine I'll adapt provided it's not excessively heavy. It won't be pages and pages of writing at home anyway.

 

I'm reluctant to go with Lamy because of the proprietary converters (a problem with my Pilot, too) and forced way of gripping it. I'm reluctant to go with TWSBI because of ongoing quality-control issues, even though it's made right here.

Then the loom would probably be a good option for you. If you're able to try before buying I would always suggest that, but you can also buy in conference of getting a great pen.

[IndigoBOB]

 

At this point, I don't have enough experience with fountain pens to specifically know what I want. I'd like something that isn't going to give me a writing cramp and something that is reliable and will last for a relatively long time. Aesthetics are of lesser importance than usability for this particular situation. But, it still has to be entry-level priced. I don't use my Metropolitan for long writing sessions, mostly just a bit of correcting, minimal parent-teacher communication, and a tiny bit of lesson planning. I'd like my home pen to be more of a writing pen, though.

 

Thank you very much for that tip on Goulet's Nib Nook. Wow! Is that ever super helpful for a newbie!

 

 

Unfortunately, I'm not yet familiar enough with fountain pens to know what a "wet" pen or "dry" pen feels/writes like. My only frame of reference is the Pilot Metropolitan--which it seems a great many people have. How would you describe these two pens relative to each other? Which one (in medium nib) is wetter and which one is dryer? Would you describe the Loom as dry and needing special ink, or is it quite capable of handling pretty much anything? My problem is, I still have to buy a whole bottle of ink and use it up before trying another ink (samples don't really seem to be a thing here).

 

The loom and the metro are both average. So your ink of choice will have a large effect. If I need a wetter ink I use Noodler's Air Corps Blue Black (ACBB) or Heart of Darkness (HoD). ACBB is my personal favorite.

 

If the nib is a little too feedbacky then I use certain Sailor inks (Jentle and Kiwa-Guro) to smooth out the writing experience. Kiwa Guro is so lubricated it can turn an uncomfortable nib into a silky smooth writer, but it requires more maintenance than the Jentle inks.

 

Honestly, the nib of the loom is great, but it's not a great pen. The ergonomics are mediocre at best and it's clunky in design. It can get too heavy for the average user. I enjoy a Jinhao x750 with a Goulet Nib much more and if I need it to write as smooth as a Loom I just put in Sailor Miruai, Shigure, Doyou, or Kiwa Guro and it writes like a dream.

 

Widening tight tines requires 2 brass sheets wedged in between them with varying amounts of pieces of paper wedged between the brass sheets. I have gotten varying tightness with both Faber Castell and Pilot pens.

.

I'd say I would like the ability to use international converters and a slightly wider area for gripping it in any future pen I get. I don't have any issues with flow/wetness, so I assume I'm OK with how the Pilot is in that regard. But I also don't know what my options are, both in terms of nibs or inks. I don't view this as a huge issue as I'm not using it for art. I haven't tried enough fountain pens yet to have much of an opinion of weight. I imagine I'll adapt provided it's not excessively heavy. It won't be pages and pages of writing at home anyway.

 

I'm reluctant to go with Lamy because of the proprietary converters (a problem with my Pilot, too) and forced way of gripping it. I'm reluctant to go with TWSBI because of ongoing quality-control issues, even though it's made right here.

 

 

The loom was just too clunky for me. I couldn't write with it for longer than a short jotting session.

 

Proprietary converters are a little pain, but they're not a big deal. In fact the Lamy and Pilot Converters work very well. Once you have one you don't really need another one. It just sucks you have to pay $5 more.

 

I'm not the biggest fan of the Lamy section either, but I adjust my grip to it and find it holds itself in my hand more securely and effortlessly than many other pens and it's one of my most reliable writers.

 

TWSBI's are solid pens as long as it's not too much of a cost to receive customer service from them if you have to. Everyone I know whose had problems with their TWSBI has gotten it fixed by their customer service. The Eco-T is quite comfortable and really good for the price IMO since it comes with the same quality nib as the Vac700.

 

Honestly, if you're looking for a thicker grip and you're considering the Loom, there's the option of the ASA Maya 3-in-1, which uses a Jowo system (like Edison, Franklin-Christoph), but is ebonite, which is very comfortable and grips well in your hand.

[austinwft]

In looking for a snap cap pen for quick jotting I am considering the LOOM partly based on both Matt Armstrong's and Figboot's reviews but also because I like the look and style. And while it is a bit on the heavy side I can say that I personally no longer make the weight of a pen a primary consideration in choice.

 

Two of the most comfortable pens I have for long stretches of writing are my Pilot Vanishing Points which are the heaviest pens that I currently own and about the same weight as the LOOM while my two other favorite writers for burning up ink happen to be two of my lighter pens, a Franklin-Christoph 02 and a Pelikan M805.

 

In amongst those are some Lamys, TWSBIs and Kawekos which are all excellent writers but not the most comfortable for extended writing sessions regardless of weight and my favorite, smoothest writer of the bunch is a TWSBI Vac Mini which I love. But with the Mini I am only able to get through a handful of sentences before I need to put it down and it is certainly not a heavy pen.

 

So in conclusion I guess what I'm saying is you won't know if you like it till you use it! I guess! YMMV!

[IndigoBOB]

I thought the Vanishing point was much easier to hold than the Loom.

[dapprman]

Also shows how everyone's ergonomic preferences are different. A lot of people like to do extended writing with Pilot VP, but while I find it's nice for short notes I find it becomes uncomfortable over periods due to the way it tapers down. Does highlight really how important trying out pens is (especially if you're going to spend a lot).

[MuddyWaters]

Also shows how everyone's ergonomic preferences are different. A lot of people like to do extended writing with Pilot VP, but while I find it's nice for short notes I find it becomes uncomfortable over periods due to the way it tapers down. Does highlight really how important trying out pens is (especially if you're going to spend a lot).

indeed, really doesn't make much sense to speak objectively of ergonomics

[IndigoBOB]

To speak objectively about ergonomics doesn't help as much as I'd like, but I do think if you know your preferences decently enough it can provide some guidance.

 

I do find it does help more to gather many subjective opinions and see what the ratio of likes to dislikes are and why, and also in case you can find someone or people with similar preferences.

 

With the Loom there is a substantial amount of people who discuss similar experiences of heaviness and easier fatigue... More often than other pens in this price range. But I have heard about that with the Vanishing Point, but not close to as much

 

I found that if you have a tripod grip that fits well into the indents of the clip of the section of the Vanishing Point it gives you more to hold on to, but it's still a pen with some heft.

[tvradio]

indeed, really doesn't make much sense to speak objectively of ergonomics

Personal preferences are just that, but ergonomics is a science and can objectively be discussed. For example, there are numerous impartial health and occupational safety studies demonstrating better sitting and viewing angles when using a computer at a desk, but that doesn't mean that some people will actually prefer them.

[MuddyWaters]

Personal preferences are just that, but ergonomics is a science and can objectively be discussed. For example, there are numerous impartial health and occupational safety studies demonstrating better sitting and viewing angles when using a computer at a desk, but that doesn't mean that some people will actually prefer them.

 

You are right about this, but the size and grip of each person's hands can be quite different, not to mention prior sensitivities from arthritis, injuries, etc, that does lead this objective science to be applied quite specifically to persons.

 

People often complain about the weight of the Loom, and indeed, I do not find it perfect. Because of the weight, I have to grip the pen a bit more and it activates a pain I have on my middle finger where I touch the pen. But the pen is remarkably a bit thicker than most other pens in its price range and for that I quite enjoy it.

 

To rectify this issue, there is now a gunmetal version of the Loom that is actually lighter. I have not seen videos reviews of it from sbrebrown or pen habit yet but I think it could be a nice option for people who like the Loom but find it a little heavy. The price is higher though unofrtunately.

 

I've really fallen in love with the design of the Faber Castells because they are unique and feel quality. I've been debating whether to get an Ambition vs Ondoro vs Gunmetal Loom for better ergonomics and weight, knowing that the nib is the same, which is a testament to the Loom's nib but at the same time makes spending more on the higher end FC pens less justifiable.

 

Then there are the Graf von Faber Castell pens which again are stunning but the ergonomics do not look good, unless one likes the Ambition and find the Intuition to be an upgrade.

 

Any thoughts?

[tvradio]

I like the Loom for the nib and overall pen quality, but it and the Basic are a little on the chunky side. I was strongly considering a Loom anyway when GouletPens had it on sale a few days ago for $30 (plus more off w/ coupons, maybe) but ultimately decided to hold off. I choke up on my pens so the Ambition's narrow grip section is pretty personally unappealing.

Edited December 26, 2017 by tvradio

[MuddyWaters]

are you sure that's an ambition? I would have thought the nib is the same as in the Loom

[tvradio]

Yup. Thats the Ambition.

 

http://m.fabercastell.com/brands/design/ambition/ambition-fountain-pen-broad-black-resin

[dapprman]

You actually hold the ambition above the nib section (well most of us do anyhow) else you're fingers are too close to the nib. At that point it's not quite as thin.