Ranking 28 Fountain Pens

[woleizihan]

A great number of responses! Thank you for all the attention! Really didnt think anyone would care about my post. This means a lot. Thanks.

What do you think about these reviews from more established fountain pen connoisseurs like yourself?http://www.gourmetpens.com/2016/02/review-platinum-3776-century-bourgogne.html?m=1http://www.sbrebrown.com/2016/03/platinum-3776-century-bourgogne-fountain-pen-review/

They both give the nib a little flex.

Politely speaking, I think sbrebrown is pushing the nib more than intended almost every time. Edited November 24, 2017 by woleizihan

[Jamerelbe]

A great number of responses! Thank you for all the attention! Really didnt think anyone would care about my post. This means a lot. Thanks.

 

What do you think about these reviews from more established fountain pen connoisseurs like yourself?

 

http://www.gourmetpens.com/2016/02/review-platinum-3776-century-bourgogne.html?m=1

 

http://www.sbrebrown.com/2016/03/platinum-3776-century-bourgogne-fountain-pen-review/

 

They both give the nib a little flex.

 

Two thoughts:

 

(1) It's legitimate when testing a nib to get some sense of how 'springy' it is, and how much line variation it offers under pressure - as long as you don't go crazy with it.

(2) Having followed both SBRE Brown and Gourmet Pens for some years now, it's evident to me that they've become more restrained when it comes to testing for and describing the flexibility of nibs. From memory, I think Mr Brown 'sprung' an extra flessibile nib on on Omas pen - and has been much more careful ever since.

[jar]

A great number of responses! Thank you for all the attention! Really didnt think anyone would care about my post. This means a lot. Thanks.

 

What do you think about these reviews from more established fountain pen connoisseurs like yourself?

 

http://www.gourmetpens.com/2016/02/review-platinum-3776-century-bourgogne.html?m=1

 

http://www.sbrebrown.com/2016/03/platinum-3776-century-bourgogne-fountain-pen-review/

 

They both give the nib a little flex.

I find I often disagree with both of those good folk.

[Jamerelbe]

I find I often disagree with both of those good folk.

 

As stated above, both of these reviewers have (I believe) become much more cautious about distinguishing between 'flex' and 'springiness' - though Dr Brown still likes to test the limits of his nibs more than others might deem advisable!

[JonSzanto]

As stated above, both of these reviewers have (I believe) become much more cautious about distinguishing between 'flex' and 'springiness' - though Dr Brown still likes to test the limits of his nibs more than others might deem advisable!

 

And, of course, those videos last forever on the net, so generations of n00bs will get that bogus impression of what a nib can do - even though it shouldn't - and I'll be seeing more and more mashed nibs in the future. A responsible blogger/vlogger/penthusiast would go back and add disclaimers in any where the nib is pushed beyond reasonable and sensible limits.

[woleizihan]

As stated above, both of these reviewers have (I believe) become much more cautious about distinguishing between 'flex' and 'springiness' - though Dr Brown still likes to test the limits of his nibs more than others might deem advisable!

I agree. I wrote with the Sheaffer Pop at the Cross store one day before seeing his review video. I'm pretty sure that's a nail just like any Sheaffer prelude/intensity steel nibs and he squeezed some line variation out of it..... Don't get me wrong. He's one of my favorite reviewers, especially for the parts he talked about what he dislikes about the pens. Very honest review even when the pen was sent to him for a giveaway. However, the line variation part makes me uncomfortable almost every time.

[woleizihan]

And, of course, those videos last forever on the net, so generations of n00bs will get that bogus impression of what a nib can do - even though it shouldn't - and I'll be seeing more and more mashed nibs in the future. A responsible blogger/vlogger/penthusiast would go back and add disclaimers in any where the nib is pushed beyond reasonable and sensible limits.

It's even worse for the video from a reputed reviewer I mentioned. It's really suggesting that if people keep pushing their nibs, they will become flexible. Even if the nibs survive first a couple of abuses, there's no hope for them.

[minddance]

These reviews, together with your photo of Platinum Flex, provide good entertainment. They fill the void of what I would never do.

 

Brown, with his flexy "Hello" often makes me fast forward away all his talk - and that opening music - all the way to that "hello" because I want to see how he is going to abuse that pen. And whoever his review supplier store is, and if that pen ever gets returned to that store, and that pen gets sold, good luck to the next user.

 

I watch Brown's videos for only those few seconds. Fast-forward is a good function.

 

I certainly wouldn't buy from that/those store(s) who supplies Brown his pens.

 

I regard it as a show. Entertainment.

 

Reviewers' reputation can be gained for different reasons and not always in the best interest of the pens and viewers.

Edited November 25, 2017 by minddance

[Tresconik]

A great number of responses! Thank you for all the attention! Really didnt think anyone would care about my post. This means a lot. Thanks.

 

What do you think about these reviews from more established fountain pen connoisseurs like yourself?

 

http://www.gourmetpens.com/2016/02/review-platinum-3776-century-bourgogne.html?m=1

 

http://www.sbrebrown.com/2016/03/platinum-3776-century-bourgogne-fountain-pen-review/

 

They both give the nib a little flex.

It's stupidity. Why abuse the pen. You know it's not a flex nib. You know it's not meant to be used as one. So why do it? I hope he hasn't tried to flex the Sheaffer Triumph nibs. I know he's flexed the inlaid nibs.

 

EDIT: Having a lot of pens doesn't make someone a connoisseur. They're just someone with a lot of pens and/or money.

Edited November 25, 2017 by Tresconik

[Sailor Kenshin]

PS: Brerlapine, other than the Nib Abuse, I enjoyed seeing your 28-pen comparison.

[Jamerelbe]

It's stupidity. Why abuse the pen. You know it's not a flex nib. You know it's not meant to be used as one. So why do it? I hope he hasn't tried to flex the Sheaffer Triumph nibs. I know he's flexed the inlaid nibs.

 

EDIT: Having a lot of pens doesn't make someone a connoisseur. They're just someone with a lot of pens and/or money.

 

He does it (or used to) because his viewers asked for it - and because he didn't know any better at the time. More recent reviews are much more 'considerate' of nibs that aren't designed to flex. I'm not sure that 'hating' on YouTubers who do so much to help popularise fountain pens - if you don't like their style, you don't have to watch! [For the record, I enjoy watching SBRE Brown's videos - many of the pens he reviews these days are waaay above my price range, but it's good to know what's out there!]

[Jamerelbe]

PS: Brerlapine, other than the Nib Abuse, I enjoyed seeing your 28-pen comparison.

 

+1 - thanks for doing putting it out there!

[Pickwick]

A great number of responses! Thank you for all the attention! Really didnt think anyone would care about my post. This means a lot. Thanks.

 

What do you think about these reviews from more established fountain pen connoisseurs like yourself?

 

http://www.gourmetpens.com/2016/02/review-platinum-3776-century-bourgogne.html?m=1

 

http://www.sbrebrown.com/2016/03/platinum-3776-century-bourgogne-fountain-pen-review/

 

They both give the nib a little flex.

 

Those individuals like "Playing" with fountain pens, they never appear to be serious writers.

[JonSzanto]

 

He does it (or used to) because his viewers asked for it - and because he didn't know any better at the time. More recent reviews are much more 'considerate' of nibs that aren't designed to flex. I'm not sure that 'hating' on YouTubers who do so much to help popularise fountain pens - if you don't like their style, you don't have to watch! [For the record, I enjoy watching SBRE Brown's videos - many of the pens he reviews these days are waaay above my price range, but it's good to know what's out there!]

 

It's not a matter of hating on them, it is simply acknowledging that there is a certain responsibility attached to 'publishing' your opinions/methods/etc. If SBREBrown did this in the privacy of his own home, I wouldn't care nearly as much. When we have a thread written by someone who is over-flexing a non-flex nib and specifically pointing to his videos as an example in the positive, that is when I have a problem. He has fulfilled the function of teaching people to do the wrong thing, and there is nothing that will stop that from continuing as long as those videos are in circulation. I like the enthusiasm, I like examining many pens (though I'm way tired of all these dudes focusing on high-end pens), but I don't care for the equal promotion of less-then-stellar pen knowledge and usage.

[bobje]

This is an interesting issue, the responsibility of pen educators and reviewers to correct misleading information that they may have distributed, innocently enough, because they didn’t know any better in their early years. Perhaps one of us should pose the question to them in their online comments on the YouTube channel.

[JonSzanto]

This is an interesting issue, the responsibility of pen educators and reviewers to correct misleading information that they may have distributed, innocently enough, because they didn’t know any better in their early years. Perhaps one of us should pose the question to them in their online comments on the YouTube channel.

 

Honestly, I would prefer corresponding with them privately. Fans can be rabid and I have no desire to be mercilessly trolled in a comment section even when my comment may have merit. For every upside on the net there's a downside. I *do* wish that people - not just some pen user like myself - who have credibility in the pen world would speak up a bit more about situations like this. The era of the "pen personality" is bringing with it some unwanted attributes.

[zaddick]

I'll add one comment on reviews and nib abuse. I was considering buying a very high end prototype pen. Speaking with the owner of the pen company I was almost sold as it would save me a lot of waiting time for a hand made pen. Then, almost casually, I was informed that I could not take the pen I was holding directly home as it had been promised to be sent to Mr. Brown for a review. I could have the pen as soon as he was done with his review.

 

I politely handed the pen back and lost all interest in the sale because I believed the pen was going to be unreasonably treated (in my estimation). I'd rather not pay good money for a pen that was "ridden hard."

[brerlapine]

 

Honestly, I would prefer corresponding with them privately. Fans can be rabid and I have no desire to be mercilessly trolled in a comment section even when my comment may have merit. For every upside on the net there's a downside. I *do* wish that people - not just some pen user like myself - who have credibility in the pen world would speak up a bit more about situations like this. The era of the "pen personality" is bringing with it some unwanted attributes.

 

It is sad to be trolled or made fun of after some hard work has been put forth to make a video or review. I completely agree! Many people will badger you and give you a hard time! Well said!

 

So, good people, what do you consider the difference is between a soft fine and a regular fine? Do you think there is a difference?

[JonSzanto]

 

It is sad to be trolled or made fun of after some hard work has been put forth to make a video or review. I completely agree! Many people will badger you and give you a hard time! Well said!

 

So, good people, what do you consider the difference is between a soft fine and a regular fine? Do you think there is a difference?

 

To the former, it is what it is. I accept that people behave terribly when they are hidden behind the glass.

 

To the latter, it is a thing of interest that I would prefer to additionally document with photos, but can't carve out the time at the moment. I would compare a modern SF nib with a vintage flex so that you can see they aren't even *physically* the same. In a nutshell: the flexible nib designed for maximum line variation flexes outward, while the SF nib, which is designed merely to *cushion* the writing experience, flexes upward. They are two very different nibs and made for different purposes. To treat an SF nib like it was made for line-variation writing scripts is wrong.

[Plexipens]

 

Those individuals like "Playing" with fountain pens, they never appear to be serious writers.

 

And at little or no cost for the majority of their abuses, reviews ....