Reviews Written by jcf...

  This is a great blue..., November 30, 2012

This is a great blue ink. Darker than Parker, Lamy, Sheaffer Skrip, with some shading if you use the right pen. Best of all, highly water resistant, almost fully waterproof.

When you think about how long these cartridges last compared to the international short cartridges, an overall great bargain.

  I am partial to "mini"..., November 9, 2012

I am partial to "mini" fountain pens, and picked up the Tradio with the idea of converting it to an eyedropper. The barrel proved not to be airtight. Conversion will take some modifications, if I even follow through with the idea.

As for how the pen behaves, I have to say just average. I thought the nib wrote a little dry and scratchy. That problem has been partially alleviated by using a different ink.

There are pens that write much better for equal or less money. However, most of those pens are disposible or use proprietary ink cartridges.

The one plus for the Pentel Tradio Mini is that it uses short international cartridges.

  This pen provides a quality..., February 7, 2012

This pen provides a quality nib for the price. However, it may not be as solidly constructed as others in its price range. I was initially intrigued with the Clear Candy when I saw that they made a clear-body version, hoping I could convert it to an eyedropper. Unfortunately, the barrel is not airtight. While it is possible to seal it, I’m just not sure I want to go through the trouble and possibly ruin the pen.

The pen came with a Sailor cartridge and inked up quickly, though a little ink seeped out of the feed. I am impressed with Sailor ink. With it, the Clear Candy lays down a consistently even and dark line. Only time will tell about the construction of the pen. It doesn’t look like it will take much abuse. For a more durable pen that is an equally good writer, I recommend the Rotring Surf or perhaps Sailor’s other entry-level pen, the HighAce Neo.

  I am amazed at how nice..., January 27, 2012

I am amazed at how nice this pen writes. We are referring to (at the time of writing) a pen that costs less than five dollars! The pen inked up quickly when I loaded the cartridge. While there may not be a lot of flex to the nib, it writes with an even, smooth line. Posted, it is comfortable in the hand.

If there is a drawback, and it is a minor one at that, it’s that the Petit take a proprietary cartridge, and a small one at that. So you are going to spend more on the ink than on the pen. My plan is to convert the Petit to an eyedropper.

The pen is cute, writes fantastic, and may be more novelty than everyday writer, but you can’t beat the price for a non-disposable fountain pen.

  Like others reviewing..., January 27, 2012

Like others reviewing here, I purchased the Rook for its looks. Five stars in that category for the brushed metal, and contemporary design…I have had a number of people comment on the Rook when I am writing with it.

The Rook is tiny, not that I was surprised. Unposted, it is impossible to write with; like writing with a pencil stub. Posting the cap makes it usable. Initially I had a hard time inking it up and the ink flow, once it started, was inconsistent. After a short break in, these problems disappeared. The nib is German, writes smoothly, and lays down what looks more like a medium line than a fine one.

Overall, the Ohto Rook is a better than average pen, and for the price, perhaps should be considered a very good pen.

  Well worth the price... I..., August 8, 2011

Well worth the price...

I purchased two Spirits—one in the silver trim and one in the gold—with the intent of sending one to my friend in London. When I received them, I noticed that the nib was not aligned with the feed on the silver-trimmed Spirit. So I sent the gold trimmed pen to the UK , hoping it would be okay.

I had ink flow problems in the one I kept, which improved when I managed to align the nib and feed. However, having run three kinds of ink through it, there are still some minor problems with the ink flow, with the pen skipping on the down stroke.

My friend in England, though, says the pen works fine. In a letter, he wrote:

“This is my first test of the Ohto Spirit. It already feels great—easily the best pen I have tried so far. Am using the cartridge (I had sent him a converter too). It ‘fired up’ right out of the box. Writes perfectly…I really like the ‘feel’ of the pen, substantial but not to large or heavy. It has that elusive ‘heft’ you have talked about.”

I have to agree with the feel of the pen. Nib problems aside, I enjoy writing with this pen. If it didn’t look and feel so good I probably wouldn’t have been so determined to get the nib alignment right.

  The Lamy Nexx M is slight..., July 29, 2011

The Lamy Nexx M is slight modification to the standard Nexx fountain pen, with that modification (or in this case, improvement) being a metal clip on the cap instead of plastic. The clip, matching the barrel, makes for an modern looking pen. In addition, the metal clip adds a little weight to the pen, noticable when you post the cap. For some reason, the cap on the Nexx M posts better than the cap on my Nexx. This make for a nice balanced pen.

The nibs on a Lamy always write big, but I'm surprised at the line created by the Extra Fine (EF) nib on the Nexx M. Nice and even and not as thin as extra fine implies.

Overall, 5 stars for both design apperance and performance. Do yourself a favor and add a Nexx M to your Lamy collection.

  Lamy is known for their..., July 13, 2011

Lamy is known for their award winning design. The Lamy Nexx is no exception, getting high marks for style points. In addition, the Nexx is a fine writer at an affordable price. Ergonomic shape ensures the pen is in optimal writing position. The barrel body is aluminum, making for a light pen. Cap is interesting in that you can, if you desire, hang it from a lanyard. And you might as well leave the cap attached to a lanyard, as the round cap posts terribly on the triangular barrel. That is my only complaint. Otherwise, great pen!

  I just don't understand..., July 13, 2011

I just don't understand the negative reviews for this pen. Yes, it is an inexpensive, plastic pen. But it is not cheaply made. The cap secures tightly and posts well. You are not going to wear out the threads taking the barrel on and off. The cartridge is held securely in the feed section. The nib is typical Rotring, sturdy. The design is modern. Most importantly, it is a great writer, producing a thin, wet line. A little thinner than I would expect from a medium nib.

I thought it would be too light for my tastes but I have gotten used to it. And who wants a heavy resin pen pulling on your shirt pocket at work?

All in all, a great everyday pen!