Asvine also has the V69 vacuum filler. The only issue I've had with it is that the thing is HEAVY. The body is a skeletal plated brass with acrylic inside. It's beautiful, but weighs a TON. Don't try to use it posted. I don't think it posts (I forget) but I would have used it unposted anyway because of the weight. Price is similar to the P36. There's also the Asvine/Pailli 13 that is a very inexpensive vacuum filler. I like it reasonably well. They're $20 for a pack of 3 pens. I have one of the P36 piston filler that just arrived a few days ago. I got it with the Bock #6 EF nib rather than the Asvine nib. I like the thing a lot. My experience with it parallels your own. A very inexpensive pen that rivals many disposables would be the Jinhao 911. They come in packs of 5 for about $14, and they include a converter in each. The body and cap are brushed stainless, and the nib is shrouded. But one I absolutely adore is the Swan Maru Manga Cartography pen sold by Inkursive on Etsy. The nib is a tiny Maru crowquill. It's a soft flex nib, and has incredible line variation for its tiny size. The pen itself is a piston filler, and works very nicely. They also sell replacement nibs, because like all "manga" nibs, they do wear out. The only other fountain pen I have that can compare with it is my Osprey Madison with the Zebra G package, followed in 3rd place by the Madison with their Ultra-flex nib. The Zebra G uses the standard nib of that name used by doujinshi and mangaka in Japan, where they're almost always used as a dip pen. I currently have two of the Inkursive pens inked up, one for my journal, the other for my portable drawing kit. I keep both inked with DeAtramentis Archive Black. I use another pen with Noodlers standard Brown, to go along with your method of creating a wash using a water brush, the semi-waterproof nature of that ink making a nice pseudo-sepiatone effect without completely eradicating the lines. Thanks for sharing that method, btw, it's a winner.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your detailed comment, Gwen! the pens made by Swan have been on my radar for some time (another viewer had also recommended them), and I'm going to give them a try. I generally prefer to use dip pen nibs in my dip pen holders, since the fountain pen set ups have never quite satisfied me (and you have to be careful not to let the nib corrode).

@normanhaase9400

10 ай бұрын

Jenny, the V69 *will* post -- but wrist injury is sure to follow. 🙂

@HisNibs1

10 ай бұрын

Jenny, thought I'd change accounts to give you another like. 🙂 Yes, as I said, the V69 will post -- but I'd never consider it when writing (I rarely post caps in any case). Regards, Norman

The clip in the c4 is the logo of the brand! Ahahaha they tried to be fancy, love moonman! Great video! Really good pacing! Super nice drawings! Keep them coming sir !

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Moonman is growing on me as brand. The don’t always get it right, but at least they’re trying, innovating (and coming up with some ugly designs along the way).

The V126 is fast becoming one of my favourites. Love the feel of the material and the way it writes. I have the matt black with black accents and nib and it looks quite sharp. Good value in my opinion.

@mkompan

7 ай бұрын

I just ordered a v126 in matte grey. I usually don’t buy pens for their looks (especially if I already have that model), but was too good to resist.

I just ordered my Asvine V126 with a medium nib in the amber color. Really happy to see there’s finally more videos on the pen. A new color was just released actually, a transparent clear version instead of the frosted clear. If everything works out and I end up liking it enough I might get that version as well. Thanks for the video!! 😊

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Your welcome! I had considered getting the amber color, since it looks very handsome. I wish the trim and the nib were finished in silver, however. Gold trim, especially on inexpensive pens, just feels cheap.

Hey Marc, thanks to you Ive got a pilot falcon, custom 91, opus 88, FPR flex nib, and just got my P36 a day ago with the ef bock nib. I AbSoLuTeLy LOVE this pen... very good call! Thank you for all the info and inspiration and please keep doing these, your art is awesome and I really love watching and learning from your process.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that you liked the P36, it really is a great pen! And thank you for the kind words. I’m taking a short summer break but more videos coming in August.

I completely agree with your assessment of the Asvine P36...really well done and I also got the Bock nib, worth the extra $10 to me. Great pen!

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the confirmation! Let's see how it holds up, but so far it's one of my favorites.

interesting pen review but far more interesting figure drawings.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

I find videos on drawing more interesting to make, but I have a large following of people that enjoy my reviews, and we have to keep everyone happy. More drawing tutorials to come!

@thekevermelho4084

Жыл бұрын

I think your drawing videos are top quality, particularly the armature serie and everything related to the figure. And the pen reviews are very good too. But yes, more drawing will make me more happy. Have you ever considered coloured pencils/watercolour pencils? ⁠@@mkompan

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

@@thekevermelho4084 thank you! I will be doing a higher percentage of drawing technique videos in the future. I can’t keep purchasing pens for review, and unless some retailer starts sending me pens to review), I’m not going to be able to keep it up for very long. I’ll keep the color pencil request in mind.

@greekveteran2715

Жыл бұрын

Δημήτρη,ασχολείσαι με το σκίτσο? Σε παρακαλώ,Ξέρεις καμία Ελληνική σελίδα,που να μπορώ να βρω άλλους που να ασχολούνται με το σκίτσο/ελεύθερο σχέδιο?

Insane art work ❤

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I have two Moonman Q1, one with F, and the other with M #6 nibs. They came very dry, but I took less than 10 minutes to make them more wet, the way I like, and I really like the Moonman #6 nibs.

@mkompan

6 ай бұрын

My experience with Moonman has been so hit and miss. They do sometimes come very dry, and need to be adjusted to write wetter, but for me the inconsistency is annoying.

@viniciovp4ever

6 ай бұрын

@@mkompan yes, my two nibs came very dry, but it was just a metter of minor adjustments

Thanks for a very interesting comparative review. I have just bought the Asvine V 126- a superb pen at the price. The weight, general design and steel nib are excellent. By comparison, the Pilot 823 is obviously superior in terms of nib and general balance in the hand, but then there is the considerable price difference. I think if one can afford both, then one should have both. Just one observation: the 823 does unscrew at the nib end for ease of cleaning, just like the Asvine.

@mkompan

8 ай бұрын

My pleasure! This pen continues to be one of my favorites, and I’m even considering buying another, the very attractive dark grey version. The nib and feed pull out on both the 823 and the 126, but grip section on the 126 unscrews, making the pen easier to clean than the 823.

So far the moonman C4 (branded Majohn in my case due to the legal shenanigans) has been my favorite. If you don't count the badly designed cap that keeps threading the wrong way. I use a blunt syringe to fill it and it's super easy to clean. I find piston mechanisms to be a waste of space. A simple eye dropper with a stop like the C4 should be the golden standard for fountain pens. I also have a twsbi R700, but can't say I like its ergonomics. I think I will try the V126 next. As far as I can tell, Moonman, Majohn and Asvine seem to be the same company, or at least part of the same group. And they seem to learn fast. The latest Asvine iterations look far more refined.

@mkompan

7 ай бұрын

The eyedropper w/ a stop mechanism is also my favorite filling system. The vacuum is a close second however, and the v126 is a great option, if you switch out the nib with something better. Many of these Chinese companies contract with the same OEMs to make their pens, which is why they seem so similar.

@dimitris470

7 ай бұрын

@@mkompan I am a doodlebud aficionado, so I usually grind the nibs that I don't like instead of changing them. It's surprisingly easy

I have all the models reviewed. For me Asvine pens work very well, though among these 3 reviewed, the C4 is at the top. The nib is very smooth and sealing mechanism is perfect. I tend to buy EF or F nibs. I do not draw with them but as for writing these nib widths are perfect for my handwriting. For just over the $50 threshold, I would heartily recommend the Nahvalur Original +. It is a wonderful vacuum filler. Reverse writing is particularly smooth. The Jinhao 9019 is a cartridge converter with an astonishing 1.7 ml ink capacity. It is a girthy pen but is comfortable in the hand. The EF nib lays a slightly wider line but is very smooth. I would also recommend the Wing Sung 630. The Wing Sung nibs have gotten much better. It is a piston filler and holds about 2.2 ml of ink.

@mkompan

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment! I reviewed the Nahvalur original some time ago and agree, it’s a very good pen for the price. Coincidentally, I just purchased the Jinhao 9019 and the Wingsun 630 and will be reviewing them soon.

Nice coverage

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

I like your drawings. 😊

@mkompan

10 ай бұрын

Thank you!

A couple pens I like in this range are the PenBBS 308 and the Faber Castell Neo Slim. I seem to be immune from over-protecting my expensive pens, for whatever reason. I guess I just don't buy pens in the range that I would be scared to lose/break. Hence the obvious holes in my collection where the Kings of Pen would go.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for you comment! The Penbbs 308 seems to be on many people's lists, but I already have two 355's (old and new versions) and one 456, and don't need any more. The only drawback is that their nibs are tight in the housing, making them difficult to pull out without damaging the delicate feeds. If their feeds were friction fit they would be the perfect pens. No King of Pen for me (or frankly, the Conid Bulkfiller), even if I had the money. Spending that much money on any pen is simply obscene.

@ichirofakename

Жыл бұрын

@@mkompan Actually the 308 itself is not what makes me recommend it, but just its ultra-smooth Waverly nib. Perhaps it is available on another pen or as a replacement.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

@@ichirofakename I enjoy the Penbbs nibs, but all their models have the same nib, so unless you're into their often gimmicky filling systems or enjoy collecting pens in different plastics, there's really no reason to buy more than one Penbbss pen.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

@ My complaint with the P36 is that the grip section doesn’t unscrew from the barrel, not the lack of housing unit. Friction fit nibs are actually preferable, being easier to clean and to switch out.

Well done. thanks.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you James!

Hmm, I took Asvine P36 into my list. Slick design...

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

It's a near perfect design, in my opinion!

I have the Moonman M2, I'm every happy with it except I prefer a Medium nib and could only get it in fine. It is also possibly the most beautiful pen I own

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Can the nib be removed? For some reason I couldn't do it in the Moonman C1, but could do it easily in the C4.

@anthonykoeslag

Жыл бұрын

@@mkompan Hi Marc, yes absolutely, however: I'm new-ish to the wonderful wide world of fountain pens and while I was able to remove the nib I was not able to find an M nib that would fit. I will retry this later on when I can figure out how to tell if nibs are comparable with pens.

Like Mooman, Pelikan Level 65 and L5 used it but had a fast refilling ink system with a proprietary reservoir and valve system, quite complicated. The plastic is quite fragile on these pelikans and they tend to crack in some parts that are so thin.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the recommendations. The good thing about these pens is that they feel quite robust, which makes them perfect for artists.

Like always since I discovered your channel, it's a pleasure to watch a new video from you Marc! Are you still satisfied by your PenBBS? I'm still about taking one since you reviewed some of them... Take care!

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words! Yes, those PenBBS pens are still inconstant rotation, and work absolutely great.

U have really been a great help with allowing me to end my obsessive search for my first fountain pen thankyou kindly. Which would you recommend out of the v126 , v169 or p36? Would any of these be more compatible feed wise for a fpr ultraflex or is there another could recommend for that purpose?

@mkompan

8 ай бұрын

While all three are pretty great, the one with the best nib is P36 (#6 Bock). That said, since all of them use a #6 size nib, you can easily swap out the original nibs for something that works better. The FPR ultraflex will fit into these pens, but sadly their feeds will not provide enough ink for it to work well. That nib is very picky, and only works in very few pens with generous ebonite feeds.

Hi Marc, I love your passion for the Old Masters and, obviously, solid academic background. Talking about cheapish fountain pens. What do you think of Ackerman pens? At home I mostly use dip pens at the moment Brause Steno 361 is my favourite , a very responsive and even "nervous" nib. At a life class I mostly use pilot parallel pens, When average sketch takes from 3 to 7 minutes flow is of paramount importance, and pilot parallel pens are the best in this respect. However, I miss these "high strung" dip nibs, and Ackerman claim you can use dip nibs with their pens. I would appreciate your opinion of them if you ever came cross these pens. Thank you.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Hi Dmitry. No I haven't tried Ackerman pens yet. It seems to me a polarizing brand, with people either liking or hating it. I'm curious to see what the controversy is about and will have to try them soon. I also use Pilot Parallels for quick sketches,, but modify the nibs to make line variation easier. Have you seen my video on modifying Pilot Parallels? If not check it out: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rKx5rsmEqbenj7A.html

Hi Marc, your info is very valuable. May I ask you another question.You mentioned in one of your videos that you you fitted an ultra flex FPR nib into an Ahab. Is it necessary to prepare this nib in the way I prepare new dip nibs (fire, vinegar, raw potato saliva, ,etc)? I expect FPR delivery any day now,I shall fit an FPR nib to my Indigraph as you advised . I also intend to use liquitex ink cleaning solution for my dip nibs, since I use acrylic inks a lot. Last life class my Ahab pens, even being half full, stopped working,but thank God I have pilot parallel pens, and they never have a flow problem. Thank you for your videos.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Hi Dmitry. Fountain pen nibs are not covered in protective shellack that needs to be removed before use. It is a good idea to wash them with a little soap to remove possible oils left over from manufacture. Ahabs are not the most consistent pens, but shouldn’t stop working without cause. You’re not putting India ink in them, are you? You actually can, if you put a wet cotton wad into the cap, and make sure it stays wet, but without that measure you’ll quickly clog the pen.

You know you can eyedropper fill the Asvine V126 as well? The section is removable, which makes it more practical. Basically a 2-in-1 filling system with a safety stop valve.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

I hadn’t thought of that. Good point!

Useful video again Marc, always love discovering some new pens focused on the artistic application of drawing. Something I've always been quite enthusiastic about with fountain pens is the ability to use dip pen nibs (particularly the manga g nib being my favorite) I just happened to see a new product from Ackerman pens in California, a piston demonstrator, has been recently listed. Not sure whether this product would interest you but I have used a similar pen from this company in the past that I found to be very decent, although had a design flaw in the cap (no hard stop on the threads meant that over tightening caused some damage to the cheap plastic) I'm hoping that the new version that they've just released has fixed this fault, but for under $20 I'm happy to roll the dice! Best regards

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I enjoy using the zebra G in pens as well, and have used many methods to do it successfully. I’ve been meaning to give Ackerman pens a try, and will get to it soon. Are you aware of Swan pens (they have a store on Etsy)? These pens use a variety of flexible dip pen nibs and have been recommended to me quite a few times.

@somedude8877

Жыл бұрын

See my comment above re Bluedew also.

Thanks for the detailed reviews Marc. BTW: have you tried the waterproof colored fountain pen inks from Rohrer & Klingner? I have been playing with them for a few weeks now with good results.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome, Bill! I haven't tried the waterproof inks from Rohrer& Klingner. I'll have to try them!

@TheDynamite333

Жыл бұрын

@@mkompan I know you demonstrated some inks with how you use them in your past videos and they helped me with my purchases but I would love to see a video about all the inks you use and for what purpose you use them like a list all together. I am not sure if it is plausible thou :)

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDynamite333 It's possible, and I'll put it into the work-flow.

If you fill a Piston filled pen to capacity before a flight, you will not have it burp during the flight because there is no air to expand, that presupposes that you are not using it to write while flying.

@mkompan

3 ай бұрын

Good point, but I would still prefer the security of the vacuum filler for flights.

Just got a Moon man c4, the F nib mark #2 on it.

@mkompan

6 ай бұрын

That may be, but this pen uses a #6 nib, which can be switched with many other #6 sized nibs.

@twu42618

6 ай бұрын

@@mkompan thanks

Marc, have you ever used the Bluedew fountain pens with untipped flex nibs? Closer to a dip nib style experience, but purportedly more durable and obviously they have an ink reservoir. I wonder what is closest to the traditional experience of using a quill pen; dip nibs or tipped flex nibs. Both in terms of feedback and pressure needed to flex etc. If the former, Bluedew might be a good option.

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

No, never tried the Bluedew. I don’t know, they use a very cheap pen body, and an inexpensive non corroding nib that because it’s tipless will still need to be replaced over time. 88 bucks just doesn’t seem to be a great value, especially when you can stick a Zebra G into a Jinhao and it works just fine.

@somedude8877

Жыл бұрын

@@mkompan Probably right. The Osprey Milano is similar an looks nicer, but as you say, these are probably a dubious value proposition..

Hey Marc, Will the 5.5 FPR ultraflex work in the Moonman C4 ? You have much knowledge. Thanks for sharing.

@mkompan

9 ай бұрын

You’re welcome! The C4 takes a #6 nib, so the 5.5 will be too small for it. While you can put an FPR #6 into it, that’s a very ink hungry nib, and the plastic feed won’t be able to keep up.

@betsyhook2312

9 ай бұрын

Wow, eerie. I was just watching another of your videos. Thanks for the speedy response. Do you think the 6 nib and one of the ebonite flex feeds FPR sells would be compatible with this pen ?

@mkompan

9 ай бұрын

@@betsyhook2312 glad to help! Sadly, FPR ebonite feeds are not compatible with Moonman pens. Fpr just started selling the ultraflex inserted into Jowo housing units, but they will not fit into Moonman pens either.

Hello, just wondering, do you know if there are any dude nib options available for the Asvine v126?

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

I’m not sure you can order this pen with a fude nib, but Jinhao sells inexpensive but decent #6 fude nibs separately.

Very nice review, thanks. Please note that the brand is pronounced,.. vine ( as in a grape vine) NOT... veen.

@mkompan

10 ай бұрын

You’re welcome, and I stand corrected.

@normanhaase9400

10 ай бұрын

Hi Mark. I've imported stock from Britumn Li (the principal of Asvine, and a long-time friend and vendor) for more than 20 years. So, when I was confused about the pronunciation I called him directly. Here's a video I did awhile ago on the subject: kzread.info/dash/bejne/amt4r8ekhrjKmZM.html. It was only months later that I realized that the script version of Asvine on their boxes ends the 'e' as a 'vine'! 🙂 I don't envy you the task of changing the pronunciation in your videos!. I think I might have several videos myself where I change back and forth during the same take! Regards, Norman

@mkompan

10 ай бұрын

@@normanhaase9400 Hi Nathan. Thanks for the clarification. I’ll do my best pronounce it correctly in future videos. I enjoyed your review of the skeleton, a pen I was considering (though I dislike the slickness of most metal sections). The owner’s explanation of the name is curious and frankly Asvine is a bit unfortunate, too close to ass and to swine, and come to think of it, asinine. A rebranding is in order. :) Your channel is great!

@normanhaase9400

10 ай бұрын

@@mkompan Hi Marc, I'm Norman not Nathan, but I too wish Britumn had run the company name by me, or another English speaker, first. 😉

@mkompan

10 ай бұрын

@@normanhaase9400 I beg your pardon, Norman!

would you say they’re better than the hongdian forest pen?

@mkompan

Жыл бұрын

It depends on what you're looking for in a pen. These three pens have built in in filling systems, which give you loads of ink capacity. The Hongdian is a cartridge converter with limited ink capacity. Also the grip section on the Hongdian is narrow and a touch slick. All three of these pens are more comfortable to hold. It terms of nibs the Hongdian is probably better that the C4 and the V126, but not as good as the Bock nib on the P36.

The stubby clip is really meant to be more of a roll-stop than a clip, I think. That’s the only reason for it.

@mkompan

8 ай бұрын

But it’s still a clip! I still don’t see a reason for it look like that.

@vincentferreira1135

8 ай бұрын

@@mkompan fair enough,