That is the exact reason I haven’t yet bought anything with the PM material. I’m so nervous I’ll get one I don’t like! Doing this video pushed me to go ahead and sell that Tortoise Estie. I may replace it in the future when I can go into a store and pick one. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels that way! I thought maybe I was being silly!

@@gingerpeachy Not silly at all. It's hard not to fall in love with the examples they show. And for my PM4 pen, it was even worse because initially, they sent me the wrong nib size, so I had to send the pen back and I absolutely loved the mix of colors on the first pen they sent me. When I got the correct nib size, it was the almost entirely lavender one. And I couldn't ask for an exchange because the pen was all sold out. They had to track down the other customer that got my nib initially. Luckily, I see a lot of people making pens with PM4, so I'll eventually get another.

I agree - I was just today watching a review of a pen I already own, and realized I do that quite a lot. I think I like hearing someone else explain to me why I like a pen, or to hear what they have to say so I can agree or disagree in my head. 😂 Thank you so much for watching! Also, I love your username! Lol

Thank you so much for your kind feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the video! 🥰 And welcome to the rabbit hole that is the fountain pen community!

Oh wow, that’s good too know! Thank you!

I agree with all of this! And I’ve decided to part with my Estie in Tortoise. Perhaps I will pick one up in a store at some point when I can see it in person first, rather than ordering online. I already sold that Estie Candy! Making this video really helped me decide to let go of a few things!

Thank you! 🥰 I’m glad to know all those sections are actually swappable. And I am going to pick up a new Larmes de Cassis ASAP! I’m missing it!

Thank you!!

I am glad I’m not the only one! There is a level of leeway that has to be given to all of these pen makers. They pour resin into dark molds and have little control of exactly how it comes out. I can see where they can’t afford to throw out every one that comes out differently from the best one. And, it wouldn’t be easily feasible for retailers to post photos of each pen individually. And truthfully, just like some people love “defects” in leather, some people love the variation in materials. The guy who bought my tortoiseshell Estie loved the things I didn’t like. So I think we just have to determine how much variation we are okay with. For instance, I just got the Benu Talisman Sakura. The main thing I was concerned about was that it had enough pink. Thankfully the one I received did have enough, but if it hadn’t, I may have exchanged it. I know this is a tough thing! Some pens I have been initially slightly disappointed in, but over time I’ve forgotten what those small things were. When I’m not seeing pictures of the perfect sample model constantly, it’s easier to appreciate the one I have. And then some of the defects I can’t get over, so eventually I just need to come to grips with that and sell the pen. The wonderful thing about small makers like Little Pen Designs is that the Candy Nougat pen was commissioned. I signed up to have one made. Because of that, Joe sent me photos of it as soon as it was done. If I didn’t like it, he would have sold it to someone else and made me a new one. This one isn’t 100% perfect, but I still love and adore it, and I am able to look past the little clump of yellow resin together and appreciate the pen as a whole. Another small maker I bought from allowed me to choose a different material entirely because the first one didn’t come out as I imagined. They are always able to post the ones someone didn’t love, and someone else will love them and buy them. I also recently made a purchase from Appelboom that’s on pre-order. I emailed to ask if there was any possibility I could see the pen before they shipped, because it was kind of expensive, and Joost emailed me and said that I could just put in the notes of the order that I would like to see photos of the pen before shipping. I had never before considered this to be a possibility. I don’t think I would personally make that request for every purchase, but certainly for bigger purchases. So you can always ask a pen shop! The worst they can say is “no,” and then you can go ask another pen shop the same thing. The other way I’m kind of dealing with this is that if I decide I want another small-maker pen and I don’t have a specific one in mind, I’ll just keep an eye on their IG profiles and choose from pens that they’ve already made rather than risking it with commissions! I also hope to get to a pen show one of these days. You’re right, this is something we don’t talk about much in the pen community, and I do think it bothers some people more than others. But it’s worth talking about!

@@gingerpeachy Thanks for the reply.. I appreciate your videos and will continue to watch !!

@@impish22 Thanks so much! 🥰

Our differences are what keeps life interesting! I am considering trying out the Kaweco Brass Sport. A few people just make it look so cool and usable. But I would like to hold one in my hand before I buy it. Just like the Esterbrook! I am now considering selling the tortoise since I have other Esties I love. Thank you for validating my feeling about that! I love second hand, too, just for that reason!

@@gingerpeachy ooo, def get that brass Kaweco. I love mine so much I’m trying to keep myself from buying the Kaweco 3.2 mm lead pencil brass pencil. It’s so beautiful and it’s so substantial. I have super tiny hands and it’s the perfect weight. The size seems to balance it out.

So good to know! Does it make your hands smell like metal? I don’t always love that metallic smell.

@@gingerpeachy it does make your hands smell like metal🤘

Bummer! I don’t think I would love that!

Those chapters are auto-generated! Sorry! I didn’t realize I didn’t say the name of the pen. It’s a Platinum 3776 Century Rokka, part of the Fuji Shinkei series!

Thank you! Glad I’m not the only one 😂 Here’s something fun: I just saw your comment while I’m LITERALLY WATCHING YOUR VIDEO! KZfaq recommended your last pen of 2023 to me. GORGEOUSNESS!!

@@gingerpeachy oh how funny !! And thank you, yeah bespoke pens are definitely my weakness, they are just so beautiful.

@@ALittleBitofALot I love them too! But I have found that I don’t like to risk ordering commissions because of what I mentioned in this video- if the material doesn’t live up to my expectations because I saw a picture and expected something different, I have a hard time bonding with it. So I need to buy bespoke pens that are already made so I can see them before I commit!

@@gingerpeachy I totally get that. I know that the 2 makers I buy from usually will post either the blank, or the pen already made. Walltown even adds videos, which I’ll admit is what seals the deal for me. I’ve only ever had one custom pour done, my Turnt It’s Not Easy. I freaking love that pen❤️

Thanks for the validation! I've started being more discerning and returning pens when they aren't exactly what I wanted. And I pretty much just buy completed pens from custom makers so I can see it before I buy it. These things are so personal!

@@gingerpeachy Thats just it, they are incredibly personal and it its not right, the liklihood is you just wont use it. Thatse wasted money :)

@blktauna exactly!

Let me know if you find a combo that works well with Snowy Mountain Sunset. I put it in a Kaweco sport with a double broad nib, and it was still not good! So sad!

@@gingerpeachy I'm using Robert oster rose gold antiqua in my twsbi broad and it comes out so juicy. So I'll try out the snowy mountain in my twsbi diamond broad and tell you how that goes!

Glad I’m not alone in my disappointment! And agreed about snap caps - I think it’s basically impossible for them to seal as well as a threaded cap, by their very nature of needing to be able to be pulled off. But they’re so convenient otherwise!

That is a great idea. I need to do some more research into what I can replace them with!

Really enjoyed your video, many thanks. I had the same poor experience with the nibs on my narwhal FPs, so I swapped out the nibs with no.6 bock extra fine nibs from etsy ( see 'how to' on you tube) and my 2 lovely pens are back in rotation! Good luck.

What a great idea! I sold all but one of my Narwhal Original pens. I no longer own any pens with Bock nibs, so maybe I need to remedy that situation! Thank you!

Not an oddball at all! I love that we all have different preferences. That pen is a Platinum Plaisir in Venus Belt. It was a limited colorway, but you might be able to find one out there somewhere! It’s super lightweight aluminum. But very pretty!!

I am up for an ink swap sometime! I have gotten rid of most of the pens I wouldn't repurchase - I've sold over 60 in the past several years. But I guess these are ones I like enough to keep, but wouldn't buy again if I lost them. Sort of a specific subset of pens, lol.

​@@gingerpeachy I just need to update my inks on that online catalog. what is it called I can't think of it now. my brain, I tell ya.

Hahaha. Fountain Pen Companion!

I WANT to love Safaris - I really do! But every time I ink one up, I end up not reaching for it because I think about those sharp edges hurting my fingers. But they seem to work well for most people! And I truly love their versatility and nib options. The ability to change a nib in an inked pen in 3 seconds is incredible. I agree about the Perkeo! Mine has a wonderful nib on it. And the grip is a little more comfortable for me. I haven’t had a lot of issues with it drying out while writing, but I do find that most snap-cap pens dry out in my pen case faster than screw-capped pens. And you’re right - shimmers and sheeners don’t show their best selves in fine nibs, usually. I love to look at them but don’t love to use them, for the most part. Currently I’m super happy finding wonderful jewel tones and shading inks! Thanks for your kind comment! 🥰

you need biggest nib you safari if dry lot or test change other wet ink. EF or F nib dry fast, test next M or B nib. no need buy pen lot only nib can change.

Possibly! That’s what I did for my oversized Estie Candy. I kept seeing photos of a certain one available from Dan Smith (Nibsmith), and I asked him if I could buy that specific pen. I doubt whether larger retailers would do that, though, especially when they have a big release all at one time. I actually ordered two of the standard sized Candy pens on release day so I could choose which one I wanted. I sold one then, and I actually just sold the one in the video this weekend. I convinced myself I don’t need to keep it if I’m not in love with it!

You are right, I would much prefer shopping in person! Unfortunately the only pen store near me is about 1.5 hours away, and it is a small shop that only stocks a smaller selection of pens. So it's not usually worth the drive. But yes, it would be much better if I could see and hold things in person before buying. Since this video, I have become much more selective with my pen purchases!

😂 I live in Louisiana, the land of Geaux Tigers and Boudreaux and Thibodaux jokes. Lots of French names around here! So I was hoping you pronounced your name like we would here! Same for Lamy 2000. I had one that someone borrowed and damaged the nib. I sent it off to Dan Smith and it was the MOST WONDERFUL nib I owned. But I just didn’t use the pen because of the grip! I would ink it up and it would sit in my pen case. So finally I sold it. I kinda regret it, but I know it’s probably getting a lot more use elsewhere. I don’t know if I’ve tried a Lamy EF, but I’m open to it if you feel like they’re smooth! YES please make an inks video! I just finished setting up my Col-o-Dex with all my ink swatches, and I feel like I could’ve added a couple to the list, but these are still the top ones I wouldn’t buy. When I swatched this Van Dieman’s ink on a Col-o-Dex card, it came out completely different than it was on the card I showed here. Crazy! Thank you for your kind words! 🥰 Take care, and I’ll “see” you around!

Same!! And I like your idea to still let yourself get sheen/shimmer samples to try since they’re not a big investment. Shimmers are fun to play with using dip pens and things, too, but I don’t need full bottles for that! Thank you for your kind comment!

Glad I’m not the only one! I recently ordered from Appelboom and they said I could write in the notes, “please send me a picture of the pen before shipping” so I could make sure I was happy with it. It never occurred to me to do that, but I wrote that in the notes!

@@gingerpeachy Well shoot, neither did I!

Now we know!

Sorry, the Estie Candy is sold!

@@gingerpeachy 😭😭😭

Thanks! 🥰

They don’t sell replacement rainbow nibs though!

@@gingerpeachy that's true, but for the other ones.

Yep! I’ve got a few different sizes stashed away in my desk. I just would not repurchase the Iris with a F nib. I enjoy it anyway. But I will attempt to tune it to be a bit wetter! I love that rainbow nib!

Strong feelings there! I love the look of the Safari. It feels so classic to me. I just wish I liked the writing experience more. I don’t know about swapping the Narwhal nibs. I’ll have to look into it! I know they make their own nibs, so they’re not standard Jowo. But they may be the same size and shape. Good thought!

@@gingerpeachy Yeah, Narwal nibs are #6 nibs. You can buy the nib units from Narwal or any other Jowo #6 nib units. If you like the pen and not the nib, you don't have to give up on the pen with this one. There are very strong feeling against the Safari. Don't get me started.

Good to know. It makes sense that they’re #6, I just had “made in-house” in my head and didn’t think about it. I’ve got a couple of spares from Kirk Speer. Might have to try one out, because I do like the pen bodies!

@@gingerpeachy I think they are in-house made, but still a #6 unit, so it should work,..

Thank you! I have started buying those kinds of pens either secondhand or directly from independent makers from their stock - not as commissions. That way I can see a 360 of my exact pen before buying. It's working well so far! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way!

@@gingerpeachy Any recommendations on independents? I was searching through "esty, "whatever it's called, the site where people see stuff they make, and I saw some cool looking acrylic/resin type pens, and the prices were not astronomical...Have you tried that site? I don't want to waste money on junk...I'df rather just put that money towards a policy open that I know with write great--and of course -- look cool! Because they are pieces of art. Oh, Dollar Tree has fountain pens lol. I just got one with a bunch of little watermelons on it. It writes pretty decent, for a dollar, oh excuse me, I mean $1.25 post Biden.