Andrew. I enjoy watching your videos. They are informative and made with passion for fountain pens. I am struggling to understand why you chose to compare there two pens. They are worlds apart different. They differ in size, style, filling mechanism, production, nib type finish and materials. That said, I still do enjoy your videos and encourage you to make more.

It's Plaisir, nothing else!

I never ordered from Ben because of the companies poor reputation. I have 1 Gravitas Pocket Pen I bought used, the body is well made but I am not impressed with the nib or the overall writing experience with the pen. My sample size of 1 is extremely low but I am not impressed with his pen and am not motivated in buying any more. There are too many other pen makers out there doing more interesting things.

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Stationery*

So timely. I’ve been eyeing a number of their pen rests

First time I’ve heard my collegiate reading list material referenced in a fountain pen video, that’s for sure. 😀

Hi Andrew : like you I love Japanese pens and inks. The Komorebi online store is a delight and looks good value. I have just ordered two of their Shippo ware slim pen trays : one a plum tree on a golden background and one a rabbit against a night sky. Thanks for the discount code ! These will be a treat when they come in the next couple of weeks. Best wishes and thanks for your work , David

WHERE is that color available!

While i think the pilot 74 is a better pen overall, I can regularly find sailor pro gear slims with 14k gold nibs on amazon grey market for under $100. Got my most recent one for $68 shipped. Thats best value gold nib in my mind.

I’ve got one of these on order. (The one thing I don’t understand is why place the clip over the artwork when there’s a blank area left open?)

Really interesting thanks 🙏

Lovely video. Thanks. I'd love to visit Japan - meet the makers at Nakaya and Yurie.

Yes, I’m interested in knowing about that

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤

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That Nakaya dragonfly is on my wish list. If you ever consider selling, I’m your guy even at a premium!

*"I used to flow"* - my pen after getting dropped, nib first.

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On a macro level, it isn’t a need. Rather, it’s more of a choice. Perhaps one can describe this behaviour as a “healthy irrationality” (that is, consciously paying more than the conventional price of a writing instrument), insofar as the purchase doesn’t threaten one’s financial well-being.

Concerns are the very opposite of a luxurious experience. If contemplating a luxury is overshadowed by apprehensions, whether related to cost or anything else, it simply isn’t the right fit for you. Move on.

Followed for the pen content and stopped following for the music.

It’s a shared connection quite literally from your hand to the artist that created it. There are very few things in life that are so direct. I’m also speaking more of hand made pens than mass produced luxury pens.

Do we need a Rolex? Do we need a Rolls Royce? Do we need LV leathet goods? Absolutely, no.

I'm not rich enough to buy poor quality items. I only have a few pairs of shoes. Only one briefcase (lovingly owned for 20 years), only a few FPs, only a few wristwatches, only a few cufflinks. My luxury is commissioning art. I don't go on holidays, I don't own a car, I don't consume particularly conspicuously. Objects used are for my own personal use. An interesting essay, and provokes me to discuss the idea of 'luxury' at the next literature club meeting I host.

😍 Lovely video, dear Andrew! 😍

"sounds too good to be true, but it is true." next sentence: "Only time will tell.." Yeah. Sceptical.

"It's like my thoughts are flowing directly from my mind through the nib and onto the page." I like that sentiment. There are but a few fountain pens that I prefer which are able to maintain this almost magical capability. The wonderful combination of artifices which allow this performance in a simple fountain pen are apparently difficult, but only briefly capable of being achieved. Once in hand, though, it is instantly recognizable.

I fell in love with Nakaya's Dorsal Fin v.2s and managed to get my paws on a few of them before the unfortunate earthquake in Japan which stopped production.

Pens as cultural gateway, I like that.

Love that you were drawing the flower of life. I like to draw sacred geometry objects as a meditative exercise.

Elite level fountain pen use with a ruler 📏 🖋️🙌 . So fascinating to see in action. I’ve only ever done this with drafting pens, but will try it with a fountain pen when I find the time to sketch (cross hatch level up!). Thank you for sharing your insights.

I am so grateful to see a serious critical look at this magnificent pen. So many thanks!

A very informative video! Thank you, pen expert! ❤ PS. I love your drawing! It’s so beautiful and symmetrical!❤❤❤❤

Fingers crossed. I'd just started looking at Gravitas pens and then heard all the drama. Will take a look again. Love me my metal pens.

which pen is this?

This should allow Ben to concentrate on design and making, along with improving qualitby by removing the logistics of order handling which can take a lot of time from what needs to be done to improve and expand.

I must be living a charmed life. I have several of Ben’s pens including the fairly recent Ultem-ate and never had an inordinate wait - unlike what I had with Carolina pens ( promised 12 months became 24+ by which time I took an offered out). I wish Ben great success in his new partnership

I still have a 10 week oder from Gravitas that has never been shipped. So far I have had no constructive answer from Gravitas or Pen Venture. SO maybe the "back again" is rather early.

Great pens anyway

Well-known pen KZfaqrs like it so much... I ordered it from Gravitas Pen... It's been almost two months, but I haven't received it yet. So I looked it up and found out that no one even received my order last year... How can I trust someone who doesn't understand their system properly... And you didn't even respond to me because it's hard for you. Let's be cool-headed. Chinese fountain pens sold by AliExpress tend to be criticized for being copy products. What's the reason why people rarely say copy when it comes to Gravitas pens that cover the small shortcomings of other famous makers' fountain pens? Honestly, the design is not original. I think of Kaweco's sports and Lilifoot... Anyway, seeing that he was doing a KZfaq show yesterday, and he wasn't serious and didn't make a sincere apology, I don't think I'll ever buy a Gravitas pen.

With PV's high markup I'm certainty not excited.

This explains why Ben ghosted me regarding an expensive pen with a fatal flaw. Prior to this unfortunate occurrence, I sang his praises to everyone, dumped what was for me a not insignificant amount of money, and as a result will remain skeptical.

Thanks for video. Good to hear. I bought one of Ben's pens in the early days and it is fantastic. I think that Ben is a decent person, who is very creative and innovative and that unfortunately, he became the victim of his own success. I really hope this works well for him.

Big Gravitas fan, great news! I know about those past(!) issues, yet I ordered twice and can't complain. For everyone interested in the original announcement click pen.venture's comment above the comment section.

I love my Gravitas pens. Terrific design and the nibs are so smooth. I’m so glad this is happening.

Great videmu! 😮❤

I’m not exactly the most unbiased person here, since I’m thoroughly in the camp of Japanese pens, and only own 2 steel nibbed Lamy pens. The main reason I bought gold nibbed Japanese pens (Pilot Elite 95s and Custom Heritage 92; and Sailor Pro Gear 21k standard model) over western pens is that other than the Lamy 2000, most of those equivalently priced German, Italian and French pens are steel nibbed instead. For those who appreciate western sizes and nib tuning, I actually recommend Pilot 14k nib pens. They are usually quite smooth and wet flowing, and fine-medium and medium sizes are just about the same width as Western fines and mediums, respectively. While Pilots and Sailors might be a little less exciting to look at than European pens, they are very reliable, competitively priced pens.

Nice video Andrew. Sadly, Sailor no longer produces special nibs like the King Cobra. Zoom and Naginata-togi are still available more or less. The 21k nib is also, sadly, seemingly ruining Sailor’s financials as the price of gold is sky rocketing. Nakaya does the best nib tuning, truly superlative and essentially free as you say. Tohma learned nib making from Kubo and Tohma is pretty much pre sold for over a year. Kubo is ever so slightly more “available” but works best if you are in Japan to order in person. Tianzi is a great entry into urushi pens and they write very well too. Pilot has, in my opinion, industry leading nib quality control and now offer the widest array of nib tipping options of anyone. Of course, the Namiki brand is industry leading urushi and maki-e. Pilot is really the 800 lb gorilla but a nice one and us enthusiasts are lucky that Pilot’s financial success has very little to do with fine writing, yet, as a company they care about it deeply.