tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post2802370885779716109..comments2024-01-19T03:42:09.902-08:00Comments on A love for fountain pens, inks, and handwriting - Peninkcillin: Pilot Varsity fountain pen reviewPeninkcillinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848625062603548050noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-11882612746561656292015-05-01T20:38:22.585-07:002015-05-01T20:38:22.585-07:00You're not the only one! I noticed this a long...You're not the only one! I noticed this a long time ago, the first time I laid hands on a Varsity. There's indeed a ridge inside the cap which can cause the nib to hang if you're not being careful. I've never managed to bend it though, despite using many different Varsities.<br /><br /><br />I'm guessing it won't be too hard to straighten it back though. Or just get another Varsity :) they're cheap enough.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-17255205825877413422014-01-29T20:12:38.534-08:002014-01-29T20:12:38.534-08:00It's a mistake, should have been "nib&quo...It's a mistake, should have been "nib". Sorry about that. I guess that's what happens when you write repetitive sentences :)Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-28239051679312018262014-01-27T18:42:09.693-08:002014-01-27T18:42:09.693-08:00Interesting. I would probably be more worried abou...Interesting. I would probably be more worried about the pressure differential but I've never thought about temperature before. I would think temperature won't be such a big deal since the ink itself doesn't expand much. The air inside will, though. But the fuller the pen, the less the expansion. So, I don't know. Maybe someone better at physics can shed light on this.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-85930477843338048762014-01-27T14:59:22.829-08:002014-01-27T14:59:22.829-08:00Have written with fountain pens my whole life and ...Have written with fountain pens my whole life and just ordered some Varsity pens from an eBay dealer. Checked the tracking and saw the pens were in Syracuse NY where it is WAY below freezing, about to be placed on a cargo plane and wind up here, in the Florida Keys where a delivery truck can be WAY hot. I believe we've found the reason for the not quite full ink reservoir. I certainly wouldn't fill any of my pens for such a trek. Clever guys, those Pilot packers.seabeansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-28717331448991638262013-11-07T17:49:01.932-08:002013-11-07T17:49:01.932-08:00Thanks for that, it's very informative. I woul...Thanks for that, it's very informative. I would try to get my hands on one if I didn't have enough Varsities to last me a lifetime.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-90866169521654265602013-11-07T17:13:50.389-08:002013-11-07T17:13:50.389-08:00Please share at which store you were able to acqui...Please share at which store you were able to acquire a fine nib for the Pilot Varsity fountain pen. Thank you.LongtimeFountainPenUsernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-48659923372295759172013-11-07T17:11:09.457-08:002013-11-07T17:11:09.457-08:00I use a Pilot Vpen purchased several years ago fro...I use a Pilot Vpen purchased several years ago from Kinokuniya, which I refill with bottled ink. I can assure you that it is *not* the same as the Varsity. The Vpen has an extra-fine nib, while the Varsity pens sold in the USA are fine/medium. Kinokuniya is no longer allowed by Pilot to carry the Vpen in North America. I have tried Varsity pens and been very disappointed with them. Try writing kanji and you will see what I mean -- the Vpen writes very beautiful detailed kanji while the Varsity blurs the details because the ink flow is too 'fat'. The nib on the Vpen is very competitive with higher-priced non-disposable fountain pens; I prefer it to several Parkers and Sheaffers in my collection.LongtimeFountainPenUsernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-19738848427428977412013-04-06T13:40:41.969-07:002013-04-06T13:40:41.969-07:00Yeah, that's the beauty of this pen. It's ...Yeah, that's the beauty of this pen. It's so cheap that you can risk your own mods without fear of ruining an expensive pen.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-64997681749526760112013-04-05T21:51:11.562-07:002013-04-05T21:51:11.562-07:00I am a fan of the Varsity, but would love a finer ...I am a fan of the Varsity, but would love a finer line. I used a Dremel and a nail buffer and teh result is incredible! I have now a Varsity XXF. During that process I found a store that actually sells the fine nib, so I bought a bunch. Even at 4ish dollars it is a great buy.garathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-73237006881115367592013-01-05T19:37:16.692-08:002013-01-05T19:37:16.692-08:00I refill my Varsity pens with a couple of simple t...I refill my Varsity pens with a couple of simple tools: needle-nose pliers, a wide rubber band (like banks use to wrap bundles of bills), and an eyedropper (or even an ear wax "bulb" syringe that places like Walgreens sells for flushing out infant's ears). <br /><br />Here's what you do:<br /><br />With the needle-nose pliers, grip the sides of the feed where the metal nib slides on top. Place the wide rubber-band between the pliers and the feed so you won't leave marks on the plastic of the feed.<br /><br />Gently apply increasing pressure. The metal nib will slide off of the feed first. Place this aside. Under increasing pressure exerted by the pliers, the plastic feed will pop free of the pen barrel. <br /><br />Now you can refill the barrel of the pen with any ink color you desire, using an eyedropper or bulb syringe.<br /><br />If changing inks, it's a good idea to put the nib, the feed, and the barrel under a cold, clear faucet rinse, then let them air dry for a day or so before refilling with ink.<br /><br />Now that you've refilled the Varsity's pen barrel, replace the plastic feed into the barrel. It will snap into place with some pressure. Exert pressure on the plastic base of the feed with the tip of the needle-nose pliers, pushing downwards until you hear and feel the feed snap into place.<br /><br />Now, with your fingers, gently but firmly slide the metal nib back on to the feed. <br /><br />Voila! Your Pilot Varsity is now refilled and ready to go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-20167004709633479152012-11-25T16:15:31.745-08:002012-11-25T16:15:31.745-08:00But how do you pull it out? From the tip or the re...But how do you pull it out? From the tip or the rear? And what do you use? Fingers/nails or pliers?Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-83619022146069548432012-10-08T23:25:15.726-07:002012-10-08T23:25:15.726-07:00The wick can be PULLED out for a more thorough cle...The wick can be PULLED out for a more thorough cleaning. When pushing the wick back into the feed, push the sharp point in from the back of the feed gently so as not to cause it to bend.weemengnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-72788633653354254692012-08-30T17:29:32.267-07:002012-08-30T17:29:32.267-07:00I got so much more than that $3 from this pen (by ...I got so much more than that $3 from this pen (by refilling it countless times), it's not even funny.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-5625822868206335082012-08-30T03:05:55.549-07:002012-08-30T03:05:55.549-07:00this pen was the one that made me felling in love ...this pen was the one that made me felling in love with fountain pen. I use it for quick sketching, writing, and more. It's a workshorse! And I can only agree with you that probably is the best $3 fountain pen around. It works, always. Period.stefanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-25923957558127208172012-01-18T18:31:35.901-08:002012-01-18T18:31:35.901-08:00I have a post about this: How to refill your Pilot...I have a post about this: <a href="http://peninkcillin.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-refill-your-pilot-varsity.html" rel="nofollow">How to refill your Pilot Varsity</a>. Maybe you missed it. I don't rock/twist it. Just pull it out. Make sure to use some padding between the pliers and the nib/feed.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-51377859117762103772012-01-18T11:52:22.622-08:002012-01-18T11:52:22.622-08:00still waiting for the detailed story on how to gri...still waiting for the detailed story on how to grip the nib while yanking it out to refuel.<br />did i miss it?<br />just pad up a pair of pliers and grab it by the sides, you say?<br />any rocking or twisting recommended?<br />i also love the things and want to extend their lives<br />many thanksMBoogaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-6054791429963265082011-09-20T19:12:53.368-07:002011-09-20T19:12:53.368-07:00Try filling it with Noodler's North African Vi...Try filling it with <a href="http://peninkcillin.blogspot.com/2011/05/noodlers-north-african-violet-v-mail.html" rel="nofollow">Noodler's North African Violet</a>. You'll love it even more!Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-55610201387607548592011-08-31T20:30:54.378-07:002011-08-31T20:30:54.378-07:00I totally agree how great this pen is for the mone...I totally agree how great this pen is for the money, but unlike you I LOVE this purple. I am forever trying to find the perfect purple and I think this is it! I'm super-fickle about having a smooth-writing pen and even more so for a fountain pen, and this one fits the bill!Gottabooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-22390264984545954092011-08-07T09:27:32.125-07:002011-08-07T09:27:32.125-07:00These should be great for you. Lots of ways in whi...These should be great for you. Lots of ways in which to grind those nibs - on the cheap.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-50780764664138812602011-08-05T15:57:56.051-07:002011-08-05T15:57:56.051-07:00Thanks for this awesome review. I need to get myse...Thanks for this awesome review. I need to get myself some of these... I always love cheap pens for grinding up and playing with. M nibs would make nice CI's and stubs... :)<br /><br />I'm going to go check amazon right now. Thanks for the heads up on that.777 Pen Repairhttp://777penrepair.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-19710242061329874802011-07-12T17:50:46.267-07:002011-07-12T17:50:46.267-07:00No idea but I wasn't very impressed by the gre...No idea but I wasn't very impressed by the green color so you're not missing much, but then again, personal tastes are not to be discussed.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-91930205584960891502011-07-11T05:14:26.589-07:002011-07-11T05:14:26.589-07:00Does anyone know why the green Varsity is so hard ...Does anyone know why the green Varsity is so hard to locate? I have only seen them as part of the multicolor set, not as a single. What gives? mhjaninenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-43188246178318481672011-07-11T02:33:42.210-07:002011-07-11T02:33:42.210-07:00I meant these three pens:
Sailor InkPen.
Platinum...I meant these three pens:<br /><br />Sailor InkPen.<br />Platinum Riviere.<br />And several pens, short and long, available at Daiso 100 yen shops (they use Sailor cartridges) and in other 100 yen shops (these use international converters). <br /><br />All those cost JPY 100, plus 5% tax.<br /><br />I reported on them on my blog: http://estilofilos.blogspot.com/2010/07/low-cost.html<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />BTBruno Tautnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-66277329230786707702011-07-10T14:23:18.278-07:002011-07-10T14:23:18.278-07:00Hey, my pleasure! It's really worth trying thi...Hey, my pleasure! It's really worth trying this pen because if you don't like it, you've only wasted $3. Besides, you might not like it with the original ink but you might love it after you fill it with your favorite ink.Peninkcillinhttp://peninkcillin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345867425183730081.post-87129679530387357922011-07-10T13:21:58.755-07:002011-07-10T13:21:58.755-07:00Thank you so much for this post! I'm new to f...Thank you so much for this post! I'm new to fountain pens and had decided this pen wasn't worth the price because it didn't seem like a "real" fountain pen. Now, I want to try it! I look forward to your next post about them. Thanks for showing the ink colors written out too. <br /><br />SharonSharonhttp://happeningsonchaosranch.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com