(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
A few months ago, I wrote about my introduction to the brush pen genre with the Pilot Petit3. Shortly after that, JetPens began offering a sampler pack of 5 popular brush pens under the $30 mark. I ordered one right after seeing it, and I've been trying them out since. The main thing I've learned? Not all brush pens are created equal. Each one has a purpose, and as long as you understand that, you'll get along just fine.
The criteria
Recently, JetPens released a fantastic video that explains the different qualities of brush pens and how that affects the writing, drawing, lettering, etc. experience. I'm using the same qualities in my review, so let's have a quick look at what they are:
- Tip type: This describes what the tip is made out of. This could be natural hair bristles, synthetic bristles, or felt. Depending on the type of material used in the tip, the rest of the characteristics of the pen will vary greatly.
- Firmness: This can range from soft, medium, and firm. Soft tips will create wider line variation, but require more control and finesse. Firm tips are easier to use, but do not have great line variation.
- Fineness: This can range from fine, medium, and broad. This refers to the line width the pen produces, similar to your fountain pen nib sizes. Brush pens with a soft firmness can hit all three line widths.
- Elasticity: You guessed it, this refers to how well the brush tip can hold its original shape after being expanded with additional pressure. Basically, bristle tip pens will maintain the wide shape once you let off, and you'll have to fiddle with it a bit to make it fine again, whereas a felt tip pen will immediately return to its original width when the stroke is complete.
- Ink flow: Again, if you're familiar with fountain pens, this one will make sense. This refers to how much ink comes out when making marks, similar to how we refer to a nib as "wet" or "dry."
- Saturation: Another common term with fountain pens. This refers to the coloration of the ink. In the case of a black ink, a saturated ink will create a deep, dark black on the page, whereas a not-so-saturated ink will make a gray or brown shaded black mark.
Now, with that out of the way, let's take a look at these 5 pens.
Kuretake Disposable Pocket Brush Pen, Fine
The Kuretake brush pen is a fine felt tip pen that is really easy to use. It's disposable, which means that once the ink dries up, you throw it away. The barrel is a sparkly dark blue color with gold text. The cap sits firmly on the pen when closed.
- Tip type: Felt.
- Firmness: I think this pen errs on the side of firm, but you can get some decent variation if you press hard enough.
- Fineness: Fine
- Elasticity: The tip returns to its original shape immediately.
- Ink flow: Very good ink flow, as it requires the slightest pressure to put ink on the page.
- Saturation: Very dark saturation.
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen, Soft
Of the felt tip brush pens in this pack, the Tombow is my favorite. I love how it writes, even if it isn't so pretty on the outside. This pen also comes with a handy little lettering guide, but I honestly haven't found much use for it. The body is a dark gray color with white text and lots of little graphics.
- Tip type: Felt.
- Firmness: I'd call this a medium because you can get a bit of line variation fairly easily.
- Fineness: Fine to medium.
- Elasticity: The tip returns to its original shape almost immediately.
- Ink flow: Very good ink flow — requires almost no pressure to make a mark.
- Saturation: Very dark saturation.
Zebra Disposable Brush Pen, Super Fine
The Zebra, even though its called "super fine," is very similar to the Tombow. You can get a decent amount of line variation, but it doesn't write as well as the Tombow. It's an excellent pen, but just a couple marks behind the Tombow. The body looks very similar to the Kuretake — dark sparkly blue with gold text, so it's very easy to confuse them.
- Tip type: Felt tip.
- Firmness: Firm to medium, but not as soft as the Tombow.
- Fineness: Fine with the ability to reach medium.
- Elasticity: Returns to original shape very quickly.
- Ink flow: Very good ink flow, but a tad drier than the previous two.
- Saturation: Very dark saturation.
Pilot Pocket Brush Pen, Soft
Ah, the Pilot brush pen. Of the broad, "lots of variation" group, this is my favorite. The pen is black with gold Japanese lettering on the body and red lettering on the cap. There isn't a word of English on this pen, so I only know it's the Pilot from a process of elimination.
- Tip type: Felt.
- Firmness: Very soft.
- Fineness: Capable of making fine to broad lines easily.
- Elasticity: Returns to original shape fairly easily, but might need some help after making broad lines.
- Ink flow: Exceptional ink flow for such a wide tip.
- Saturation: Very dark saturation.
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen for Calligraphy
Of the bunch, this is the only bristle tip pen, and it's a hoot to use. This one takes the most practice and patience when using, and it's absolutely not suited for writing. The pen body is black some minimal silver text on the cap. Also, of the bunch, this pen uses an ink cartridge, so you can refill it after its empty.
- Tip type: Synthetic bristles.
- Firmness: Soft — very soft.
- Fineness: Medium to broad. You can get an insane level of variation from this one.
- Elasticity: Needs help returning to a medium point. It likes to stay pretty broad when making lines.
- Ink flow: The ink flow is "good enough" for most things, but it's not nearly as good as the other 4.
- Saturation: The saturation also leaves something to be desired, as the lines can look a bit brown on the page.
Conclusion
All in all, this sampler pack is a great way to break into the brush pen genre. For me, I still feel like I have no idea how to use these properly, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the heck out of them. I don't consider myself an artist, but these pens make me want to draw, and for that I'll eternally love them.
If you're curious about brush pens, I highly suggest you start here.
