Review: Pilot Acroball 3 Color Multi Pen

The first time I used the Pilot Acroball, I loved it.  From the smooth, clean lines to maybe the best grip in the business, my love for the Acroball hasn't waned at all since that time.  In fact, I keep one within reach at all times, and find myself going to it more frequently than my Jetstreams.  So when JetPens started carrying the Acroball 3 Color multi pen, it was a no-brainer order for me.

The multi pen version is just as great as the single barrel originals.  The ink cartridges write just as well, and the grip is identical.  But you know what?  I can't get into ballpoint style multi pens as much as their gel ink counterparts.  The is really nothing wrong with this pen at all, but I prefer the single barrel Acroball (and Jetstream for that matter) much more than the multi pen.  This isn't the case at all with my gel ink multi pens.  I like them as much, if not more, than the single cartridge versions.  Why is that?

I don't have a great answer, but for me, I think it boils down to my writing form.  Ballpoints lend themselves to a looser, more flowing writing style, and the wide barrel doesn't allow me to write as cleanly.  But I don't seem to have this issue with wide barrel gel ink pens.  I don't know if I am making any sense at all (I am writing this while watching Tosh.0 so my brain has shut down), but I have noticed this for a while.  My ballpoint multi pens just don't get a lot of use despite being nice pens.

Click here for the XL review.

Review: Platinum Carbon Desk Fountain Pen - Super Fine

The Platinum Carbon Desk Fountain Pen in it's brand new packaging glory.

After becoming obsessed with Esterbrooks, I've felt a need to acquire an Esterbrook desk pen set. I really wanted to try out desk pens and see if I could really use it daily. While this never happened, I got a Platinum Carbon Desk Fountain Pen instead. This pen is particular in that it comes with a cartridge of carbon ink, which is waterproof.

The pretty gold-plated stainless steel nib of the fountain pen. It has the signature Platinum "P" logo.

The Platinum Carbon Desk Fountain Pen writes as smoothly as a fountain pen should and solidly. It has a 14K platinum nib and takes ink with cartridges. After the ink empties, I'm pretty sure you can just take a syringe and fill it up perhaps. What's interesting about the cartridge though is that it is stopped by a metal bead which plugs the whole of where the ink comes out. Just stick the cartridge in the pen, push with some force, and then the bead is dislodged and the ink is flowing. The pen feels very nice in my hand and looks very elegant with its elongated body. The cap feels a bit cheaper, but this doesn't mean that it not good quality. I guess it is because it comes with a stand to put the desk pen in, but I did not buy it and felt that the cap was sufficient for me.

The fountain pen tested on Clairefontaine 90g paper.

I found that I really loved the carbon ink! It's waterproof and it dries reasonably fast compared to the majority of fountain ink pens. However, this carbon ink is lighter in pigment and is more so a dark grey than black. And also, because it is carbon ink, it is not suitable for all types of fountain pens and may clog up some of the finer more delicate ones (or so I have heard). 

However, I found that I cannot ever posses a desk pen. In the beginning, I was able to use it daily and it was nice. Yet, as time went by and I became swamped with school things, I used it less and less.. and it made a big mess as the ink pooled to the bottom since I heard that a desk pen has to be stored pointed down.

Another view of the Carbon Ink Pen and the cartridge it comes with.

In conclusion, I found that this pen is not for me. At all. I've realized that I really do need portability for me to actually use pens (daily), especially since I am not always at my desk. But, the carbon ink is really interesting and some people may be able to find good uses for it, particularly artsy folk who like to deal with watercolors and other watery things. I'm highly considering buying a bottle of Platinum carbon ink and loading it up a fountain pen, if I find the correct fountain pen to use it with.

The Platinum Carbon Desk Fountain Pen can be found for a mere 12$ at Jetpens.com! A fairly great price. (But it appears to be sold out currently). The accompanying stand can be found for 18$, and a bottle of carbon ink can be found for $22.50 - both at Jetpens.com.

Ink Links

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