Asvine P20 Piston Fountain Pen Amber Resin, Iridium Extra Fine Nib Gold Trim Smooth Writer Collection with Case Set

ZakeanUnited States

It's a fountain pen.

First, here is the ink I used with this pen: Sailor Manyo Nekoyanagi This was only my second time using that ink, and now I wish I'd bought a sample vial before a full bottle. It feels like it writes pretty dry in the two pens I've tried it in (Jinhao x750 and this one) but maybe I just haven't found the right pen for that ink. I like how it looks when dry, but I'm not a fan of how it writes. The brief sidetrack on the ink is important because what ink you put in a pen really makes a difference. I had some issues with this pen at first, but I realized my issues are with the ink because it's the same exact issue I had with my Jinhao x750 with this ink. I don’t have time to re-ink it with something else right now, but I might update the review when I do. The pen as a whole is good. The resin is beautiful, but the gold accent design at the end of the cap makes it look kinda cheap because it's obviously cheap plastic. The cap does post securely in my experience, and it doesn't feel too top heavy. I just personally don't like posting my caps. I also wouldn't recommend turning the cap while it's posted because you might spin the filling mechanism underneath it. The nib isn't buttery smooth, but it's not bad either. Comparing it with one of my favorite pens, the TWSBI Eco, (because they're in the same price range and have similar filling mechanisms and steel nibs) they have a similar level of feedback when writing. I prefer the Eco, but that’s largely because I've been able to keep a notoriously misbehaving ink (Organic Studios Nitrogen) in it for months, and not only does it not evaporate much, but it will also still write after sitting with that ink in the feed/nib. To be fair, *most* pens -- especially in this price range -- don't have that good of a seal, so it's not really fair to expect that. Also to be fair, I haven't had this pen long enough to test that seal yet, and this pen definitely looks nicer than the TWSBI Eco. I think this pen is probably pretty middleground as far as writing dry or wet. It's definitely not a gusher, but I think if I had a less dry ink in it, it would write a bit wetter. In my experience with it, it has written a little dry, but I really think that's the fault of the ink I paired with it. I think most basic fountain pen inks would work fine with it. This ink is just weird. I probably wouldn't recommend a shimmering ink with this pen because those inks tend to cause more flow issues, and I don’t think this pen would handle that very well. Overall, if you want a pen that looks fancy and writes decently, I would recommend this one. I still prefer my TWSBI Eco, but that's probably mostly because I've had more time with it. Pens in the pic from top to bottom (for size comparisons with common fountain pens): 1. TWSBI Eco 2. The pen being reviewed 3. Jinhao X750 4. Kaweco Sport -- though I probably should have uncapped them and posted the Sport for the pic because it's designed to be longer when posted yet still fit in your pocket when capped. Note: the ink smudge on the paper was my fault, not the pen's. I was messing around and accidentally smacked the feed against the paper, so a few drops of ink made a mess. That wouldn't happen under normal use. Really, as long as you aren't swinging it around and don't drop it, it should behave just fine.

QuasistellarUnited States

Excellent all around, and as good or better than pens twice its price

This pen is so good, I just had to write a review. I've purchased several (relatively) inexpensive fountain pens in the past (Hong Dian, PenBBS, Jinhao), so I'll review this with that price level in mind. (I advise anyone who buys fountain pens to flush their pen first with water and a tiny drop of dish soap, as this can avoid many problems associated with first time use.) Quite simply, this pen is as good or better than pens that cost twice as much. -The Extra Fine steel nib is extremely smooth and writes perfectly right out of the box. Required zero tuning, tweaking, or smoothing. Not scratchy at all and puts out a good amount of ink to enable a little shading on the right kind of papers. Not as fine as Pilot EF nibs, but "fine", "extra fine", "medium", etc are all relative, so keep that in mind. There is no standard. -The piston mechanism works perfectly, and is something you don't usually find in a pen at this price point outside of TWSBY pens, and this has much higher quality acrylic than TWSBY. -The clip, while some might find unappealing aesthetically, is extremely functional. The little roller can easliy clip over larger loops and surfaces with without snagging, and securely holds in place with good tension. -The section has a somewhat unique shape in that it tapers and then straightens out toward the end, and has no "stop" for your fingers. I find this comfortable, but others may not, so be aware. Zoom in on the pictures of the listing and you'll see. -It appears to be turned acrylic, so you won't find ugly and scratchy injection molding lines. This is something (turned acrylic) that is typically found in pens that cost $50+ to start. -The acrylic is really attractive. It has a translucency and sparkle that's really nice in the light. -The ink window is highly functional. Crystal clear and you can see what color you have inked up and if you're running low. I really cannot recommend this pen enough. If you're thinking of buying something "fancy" like a Leonardo or Narwhal or something, give this a try, as it's nearly the same quality at a fraction of the price. You'll be able to use it at work without feeling guilty or worring about it getting lost or stolen. I would also recommend PenBBS pens, as they have a similar level of quality and price point, and have a huge selection of styles and filling mechanisms.

MoisesUnited States

Delta Duna Hommage?

If you like this style of Acrylic fountain pens I don't think you will be dissapointed with this one. It has a large diameter that is comfotrable in hand and has a excellent ink capacity. The weight in hand is even better when the barrel is full of ink. It is a piston filler so no need for cartridges or converters and there is a conveinent inspection window to let you know when you need to refill the ink. It borrows its looks from the Delta Duna so if that bothers you, then you may not appreciate this pen but its price is barely 10% of the Duna. I got an extra fine nib that writes fairly smooth. it is not amazing but for the price of this pen it is certainly better than you would expect. This is a great everyday pen if you want something that works great and looks a little fancy at a fair price. It might make a good gift for someone that wants to learn to use a fountain pen but doesn't want a cheap looking $10 pen or does not want to fuss with cartridges and converters. Pairing this pen with a nice bottle of ink would make a great gift, however the box for this pen is a cheap plastic transparent plastic box so if gifting, the box is underwhelming compared to the pen itself.

P SUnited States

It's absolutely gorgeous.

This pen is way nicer than its price point suggests. Asvine is building a reputation for excellent quality and it's well deserved. They make beautiful, very well-made pens with perfect ink flow and smooth nibs. I'm glad I came across this brand - I've had nothing but good experiences. The extra fine nib is a true extra fine and perfectly smooth, straight out of the box without having to tune the nib (that's a first for me, at this price point). This orange resin is beautiful to look at and comfortable to hold - it has a nice substantial feel to it. You could easily mistake this for a much more expensive pen. It would make a wonderful gift.