Asvine V126 Vacuum Filling Fountain Pen Medium Nib, Transparent Clear Acrylic, Large-Capacity with Gift Case

So we own various pens that might be considered, depending on your specific criteria, competitors - PenBBS 355, various Opus 88 models like the mini and demonstrator, basic Nahvalurs , Jaipur V2, Kanwrite Heritage, Conklin, etc. And at this point these are my preferred pocket pen. (Note that I don't consider many of the previous pocket pens: pretty much anything that doesn't allow for closure of the ink chamber like Opus 88 models, the 355, and this pen do, doesn't really count as a proper pocket pen in my view, and even then some pens are too big for the pocket.) That said, of the above pens what I find is that the Kanwrite Heritage is an excellent host for desk usage involving nib unit changes or flex nibs, while Asvine 126 pens are great for daily pocket usage.These are good nib hosts. I have a Franklin Christoph SIG Fine nib on the stock Asvine feed + unit. I've not had this particular nib behave well in the Opus or PenBBS despite trying different feeds and units. it's been prone to random blotting and other inkflow issues. For the 355 I also had to sand down the finial thread for fit. On this pen, it just writes, with reasonable and safe ink flow.I do regard the factory "extra fine" as more of a fine-plus than an extra fine, but that's pretty much the case on most stock extra fine nibs in my view - they're often barely different than factory fine, and often mean factory fine is closer to medium. It's fine for writing with so long as you don't prefer writing extremely small. It write perfectly well, and perhaps slightly on the wetter side of things.I have noticed that once in a while the feed will stop for a moment for no clear reason (NOT skipping) - I think this happens when I forget to open the main chamber until after I've written extensively with it closed or have pocketed it cap-up without closing the main chamber. I assume that means both behaviors somehow lead to an occasional air pocket interacting with the feed. That said, it's not a frequent issue *at all* and solves itself in a couple seconds most of the time. A blip because I forgot to open or close the main chamber is much preferable to blotting or variable ink flow, so I don't mind this at all.I hate fountain pens that use ink cartridges - ink cartridges always leak, break, dry out, or otherwise cause problems, so IMO this is far and away preferable to anything that uses cartridges. I also tend to view regular piston fill pens as too prone to leaking for pocket use. Which makes this easily the best pen for regular everyday use under $100 IMO.It does post, though a bit loosely. I find the size to be slightly shorter than I care for unposted, and slightly taller than I care for posted, but that's not bad by any means - it's a more comfortable size than the Opus pens all round, though I think the length of the 355 unposted is slightly preferable compared to the Asvine V126.Have two of these and may get one more just to have another nib available for pocket use. Do wish they cam in more colors, especially more non-gold metal finishes.

As the owner of over 100 fountain pens, I know a bargain when I see one, and the Asvine V126 is truly a bargain. At about thirty bucks, you get an attractive (I chose semi-transparent teal) vacuum-filling pen that writes smoothly and effortlessly. It is not a gusher, but it is not parsimonious with the ink either.My nib is a medium/fine. I can squeeze a little line variation out of it by pressing down on the nib a little harder on the downstrokes, but I do not overdo it. I wouldn't want to damage the nib.I give the Asvine V126 high marks. It is comfortable to hold, even capped, and I find the teal color to be a soothing and relaxing color for me. I recommend the pen for both beginners and seasoned collectors. It's a real winner.

- My pen was shipped in a timely fashion and arrived on time and was packaged well and arrived without damage.- The pen's vac filler works very well and can half+ fill on a single plunge of the piston.- The nib's tines were perfectly aligned and the nib was well centered and seated with the feed.- I filled the pen with Pilot Blue Black, a rather wet and well lubricated ink, and the pen writes a tight, well formed line consistent with European extra fine nibs.- After a few days of use for long form journaling I can report that I have never once experienced a hard start nor any ink starvation at all.- So why then am I not giving this really lovely pen 5 stars? The reason is that the piston cap is very loose and wobbles when the piston in not securely screwed down, such as when you would leave it slightly open to allow a steady flow of ink to the feed, and feels rather flimsy. It makes the pen feel something less than a finely crafted writing instrument. Had this not been the case I would certainly have given this pen a full 5 stars.

This isn’t my first 823 clone. I purchased one about a year or so ago and it was vastly inferior.You can tell as soon as you hold the pen. The resin used in this one feels of higher quality compared to the other clone.It does not feel as nice as the 823, but that is now nearly a $400 dollar pen. That one feels more luxurious, softer in a way that once you handle it in comparison, you’ll know.The filling mechanism works well. On my first vacuum fill I got approximately half a barrel. That’s a good amount.The nib writes smoothly and wet. I was worried about that as an “in house” nib is usually an unknown gamble. Well, the gamble paid off. I have the F nib.Design wise, the threading on the cap is lined up to where the nib will be displayed in the center of the cap. It’ll either fall directly across from the clip or directly under it, depending on where you start twisting it close. That’s great attention to detail, and I can’t confirm if it was luck of the draw or if it was intended. (I have the more expensive Asvine vacuum filler and it is slightly off center.)The weight is is good. It’s well balanced and has enough heft to feel expensive.The grip is a nice size and shape, similar to the Pilot version.Overall, once filled with ink, this pen looks and writes great. My only concerns, and they haven't been realized yet, is how it will hold up over time. Will the resin get scratched up easily? Will it start getting duller or yellowing? Will the vacuum mechanism fail? I don’t know and I can’t hold any of that against it, since it hasn’t happened yet.