Pilot Custom

Yes, metropolitan is not a “super sealer” which you can leave for a period, then pick up and write. It demands to be used regularly. It also doesn’t like to stand nib-up for long periods. Because of it, I generally EDC it with a good, low maintenance inks, and try to use it very regularly. As an EDC pen, the nib balances its quirks. Lamy 2000 and Pilot Custom 823 are two of the most patient pens I have ever used in that regard.

These are all excellent fountain pens! I'll add the Lamy 2000 (Fine nib) to the list, as it's my personal favorite and is what I use all day every day. And I happen to also use a Pilot Custom 823 (Medium nib) for journaling every morning. Nothing beats a nice fountain pen with quality ink and paper. Speaking of inks, I've found Rohrer & Klingner's Schreibtinte Verdigris to be wonderful in the Lamy 2000, and lately I've been using Noodler's Sequoia Green for the Pilot Custom 823.

I’m a fountain pen user (helped me tremendously with RSI), but the Pilot VP is my daily driver for note taking — it’s retractable. Other frequently used pens: Kaweco Sport (Brass) as a pocket pen and a Pilot Custom 823 for letters / sit down writing.

Just wanted to +1 on physical books and writing with fountain pens. My daily routine involves journaling in the morning with a Pilot Custom 823 in a blank Midori notebook, doing all of my work planning + notes with a Lamy 2000 in a Traveler’s Company notebook built-up in a way that works for me, and reading physical books, marking them up with a Kaweco brass mechanical pencil. It’s flexible, keeps me on task, keeps me organized, and I feel like I’m getting better value for my time, if that makes sense. I’ve tried so many different ways of trying to handle these things digitally, but have found that for me it’s best to use pen and paper for these sorts of things in conjunction with digital counterparts mainly for reminders and archives.

The Pilot Custom 823 (amber demonstrator) is my favorite pen. I love the way it writes, the quantity of ink it holds, and that the screw down piston knob also blocks ink flow so it doesn't dry out. I have the Sailor 1911 and Pro Gear also, but prefer the Realo piston fill for the larger ink capacity. I enjoy the Rhodia paper also.

As a fountain pen enthusiast who uses fountain pens exclusively, this list surprises me. What does this author want to cover? Good looking expensive stuff? Just buy a Pilot Metropolitan or a Lamy Safari. Or even a Platinum Preppy. These pens are extremely cheap. And beyond these pens, if you notice any improvement in smoothness and comfort of writing, I would throw that in the margin of error. People have their reasons to buy more expensive pens. But if smoothness, comfort are your goal, then you can buy what I said. Metal-body Lamys and Pilots are also generational wealth. You can hand over one to your daughter after you write 40 years with it. My favorite fountain pen so far is: Pilot Custom 823. That's a bit expensive. But I used Metropolitan, Preppy, and Safari for close to a decade. And I had only these pens. Nothing else.

Vacuum based filling systems are called “vacuum fillers”, like Pilot Custom 823. A piston pen is exactly same as a converter one. For example Pelikan M605, Twsbi Eco, Lamy 2000, etc. Vacuum pens are nice, but need more care during filling and need deeper bottles since the process is somewhat more violent.