[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot V-Pen Medium Nib Disposable Fountain Pens
Today’s pen review is the Pilot V-Pen disposable fountain pen in a Medium Point nib, which is similar to the Varsity, but different. I’m pretty sure I got these from JetPens, since the Varsities are ones more likely to be found in US stores.
The Pilot V-Pen fountain pen is a great little “starter” fountain pen for those who might want to test the waters on fountain pen – either coming back to or for the first time. These type of disposable fountain pens let you get a feel for how the nibs and inks work without a major investment or fear of losing the pen – and without much risk of mess.
The V-Pen fountain pens come in an array of colors but I stuck with red, blue, and black – the classics. I’m not sure what the differences are between the V-Pen Disposable and the Varsity. The V-Pen disposables run about 5.25″ capped and nearly 6″ with the cap posted. The stainless steel nibs run to the finer side, so they’re a comfortable size for either straight writing or calligraphy, if you’re in to that kind of thing. The ink does flow pretty smoothly through the nib.
These pens have liquid fountain pen ink encased in a plastic barrel with clear sections to see the ink levels. In the truest sense of disposable, they’re not refillable. Being a liquid ink, there is drying time involved to the ink and some smearing, if you’re not careful. The no frills design of the pen is still fairly well balanced and comfortable.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It is what it is – a disposable fountain pen. It’s the “Bic Stick” of fountain pens. But the nib is narrow enough for every day writing, yet wide enough for some “fancy” work, and the ink flows smoothly.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – The grip is plain with no attempts at ergonomics. There’s a ledge between nib and barrel that can dig into your finger in long-term use.
3. Material – 1 – It’s plastic and stainless steel. It’s what it proclaims to be. A disposable fountain pen.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – There could be some nods to comfort, but it’s not bad for what it is. The clip seems a bit weak, but it’s plastic, like the rest of it.
5. Price Point – 1 – The VPen is only available online, and runs a bit more than the Varisty, but at less than $4 a piece, it’s a great way to try out fountain pens before investing in a much more expensive piece.
I give it 4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
