Asvine V126 Vacuum Filling Fountain Pen, Matte Black Acrylic Extra Fine Nib, Large-Capacity Pen 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.

The quality of materials and craftsmanship were greater than expected and the nib was smooth and surprisingly soft. The pen writes, looks, and functions better than pens 10 times the price. Obviously the nib is gold plated so it won't last like the $300 pen it's a clone of, but value for the money it's totally worth it. I bought a second one (the Grey one) because it writes so well. Having said that, it is a Vacuum Filler and in general Vacuum Fillers have some quirks that make them not flow well if you don't unscrew the back so ink can move into the section for longer writing sessions. But they are safer to travel with as the ink reservoir is sealed when the back screw the back closed so it is less likely to leak on planes and going up in elevation while driving. For context, I refurbish vintage flex fountain pens as a hobby and my collection includes Pelican, Mont Blanc, Pilot, Monte Verde, Conklin, Maybe Todd, Parker, Waterman, Lamy, as well as Pen BBS, Wing Sun, etc. So, I am not new to the fountain pen world.

- 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.

The Asvine V126 is a well-built piston-filling fountain pen that offers a smooth and consistent writing experience. Its transparent body looks elegant and makes checking ink levels easy, while the large ink capacity is perfect for daily use. The nib glides nicely across paper, though the grip can feel a little slippery during long sessions. Overall, it’s a sturdy, reliable pen that offers great value for both beginners and experienced fountain pen users.

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.

I’m an artist and I bought the extra fine. I have this same pen in all other colors and three other nibs. I use platinum carbon black ink. Artists, some of us like to have the reverse of the nib work for us. It does indeed work on that side for me as well. The filling mechanism works perfectly. I don’t like to say it but I have two hundred other pens and none have been used as much as this one has. I keep all models of this pen inked full time and no issues except for one minor thing that is to be expected due to my sort of use. I have a cheap pen case and throw all of them in the case and then into a back pack and we go for rides and walks — it tends to burp into the cap slightly bit they have never made a mess. This is to be expected from almost any fountain pen type so it’s really just part of it. The picture I included is an unfinished sketch using the pen ENTIRELY!! The price is unreal. You’d see people pay ( and I have ) anywhere from $75 or more for this quality. I have dropped it off my lap a few times and no breaks. Well worth the money to have a sexy pen like this that can do so much and survive.

Edit: Oof - one of the caps shattered. I don't even know how... never taken apart the finale on the cap. Only had it for a few months and i have never dropped it. Disappointing. I have one in every single color. They are extremely well made, easy to modify because both the bluedew and flexible nib factory zebra g nib units work in them. Easy to clean because they can be disassembled without any fuss. Huge capacity. The weight and balance is perfect. I'm not a big fan of the original nib. It's smooth and all of them work well enough, but they are also hard as a nail. The hardness just fatigues my hand very quickly. The asvine stock nibs can also be rather inconsistent - some write nice and fine, others are too wet. My fav nib is the zebra G nib so I was super happy to find out that the moonman #6 housing from the flexible nib factory is a perfect fit. The nibs from bluedew also work, but is a tighter fit and because there is no o ring at the bottom, ink will leak into the section. I don't really mind it. I use flex nibs as my daily writer (and I do a lot of long hand writing) and this set up is just perfect for me. The modifications cost me an extra 20 - 40 bucks per pen but still way cheaper and better flex than the other vintage and modern flex options out there. FPR has great flex but it writes too wet for me and I don't get nice hairlines. Vintage pens are too expensive or a bit of a crapshoot. Haven't tried the pilot falcon, but honestly don't feel the need to after I found this set up. Writing with flex nibs is also very ink intensive, so the huge capacity here is amazing. I hardly ever use the vacuum filling mechanism to be honest, because I don't find it very effective and I prefer to just syringe fill it since the section can be easily unscrewed. Much cleaner and easier process. Just wanted to share in case it helps someone else looking for a flexible nib set up and is frustrated with the options out there.

Nice pen. It writes smooth. Its is an antique looking color. Holds quite a bit of ink. Easy to see the quantity of ink left. The pen delivers a tight ink outline not too wet. The filling is kind of aggravating until you get the hang of it.