Versatile rOtring Fountain Pen: Ideal for Lettering, Drawing, and Writing Review

NOT an artist's pencil. I don't know why they call it an art pen. It has absolutely NO flexibility, and the polished bead at the end of the pen makes it impossible to change line, so it's useless for drawing and fine art. I'm really surprised that rotring made such a mistake. This is a very good company, they make good products and have been around for a very long time.

Good for sketching but not for finishing. The included ink isn't waterproof and isn't as black as Indian ink, and online instructions (none of which come with the pen) warn against using permanent ink with this pen. In addition, the nib is very stiff and therefore not as expressive as, for example, a #102 hunting nib (goose quill).

Since the cap is attached, the pen is flooded by the suction when you pull it off. This creates excess ink on the page and is quite wasteful. A well-designed pen will have a threaded cap that unscrews. The broad tip (1.1mm) needs to be modified for calligraphy as it is quite blunt. The pointed tip does not bend, so it is unsuitable for purposes other than drawing.

I used to like these pens. However, last October I ordered two additional pens and had problems with both. Unfortunately it was too late to ask for a refund. Ink leaks from a pen and when I use it, the ink covers all my fingers. I've used the same ink cartridges I've always used in the past with no problems and I've swapped ink cartridges to make sure I don't have a defective ink cartridge. No, that's a pen! Ink did not come out of the second pen, but the cap did not stick. It kept falling off…

So I have a couple of these pens and wanted to add two more. I saw the same pens on eBay but found it would be quicker to get them through Revain, which also has them listed. I've been a draftsman for 37 years. I can say that they are of poor quality. The cap does not hold the handle when open - does not fit - a defect. There is ABSOLUTELY no difference between fine lines and extra fine lines. ZERO. The original pens came in a metal case. The seller on eBay and Revain spells Rotring like this…