PILOTParallel Calligraphy Pen Set, 1.5mm Nib with Black and Red Ink Cartridges (90050)

Ballpoint pens require that you press down for smooth inkflow. I decided to switch to this type of fountain pen/calligraphy pen to see if they would be less painful to use. It's taking some time to learn NOT to press down (and waste ink), but that said, I can write faster and more smoothly, and with less cramping over time. Plus I can do calligraphy for emphasis. I have now changed out cartridges three or four times, and it is very easy to do. It is such a good pen, I bought a second one of a different size. My only complaint is that I have no need for red ink, and I wish the pens had come with two cartridges of black ink.

I am somewhat heavy handed with my calligraphy pens. I have had traditional felt pen tips split while using them before. Even traditional metal nib pens of old have become warped when I try to make flourishes. This one is sturdy and doesn't open or warp as you press down. Now my problem is learning with this pen to lighten my hand...too much pressure with this pen just slices the paper. So, good for beginners who need to learn and for correcting heavy handed writing.

The media could not be loaded.  For my Yamaton calligrapher automaton I need very reliable pens, that can deliver uniform ink for many, many strokes. Pilot Parallels are it. I am surprised that there have not been dozens of imitators, there is no mention of patents that I could find, so they are not very cheap, though mechanically very simple. So I'll have to keep paying a bit more, knowing well that I am buying good quality and reliability. I've had to mix my own ink, as the original one tends to soak my paper, but that is a problem that most users might not have.

I recently moved, so I got this pen to improve my handwriting for sending letters to my friends. Writing is a dying art, and with this pen I am definitely becoming more confident in my skills. The particular pen I got is the smallest of the nibs, but I can't imagine writing letters on paper with anything larger. If you plan on drawing something or making a large banner, go with larger nibs. If you want something practical for everyday use, go with the 1.5mm nib.The pen comes with a cleaner (the rectangular thing) two plastic cartridges, and one converter/washer. It also comes with a small instruction sheet on ways to practice using the pen; from letters to weaving and box-like designs.The cleaner is used by sliding it between the parallel nibs to clean out any debris. I haven't had to use this in my month or two with this product, so I cannot speak much on it.The cartridges require puncturing a seal to use them and therefore SHOULD NOT be removed once put in the pen until fully used, lest you have ink everywhere. The pen comes with black and red ink, so decide carefully on which one you want to use for a while.The ink it comes with is the main thing I dislike about this pen. Keeping in mind it depends on both the ink and the nib, this seeps through all average paper. The only paper it hasn't seeped through for me is construction-like. I had planned on using this pen in meetings (the best way to improve your handwriting is to practice often!) but it seeps through all of my notebook paper. I am STILL finishing out my black ink cartridge, and almost finished, so I will try using a different ink (even though the product instructions say not to.) On the plus side, I've had the pen for over a month, I write with the pen frequently and it still has ink. I am hoping to finish the cartridge on Monday to try out a different ink.The converter/washer is the item under the ink cartridges in the picture. The manual describes it as being a tool for simply washing out the ink on the nib so you can try a different color... but for fountain pens this would also be a method for sucking up ink into the pen. I have alternative ink I'd like to try as the cartridges are truly too cumbersome.tl;drAll in all this pen has helped me write beautifully, on thick paper. It seeps through all average paper.. perhaps due to the ink? It may just be the nib. Artists would most likely get the best benefit, but most likely from a larger nib than the 1.5mm.Also, if you're using this to practice handwriting like me, start off with a fountain pen and you'll be using this pen with ease.

I am relatively new to calligraphy; I did some in art school, but the majority of my work has been in digital media over the last 15 years. Recently I have become very nostalgic for hand lettering, and after reading several reviews and watching youtube clips I decided I would give the Pilot Parallel a try. I decided to go with the 1.5mm size as it seemed less intimidating to me as a newbie to calligraphy.Loading the ink was a breeze, and though I haven't had to reload it yet, I don't foresee an issue. The action on the pen is amazing, the ink flows smoothly and consistently, with solid, beautiful lines. I do recommend that you make sure to get good quality paper, my initial tests were on low quality printer paper, which lead to some bleeding.I do wish that I had gone with one of the larger pens in retrospect though; as much as I love this one, it strikes me as being better for decorative scroll work than actual lettering. That being said, I would highly recommend this pen, and I plan to buy the other 3 sizes very soon!

The Pilot Parallel Pen is well made and extremely versatile. I bought it for doing calligraphy but have also found that the thin side of the nib is great for drawing too. Luckily refills are cheap because I've been using this pen nonstop ever since I bought it. My one complaint is that the ink can be a bit slow to dry, which can lead to smudges if I'm not patient or careful. But once it does dry I am even able to erase pencil lines from under it without creating smudges, which I haven't been able to do with some other calligraphy pens. This pen travels everywhere with me :)

It’s true that my eyesight isn’t what it once was, but I couldn’t see the very long instructions in tiny print— which meant that of course, I went ahead and tried to attach the ink cartridge in just the wrong way. I’m now sitting here with ink coming out in the wrong places, all over my hands, and nothing coming out of the nib. Grrrr. Please take pity on old eyes and write your instructions in such a way that they can be seen!!! Also, what is this about the converter being used to clean it? Isn’t that usually for other inks? I need to go find a magnifying glass!!UPDATE: I had to throw out the first cartridge, but I finally installed it correctly the second time, and I really like the line.

Received the package a day later after following up with the delivery boy. Product is very good. Thank you.

Love these pens. I have been using them for years. Have all sizes. Smooth write, great cartridge colours available. I use them a lot, so my first one broke after 11years! They are great quality, nibs strong. I have 8 of them! Enjoy them!

Zum Schreiben und Zeichnen ist der Pilot PEN sehr gut geeignet, man sollte allerdings etwas langsamer als normal arbeiten, um ein gleichmäßiges Ergebnis zu erzielen

Really impressed with the pen. Buying another one!

Great pen for broad nib calligraphy, I use all four sizes on these Pilot Parallel pens regularly for calligraphy practice, they are fun and easy to use with the mixable colour ink cartridges. I've never had any issue with them drying out even after not using them for a while, these are great functional pens, they are a bit long so they will only fit in longer pen cases, that's only a minor issue though because these are just so smooth and fun to use.