Art Alternatives Pen & Ink Sketch Fountain Pen Set - Broad

Since I saw these a few years ago, I've had one on my wish list. Finally got myself one, and I'm sorry I waited. I bought the broad-nib, which writes more like a standard medium, but that's what I was hoping for. The build quality feels about right for the price, but the entire pen (save the trim and nib) is plastic, so it's quite light for the size. Most Chinese fountain pens have brass bodies that add lots of weight - some people like that, but I prefer lighter pens with a larger diameter. The cap is easily disassembled, and the nib pulls straight out, so cleaning thoroughly will be simple.The nib is nothing special, but it writes well from the package (and I'm a lefty, so defects get magnified in my hands). With a little smoothing, I think it can be great. It also looks like a standard size 5, so there are plenty of replacements available.The included ink cartridges are a watery grey-black ink that I don't care for, but I like that several are included. One note: only one cartridge will fit in the pen at a time. Many pens that take international carts will hold a reversed spare in the body, but not this one. Certainly not a dealbreaker, but something to note. The included converter is fine, though the metal ring holding the plunger in will unscrew easily. Tighten it before use, and you'll be fine.The suede pen wrap is actually pretty nice, and loads better than the felted slipcases most cheap pens include. Overall, this is a lot of pen for the money - anyone on the fence should just get one already.

The pen writes beautifully, I didn't expect to find a converter with it, but was grateful for one. I used it to clean it initially before starting to use my pen. I let it sit for 24 hrs to air dry after filling the converter with water and passing it through the nib 3-5 times. After inspecting for any type of clogging, or particulates, I let it dry. 24hrs later, I installed one of the three ink cartridges that come in the nifty box. I am loving the thickness of the line, it is exactly what I wanted. I'm used to drawing/writing on my journals from an inkwell, but that is much less easier done when you're on the move.I am skeptical about the ink's lifespan after reading some comments, but I'll be keeping my eye on it and see how things turn out. So far I am quite happy with the product, it was well packaged and although the pen itself is a little bulkier than what I'm used to, the fine detail on the metal rim of the cap, gives it the touch needed for me to overlook the minimal bulkiness. (I have very small hands, so thick pens even for their slightest seem huge to me sometimes.)

thirty years ago I was given an artpen and I used it for many years, but when I looked for a replacement, It had gone off the market. Ever since I have been looking for a replacement. This is, so far the best pen of that type that I can afford. I liked it so much that I soon ordered the fine point and extra fine point versions so that I could have a complete set. Since I lost my artpen several decades ago, I can only compare them by fading memory, but one thing I can say is that this pen is very much easier to fill. The old artpen had a little tank for the ink that could only be filled from a special type of ink container or by using an eye dropper. This one uses cartridges, but it includes, as basic equipment, a piston converter that lets you fill the pen from any ink bottle.As to performance, this pen does everything I want it to. I do a lot of ink-and-watercolor painting and I find this pen to be excellent for that purpose. I'm thinking of buying another extra fine point pen to carry around with me for everyday writing.

I absolutely love this pen. It is the very first fountain pen I have ever had and I even went to an online art store to buy fine and extrafine nibs and a bottle of the shellac-free ink. Since I started writing with a fountain pen, I just can't write with a ballpoint anymore unless it is for minor tasks like printing addresses on the envelopes of my letters. While I am sure there are lots of fountain pens out there that are probably a lot better, this is perfect for someone who is first using one. The only real problem I have is filling the converter. I tend to draw more air than ink and I followed the instructions about using a surface to seat the converter in the nib.

Liked paying a good quality pen for under $15.It feels smooth & does not create oil smudges from fingers.The tip was the perfect size & the movement of the ink was good.One thing that was down about it was the very back of the pen got stuck in the lid & when I was shaking the pen to get ink, both the lid & back flew off. Had to use superglue to put the end back on, & then it worked fine.Overall great pen for what I paid for!

I really like the way this pen writes, and the ink flow is good. I didn't have any issues with it being scratchy as others mentioned. But, mine didn't come with the suede wrap that it was supposed to.

The packaging is simple yet attractive. The box would be good for storage.The combination of black and silver looks professional. The finish feels rubbery and collects lint. The pen that I received first was sticky, and the residue would not wash off.The pen that I received next had a clip that was loose and jiggly. The clip was also bent away from the cap. I was able to fix that defect myself by taking the cap apart and bending the clip back in place.The pen is light. The grip section is tapered and comfortable to hold.The pen came with three cartridges, which was nice. Most pens come with one cartridge. The set also includes a converter, which worked well.The pen writes poorly. Although the nib is labelled broad, it writes more like an extra-fine. The pen seems to be starved of ink, even though the converter is full. The tip is scratchy and unpleasant, even compared with an extra-fine.The set includes a pen wrap. The wrap amounts to a scrap of leather that is folded around the pen and tied. The wrap does not appear to me to be useful.This pen is attractive. However, the pen is not assembled well. More important, the pen does not write well. I would not recommend this pen.