PILOTPrera Iro-Ai Fine-Nib Transparent Black Body Fountain Pen (FPRN-350R-TBF)

I'm a recent convert to fountain pens, since I've reached the age when my hands (ambidexterity FTW!) get tired if I use a typical ballpoint or gel pen too long. At the prices that Jetstream was charging, I was in despair of needing to go bankrupt to keep myself in those pens, until some research led me to fountain pens. I tried the Lamy Safari F. The pen wrote wonderfully, but the lines were too broad and wet. I'm no calligrapher, so the broad line had to go. The wetness of the pen had it soaking through not only to the back of my paper, but through to other pages. This was unacceptable. Then I tried the EF, and I couldn't tell the difference, really, from the F.A little more research and I learned that Japan was where I needed to look for my fountain pen needs, since I like fine lines. I tried Pilot's Vortex line, and that was much better. Pretty lines, proper ink flow, could write on cheap paper--perfect. The problem with the Vortex was waiting for the other pens to come in from Japan. That wait was difficult, though. I needed a pen in the mean time.I saw the Prera when I was researching the Vortex. Best of all, Amazon had it with 2-day shipping. I bought this and the Custom Original with the 14K nib and gave both a try. I loved them both, they both put down a perfectly fine line and the pens weren't scratchy. The Prera instantly became my pen of choice. The Custom Original is a very nice pen, but its expense makes me afraid to bring it with me to college everyday. It can also be tough to tell if the converter is seated properly, and I've wound up with ink all over my hands from a leaky pen. Not so the Prera. I know when my converter is seated properly because I can see if it makes good contact. I had a quibble with the converter that comes with it for being tough to tell if you have ink in it or not, never mind enough. A change to the clear, twisty converter, and I was in business. I like knowing exactly how much ink I'm drawing up, and how much I have left. The converters are on the small side, especially in comparison to the ink cartridges. I just fill up every day, whether or not I need it. That way I know I'll be ready for class.The Prera lets me use my cheap store-brand filler paper. It hardly ever bleeds through. I've used it for graphing in my math class as well (gasp! Yes, I do most of my math work in ink!), and it didn't bleed through the cheapie quad paper I use for that. The lines are fine enough that I can get in margins of textbooks, between lines, and more.Like most fountain pens, the Prera has occasional nib creep, but it's nowhere near as bad as the Lamy Safari. This means little wasted ink, and an easier cleaning routine for the pen. I clean the pen out when I change ink colors, and that seems to be good enough to keep it going like gangbusters. I haven't had it long enough to need a more intensive cleaning, but what I've seen of that is easy enough.The size of the Prera is not for everyone. After the Lamy, I was surprised at how small and delicate this pen looks and is; however, it's perfect for me, even unposted, but I prefer it posted, because the balance of the pen feels better. It's light and my hand never gets tired of using it. It's also taken a beating from rolling off my desk in class, falling out of my hand when I'm carrying it, and falling off my desk at home. It hasn't cracked or gotten scratched, no matter how much I've abused it.As others have mentioned the "snap" of the cap when you close the pen is satisfying and borderline addictive. The bonus of that clicky snap is that I never lose the top of the pen, which I was so prone to doing in my ballpoint pen days that I had converted to retractable pens, long ago. I don't even reach for my pen case until I hear that "snap!" telling me that my writing is done and it's time to put the pen away. If I take it off and write unposted, I will be looking for the cap as soon as I'm done, and I'll get frantic if I don't see it right away. I need my snap fix.I know that thirty dollars seems like a lot, but compared to what fountain pens can cost, like, oh, a Pilot Namiki Maki-e, Omas, Delta or Montegrappa, $30 is nothing. I'll never be able to afford those pens, so I'm happy to have found one that works perfectly for me.

There are a lot of opinions out there about fountain pens and the price range is so wide that it is difficult for a newbie to know what is a good deal and what is not. So, I have been trying some of the less expensive ones and some in the same price point as the Pilot Iro-Ai Fine Nib, which is sometimes called Pilot Prera. The Prera is a smaller pen that measures 1/2-1" shorter than my other fountain pens. Since I have large hands, I was concerned that it would be a poor fit, but thankfully it has a good solid feel when posted. The plastic barrel is smooth to the touch but not slick or slippery and the cap fits snugly but comes off with ease when desired. Obviously some thought went into the design as the clip is bent to the shape of one's thumb and it feels natural in the hand. One of my favorite features is that it is a clear or "demonstrator" pen so you can see if you have enough ink. Starting out I used the Pilot black ink cartridge that was included but I am looking forward to trying different colors in it in the future.As far as performance goes, I have written on smooth paper designed for fountain pens and I have taken notes on regular copy paper and written on stationery. It seems to perform well on all papers, even the copy paper, though it did have occasional bleed through, but mostly just ghosting. It worked well on my bullet journal paper with little to no ghosting. There is a smooth gliding feel and a good flow on the right paper.The only thing that would make the Pilot Iro-Ai or Prera Fine Nib "perfect" for me is if the body was slightly longer, however the small size makes it perfect for my traveler's notebooks and I definitely can recommend it. I may actually purchase a second one so that I can keep one on my desk and take one on the go!

I have large hands. I have journaled with this for a few days and find it is simply too light and small for my comfort. However, I think it is good quality for the price. The ink flows steady and consistent when writing quickly, which I normally do. The tip writes smoothly but not perfectly so; there is responsiveness that can border scratchy if you are heavy-handed but you kinda have to abuse it. I am a perennial Lamy user, and it is better than my Lamy for smoothness (I use fine or extra-fine nibs, which are scratchier anyway) and ink flow. Nonetheless, I am going back to my Lamy, mostly because this Pilot Prera is too small and light.