The End of INK? Testing the $200 Inkless Pen!

Today I'm testing out a so-called "inkless" pen that cost $200 vs a similar model that cost only $5.50.

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0:00 Intro & Unboxing
2:44 First Test
3:51 Erasing Test
4:16 Trying a Sketchbook
6:00 More Drawing Tests
8:13 My Kids' Test
9:01 Final Thoughts

#pens #cheapvsexpensive #pencildrawing

[MQZ]

Pininfarina is an Italian car design company, they've designed some Ferraris and even the Cadillac Allante. So that's why it's so freaking expensive, that price is just crazy to me.

[sentropez]

FYI, beyond being "inkless", both of these are marketed as "forever pens" or "everlasting pens" (and to me, that's the interesting aspect of these) — but the $6 one isn't actually a real "forever pen"; it's just a (silver-core) pencil.

From the $6 pen's Amazon description: "Working principle: the nib rubs on the paper to decompose the alloy metal molecules and leave them on the paper surface". In other words: this is a pencil. It will wear down over time, and need new nibs. (You could also tell by the fact that they sell replacement nibs for this "pen." A "forever pen" shouldn't need replacement nibs!)

IMHO the only reason someone would be interested in the $200 pen is the "forever pen" aspect. (As, if not for that, if you want an "inkless pen", why not just buy a regular, cheap pencil?) The $200 pen _does_ achieve the "forever pen" claim, insofar as it chemically reacts to paper without the tip wearing away. In contrast, the $6 "forever pen" isn't actually a "forever pen" (or "everlasting pencil") as it claims to be. It's an impostor product, a GameStation 360 kind of thing. So it's somewhat of an invalid comparison to review these as two products in the same category.

Also, re: erasability, think about it this way: if the markings _can_ be erased, then those markings are not caused by a chemical reaction with the paper, but rather as a deposit on top of the paper. A real "forever pen" is necessarily a non-erasable pen, because it's necessarily a pen that's doing something chemically to the paper, rather than leaving part of itself on top of the paper. (Which is also why they call it a "pen" rather than a "pencil" — pens are writing instruments that do something permanent to the paper, while pencils leave something on top of the paper that can be rubbed away.)

[MarioRodriguez-owrl]

The point is the "cheap pen" is actually a pencil with a hard graphite tip. That's why it's darker, closer to a pencil and easily erased. The problem is that the graphite tip will get rounded and consumed (slowly) and you have to sharpen with sandpaper, and eventually use a new one. On the other hand, the consumption of true metallic tip is very low, because it uses slow amount of metallic oxide to write, and that´s why it's also difficult to erase (closer to a pen).

[larrynavarro]

This type of tool in classical art is known as Silver point. Many renaissance artists used it including Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. The paper used had more of a grain and was prepared with a rosin to give it more tooth . As the metal marks from the tool oxidises it would get darker. As a kid I remember drawing on a painted wall with a penny . The same effect .

[BMitc]

I've used all kinds of inkless pens from the cheaper ones to the most expensive one I've tried which was about 60 with a titanium tip. They all have 1 thing in common though is that if accidentally dropped it instantly breaks the tip and renders it useless. At least with the cheaper ones you can find replacement tips so your not completely out of luck

[SuperLemonAdam]

Pininfarina are a car (among other things) designer. They've designed cars for Ferrari many many times over the years. Explains the price even without justifying it! Thanks for the review, great work as always!

[mylhmtd]

One of the best parts of being a fountain pen (or any high-end pen) lover...would be the selection of so many beautiful inks! the shading, the way the ink absorbs into the paper, the subtle changes in appearance as it dries....I’ll be perfectly happy to stick with pens that require ink.

[tom]

I had the same Pinifarina pen as a gift in high-school, as a car guy who enjoy painting occasionally, that one of the best gift. While the pen not very practical but I love the design and texture of it.

[David-woun]

Spending $200 on a pen/pencil is true dedication to the channel; Thank you! You also taught me how to draw a boy; I never learned that trick.😁

[trogdorstrngbd]

I can only think of one serious use for an inkless "pen", which is to toss it into your car glovebox for emergencies. Pen ink can get messed up by extreme temperatures, hot or cold, and pencils are (arguably) delicate. Of course I would opt for the $6 version for this use case.

[ralphwiggum]

An interesting use for these would be in construction. We use pencils that go dull and the lead breaks all the time. If it is durable to not get broken or dull, it would be fantastic (the $5 one, of course). They should make a flat version, like a construction pencil so it won't roll when you put it down. I would be very interested in such a product and could imagine it selling well at hardware stores.

[kbaker]

I always enjoy your reviews; your comments are often just exactly what I was thinking.

[philipp]

I hope the designers that work with pens all day are able to design an amazing pen. Would have been nice to see it tested in edge conditions, like waxpaper, plastic labels, in the cold or with moist paper.

[Lazarus]

Part of the fun of pens is uising it until the ink runs dry.

[Corvato]

The $5.99 pen is not a forever pen, its end is a graphite tip, and most companies rate it as 50+ standard pencils (which they sell separately as replacements too). The $200 unit is an silver alloy pen, and the tip is supposed to work a lot longer (200+ standard pencils). The problem is there are many Amazon companies selling the cheaper one as the more expensive. The $200 model uses a silver/grey metallic tip that is rated as good as 200+ pencils, while the graphite model (the black tip) is rated for 50+ pages. Amazon has a variety of the cheap pens being sold as the more expensive style, so watch out! some even show pictures of the units with the metallic tips, even though they will arrive with the cheaper tip.

[nozrep]

inkless?!?!?! Now THAT is a new concept to me! And I am in my thirties! Fascinating. Glad to have this video randomly come up on my recommendeds.

[devansh]

Broo 6:08 is is pure nostalgia...Early 2000s... we would be scribbling it back of our notebooks and imagining our-self to be so smart lol.

[Dumbunny]

So that’s literally just an overpriced pencil….wtf

[nozrep]

growing up, was always fascinated with the “space pens”. Pens with the ink cartridge pressurized by nitrogen. Which supposedly the astronauts used in space. And the pressurized ink lasts a lot lot lot longer and never “messes up” the pen if turned upside down with no gravity. Sharper Image sold them! But first time I am learning of inkless pens!

[abhigeetmk]

I think the Pininfarina one is meant for automotive or product designers, the main function is to sketch, as a product designer myself, I think those light lines would be perfect for product sketches.