Asvine V126 - A Budget Pilot Custom 823?

Introduction

Hi all,
Sorry for the change of scenery. I am currently traveling for work, but I wanted to take a moment to review the Asvine V126. If you follow this channel, you have seen this pen before. I've featured it in a few shorts with other finishes. I'll go over why I've had it in multiple finishes in just a bit. Spoiler alert: it definitely has its merits.

Design and Build Quality

Overall, the pen is cigar-shaped and very reminiscent of the Pilot Custom 823, which we'll do a direct comparison with in just a moment. Both the top and bottom ends are rounded, with the top separated from the cap by a single metal band, which is part of the clip. The clip itself is very much in the Pilot style—it’s triangular with a ball at the bottom. Made from bent metal, the clip is springy and functional.

Cap Details

The cap is straight and leads to a pretty wide cap band that reads "Asvine V126." From there, a bit of exposed plastic is followed by a slight step down to the barrel. The cap comes off in about one-and-a-quarter turns to reveal a stainless steel, number six size nib. I have this one in a medium, indicated by a cursive "M" in the center encircled, and below that, it says "Asvine." There’s some nice scrollwork on the outside edge of the nib.

Additionally, you’ll notice a black plastic feed on the back, which is fairly low profile. The front grip section flares up, followed by a tapering profile to a metal band. There are threads that are smooth to the touch, followed by a slight step up to the barrel, which has a very gradual taper thinning down to another metal band before the final.

Barrel and Filling System

The body of the pen is pretty transparent, allowing you to see your ink level and appreciate the filling system. It features a vacuum filling system consisting of a metal rod with two seals at the front. The front seal acts as a shut-off valve, preventing ink from flowing between the barrel section, nib, and feed.

This feature is excellent for long writing sessions as it prevents ink burping due to hand heat and during air travel to avoid pressure-based ink spillage. The larger seal just behind the shut-off valve is part of the filling system.

To use the filling system, you unscrew the back finial to retract the rod, opening up the shut-off valve and letting ink flow freely throughout the pen. Pull the rod back to its original position, and then push down with the barrel submerged in ink to create a low-pressure system behind the seal, allowing ink to be drawn into the barrel.

In Hand Feel and Handling

The pen has a really nice length both posted and unposted. It’s well-balanced and relatively heavyweight due to the vacuum filling system. The cap posts securely and deeply, making the pen more comfortable by transferring the weight to the crook of your hand. However, if the back finial is unscrewed, the cap no longer posts securely and may pull the back finial with it, potentially causing an inky mess.

Comparison with Other Vacuum Filling Pens

Up Top

-- Pineider Avatar Twin Tank Touchdown: Different design, spring-loaded clip, non-cigar-shaped. -- Pilot Custom 823: Similar to the Asvine V126, but with more conically shaped finals and a two-piece cap band. -- Twisbi Vac Mini: Most compact, considered a pocket pen, squared-off finals.

Caps Removed

-- Pineider: Pull-off cap with a magnet. -- Others: Unscrewing caps.

Sections and Nibs

-- Asvine and Pineider: Number six stainless steel nibs. -- Twisbi: Smaller stainless steel nib. -- Pilot: Proprietary number ten, 14-karat gold nib.

Disassembly

To disassemble the Asvine V126, you need an adjustable wrench. Here's a quick rundown:

Cap: Unscrews, and the top finial can be further unscrewed to remove the clip. No cap liner inside, just a step up to seal the nib.
Grip Section: Unscrews from the barrel, revealing a generous O-ring.
Nib and Feed: Held in place by a collar with two O-rings.
Filling System: Unscrew the back piston knob and use the wrench to disassemble fully.

Inking Up

I chose Iroshizuku Syo-ro, a deep green that matches the pen perfectly. To ink up, unscrew the back finial, pull the rod back, submerge the nib into ink, and push down on the rod to fill the pen.

Writing Experience

This Asvine V126 has a medium-sized stainless steel nib. After tuning the overly tight nib tines, it writes smoothly and with good flow. The nib has some bounce under heavy pressure, offering some line variation but not quite reaching semiflex territory. Reverse writing is also smooth, providing a thinner line.

Flex and Reverse Writing

When applying a heavy hand, the nib shows some bounce, allowing for line variation. Reverse writing is relatively smooth, although it may get slightly dry during longer stretches.

Final Thoughts

I’m a big fan of the Asvine V126. It offers a high-quality build and numerous color options, especially considering its affordable price. It’s easy to maintain, and the vacuum filling system provides a large ink supply and safe travel. However, the need to tune the nib initially and potential issues with metal-to-plastic threads in the filling system are notable concerns.

Despite these drawbacks, it’s a great option for those who can't afford a Pilot Custom 823 or want to try a similar form factor. It’s also an attractive addition to a pen collection, thanks to the appealing color options and solid performance after a little tuning.

Thank you for watching.

Keywords

Asvine V126
Pilot Custom 823
Vacuum filling system
Fountain pen
Stainless steel nib
Travel-friendly pen
Affordable alternative

FAQs

1. What makes the Asvine V126 similar to the Pilot Custom 823?

Both pens have a cigar-shaped design, a vacuum filling system, and rounded ends. They share similar aesthetic elements, including a transparent barrel and a comparable clip style.

2. How does the vacuum filling system work?

To use the vacuum filling system, unscrew the back finial, pull the rod back, submerge the nib into ink, and then push the rod down. This creates a low-pressure system behind a seal that allows ink to be drawn into the barrel.

3. Are there any disadvantages to the Asvine V126?

Out-of-the-box nib tuning might be necessary as the tines can be too tight, affecting ink flow. There’s also a potential issue with metal threads meshing with plastic threads, which could strip over time.

4. Is the Asvine V126 a good travel pen?

Yes, it features a shut-off valve in the vacuum filling system that prevents ink burping and spillage due to pressure changes, making it an excellent travel pen.

5. Can the Asvine V126 be fully disassembled?

Yes, the pen can be disassembled for maintenance using an adjustable wrench. The nib, feed, grip section, and filling system can all be taken apart.

6. What type of nib does the Asvine V126 have?

It features a stainless steel, number six size nib. The medium nib has some bounce and is smooth after proper tuning.