On its own, this pen feels very durable and premium, and the bead-blasted, matte black coated treatment gives it a very “professional” vibe. The Fine nib is bouncy and smooth, very usable on the underside as well (with added feedback, but not scratchy), the ribbed steel grip is very comfortable, the feed holds a lot of ink on its own, and the reservoirs behind it will keep it in writing condition for dozens upon dozens of pages after a fill.
The cap screws open and closed smoothly, with a very satisfying click at the end when closed; it posts deeply, and it also posts securely after being pressed down slightly on the barrel. It is light enough that it does not back-weight the pen significantly when posted.
The barrel construction, along with the newly-implemented Kraken filling system, ensure a significant amount of ink is pulled in from the first try. Much like the main cap, the blind-cap screws open and closed smoothly for refills or ink transfers between reservoirs.
Compared to its predecessor:
Fewer transparent areas overall, but the Vac 2.0’s structure feels more solid than the Ultemate Vac.
The body thickness and thread profiles are different on the Vac 2.0 than on the Ultemate Vac, no mix-and-match potential here.
The matte black coating gives the pen a more refined, premium feel on the metallic parts.
The inner lining of the cap doesn’t get stuck in the barrel thread as often, and when it does, it either slips back into correct position, or it is easier to unscrew and reposition, without the metal thread eating into the cap material.
The coated, no-breather-hole design of the new Gravitas steel nib may not be to everyone’s taste, but I like it a lot, and functionally, this nib feels more bouncy and polished, with smoother writing than its predecessor.
The feed seems to pick up a lot more ink on its own from just a 5-second dip, and the small reservoir behind it looks to have more capacity to back it up before needing to unscrew the blind cap and refill it from the large reservoir.
The Kraken filling system seems to suck up significantly more ink per pump than the mechanism from the Ultemate Vac.
Overall, a very well made fountain pen, and a thorough refinement to an already excellent design. Very satisfied with this purchase!
The Vac 2 is a refinement of both the Monster and the previous Gravitas vac fillers. This is a very robust, beautifully balanced writer that will bring pleasure to even the most particular purchaser. The filling system holds just the right quantity of ink. Long writing sessions are a breeze without the risk of having ink sit in the pen for extended periods. I have used this pen extensively since it arrived and have found it to be consistent and reliable. The nib is smooth and flows evenly with the lightest of touches. I prefer this pen over the monster because of its size and balance. The Vac 2 becomes an extension of my hand, allowing me to forget its presence and locus entirely, focusing on what I am writing.
The Gravitas Vac 2.0 is an amazing tool for handwriting. The nib is smooth, distinct, and reliable, and it has some weight due to its durable materials, black aluminium/aluminum and ultem, the perfect combination of a tool which will survive most of us, still functioning if the internal vacuum piston system is cared for. I have enjoyed this fountain pen for seven days and I am pleased to say it is one of my better ones, and it is fun to use. I recommend it.
(Emy was correct: The nib has great flow, about six drops of ink will automatically flow from the nib after I have just filled it, after that no problems; tissue paper or the ink bottle under the nib until that happens is recommended, other than that: an excellent fountain pen.)
It writes beautifully and arrived surprisingly quickly, even though I’m in Canada. This is my third order from Pen Venture, and once again, the experience has been outstanding. It's always a pleasure to come back.
My Gravitas arrived perfectly tuned and was ready to write straight out of the box. I filled it with Pelikan Royal Blue, and from the very first stroke, it was smooth, consistent, and an absolute joy to use.
I own several excellent fountain pens, including a Pilot Custom 823, a Sailor 1911, and a Leonardo Momento Zero, and I can honestly say that this Gravitas holds its own among them. It is remarkably well made and comes very close to being the perfect writing instrument.
A big thank you to the entire Pen Venture team for the exceptional service, careful tuning, and attention to detail. I’m already looking forward to my next order!
