I am glad your findings, from an engineering perspective, align with my general impressions of both pens. You always analyze and think of important things that completely slip past me and I have learned so much from you about design and construction over the last year or two. I bought a couple of these after getting a good deal (Make an Offer) on eBay a couple of years ago (Freelancer & Maestro Mother of Pearl). I was really surprised at the intricacies in the designs and how well they were put together. The apparent depth that they managed on a flat surface with the Freelancer is really amazing. After sale customer service was great, too. The Maestro I purchased was/is trimmed in chrome and the eBay photos showed a silver nib but the pen came with a gold tone nib like your Incognito. That bothered me because I felt like the nib didn't match the rest of the pen. They responded to my message within 60 minutes and informed me that they had moved away from the silver nibs, apologized and asked if a dual-tone nib would be an adequate replacement. I figured it would and had a new nib at my door in 3 days, $0. They didn't want the old one back, either. If you don't like heavy, metal pens they might not be for you but I love them and will probably be purchasing more in the future. Keep doing the great work
Good to hear you've been happy. I wasn't familiar with the brand at all, but after really looking at their work its very well done. Was pleasantly surprised
We really appreciate the attention to detail in your video, even breaking out the microscope! We care a lot about what we craft and I'm glad you highlighted that so well. Thank you for displaying one of our pens.
A particularly attractive, detailed, METAL pen, yay! Too pricey though. I'm not saying the price is inflated compared to the manufacturing cost, no, just that I wouldn't pay that much for that pen.
Mine just arrived at UPS. Going to pick it up in a few hours along with two more pens. This is my first expensive pen, expensive for me. I went for the body of pen instead of a gold nib. Gold nib will be next month, but i just need to look at more reviews to get the best bang for the buck. Thank you for your review. Oh, I'm only in my first month of collecting fountain pens. Just changed my addiction from EDC knives to pens.😆 Be blessed, Leo
Thanks for a thorough look at that blingy pen. The nib looks like it got lost on its way to a cheaper pen, looks a bit out of place at the end of all that shiny, fancy engraving.
I've never heard of the brand. The engraving looks sublime. Pity that the microscope file was corrupt, but I was able to see the detail with the zoom. It looked like wavy diamonds rather than diamonds with sharp angles. Given the level of detail in the engraving, seems like a rather reasonable price for these pens! Thanks, DB
That clip reminds of one the Rotring Initial. It looks like the part on the end should serve as a spring for the clip, which it does on the Initial. But it seems like the clip on the Xezo doesn't pivot. The pivot point for the clip in the initial is inside the clip.
Xezo has been around for quite awhile. They are a manufacturer of luxury brands. I bought a limited edition watch from them over 30 years ago. I still have it. However, I am not a watch collector. My interest is fountain pens. Thanks for a great review! 👍
Good to hear the watch has worked out well. I didn't know anything about them and of course I wanted to see whats up. The term "luxury brand" seems to invite many who market items as luxury but simply markup cheap garbage. But these are very well made! I was impressed at all the detail, build quality and attention to detail. Might not be for everyone but can at least know its a well made pen.
Yes, The pen quality is indicative of the quality of their products. Of course, I am not familiar with everything they make, but my experience with them has been very good. Great customer service.
That's a really intriguing pen. I had to take a look on the site and I like several of the pens they have to offer. The only thing stopping me other than funds is the grip section diameter. I tend to like larger grip sections and these are even smaller than a Pelikan M200/205 which are, unfortunately, almost painful to use for more than a quick note.
I've had the Xezo Incognito for over 18 months (in French Blue). Incredible appearance, typical Jowo writer, even now is still an outstanding value! Platypus Model 1 and Model 10 are unique 3-D models that also write well (typical Jowo, too) but far lighter in weight. These Xezo, and Platypus, pens, though different, are excellent choices!!!
I also got a Xezo Phantom Classic Black and love it , the quality and look absolutely great. Had a fine nib quite scretchy and change it . The single issue I had it’s the weight. Wish would be less weight, particularly when posted is not really fun. Not for long range writing tool but just few notes etc. seen a lot of shelf time ( unfair) but since got lot of others fountain pens on high end range level. Still keep my Phantom Classic Xezo in high regards , really show quality.
Jinhao ink from Ali Express: Someone is feeling very adventurous! It seems to have an interesting shading though, for a simple blue, from what I saw here.
Thanks for another enlightening revue, Doodlemate. It's a sweet pen, but waaay too heavy for me--I like them around 22g at the most. Fully agree about excess packaging. Down here at Blowfly Creek we're looking forward to many more throughout the year. Cheers, mate, from the Great Southern Land of 'Terror Australis.'
For some reason, the engraved lines on the fountain pen remind of a close up view of the grooves on a vinyl record. It is kind of the company to include a pouch. Thank you for your video presentation.
🤣🤣 new to pens, so i didn't know those they were not that well known. I bought one from amazon because i liked the craftsmanship and the discounted price. Still the most i ever paid for a pen. Mainly jinhoa and hongdian. Only been collecting for a month but all my pens write great. Mainly fine and extra fine. I think its the ink that makes the difference on the writing experience regardless of paper. A good ink is versatile and can write on cheap paper as well as good paper. So far the diamine is great. The Parker ink is ok and the private reserve dark green bleeds thru cheap paper like a sponge. Thanks for your review. It made me feel good about my purchase. It will be my first medium nib, but i think they run pointier. And my most were sold out already. Thanks again. You helped this old man and his anxiety and depression. ✌️😊
I always thought Xezo was German. I have to admit I am a sucker for guilloche. I have three pens with a guilloche pattern, two with the same pattern as the one on this pen. Jinhao makes inks now???
When its done well it can look really nice. Yeah, I just did a video a few days ago on some inks I picked up off Aliexpress. I think its Jinhao but not 100% sure
I always hate to see laser engraving on a pen or watch caseback. The barrel engraving is so exquisite that laser engraving of the company name and other information on the cap band looks especially out of place, but I agree that it’s a great quality pen and I’d enjoy owning one.
I got one of Xezo's pens for my brother when he expressed mild interest in my fountain pens. He hasn't touched it :/ I might have to steal it back from him
As a result of your review I ordered an Xezo Incognito from Amazon yesterday . Except for Kaweco metal boxes , I discard all the boxes sent with my new pen purchases into a large box then store the pens in a display box . If Xezo redesigned the package as a reusable storage box for say six pens then they would distinguish their packages as non garbage and create a marketing buz. I keep my three Kaweco Art Deco style metal boxes on my desks. With a well thought out reusable storage design from Doodlebud I feel sure Xezo could do better differentiate their excellent product.
The feed looks like a Chinese made copy of Sermec feeds though, so that puts into question the whole veracity of this "German made" claim... Stipula and Santini (Venvstas also I think) use NOS Sermec feeds, but I have never heard of a non #6 size Sermec type feed that is not a Chinese copy.
Competent review, but at that price the pen should have a gold nib and/ or a piston filling system. You spend almost all your time talking about aesthetics. What are the nib choices? You don’t say.
I am glad your findings, from an engineering perspective, align with my general impressions of both pens. You always analyze and think of important things that completely slip past me and I have learned so much from you about design and construction over the last year or two.
I bought a couple of these after getting a good deal (Make an Offer) on eBay a couple of years ago (Freelancer & Maestro Mother of Pearl). I was really surprised at the intricacies in the designs and how well they were put together. The apparent depth that they managed on a flat surface with the Freelancer is really amazing.
After sale customer service was great, too. The Maestro I purchased was/is trimmed in chrome and the eBay photos showed a silver nib but the pen came with a gold tone nib like your Incognito. That bothered me because I felt like the nib didn't match the rest of the pen. They responded to my message within 60 minutes and informed me that they had moved away from the silver nibs, apologized and asked if a dual-tone nib would be an adequate replacement. I figured it would and had a new nib at my door in 3 days, $0. They didn't want the old one back, either.
If you don't like heavy, metal pens they might not be for you but I love them and will probably be purchasing more in the future.
Keep doing the great work
Good to hear you've been happy. I wasn't familiar with the brand at all, but after really looking at their work its very well done. Was pleasantly surprised
I recently picked one up and was impressed. I'm more impressed now that you showed that the design and construction have been thought out. Thanks!
We really appreciate the attention to detail in your video, even breaking out the microscope! We care a lot about what we craft and I'm glad you highlighted that so well. Thank you for displaying one of our pens.
A particularly attractive, detailed, METAL pen, yay! Too pricey though. I'm not saying the price is inflated compared to the manufacturing cost, no, just that I wouldn't pay that much for that pen.
Thank you, DB!
The pen reminds me of something given as a corporate gift to a client or a colleague.
Mine just arrived at UPS. Going to pick it up in a few hours along with two more pens.
This is my first expensive pen, expensive for me. I went for the body of pen instead of a gold nib.
Gold nib will be next month, but i just need to look at more reviews to get the best bang for the buck.
Thank you for your review.
Oh, I'm only in my first month of collecting fountain pens.
Just changed my addiction from EDC knives to pens.😆
Be blessed,
Leo
Crazy I am very into knives but just ordered a xezo pen tonight so maybe my addiction is changing too lol
@@daltonwiley8428 😁👍
More pen enthusiasts should get to know about Xezo thanks to your, as always, reliable review.
Thanks for a thorough look at that blingy pen. The nib looks like it got lost on its way to a cheaper pen, looks a bit out of place
at the end of all that shiny, fancy engraving.
I've never heard of the brand. The engraving looks sublime. Pity that the microscope file was corrupt, but I was able to see the detail with the zoom. It looked like wavy diamonds rather than diamonds with sharp angles. Given the level of detail in the engraving, seems like a rather reasonable price for these pens! Thanks, DB
That clip reminds of one the Rotring Initial. It looks like the part on the end should serve as a spring for the clip, which it does on the Initial. But it seems like the clip on the Xezo doesn't pivot. The pivot point for the clip in the initial is inside the clip.
I've had my eye on a Xezo for a long time. It's good to know that you find them well-made in hand. Maybe I'll go for it in 2023.
Xezo has been around for quite awhile. They are a manufacturer of luxury brands. I bought a limited edition watch from them over 30 years ago. I still have it. However, I am not a watch collector. My interest is fountain pens. Thanks for a great review! 👍
Good to hear the watch has worked out well. I didn't know anything about them and of course I wanted to see whats up. The term "luxury brand" seems to invite many who market items as luxury but simply markup cheap garbage. But these are very well made! I was impressed at all the detail, build quality and attention to detail. Might not be for everyone but can at least know its a well made pen.
Yes, The pen quality is indicative of the quality of their products. Of course, I am not familiar with everything they make, but my experience with them has been very good. Great customer service.
Thanks for this video introduction to an entire new brand of fountain pen.
Glad it was helpful!
Great review, the pens are great, I have six Xezo pens (fountain, rollerball & ballpoint) and love the quality build and performance.
OH WOW 6 of them! This brand seems to fly under the radar but I was impressed with the pen for sure, good to hear you've had a great experience.
That's a really intriguing pen. I had to take a look on the site and I like several of the pens they have to offer. The only thing stopping me other than funds is the grip section diameter. I tend to like larger grip sections and these are even smaller than a Pelikan M200/205 which are, unfortunately, almost painful to use for more than a quick note.
Yeah it is a thinner grip. They do have some larger grip models I believe
Nice review as always and looks like a nice pen. Reminds me of a Waldmann Tango Imagination with the engraving.
I've had the Xezo Incognito for over 18 months (in French Blue). Incredible appearance, typical Jowo writer, even now is still an outstanding value! Platypus Model 1 and Model 10 are unique 3-D models that also write well (typical Jowo, too) but far lighter in weight. These Xezo, and Platypus, pens, though different, are excellent choices!!!
Good to hear you've been please with your pens 👍
I also got a Xezo Phantom Classic Black and love it , the quality and look absolutely great. Had a fine nib quite scretchy and change it . The single issue I had it’s the weight. Wish would be less weight, particularly when posted is not really fun. Not for long range writing tool but just few notes etc. seen a lot of shelf time ( unfair) but since got lot of others fountain pens on high end range level. Still keep my Phantom Classic Xezo in high regards , really show quality.
Jinhao ink from Ali Express: Someone is feeling very adventurous! It seems to have an interesting shading though, for a simple blue, from what I saw here.
I've picked up one of these in purple 5 or 6 years ago for about $80-90, they are now $189!?
when i see like this pens i think that i will be crazy.they touch me in my hearth..they are nice and modern...
Thanks for another enlightening revue, Doodlemate. It's a sweet pen, but waaay too heavy for me--I like them around 22g at the most. Fully agree about excess packaging. Down here at Blowfly Creek we're looking forward to many more throughout the year. Cheers, mate, from the Great Southern Land of 'Terror Australis.'
For some reason, the engraved lines on the fountain pen remind of a close up view of the grooves on a vinyl record. It is kind of the company to include a pouch. Thank you for your video presentation.
I have 2 Xezo fountain pens and 1 rollerball and all are fantastic looking and writing!
Thanks for sharing your experience
@@Doodlebud the rollerball is bigger than my 2 fountain pens combined!
🤣🤣 new to pens, so i didn't know those they were not that well known. I bought one from amazon because i liked the craftsmanship and the discounted price.
Still the most i ever paid for a pen.
Mainly jinhoa and hongdian. Only been collecting for a month but all my pens write great. Mainly fine and extra fine.
I think its the ink that makes the difference on the writing experience regardless of paper.
A good ink is versatile and can write on cheap paper as well as good paper.
So far the diamine is great. The Parker ink is ok and the private reserve dark green bleeds thru cheap paper like a sponge.
Thanks for your review. It made me feel good about my purchase. It will be my first medium nib, but i think they run pointier. And my most were sold out already.
Thanks again. You helped this old man and his anxiety and depression.
✌️😊
Sometimes we just need an interest to help our mind focus on something other than it trying to be our worst enemy. Hope the pen helps :)
Lovely pen I guess it would be good to see if they. could add some more exciting nib options E.g. titanium flex. Great video. 😊
Yeah the nib options are pretty limited, would be nice to have the full range of sizes and at least a stub
Your EU link does not work. 404 and some funny popups?
Nice review. Thanks for that!
Hmm.. it was the X-tool link that I clicked (the first one), but I just realized that not the pen-store link. X-tool links are broken though
Thanks for letting me know. The first link listed is for Xezo, the ones after that are for or xTool (fixed now) Thx
Went to their website, they have some pretty cool looking pens, only one extra fine model though ☹️
Could be due to nib supply. Maybe XF stock is very low?
I always thought Xezo was German. I have to admit I am a sucker for guilloche. I have three pens with a guilloche pattern, two with the same pattern as the one on this pen. Jinhao makes inks now???
When its done well it can look really nice. Yeah, I just did a video a few days ago on some inks I picked up off Aliexpress. I think its Jinhao but not 100% sure
Never heard of them, but that's a cool-looking pen!
Oooo didn’t know about them.
Same here! LOL
I always hate to see laser engraving on a pen or watch caseback. The barrel engraving is so exquisite that laser engraving of the company name and other information on the cap band looks especially out of place, but I agree that it’s a great quality pen and I’d enjoy owning one.
The cap band is engraved and not done with a laser. Different type of engraving process than used to get the wavy diamond lines on the body
Nice Pen. Right about packaging.
Never heard of this brand. For me it's a bit weighty. But if the pen is balanced, it could be a winner.
I got one of Xezo's pens for my brother when he expressed mild interest in my fountain pens. He hasn't touched it :/ I might have to steal it back from him
As a result of your review I ordered an Xezo Incognito from Amazon yesterday . Except for Kaweco metal boxes , I discard all the boxes sent with my new pen purchases into a large box then store the pens in a display box . If Xezo redesigned the package as a reusable storage box for say six pens then they would distinguish their packages as non garbage and create a marketing buz. I keep my three Kaweco Art Deco style metal boxes on my desks. With a well thought out reusable storage design from Doodlebud I feel sure Xezo could do better differentiate their excellent product.
Nice finish. Still a bit pricey for what it is. Of course, there is a market for a pen of this price. I mean Namiki Emperors sell all they make.
Nice pen, looks great, but the weight, oh boy, I don’t have enough hands to support that 😢
❤❤❤
This is a rebranded Diplomat Excellence
I have a diplomat excellence, they are nothing alike
The feed looks like a Chinese made copy of Sermec feeds though, so that puts into question the whole veracity of this "German made" claim...
Stipula and Santini (Venvstas also I think) use NOS Sermec feeds, but I have never heard of a non #6 size Sermec type feed that is not a Chinese copy.
Hehe, the box has Lambo doors
A gold colored nib? Really?
Yes. I noticed this incongruity also.
Platinum hardware should come with platinum or silver colored nib, or give it gold hardware to go along with the gold nib.
FP Nazees 😄
Competent review, but at that price the pen should have a gold nib and/ or a piston filling system. You spend almost all your time talking about aesthetics. What are the nib choices? You don’t say.
You would enjoy TH-camr Clickspring...if you haven't already. Thanks for the great content!
Never heard of them, thanks for sharing. I subbed so will see what the Algorithm Gods lay before me to watch first LOL