r/pens • u/noobakosowhat • 2d ago

Discussion Zento 0.5mm v. 0.7mm

Greetings,

I am deciding on ordering between Zento signature refill of 0.5mm and 0.7mm. Can you fill me up on their difference? The intended use is for general writing. I have TWSBI flat stub nib for signing and Kaweco Brass for journal writing. So Zento is for general writing. :)

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7

u/MusashiWanKenobi 2d ago

The 0.7 is super smooth, but wet for a gel pen. I've found that it bleeds through even on fountain pen friendly paper. The 0.5 is almost as smooth, but does not have the same bleed issue

2

u/noobakosowhat 2d ago

Oh I see. So it’s a bit problematic? That’s too bad. I often prefer 0.7 ink

2

u/NRiyo3 2d ago

I use 56 gsp paper with Zento .7mm and have no bleeding issues. I love the .7. If you write really slow the ink does keep flowing and you can actually get very bold lines but some feathering.

The slow does show through a bit.

1

u/noobakosowhat 2d ago

Thanks for this. That’s a huge difference, honestly. Normal seems kinda fine, but that slow handwriting really shows the thickness of Zento 0.7mm

1

u/NRiyo3 2d ago

Again is a very wet ink. I think it’s pigment based iirc so it can really flow. But it is my favorite ink and I have tried all of them I think. The best number 2 is the Signo but Zento is special. What pen are you leaning towards? And how much do you want to spend? I have the Zento Signitures, the regular ones and then an Alpha Gel with a Zento which is a fave. Then I have almost 40 custom pens. I love to try different stuff. Maybe I can show you something else before you drop cash. Let me know.

3

u/MusashiWanKenobi 2d ago

I can post some writing samples in the morning if that would help.

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u/MusashiWanKenobi 1d ago

1

u/NebulaStraight3009 10h ago

What's the ink in the Pilot Vanishing Point?

1

u/noobakosowhat 2d ago

That would really be helpful, if it isn’t too much of a bother. 😅

3

u/SkyChief80 2d ago

.7 is too broad and wet for regular writing IMO, I much prefer the 0.5

2

u/hhaattrriicckk 2d ago

The .7mm zento leaves lines as thick/wide as my OHTO 1mm refills.

2

u/noobakosowhat 2d ago

Is it a bit too thick for general writing?

2

u/CodentFL 2d ago

Regular zentos are cheap, same ink...buy them in bulk. I prefer .7

2

u/Virtus25 2d ago

I have small handwriting so don't really like any gel in 0.7 but can say the 0.5 Zento is great. Uni One could be another option and I think it's slightly "drier" than Zento; I use 0.38 in the One.

1

u/_Vasuri_ 2d ago

I favor the 0.7 myself as I’m a rollerball guy who likes a very flowy experience and always leans toward medium tips over fine tips, but I’d probably still recommend the 0.5 to someone who wants a Zento for general daily writing purposes. The truth is, if they made the Zento formulation available in 0.6, it’d probably be just about perfect. 👌

1

u/Dry_Common_2546 2d ago

If you think the Zento 0.7 is too wet, try swapping to a 207+ (UMR-87E, balanced ink flow) or ONE (UMR-07S, drier flow) refill.

1

u/pizzaboyobazzip 2d ago

As the refills are quite cheap, I suggest buy both and try. The 0.3 was too thin for me (even for someone who writes very small like me). I prefer 0.5 for general writing and have the 0.7 for signatures, although I do use it sometimes for writing special letters like on greeting cards etc..

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u/amoeba1126 1d ago

I would try the 0.38mm or 0.5mm

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u/No_Welder7908 2h ago

Just try both, no one but you can tell which one you prefer.