KOH-I-NOOR Rapidograph question?

[cthomp]

Quick question. What are the differences between KOH-I-NOOR Rapidograph pens and Micron / Copic pens? Obviously rapidograph and copic multiliners are refillable and the rapidographs have smaller sizes. Besides that what is the difference? Thanks for the help.

[Elwell]

Copics are traditional markers with dye-based ink. Microns use a specially formulated pigmented ink that is fine enough to flow through a fiber point. Rapidographs and other technical pens have a metal point that the ink flows through.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I thought copic multiliners were pigment based as well. (At least it says so on most websites).

As for differences...
-Microns are meant to be disposable, and don't always hold up so well on some applications like a lot of stippling, but won't get clogged by fibrous papers. Really, if you do a lot of pen work, it's better to have a refillable pen.
- Copics multiliner SP's are designed to be refillable, and you can replace the tips if they get worn. Similar to Microns, they shouldn't clog or tear up softer papers like printmaking paper. I've read they can skip a bit if you try to draw fast, sketchy lines...but I don't sketch with pens so I can't be sure.
- Rapidographs have been around for a long time, and unfortunately can be really maintenance heavy. You'll need to clean them often, although some art stores provide the sonic cleaning for free. The pens are somewhat delicate, the metal tip can be bent, and the cleaning wire can bend or break, and the air channels can clog...if they get banged around too much they WILL start to leak. They also aren't suitable at all for soft/fibrous papers. What IS nice about Rapidographs is that you can mix your own ink colors if you so desire.

[FactorZero]

- Rapidographs have been around for a long time, and unfortunately can be really maintenance heavy. You'll need to clean them often, although some art stores provide the sonic cleaning for free. The pens are somewhat delicate, the metal tip can be bent, and the cleaning wire can bend or break, and the air channels can clog...if they get banged around too much they WILL start to leak. They also aren't suitable at all for soft/fibrous papers. What IS nice about Rapidographs is that you can mix your own ink colors if you so desire.

so true..I had a set and I ruined them this way. Good thing I'm not a fan of them.

[Elwell]

I thought copic multiliners were pigment based as well. (At least it says so on most websites).
You are correct, the multiliners use a pigmented ink. The markers use dyes.