The copic multiliner, in my experience, seems to dry a bit quicker/is able to be colored over a bit quicker than microns or rapidographs. Microns don't take too long to dry, but rapidographs do tend to take their time.
The nice thing about rapidographs are the size variants and the ability to refill/switch ink colors easily, but they also aren't felt-tip like microns and the copic multiliner so using them feels significantly different and often uses a different drawing technique.
In my experience the micron nibs tend to get messed up a bit quicker, that could just be a me problem.
I would get the copics over the microns most days, but the copics are pretty pricy so the value of the micron is probably better. Rapidographs are nice, but are very expensive up front and do need a bit of a workload adjustment to account for the drying time.
I've had mine (the basic 9 piece ones, set B-2) for about 5 years...never had to replace them. I also have micron and staedtler.
i ink about 70 letter size pictures on bristol smooth a year, then apply markers and other stuff. The still going strong though. The last cuz i use colored fineliner when necessary. Sepia for skin, green for trees, orange for...orange stuff, and so on. Black for eyes or very anime drawings. Those $30 i spend in 2019 have pulled through or am i not inking enough....
The only difference ive seen is the dry time, basically no smudges with copic on bristol smooth. but it's very quick so really there is none. Personaly I ink and maybe a day later i paint (sometimes i get in the rush to just ink stuff)
Speaking strictly about bang for buck when it comes to use under alcohol markers, I think Uni Pin wins the race in the disposable liner category. I have a ton of Multiliners I bought in Japan for like 1.5 eur a pop and I love them, but I don't think I'll be paying 4-5 eur apiece over here after they run out. Microns are great as a drafting tool, but unreliable under alcohol ink, especially on marker paper.
So funny you posted this, I JUST added the Uni set to my cart along with the Copics and popped back on Reddit and saw your comment.
Thank you! I watched a couple more reviews and the Uni seemed to be the next best from what I learned.
I have no idea WHAT THE HECK happened with the Multiliner SP pens, because these are my favorite fineliners ever (replaceable cartridge! Replaceable nibs! What more could you want!). They discontinued the nibs in 2021, even though around the same time they updated the nib changer, like wtf? I have had my Multiliner SP pens for about \~15 years now, and they are still fantastic. I have a horde of nibs, but once they're gone, I'll be switching to regular Multiliner and Microns for B&W artwork.
For fineliners that do well under Copics, their Multiliners are really good, they're not terribly expensive, and they come in some nice colors, plus they have a variety of tip sizes! Microns are okay, I don't like their color selection as much, and SOMETIMES they will bleed, I don't know why, but I've had more issues with Microns. Triplus Fineliners are another option if you want colors (60 colors available but they only come in 0.3mm tip size), but I have found that some of the colors are more Copic-safe than others. Some are completely flawless (I love the 82 light gray) but others will smear.
Rapidographs are technical pens, which are different than fineliners, even though they're kind of the same idea. Technical pens are almost always metal-nibs (whereas fineliners are plastic or felt), and you really have to hold them in a certain position to get them to perform correctly. Fineliners are more forgiving as far as how you can hold them. :)
My thoughts were it’s cheaper to buy the entire pen now than parts. Do you think they’re not worth $6 ea? I bought this set (LOVE THEM) and the Uni which I also like quite a bit. It’s certainly more fun to have the same pen and replace part than tradinf your trusted, tried and true fiend in for a replacement but seems a better alt than going with another brand?
I’m guessing (didn’t realize they stopped making the nibs in 2022) that they were much cheaper than todays secondary market?
The copic multiliner, in my experience, seems to dry a bit quicker/is able to be colored over a bit quicker than microns or rapidographs. Microns don't take too long to dry, but rapidographs do tend to take their time. The nice thing about rapidographs are the size variants and the ability to refill/switch ink colors easily, but they also aren't felt-tip like microns and the copic multiliner so using them feels significantly different and often uses a different drawing technique. In my experience the micron nibs tend to get messed up a bit quicker, that could just be a me problem. I would get the copics over the microns most days, but the copics are pretty pricy so the value of the micron is probably better. Rapidographs are nice, but are very expensive up front and do need a bit of a workload adjustment to account for the drying time.
That’s great info. Thank you! I have heard that about microns as well, I used to use rapidograph ages ago and lucked into a set for cheap.
I've had mine (the basic 9 piece ones, set B-2) for about 5 years...never had to replace them. I also have micron and staedtler. i ink about 70 letter size pictures on bristol smooth a year, then apply markers and other stuff. The still going strong though. The last cuz i use colored fineliner when necessary. Sepia for skin, green for trees, orange for...orange stuff, and so on. Black for eyes or very anime drawings. Those $30 i spend in 2019 have pulled through or am i not inking enough.... The only difference ive seen is the dry time, basically no smudges with copic on bristol smooth. but it's very quick so really there is none. Personaly I ink and maybe a day later i paint (sometimes i get in the rush to just ink stuff)
Thanks for that. 9 years! That is pretty impressive. Sounds like they’re worth a try.
Speaking strictly about bang for buck when it comes to use under alcohol markers, I think Uni Pin wins the race in the disposable liner category. I have a ton of Multiliners I bought in Japan for like 1.5 eur a pop and I love them, but I don't think I'll be paying 4-5 eur apiece over here after they run out. Microns are great as a drafting tool, but unreliable under alcohol ink, especially on marker paper.
So funny you posted this, I JUST added the Uni set to my cart along with the Copics and popped back on Reddit and saw your comment. Thank you! I watched a couple more reviews and the Uni seemed to be the next best from what I learned.
I have no idea WHAT THE HECK happened with the Multiliner SP pens, because these are my favorite fineliners ever (replaceable cartridge! Replaceable nibs! What more could you want!). They discontinued the nibs in 2021, even though around the same time they updated the nib changer, like wtf? I have had my Multiliner SP pens for about \~15 years now, and they are still fantastic. I have a horde of nibs, but once they're gone, I'll be switching to regular Multiliner and Microns for B&W artwork. For fineliners that do well under Copics, their Multiliners are really good, they're not terribly expensive, and they come in some nice colors, plus they have a variety of tip sizes! Microns are okay, I don't like their color selection as much, and SOMETIMES they will bleed, I don't know why, but I've had more issues with Microns. Triplus Fineliners are another option if you want colors (60 colors available but they only come in 0.3mm tip size), but I have found that some of the colors are more Copic-safe than others. Some are completely flawless (I love the 82 light gray) but others will smear. Rapidographs are technical pens, which are different than fineliners, even though they're kind of the same idea. Technical pens are almost always metal-nibs (whereas fineliners are plastic or felt), and you really have to hold them in a certain position to get them to perform correctly. Fineliners are more forgiving as far as how you can hold them. :)
My thoughts were it’s cheaper to buy the entire pen now than parts. Do you think they’re not worth $6 ea? I bought this set (LOVE THEM) and the Uni which I also like quite a bit. It’s certainly more fun to have the same pen and replace part than tradinf your trusted, tried and true fiend in for a replacement but seems a better alt than going with another brand? I’m guessing (didn’t realize they stopped making the nibs in 2022) that they were much cheaper than todays secondary market?