Gravitas Vac 2.0 Review: A Large-Capacity Vacuum Filler That Gets the Balance Right

Introduction

The Gravitas Vac 2.0 is the newest vacuum filler from Gravitas Pens, modeled after the original Ultimate Vac but sharing its filling approach with the larger Monster. Because it is smaller, it is also more affordable, and that combination of large ink capacity and a manageable size is exactly what makes it interesting. Priced at 195 euros before tax, it sits in a space where build quality and filling innovation usually cost more.

Packaging and First Impressions

Gravitas ships the pen in one of its signature hard cases, and they remain a genuine highlight. The case is rigid enough to protect the pen in a bag, has a loop for carrying, a double zipper, and a beautifully padded, soft insert inside. It is an original touch and a great way to store a pen between sessions.

Out of the case, the Vac 2.0 is a large pen, but not uncomfortably so. Placed next to a Pilot Metropolitan, it is clearly bigger without feeling oversized, and it avoids the extreme girth of the Monster. The materials tell the story: yellow Ultem for the barrel, anodized aluminum parts, and a black PVD-coated stainless steel section. The stainless steel is heavier than the aluminum, which front-loads the weight as you write. The result is a slightly forward balance, which is precisely where you want it when the nib meets the paper.

The Kraken Vacuum Filling System

The heart of the pen is the Kraken filling system. You unscrew the back end, pull out the rod, submerge the nib in a bottle of ink, and push the rod back in. The vacuum pops and ink flows up into the barrel. If you want to fill it completely, it may take two tries, but the capacity is generous.

The design also makes the ink level visible. There is an ink window, and because the secondary reservoir is sealed off by the piston seal, the pen will stop writing once that chamber runs dry. Being able to see whether there is ink in that chamber is genuinely useful, and translucent inks look excellent in the yellow Ultem barrel.

Nib and Writing Performance

The Vac 2.0 uses a newly developed number six stainless steel nib, made in-house, available in extra fine, fine, medium, or broad. There is no breather hole, but a longer slit that makes the nib more responsive. It can also be exchanged with a Jowo nib, which adds flexibility for future tinkering.

In medium, the pen is a pleasant writer with a nice line width, perhaps a slightly skinny medium. The feed keeps up even during fast writing, and the pen is nicely wet. The long slit adds a bit of expressiveness: pressing a little harder does not feel alarming, and the nib showed no signs of damage or springing afterward. This is not a vintage flex or wet noodle nib, but adding character to your writing works well. Reverse writing is possible, though it gets a bit scratchier and drier, so the finer nib options would suit that style better.

The section tapers down, flares out, and features micro grooves that keep the pen from becoming slippery. The cap has an internal Delrin sleeve, so the nib never touches metal or plastic harshly and avoids scratches. The pen sort of posts, though not especially securely, and posting remains well balanced thanks to the aluminum cap. One small note: posting may leave a faint white line near the cap mouth, but it rubs off easily and is not a scratch.

Serviceability and Maintenance

This is where Gravitas stands out. The section is modular and unscrews easily, which makes cleaning dramatically simpler than repeatedly drawing up and expelling water. You can hold the pen under a tap or use a dental syringe and be done quickly.

For long-term care, Gravitas sells silicone grease and a dedicated lubricant at 8 euros each, plus a spanner wrench at 12 euros for full disassembly. Not everyone wants to take a pen apart, so selling the wrench separately is a defensible choice rather than bundling it. Spare o-rings are also available. This open, user-serviceable attitude is refreshing in a market where disassembling some pens voids the warranty entirely.

Things to Consider Before Buying

There is very little to criticize here. The only real observation is that the threads stick out slightly. They are not sharp and not bothersome while writing, but they are noticeable. A matter of preference is the pointed finial at the top of the cap; the flat tops used on the Monster have their own appeal.

Ultem, with its distinctive yellow color, is a personal taste issue as well. It will not be everyone’s favorite material, but the translucent look with colored ink inside is undeniably striking. If you prefer darker, more understated pens, keep that in mind.

Buying Advice

At 195 euros before tax, the Vac 2.0 feels like a fair price given the manufacturing quality, tolerances, and assembly. Making nibs in-house is a genuine achievement, and the medium nib wrote straight out of the box with no skips and has not stopped since. If you want a large-capacity vacuum filler that most people can actually use comfortably, and you value being able to service your own pen, this is an easy recommendation.

Conclusion

The Gravitas Vac 2.0 takes the brand’s filling system know-how and shrinks it into a pen with excellent balance, a responsive in-house nib, and full serviceability. The minor thread snag and pointed finial are preference-level quibbles rather than flaws. For anyone curious about vacuum fillers without going to Monster-sized girth, the Vac 2.0 makes a very strong case.