Always worked perfect for me. As I understand, they've changed things up a few years ago and the change was not perceived as for the better.
I have heard/read the same thing. The tests would suggest that the pen reforms fe has not suffered. In the test expansion ran to an avg of 2x original diameter and weight retention was from mid 60% to about low 80% and an avgnof 75%. Especially interesting is the comparison of the sp selection vs RN samples.
