Representative Nibs

[Dubin]

Hello! I'm still shopping around for my first fountain pen(s). I've decided to get a taste of the Japanese Big 3 by buying an entry-level pen from each:

 

Pilot desk pen:

http://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Desk-Fountain-Pen-DPN-70-Extra-Fine-Nib-Red-Body/pd/12438

Platinum desk pen:

http://www.jetpens.com/Platinum-Carbon-Desk-Fountain-Pen-Super-Fine-1-Carbon-Ink-Cartridge/pd/3851

Sailor Clear Candy:

http://www.jetpens.com/Sailor-Clear-Candy-Fountain-Pen-Medium-Fine-Nib-Metallic-Blue-Body/pd/8317

 

My primary goal is just getting an accurate comparison of the relative "house flavors" of each company. Are there better representatives of each at this price range, or will I do just fine with these three?

 

I wanted to buy the Sailor desk pen too, for consistency, but JetPens apparently doesn't sell them anymore.

[Icywolfe]

Why a desk pen though?

[Dubin]

Primarily because of the price.

[Algester]

I dunno if I were you I'd get their snap cap models instead, Pilot New Young rex, Platinum Standard, Sailor young... again apparently the Sailor young is the more expensive of the bunch... but it's not like you can't have the Pilot Celemo and Platinum Standard in that price range as well and props to Platinum and Pilot because apparently they are gold nibs at 5000 yen range...

[Icywolfe]

Primarily because of the price.

How about The Pilot Metro and Platinum Plasir?

[Algester]

the plasir nib wise is no different from a preppy.. and Sailor's lower price point offerings only comes with 1 nib...

[Icywolfe]

the plasir nib wise is no different from a preppy.. and Sailor's lower price point offerings only comes with 1 nib...

But that is their only metal body pen at a near price point to the Metropolitan.

[Algester]

mmm I dunno... for me the "good" range is on the 3000-5000 yen range due to nib diversity Ironic enough Metropolitan/Cocoon falls under the 3000 yen range in Japan which isnt the cheapest Pilot pen that Pilot has to offer if my post from the best pilot pen thread has a say in it

but in terms of nib diversity Sailor loses the match at the 3000-5000 yen price point because at 3000 your only option is the F-2 and FM nibs found on the Lecoule and crystal seperately which you dont get when buying a Metropolitan and plasir as you can choose either F or M so next is really the cream of the crop of affordability the 5000 yen range where you can get the Platinum Standard PTL-5000 in EF-M and Celemo F-M with the Sailor young's EF-Music nib

hence the best nib representative at decent price point sure 50USD...

Edited September 29, 2014 by Algester

[maverink]

+1 try the 50usd pens to get the feel of the Japanese big 3 nibs

[Dubin]

Pilot New Young rex, Celemo

Platinum Standard

Sailor young

 

+1 try the 50usd pens to get the feel of the Japanese big 3 nibs

Alright, I'll do that. Thank you! I don't really mind paying the extra money at all, to have a more accurate frame of reference. No, not even if the Sailor one costs ~$30 extra!

[jeffkoch]

I think the Platinum PTB-5000B is more representative of the rest of the line than the PTL-5000, at a similar price point.

 

The PTB-5000B is available with a UEF nib, if you are drawn toward finer tips.

[NedC]

Why not the Sailor desk pen if you want to go the desk pen route? The Sailor Neo High-Ace is also a pretty nice pen.

[XiaoMG]

Consider the F4 nib on the Sailor HighAce Neo. Not promoting over anything else, but it is an option for a Sailor at a low price.

Edit: should have read the last post, sorry!

Edited October 6, 2014 by XiaoMG