Which Of These Would You Choose?

[redisburning]

I could use one additional work pen and was wondering, since I've not owned any of these on the list (well, I've owned a ton of 51s but that's sort of the "give up" option and just go get the grail 51 for me), if the fine folks at FPN wouldn't mind helping me select one.

 

 

Here's what I'm looking for:

I would like a reasonable ink capacity, 6.5-8.5/10 wetness, and a smooth Western Fine/Eastern Medium

 

My two biggest concerns:

1. Pen must be 145mm or shorter

2. Pen must write VERY consistently on smooth paper (CF, Rhodia), even with medium wetness inks

 

I realize the prices on these varies a bit. If you have an other suggestion, please keep it under 500 USD. But if you're under that, don't worry about value or anything like that.

 

Which would you choose, and if you don't mind sharing, why?

 

Thanks.

[william2001]

In my opinion, Parker 51 is good for everything.

-William S. Park

[Nick13]

I would choose the Homo Sapiens, I use it in my everyday writing. For me it is extremely comfortable, and i find that the nib works like a suspension (by this i mean that it absorbs inconsistencies in the paper, and will absorb pressure on the downstrokes, which for me is fantastic, not only because of what it does to my writing, but also because it provides for a comfortable experience).

 

On the other hand, the M800 is another great pen, the nib is a little stiffer, but still a nice workhorse pen

 

 

Best if luck choosing!

Nicholas I.

[_Stormin_]

M800 would be a fantastic call.

[NedC]

I voted "Other" and now I am specifying:

 

Lamy 2000

 

I'd also give strong consideration to any of the Pilot Custom series, I have a 91 and the Soft-Fine nib on it was one of the wettest and smoothest nibs I ever used, more like a western fine but quite springy, also consider the metal Falcon/Elabo pens. I'd also suggest the Platinum President or 3776 Century although you seem to prefer flat ends.

[inkstainedruth]

In my opinion, Parker 51 is good for everything.

-William S. Park

+1 on that.

I'm not familiar with some of the pens on your list, but the PFM and the M800 are thicker, heavier pens. Depending on the size of your hands, that might be a factor to consider.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[maverick777]

I would consider the Lamy 2000, Pelikan M600, Pilot CH92, and Pilot 823 as well.

[redisburning]

I already have a Lamy 2000. I am looking for "one more" to add to the rotation as too many of my pens have nibs which are not particularly useful at work.

 

The M600 is probably a bit too small, and the Pilot 823 is too large. I would be happy to consider other pens from the same companies. I do have a hard limit of 145mm as my case cannot accommodate larger pens and I insist on using a hard case with sufficient padding inside.

 

Thank you for the suggestions so far. Please keep them coming. I will consider some of the other options listed.

[redisburning]

So one of the things about this is that I'd kind of like to pick the pen based on who does the Western Fine best in the <$500 range.

 

One of my hesitations with the M800 is that while I know Pelikan does a most excellent Broad, I can't speak to their fine nibs at all. Likewise, Sailor's fine nibs are excellent writers but I've heard that their Medium may have an entirely different nib feel.

 

I think all of these are good pens. What surprises me a bit is that a really expensive Parker 51 is winning. I do love my 51s, but I was hoping to have something a little bit different, to be honest. However, if nothing else compares, perhaps nothing else will compare.

 

Thanks to all for their continued thoughts and votes.

[PAKMAN]

I have several of these but my favorite is my M800.

[heymatthew]

I have an M805 with a WONDERFUL EF nib on it. I couldn't possibly be happier with it. It's probably my very favorite pen and while I don't use it daily, I use it an awful lot. If I know I'm going to sit down and write for a while, I pick the 805 every time. I had a Visconti Bronze Age, and sold it, but I am planning to pick up a Steel Age to replace it as soon as funds allow. Actually, I sold the Bronze to get the Steel and then got distracted by some other pens and never got to the steel.

 

All that being said, I think the 800 or 805 is awfully hard to beat as a daily workhorse pen.

[Abner C. Kemp]

I'd say Parker 51, M800, or Lamy 2000. Since the Parker 51 is already sort of a grail pen for you I would probably go with that.

[redisburning]

well I'm going to give the M800 a shot.

[H.M. Murdock]

I use a NOS Sheaffer 440 (F) as my daily writer at work. I voted PFM, because if it's anything at all like handling my cheap 440... yeah. You should get that one so I can write vicariously through you.

[estie1948]

Give an Esterbrook J with a 9550 nib a try. It will spoil you for other pens. A fully restored Esterbrook J should run you $60 or less and last as an everyday workhorse for the next few decades with only routine cleanings every few refills. You can spend more and you can buy a fancier pen, but you can't buy a better pen.

 

-David.

[dgturner]

+1 to the Esterbrook. I find that I must fight the urge to ink up multiple Esties.

[PabloAU]

My money would be on either a Pelikan M800 (F) or a Pilot Custom Heritage 92 (M)

[Chiyoko]

OOh! OOh! Pick me! says the M800. No wonder it's getting most of the votes, it's an amazing pen.

[Oldane]

Pelikan M800 in a heartbeat.

 

I have five of them and they have been my daily writers year in and year out with no problems whatsovever. I expect them to outlive me. They write very nicely, have a very consistent flow and are sufficiently wet for my preferred I-G inks. They hold a lot of ink. They are easy to clean (the nib/feed unit screws in and out easily and the piston mechanism can be easily removed and reinstalled with, say, a TWSBI 7mm spanner if needed). If everything else fails, the nib and feed can be knocked out from the threaded collar and cleaned separately. I have quite a few other pens, but M800s are the ones I rely on as my workhorses.

 

The M800 represents the typical oldfashioned "German" school of engineering - a simple design with as few parts as possible, but the parts being there are cleverly thought out and well made from good and durable materials and with tight tolerances.It's simpler in design than the TWSBI 580 which otherwise seems to be designed with more than a nod to the M800. The TWSBI 580 has some parts, gaskets and design features which the M800 has not - and obviouly doesn't need either. I love the concept saying that parts/details which aren't there can't break or fail. In that respect the M800 reminds me of the BMW R60/2 motorcycle I had in my youth. It was a durable workhorse which never failed. The same with the M800.

 

The old UK pen repair man and writer Peter Twydle doesn't hesitate to recommend the M800 when people ask for "the worlds best fountain pen", and I tend to agree with him.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Oldane

[attika89]

well I'm going to give the M800 a shot.

Great decision!