Looking For Opinions And Info For An Oversized High End Pen Purchase

[J85909266]

I am very interested in purchasing an oversized, top quality fountain pen. It must be very large, and it must also have a huge, impressive nib. It must also write like a premium pen is expected to. My budget is going to max out at around $600, but I would love to spend less, and I'm okay with buying used.

 

So far, the pens that I am aware of and my thoughts:

 

Montblanc 149 - Obviously, I would buy a used one. Great reputation, beautiful pen and nib, piston filler. The only downside is that I have to buy it used, and I'm not a big fan of gold trim

 

Pelikan M 1000th - It has everything, but I just don't care for the aesthetics.

 

Sailor King of Pen - This is my current front runner. I love the look of the silver trim ebonite model. I've heard their nibs are best in the business. I even love the silly name. It's a converter filler, which is fine, but not impressive. The main issue here is cost and ordering from Japan.

 

Delta Dolcevita Oversize - The pen looks nice. I love that it's a true eyedropper. I just hate orange.

 

My biggest question is whether I'm missing any notable models besides these. I would also love advice about how and where to buy, what to watch out for, and personal experiences and thoughts on these pens.

 

Thanks!

[Graphemer]

Visconti's maxi pens might fit the bill, no? I've been day-dreaming about a divine desert springs from time to time (as well as a Homo sapiens). I think the former can be found in your price range second hand, but it's also worth checking chatterly luxury/pens. The latter is in your range new, I think.

 

Although I'm not positive it's an oversize pen, how do you feel about the nakaya neo-standard?

 

Just a couple of ideas....

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

FYI - You can get a MB 149 with platinum trim instead of gold.

 

I personally would go with the Sailor King of Pens over the Montblanc. The Sailor nibs are awesome, especially if you like a very fine nib.

 

You do not have to worry about buying the Sailor from Japan any more than the Montblanc from Germany. You get both of them thru dealers in America.

 

Cramer

[Bill Broome]

What about a Franklin Christoph 1901?

[Bill Broome]

Or, for that money, you could engage in the custom built work of Brian Gray at the Edison Pen Company. Pick whatever shape, size barrel and color you like.

 

You will really enjoy working with him, and the result will be unique and just what you chose.

[FarmBoy]

Parker Giant or Waterman 20 would be my first thought for a really large pen. Next down would be a Sheaffer OS balance or a PFM and a Parker OS Vavumatic or Sr Duofold.

Edited November 28, 2014 by FarmBoy

[Medsen Fey]

Yard o Led Grand Viceroy is a hefty chunk of silver. The nibs and girth are not quite as large as the 149 but it is big and silver and an impressive pen that writes like a dream. You can get one used for well under $600 and will have a family heirloom.

[WetNoodle]

I'd stick with the Sailor! Zoom nib? Music?

[jar]

Some possibilities.

 

Yard-o-Led Viceroy Grand Victorian:

http://www.fototime.com/269544FAF7AFBE2/large.jpg

or Barleycorn:

http://www.fototime.com/5514B35C8A39FE6/large.jpg

here next to an XL St Dupont Olympio:

http://www.fototime.com/6F7B1CA4188FF60/large.jpg

From Montegrappa:

an old style Espressione:

http://www.fototime.com/5E5E7B0911D4E2E/xlarge.jpg

here next to a Montblanc 149:

http://www.fototime.com/ECB9B62F64709FE/large.jpg

or an Extra or Extra 1930:

http://www.fototime.com/1684E735994F8D2/large.jpg

and a close up of the nib with some other large nibs:

http://www.fototime.com/E53C6F2D0482746/large.jpg

or maybe a Privilege Deco:

http://www.fototime.com/0283C5A56BBDB5F/large.jpg

here next to a Montblanc 149

http://www.fototime.com/09ED7C1C6C983EE/large.jpg

From Sheaffer consider a Legacy, Legacy 2 or Legacy Heritage.

http://www.fototime.com/480F40E6CF7F55F/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/5FECC70AAA809E8/large.jpg

There are lots more should you want additional suggestions.

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

Wow I like that Yard-o-led Vicroy Grand Victorian!

[J85909266]

Thanks for the pictures and recommendations.

 

I like clean, simple designs, which is why I didn't really he into the Montegrappas or Viscontis. The exception is the Homo Sapiens, which is very handsome, but suffers from what I consider an undersized nib.

 

The huge, striking nib as seen on the 149 and King of Pen is essential.

[hari317]

I am very interested in purchasing an oversized, top quality fountain pen. It must be very large, and it must also have a huge, impressive nib. It must also write like a premium pen is expected to. My budget is going to max out at around $600, but I would love to spend less, and I'm okay with buying used.

 

So far, the pens that I am aware of and my thoughts:

 

Montblanc 149 - Obviously, I would buy a used one. Great reputation, beautiful pen and nib, piston filler. The only downside is that I have to buy it used, and I'm not a big fan of gold trim

 

Pelikan M 1000th - It has everything, but I just don't care for the aesthetics.

 

Sailor King of Pen - This is my current front runner. I love the look of the silver trim ebonite model. I've heard their nibs are best in the business. I even love the silly name. It's a converter filler, which is fine, but not impressive. The main issue here is cost and ordering from Japan.

 

Delta Dolcevita Oversize - The pen looks nice. I love that it's a true eyedropper. I just hate orange.

 

My biggest question is whether I'm missing any notable models besides these. I would also love advice about how and where to buy, what to watch out for, and personal experiences and thoughts on these pens.

 

Thanks!

If you are OK with the idea of an eyedropper pen, then there are several possibilities of a huge ebonite pen paired with a threaded in M1000 nib unit.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/M1000/IMG_5408.jpg

 

the middle pen is a 149.

[Ronchamp]

Perhaps the Omas 360. It has both huge and smooth nib.

 

Regards.

[J85909266]

The Omas 360 is interesting, but the nib looks a bit small, and the triangular barrel is a bit off, to me.

 

Those Yard-O-Lead pens are insane. They look like antique old lady pens, only big enough to club somebody with. No thanks.

 

I want big, but light and comfy to use. I already carry a quarter pound copper ballpoint with screw together modular construction in case I need to put somebody's lights out.

[WetNoodle]

Hari317, are you telling me a nib unit from a Pelikan M1000 fits correctly in an Indian eyedropper? Holy (bleep). That intrigues me. What is that? A Deccan? Gama?

[zaddick]

Take a look at Danitrio urushi pens in the mikado size. Big pens and a big nib. A lot nicer to me than the Sailor ebonite KOP. Might be in your range used.

[flipper_gv]

Thanks for the pictures and recommendations.

 

I like clean, simple designs, which is why I didn't really he into the Montegrappas or Viscontis. The exception is the Homo Sapiens, which is very handsome, but suffers from what I consider an undersized nib.

 

The huge, striking nib as seen on the 149 and King of Pen is essential.

 

Honestly, in this case, I don't see how you wouldn't enjoy a Sailor King of Pen, unless you like extravagant big wet nibs. But that wouldn't fit with a pen with a minimalist approach in my opinion.

[aardvarkbark]

My only oversized is the Delta Roma Imperiale. 6.75" long, 0.75" diameter; larger than MB 149. Nice cigar shape vs the rather tubular DV. Cut from solid piece of ebonite in red/brown, midnight blue, or green (no orange). Big honking nib. I got mine from Lou at ItalianPens (.com and on ebay). Well within your budget.

[welch]

The modern Onoto is large. Nibs tuned by Jon Sorowka if you buy directly from Onoto. Richard Binder is selling down his stock, but he might have a few left.

[redisburning]

Ive now owned 3 "oversized" pens and liked each one more than the last: MB149, Sailor KOP and OMAS new Paragon.

 

I don't get your taste at all though, the Grand Viceroy that jar posted is the best pen suggested so far IMOIMOIMO. might be time for a new desk pen...

Edited November 29, 2014 by redisburning