Balance... well balanced... top-heavy... what do you mean exactly ?

Let's see if we can compile a short database of numbers. I propose the distance from the tip of the nib to the center of mass as a measure of balance. I'll start with the two pen in my pocket right now (quick measurements, balancing the pens on each other, for which I estimate a 2mm precision) :

• Namiki Vanishing Point (nib out) : 7.0 cm (2.7'')
• Waterman Sérénité :
  • non posted : 6.5 cm (2.5'')
  • posted : 9.1 cm (3.5'')

oups... admiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiins ! Could you move that post to Fountain Pen... pretty please...

I need more coffee...

Balance II: uncapped - approx. 6cm.
posted - about 8.3mm

M400 uncapped: 6.5 cm
posted: 8cm

• Parker Duofold International :
  • uncapped: 7.3 cm
  • posted: 9.3 cm
• Wality 52
  • uncapped: 7.0 cm
  • posted: 10.0 cm

NOTE: realize that the amount of ink in the pen will affect the center of balance. That said, here are some rough measurements:

Aurora Ipsilon
- 7.0 cm uncapped
- 8.5 cm posted

Namiki/Pilot VP
- 7.0 cm nib out

Pelikan M200 Demonstrator
- 7.0 cm uncapped
- 8.7 cm posted

Sheaffer Cobalt Glow Balance II
- 6.7 cm uncapped
- 8.0 cm posted

Sheaffer Prelude
- 7.4 cm uncapped
- 9.2 cm posted

Wality 69L
- 7.5 cm uncapped
- 9.7 cm posted

Waterman Expert II
- 7.7 cm uncapped
- 9.7 cm posted

Edited to change some #'s - late night when posting (had them reversed). Thanks for drawing it to my attention KCat.

interesting - we got almost opposite numbers for the Cobalt Glow.

does converter vs. cartridge make a difference also?

KCat - thanks for catching my mistake. Hard day yesterday - switched the numbers around, as should have been obvious to me. Sorry, folks.

ah.. okay. well, that makes me feel better, I thought I was doing something strange to get to such different numbers.i

nteresting to compare your 200 demo with my 400 white tortoise. of course ink volume may be involved but i've always felt the 400s were just slightly heavier/more "solid" feeling. I'll have to find my demo and see how it compares. currently it is ink-less. so comparing it that way and filled would be interesting. thanks for taking the time to do all that, SP.