I've enjoyed reading over the Pelikan forum the past few days in anticipation of ordering my first Pel, a 215. I'm already lusting for an M800 and M625! Now that I've settled on the 215 (with thoughts of replacing it in a few years with a bigger bird) I'm wondering what would be the best nib for me.

I'm a relative noob to fountain pens, so I'm not sure I'd appreciate the difference between a steel and a gold nib (hence the 215 instead of a M400). I've been writing with an extra-fine Lamy Al-Star and I find that I like the line it puts down--to my eye, it's nearly identical to the Pilot G-2 07mm gel pens I've been using the past few years. I do really prefer a fine or extra-fine writer. I've used a M Waterman Phileas and found it to be too wide for my tastes. I'm going to be writing my thesis in the coming months, so I'll really be putting it through it's paces.

Unfortunately, there isn't a Pelikan dealer anywhere nearby, so I can't test different nibs firsthand. I downloaded Richard Binder's "Stroke Width Chart for Reground Nibs" and compared my Al-Star output to his custom XF round nibs. Since it is $45 more, I'm wondering if I should pony up for his services or if I'd be just as happy with a fine that his shop looked over before sending out. Does a Binder fine write as small as the Al-Star extra-fine, or perhaps only a little larger? I'd hate to run the risk of getting a stock XF from other retailers and finding that it has trouble (I take it this is common among new XF Pelikan nibs). I'm not worried about the added cost for the XF and have total confidence that a Binder nib on a Pelikan pen would be a dream--I'm just not sure if I ought to go for a Fine, Extra-Fine or Binder Extra-Fine. Would anyone with experience with these nibs care to chime in?

Thanks!

Sorry to all you good folks who've looked at questions like these for years now... I think I'm more nervous/excited about getting this pen than I ever was waiting for Santa. You can't blame me for wanting to get it right! Anyway, I've done some more digging through the forums and have resolved myself to just call the Binder shop tomorrow. If anyone can set me straight on Pelikan nibs, it's them.

By the way, if anyone after me is looking for a handy comparison of stock Pelikan nib output, check out http://www.pelikanpens.co.uk/inksandnibs.htm. It's been posted in this forum many times, but bears repeating.

Thanks, Brandon.

Good idea that you are contacting R. Binder for advice first, before you order. If you like the .07 mm line the G2 gel lays down, you could ask him if it makes sense to match that width and even send a sample of the line you prefer. I didn't have a problem with my stock Pelikan steel XF nib at all, which I ordered from Pam Braun, guess it's luck of the draw. While I have an EF nib for a Lamy Safari, I don't find it all that much finer than the not particularly fine (but equally smooth) F nib it replaced. Good luck on whichever route you choose and hope you enjoy your Pelikan!

P.S. Thanks for the useful link.

I also enjoy a fine line, and have a couple of pens with varying size nibs, mostly F. For most things I do Medium is just too thick. For general writing and note taking I prefer an F to XF. I have a Binderized XF nib for my Pel and love it. However, no one else in my family, even the only other thin-line person, likes it. They use too much pressure, and find it a bit scratchy. Not uncommon for XF. I find it writes like a dream, but then I use a very light touch. I have a Fine nib for it, but haven't used that one yet. At this rate I think I'll do better to just get another body for it, since I can't see myself not having this XF nib available all the time!

Do let us know what you select, and good luck with narrowing down to just one choice out of so many nice ones!

Hi

If you send the width of the line you want to Binder he will copy it.

I have a binder xxf nib. It is great and I live it.

As for Pelikan xf nibs I have 2 and have had no problems with either one.

Good to hear that you love the xxf. I've got a custom grind from him shipping out on Wednesday. I can't wait!