Okay, I'd like to experiment with different nibs, but I don't want to spend a fortune on pens. (I might not like them!)
Could anyone recommend a cheap tryout which has a wide variety of nibs available?
(Broad / Stub / Flex etc)

Or should I just go for a variety of cheap FP's with different nibs?

I can't spent oodles of money on pens (unfortunately!) but I thought maybe if I have one where I can get a wide variety of nibs, that might not hurt the bank balance too much?

Hlep!

Silke

Esterbrooks - there are lots of different nibs that just screw in. However, the stubs and flexible nibs are a bit more pricey, and I didn't find the flexible nib I tried all too convincing. I think one of the people on the Esterbrook forum has his own very good website and sells different nibs there too (not sure if that's still the case). Do a search and you'll find lots of threads.
Good Luck
Nellie

Parker and Sheaffer sell some nice calligraphy-pen sets with interchangable nibs. Perhaps that's what you'd like?

I've got a Parker Calligraphy pen and... I hate it. It scratches, doesn't flow... So I'm really leery of Calligraphy pens now.
Maybe I just use them wrong, though.

Esterbrooks would be good choice .... as would Lamy with nibs at £3.60 each you can experiment with a range of 5 widths for less than £20 incl UK postage but none of these are flexible

How about a Pelikan M400?
Alongside nibs EF and F you can also try out M, B, BB, OM, OB and OBB
I'd say that pen is not a cheapo but it also isn't all that expensive either...
... AND it is a great workhorse for every writing application...
... PLUS you can buy all the nibs you want and exchange them YOURSELF any time you want too.

Mike

I'll check it out, Mike.

I tend to like the Pelikan pens, having grown up with them in Germany.
I also remember how easy the nibs on those were replaced, which is definitely a plus.

Do they do stub nibs too? Slanted ones?

Just wondering.

Silke

Holy crapola!
I've just checked the price on the M400.

£150 !!!!

3 words for you: Not. An. Option.

Way, way, WAY too expensive for me. :/

Back to the drawing board lol.

Are you attending the DC pen show? Richard Binder usually has a display of Pelikan pens for testing with just about every nib/point size existing

I'm in the UK, or I'd be there like a shot, Pinmin.

I don't know of any pen shows in Surrey (If there is one, please tell me. ) but then I have only just really got bitten by this obsession.

I don't know of any shops around here either, and those who sell pens (like WHSmith) won't let you try them... "I can't take it out of the packaging." is the standard answer I got when I was shopping around for a decent fountain pen.
Thats how I got stuck with a Parker Calligraphy which I do not like.
It's also why I have no clue what kind of nib would be right for me, which one I would enjoy writing with. (I love my P51 but I'd like a broader nib... I think.)

Tricky stuff.

Silke

Plus the nibs for the 400 are £45 $90 each in the UK so not one of the best budget choices out there to experiment with

There is a London Pen show due soon but don't know the dates sorry

Sheaffer makes calligraphy pens for about $4-5 USD each. They come in regular F, M, & B nibs as well as F,M & B italic nibs. Sheaffer pens will let you try different nibs so you can get a general feel for them but a better pen's nib will probably give you a better over all writing experience. Plus different companies have different ideas about what a proper F, M, & B should be.

I believe the handwriting maestro, Caliken, likes Manuscript pens for italics.

Here is a thought. I have a few vintage school dip pens and 5-6 different types of nibs that will fit in them (maybe more I have to check). Add to this, and in regards to Esterbrook nibs, you can get them pretty cheap off of E-Bay. As stated, these are dip pens but it would be a good way to try different nibs.

Silke - If this sounds like an option please let me know and send me a PM. I am thinking we can work something out to fit your budget as I live by a tight one myself.

I've just struck up a little deal for Just Fun's Lamy Studio, since there are a wide variety of nibs, and I like the feel of a fountain pen.
Can't wait!

Silke

Hi, Silke. The Pelikan M200 is a fraction of the price of the M400. Moreover, the steel nibs are much cheaper than the gold nibs and can also purchased from Richard Binder in a variety of sizes and styles.

Best,
David

A Lamy Safari costs $25 (plus or minus) and nibs are easily changed. Nibs cost $12 each (more or less). Converter runs around $10. So, if you shop around for a good Lamy Safari/Al-Star/Studio, you can order whatever nibs you want for the pen and change them easily.

Manuscript pens have a variety of nibs available as well. And the nibs are easily changed. Drawback: Manuscript pens are calligraphy nibs and a little tricky.

Would recommend getting a Manuscript pen set and studying a bit on calligraphy before going too overboard on pens. With a bit of study, you might find yourself enjoying the italic nibs.

Best of Luck,
Randal

Get a Pelikan M200.

the pen cost around 50$-60$ the pen is designed in a way that you can very easily change its nibs,you simply screw the one in use off and screw in the new one you want to use.
I think every nib cost around 20$ and this German pen is an excellent pen so I think this is your best way to go.