Hello everyone,

Like many of you I am thinking about my next pen. What pen would you recommend as a move up from someone who uses a Pelikan 600, Waterman Carene and Sailor 1911 regularly?

All suggestions most welcome.

Deca

What do you mean by "up"? More expensive? Bigger? More distinctive/rare/unusual? Writes differently in some sense (italic, flex, etc.)?

Simon

Yeah, what simonrob said. I could have pretty much any pen I want, and I use a Pelikan 600. You'll have to specify what it is you're looking for.

Montblanc 149

Aurora Optima, Parker Duofold.
You need a bit more diversity.

Mike

Pel M1000, Waterman Edson or a Sailor with a different nib.

MB 149 is also nice

There are two ways I would think of going:

1. A vintage pen with a more flexible nib: Maybe conway stewart, or even a very reasonable Waterman W2: All plastic, but a lovely 14K nib and lever filled.

2. Something rarer, and although I have never seen one in the flesh, I'm already drooling over the thought of a custom made Nakaya.

David.

EDIT: I should add that with vintage pens, location makes a huge difference as to price and availability of certain brands.

If you love your Carene, you'll love Visconti pens. I went from 7 Carenes to 30 Visconti

You should move up to some vintage American pens. Waterman 52, Sheaffer Lifetime, Parker Vacumatic or 51, Eversharp Skyline...

You can buy more expensive pens, for sure, but not better ones.

At the risk of following you into obsession - what are some of your favorite Viscontis?

Until you feel the pull of the pen, a Van Gogh Maxi will make your mouth water the first time you write with it after the Carenes. I've got 4 now. Then you graduate to stuff like the Skeletons - the next thing you know, you've blown a mortgage payment on a Romanica! They're wet, they're luscious - the colors and style will knock you over!

MB 149 is the pen you want its the BEST !!!

Sheaffer Touchdown with a flex nib...

It's not more expensive, but I would I suggest the Lamy 2000 if you are looking for a well-rounded workhorse pen. It's just a great pen that many on this form have come to use.