After a year and a half of buying things that are pretty I've refocused on a smaller number of pens that really fit my writing style...guess they can also be pretty. Although the purchase of a new pen is not out of the question ($400-500), I'd much prefer to spend in the neighborhood of $300-400. So, I guess I'm probably looking for a pen that's a couple of years old so I need input on recent years models that meet the requirements I'm outlining below.

I'm looking for a pen that is:

Larger in size - I like the Pelikan M800 for overall size, but recently got an Aurora Optima which is a bit shorter but still a large enough in diameter to fit nicely in my big mitt. I also like the larger nibs which tend to come in larger pens;

Larger ink capacity - When I sit down to write for work or pleasure I want large ink capacity so a piston filler is really ideal. I'm not against the idea of a "sac" type pen as long as it has larger volume. I'm not a fan of ink cartridges or converters;

I tend to lean toward more conservative color schemes. In looking in the pen box I see solid colors with mostly gold furniture. But I'm not necessarily going to restrict myself to solid colors. I'm excited about my first celluloid (Stipula Erturia Amber) and would certainly be open to more....and furniture does not have to be gold.

Since I USE my pens the pen/nib must be capable of daily use. I'm not a big fan of flex in my pens although I do enjoy line character...mostly through obliques and italics. Since the more "special" nibs are often harder to find I typically look for a B nib and simply have Richard Binder do his magic. Because I enjoy using different kinds of nibs for different style of writing I've enjoyed the changeable nibs in my Pelikans, Aurora and Stipula. While this isn't an absolute, it would be nice...do CS's have interchangeable nibs?

Guess that's what I know now. I'm looking forward to learning more.

Randy in Florida

Can you afford a Churchill? There are a few reviews you can find in these pages. I had one once, it was a blissfully superb writer but had a tendancy to blob. The ink capacity was huge, the range of finishes as broad as you'll get and you can even go for silver furniture.

Need a deep pocket though.


Greg

Vicary just recently had a Churchill in a red/black marbley color,but I think it sold yesterday. He wanted $375 for it.

John