Would someone suggest a nib I can use to write checks? I use the duplicate checks and need to press a little harder than for single checks. I want to use it in my desk pen. Would a manifold [9650] work? Any advice would be appreiated. thanks in advance>

the sailor Cross Concorde, butter smooth and at the same time thick and stiff enough so you can press real heard to be able to make a mark on the duplicate without worrying about bending it.

^^ Sailor Cross Concorde on an Esterbrook. That would be cool.

A manifold will work fine. Any manifold.

Lamy Safari works well, so does a Parker Duofold. The enormously ugly Rotring Core does a fine job, too, as does the ever faithful Rotring 600.

Cool. thanks. I'll use a safari until I decide what to do. After hearing the horror stories of bending nibs backwards, I tend to err on the side of chicken (caution). I thought my desk set would look good and be functional at the same time.

I have only a few pens that will not make a carbon copy on a form I use for work, the 9460 would be the best, heck you can use that dang nib as a nail set! However, the 9650 will work perfectly for you.

All my Sheaffers work perfectly, my Esties other than the fine nibs and the flexi 9788 that I have work well. My Parker 51 is great for this too.

Thanks for the input. Safari until a new manifold nib arrives...or a new Estie!

I have not found a safari or 51 to be good for duplicate checks; the amount of force needed to get a good image is just too much for those nibs, IMO. (They spread significantly under pressure.) The manifold estie nib doesn't spread at all. Checks presumably vary by manufacturer, but mine at least are a much tougher problem than carbon paper--the checks are stiffer than regular paper, and the carbonless forms require more pressure than carbons.

Not to be too contrarian but sometimes a pen type other than a fountain pen is good for a particular task. I've been using a BP for quite some time and it makes fine duplicate checks.

K

Bah, it's just a matter of finding the right fountain pen.

I use in no particular order the following for my duplicate check writing and carbonless duplicate counseling forms at work, Parker 51, Sheaffer Balance, Waterman Phileas, Waterman Expert II and Lamy Safari! All work well.
PMS

That's what I would expect to hear but really there is a time and a place for every writing instrument. Sometimes forcing one to go outside it's comfort area can cause problems.. I won't talk about newsprint or Moleskines now

But it takes all kinds so go find a nail nib like a waterman and have fun on the checks!

Kurt

There are situations where bps and rbs are indisputably superior to fps - writing on poor quality paper, triplicate forms, wood, plastic, moist surfaces, waxy paper, and so on.
A nibless pen might be the best solution sometimes.

I have to agree about the safari. At the camera shop, it looked like a "y" it splayed so much. I quickly changed to a bp. I really wanted a fp to write checks because my estie desk set is on the desk where I write checks. Since it's not a portable pen and I journal elsewhere, I wanted to use it for the mundane, yet permanently located, chores like bill paying. I bought a manifold nib and love it.

I have been using my Sailor 1911 M with no problem. I think my Sheaffer's 304 will be fine also. Remember that the duplicate darkens with time. If it's light immediately after writing, check it the next day and it should have darkened a lot.

I have a Pelikan Pelikano (~20 years old) that works very well and a Esterbrook with a 1461 nib that works well.

+1. Treat yourself to a nice RB or BP. Time and place for everything.

MrR

Why? The Estie with manifold nib works great, and I trust Noodler's Black far more than a nice RB or BP. (Now, a $3 signo isn't bad, but why bother getting one if you've already got a perfectly good FP?)

Glad to hear that the manifold works well. I'll have to try that. I've got quite a few esters and FP's in general and (unfortunately) have to write out triplicate progress notes all day at work. I've tried nearly all my FP's and none of them produce a dark enough mark on the triplicate with moderate pressure. My 9550 nibs come close but I dont like forcing it to do a task another tool does better (for me).

My secondary reason for using BP's and RB's is that there are some LE pens that are out of my price range in FP versions. However, getting them in a RB version is doable.

MrR