Any Stub-Nibbed Pens For Under £50?

[BookCat]

Hi, I've recently become very interested in the thread "Stub of the Day"; however, I've noticed that most of the pens in that thread are vintage or high-end. For some time I've been searching for a stub-nibbed pen which is mid-range: up to £50.

 

I'm not looking for an italic pen. I don't intend to do calligraphy. I just want something to add a little interest to my everyday writing. So please don't suggest a pen with an italic nib. Thanks.

[Willowandme]

I don't know if I'm allowed to do this or not, but I just listed four Esterbrooks and three of them have stub nibs in the classified. One is a relief, one is a broad and one is a falcon stub.

 

You can find Esterbrooks with stub nibs, if you are interested in vintage, in your price range. I know nothing about new pens, though. I think I saw another brand with a stub nib there, too, but I can't remember the brand or price, to be honest.

[lurcho]

Hello. This isn't much of an answer, and I'm sure you'll get better responses.

 

The medium-point Lamy Safari has a little stubbishness compared to other pens in its price bracket. Just a tiny bit.

 

It may be that the broad nib has even more, but I'm not sure, because I've never owned or used one.

 

But you can buy a 1.1mm nib for that pen, and it's cheap enough to take the risk, perhaps.

 

I think these nibs are still about £4.50 from places like Cult Pens.

 

Just a thought.

[QM2]

A stub nib is actually a type of italic nib, the other type being cursive. It can be used for calligraphy as well as for everyday writing.

 

Last time I checked, Lamy sold stub nibs as fine as .9mm for their calligraphy pens that also fit regular Safaris. An even less inexpensive option are Sheaffer calligraphy sets, which are basically stub fountain pens that work quite nicely for everyday writing (and I believe are $6-12).

[OldGreyGuy]

Not sure if you were after vintage or new. Cultpens has the TWSBI available with the 1.1mm or 1.5mm stub nibs.

 

Try this link here.

[BookCat]

Thanks for the TWSBI suggestion, but I don't like demonstrators, they look too industrial.

I have a Lamy Safari medium nib, but I'm looking for something less 'beginner' than the Safari.

My knowledge of vintage pens is limited. I've read about the Esterbrooks on FPN and looked through ebay for one in good condition. I don't yet have the ability to restore a pen, so if I purchased a vintage pen it would have to be pre-restored. These seem to cost more than £50. I'll take a look at the classifieds. Thanks.

[Drone]

Some Low Cost Modern Fountain Pens With Stub(ish) Nibs

* TWSBI 580 with 1.1 or 1.5mm Nib $55

* Lamy Safari or Vista 1.1, 1.5 or 1.9mm Nib $30, add $5 for Z24 Converter

* Noodler"s Ahab or Konrad $20, add $15, for a Goulet 1.1 or 1.5mm #6 Nib

* Pilot Prera 1.0mm Nib $56

* Pilot 78G B/BB Nib, as Low as $8

Notes:

* All above except Pilot 78G from: www.gouletpens.com

* Pilot 78G from: www.stationeryart.com (stock varys).

* Prices approximate as of Oct. 2013.

* Prices are in USD and do not include shipping etc.

* I have no affiliation with named vendors.

[Aquinata]

I have a Monteverde Prima with a 1.1 nib that I really like. I paid about 55.00 USD for it so about 35 pounds...

[OldGreyGuy]

Another option may well be the Italix Parson's Essential from Mr Pen. This comes in Black and two marbled versions of Amber and Blue. There are a number of nib options including cursive stubs in fine, medium, broad and extra broad.

 

I think they are working on a plain Green and Burgundy versions for Christmas.

 

Should be under £55 including shipping in the UK.

 

I have a medium italic which is about 0.9mm and it is very smooth but there are stub versions as well.

 

http://www.mrpen.co.uk

[Inkysloth]

Some of the English made aerometric Duofolds had a stub nib - I have 2 at the moment that are about .9mm wide, with gentle line variation.

 

They can be found on That Dreaded Auction Site for £15-£35 depending on size / seller chutzpah!

 

They need only a good flush to get working IME.

[OcalaFlGuy]

"Roll your own". Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

[TallisandByrd]

THE best pen I own is the Italix Captains Commission, the nib is the smoothest i own. It is fabulous in every way, weight, looks and the Italic Broad nib (1.3mm) is ridiculously smooth. Its my everyday writer that provides wonderful line variation. It is £49 but about £56 shipped next day delivery.

[tedd]

I've been out of the loop as to who makes stub nibs for their pens. I only have a Sheaffer Targa with a lefty stub that I like drawing with. I like the suggestions people are making here and would like to check out some of these pens when I get the chance. My own suggestions would be to get a Rotring ArtPen with the 1.1 nib. Those go for $15-20 I think. A Pilot 78G is also a good deal for around the same price. Pilot also has the Parallel, although it is wider, starting at 1.5, but is less than $10 at many stores. Not true stub nibs, but gives you a similar feel- think of it as the next size up.

[dickydotcom]

_{I have a few stubs and italics some cost well over your budget but I was so happy with my Lamy Safari 1.1 I bought another with a 1.5}

_{Both are perfectly useable as every day pens.}

 

_{If you don't like that idea hunt for second hand. My favourite is probably my vintage Parker Duofold button filler. It was gifted to me so no idea what it would cost to get one.}

 

_{Dick D}

Edited October 31, 2013 by dickydotcom

[BookCat]

I've looked into the MrPen pens before, but they seem to be very hefty, I prefer something lighter.

Unfortunately, I have a Pilot 78g, but because of my writing style, which doesn't slant to the right but is vertical, this pen just seems scratchy.

 

Love the idea of the Monteverde, where did you get it for that price? I've looked on Andy's Pens and seen some nice ones for about £60, with a stub option, so I just might stretch my budget. Mmmm.... maybe! I like colourful, pretty pens, and Monteverde seem to have lots of them.

 

Equally, I like the Parker Duofolds, but the ones I've seen are around the £200 mark, if that's the pen you mean. Lovely pen, horrible price.

 

I looked at the pens in the classifieds. Lovely pens, but very broad. My handwriting is medium size and not large enough to do justice to those nibs.

 

I have considered grinding my own, but I'd start with a very cheap childrens' pen. Would need to assemble a loupe and micromesh, which I want to do anyway for nib-smoothing. (Have purchased Da Book which at the moment resides with a friend who lives opposite my new house; it waits for me to move.)

 

I was watching an Eddison Pen youtube vid in which they announced that they're offering free italic grinds on friday. Unfortunately their pens are too expensive.

 

 

Hope link works, for anyone interested.

 

I'll be thinking along the line of Monteverde unless another appealing suggestion is made.

 

Thanks :-)

Edited October 31, 2013 by BookCat

[leeowens337]

Love the idea of the Monteverde, where did you get it for that price? I've looked on Andy's Pens and seen some nice ones for about £60, with a stub option, so I just might stretch my budget. Mmmm.... maybe! I like colourful, pretty pens, and Monteverde seem to have lots of them.

 

I'll be thinking along the line of Monteverde unless another appealing suggestion is made.

 

 

The Monteverde is a great option. I have a couple of their 1.1 stub nibs and really like them. They are available on the Intima ($52US), Prima ($56US), and Invincia ($68+ US) lines and all offer some nice color choices. You might check Gouletpens.com (no affiliation) as they ship international.

 

-Lee

[Inkysloth]

Equally, I like the Parker Duofolds, but the ones I've seen are around the £200 mark, if that's the pen you mean. Lovely pen, horrible price.

 

Hello!

 

Parker had a lot of Duofold models, from the '20s through to the '60s - it was the Dufolds made in the UK that I was referring to as being more affordable. The early flat top Duofolds are gorgeous, but as you say, well out of the budget you've stated.

These are the ones I mean: http://parkercollector.com/ukduofold.html

 

I have a lat '50s black Victory with a stub nib I'd be happy to post you to try out if you'd like?

 

Best wishes

 

Robin

[BookCat]

I hadn't realised that Goulet pens shipped to the UK, I'll have a look at the pens on their site.

 

Thank you so much for the offer, Inkysloth, but I wouldn't be sure which address to give you. At the moment anything I order is being shipped to a friend's address and I won't collect them till I move to my new house in two weeks. At that time, I'll be so disorganised getting the house sorted etc that I wouldn't want to be responsible for you pen, which could easily get lost in the chaos. Thanks anyway.

[CapeClear]

Kaweco Sport with a 1.1mm or 1.5mm italic nib? I have both nibs and interchange them between a clear sport and a Liliput.

[BookCat]

I've had a good look at the Monteverde pens and really like the Prima. Does anyone know if this has been reviewed on FPN and please tell me where the review is (give the link). Thanks.

 

I've tried to do a search, but for some reason the search thingy doesn't seem to work very well for me.