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Fountain Pen That Suits My Hands.


Saava

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Hi all,

 

let's start with simple facts to illustrate the problem:

1) standard gel pen (e.g. pilot g2-pro) is ca 142mm in length.

2) most fountain pens (when not posted) are shorties with less than 130mm.

 

I'm a grown man and I like writing with fountain pens. I don't like to mess with the cap and use a fountain pen unposted (a fairly common habit among other users as well).

 

Problem:

How can I find a fountain pen that suits my hands and habits?

This means: having a body of 140mm-160mm unposted and a solid diameter size. (Remember: standard pen size is 142mm)

 

Currently trying out twsbi vac 700 but that's a shorty too (134mm body).

 

I'd like to believe that not all fountain pens feel like holding a kid's version of a pen. Let's get some thoughts on this issue in general (why are fountain pens so short when a sizable portion of users don't like posting their pens?) and offer some models to show that you can still have a grown-up pen even if you don't like posting.

Edited by Saava
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Pilot Vanishing Point (also know as "Capless")? No posting involved and I think it addresses your desired length and girth. You did not indicate if heft was an issue - the VP has some weight to it - the right amount in my opinion. Also, how much do you want to spend?

Edited by Shaporama
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Though the pens here may be more pricey, this is a good reference for pen measurements:http://www.nibs.com/pen_measures/

*Sailor 1911S, Black/gold, 14k. 0.8 mm. stub(JM) *1911S blue "Colours", 14k. H-B "M" BLS (PB)

*2 Sailor 1911S Burgundy/gold: 14k. 0.6 mm. "round-nosed" CI (MM) & 14k. 1.1 mm. CI (JM)

*Sailor Pro-Gear Slim Spec. Ed. "Fire",14k. (factory) "H-B"

*Kaweco SPECIAL FP: 14k. "B",-0.6 mm BLS & 14k."M" 0.4 mm. BLS (PB)

*Kaweco Stainless Steel Lilliput, 14k. "M" -0.7 mm.BLS, (PB)

 

 

 

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Hi,

 

I'm a grown woman and I like writing with fountain pens. My daily writer remains a Parker Sonnet, which I've used since I was a mere 14 years of age, so I've literally grown into/around that pen.

 

I've rarely considered the length of the pen to be much of a factor, except as it influences balance in the hand.

 

Over time my array of pens has expanded to include very petite pens, such as the Parker England Slimfold, to the MB149, and ergonomic nightmare challenge of the rotring 600.

 

What I learned is that being able to adjust my grip to suit the pen lets me use almost any pen with comfort. That said I do prefer pens with a long tapered section and somewhat plump girth for long haul (+8hr) writing sessions; and pens with a stepped section are not for yours truly - I cannot adjust the position where I grasp the pen along its length.

 

In addition to the Sonnet, my cadre of daily writers includes pens as varied as the Pilot Prera, the Sheaffer 330, Waterman Carene, Pelikan M640 and MB149.

 

So my suggestion is to develop your grip, with the tripod grip being a very good starting point. There are numerous Topics that discuss different ways to grip a pen, with searchwords 'death grip' 'tripod grip' returning useful results. One of the more recent was this: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/276488-my-natural-grip-vs-lamy-safari-grip/?p=3155095

 

Let us know how it goes.

 

Bye,

S1

The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

 

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I'm a grown man and I like writing with fountain pens. I don't like to mess with the cap and use a fountain pen unposted (a fairly common habit among other users as well).

 

 

 

As a grown man, you've probably learned that, in order to know for sure if you're going to like something, you have to try it out in person. Recommendations, measurements and photographs help to steer you in the right direction, but be sure any untested purchases are returnable.

 

There are those that would argue not posting results in having to "mess with the cap." I tend to prefer my pens unposted too; that leaves a cap with nowhere to be until you're done writing. Hold it? Clip it to your shirt? Pitch it into the river and order another one online? Sheesh, what a mess.

James

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You look up the dimensions of the pens out there. Good places to start are the reviews here at FPN the pen measurement page at Nibs dot com and also the resources at Richards Pens.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Nibs.com list demonstrates my point perfectly:

sorting by barrel length, there is only VP that is of normal size (5.5inch). Everything else is less or not applicable.

 

I have ordered VP. This is the only suitable option I've found so far.

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As long as the length of the pen extends past the web of my forefinger and thumb, I don't ever look at the length of the pen. I haven't found too many fountain pens (a purse pen, actually) that doesn't meet that standard for my grown man hands.

 

Far more important to me is the diameter, weight, and balance of the pen. Some pens were not designed to be posted (my long Nakaya is a perfect example), and most pens from the golden age of fountain pens were. Try a few 40s and 50s vintage pens with and without the cap being posted and you will quickly see the difference in the balance and weight of the pen.

 

You may have to look at some large pens like the MB149 or Parker Duofold to meet your expectations. Where you can, try them out.

 

Buzz

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Look into a custom made pen. For several hundred dollars you can get a pen about as big and fat as you want with your filling system of choice. You also get to pick the color, shape, if there are cap bands and a clip, etc. The ebonite pens from India like Ranga can be a good, lower cost option, but you have fewer options.

If you want less blah, blah, blah and more pictures, follow me on Instagram!

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As much as I'd like a seriously large, high end pen like a Montblanc 149 or a Pelikan M1000 I can't quite bring myself (yet) to part with the necessary cash. That said, I do like large, thicker pens. So for now I make do with my three large Rangas, some Ahabs and my Neponset from Noodler's and my two "<1% MB149's" (my Jinhao 159's).

 

As these all write beautifully, I doubt I'll ever get a 149 or an M1000. (I didn't win the 1.5 billion Powerball either.)

Ink has something in common with both money and manure. It's only useful if it's spread around.

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