And Then There Were Four...

[Cryptos]

... pens left in the rotation.

 

I'm still struggling here to find a good fit for everyday writing. Right now my pen wrap has more moths than pens! Current line-up is:

 

Pilot 912 FA

Aurora 88P fine

Franklin Christoph 66 med italic (Am I the only one who uses this model as a carry pen rather than a desk pen?)

Ranga Thingy big stub

 

 

That's it. Just sold the blue TWSBI - and boy did that go quickly - and also the Parker Duofold Senior streamline (loved the form factor, not the nib).

 

Looking for something of good quality and overall reliability, hopefully with a bit of acceptable aesthetic (tough one this) and usable for small notes. I guess I should be looking toward Japanese fines or extra fines. The two recent sales have left enough money in the PayPal account to be able to purchase a Pilot Custom 823 outright. Not sure that is the best option though . Perhaps I should wait and save... but for what?

 

I had thought to replace the TWSBI with a Pilot CH92, but now that I can afford the 823 it's a tougher choice. Mind you, as the TWSBI was only used for red ink (and didn't even get through a single fill) perhaps grabbing something like a Prera would be a good option for that very limited role - cheap, can post I think, extra fine nib. Alternatives would be the Platinum 3776 (poor reputation for converters) or a Pilot Custom 74.

 

In the Japanese market I think I am definitely leaning toward Pilot over the other two. Platinum lacks the aesthetic appeal I am looking for, and most Sailor pens seem designed for tiny little hands (mine are huge!).

 

There is a Scriptorium on order, but that won't get here for some months yet.

 

Other suggestions are welcome as long it doesn't include Pelikan, Montblanc, Visconti, Delta or Montegrappa.

 

 

 

As an aside, I would love to continue my adventures with Mabie Todd pens, but I lack any connections to the decent stuff. eBay is terrible for this. Same goes for Waterman 52s - which I have now given up on.

 

 

[ENewton]

I use a Prera fine point for taking notes at work. It does post, and while not very interesting in appearance, it is convenient and reliable. I can write on any paper, using any conventional ink.

 

I like the Platinum 3776 for its nib--my boss has a fine and an extra-fine, and I have written with both--but the converters are indeed flimsy. I own a Platinum Balance and am on my third converter in a year, while my Waterman Gentleman has had the same converter in it for more than twenty years.

[flipper_gv]

823 is endgame material and is wonderfully comfortable.

[Arkanabar]

Heck, I figured that the Platinum Plaisir was the ideal markup pen. Cheap, tough aluminum body, you can replace the nib unit by buying a Preppy if something bad happens to it, they have the same technology that allows a Preppy to write on the first stroke even after leaving it in a drawer for a year or so, and you can refill the cartridge using a 3ml disposable bulb pipette. I have two, and have never looked into getting a converter.

[Uncial]

I've said this many times before; possibly to the point of utter boredom for those who read it, so I do apologise in advance. Since I bought my 823 it has never been un-inked. I find it a truly delightful pen and the size, weight and balance (when posted) comes very close to hitting perfection for me. It is quite a large pen, and while it's not heavy, it's not entirely light either. I find that comparison shots with other pens I know the shape and size of are quite useful indicator of whether or not it will suit me if I can't get my hands on the pen in the flesh to hold. It is a wet writer and the nib is nice, but not what I would call soft or springy, although I think you can get a modified nib for a bit of spring. I've heard people wax lyrical in the same way about the 146. I don't have one of those so I can't make a comparison in the perfection stakes. I would highly recommend the 823 with the caveat that what suits me may be a whole new level of hell for someone else.

[Cryptos]

The issue I have with getting the 823 is that it would be a waste of a perfectly decent pen just to use it as a correction pen with red ink. The funds will cover - at present - one pen like the 823 or two pens like the CH92. Thing is, I don't need two pens like that, and as noted, the 823 would be underemployed in that role. Which means if I get one I'll have to repurpose my Aurora 88P to that task, or wait until I can afford a 74 or 92.

 

It's almost a delicious dilemma!

[Ian the Jock]

What happened to the lovely red marbly parker you had?

 

Ian

 

Sorry, just realised that's the one you talked about having sold.

That was a gorgeous pen.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Ian the Jock

[Cryptos]

Yeah, it was truly lovely and fitted the hand well. Unfortunately I have zero luck on getting vintage nibs that suit my tastes. I was going to have a kind of Duofold homage made to fit a custom ground nib, but in the end I couldn't really afford it.

 

Toward this end of my two year involvement I am beginning to clarify some things in my mind; one of which is having certain kinds of pens for very specific uses. So, I have a bunch of Osmiroid italics and assorted dip nibs for ornamental scripts of one sort or another, as well as the Pilot 912FA, but I don't use them as daily drivers because they don't fit that environment.

 

I was sorely tempted by Posting nib, and yet hesitated over cost versus how much use it would get. Same for the 823 of course.

 

As you can see, I'm not a collector. I could be, but I have no access to any decent vintage markets (eBay doesn't count).

[gzp]

I think it's hard to go wrong buying the best pen you can afford.

[PaganArcher]

How large of a pen are you looking for? I only ask because I seem to be the odd one out there as I use my Homo Sapiens (new to me) posted and find it quite comfortable. But I understand not everyone has gorilla mitts.

[PaganArcher]

Double post

Edited May 20, 2016 by PaganArcher

[BillZ]

I see you already have an Aurora 88. Have you thought of trying the Aurora Ipsilon? I think they go for about $100USD. Only drawback is that they are relatively small for your "huge" hands.

[cellardoor04]

Repurpose the Aurora 88 as a marking pen and get the 823 to spoil yourself May I ask why you are shying away from Pelikan? Genuinely curious - no ulterior motive!

 

If you're interested in Mabie Todd, you might have some luck finding one from vintagepens.co.uk or Heritage Collectibles. I've bought Parkers from both those sites and have been pleased with their service. Their description of the pen is quite truthful too. I believe Heritage Collectibles allows you to make an offer on their pens, and you can always try asking if they could do you a better deal.

[ac12]

Get an inexpensive Japanese pen in EF, before you commit to an expensive Japanese pen.

The reason is, if you have never used a Japanese EF, you will have a learning curve to deal with.

- What ink to use? You may have to replace the ink you normally use, some inks do not look good out of an EF nib.

- What paper to use? You may have to replace the paper you normally use, finer nibs are more sensitive to the smoothness of the paper surface.

- How to write? That very fine nib will scratch and snag with less than smooth paper.

 

All this comes with using a 'tiny' EF nib.

Edited May 20, 2016 by ac12

[DrDebG]

I have two pens I use for marking up documents - an inexpensive Conklin Duragraph with stub nib, and a Italix Captain's Commission with a medium nib. I prefer my markups to be very visible. The Conklin Duragraph is lighter in weight. The Italix Captain's is a bit of a lug, but it is a great pen. Both are suitable wet nibs and are made of steel. Both are very durable pens and can stand of bit of wear.

[georgeb]

Laban Mento

[Sailor Kenshin]

... pens left in the rotation.

 

I'm still struggling here to find a good fit for everyday writing. Right now my pen wrap has more moths than pens! Current line-up is:

 

Pilot 912 FA

Aurora 88P fine

Franklin Christoph 66 med italic (Am I the only one who uses this model as a carry pen rather than a desk pen?)

Ranga Thingy big stub

 

 

That's it. Just sold the blue TWSBI - and boy did that go quickly - and also the Parker Duofold Senior streamline (loved the form factor, not the nib).

 

Looking for something of good quality and overall reliability, hopefully with a bit of acceptable aesthetic (tough one this) and usable for small notes. I guess I should be looking toward Japanese fines or extra fines. The two recent sales have left enough money in the PayPal account to be able to purchase a Pilot Custom 823 outright. Not sure that is the best option though . Perhaps I should wait and save... but for what?

 

I had thought to replace the TWSBI with a Pilot CH92, but now that I can afford the 823 it's a tougher choice. Mind you, as the TWSBI was only used for red ink (and didn't even get through a single fill) perhaps grabbing something like a Prera would be a good option for that very limited role - cheap, can post I think, extra fine nib. Alternatives would be the Platinum 3776 (poor reputation for converters) or a Pilot Custom 74.

 

In the Japanese market I think I am definitely leaning toward Pilot over the other two. Platinum lacks the aesthetic appeal I am looking for, and most Sailor pens seem designed for tiny little hands (mine are huge!).

 

There is a Scriptorium on order, but that won't get here for some months yet.

 

Other suggestions are welcome as long it doesn't include Pelikan, Montblanc, Visconti, Delta or Montegrappa.

 

 

 

As an aside, I would love to continue my adventures with Mabie Todd pens, but I lack any connections to the decent stuff. eBay is terrible for this. Same goes for Waterman 52s - which I have now given up on.

 

 

EoC: Of the pens you mention as possibilities, I have two; the Prera, and the 3776, M. I like them both, but the 3776 has remained inked with what I call 'Century Red' since the day I got it. I simply refill the carts. It's much bigger than the Prera, which I have in ivory, M.

 

The Prera looks cool in that color and the cap snaps in an authoritative way. But yes, it's smallish.

[Cryptos]

Crikey, that's a lot of responses.

 

Just to avoid repetitions: I am familiar with Japanese nibs, and being a dip pen user means that sharp pointy things do not scare me. My hands are large (8.5 inches, 21.5cm tip to wrist) but I do not seek out a huge pen. For example, the Ranga I have is far too unwieldy if posted, and although I can use the 912 without posting it is more comfortable posted.

 

Models aside, the bottom line is that it must be quite a fine nib for my purposes. When I talk about mark-up I am really referring to marginalia and editing on research papers where space is not exactly abundant. That and of course it gets used in my Hobonichi Te Cho.

 

I don't consider Pelikan for a number of reasons. I have never seen one. I have heard that the modern nibs are a bit humdrum (i.e. not fine enough or crisp enough) out of the box. They are also small unless one wants to throw big money at them. Same goes for most of the modern "luxury" brands from Europe. This is based on the numerous reviews I have read. And besides which, consider the use here. A luxury pen will be a bit wasted on such a task.

 

Vintage pens... I've come to the conclusion that, given the cost penalty of living far from the big markets, there is no way I can get a fair deal on anything decent. I also believe that the only way I can overcome this (short of winning the lottery) is to cultivate a personal relationship with dealers. However, as I am overseas even that is impossible. Thus I have little to no confidence.

 

Mabie Todd is no different. If you look at listings on eBay you will see not only some shocking pens but also some rather dubious selling descriptions (even from supposedly well-known sellers). Then there are those with a sycophantic following - steer well clear. Other non eBay sellers never seem to have much in stock, or much of interest.

 

Look it doesn't matter about the vintage stuff. I may lament my lack of opportunity in this but I am not going deal with people who think it's a pen hostage situation.

 

 

 

 

You know, I just looked at the few pens left and none of them are what I call a 'note-taking' tool. They all seem to have specialist kinds of nibs. Perhaps the 823 could fit right in there as the daily work tool, with something like a 74 or a 3776 for the other role?

 

74 or 3776, that's a can of worms right there!

 

I suppose I could fill the Franklin Christoph with a red-based ink - something like Syrah or Yama Budo. Then it could be used not only for mark-up but in other correspondence. Wow, $190 for a mark-up pen. How outrageous is that!

[PaganArcher]

I can't speak for the 74, but I adore my 3776 Century. I use for mark ups in the novel I'm writing in my spare time with Diamine Red Dragon. I find it to be a moderately comfortable pen and with steel nibbed 3776 variants available from Japan, I imagine it could fill the role you seek at a lower price.

 

I recall you mentioning in another thread not looking for another TWSBI, but if you need an affordable option with large ink capacity, the ECO with a fine nib is quite fine and wonderful in hand.

 

Merely my opinions based up my limited experiences, and worth less than the two cents we equate opinions to.

[MarcS]

i read one teacher's opinion that red was a judgmental color, so she marked assignments in green. if you were to choose a non-red marking color, your 823 would then have other opportunities for use, providing additional (as if this were needed) justification for its acquisition. however, even if marking was its only purpose, the 823 would be a fine choice because that is an important portion of your writing time and a key aspect of your written communication with students. surely such a position of honor demands a worthy instrument.

 

get the 823 as soon as possible and enjoy!