Steel Or Gold Or Franklin-Christoph

[jmeldorf]

Need some help, because I have heard that F-C steel is pretty good. About to get a Model 65 and need your advice: steel or gold? I use my pens exclusively for office work (high-end notepaper only) and for journaling; no caligraphy or sketching. Also, not interested in the SIG unless someone can sell me on how that fits into my existing usable.

Thanks for all your comments.

[Karmachanic]

A steel nail is less expensive than a gold nail.

[jmeldorf]

A steel nail is less expensive than a gold nail.

True, thx, but I am asking for a comparison of their writing ability, not cost. Price is always a factor, but this inquiry deals with comparisons.

[Karmachanic]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/331202-gold-vs-steel/?do=findComment&comment=3974217

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/307897-3776-steel-vs-golden-nib/?do=findComment&comment=3619641

Edited June 18, 2018 by Karmachanic

[akrohn2010]

I recently bought a F-C Model 03 at the Raleigh pen show. I tested both the steel and gold nibs with the tester pens they have set out (Model 65 and 66s). The only perceptible difference to me is the slight softness/bounce in the gold nibs, and they're just a touch wetter. Both differences were very minor to me, and I went with steel, and it writes phenomenally. Jim Rouse does a great job and will tune any nib, steel or gold, to write as you like.

 

Brian Edison has a fairly fascinating take on steel vs. gold nibs, especially for someone who probably makes more money off gold: http://edisonpen.com/in-praise-of-steel-nibs-2

 

Personally I agree with the article and don't see a reason to pursue a gold nib for its own sake (assuming you have a well-writing steel alternative) with modern pens unless you "gotta have the gold" or love the added cushion/bounce it gives you. (Flex/vintage is an entirely different discussion which I am not qualified to weigh in on)

[MG66]

I recently bought a model 19 and a model 66 at the F-C factory. I went there with the intention of getting a gold nib for at least one of them. My experience was much the same as flyingpenman. I could tell virtually no difference between the gold and the steel. In fact, in a blind test where I couldn't see the nibs, I'm sure I couldn't have said which was which.

 

Walked out with two steel nibs.

 

C

[DrDebG]

I only have one F-C - a Panther 40 - which I absolutely love. After trying all the nibs, Jim put a wonderful Masuyama 14K gold medium cursive italic nib in it. I love the line variation with very crisp edges, yet it writes like butter. I have to say that I did see a difference in wetness between the gold nibs and the steel nibs. And I love the "springy-ness" of my 14K nib. So for me it was worth the difference in price.

 

I am planning soon to order another FC. I am not sure which model yet, but I will likely put a steel medium SIG nib it, since I have heard so many good things about it. If I don't like it, I can just buy the 14K nib later.

[ENewton]

I had the chance to try a SIG nib recently and was very impressed.

 

I find cursive italics (and the SIG feels to me like a cursive italic) ideal for note taking and journaling. The only kind of writing for which I can't imagine using a cursive italic nib is scribbling notes in the margin of a book or on a computer listing; for those applications, a fine or extra-fine point works best.

[Driften]

I have been happy with the F-C steel nibs enough to not bother trying one of their gold nibs. You can try it with the steel nib and if you don't like the nib send it back in less then 30 days for an exchange or the pen back for a refund. I twice tried the SIG nibs and did not like them and had no problems exchanging them for a stub and a CI. F-C is great to work with, but if you happen to buy a pen from a dealer instead of direct you don't get the exchange or refund period with F-C. The pens do have a lifetime warranty even for secondary buyers.

[southpaw]

I have several F-C pens (19, 20 x2, 31) and quite a few of their nibs. The SIG nib is great. It's in between a cursive italic and a stub. Others may call it a more expressive stub or a more forgiving cursive italic. As to good vs steel, the gold will be a little bit softer. I have SIG nibs in steel and in 14k. My future purchases will be steel. Great pens and nibs in my experience. Hope this helps.

[jmeldorf]

Thank you to everyone for your timely and considered advice. I picked the SIG fine to go on my coke-bottle Stabilis 65. Never had either a stub or an italic nib before.