Greetings + Need Opinions Before Purchasing Fountain Pen

[RafailKarkanis]

Hello, everybody!

I am interested in your thoughts on whether the Rotring ArtPen with an 1.5mm italic nib is fitting to my wants.

I've read a review here and have watched another one on YouTube and I am getting more and more sure that I want this pen.

Yet, I want it for everyday writing...

 

---------------------------------

My short story:

So, I am new to fountain pens.
I own (and use almost exclusively) a Parker Vector with a medium nib for a year and a half now.
Truth be told, I want to try something new.

I am a university student and I like the ease of writing with a fountain pen.

I wonder If the 1.5mm italic nib is too much for keeping notes in the university.
I do want line width variation and I enjoy making big letters, yet I think that a flex nib would be too much for me.
(I use blank papers, so letter size is not an issue.)

Another important reason I am considering the Rotring ArtPen is because of it's slim and long figure.
I also liked that on the Parker Vector.
Most fountain pen's I look on the internet are shorter and fatter(?) than Parker's Vector.

Lastly, my Parker Vector's plastic got two cracks in the place where I twist after refilling and I have to be careful when uncapping, as the plastic covering gets uncovered and reveals the catridge...
I want a more sturdy fountain pen, yet cheap.

So, do you think it's okay to choose this pen?
Or will I struggle writing with it?

I found the Parker Vector writing smoothly, even though I would enjoy a better flow. Namely, when I draw (in a fast swing) a horizontal line, the pen feed is slow and I end up with a half drawn line.

I have attached a random page from my notes for you to see my writing style, if there's any. haha

It's in Greek with only some English.
I really enjoy elongated lambda (λ) and eta (η) and I think this 1.5mm italic nib will make them look much better & I could improve my other letters as well.

Anyway, thanks y'all for this great forum.

Be well & thanks for accepting my registration dear admin.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

I think that you want this pen, and are probably going to get it. Also, that probably everyone ought to try an italic nib at some point to see what it's like.

 

I have used different 1.5 mm italic nibs, and found that I could write fairly fluidly with them, but that they required a bit more concentration, and I could not go as fast. Perhaps with practice, you could do better than I did. But if I were a student taking notes in class, I'd probably stick with a plain old boring symmetrical medium or fine nib. Maybe have a plan B if the art pen doesn't work out for you.

[77kath]

I find the 1.5 too wide for easy writing. And the cartridges are small. I think that for note taking, if you really want an italic nib, the 1.1 would do better, and the ink would last longer. But the Rotrings are so inexpensive, you could probably treat yourself to both!

[ajoe]

I have both the rOtring Artpen Calligraphy set and the Lamy Calligraphy set, both include the 1.5 mm nib.

 

IMHO, the Lamy is a much better pen. In fact, I was gong to sell my rOtring set, but then decided I could not in good conscience pass it along to another unsuspecting buyer.

 

HTH

[Drone]

* Buy one of these Noodler's Ahab pens for $23 USD:

https://www.gouletpens.com/collections/all-fountain-pens?limit=24&offset=0&filters%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=text&filters%5B0%5D%5Bname%5D=brand&filters%5B0%5D%5Bvalues%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D=Noodler%27s&filters%5B1%5D%5Btype%5D=text&filters%5B1%5D%5Bname%5D=custom_fields.pen_model&filters%5B1%5D%5Bvalues%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D=Noodler%27s%20Ahab&slot=collections%2Fall-fountain-pens

 

This is the "Lapis Inferno" version of the Ahab pen. There are lots of other colors to choose from:

 

 

 

* Next, swap the semi-flexible nib that comes in the Ahab with this $15 USD German-made JOWO #6 1.5mm stub nib:

https://www.gouletpens.com/collections/replacement-nibs/products/goulet-6-steel-nib-silver?variant=11884805226539

 

In the picture below the nib on the top-right is the 1.5mm stub. The 1.1mm stub is just below it:

 

After awhile you may realize the 1.5mm nib is too wide for practical daily writing and you will want to switch to a 1.1mm stub. That's no problem, the JOWO #6 nib comes in a 1.1mm version too. Picking the right size nib is a lot like traffic analysis and network sizing - you have to try it out in real life before you get it right.

The Noodler's Ahab pen is a good choice for the following reasons:

 

1. It is easy to slip different modern #6 (6mm diameter) nibs into the Ahab.

 

2. The semi-flexible nib that comes with the Ahab is good to experiment with. You may find you prefer a flexible nib over a stub for line variation.

 

3. Stub and flex nibs are thirsty. The Ahab comes with an Ebonite (hard rubber) feed instead of a plastic feed. An Ebonite feed provides more ink to the nib.

 

4. Again, stub and flex nibs are thirsty. The plunger-filler Ahab pen holds a lot of ink. If you want even more ink just use it as an eyedropper filler.

Disclaimers: Image links are to the Goulet Pens publicly accessible commerce site. My only affiliation with Goulet Pens is as a satisfied customer.

Edited September 18, 2018 by Drone

[Karmachanic]

Try one of these first to get a feel. You'll find it too wide for note taking.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Duckbill-Gothic-Parallel-Calligraphy-Art-Flat-Tip-Tibetan-Arabic-Fountain-Pen/263760745016?hash=item3d695d9238:m:mUMuhAN64lf4SfUxILJcSOA

[Arkanabar]

I use a 1.5mm Pilot Parallel in my demented scribblings reflection journal, to train myself out of my typically cramped and narrow hand. It has a similar taper on the end, and a very reliable and easy-to-refill cartridge -- there are videos on YouTube. It is also readily converted to eyedropper use with the application of a tiny dab of pure silicone grease, as is sold in dive shops. Plumbing silicone grease is not pure.

 

The Lamy Joy is a valid alternative, being a reliable pen with easily swapped nibs and a larger ink supply than the international cartridge/converter in the Rotring. But not everybody likes the triangular section profile -- test-write with a borrowed Safari or Jinhao 599 first, especially if you worry that the Joy is too expensive.

 

But I wouldn't use a 1.5mm chisel point pen to take notes. I have to slow down to use it, and I have to write fast in class. I'd use a fine or possibly XF point, to accommodate my narrow writing.

 

I also wouldn't use a Noodler's pen for my EDC/note pen. There's just too much variability in QC, fit, and finish. I've had three. One was pretty good, one was a bit dry, and one was just unusable. So too was my Noodler's Konrad. I might have one as a backup pen, but I can't suggest buying one as your first pen.

[Drone]

I also wouldn't use a Noodler's pen for my EDC/note pen. There's just too much variability in QC, fit, and finish. I've had three. One was pretty good, one was a bit dry, and one was just unusable. So too was my Noodler's Konrad. I might have one as a backup pen, but I can't suggest buying one as your first pen.

 

To me, Ahab quality and consistency seems to have improved with time. But straight out of the box it still isn't a sure bet with the semi-flex nib in the Ahab. A good cleaning and some minor adjustments often fixes things up though.

 

As for using JOWO #6 replacement nibs in the Ahab, I've never had a problem. They just drop in and write.

 

I've been through a bunch of Ahabs over the years. Many were gifted to new FP users. I must have a half dozen of them kicking around here now in various states of readiness. My last big Ahab phase was doing the EMF mods, which came out well.

 

If you really can't stand the Ahab and you can live without the Ebonite feed, the relatively new and inexpensive Penbbs 308 pens from China might be good candidates. I've got a solid gray/CT 308 with a JOWO #6 1.1mm stub in rotation right now. It writes flawlessly.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

I have both the rOtring Artpen Calligraphy set and the Lamy Calligraphy set, both include the 1.5 mm nib.

 

IMHO, the Lamy is a much better pen. In fact, I was gong to sell my rOtring set, but then decided I could not in good conscience pass it along to another unsuspecting buyer.

 

HTH

A Lamy Safari with a 1.5 mm nib would indeed be a good alternative, if you want to try that width. And another advantage is that if it doesn't work out for you, the nibs on these can be easily swapped out by the user. You could get a stainless steel replacement nib in fine or extra fine (among other widths) for about $14. I believe you could swap those nibs into a Lamy Joy as well, but you might want to verify that.

 

About the Ahab, since it has come up. You can find lots of threads on these, with opinions all over the place. I don't like them; others think they're great, if you're only willing to tinker with them just a bit. But for someone who may be on a budget, and would like a reliable pen right out of the box, I don't think the Ahab is worth the risk.

[Bo Bo Olson]

For University use, I'd suggest a F or M nib....

M would be smoother. F if you used collage width lines would not crowd the e's.

[RafailKarkanis]

Hm, thank you all for your concern & answers.

It is a tough period for me & I've yet bought nothing.

I didn't know there were cheap fountain pens which allow a change of nib.
Or the 1.5$ ones for testing.

After passing this month writing with my Medium nib, I think that you all must be right about the italic nib–it will drag me down when taking notes.

When the time comes that I'll buy my new pen(s), I'll let you know.

Thanks again, & have a great day!

[Honeybadgers]

I think your letters are too cramped together for a 1.5. they're tall enough to benefit, but too narrow. If you want a stub, I recommend getting a nemosine singularity with a 0.6 or 0.8mm stub. i think that'd make your handwriting look spectacular, and the pens come with converters and a pack of kevin's really nice ink cartridges, and only cost $20. It can also be eyedropper converted and nemosine also will sell you nibs for $14 in a range of EF to B, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.1 stub. The nibs are also standard #6, which means any #6 nib pen you buy in the future will accept the nib (they go particularly nicely in Jinhao 159's)

 

Also, the 0.6 and 0.8 are still small enough that they won't force you to change specifically how you write.

Edited October 23, 2018 by Honeybadgers

[JollyCynic]

I recently got a Jinhao 599 to replace my Lamy Safari. I got it off of AliExpress (there are many vendors of them there), and I also picked up some italic no.5 nibs for it in 0.7mm, 1.1mm, and 1.5mm, for less than €0,20 each. (If you search for parallel fountain pens and sort by price, you'll find the vendors who sell the nibs separately.) You can get the pen and a few sizes of italic nibs to play with for less than €2. It's worth looking into if you want to test around to see what you like and what works for you.

Edited October 23, 2018 by JollyCynic

[PAKMAN]

Rotring Art Pens are very good quality, the nib size will depend on more specifically on what you intend to use it for.

[inkstainedruth]

I have a Rotring Art Pen, but I'm not going to be a lot help to the OP there -- mine is an EF, and I use it sometimes for drawing, more than for writing.

But one thing that *might* be an issue for the OP's decision making process: if it's going to be a case of taking lots of notes in classes, the Rotring might not be a good choice for other reasons, in that the tapered barrel makes the pen impossible to post. And having a pen for which it's easy to change nibs might be a bonus, which would make a Safari a good choice. But I haven't tried anything that's wider than a medium nib (and that's on my LX).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Runnin_Ute]

A Lamy Safari or Al Star are solid pens for note taking. For something with a bit more ink capacity maybe a TWSBI Eco (~$30 USD) or 580 (~$50), both piston fillers. The Al Star is aluminum and about $10 more than the Safari. For note taking a EF, F or M would be best regardless of pen. Nibs are easily changed on the Safari and Al Star. So you could have say a F for notes, and a 1.1, 1.5, or 1.9 mm for other uses. (I have both F and 1.1 for my Al Star)

[Honeybadgers]

I personally would spring for a wing sung 698 as the best demonstrator pen for a low price. Lots of nib options, and it takes a pilot nib too.

 

The TWSBI GO is an option too.

 

Wing sung 601 is probably the hands-down best fountain pen for note taking.

[Karmachanic]

I personally would spring for a wing sung 698 as the best demonstrator pen for a low price. Lots of nib options, and it takes a pilot nib too.

 

 

I have a WS 698 dedicated to note taking. This pen will also take a Bock 1.1 and probably Jowo.

[BaronWulfraed]

classes, the Rotring might not be a good choice for other reasons, in that the tapered barrel makes the pen impossible to post. And

 

While it looks weird -- It IS possible to post the cap on the ArtPen (at least, mine will post, and not just balance on the end; I can hold it posted with the nib up, shake it, and not have the cap move)