Which Could Be My Next Pen?

[AMlines]

I am using a Platinum Plaisir and quite liking it. However, I can see the body has a thin and slightly tinny feel to it, besides being slippery to carry. The grip is however nice, and I have no problems writing with the pen. I also like the nib size which I find it neither too big nor too small.

 

I will soon be stepping up and getting another FP. What should i be looking for?

 

A Japanese F / Euro EF should suffice. This should have the same, or a little more, thicker grip than the Plaisir. I am not sure about the long-term reliability of pistons so I may prefer C/C pens.

 

I really like the Pelikan M200. However, it doesn't exactly meet my criteria. Which other options should I consider? I also doesn't seem to be highliy recommended pen here.

 

How about Platinum 3776 ? It seems nice but it heavier and the nib feels too big to me.

 

The Lamy Studio has a steel grip and I am pretty sure I won't take to it.

 

How about the much cheaper TWSBI Eco?

 

Let me know your recommendations.

 

Thanks!

[A Smug Dill]

I am using a Platinum Plaisir and quite liking it. However, I can see the body has a thin and slightly tinny feel to it,

I have eleven Platinum Plaisir pens (in different colours), as well as other-branded (Lamy, Ohto, Pilot, etc.) fountain pens with anodised aluminium bodies. I wouldn't call the "feel" of those pens tinny myself.

 

I really like the Pelikan M200. However, it doesn't exactly meet my criteria.

In which way(s), specifically? If it's just about the filling mechanism, my understanding is that the Pelikan P20x pens are c/c-filled versions of its M20x models.

 

How about Platinum 3776 ? It seems nice but it heavier and the nib feels too big to me.

Which Platinum #3776 in particular? I have the Platinum #3776 Century Bourgogne, rhodium-trimmed Chartres Blue, and several other models with kanazawa-haku, celluloid and wooden (briar and yakusugi) bodies, and my fiancée has the P#3776C Black Diamond. They resin-bodied models are heavier than the Plaisir by a third on paper, not that you'd really notice when writing with them.

 

The Lamy Studio has a steel grip and I am pretty sure I won't take to it.

I don't have a Lamy Studio, sorry, but I have several pens (of different brands) with glossy metal sections and they aren't all slippery and fiddly in practical use, in my experience.

 

How about the much cheaper TWSBI Eco?

Sorry, but once you bring price (especially if its from the perspective of, say, a North American buyer, versus how pens are priced in their respective manufacturers' local markets) into it, I lose interest.

 

Good luck.

[LudVinPen]

 

 

How about the much cheaper TWSBI Eco?

 

I have a TWSBI 580 for daily use. Writes quiet well. Cost a bit more than an Eco, but still affordable.

 

I believe the Eco writes as well.

[City74]

Sailor pro gear slim or Sailor 1911 S

[SoulSamurai]

I am using a Platinum Plaisir and quite liking it. However, I can see the body has a thin and slightly tinny feel to it, besides being slippery to carry. The grip is however nice, and I have no problems writing with the pen. I also like the nib size which I find it neither too big nor too small.

 

I will soon be stepping up and getting another FP. What should i be looking for?

 

 

I think it might help people give useful recommendations if you could give more specifics about what you liked and what you didn't like about the pen.

 

Using the Plaisir as a starting point, I'm wondering if you might like the Lamy Aion? It also has an aluminium body and plastic grip with a snap cap and a similar shaped nib, however I believe the aluminium in the body is a bit thicker (according to Goulet the Aion's body is 21g to the Plaisir's 9g), and the grip is a probably a bit thicker at the midpoint (again going by Goulet the Aion's grip diameter is 1mm larger). Also the Aion has no step between the body and the section. It's a much pricier pen though, at around $70.

 

Consider an ebonite pen if you want something with more grip than metal or acrylic. I don't know of any ebonite pens with snap caps, but if you're happy with a screw-on you can get Indian ebonite pens in a variety of sizes. Some will have ebonite feeds, others will take fairly standard nib units with plastic feeds and cartridge/converter compatibility. Check out FPR, Gama, Asa and others to see if anything catches your fancy.

Edited August 27, 2019 by SoulSamurai

[sail1942]

TWSBI Eco or any other of their pens. The customer service is outstanding. Guaranteed as long as you own it. Can be disassembled and serviced by the owner. Wrench and silicone grease included.

[PAKMAN]

Can't miss with a Pelikan!

[AMlines]

I have eleven Platinum Plaisir pens (in different colours), as well as other-branded (Lamy, Ohto, Pilot, etc.) fountain pens with anodised aluminium bodies. I wouldn't call the "feel" of those pens tinny myself.

Well, I like the overall feel. But the body feels hollow to me. I am not saying it has a cheap feel. Just that the grip has a quality feel to it, but the body lags behind somewhat.

 

In which way(s), specifically? If it's just about the filling mechanism, my understanding is that the Pelikan P20x pens are c/c-filled versions of its M20x models.

 

Mostly the piston filling, I guess. But, it also seems a little broader than the Plaisir, which seems just fine thickness wise. The nib is too big for my taste. The Lamy's is nicely understated but I am pretty sure the tapering grip will not work for me.

 

I checked for the P20x series. I found the most options on penchalet. (Goulet and Anderson don't have any) Is that a reliable seller like these two?

 

Which Platinum #3776 in particular? I have the Platinum #3776 Century Bourgogne, rhodium-trimmed Chartres Blue, and several other models with kanazawa-haku, celluloid and wooden (briar and yakusugi) bodies, and my fiancée has the P#3776C Black Diamond. They resin-bodied models are heavier than the Plaisir by a third on paper, not that you'd really notice when writing with them.

 

 

The Century, I guess. Any basic pen with a SS nib. I am not keen on gold plated nibs. Yes, I am pretty sure I would like Resin since my fingers grip it well. (I am guessing the Plaisir grip is also resin)

 

 

I don't have a Lamy Studio, sorry, but I have several pens (of different brands) with glossy metal sections and they aren't all slippery and fiddly in practical use, in my experience.

 

Thanks for confirming that. I know many metal grips work well, but I am a little wary of finding out the hard way. Plus, they will add to the weight. But, I see your point and will check for reviews to see if a particular model's metal grip has issues.

 

Sorry, but once you bring price (especially if its from the perspective of, say, a North American buyer, versus how pens are priced in their respective manufacturers' local markets) into it, I lose interest.

 

Apologies if I touched a raw nerve. I coming back to FPs after school and have next to no idea about market dynamics. But, yes, I was referring to prices here in the US. I take it you are suggesting that one may get pens for better prices by buying from other countries?

 

[Honeybadgers]

what are your "criteria" that the M200 doesn't fit? It's relatively thin but not skinny, light, balanced, posts deeply but is long enough to use unposted, holds a ton of ink, the steel EF nib is a proper western EF, and the performance is superb. You can also upgrade them with M400 gold nibs later for $100 or vintage 400 semiflex nib units for about $65-70.

 

All things being equal, I vote M200 or 3776. Both are lifetime quality pens. Just don't get the M200 demonstrator. it stains and scratches too easily.

[chromantic]

I have a Plaisir and while I wouldn't say it feels "tinny" it does indeed feel slippery. Also, it's huge.

 

If you like the M200 but are more interested in something larger like the Plaisir, you might look at the M600.

[A Smug Dill]

I checked for the P20x series. I found the most options on penchalet. (Goulet and Anderson don't have any) Is that a reliable seller like these two?

I never bought from Goulet Pen and Anderson Pens, so I can't comment on how they compare. I have bought from Pen Chalet a couple of times, and I could buy from it again, with full awareness that its inventory control processes leave quite a bit to be desired; on both occasions there were errors in which actual items and how many of them were in stock, which were only discovered after accepting my orders. In one case, I was only notified on the eighteenth day after the order was placed (for "in stock" items) that it could not fulfil my order as it could not source more units of an item I ordered, and wanted me to pick a different colour.

 

For Pelikan products, the first place I always look is Cult Pens in the UK; I've usually found it to be cheapest, especially after promotional discounts and its free international shipping offer (which also applies to US delivery addresses, never fear) are taken into account, and I've encountered any issues buying from it either before the order is dispatched or after the items have been received.

 

The next place I look is La Couronne du Comte in Netherlands; it often took much longer for what I ordered to be received here in Australia, but there are some good specials it offers from time to time (e.g. earlier this week a M805 Blue Dunes fountain pen was put on special offer that I could have picked up for less than US$300 delivered). I've placed sixteen orders with LCdC in the past twelve months, and there had been several occasions when some items were defective as supplied (such as an unbelievably bad nib on an Aurora 100th Anniversary commemorative limited edition pen, leaky bottle of KWZ Ink under the factory-applied shrink wrap) or damaged in transit, but in each instance I got satisfactory resolution quickly (within constraints, e.g. having to wait for Aurora Italy to supply a new nib), and Dennis has never tried to shirk responsibility or minimise his business' expense in making things right.

 

Endless Pens in the US is probably the third retailer I'd check, as it does offer some very good prices from time to time, and I'm satisfied overall with the customer service I got from Savannah and Michael on the three occasions I bought stuff from Endless Pens.

 

The Century, I guess. Any basic pen with a SS nib. I am not keen on gold plated nibs.

All Platinum #3776 Century fountain pens have solid gold(-alloy) nibs, as far as I'm aware, from the basic models (Black in Black, Bourgogne, etc.) to the exotic (kanazawa-haku, celluloid, yakusugi, Jupiter ebonite). Platinum #3776 models with stainless steel nibs have been discontinued for a while now.

 

Thanks for confirming that. I know many metal grips work well, but I am a little wary of finding out the hard way. Plus, they will add to the weight. But, I see your point and will check for reviews to see if a particular model's metal grip has issues.

It's hard to account for how much a particular user's hand and fingers will sweat when writing in a particular environment, and slipperiness seems to be the main complaint. I actually like how, for example, the metal section on my Sailor Profit Black Luster makes it more front-heavy than the regular Sailor Profit21 pens of the same size, but that may not suit every user.

 

Apologies if I touched a raw nerve.

No raw nerve there. I simply don't like participating in any fellow hobbyist's business analysis.

 

As far as I'm concerned, giving pointers on where to look (or where I'd look), without undue regard for any individual's purchase behaviour and preferences (e.g. trying to "support" and buy from Australian retailers where possible), is okay. Doing some basic-to-intermediate technical analysis against primarily functional and some qualitative requirements in a clinical manner is interesting. Opening up others' awareness to wider possibilities out there in the global market is personally rewarding.

 

But achieving the most (or optimal outcomes) within a fellow consumer's budget, getting the best bang-for-buck, and so on is not part of my "hobby". Whether someone spends $10 or $100 (however hard-earned) to acquire something that "ticks all the boxes", i.e. satisfy the minimum, mandatory and/or specified requirements of an expressed want or need, is at best irrelevant to our shared interests as fountain pen users; and, at worst, as fellow consumers we could be virtually competing with each other to get better material outcomes in the same marketplace. I love sharing factual information (preferably what can be independently validated or is "falsifiable") with others to close the "information gap", so that the determining factors of who gets better outcomes come down to individual analytical ability and sheer bloody effort in trawling through data.

 

I apologise for ranting.

 

I coming back to FPs after school and have next to no idea about market dynamics. But, yes, I was referring to prices here in the US. I take it you are suggesting that one may get pens for better prices by buying from other countries?

Absolutely. But, more importantly, (for example) the Platinum #3776 Century rhodium-trimmed Black Diamond has an MSRP of ¥15000+tax, which makes it a sub-US$150 pen. I don't care how much it may cost a particular fellow hobbyist and prospective purchaser to (1.)_buy one in a "local" bricks-and-mortar store, (2.)_order online and have to pay for shipping (one way or another), and/or (3.)_(get someone else to?) pick one up while travelling in Japan. It's the same pen one way or another, and its qualities as a writing instrument do not vary on the basis of how much it costs someone or how difficult it would be to acquire. I care about whether it's effective against ink drying out while capped and unused, easy and safe to disassemble and clean, etc. which hold about equally "true" for everyone irrespective of their race, religion or budget. That's my trying to be objective and apolitical when participating in an online discussion with fellow hobbyists (who aren't personal friends whose wellbeing outside of the common hobby I care about).

[AMlines]

I think it might help people give useful recommendations if you could give more specifics about what you liked and what you didn't like about the pen.

 

I like the pen. I would like a resin body, I think. This one feels a bit tinny and too smooth. The writing is nice, though I sometimes feel like the F nib is not creating even lines, but that's likely because I am still "new" to FPs.

 

 

 

Using the Plaisir as a starting point, I'm wondering if you might like the Lamy Aion? It also has an aluminium body and plastic grip with a snap cap and a similar shaped nib, however I believe the aluminium in the body is a bit thicker (according to Goulet the Aion's body is 21g to the Plaisir's 9g), and the grip is a probably a bit thicker at the midpoint (again going by Goulet the Aion's grip diameter is 1mm larger). Also the Aion has no step between the body and the section. It's a much pricier pen though, at around $70.

 

Thanks, this sounds like one I should check out. I am fine with the weight, and probably the thickness too. I am pretty sure I don't like a heavy step-section. The Plaisir's is fine too.

 

The price is fine with me, but I am wondering what does a $100 pen offer over something like the Plaisir?

 

Consider an ebonite pen if you want something with more grip than metal or acrylic. I don't know of any ebonite pens with snap caps, but if you're happy with a screw-on you can get Indian ebonite pens in a variety of sizes. Some will have ebonite feeds, others will take fairly standard nib units with plastic feeds and cartridge/converter compatibility. Check out FPR, Gama, Asa and others to see if anything catches your fancy.

 

 

Sure, I'll check these out. Thanks!

[Mech-for-i]

If you are happy with how Plaisir write and want that bit more than the 3776 Century in EF is almost a gurantee win. Almost all Asian F / EF nib exhibit positive feedback which most European / US mfr do not had in their pens ; its a kind of ergonomic as well as writing experience. If you can afford it a Pilot 912 would be great choice. On the other end I do recommend Caliarts Ego-II solid blue version ; its piston but its piston that use double O ring and csn be user serviced and using Pilot style nib.

 

One thing regarding the Plasir / Preppy their section actually are pretty thick so if you want something even thicker you better check the specific model before committing

[AMlines]

I have a Plaisir and while I wouldn't say it feels "tinny" it does indeed feel slippery. Also, it's huge.

 

I am not saying I dislike the feel, but I will likely like a resin body more.

 

Can you elaborate on what you mean by huge? The girth around the cap? Something else? Strange, I never thought of the Plaisir as huge.

 

If you like the M200 but are more interested in something larger like the Plaisir, you might look at the M600.

The M600 will be out of my budget. With the cap posted the M200 should be fine for me. It's a light-weight pen and I am pretty sure I never enjoyed heavier or thicker FPs, ever.

[SoulSamurai]

The price is fine with me, but I am wondering what does a $100 pen offer over something like the Plaisir?

 

 

One reason why the Plaisir is so often recommended for new pen users is that it really is very good value compared to most fountain pen options; a $100 pen is not at all guaranteed to offer more than the Plaisir. To be clear I'm not saying that there aren't $100 pens that are better, just that being $100 is no guarantee.

 

Another reason is that there's very little to not like about the Plaisir (other than aesthetics perhaps). Many pens have shaped sections (hourglass, triangular etc) that some people will like and some people won't, some people prefer skinny pens and some girthy ones, some people dislike smooth metal sections, and there's nice grip materials out there (ebonite, soft rubber, celluloid, even wood). But the Plaisir's straight plastic average-diameter grip should be acceptable to most people. Some people prefer heavy pens and some don't, but most people can comfortably handle a reasonably light pen like the Plaisir. Another thing is that some people (like myself) like to grip pens quite close to the nib, and therefore pens that don't let you do that (because of larger nibs or threads just above the nib etc) can be uncomfortable. The Plaisir has a small nib and long section that give you a lot of freedom in where to position your hand.

 

Basically the Plaisir is OK for most people. That's not to say it can't be bettered; far from it. It's just that it's a safe bet. There's a lot of pricier pens that some people love, but that don't work for others for personal reasons. I hear a lot of people talk about how much they prefer #6 nibs to #5s for example, but #6 nibs are too long for me so I've come to avoid them. I don't post the cap when writing, but some people won't use a pen if they can't post the cap.

 

So a $100 pen might be a huge improvement for you if it happens to have the features that are just right for you, or might not if it doesn't. My impression is that you start to get diminishing returns as far as pure function goes once you start to get past around $50, but you might get specific features (ergonomics, materials, filling systems, aesthetics) that appeal to you that you might not find for cheaper.

 

 

Aaaaanyway, pen recommendations. Hmm. There's any number of plastic pens around at all sorts of price ranges, I don't really know what to recommend. If you want something with no step, you could try a Parker 51 or a clone, such as the Jinhao 51A. Or maybe a Sheaffer 330 or 440 (they aren't made anymore but still widely available on ebay and from sellers such as Peyton Street Pens). If you want something pretty, you can get some very colourful acrylics from FountainPenRevolution and other Indian sellers, and there's some very handsome Conklin Duragraphs out there.

[Misfit]

Depending on where you live, you could take a Pelikan to a pen show, and get the nib ground to your preference. Or send it to a nibmeister.

 

Pelicans are very reliable. They write even if ignored for weeks.

 

Edited to add that unfortunately Pelikan pens cost more in the US. So we either pay up, or buy online from an overseas seller. If you really want a Pelikan, sargetalon here on FPN gave me good information in a private message conversation. He writes the blog The Pelikans Perch. He or other members (read adding to the flock thread for them) would probably be happy to help you find a good seller.

Edited August 28, 2019 by Misfit

[Bo Bo Olson]

what are your "criteria" that the M200 doesn't fit? It's relatively thin but not skinny, light, balanced, posts deeply but is long enough to use unposted, holds a ton of ink, the steel EF nib is a proper western EF, and the performance is superb. You can also upgrade them with M400 gold nibs later for $100 or vintage 400 semiflex nib units for about $65-70.

 

All things being equal, I vote M200 or 3776. Both are lifetime quality pens. Just don't get the M200 demonstrator. it stains and scratches too easily.

 

The 200 has a very nice springy regular flex nib. It is 1/2 width narrower than the fat and blobby round ball nibs of the other Pelikans. It has a nice semi-vintage tear drop shaped tip. It is as good as the '82-97 semi-vintage 400 regular flex nib.

 

I rave about the 200's nib quite often.

You can buy eventually, say 4 pens from now a semi-flex vintage nib, '50-65 and screw it into a 200.

For @ $27 you can get other steel/gold plated nibs in different widths. The F & M nibs are very good nibs for two toned shading inks.

I mention M in it is because many come into fountain pens with a western M, and go skinny or broad not as well liked as it deserves. (You it seems came in like many now with Japanese, so you might think M is wide....it ain't it's medium. )

A M nib is great for classic rough papers like Laid or Linen effect papers. Those papers are not good on Western EF or Japanese F nibs. They are too narrow.

 

You do need 90g paper, for shading inks out side of Rhodia 80g (I have the new 90g Rhodia) or Tomalo River (sp...which I don't jet have) Japanese 70 g papers.

 

Common 80g/20 pound copy paper will not shade. Good to better paper costs two mechanically delivered Cokes or even better two cups of Starbucks coffee.

 

Writing is 1/3 nib width and flex, 1/3 paper and 1/3rd ink and in that order......though some add a third for the user.

 

Oh, by the way, a western B, has some pizazz...when that day comes.

Edited August 28, 2019 by Bo Bo Olson

[AMlines]

I have a TWSBI 580 for daily use. Writes quiet well. Cost a bit more than an Eco, but still affordable.

 

I believe the Eco writes as well.

 

Yes, I am looking at the TWSBI which is much liked. But I leaning to the kind of looks offered by M200 Pelikan (black-green), Platinum 3776 century, or the Lamy 2000.

 

I guess I am also curious about the differences in price. The Plaisir work well, and the TWSBI Eco is well-recommended. What do pens such as the above give you for the around $150 price?

 

Is it about the longevity of parts, the overall quality of construction, or a better nib perhaps? Or, something else?

[AMlines]

I never bought from Goulet Pen and Anderson Pens, so I can't comment on how they compare. I have bought from Pen Chalet a couple of times, and I could buy from it again, with full awareness that its inventory control processes leave quite a bit to be desired; on both occasions there were errors in which actual items and how many of them were in stock, which were only discovered after accepting my orders. In one case, I was only notified on the eighteenth day after the order was placed (for "in stock" items) that it could not fulfil my order as it could not source more units of an item I ordered, and wanted me to pick a different colour.

 

Yeah, service is important for a product that you're going to use for a long time. Thanks for sharing your experience. I may just stick to Gouletpens who I've bought from this time. Surprisingly, they have only one Pelikan on sale.

 

For Pelikan products, the first place I always look is Cult Pens in the UK; I've usually found it to be cheapest, especially after promotional discounts and its free international shipping offer (which also applies to US delivery addresses, never fear) are taken into account, and I've encountered any issues buying from it either before the order is dispatched or after the items have been received.

 

Thanks! I checked them out, and indeed, they have pretty good prices for Pelikan. I assume they're reliable and provide good service.

 

The next place I look is La Couronne du Comte in Netherlands;

Endless Pens in the US is probably the third retailer I'd check, as it does offer some very good prices from time to time, and I'm satisfied overall with the customer service I got from Savannah and Michael on the three occasions I bought stuff from Endless Pens.

 

I'll check these out too. Speaking of offering discounts from time to time, do you know if there is a best time (like it is Black Friday for electronics) to buy FPs in the US? Or, is it that sales go throughout the year and not at specific times?

 

All Platinum #3776 Century fountain pens have solid gold(-alloy) nibs, as far as I'm aware, from the basic models (Black in Black, Bourgogne, etc.) to the exotic (kanazawa-haku, celluloid, yakusugi, Jupiter ebonite). Platinum #3776 models with stainless steel nibs have been discontinued for a while now.

 

Oh, I was interested in the SS nibs. The gold is too reflective and from comments on earlier posts I realised that SS is equally reliable over the long-run, and almost as smooth to use.

 

It's hard to account for how much a particular user's hand and fingers will sweat when writing in a particular environment, and slipperiness seems to be the main complaint. I actually like how, for example, the metal section on my Sailor Profit Black Luster makes it more front-heavy than the regular Sailor Profit21 pens of the same size, but that may not suit every user.

 

 

No raw nerve there. I simply don't like participating in any fellow hobbyist's business analysis.

 

As far as I'm concerned, giving pointers on where to look (or where I'd look), without undue regard for any individual's purchase behaviour and preferences (e.g. trying to "support" and buy from Australian retailers where possible), is okay. Doing some basic-to-intermediate technical analysis against primarily functional and some qualitative requirements in a clinical manner is interesting. Opening up others' awareness to wider possibilities out there in the global market is personally rewarding.

 

Yes, I see your point. And, I do agree that being able to shop on the world market and get good service is quite liberating. I'd definitely want to give it a try once I get settled into using FPs

 

I apologise for ranting.

 

Not at all! I appreciate your frank opinions which are food for thought.

[AMlines]

If you are happy with how Plaisir write and want that bit more than the 3776 Century in EF is almost a gurantee win.

 

Actually, I have a F nib on the Plaisir. Even on cheap paper the line spreads out quite a bit, but because of the F the line is still nice, just thicker.

 

I wonder if I get an EF, if it may not be too thin for when I write on FP friendly paper?

 

Almost all Asian F / EF nib exhibit positive feedback which most European / US mfr do not had in their pens ; its a kind of ergonomic as well as writing experience.

 

Can you elaborate on this? Yes, the Plaisir does give feedback, albeit at certain angles. Otherwise, it writes quite smoothly.

 

Do you mean Euro/US nibs will be smooth whichever angle you hold them? Do you mean, for instance, a Pelikan will just glide away on FP friendly paper, like say a good gel pen would?

 

If you can afford it a Pilot 912 would be great choice. On the other end I do recommend Caliarts Ego-II solid blue version ; its piston but its piston that use double O ring and csn be user serviced and using Pilot style nib.

 

So, in your experience do you feel a piston is more or less reliable than a converter? Hearing from other members I realise that a converter lasts for a long time if properly cared for. From that point of view, the only advantage of a piston mechanism seems to be its ability to have a bigger reservoir.

 

I'll check out the Pilot and Caliarts

 

One thing regarding the Plasir / Preppy their section actually are pretty thick so if you want something even thicker you better check the specific model before committing

 

By section you mean the mid section that is the area right next to the cap when posted? I just checked and between the 3776, M200, and Lamy 2000, the Plaisir section is just a little thicker than the M200.

 

The section is fine with me and I am pretty sure significantly thicker sections will detract from my writing experience.