Townsend Steel V. Gold - Pelikan V. Pilot Etc.

[AL01]

Hi!

 

I have been bitten by the Cross bug and am starting to look for a Townsend, but have run into a few questions.

 

Is there any difference between the way the gold and stainless steel nibs write on the Townsend?

 

Are there any differences in terms of writing between Townsends fitted with Pilot or Pelikan nibs?

 

And lastly, do Townsends fitted with a Pilot nib write like a Solo would?

 

Thanks for the help and stay safe!

[Parker51]

There is a difference between the gold and steel nibs, in appearence but in feel, I am uncertain as they are both great nibs. And the question of Pelikan versus Pilot nibs, I like them both and do not have a preference in general between these two makers. In regard to a comparison with a Solo, the Townsend is a much heavier pen and definitely feels more substantial as well which definitely effects the writing experiances, possibly more than what the nib is made of given the high quality of the nibs being compared.

[Dutchpen]

Later townsend models with solid gold nibs have pelikan made nibs (m400 size).

[dennis_f]

Just to reinforce what was aleady said: it's been my experience that both the gold and the steel nibs write very well. The steel nib is not scratchy, it doesn't sing, it is not stingy in terms of ink delivery. It does feel to me as though the steel nib is a bit more rigid than the gold one, but that's not to say that the steel is not responsive, It is, and there's even a touch of spring (but just a touch).

 

If anything I find that the steel nibs write a finer line than the gold ones (or put differently: the gold nibs seem to lay down more ink). I actually prefer the steel nibs because I like a tight line.

[dennis_f]

Later townsend models with solid gold nibs have pelikan made nibs (m400 size).

 

 

Is this true of current Townsends?

[crescentfiller]

Remember, neither the gold nor the steel touch the paper when writing.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe gold was initially used for nibs in order to avoid rust or corrosion (as was the case with traditional dip pen points) and to provide a long-lasting point in a pen that was made to last a long time.

 

So, the Which Is Better? question really depends on the quality of the nib itself, and not merely the material of the nib. I've had many a steel Esterbrook nib that wrote better (smoother, more responsive, etc.) than some 14K gold nibs. Indeed, it is really about how good the tipping is, in terms of manufacture and finishing.