Cheap,Vintage, Quality Japanese Fountain Pens in Fine Nibs?

[Pepin]

Can someone recommend me some quality Japanese fountain pens ( brand and model ) that are judged solely on write-ability? I don't care for finish or look, just something that is reliably utilitarian. I'm looking at some Pilots right now but don't know where to begin. No more than $50 American Dollars each please.

 

The pen should be reliable. By that, I mean, it can be used as lethal projectile, which upon extraction from the victim, does not suffer bent nib or skippy cursive lines.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'm not sure you can meet all three criteria. I've got a dead cheap Sailor "Ink Pen" that one could probably use to burrow through an elephant, but it's a more or less current model-- ditto one a three-pack of Pilot Petit1s.

[thibaulthalpern]

The pen should be reliable. By that, I mean, it can be used as lethal projectile, which upon extraction from the victim, does not suffer bent nib or skippy cursive lines.

 

I don't know of any fountain pen that can achieve the description above. Fountain pen nibs are meant for writing and not for attacking people. Perhaps you need to talk to 007 if you want something of that nature?

Edited November 17, 2008 by thibaulthalpern

[excarnate]

Can someone recommend me some quality Japanese fountain pens ( brand and model ) that are judged solely on write-ability? I don't care for finish or look, just something that is reliably utilitarian. I'm looking at some Pilots right now but don't know where to begin. No more than $50 American Dollars each please.

Contact Speerbob, he sells such things. He was helped me locate what I was looking for, iterating several times til my order was just right.

 

He also has an eBay store.

 

With $50 as your max he should be able to help you.

 

The pen should be reliable. By that, I mean, it can be used as lethal projectile, which upon extraction from the victim, does not suffer bent nib or skippy cursive lines.

What you describe sounds like the Pilot Myu, which is well over $50.

[Immoteus]

Sounds like a Pilot Prera, Knight, or 78G would fit the bill nicely. Or a Rotring 600 if you're willing to spend a bit more...

[JJBlanche]

78G is def. the one that comes to mind. You can probably get 3 or 4 of them for $50, including shipping. Just do an eBay on 78G. In this price range though, I've found pens to be hit or miss in terms of writing quality, Japanese included. The sub $50 market does not get the attention and polish of the more expensive models, although gems can be found with a little outlay, and/or brush-up work on the part of the end user.