What's A Good Proofreading/marginalia Pen?

[TimLawNYC]

I've been thinking lately that to supplement my everyday writers and general note-taking pens, I'd also like to get a pen to keep inked with red or burgundy, for use exclusively for proofreading mark-ups and notations in margins of computer-printed documents (I do a lot of proofreading and editing). So I'll need something that writes small and clear, but that won't cause me to make unnecessary marks with false starts.

 

My only current pen with a nib size smaller than fine is a Rotring with an EF that I've never been crazy about, because the barrel is uncomfortable to hold and the nib is scratchy and doesn't start well. I also know that different brands size nibs differently, so one maker's "fine" might write like another's "extra fine".

 

Can anybody please recommend a good choice for relatively smooth writing and reliable starting that has as small a nib as possible? Preferably under $300 and relatively easy to find and purchase? Barring that, which brands tend to size their nibs the smallest?

[cvac]

For an editing/proofreading pen, I think it would be insane to spend that much $, but if you spend several hours each day doing this and really want a nice pen for it I can see why you might want to.

 

Word is Japanese pens tend to be finer than their Western counterparts. My recent purchases of Pilot 78g pens bear this out.

 

I liked them enough that ordered a more expensive Custom Heritage 92. Once I get it I'll do a review...I ordered the Medium, but you can get them in a Fine which would be very fine by Western standards. The nice thing about the 92 is that it's a piston filler with large ink capacity and you can see your ink level easily because the entire body is clear. Goes for about $150 or so on ebay...it even comes with a 14k nib. Fill it with a nice red ink and you're good to go.

 

Although I'm not well versed in permanent/bulletproof red inks, you may want to look into them. The red inks I have wash off fairly easily when they get wet, so one spill and all your work would be gone. I know Noodler's makes a bulletproof red but there are probably others out there too...

[djpyle]

My vote goes to the Pilot VP. It's a great editing pen, and for under $300, you could get one from Richard Binder (no affiliation) with a customized needlepoint nib. Although even the standard F nib works really well for me. I always have my red VP with Noodler's Nikita on hand.

[Wolverine1]

I do a lot of proof-reading as part of my job, and for freelance editing jobs. As such I have found that a Pilot Vanishing Point with a fine nib works the best for me. The nib is fine enough, and very smooth and so writing is rather pleasurable.

[jb500]

My vote goes to the Pilot VP. It's a great editing pen, and for under $300, you could get one from Richard Binder (no affiliation) with a customized needlepoint nib. Although even the standard F nib works really well for me. I always have my red VP with Noodler's Nikita on hand.

 

 

+1 Whenever I need to write in the margins of an important document, I use my VP with F nib.

 

 

jb500

[Flake]

I use a lamy safari xf for all my margin needs.

[TimLawNYC]

Those of you suggesting the Vanishing Point, is that the newer style or the old "faceted" type? Or is there a material difference at all in nib size between the two?

 

Still not sure if the clip on the new style would be comfortable for me...

[TimLawNYC]

I use a lamy safari xf for all my margin needs.

 

Interesting... I was under the impression that Lamy nibs tend to be on the wider side, so an extra fine would write like a standard fine/medium. I don't own a Lamy myself, so I can't speak from personal knowledge--is my impression of Lamy sizes incorrect?

[Flake]

I don't know about that one. It's certainly not amazingly fine but it's fine without being scratchy which is my priority. I had a pilot prera with an F nib that was, admittedly thinner, but it felt too scratchy for me.

 

because I got bored:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/Taco_Taco5/4212f3b2.jpg

 

obviously the smallest is the hero F.

[dizzypen]

I've always been partial to my Pilot Prera, fine. Cheap and cheerful, and it puts down a super thin dryish line. It's perfect really.

[Jimmy Joe]

For extremely small writing, it's hard to get finer than a Pilot Penmanship: a Japanese EF nib. Using mine, I can write clearly with an x-height of 1 mm or less. Mine was a bit scratchy to start, but some time on a two-dollar nail buffer took care of that. And they're around US$8. If you don't like the body, you can put the nib in a 78G or Prera.

 

But if you've got $300 and want to spend at least a good chunk of it, a fine or a custom extra-fine Vanishing Point might be the way to go.

[Wolverine1]

Tim- to answer your question - I have used both the older, faceted style of Pilott VP and now use two of the newer VPs. I find the newer VP bodies more comfortable to use. Both have fine nibs, smoothened by John Mottishaw.

[VillersCotterets]

Sailor Sapporo (also called ProGear Slim) with an F nib. Equivalent to EF of most other brands.

 

http://image1.lilter.net/2011/12/22/2/360417356325-4ef3a21e070e8.JPG

[hoppes no9]

For underlining and taking notes in margins, may daily-use combo is a TWSBI 540 with EF nib (VERY smooth), filled with MontBlanc Alfred Hitchcock. Absolutely perfect combo for me.

[CAG_1787]

+1 on the Pilot Prera

[vistafan]

Pilot 78G with an M nib is rather fine.

 

Sorry to sidetrack the post - Flake, what inks did you use?

[ink mixer]

I use a Vanishing Point with a F nib. I didn't realize how useful the click mechanism would be till I tried it. It makes taking off a cap seem like so much work. The other idea I've been contemplating would be a Platinum Carbon Desk Pen. It supposedly has a very fine nib, and you wouldn't have to constantly take off a cap. I don't have one yet, though, so I guess I can't really recommend it.

[jb500]

Those of you suggesting the Vanishing Point, is that the newer style or the old "faceted" type? Or is there a material difference at all in nib size between the two?

 

Still not sure if the clip on the new style would be comfortable for me...

 

 

I have the new style. The VP is not a pen that I have used to write several pages continuously at one time, but the clip has never been a problem for me. I don't have the old type, so I can't make any comparisons.

 

 

jb500

[liapuyat]

I use a Pilot Decimo (a Vanishing Point model) in F. It has an 18k nib that has better flow than the steel nib of the Pilot Prera or Pilot 78G. It produces a precise line. But I do agree you should try one out in person - no sense in getting one only to find you can't abide the clip placement.

 

I also use the Prera and 78G. Fortunately the nibs on those pens that I have write smoothly enough despite being on the dry side. However, they are a bit small, and if you have bigger hands they may not appeal to you as much as the Vanishing Points do.

 

You may also want to take a look at the Sailor Sapporo (the longer version vs. the mini version). It also has a very nice 14k F nib, and looks classy and professional.

[TimLawNYC]

Thank you all for the great information. After reading all of these excellent posts and spending some time myself using Goulet's Nib Nook (such a wonderful tool!), it's looking like my best options so far are the Lamy Safari XF, Vanishing Point F, Pilot Prera F, or the Sailor 1911S XF.

 

I'm not too familiar with Sailor, and though several of you suggested the Sapporo, I'm having trouble finding that model for sale. Any suggestions on where to look? Also, what's the difference between the Sapporo and the 1911S--do you think that difference would affect nib size or smoothness?