Lightweight Pens?

[artibasos]

I am recent convert to fountain pens, and while I love the ink colors and experience, I also have moderately severe arthritis. Since most fountain pens are heavier than disposable ballpoints, it's been a bit more painful than I'd like.

 

So: lightweight pen suggestions? I have a TWSBI Mini (19g, according to Goulet), which is fine for short pieces of writing (a couple of paragraphs), but multiple pages of notes are right out (if I want to be able to use my wrists for the rest of the day). I do better with a Lamy Al-Star, unposted (12g according to Goulet).

 

I have tiny hands, so small pens are fine -- I can use a Mini unposted, if that gives you any indication how small my hands are. I'm also a student, so budget is <$150 -- preferably under $75, but if I'm really in love, I might be able to stretch my budget to $150.

 

 

[kenshiro]

Depending on how picky you are about materials and such. You might start off with the Safari, which is slightly lighter than the Al-Star and more durable to boot.

 

You might also find that balance is ultimately more important than weight - some people prefer their pens to be balanced roughly in the center depending on grip and writing style - others like their pens nib-heavy. Many of the acrylic/pmma demonstrator pens are nib-heavy if they are unposted; you might try one and see if you like it, particularly a cartridge/converter one. Piston fillers tend to be more center-balanced, but depending how much ink you need in the pen, you can actually adjust this somewhat by moving the piston down toward the nib (particularly effective with metal pistons).

[CharlieTurtle]

Lamy Nexx is also super light

[Koyote]

Pelikan M200. Within your price range, small-ish, large ink capacity and very light.

[Inkysloth]

The Pilot 78g is very very light, yet reasonably robust. The barrel is wider than a regular biro, and slightly curved.

 

Here's someone's blog post listing the weights of a good selection of pens when filled: http://peaceablewriter.wordpress.com/penweights/

 

(Edit to correct error)

Edited March 28, 2014 by Inkysloth

[dcwaites]

As well as the Pilot 78G, there are the Platinum Preppy (my preference) and the Pilot V-Pen/Varsity. Both very light and with a reasonably chunky (10mm) section for gripping.

Both Sailor and Pilot also make Desk Pens (in various grades and prices) which are very light.

I would experiment with the very inexpensive pens first, and once you have found a design/weight that suits you, use it as a model for a more expensive pen.

[SallyLyn]

+1 Pilot 78G. Light, great nibs.

 

Someday might want to consider a Parker "51" Demi. Same beautiful writing nib as the Parker "51", bit smaller around.

 

Very inexpensive is the Hero 616 Regular. This gets confusing- the Regular is small around like the "51" Demi. It is the Hero 616 Jumbo that is the larger size, closer to the "regular" Parker "51". The Hero is light weight plastic. Good nib but the Pilot 78G is better and the Parker "51" better yet but more expensive.

[AndrewC]

The Safari is very light. And quite inexpensive for what you get. The Pilot 78G is also light, not real large, and the Broad nib I have is more of a stub that enhances my scrawl. It is smooth and has good flow. Although a little heavier than a Lamy Safari, the Pelikan M200 series are great pens. Not too large, diameter similar to Safari, robust like a tank, and they hold a lot of ink. The nibs screw out, and you can buy different ones. You can even get them ready ground or get them adjusted to how you like them from people like Richard Binder. If you don't mind vintage lever fill pens, the Waterman Lady Patricia and 3V (or most of the "V" designated pens, as the V stands for"Vest" , and the pens are short enough to fit in a mans vest pocket) are about the same weight and are small indeed, but can be posted. You can find them within your budget if you look a bit. And they come in very nice colors, and are a bit of history, too. Another thing to consider is there are several people on FPN who custom make pens. You might consider that. Since this seems like it might be a splurge for you, you could get something in the colors of your choice and sized as you like. Plus, you could have the nib tweaked-adjusted for flow- to your liking. I would imagine a pen with a slightly more free flowing nib would be easier to drive than one that requires more push to lay down ink. Any nib can be adjusted to flow more readily, so that might be something to learn for you. As someone with carpal tunnel syndrome, I tweak all my nibs for wetter flow.

Edited March 28, 2014 by AndrewC

[ac12]

Here are a few to consider, and easily within your budget, and some are even lighter than your Safari.

Weight is as measured by me, except for the 2 from Goulet.

I included the diameter of the slimline pens, as some people consider them too thin. But they are fine for me. And for comparison, 9.5mm is a bit bigger than a #2 pencil. So it isn't really thin at all.

Vintage pens:
- Parker 45, 10g unposted, w/o converter
- Parker Classic, 8g unposted 15g posted, w/o converter (9.5mm diameter, measured)
- Parker 21 super, 12g unposted
- Parker 51, 12g unposted

Current Pens:
- Pilot 78G, 8g unposted, 12g posted, with converter
- Lamy Logo, 11g unposted, 9.5mm diameter(per Goulet)
- Lamy cp1, 8g unposted (per Goulet) (9.6mm diameter, measured)

Edited March 28, 2014 by ac12

[Runnin_Ute]

Pelikan M200. Within your price range, small-ish, large ink capacity and very light.

My thoughts exactly- the M2xx series. The M215 might be heavier than you would like as I believe it has a brass barrel, but the other two (M200/M205) as well as a M150 would be good fits. The M215 according to Richard Binder is .20.6 grams and the M200/5 at 13.0 grams. (not sure if that is posted or unposted) The M150 might be slightly lighter as it is slightly shorter.

 

By comparison, the Al Star (total/body) is 22 grams(12) and the Safari about 17 grams(10)

 

I write with all of my pens unposted. My heaviest pen that gets any use is 30 grams (1.07 ounces) but it is built on a brass barrel. (I do have a Jinhao 159 - 50 grams, but I am getting ready to get rid of it as it isn't my thing. To heavy, big for my tastes)

Edited March 28, 2014 by Runnin_Ute

[tomgartin]

+1 for a vintage Parker 45

[stonezebra]

Kaweco Classic Sport or Ice Sport, or maybe a Kaweco Lilliput? I too have very small hands/arthritis and find the Kaweco Classic/ice Sport to be very lightweight even when posted. The Lamy Safari (unposted) is also nice and light and the section is big enough that I can keep a easy loose grip on it. (so my hand doesn't fatigue). Maybe a few Platnium Preppies would suit you, again unposted. I write with most of my pens unposted anymore to cut down on the weight.

[stonezebra]

oops! duplicate.

Edited March 28, 2014 by stonezebra

[stonezebra]

oh dear, triplicate! sorry everyone.

Edited March 28, 2014 by stonezebra

[crw]

The pilot 78 G. is a nice lightweight pen and has a smooth nib

[Bo Bo Olson]

The aluminum Lamy CPM-1, is the lightest by far of all metal pens I have....lighter than my piston pens.

 

Many hold their fountain pen like they were still plowing the south forty with out a mule...before the big knuckle of the index finger....causing skipping and other ills like the 'death grip' or dreaded "Kung Fu Crab Pinch".

 

You have to hold a fountain pen after the big index finger....at 45 degrees, at the start of the web of the thumb 40 degrees or in the pit of the web of the thumb at 35 degrees. Let each pen find it's own resting place with out forcing anything. The pen's weight determines it's resting place.

A posted pen rests deeper....a pen that is standard or medium-long IMO need to be posted to have good balance.....part of the reason you are looking at a fountain pen.

 

Go to the threads 'Death Grip' and 'classic tripod' in advanced search in this section.

In both is mentioned the 'forefinger' up way of grasping a fountain pen....it is an automatic way of grasping a pen very lightly. It is used by some here.

 

Few take the time to examine this. I cured 45 years of the 'death grip' in three minutes.....by end of the week I was using it 95% of the time.

 

Many suggest spending many months of learning to grip a fountain pen lightly in the 'classic tripod'.

I suggest three minutes instead.

I have on other posts gone deeper with this.

Bo Bo Olson in the author section when or if you look up this method of grasping a pen, will give you the way to do that.

 

In that a fountain pen floats on a little puddle of ink, and needs no force. Hold the pen like you would a featherless baby bird.....don't make bird paste.

Edited March 28, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[pen2paper]

Small hands here too.

Platinum Plaisir is very lightweight, better than average nib, competent writer for long sessions.

Does not dry out when sitting for awhile.

Used mine for daily work reports.

[bones]

I'll add to the chorus recommending the Pilot 78G -- I like the nibs, and it is quite light.

 

I'll also second that the regular-size Hero 616 is quite light, but I have had terrible luck with the nibs on the three I've tried so far -- the best nib of the bunch was on the one that has the most indications of being a fake!

 

Something a little more exotic at the upper end of your price range is the Tombow Zoom 101 Carbon -- 14g.

[holgalee]

Try the Pilot Kakuno, which is meant for students but very popular among adults as well. It's one of the lightest pens I own. If you're diy inclined, you can file off the ribs inside the barrel so that the pen accepts a con70 for greater ink capacity. You may need an M nib unless you prefer very small nibs. The pen has a rounded triangular grip that is more comfortable than the Lamy Safari's. The Sailor Candy is also very light. Another pen to consider is the Sheaffer No-nonsense. The section is a wee bit wider but the pen is still very light weight. I prefer non rubberised grips and the older models can still be purchased on ebay. If I'm not wrong, you should be looking for pens that are not too slim especially at the section, but still light weight.

[artibasos]

Definitely a lot of recommendations for the 78G -- will check it out! I'm actually just about to PM someone on another forum to trade my Metropolitan for their 78G; I shall report back.

 

I will admit I'm totally charmed by the design of the Pilot Kakuno (and it's relatively inexpensive).

 

The Pelikan M200 is a steel nib, at the price point where one begins to see gold nibs (a bit over $100). Is it worth the money? Or would a steel Pelikan nib behave just as well as any other nib -- steel or gold -- out there?