Nibs?

[duckinci]

So a while back a fountain pen fell into my hands and it worked fantastically as far as I was concerned as having never used a fountain pen. Unfortunately one day I dropped it and the tip of the nib broke off. I have decided to scrap the idea of buying a new nib. I have a parker sonnet 10 or 7 (can't tell the difference), it cost around 100 dollars, and a replacement nib costs around $114-140.

 

Bottom line, what is a good fountain pen to replace the sonnet? 4 requirements:

 

Smooth and wet writing

Sleek and simple body

around $90-$150

Flex Oblique or stub nib

[stephenchin]

Your list is a bit more difficult to achieve than you might think, because of the nibs you've requested.

 

I doubt your Sonnet had what many would consider to be a flex nib.

 

If you don't need flex, you could get an excellent steel stub nib in many sleek modern pens.

 

If you need flex, your best best on your budget is to find a vintage Pelikan 400 in user shape, or a 140 in better shape, with such a nib. If you get a good one, you will find it writes as well as pens costing 5 times as much--truly a world beater. You are a little under budget for a modern Pelikan with a custom flex nib by say, a Richard Binder or a John Mottishaw.

 

Another way to go is to try to find an early production Lamy 2000 when they were still more flexible, or an older Lamy 27 with an oblique nib. they are great writers and still in your price range.

 

The last way to go is to abandon flex and buy a modern or vintage stub. You will find many options discussed in this forum. But if you are willing to wait constantly for Greg Minuskin to post something you like on his website, you should be able to find a vintage Parker 51, Sheaffer Triumph or Parker Vacumatic with a wet, juicy stub nib in your price range. The trick is being the first to buy it. And I have no affiliation other than being a happy customer.

Edited May 25, 2014 by stephenchin

[matthewwrite]

You can find a Monteverde, many places, sometimes as cheap as $50 but certainly under $100 and a $15 nib from Gouletpens.com would give you a choice of great #6 nibs for $15 with a choice from fine to 1.5 italics, if you like line variation and strong smooth nibs. I have purchased some 1.1 nibs which are easy to write with for this price. You can find lots of educational videos on there site as well. I don't work for them but I am a fan. They also offer a large selection of pens, many in the $50 dollar price range.

 

[Bo Bo Olson]

The 140 is not a "Flex" nib, it is semi-flex. Semi-flex only spreads it's tines 3 X a light down stroke.

 

A good pen to have a fun writer. Look for a Geha 790 (only) also for semi-flex.

Please read my signature....I like semi-flex, have 26.

 

"Flex" nibs spread 4-5-6 or even 7 X a light down stroke with lots less pressure than a semi-flex. You are not ready for a "Flex" nib.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[ac12]

A flex nib is not an everyday nib.

You want a harder nib for your everyday pen, and use a flex as a secondary special writing pen.

[Icywolfe]

You can find a Monteverde, many places, sometimes as cheap as $50 but certainly under $100 and a $15 nib from Gouletpens.com would give you a choice of great #6 nibs for $15 with a choice from fine to 1.5 italics, if you like line variation and strong smooth nibs. I have purchased some 1.1 nibs which are easy to write with for this price. You can find lots of educational videos on there site as well. I don't work for them but I am a fan. They also offer a large selection of pens, many in the $50 dollar price range.

 

I Doubt Parker Sonnets use #6 nibs.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Icywolfe