Not Sure If Fountain Pens Are For Me – Can’T Find A Good Writer

[serpent]

my suggestion is either a franklin christoph and call them to discuss the particular nib grind you prefer or a MB Heritage 1912.

[corgicoupe]

Nobody has mentioned anything about ink. Could it be a problem with the ink he is using?

[prf5]

 

Good advice. I know what I like best in terms of feel in my hand--it's the Platinum Balance. Comfortable where my hand goes on it, not too heavy, and in black and gold it looks like what I want my FP to look like, and I prefer a FP that does not have a screw cap. Just need to get the feel down.

 

The Balance and the Platinum Kanazawa Maki-E have very similar dimensions. The latter has an 18K nib and is bound to be smoother as well as more expensive, of course, than the Balance. Note that there are several Maki-E models, and the modern Maki-E costs less than the (I think it's called) traditional. I suggest you go to www.gouletpens.com and have a look at their description of the entire Platinum line. You can also call them and discuss which pen might come closest to the Balance.

[Freddy]

Fred

Edited March 21, 2015 by Freddy

[Freddy]

.......................................

 

 

 

Fred

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome back !

 

You have been using ballpoint pens for two decades, haven't you ?

Who has been taking care of the Parker 51's ? The Pilot Varsity

is new and wet. Good writing.

 

I suggest getting one of the Parker 51's professionally cleaned and

tuned-up. Stoke it with Quink or Pelikan 4001. Concentrate on the

fountain pen writing technique (not ballpoint technique).

 

The nib is not rough. It has "feedback".

The nib is not scratchy. It murmurs a soft song.

The glass is not half empty. . . . . . . .

 

Write with joy.

[RyanM]

I own a couple of Visconti Fountain Pens, and I have to say for me, they are perfect. They have the 'perfect' nibs for me. Personally, I don't think smooth nibs are as good as they seem. I sold a Cross Townsend only recently, as I found the nib to be too smooth! I think you just have to keep looking. I also own a Parker Sonnet, mine with an 18k Gold nib. I also find it a bit scratchy. Just keep looking!

[Blue_Moon]

Parson's Italix Essential from Mr Pen will sort you out. Get the medium (non-italic) nib and that'll work for you. Classical, and writes well. if you are outside of the EU, you will get the VAT back, which will lessen the postage charges.

 

If that's not your bag, the Platinum Century will work well - go for the medium nib and if your budget will take it, the Diplomat pens make nice writers, but they have "nice" prices. Also the Visconti Rembrandt is a nice pen, and comes with a range of beautiful colours - Italian flair - and it writes well.

 

I have found my Parkers to be very fussy about the ink they take - so much so that in some cases I just use the Parker Cartridges, as some of my J Herbin & Diamine inks just don't flow.

 

my suggestion is either a franklin christoph and call them to discuss the particular nib grind you prefer or a MB Heritage 1912.

+1 for both the Italix Parson's Essential and Franklin Christoph. I've had nothing but absolute smooth writing experiences from both, but with the F-C, make sure you get the Masuyama ground nib. You absolutely can't go wrong with either.

 

http://www.mrpen.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d184.html

 

Many to choose from, but this is a beauty - http://www.franklin-christoph.com/model-03-iterum.html

 

Between the two, the Parson's Essential is more in line with your price range. It's an all metal pen as well. Most, but not all, of the F-Cs are lighter. They feel wonderful in your hand.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Blue_Moon

[Maurizio]

From least expensive to more::

 

- Pilot Lucina

- Pilot Vanishing Point

- Pilot Namiki Falcon

- Pilot Custom 74

 

All of these pens write reliably like your Varsity but better. I own each ( and 2 VPs).

 

 

Not at all affiliated with Pilot.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Maurizio

[kbrede]

I would also recommend Franklin Christoph. I've got three of their pens and have purchased multiple nibs. They tune all of there nibs and they do a good job at it. The Masuyama nibs are my favorite. You can buy one pen and buy extra nibs for it, they just screw in and out.

 

My favorite pen of theirs at the moment is the new model 20.

 

http://www.franklin-christoph.com/model-20-marietta.html

 

Kent

[lurcho]

I am new back into the world of fountain pens. From 1999-2003 I collected a number of Parkers (several Duofolds, 51’s, Sonnet’s) but then sold nearly everything off by 2003. I still have a Sonnet FP and three 51’s from that time.

 

Recently I decided to get back into the fountain pen world. I’m an attorney and write frequently and I love the look and nostalgia of a good fountain pen. But here’s my problem—I can’t find a FP that writes smoothly and reliably.

 

Here’s what I have (some purchased recently) and why they don’t work for me:

 

Parker IM – Medium nib. Fairly smooth but appears to have a case of baby’s bottom (it’s a hard starter)

Parker Sonnet – Medium nib. Feels scratchy.

Platinum Balance – Medium nib. Feels scratchy.

Pilot Metropolitan – Fine nib. Feels scratchy. (Ordered medium nib but received fine. Have returned and expect a replacement to be sent).

All of the 51’s – Feel scratchy.

 

Here’s the kicker—I have a Pilot Varsity FP that cost $3-$4 and it’s the best writer of the bunch. But I don’t like its cheap and non-traditional look.

 

Does anyone have advice as to what I can get that will feel smooth with a medium nib that’s around $100 or less? BTW – I prefer traditional looking FP’s. I’m not looking for something like a Lamy Safari or most of the TWSBI’s.

 

I’d also like to add that I don’t think it’s my writing style. I have a pretty light grip and pressure, and, as stated above, the Pilot Varsity feels pretty good. Perhaps I should get a tune up kit and polish the nibs so they feel a bit smoother? I’m perplexed.

Basicaly,

 

I am new back into the world of fountain pens. From 1999-2003 I collected a number of Parkers (several Duofolds, 51’s, Sonnet’s) but then sold nearly everything off by 2003. I still have a Sonnet FP and three 51’s from that time.

 

Recently I decided to get back into the fountain pen world. I’m an attorney and write frequently and I love the look and nostalgia of a good fountain pen. But here’s my problem—I can’t find a FP that writes smoothly and reliably.

 

Here’s what I have (some purchased recently) and why they don’t work for me:

 

Parker IM – Medium nib. Fairly smooth but appears to have a case of baby’s bottom (it’s a hard starter)

Parker Sonnet – Medium nib. Feels scratchy.

Platinum Balance – Medium nib. Feels scratchy.

Pilot Metropolitan – Fine nib. Feels scratchy. (Ordered medium nib but received fine. Have returned and expect a replacement to be sent).

All of the 51’s – Feel scratchy.

 

Here’s the kicker—I have a Pilot Varsity FP that cost $3-$4 and it’s the best writer of the bunch. But I don’t like its cheap and non-traditional look.

 

Does anyone have advice as to what I can get that will feel smooth with a medium nib that’s around $100 or less? BTW – I prefer traditional looking FP’s. I’m not looking for something like a Lamy Safari or most of the TWSBI’s.

 

I’d also like to add that I don’t think it’s my writing style. I have a pretty light grip and pressure, and, as stated above, the Pilot Varsity feels pretty good. Perhaps I should get a tune up kit and polish the nibs so they feel a bit smoother? I’m perplexed.

 

Do you know what, Danny? You're basically right.

 

The only reason why this so-called hobby exists is because fountain pens occasionally show us a lovely tactile experience unlike anything offered by ballpoints or gel-pens.

 

But the experience is more often terrible. No! Disappointing.

[Water Ouzel]

 

The Balance and the Platinum Kanazawa Maki-E have very similar dimensions. The latter has an 18K nib and is bound to be smoother as well as more expensive, of course, than the Balance. Note that there are several Maki-E models, and the modern Maki-E costs less than the (I think it's called) traditional. I suggest you go to www.gouletpens.com and have a look at their description of the entire Platinum line. You can also call them and discuss which pen might come closest to the Balance.

I have a Balance (well, I did, until my wife got her hands on it. Them.) and a Kanazawa Maki-e. The Balance (and the Cool, a Balance in transparent plastic) are very nice writers in F; the Kanazawa's nib is just a bit springy, and for me is a very comfortable pen to use. I've not used them with any other than F nibs, the M should be even smoother, if maybe not a great fit if you write quite small.

[paulmi603]

From least expensive to more::

 

- Pilot Lucina

- Pilot Vanishing Point

- Pilot Namiki Falcon

- Pilot Custom 74

 

All of these pens write reliably like your Varsity but better. I own each ( and 2 VPs).

 

 

Not at all affiliated with Pilot.

+1 on the Pilots. I own the falcon, metropolitan and have the custom 74 on order straight from Japan

[Danny Kaffee]

Welcome back !

 

You have been using ballpoint pens for two decades, haven't you ?

Who has been taking care of the Parker 51's ? The Pilot Varsity

is new and wet. Good writing.

 

 

For the last 5 or so years I've been using the Pilot V-ball rollerball with blue ink 0.7mm for normal writing and the Pilot V-ball rollerball with red ink in 0.5mm for editing.

 

I thoroughly cleaned the 51's before I put them away in 2003.

 

Someone asked about ink -- I've used an assortment of inks in the last week: Parker Quink, Noodler's Liberty Elysium, and the cartridges that came with the Platinum and Pilot.

 

Another comment - I could afford a pen more expensive than $100 but only if I know for certain it's the perfect pen. I don't want to have any $250 or $350 mistakes. That gets to be a problem.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Danny Kaffee

[Intellidepth]

Someone asked about ink -- I've used an assortment of inks in the last week: Parker Quink, Noodler's Liberty Elysium, and the cartridges that came with the Platinum and Pilot.

Have you tried a sample of Iroshizuku inks at all? Although others here may have a better idea of other inks that may help reduce the scratchy feel...

Edited March 21, 2015 by Intellidepth

[Bo Bo Olson]

I like R&K, MB, Pelikan (will be dryer than most inks), Herbin inks. They are shading inks.

DA makes some well lubricated inks as does Noodler. I don't care for Diamine in they feather.

Get a real good once in a life time loupe....@$35.

 

I don't know how to adjust the hooded P-51 nibs.

 

For pure butter smooth, the modern 400/600 Pelikan, even though I like semi-vintage '80-97 nibs much more; cleaner line and true regular flex instead of semi-nail.. Both are light and nimble pens, the 400 is Standard, the medium-large 600 a bit thicker.

Used they are just as good as new....same as with semi-vintage and vintage Pelikan 400's.

 

If you are ready for semi-flex a vintage medium-small Pelikan 140 which posts as long as a 400 is a good nibbed pen. I recommend them highly. Have two, an OB&OF.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Bo Bo Olson

[prf5]

 

Another comment - I could afford a pen more expensive than $100 but only if I know for certain it's the perfect pen. I don't want to have any $250 or $350 mistakes. That gets to be a problem.

 

 

Prices for the modern Maki-E on eBay are around $120.00 including shipping when they are sold by Japanese retailers. Prices for the same item from U.S. retailers are considerably higher. Reasons for the price difference were discussed in recent thread: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/285672-why-such-a-cost-difference/.

 

You might want to search this site for reviews. Here's one: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/220699-platinum-maki-e-style-review/

[Blue_Moon]

Have you tried a sample of Iroshizuku inks at all? Although others here may have a better idea of other inks that may help reduce the scratchy feel...

 

I agree. Pilot/Iroshizuku makes some of the best (if not THE best) inks available. Most are wet and are of high quality.

[jar]

There is no law that says you must or should use fountain pens. Based on your experience you probably should use other types.

 

Some folk like and use smart phones, I have never found one that did not annoy the hell outta me,

 

We are all different thank god and so use what you like and ignore others telling you what you should like.

[sandy101]

Maybe try visiting a pen shop, or a pen fair, if there are any near you? That way you can at least try the pen before you buy - at least if you get to play with a few others, you'll get a chance to see if any other pens offer you a different experience.