Best Pen To Draw With

[adies]

Hello everyone,

 

I just started my fountain pen obsession ever since I got a metal pilot falcon for a graduation present. Ever since then I've been searching to find one pen that ends the search for "the one." The metal falcon is amazing and I'm wondering if there are any better ones out there for my specific purpose.

 

I mainly use my fountain pen to do drawings and I need your help to suggest me some of the top 3 pens from any price range that are the best. In terms of the kind of results I want to achieve, consider the work by Heinrich Kley where his lines glide and have a large spectrum of line thickness. I'm considering sailor 1911 because of its buttery smooth nib but does anyone know how flexible the nib can get? (Bonus points for understated and minimalistic looking pens!)

 

http://thescreamonline.com/art/art7-1/kley/images/clearingthefield.gif

 

https://raidersofthebestart.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/heinrich-kley-1863-1945-1368296681_org.jpg

 

 

Thanks in advance

[OCArt]

adies,

I wish you very good luck in finding your grail pen, the one that "is the one" and ends your search. I have four or five pens that I thought would end my search

[sidthecat]

Of my little collection of old ringtops, a couple have the fineness and flex that make for a lively line. A Mabie Todd Swan and a couple of Watermans: the rest are writers.

Prepare for heartbreak and expense.

[AndyYNWA]

As far as I know the Sailor nibs are quite stiff.

Is a soft nib a good or bad thing for you?

[Polanova]

Hi!

 

I love Kley, too

 

I spent over 2 years looking for the perfect pen for sketching and drawing!

 

For this type of drawing I`d either recommend the Desiderata Flex pen, which uses cheap but very flexible dip nibs or any vintage pen with a flexible nib. It will take some time to find them. Perfect pens for "flexible drawings", which I own are for example Wahl-Eversharp Skylines or a French Mallat Plexigraf with a wonderful flexible vintage steel nib. There are also quite a number of inexpensive Waterman pens from the 40ies or 50ies (the french ones), which have quite a bit of potential.

 

If price doesn`t matter, I strongly suggest to buy Vintage from a reputable pen seller (for example check: https://vintageflex.com), but there are many others!

 

I also strongly recommend NOT to buy anything new! You`ll have to spent a fortune just to get a good semi-flex nib. Quite simply, NO ONE produces today the flexible nibs of yesteryear

 

Maybe check out Sailor Naginata nibs, which allow for line variation "of a different kind"

[adies]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Ideally I prefer the soft nibs. Looking up the Desiderata it seems to be my ideal flex pen. I have many vintage esterbrook dip pens stored up so this might be convenient, if it is compatible. I just wonder if they'll rust much faster since they're bronze. I have also been eyeing the waterman for quite a bit and might considering one too. Are there any modern flex pens that are as good as the vintage?

Edited February 9, 2016 by adies

[missuslovett]

Seeing the title of the thread I was going to suggest the Falcon but you got there already! There are marvellous vintage flex pens that give lots of feedback for drawing - Waterman, Mabie Todd, Wahl. The only modern pen that is truly flexible is Omas (extra flessible) but they are expensive - the Ogiva is $395 at Goulet. I love flex and the celluloid bronze arco Milord Omas is my dream pen. But I need to take out a mortgage for it. Alternatively you could try, if you haven't already, dip pens, which give a beautiful line with lots of variation. Good luck with your search!

[adies]

Yes if I didnt have the falcon, it wouldve been on my wish list. After researching on the Desiderata some more I found an even cheaper alternative and it turned out that some fountain pens like the Jinhao are able to be modded to use a Zebra G pen, allowing it to flex like that of the vintage pens. Although the quality of the dip pen nibs are not as high as a Waterman, Id say this would be a cheaper solution in the mean time. Is anyone familiar with what other fountain pens are compatible with the Zebra G pen? The body of the Jinhao isn't exactly my favourite. Thanks again everyone in advance

[tragique]

As far as modern pens go, I highly recommend both the Pilot Falcon and Pilot Justus. They have great responsive nibs with a bit of line variation.

 

For vintage, a good semi-flex with a finer point usually does the job.

[Icywolfe]

Look for the Pilot custom 743 with falcon nib. But if you do get it if you over flex it. You may and will snap the tines off. Light pressure coupled with fast and hard pressure is the way to go. Also my pen I never cleaned it once out of the box nor still 7 months later.

[Goudy]

I love Heinrich Kley's work. Someone in this thread said he used a Montblanc.

[Kataphract]

No idea what Kley drew with, could be dip pen or brush - the main advantage of a fountain pen is portability (plus not having to constantly dip the pen). From the modern standpoint, the Falcon is fun to draw with, but not capable of that kind of line variation without modification (and that makes it more fragile). I'd recommend a Desiderata over a hacked pen with Zebra G kludged in, since the former is actually designed around the nib. Or just use it as a dip pen first to see if you like the nib. My modded Ahab is vaguely about the same variation and close on stiffness, but I don't feel the tines snap back as responsively (on the mushy side). Most will recommend looking into a vintage pen (alas, the LA pen show is this weekend, and I just blew my pen money to get a new tire).

 

As to Kley - an acquaintance of mine who works with crocodiles was telling a story about how a croc got hold of a chainsaw. While others clamored for photos, I had my Heinrich Kley moment with my (pre-modded) Ahab and ten minutes later (beating the rather boring photo being posted)...

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/Broadswords/Avatars/KrazyKrocWithChainsaw_zps5e15205d.jpg

[Piper 987]

The best pen for drawing... hummm... that sounds a lot like asking for the best pen for writing.

 

How are we to know what pens for drawing you'll find to be best? You'll have to try out a bunch and decide for yourself. Once you've decided on a nib type that gives you the amount of flex and line variation you want, you then have to have it in a pen with the size, weight and dimensions that you find comfortable in your hand. Fountain pen, dip pen, frankenpen of your own creation (something you put together out of parts cannibalized from other pens... it's fun), who knows what you'll end up considering an ideal pen for drawing?

 

One thing I say with reasonable certainty is that what is ideal for you tomorrow will be history by next month. Pens are like that and it's a good thing. In a year, it'll be ideal again. And so it goes.

[Piper 987]

As to Kley - an acquaintance of mine who works with crocodiles was telling a story about how a croc got hold of a chainsaw. While others clamored for photos, I had my Heinrich Kley moment with my (pre-modded) Ahab and ten minutes later (beating the rather boring photo being posted)...

 

You've got the beginnings of a really great environmental Superhero there. Crocsaw!! The avenger from the bayou. Restoring nature from the devastations of man!! They built just one too many condos on his swamp.

[adies]

The best pen for drawing... hummm... that sounds a lot like asking for the best pen for writing.

 

How are we to know what pens for drawing you'll find to be best? You'll have to try out a bunch and decide for yourself. Once you've decided on a nib type that gives you the amount of flex and line variation you want, you then have to have it in a pen with the size, weight and dimensions that you find comfortable in your hand. Fountain pen, dip pen, frankenpen of your own creation (something you put together out of parts cannibalized from other pens... it's fun), who knows what you'll end up considering an ideal pen for drawing?

 

One thing I say with reasonable certainty is that what is ideal for you tomorrow will be history by next month. Pens are like that and it's a good thing. In a year, it'll be ideal again. And so it goes.

 

Piper 987: I totally agree. Asking for the best pen is a very hard thing to do because of how subjective it is. That said I'm always open to exploring and considering suggestions made. It is definitely fun to breathe life into your very own frankenpen! Have you had experience in making your own frankenpen? I have been thinking of doing such a thing but unfortunately I currently have 0 experience in fountain pens.

 

No idea what Kley drew with, could be dip pen or brush - the main advantage of a fountain pen is portability (plus not having to constantly dip the pen). From the modern standpoint, the Falcon is fun to draw with, but not capable of that kind of line variation without modification (and that makes it more fragile). I'd recommend a Desiderata over a hacked pen with Zebra G kludged in, since the former is actually designed around the nib. Or just use it as a dip pen first to see if you like the nib. My modded Ahab is vaguely about the same variation and close on stiffness, but I don't feel the tines snap back as responsively (on the mushy side). Most will recommend looking into a vintage pen (alas, the LA pen show is this weekend, and I just blew my pen money to get a new tire).

As to Kley - an acquaintance of mine who works with crocodiles was telling a story about how a croc got hold of a chainsaw. While others clamored for photos, I had my Heinrich Kley moment with my (pre-modded) Ahab and ten minutes later (beating the rather boring photo being posted)...

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/Broadswords/Avatars/KrazyKrocWithChainsaw_zps5e15205d.jpg

Kataphract: Haha that is a very Kley moment indeed and you captured his gesture! The Desiderata is definitely a pen I'm considering purchasing in the future whenever the stock is back up. Have you tried the Desiderata? I wonder if in the future they'll be able to accept vintage nibs like the Esterbrook radio pens. I have a large quantity of the Esterbrook 048 but seeing how it's made of bronze, it'll probably rust quickly. The stainless steel version on the other hand...

Edited February 14, 2016 by adies