Suggest A Pen (Wider Section)

[MuddyWaters]

Hello all, I am looking to get my next fountain pen, and given that I don’t have fountain pen stores on hand at my location, I was wondering whether this community could make some suggestions based on some descriptions of what I am looking for compared to the two pens I currently use.

 

I own a Pilot Metropolitan and a Kaweco Sport Classic. I would say that what I am looking for is more in line with the Pilot, because I like its flow, the nib was ready straight out of the box, the classic black look goes well with a dark black ink, and I do like the metallic build of this pen. Though it would not be utterly necessary for a pen to be made of metal, I do appreciate this of the Metropolitan.

 

It’s major downfall for me, and perhaps the main reason why I am looking for another pen, is that the section is narrow, and this makes the pen a little less comfortable to use than my Kaweco. I do like the Kaweco for its portability, and it will remain my pocket pen, but I do need something that is as wet as the Pilot and whose nib works better out of the box. I am not a nibmeister and I cannot mess with nibs that are dry like I did with my Kaweco if the pen is worth more, for risk of damaging it.

 

This would be more for a personal home/office use, so portability is less of an issue. I do like the look of the Pilot – it looks like a proper pen to me – the section is just too narrow for my taste. Otherwise, its medium nib (finer than my Kaweco’s medium) is a great and stylish width for my style of writing.

 

If there is a pen in the $30-90 budget (less the better of course) you would be able to suggest, I would be happy to investigate and narrow trials for when I do end up going to the pen stores. It could be another Pilot as it seems that I do like their flow. Thank you!

[EdeIstein88]

Platinum #3776 beautiful pen with 14c gold nib. You can see the price from ebay.. around $85-$95

[J_MM]

TWSBI 580, Pilot Custom 74, Ranga Model 3, Lamy Studio, Conklin Duragraph come to mind in that price range.

[MuddyWaters]

Thank you both for your excellent suggestions. The Platinum is indeed beautiful. What about the Pilot 91 Heritage?

 

Again, I'm hoping for a wider section because otherwise the Metropolitan is quite good.

[Bluey]

Rather than the section being too narrow, perhaps you mean that the barrel is too fat relative to the section. The Metropolitan has a large step between the section and barrel and many people find this uncomfortable, so I'm guessing that's the issue.

Possible pens that you could consider are Lamy Studio and Jinhao x250/x450/x750. All of them are wet, inexpensive, and don't have a large step like the Metropolitcn does. The Jinhaos are also made of brass like the Metro so it will feel much like the Metro in weight and balance.

Edited November 14, 2016 by Bluey

[displacermoose]

If you are happy with the performance of your Metropolitan, you might consider a Prera. They are short, similar to your Kaweco, and pleasingly fat. They use the same nib as the Metropolitan, come in a wide variety of colors, and run about $30.

 

If you're looking for a true upgrade then the 3776 Century is a great pen. To get one in your price range you will have to buy from the Japanese market, which will mean no or very difficult warranty support. Mine came dry, but getting a pen to write a bit wetter is a very very simple fix and shouldn't stop you from getting one.

 

I have heard excellent things about the Custom 91, but do not have one myself so I can't comment.

[MuddyWaters]

Rather than the section being too narrow, perhaps you mean that the barrel is too fat relative to the section. The Metropolitan has a large step between the section and barrel and many people find this uncomfortable, so I'm guessing that's the issue.

Possible pens that you could consider are Lamy Studio and Jinhao x250/x450/x750. All of them are wet, inexpensive, and don't have a large step like the Metropolitcn does. The Jinhaos are also made of brass like the Metro so it will feel much like the Metro in weight and balance.

 

Oh yes, this is likely the problem! I have found some pens comfortable even though they were thin in the past. But I do hope for something thicker this time.

 

I did find the Jinhao's exceptional for the price but a little too heavy and perhaps I am also hoping for some upgrade.

 

If you are happy with the performance of your Metropolitan, you might consider a Prera. They are short, similar to your Kaweco, and pleasingly fat. They use the same nib as the Metropolitan, come in a wide variety of colors, and run about $30.

 

If you're looking for a true upgrade then the 3776 Century is a great pen. To get one in your price range you will have to buy from the Japanese market, which will mean no or very difficult warranty support. Mine came dry, but getting a pen to write a bit wetter is a very very simple fix and shouldn't stop you from getting one.

 

I have heard excellent things about the Custom 91, but do not have one myself so I can't comment.

 

The 3773 sounds like a nice option. I will just need to try one in my hands first because 1) it is said to be a little short and 2) made of resin rather than metal. Finally, I have read comments that it would be a little drier than the Metropolitan and I don't know how I feel about that. I'd have to try it.

[chromantic]

You might check out the Deli S668 on ebay. They're plastic but quite nice looking, somewhat on the larger side, comes in 0.5 EF and 0.7 F, which strikes me as more M and B. I have the EF and the line is nice and well-defined, not super fine like Japanese nibs. Very smooth writers and fairly wet, as well. Comes in a nice, shiny piano black or muted red metallic finish. Long-ish section with minimal step, section is triangular like Safari but not as sharply angular. I'm very pleased with mine (black EF with Miruai and red EF with Diamine Ruby). Around $13 USD.

Edited November 15, 2016 by chromantic

[Bluey]

 

Oh yes, this is likely the problem! I have found some pens comfortable even though they were thin in the past. But I do hope for something thicker this time.

 

I did find the Jinhao's exceptional for the price but a little too heavy and perhaps I am also hoping for some upgrade.

 

I'm not really sure entirely what you mean by an upgrade?

 

I would suggest a Platinum 3776 Chartres Blue or bourgogne with an SF nib. You can buy them for about 70$ on Amazon and eBay and the soft nib will give you a little something extra from the pens that you already have, plus the translucence looks beautiful.

Edited November 15, 2016 by Bluey

[MuddyWaters]

Thank you all for suggestions up to this point. The next time I go to a fountain pen store, I will look out for:

 

• lamy studio - intriguing pen but not sure it would do enough for the price for me
• lamy 2000 - while looking for pens online, I guess the budget slides up every so slightly, but this is a nice looking pen that is a classic. I look forward to trying it especially since I found Safaris to be wet and flowy.
• platinum 3776 - my type of look, and nice to have a gold nib. I'm just concerned about its wetness and the plastic material
• pilot custom 74 - classic pen also in the style of the 3776
• sailor 1911 - apparently wetter than platinum but toothier, also nice classic look

[DekeVader]

I'd recommend a Karas Kustoms. The Nib is perfectly wet without being overly so. It's incredibly smooth which I was very surprised about and the pen is metal and nigh indestructible. My wife just got one and I am really surprised at how well it writes. It was $85 and it's worth every penny in my opinion.

 

-D

[jgrant]

You might also try a Parker IM. They don't get a lot of attention, but it was one of my first pens and it was a good looking metal pen. It has been a while since I used one, but I remember it was a little dry. If you can try one out to see if the feel suits you they can be had for $20-30. I am definitely a fan of japanese pens though. You can order a Pilot Custom 74, Platinum 3776. etc and stay within your price point if you can get over the plastic thing. You could also look at the Pilot Custom 92 which will weigh more because of the piston. They are pricey in the states, but you can find them on Ebay for a reasonable price. Good luck with your search!

[MuddyWaters]

I've gone into a store to see some of these pens. Unfortunately the customer service wasn't as such that I could try them. I'm starting to get intrigued by the Lamy Studio more and more: cheaper than the 2000 and good flow, I like the look (these things are personal obviously). I have heard it is heavier than the 2000 because of its metal build so I will want to try it. The Lamy 2000 looks like an excellent pen for the price but not sure I am ready to go that high in the price for a pen whose looks are a bit blocky for me. Both of them at least have decently sized sections, which again I would have to try because of complaints about the slippery metal piece.

 

As for the 3776, I did see it yesterday. It is a beautiful pen. I've also seen some amazing caligraphy videos on youtube with their soft nibs, which I find beautiful in their wide shape. A soft-fine is fine but has the potential to widen with pressure, and so too I imagine the soft-medium. Again, this pen is probably the cheapest gold nib option (the studio at the price of the 3776 comes with a steel one) but I will have to try the feel of it, which comes in plastic and narrower section.

 

Interesting possibilities though, and at least I know that the Lamys flow. If I find a cheap Lamy I trust it enough to simply get it. In the case of a Platinum I'd want to try it first even if cheap.

[Pichak]

I am not feel comfortable with the Lamy’ section especially when I have to write for long session.

 

The wide section fountain pen with a smooth and wet writer as I can think now is the Delta Dolcevita. You can find it at about $90 +/- on eBay. But its shape is flat top not cigar like the Metropolitan so I dont know will you like it or not.

 

The BIG THREE Japanese fountain pen are the great choice. I love Sailor’ nib the most.

[OCArt]

Let's not forget the great values that Chinese pens can offer. I'd recommend the Kaigelu 316 strongly and it has a very modest price.

[vojtahlad]

The brushed steel finish of Lamy Studio has a rubberized grip which is not slippery at all (personal experience): https://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/studio/065

 

A big advantage of Lamy Studio (and any other Lamy except the 2000) is the system of easily swappable nibs. If you find the nib does not fit your preferences it is really simple to purchase wider/narrower one and exchange it.

 

Another option not mentioned above is the Wing Sung 590. It is a very big and very cheap Chinese pen with a nice juicy springy nib. Chinese production is notoriously inconsistent so your experience may be different but for the money...

[Pichak]

For less expensive fountain pen, the Jinhao 159 is a good choice. It has cigar shape, made of metal, got a wide section and also wet and smooth writer.

 

I also agree with the Wing Sung 590 but the pen has flat top shape and made of plastic. The section of Wing Sung 590 is also wide.

 

The Kaigelu 316 is a beautiful Chinese fountain pen. It looks similar to the Parker Duofold International. The pen’s body made of Acrylic and also good writer too.

 

The other less expensive pen I can think now is the Platinum Plaisir. It is a beautiful cigar shape fountain pen with a smooth and wet nib.

 

The section of Kaigelu 316 and Platinum Plaisir are normal size. It is not a wide section pen but pleasure to hold.

[MuddyWaters]

Thank you for the influx of new propositions! I think that I will take the opportunity to get an upgrade on the current pens that I have at the same time. When I am in a pen store back in Toronto, and look at the Jinhao's I might buy one but that would not take the place of this upgrade of a pen that I am also looking for.

 

As such, the Lamys are high on my list because I know they have wider sections than the Pilot 74 and Platinum 3776. But I ultimately want to test these pens before buying, because I'd like to know how much flex I want, and this will make me lean toward the Japanese vs European as well, provided that the pen is comfortable.

 

Right now, I'm trying to unearth a cheap Lamy 2000 but haven't found one in medium nib yet. This I would buy without trying

[Bluey]

As such, the Lamys are high on my list because I know they have wider sections than the Pilot 74 and Platinum 3776.

Right now, I'm trying to unearth a cheap Lamy 2000 but haven't found one in medium nib yet. This I would buy without trying

 

They're more or less the same, but with the Platinum and Pilot being a touch wider at their maximum. I've just taken this pic so you can see.

 

There's Lamy 2000 in M going at WHSmith for £100 if you want to import it

Edited December 1, 2016 by Bluey

[MuddyWaters]

It is really helpful to have these pens side by side as you presented them. From what I've heard, the Lamy 2000 allows users to grasp at whichever width they feel most comfortable, which could involve a bit higher than the section. As you show, the 2000 section is actually narrower than the 3776 and the 74, but at least the barrel above the section gets wider. But it's a good point you bring up, and I will have to try them all really.

 

Can I ask the pros and cons of each of those three is and which of those pens is your favorite and why?

Edited December 1, 2016 by MuddyWaters