Inexpensive Broad Nib Pen?

[tvradio]

I'm a newbie, and a lefty, and I'm thinking I'd like to play with an inexpensive (non-stub) broad nib pen to see if I like it (and how much I'll smear ink all over the place). Because I'm a lefty I think a Safari is off the table because the barrel design seems to be aimed more at training proper handling/angle with the right hand.

 

What are my other choices? The least expensive options I've come across so far are the Kaweco Classic/Ice/Skyline Sport, in the low $20s, or New Old Stock of the Pilot 78G.

 

Does anyone have a preference to recommend?

 

Anything else to consider in that price range or lower?

[Buzz_130]

Vintage Esterbrook J - get a broad nib or change it out with a twist to something else if you don't like it. You can get one for about $30. Parker 45 has the same capability and a similar price. For a modern pen, look at the TWSBI--can change out nibs and go very broad.

 

Buzz

[OCArt]

You've got some good advice above. I've enjoyed Nemosine Singularity pens with a broad nib, about $20. Another option is a Wing Sung 3008-- a piston filler for under $4-- and replace the nib with a broad from a Lamy Safari.

[tvradio]

Thanks!

[MuddyWaters]

my jinhao 159 has a pretty broad and wet nib. i think it was around 4 bucks shipped from china on ebay

[stevekolt]

Lefty overwriter here. Nemosine is a good choice. I have a couple, the 0.8 and 0.6 stub nibs. Their broad should work for you. TBH, I also have a few Lamys and they work fine for me also. Don't overthink the lefty issue. Remember, if the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only lefties are in their right mind

[mitto]

I use broad nibs on a variety of inexpensive vintage pens including Sheaffer Triumph Imperials, Parker 45s and Esterbrook Js.

Edited December 17, 2017 by mitto

[minddance]

Deleted repeated post. Sorry

Edited December 17, 2017 by minddance

[minddance]

I am guessing you wouldn't be disappointed with these: Kaweco BB, TWSBI Eco broad, Faber Castell Loom Broad. All steel nibs and can be juicy wet.

[minddance]

I am guessing you wouldn't be disappointed with these: Kaweco BB, TWSBI Eco broad, Faber Castell Loom Broad. All steel nibs and juicy wet.

[tvradio]

I am guessing you wouldn't be disappointed with these: Kaweco BB, TWSBI Eco broad, Faber Castell Loom Broad. All steel nibs and can be juicy wet.

Thanks everyone. I think maybe the $30-$40 for the Eco and Loom are pushing it a bit for my just playing around and seeing how I like that size nib. In the last few weeks I currently only bought a $7 Penmanship (EF), a $3 Prepppy (F) and a $3 Varsity (M), and I've got an $11 Metropolitan in my Amazon shopping cart (along with a $5.30 CON-40). So I was hoping to find something in the el-cheapo range to experiment with, before I decide what to spend actual money on!

 

I thought I'd prefer finer nibs but the 'medium' (Japanese medium, that is) in the Varsity was surprisingly appealing to me, so I thought I'd try out something larger and see if I liked or preferred it.

 

Never looked into the the Jinhao or Nemosine brands, so maybe that's the best route for now....

 

EDIT: The Jinhao in Broad is $4.10 on Amazon, and the cheapskate in me is saying 'Do it!' - except reviewers are saying it's really a Western Medium. So I'm not sure what to do, and I cannot find another Jinhao that specifically has a broad nib.

Edited December 17, 2017 by tvradio

[minddance]

a real wet ink in Platinum Preppy 05 can be real broad too

[tvradio]

a real wet ink in Platinum Preppy 05 can be real broad too

Yup. I like the Blue F Preppy I bought but I hate the ink color. I've got a M nib Preppy in black sitting in my JetPens shopping cart right now, though I'm worried I'd just be duplicating the line from the M Metropolitan I also have in my Amazon cart.

 

Perhaps instead of the M Preppy I should consider a $7.25 Plumix in Medium Italic?

[minddance]

Of course! (but Plumix M Italic is not what I understand from your first post indicating tt you would like a round, non-stub broad)

 

The Pilot Plumix Ital M is fun. Be prepared that it would not shade like a wet round broad if you enjoy shadings. Good line variations, naturally And can be just a tad dry (for me). This dryness could be an advantage for a left-hander.

 

Jinhao is not a broad nib. Maybe it is broad enough or too broad for some people but not me.

Edited December 17, 2017 by minddance

[tvradio]

Thanks. I think I was looking for a non-stub because I tried a one or two at the last Big Apple Pen Club meeting, and I couldn't really get the knack of it. (So probably the Plumix is a no-go for me now.)

 

For Broad I was merely thinking 'broader than medium' (or at least broader than the Japanese Medium in my Pilot Varsity) and not anything more than that at this point. Shading is a more advanced area than I've experienced with the cheap pens and narrow nibs I own now. I was just looking for something wider, smoother and able to lay down a bit more ink on the page.

Edited December 18, 2017 by tvradio

[Runnin_Ute]

Thanks. I think I was looking for a non-stub because I tried a one or two at the last Big Apple Pen Club meeting, and I couldn't really get the knack of it. (So probably the Plumix is a no-go for me now.)

 

For Broad I was merely thinking 'broader than medium' (or at least broader than the Japanese Medium in my Pilot Varsity) and not anything more than that at this point. Shading is a more advanced area than I've experienced with the cheap pens and narrow nibs I own now. I was just looking for something wider, smoother and able to lay down a bit more ink on the page.

Almost any western Medium would fit that description. (including TWSBI as they use German Jowo nibs)

A Noodler's Konrad can be fitted with a #6 Broad nib. I did that with mine Goulet sells a Goulet branded nib that is actually a Jowo if I recall correctly. I think the Ahab also takes a #6.

[PaganArcher]

If you can wait until after the insanity that is holiday shipping, I have a Lamy Al-Star with a broad nib I would be willing to send you. I rarely use it as I prefer extra-fine nibs, so it hasn't seen use in some time.

[gryphon1911]

Depending on what you like you could get an inexpensive Chinese pen that uses a number 6 size nib and get a Goulet broad nib to put in it.

 

I recently got a Kaweco Perkeo in broad and am liking it quite a bit.

 

Nemosine makes the singularity line and the nibs on those are decent.

[ParkerDuofold]

...Never looked into the the...

..Nemosine brands, so maybe that's the best route for now...

Hi TVRadio,

 

I have a few Singularities... including their marbled acrylics - which are real pretty - I wish they'd get them back in stock... and I really like them. For $20, their hard to beat, plus if you get it from Birmingham Pen Co., you'd be helping out a "little guy"... and sometimes they have free ink promotions.

 

 

- Anthony

[ParkerDuofold]

Just to follow-up...

 

Now that I think of it... I think Birmingham and Nemosine are the same company. At any rate, they're great little pens with lots of nib options... a true broad or the stylish .6 stub... and all the standard options... I like 'em all.

 

- A.C.

 

 

EDITED to correct typo.

 

ETA: Btw, for those of you that like the F & EF nibs, I cannot comment on those; I don't care for those sizes, so I don't buy them.

Edited December 18, 2017 by ParkerDuofold