Which Could Be My Next Pen?

[A Smug Dill]

I really don't have enough experience with fine nibs to comment on who's mastered it. I've got an incredibly limited supply of fine nibbed pens, most of which are western. I think in my opinion a fine Japanese nib puts down a tidier line than a western fine. But I'm sure there's someone here who's collection leans toward fine who would be happy to comment.

 

@AMlines:

 

I started a whole thread a while back for a friend here who wanted to know something along those lines.

 

You could look at some of the writing samples either posted or linked to on the third page of replies, if you find that kind of thing useful.

 

However, that experience taught me that I really don't enjoy comparing nibs in that manner, much less collating and publishing the results. There is no such thing as "a good reference" in that regard, if you really want to know which of two (or more) pens will give you suitable and even the best writing outcomes with particular choices of ink and paper, the only way is to try them in exactly that test scenario.

Edited August 31, 2019 by A Smug Dill

[AMlines]

My preference goes to the M200, I have a number of them...

The main reason, besides the piston mechanism, the ink window, the springy nibs, all rather desirable features, is essentially reliability.

Good to hear that. The M200 is right up there on my short-list. I like that it is slightly thicker than the Plaisir, has a resin grip of even thickness, and a good nib. Not to mention that everyone is recommending it.

It just works, and works.

I have many other pens but whenever I need a fuss free pen that will not let me down even when I grab it at the last moment (leaving on a business trip for example) I grab an M200.

That could be just what I want. A quality pen that I can use all the time. I understand it is not a good idea to keep changing inks in a piston filling pen, and that will work well for me, since I plan to stick to one royal blue shade.

 

However, there are some issues -

 

1- Several members have raised the issue of the nib reliability in Pelikan's. It seems Japanese nibs are generally more consistent in quality.

Did you need to fine tune the Pelikan nibs? Any other issues with the nibs?

 

2- Some feel that the M200 is overpriced. Apparently, quality-wise it is not good enough to warrant the price it usually goes for. The M400 (and above) is said to be much better.

 

3- Can you suggest a site in the US where I can get a good deal on the M200?

 

Thanks!

[AMlines]

...converters do not necessarily last longer if cleaned etc.. they can be bought for few eur, usd if they wear down (nipple, threads..). Piston filler pens last many, many years. I would say - it is all about personals preferences and personal habits.

 

If you would ever opt for a Pelikan, it would not need greasing few years into the use. Than this instructions would be handy

 

https://thepelikansperch.com/2014/08/30/how-to-lubricate-a-pelikan-piston/

 

I fully agree with sanseri, but we are from the generation that grew up with Pelikans as our school pens

 

Good advice to use Plaisir for few months!

 

bemon - Tamitio nib is amazing. Ambition is not the same. I should probably write a comparison in a separate post.

 

Thanks for putting up the link for cleaning the Pelikan! I already like the looks and ergonomics of the pen and feel drawn to it after seeing your and other members enthusiasm )

 

I am liking the Plaisir with a F nib. Just wondering if the Pelikan EF nib will be good enough. There's all this talk about relatively inconsistent European fine nibs vis-a-vis Japanese ones.

[DonM]

Good to hear that. The M200 is right up there on my short-list. I like that it is slightly thicker than the Plaisir, has a resin grip of even thickness, and a good nib. Not to mention that everyone is recommending it.

That could be just what I want. A quality pen that I can use all the time. I understand it is not a good idea to keep changing inks in a piston filling pen, and that will work well for me, since I plan to stick to one royal blue shade.

 

However, there are some issues -

 

1- Several members have raised the issue of the nib reliability in Pelikan's. It seems Japanese nibs are generally more consistent in quality.

Did you need to fine tune the Pelikan nibs? Any other issues with the nibs?

 

2- Some feel that the M200 is overpriced. Apparently, quality-wise it is not good enough to warrant the price it usually goes for. The M400 (and above) is said to be much better.

 

3- Can you suggest a site in the US where I can get a good deal on the M200?

 

Thanks!

I'll try to answer these, but remember that it's my opinion .

1. Pelikan steel nibs on the M200 are a different animal from the gold nibs on the higher end pens. The steel nibs likely won't need to be tuned, and steel nibs write very well. Still, in my experience there are no more problems with Pelikan gold nibs than any other brand, and much better than some.

2. I never understood the over-priced comment about the M200. It's US $120-$130 pen for goodness sake. It's essentially the same pen as the M400 except it has a resin body instead of cellulose acetate and without the gold nib. I think a $120 reliable piston filler made in Germany is a pretty good bargain. You can pay a whole lot more for a steel nib pen and not get the same quality. If you want to talk about the US prices on the higher end Pelikans that's a completely different discussion.

3. Pen Chalet (usually has a 10% off coupon code), Goulet, even Amazon. Pick your favorite.

[A Smug Dill]

1- Several members have raised the issue of the nib reliability in Pelikan's.

For all my rather vocal misgivings about Pelikan's ability to deliver nibs that put down crisp, narrow lines befitting an EF nib width grade, or produce nibs with some semblance of consistency such that every EF nib will perform within a narrow range (and F nibs in another narrow range, with little overlap), I have no doubt or problem with regard to the reliability of Pelikan M20x steel nibs.

 

It seems Japanese nibs are generally more consistent in quality.

More consistent in practical performance and writing output, I'd say. I don't think Pelikan's steel nibs are particularly apt to be finished carelessly, have misaligned tines, impurities in the metal, or any such quality issues.

 

If you're only buying the one M200 (or any one Pelikan pen, for that matter), then actually you don't require consistency across large numbers of pens and nibs produced; you just need yours to "work" well for your habits and preferences, by sheer luck or by having someone with the expertise tune it for you should it prove necessary.

 

Did you need to fine tune the Pelikan nibs?

I have four Pelikan M20x steel nibs here:

• (gold-coloured) M200 EF nib^†
• M200 F nib
• (silver-coloured) M205 EF nib
• M205 F nib

^† Actually, I have two of those here. One's installed on a brand new M200 Smoky Quartz still sitting in a gift-wrapped gift set complete with a bottle of Edelstein Smoky Quartz ink, and I haven't touched or tested it.

 

I didn't have to tune any of them to get each one to write acceptably smoothly out-of-the-box; no scratchiness, no misaligned tines, no pathological dryness or wetness that make a nib unusable.

 

That's not to say the two F nibs performed (nearly) identically. The M205 F nib is wetter, and the lines it puts down are less crisp, when compared to the M200 F nib; I suspect the actual geometry of the tipping on my M205 F nib is more 'blobby'. It took a little bit of fiddling around to make it drier and leave narrower lines, without ruining the ability to 'reverse-write' (i.e. writing with the nib in upside-down orientation, inscribed surface facing down towards the page), but I couldn't just make it more crisp.

 

Any other issues with the nibs?

Not with the steel nibs.

 

2- Some feel that the M200 is overpriced. Apparently, quality-wise it is not good enough to warrant the price it usually goes for.

It isn't really that. Some consumers believe (rightly or wrongly; I believe it's more of the latter) that pricing of consumer goods ought to primarily reflect the cost of production (and then, to a much smaller extent, cost of logistics such as distribution) and secondarily how they compare to the competition available for purchase, as opposed to something driven by demand for the product in the market. You can certainly get 'better' pens for the same price or less... depending on your functional and qualitative requirements. I don't think the Pelikan M200 fails any tests of quality you would reasonably put a US$100 up against. It isn't going to just seize up, crack, fall apart, corrode with normal pen use and handling with due care. It's a reliable pen. Whether a US$50 pen can tick all the same boxes that a particular individual user has in mind in equivalent; he "could do better" with his money by perhaps buying a Japanese pen or even a Chinese pen, but that doesn't make the Pelikan wanting in quality, unreliable or under-deliver for the asking price.

 

For someone who doesn't favour piston-fillers over c/c-filled fountain pens any day of the week, and not exactly a loyal fan of the brand, I bought four Pelikan M20x pens over six months, so it wasn't like I just took one big punt and made a silly mistake. (I also bought four other Pelikan pens in 2019.) At US$80–$90 per pen, I think the M20x pens are certainly good enough to ask for and sell successfully at those prices, and one could easily pay even less than that for a new one shipped and delivered, even if he/she happens to live somewhere in North America (which generally isn't considered a disadvantage when it comes to global online shopping).

 

You could get a 14K gold-nibbed Platinum or Sailor pen that is at least equally as reliable, and by some standards notably better pens, for less than US$100 — and sometimes less than US$75. Still, I wouldn't say that supports any assertion that the Pelikan M20x is overpriced.

 

The M400 (and above) is said to be much better.

Says whom? I'd say the M40x models with striped bodies are prettier, and probably cost more to manufacturer, and they have 14K gold nibs that I trust less than I do the M20x steel nibs.

 

3- Can you suggest a site in the US where I can get a good deal on the M200?

I could, but I don't see why I would. As mentioned, Cult Pens in the UK is generally the cheapest, and they will do free international shipping to North America (if the value of the order is £70 or more) just as they would for customers in Australia or Malaysia. If you're not interested in the cheapest all-inclusive price, that's OK too. *shrug*

[AMlines]

1. Pelikan steel nibs on the M200 are a different animal from the gold nibs on the higher end pens. The steel nibs likely won't need to be tuned, and steel nibs write very well. Still, in my experience there are no more problems with Pelikan gold nibs than any other brand, and much better than some.

I noticed from the specs that the M200 has a steel nib that is gold coloured. Why do they do that? As a show-off, or does it improve the writing experience in some way?

I am using a Plaisir steel F nib. I may just get the M200 fine. Do you think it'll be much thicker than the Plaisir F, like it is supposed to be with Japanese vs. Euro nibs?

If you want to talk about the US prices on the higher end Pelikans that's a completely different discussion.

You mean they are over-inflated for some reason?

3. Pen Chalet (usually has a 10% off coupon code), Goulet, even Amazon. Pick your favorite.

Thanks, I'll check these. Can you recommend some sellers outside the US that could give a good deal?

 

I would be happy with getting a factory seconds as long as the pens has only cosmetic issues.

[Honeybadgers]

 

That's mostly my experience with the Plaisir It just works.

 

 

Can you elaborate on the technical aspects of nibs a bit? The Plaisir has a F 03. Other than aesthetic issues do nib sizes make a significant difference to the writing experience?

 

What happens as we move from the small and short nib of the Lamy 2000 to much bigger and longer ones, say, in the 3776 Century?

 

Again, I see that the Plaisir nib size seems to be an in-between and I feel I won't take to much larger/longer nibs. The Lamy would be ideal, but I know I won't enjoy the tapering grips and body shape.

 

 

Got it. Now I know how to parse through the $100 or more models I am checking out.

 

 

So far, I am interested in Lamy, Pelikan, Platinum. Can you recommend other pens that have a similar girth and nib size as the Plaisir?

 

I checked the Sheaffer 300 on their website and it has a thicker girth and tapers some towards the edges. I know I like an even thickness like the Plaisir since that allows me to move my thumb a bit, as needed.

 

I disagree that you start to see diminishing returns past fifty. You see diminishing return in steel nibs past about 75 (that's where you can get vac fillers in the TWSBI line, a tiny bit more can get you a pelikan M200/205 and some of the more exotic materials like brass or copper in a karas custom) and gold nibs beyond about $150. A lamy 2000 is about the peak in fit and finish money can buy south of a thousand dollars.

 

A platinum 3776 or pilot custom 74/92 is about $75-80 and you'll notice a dramatically different feel of the nib with their formulations of gold.

 

South of $50, my vote for the best made pen is a faber castell loom. Their nibs are glorious. But if you can squeak 75-80, a platinum 3776 is the most dramatic looking with a huge gold nib, and is most resistant to drying out when unused for a long, long time, but the pilot custom 74 and 91 are pretty objectively better writers. And they come in a lot of different nib sizes, my personal favorite being the soft fine. It's got a little spring, a little flex, and they can take the really awesome con-70 converter that holds a ton of ink.

[Honeybadgers]

I noticed from the specs that the M200 has a steel nib that is gold coloured. Why do they do that? As a show-off, or does it improve the writing experience in some way?

I am using a Plaisir steel F nib. I may just get the M200 fine. Do you think it'll be much thicker than the Plaisir F, like it is supposed to be with Japanese vs. Euro nibs?

You mean they are over-inflated for some reason?

Thanks, I'll check these. Can you recommend some sellers outside the US that could give a good deal?

 

I would be happy with getting a factory seconds as long as the pens has only cosmetic issues.

 

Gold color just sometimes fits the color of the trim better. Also, the m205 is a raw steel finish model, and it's the one I prefer (I don't like solid gold tone steel nibs, I prefer gold plated steel nibs to be two tone)

 

The m200 fine will be noticeably thicker. It'll be like a platinum MF or M line. Get the m200 (or 205) with an EF nib.

 

Pelikan's steel 205 nibs are quite a bit softer and more flexible than their m400 line's gold nibs, oddly enough. I highly recommend the 200/205, but DO NOT GET THE CLEAR DEMONSTRATOR MODEL. It scratches and stains if you look at it funny. Every other model in the line is perfect though. They're small, light, agile, hold a ton of ink, the piston is buttery smooth (though you can't dissassemble them easily for servicing, they shouldn't need greasing more than once every 4-5 years) and they post deeply and securely, and that steel nib is amazing. The m200/205 line (and the vintage 400 by extension because they're identical) might be the second best overall pen I own in terms of every little detail being thought out (only losing out to the even more amazing, Wahl Doric vac fill, but the model with an ink shutoff, vac filler, and adjustable 14k flex nib in good shape will run you $700-1500)

 

You can also get replacement nib units for the 205 in various sizes for about $25 each. and m400 gold nibs for about 100. They screw right in as thread-in nib/feed units.

 

And the final reason the m200/205 is incredible is that it becomes a body that accepts the vintage 400 and 400NN nibs, which are 14k, vary from XXF (about a japanese EF) to obliques and huge double broad italics, and basically all of them are glorious writers and semiflexible

Edited September 1, 2019 by Honeybadgers

[AMlines]

For all my rather vocal misgivings about Pelikan's ability to deliver nibs that put down crisp, narrow lines befitting an EF nib width grade, or produce nibs with some semblance of consistency such that every EF nib will perform within a narrow range (and F nibs in another narrow range, with little overlap), I have no doubt or problem with regard to the reliability of Pelikan M20x steel nibs.

Yes, I'll just have to take my chances and hope that the one I get works well and doesn't need tuning or replacement.

I have four Pelikan M20x steel nibs here:

• (gold-coloured) M200 EF nib^†
• M200 F nib
• (silver-coloured) M205 EF nib
• M205 F nib

Does the usual equivalence of Japanese F=Euro EF hold for the M200 nibs? Or, perhaps the Pelikan F is not much thicker than a Japanese F?

I could, but I don't see why I would. As mentioned, Cult Pens in the UK is generally the cheapest, and they will do free international shipping to North America (if the value of the order is £70 or more) just as they would for customers in Australia or Malaysia. If you're not interested in the cheapest all-inclusive price, that's OK too. *shrug*

Thanks. I just thought it may be convenient to order here in the US, but I'll check their prices for the M200.

 

[AMlines]

I disagree that you start to see diminishing returns past fifty. You see diminishing return in steel nibs past about 75 (that's where you can get vac fillers in the TWSBI line, a tiny bit more can get you a pelikan M200/205 and some of the more exotic materials like brass or copper in a karas custom) and gold nibs beyond about $150. A lamy 2000 is about the peak in fit and finish money can buy south of a thousand dollars.

Okay, that's a decent cut-off, still. I am considering the M200, 3776 Century primarily.

A platinum 3776 or pilot custom 74/92 is about $75-80 and you'll notice a dramatically different feel of the nib with their formulations of gold.

I checked and on Amazon the 3776 is not less than $97. Can you tell me which sellers you have in mind? The price range you quote will work well for me.

South of $50, my vote for the best made pen is a faber castell loom. Their nibs are glorious. But if you can squeak 75-80, a platinum 3776 is the most dramatic looking with a huge gold nib, and is most resistant to drying out when unused for a long, long time, but the pilot custom 74 and 91 are pretty objectively better writers. And they come in a lot of different nib sizes, my personal favorite being the soft fine. It's got a little spring, a little flex, and they can take the really awesome con-70 converter that holds a ton of ink.

Interestingly, you don't bring up the M200 here. Is it because you don't feel it's comparable to the Pilot and Platinum, or just that you don't prefer it?

I like the Plaisir F nib. Will the M200 F nib be much thicker than this?

[AMlines]

Gold color just sometimes fits the color of the trim better. Also, the m205 is a raw steel finish model, and it's the one I prefer (I don't like solid gold tone steel nibs, I prefer gold plated steel nibs to be two tone)

I have to say I don't like any gold/shine on the nibs. If this takes away from the writing, I don't mind so much.

The m200 fine will be noticeably thicker. It'll be like a platinum MF or M line. Get the m200 (or 205) with an EF nib.

I see. I can get the EF. It's just that there's so much said about the difficulty in finding the sweet spot and I feel I may run into some problems there.

Pelikan's steel 205 nibs are quite a bit softer and more flexible than their m400 line's gold nibs, oddly enough. I highly recommend the 200/205,

Thanks. I quite like this series. I love the simple steel look of the P205 but it's not available in the piston body and I am not keen on getting a C/C Pelikan.

but DO NOT GET THE CLEAR DEMONSTRATOR MODEL. It scratches and stains if you look at it funny.

Thanks for the tip! I was thinking about checking it out as the look seemed nice. But, not now

[A Smug Dill]

I noticed from the specs that the M200 has a steel nib that is gold coloured. Why do they do that?

To match the metal trim on the different models (or colours, or finishes) in the M200 series. The M200 Smoky Quartz has a gold-coloured cap ring and clip, so wouldn't you say it'd look a bit weird and out of place to have a silver-coloured nib on the pen?

 

As a show-off,

No, but just for better matching aesthetically, I'd say.

 

I am using a Plaisir steel F nib. I may just get the M200 fine. Do you think it'll be much thicker than the Plaisir F, like it is supposed to be with Japanese vs. Euro nibs?

The whole "Japanese 'Fine'" thing as if the line widths between F (or EF) nibs manufactured by the Japanese "Big Three" fountain pen brands (Pilot, Platinum and Sailor) or more is a myth, in my opinion. I have easily over one hundred Japanese-made fountain pens/nibs in my household, most of them have/are F and EF nibs, and they don't all write exactly the same (or within indiscernibly narrow ranges from each other), especially once you throw different inks and paper into the equation. That's what I was trying to point out previously. I don't like comparing different nibs with the same ink, because it doesn't tell me the possibilities with a given nib and which ink I'd ultimately use with it (much less a nib I haven't bought yet, but am interested enough to research) to achieve the writing "capability" — in terms of line width, wetness or precision, etc. — that I want.

 

I don't know whether you followed the links I gave previously to look at the writing samples from the one and only time I tried many nibs with the same ink. The Japanese nibs didn't all write identically; and then, all that told me was how each pen (inclusive of nib and feed) worked with that particular ink. In general, I only need to assign one pen to that ink, and the remainder of my 200+ pens will be assigned (or can use) other inks in my collection.

 

Does the usual equivalence of Japanese F=Euro EF hold for the M200 nibs? Or, perhaps the Pelikan F is not much thicker than a Japanese F?

The Platinum Plaisir/Preppy 03 ('F') nibs are not a good gauge for what "Japanese 'Fine'" is like, in my opinion and experience. I can empty out an F-nibbed Plaisir (or Preppy) and do comparative writing samples with just one ink I have in a Pelikan M20x I have, just for you, but not right now (since I'm about to head out in ten minutes), if I must, but (again I emphasise) I don't think that's as informative or objective a "measure" as I believe some prospective users think.

 

The Platinum Plaisir F nib does not write exactly like the Platinum Balance F nib, which in turn does not write like the 14K gold Platinum #3776 F nib (and I have multiples of each); and they're just nibs from the same Japanese brand, without taking into account Pilot and Sailor.

 

Thanks. I just thought it may be convenient to order here in the US, but I'll check their prices for the M200.

I have every confidence that Cult Pens will take responsibility and do the right thing by its customer if there's an issue with a product it sold, irrespective of whether that customer is in the Europe, Australia or North America. However, I'll admit I've never had to test them, whereas I've had issues with other retailers in the UK, Netherlands, US and Japan.

 

I like the Plaisir F nib. Will the M200 F nib be much thicker than this?

Again, not a "fair" comparison in that there is variation within each model and each brand. I haven't found the Platinum Plaisir F nibs to be the equal of Platinum #3776 14K gold F nibs, Pilot steel F nibs, etc. in terms of putting down precise/narrow lines.

 

I quite like this series. I love the simple steel look of the P205 but it's not available in the piston body and I am not keen on getting a C/C Pelikan.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. The black P205 is essentially the c/c-filled version of the black M205 piston filler. You just don't have as many choices in colours and finishes in the P2xx series as you would the M2xx series, but the nibs and feeds are the same between those two.

[SoulSamurai]

To be clear the Pelikan "P" pens (P205) are cartridge/converter pens while the "M" pens (M205) are piston pens. The "200" pens have gold trim and I believe nib plating, while the "205" pens are in steel/chrome, and the "215" pens have metal bodies.

 

So a Pelikan M205 is a plastic piston pen with steel/chrome nib and details. It sounds like that's what you're after? Unless you prefer the P205's cartridge/converter system?

Edited September 1, 2019 by SoulSamurai

[AMlines]

The Japanese nibs didn't all write identically; and then, all that told me was how each pen (inclusive of nib and feed) worked with that particular ink. In general, I only need to assign one pen to that ink, and the remainder of my 200+ pens will be assigned (or can use) other inks in my collection.

Ah, I see. That means despite the differences on paper (pun unintended!) every nib is somewhat unique in how it renders lines.

So, I might as well get an M200 F which will have a wider sweet spot and hope that it still writes well on the occasions I need to use it on A4 paper.

The Platinum Plaisir/Preppy 03 ('F') nibs are not a good gauge for what "Japanese 'Fine'" is like, in my opinion and experience. I can empty out an F-nibbed Plaisir (or Preppy) and do comparative writing samples with just one ink I have in a Pelikan M20x I have, just for you, but not right now (since I'm about to head out in ten minutes), if I must, but (again I emphasise) I don't think that's as informative or objective a "measure" as I believe some prospective users think.

I'd appreciate if you could do that. But, only if/when you have time

The Platinum Plaisir F nib does not write exactly like the Platinum Balance F nib,

Oh. But they are both steel so I would imagine they write exactly the same way. Would you say the more expensive one is a better writer?

Again, not a "fair" comparison in that there is variation within each model and each brand. I haven't found the Platinum Plaisir F nibs to be the equal of Platinum #3776 14K gold F nibs, Pilot steel F nibs, etc. in terms of putting down precise/narrow lines.

So, sticking to steel nibs which brands would you rate the best for Japanese F and Euro EF?

I'm not sure what you mean by that. The black P205 is essentially the c/c-filled version of the black M205 piston filler. You just don't have as many choices in colours and finishes in the P2xx series as you would the M2xx series, but the nibs and feeds are the same between those two.

I checked on different sellers and none of them have the M205 which I want. It's got silver fitments and a steel nib in that colour. I do see one on Amazon and may just pick that up.

 

 

[AMlines]

To be clear the Pelikan "P" pens (P205) are cartridge/converter pens while the "M" pens (M205) are piston pens. The "200" pens have gold trim and I believe nib plating, while the "205" pens are in steel/chrome, and the "215" pens have metal bodies.

 

So a Pelikan M205 is a plastic piston pen with steel/chrome nib and details. It sounds like that's what you're after? Unless you prefer the P205's cartridge/converter system?

 

Thanks! I was getting mixed up. Yes, it is the M205 I want.

[MsRedpen]

Aha! Is this a decision?

 

Blue marbled will pair well with Visconti blue!

 

If you opt for pen with EF, you may as well go wild and get one extra F nib separate (while cult pens uk still has 10% off on offer), naturally, if that all fits your current budget.

 

Note - no affiliation with CP, just regular customer.

[AMlines]

Aha! Is this a decision?

 

Blue marbled will pair well with Visconti blue!

 

If you opt for pen with EF, you may as well go wild and get one extra F nib separate (while cult pens uk still has 10% off on offer), naturally, if that all fits your current budget.

 

Note - no affiliation with CP, just regular customer.

 

Nearly there At this point I am looking to get one that is nice but understated. I'll use it for work and don't want undue attention on the instrument. The one I really like is the black M200 with the green ink window! All in good time ... :-)

 

I have a separate post about buying from Amazon. it's labour day and I might as well get a second pen. No issues - Cult Pens looks good too.

 

My primary concern is whether I should order an EF Pelikan nib, since I am currently using the Plaisir F. Or, should I get a F Pelikan, which would write thicker but also have a wider sweet spot?

 

I also don't want to end up with an EF Pelikan that needs tuning etc.

[A Smug Dill]

So, sticking to steel nibs which brands would you rate the best for Japanese F and Euro EF?

You'd probably like the steel F nib in the Platinum Balance, even though I haven't been impressed by its (slight lack of) crispness and the pens' tendency to dry out completely within three months. It's not a bad pen by any stretch of the imagination for the manufacturer's asking price, and its Japanese street price can be as low as just two-thirds of that.

 

I find the Pilot steel F nibs in the MR (including, but not limited to, the MR Metropolitan range) — which are the same ones used in the Prera and so on — to be crisper, and I haven't encountered one that is scratchy. However, the Pilot MR is even less effective at preventing ink drying out when capped and unused. I don't know how the Prera performs in that regard; I have three brand new ones in the drawer but I haven't taken them out of their retail boxes yet, much less inked or tested them.

 

Personally I'd go with the Sailor Shikiori hisakata (which are Procolor 500 variants), if a top-quality, full-sized Japanese fountain pen with a steel F nib is what I'm after. I've also had very good experiences with the cheaper Sailor Lecoule and Profit Junior pens (of which I have eight here between those models), but they came only with MF nibs; still, they write fine enough for my tastes, and have proven to be very effective at resisting ink drying out.

 

I checked on different sellers and none of them have the M205 which I want. It's got silver fitments and a steel nib in that colour.

Cult Pens has the P205 in that colour and finish. 10% off right now, no discount code required.

 

Thanks! I was getting mixed up. Yes, it is the M205 I want.

Fontoplumo has the M205 in black. 10% off with discount code "Happy" (valid for the next fortnight).

La Couronne du Comte has the M205 in black. 15% off with discount code "SALE15" (valid for now, expiry date unknown, but I tried it just now against a cart with just that pen and it worked). More nib choices, but may or may not be in stock for immediate dispatch (as opposed to ordering it in for you), so you may want to ask directly and check availability if you're interested.

 

The one I really like is the black M200 with the green ink window!

The M200 has gold trim. The M205 does not come with a green ink window, as far as I'm aware.

 

My primary concern is whether I should order an EF Pelikan nib, since I am currently using the Plaisir F. Or, should I get a F Pelikan, which would write thicker but also have a wider sweet spot?

I can't help you there, sorry, since my handwriting technique and style will be different to yours, and so the impact of any "sweet spots" will not be the same for us.

 

I also don't want to end up with an EF Pelikan that needs tuning etc.

I haven't had to tune either of the Pelikan M20x (steel) EF nibs I've used. The M400 14K gold EF nib is a different matter.

 

I'll see if I have time later this morning to clean up a Platinum Plaisir/Preppy with an 03 ('F') nib to compare with the Pelikan M20x steel nibs.

[SoulSamurai]

 

Nearly there At this point I am looking to get one that is nice but understated. I'll use it for work and don't want undue attention on the instrument. The one I really like is the black M200 with the green ink window! All in good time ... :-)

 

 

The M215s all seem to be in black with some chrome details on the body (either rings or diamond patterning or something like that). Not exactly flashy, but slightly more interesting than basic black.

[A Smug Dill]

There you go. I've resized the inline images so that, on the display of my 13-inch MacBook Pro, it is exactly the same size as the original artefact. You can click on the images to bring up the (cropped) original scans if the size is too small on your display, and/or you want to take a closer look.

 

The three filled in squares on each line, with numbers next to each one, are my "best effort" at drawing distinct parallel lines within a 5mm square, as a gauge of how fine and how soft a nib is. (I don't always succeed in keeping adjacent lines from touching each other.) Generally there's an error of ±1; you can look more closely at each set of lines, and judge for yourself on which side I erred, by how much space there is between two lines and/or whether the lines end up touching each other. The second set of vertical lines (i.e. in the last filled square) on each line represents my attempt at leaving the broadest and wettest lines with the nib, by increasing downward pressure and/or slowing down my stroke speed.

 

 

Each of the rows prefixed by either "02" or "03" were done using a different nib; that's how many Plaisir and Preppy pens I have. (Actually, I have two more than that.) I have marked with asterisks the nibs in Preppy pens that are being used as "eye-dropper" pens, if that matters. As you can see, depending on the ink, and perhaps variation in the physical dimensions and geometry of the tipping material on the nib itself, different Plaisir F nibs can write quite differently in terms of line width and wetness.

 

Edited September 2, 2019 by A Smug Dill