True Writer Pen Collection - So Far

[Ceramicist]

1 hour ago, Misfit said:

Here it is, with bright flash:

 

1 hour ago, Misfit said:

Thank you very much. It has sparkles!

Nice penmanship and ink! I see the sparkles now!

[Misfit]

Thank you @mge01park and @Ceramicist I appreciate the kind words, and about my penmanship. 😊 It’s the stub nib.

[Ceramicist]

@mge01park I just photographed my Stipula/Levenger for you. I've not seen anything like it anywhere. There is what looks to be a maker's mark on the band, along with Levenger and 925, but I cannot make out exactly what it is. 

[mge01park]

@Ceramicist Pretty thanks for posting. It appears to be the LEVENGER Stipula Florence 18K 750 Gold F Nib Sterling Trim Vintage Fountain Pen

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156333503982?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D292555%26meid%3Dc4e706766e4a4823813f4edb8252d2b0%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D286808641409%26itm%3D156333503982%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRankerWithCassiniEmbRecall%26brand%3DLevenger&_trksid=p2332490.c101224.m-1

[mge01park]

On 10/25/2025 at 5:08 PM, mge01park said:

Great and congrats on the MS. My purple RB refills arrived. Still waiting on the broad nibs and a backordered RB refill. I think the leaves25 might be gone. It’s now FALLCLEAR extra 30 off. You didn’t get the promo I mentioned above in your email this morning?

I'm seeing today that the "leaves25" is back on the site, and I'm not seeing the FALL30. I don't want to forget the $20 off $25. 😅

[Ceramicist]

1 hour ago, mge01park said:

@Ceramicist Pretty thanks for posting. It appears to be the LEVENGER Stipula Florence 18K 750 Gold F Nib Sterling Trim Vintage Fountain Pen

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156333503982?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D292555%26meid%3Dc4e706766e4a4823813f4edb8252d2b0%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D286808641409%26itm%3D156333503982%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRankerWithCassiniEmbRecall%26brand%3DLevenger&_trksid=p2332490.c101224.m-1

Thank you! Oh wow! I've not seen this pen anywhere since I purchased it. I did post it almost 10 years ago, I think, on here, when I was a new member. 

[taimdala]

17 hours ago, Misfit said:

Here it is, with bright flash:

 

Oh WOW! That is one beautiful pen! 

TYSM for posting this picture.

And dang it, I had a chance to buy it recently on sale from Levenger ... but passed up the chance. 

No chance of getting it now, much less getting it in time for our Fountain Pen Double Day.

... le sigh ...

[Ceramicist]

14 hours ago, Misfit said:

Thank you @mge01park and @Ceramicist I appreciate the kind words, and about my penmanship. 😊 It’s the stub nib.

You're welcome. Can you believe I've never used a stub nib?

[taimdala]

27 minutes ago, Ceramicist said:

You're welcome. Can you believe I've never used a stub nib?

 

Have you ever used an italic nib? Or a dip nib cut for italic? 

If so, you've used something remarkably like a fountain pen stub nib. 

Having used dip nibs before ever setting hand to a fountain pen, I was more familiar with the way a dip nib's shape dictated the shape of the pen stroke on the page. So when I first saw an italic nib on a fountain pen, I knew already what to expect.

 

A stub nib is rather similar, except the sharp points on the corners are slightly rounded, making for a smoother glide across paper and less snagging (if any, TBH) on the paper. 

 

Because I prefer to write tiny, a stub nib and even an extra fine italic cursive nib feels too broad a stroke for my liking, but when it comes to writing uncial, blackletter, or italic calligraphy, you just can't beat the sheer convenience of a fountain pen! 

If you would like to try calligraphy, I heartily recommend trying a stub nib. Lamy has a purpose-made calligraphy pen called the Joy and it has italic/stub nibs in 1.2mm (IIRC), 1.5mm, and 1.9mm widths.

 

WIth the Joy, you have the fountain pen convenience of a contant ink supply *and* the shorter life of a cartridge if you would rather change colors quickly. 

As an added bonus, swap out the ink cartridge for a different color *before* you run out of ink, allowing the new cartridge to blend colors with the old color lingering in your feed--it will give you a lovely color gradient going from the old color to the new in your writing. 

I did this sort of thing with the Scrip cartridges on my old Sheaffer No Nonsense italic FP all the time. Had too much fun with it as a kid. 

But there's certainly no reason not to enjoy it as an adult. LOL!

[Ceramicist]

8 minutes ago, taimdala said:

 

Have you ever used an italic nib? Or a dip nib cut for italic? 

If so, you've used something remarkably like a fountain pen stub nib. 

Having used dip nibs before ever setting hand to a fountain pen, I was more familiar with the way a dip nib's shape dictated the shape of the pen stroke on the page. So when I first saw an italic nib on a fountain pen, I knew already what to expect.

 

A stub nib is rather similar, except the sharp points on the corners are slightly rounded, making for a smoother glide across paper and less snagging (if any, TBH) on the paper. 

 

Because I prefer to write tiny, a stub nib and even an extra fine italic cursive nib feels too broad a stroke for my liking, but when it comes to writing uncial, blackletter, or italic calligraphy, you just can't beat the sheer convenience of a fountain pen! 

If you would like to try calligraphy, I heartily recommend trying a stub nib. Lamy has a purpose-made calligraphy pen called the Joy and it has italic/stub nibs in 1.2mm (IIRC), 1.5mm, and 1.9mm widths.

 

WIth the Joy, you have the fountain pen convenience of a contant ink supply *and* the shorter life of a cartridge if you would rather change colors quickly. 

As an added bonus, swap out the ink cartridge for a different color *before* you run out of ink, allowing the new cartridge to blend colors with the old color lingering in your feed--it will give you a lovely color gradient going from the old color to the new in your writing. 

I did this sort of thing with the Scrip cartridges on my old Sheaffer No Nonsense italic FP all the time. Had too much fun with it as a kid. 

But there's certainly no reason not to enjoy it as an adult. LOL!

I do have a music nib on my Platinum but have not used italic nibs. No enabling me to fall down the rabbit hole of calligraphy! 🤪 I simply cannot add another hobby/interest at this time or I won't work on anything! I will definitely keep in mind the very useful information you've imparted here if I one day decide to take up calligraphy. Thank you! 

[taimdala]

You're welcome, @Ceramicist!

Happy to help!

[Misfit]

@Ceramicist someday get a Lamy or Kaweco with a 1.1mm nib. It won’t cost much, and you can try the stub or italic. 
 

I do not write small. I tend to fill in the line space, so no small writing intentionally. I use 1.1mm stub nibs as daily writers as they fit my style.  I hope that helps you decide if a pen with a stub or italic nib is in your future. 
 

Now all that said, I’m not convinced that every 1.1mm stub nib is the same. Some definitely give more variation in the thick and thin the nib provides. If you look at my photo where I cross a “t”, you’ll see a very thin stroke. I think that’s one of the thinness I’ve seen from a stub nib. 
 

Then there is Franklin-Christoph who have both stub and italic nibs. I think their stub nib fits the description of a stub with the slightly rounded corners of the nib. I got a pen with the broad cursive stub. Fortunately Franklin-Christoph gives 30 days to change the nib. Once the pen had the broad cursive italic, I was happy. These nibs are made by nibmeisters for F-C. They have a factory steel 1.1CC nib, or Cursive Calligraphy. For no up charge. The 1.1CC nib is a great 1.1mm writer with the line variation I love. Franklin-Christoph discusses their nibs here.

[Misfit]

@taimdala keep looking at the Levenger website. The pens will go on sale again. I’ve seen this happening this year. And they’ve had at least two Buy one Get one pen offers. Happy hunting!

[Ceramicist]

28 minutes ago, Misfit said:

@Ceramicist someday get a Lamy or Kaweco with a 1.1mm nib. It won’t cost much, and you can try the stub or italic. 
 

I do not write small. I tend to fill in the line space, so no small writing intentionally. I use 1.1mm stub nibs as daily writers as they fit my style.  I hope that helps you decide if a pen with a stub or italic nib is in your future. 
 

Now all that said, I’m not convinced that every 1.1mm stub nib is the same. Some definitely give more variation in the thick and thin the nib provides. If you look at my photo where I cross a “t”, you’ll see a very thin stroke. I think that’s one of the thinness I’ve seen from a stub nib. 
 

Then there is Franklin-Christoph who have both stub and italic nibs. I think their stub nib fits the description of a stub with the slightly rounded corners of the nib. I got a pen with the broad cursive stub. Fortunately Franklin-Christoph gives 30 days to change the nib. Once the pen had the broad cursive italic, I was happy. These nibs are made by nibmeisters for F-C. They have a factory steel 1.1CC nib, or Cursive Calligraphy. For no up charge. The 1.1CC nib is a great 1.1mm writer with the line variation I love. Franklin-Christoph discusses their nibs here.

Thank you for this! I don't write small, either. I will check out Lamy, Kaweco and Franklin-Christoph. 

[Misfit]

Franklin-Christoph is not cheap, but they are American made in North Carolina. They have a SIG nib which stands for Stub Italic Gradient. The idea is the nib performs differently depending on the angle it is held. I got the broad version of it. But I wouldn’t make that my first nib choice from them. 

[mge01park]

I agree with all the FC stuff. 😄. FC has the SIG custom in-house nibs by their nibmeister Audrey Matteson. They have an amazing selection of stub, cursive, italic in all kinds of sizes. I have several of them that I bought on pens and some I bought as extra nibs. They are absolutely amazing. I’ve also bought their steel nibs in various sizes and a few of the gold nibs on some of the pens. The nibs are all Jowo and modified. You can get them in number five and number six. Also, another stub that I like a lot is the Opus 88 for the Koloro demo’s which are a number six nib you can get them in steel or black. They have a stub abroad only the basic sizes though and they also have a flex fine and extra fine at a really amazing. I ordered my TWSBI Plum  with Onyx today which has a black nib and I ordered it in the stub as I rotate between the five sizes they come in. 

[Misfit]

Yes! Well said @mge01park Audrey learned from Jim Rouse. The first specialty nib I got, the broad cursive italic (and stub I returned) were ground by Mike Masuyama. Now the nibmeister is Yukio Nagahara. I got his broad cursive italic too. But the Masuyama nib is a #6 size, and the Nagahara is a #5 size. Someday I might will get a pen in their ghost material. I expect I’d opt for the 1.1CC nib on said pen. 

[mge01park]

And right back to you @Misfit I used to speak to some of the staff there in the 2016-2018 period and some over the recent years. They have the most amazing customer service that always helped me with their pens which I changed my mind on, or needed tweaking or a nib change or issues with auctions, etc. One high point was the lottery they would run to get the antique glass pens and my long term successful quest to get it in the Stabilis 66 pen, which is about my favorite pen from them. Jim’s passing was a low point as I watched some of his videos along the way. BY the way, Mike Matteson has a really good You Tube show too. 

[Misfit]

@mge01park Thank you for the details. I have one Stabilis 66. It’s their tallest or longest pen, correct? I’ll check out the videos soon. Watching the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, after going to the library and Aldi. 

[mge01park]

On 10/27/2025 at 8:26 PM, Misfit said:

@mge01park Thank you for the details. I have one Stabilis 66. It’s their tallest or longest pen, correct? I’ll check out the videos soon. Watching the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, after going to the library and Aldi. 

Aldi on my list to go to, haven’t been in ages. I’ll try it again, I walked out empty handed in previous trips, 😊. 
 

Yes, the Stabilis 66 is the big desk pen as they called it. It’s one of the most unique shapes. It has facets to avoid rolling. The model had been updated recently, but I believe now it’s also discontinued. I don’t have any from the new version. I have 4 of them though, got a bit addicted over large pen syndrome…..emerald, garnet, coke bottle and purpuratum.