The best pens for writing

[docsamson]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been looking for the best writing pens out there. From roller balls and gels (the Pilot Precise Grip XF and Uniball Jetstream 1.0, my personal faves) to fountain pens. I've collected several now with a Platinum Fine, a Pilot Murex Fine and a Parker 51 Med as my favorite writers so far.

 

What is my definition for a great writer? The dependable one. The one that starts up without problem, doesn't skip, doesn't clog, and leaves a line you enjoy looking at once you lay it. The one you like to come back to over and over again. The one that you compare all others against. The workhorse.

 

I have a Sailor 1911, a Snorkel and a Nayaka on order so I feel like I have the bases covered for now. At least that's what my checkbook is trying to convince me.

 

But I still look and when the time comes, I like to get a Pilot Custom 823, a Platinum 3776 and a Danitrio. From the sounds of it, the Danitrio is everyone's favorite writer. Wish I searched more before I bought the Sailor 1911 but I got a good deal on it so, oh well.

 

It'll be awhile before I can buy those but I can still research for other great writers. That brings me to the Vanishing Points and the Lamy 2000's. Good writers I'm sure but do they deserve to be in the top class of fine writing instruments? I know it's all partial, your Monte Blanc is my Parker but I feel there must be some distinction between the very best writers and the rest, with cost meaning almost nothing.

 

Am I barking up the wrong tree? Does a class of pen even exist? Or is it all just relative once you reach a certain level?

 

I'm not sure but this is what I come up with so far from searching the threads for the best writing pens:

 

Sailor 1911

Parker 51

Sheaffer Snorkel - Triumph Nib

Platinum 3776

Nakaya - any

Dantrio - any

Pilot Custom 823

 

Added by others:

 

Pelikan M200, M400, M605, M800

Sheaffer PFM, Balance, Imperial

Vanishing Point M

Lamy 2000 EF/F

Montblanc 145, 146, 149, Meisterstuck

OMAS PARAGON (old Style)

Krones

Paper Mate Monogram

Parker Classic GT

Parker 21, 61, 45, Duofold

Eversharp Skyline

Waterman 52 & 52 1/2s

Waterman Edson, Carenes, Phileas

Stipula "Etruria"

Delta "Dolce Vita,"

Visconti "Anniversary"

Cross Century Classic (broad), Townsend (medium)

Cross - Fred at the Fountain Pen Shop

 

edited 8/4: An interesting collection for sure and it's not even complete, had to stop adding to the list for now. Lots of votes for Sheaffer, Pelikan and Omas models and a surprising amount of love towards Mont Blanc. Meanwhile makes a good point about the Vanishing Point, for a pen that so many people have, there's a surprising lack of complaints, even though it doesn't agree with Goodguy here. And the cost for the VP isn't bad either. I might add it to the top of my want list. I added the Sheaffer PFM, I'm really hankering for one of them. Thanks for all your help. Brad

 

 

I didn't include my Platinum or Murex because those are my personal choices for favorite writing pens, not the general consensus.

 

I didn't include the Vanishing Point or Lamy 2000 because I've read mixed things about them as well as the Pilot Bamboo and others.

 

I tried to include a certain model when I could. All of Dantrio nibs and most of what I've read about Nakaya nibs seem to indicate that they are all of high standards.

 

Any more to add? I know there's other treads that ask the same question but they all seem to have some sort of criteria; either new or old, below a certain cost, or a favorite brand.

 

I just like a list of what people think are the very best writing pens, no matter age, price or brand. The pens that outclass the rest when writing is the only criteria.

 

Thanks everyone,

Brad

Edited August 4, 2007 by docsamson

[jonro]

My Pelikan m605 is writer's writer. It holds lots of ink, has an excellent nib, is very sturdy and looks good. Also, When I let it sit for a week or two, it started up immediately. Another great writer is a full size Sheaffer Balance from the 1930s. It's very comfortable in the hand and also has a world class nib.

[andru]

I may be laughed at for this, but I really feel (and more than ever now that I have a variety of fountain pens) that the Sheaffer Imperials are very smooth and dependable, although at least the standard M doesn't paint a particularly expressive line. True of both the steel and the gold nibs. There are other Sheaffers that appear to have similar nibs, but I haven't had a chance to try any of those, only the Imperial. I may have to try a vintage Balance considering jonro's praise.

[Shelley]

If workhorse is what you are looking for then you have already got it -the P51. No doubt about it. End of story.

 

However the best pen is the one that feels best to YOU, that is comfortable in YOUR hand, and that YOU like to write/draw with.

 

So saying I will point out that the two that you have mentioned and put off your list are probably the best to put back on. The VP (in a M) and the Lamy 2000 (in an EF or possibly F), are IMO the best pens that you can get for under $100 USD, and probably some of the best pens you can get for any amount of money. These are both pens that have lasted the test of time, that are workhorses, are unique are smooth, not let me say SMOOTH, as anything you can hope to use, are a good weight/size, and are both damn fine pens.

There are mixed opinions on them, if you get a good lamy then it will be perfect, read MYU's review on them. There are several good reviews on the VP.

These are both pens that should go back on your list.

Don't just believe me tough, try them, you'll fly them!

[docsamson]

Thanks everyone. I've added your picks to my original post. This is the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks to Shelley for directly answering my question about the VP and 2000. I'll get one of each when I can afford it. Thanks to the others about the Sheaffers and Pelikan. Two brands I'm very interested in but have no idea where to start outside the Snorkel. I heard a lot about the Pelikan M800 in my searching. Just forgot to add it to the list.

 

The Duofold is another one I'm quite curious about. Is it worth considering?

 

Thanks again,

Brad

 

If workhorse is what you are looking for then you have already got it -the P51. No doubt about it. End of story.

 

However the best pen is the one that feels best to YOU, that is comfortable in YOUR hand, and that YOU like to write/draw with.

 

So saying I will point out that the two that you have mentioned and put off your list are probably the best to put back on. The VP (in a M) and the Lamy 2000 (in an EF or possibly F), are IMO the best pens that you can get for under $100 USD, and probably some of the best pens you can get for any amount of money. These are both pens that have lasted the test of time, that are workhorses, are unique are smooth, not let me say SMOOTH, as anything you can hope to use, are a good weight/size, and are both damn fine pens.

There are mixed opinions on them, if you get a good lamy then it will be perfect, read MYU's review on them. There are several good reviews on the VP.

These are both pens that should go back on your list.

Don't just believe me tough, try them, you'll fly them!

Edited August 1, 2007 by docsamson

[pankaj]

Oh so saad...none nominated from that poor MB thingie :ltcapd:

[Shangas]

Hmmmm...

 

Best pens for writing in my mind are -

 

My Parker 51 Flighter. It's smooth, it holds lots of ink and it puts up with the fast, sharp & brutal writing which I subject it to when writing at university.

 

My Montblanc Meisterstuck. It's pretty, it's classic, it's smooth and is a pleasure to write with.

[thomasg]

I have had a VP for almost ten years. Great pen. Not what I consider to be a must have pen, but very solid. I wanted another FP so I started researching. Thankfully I found the FPN and the wonderfully helpful folks that participate here.

 

Now I have three 51s, a Pelikan 805, and a Dani Trio Densho. All have their own character and are wonderful writers. These pens get high praise because they deserve it.

 

I also own a 1911, and two rotring cores, (which i take to court to scare people.) These are nice pens. Not 51s, but nice.

 

Keep us informed about your new pens and how they perform.

[Buzz J]

All the above said, you'll find sweet pens in every brand. Just not consistantly. Somehow, I've got an Eversharp Skyline that always seems to have ink in it - it fits me just right. Same is true for a couple old Waterman 52 & 52 1/2s.

 

If the pen will get any carry around abuse, a P51 can't be beat. They also seem to be the most consistent starters.

 

Have fun!

[zenshrink]

I'm surprised that Omas hasn't made the list. I have a new bronze Arco with a double broad Mottishaw cursive italic nib. The pen is beautiful and it writes superbly. I also have a double broad Ogive Autunno and it too is beautiful and writes superbly. A wonderful combination of performance and beauty.

[fitzharry]

My own preference for the best writing pen is the Waterman Edson--I've never had a smoother nib on any of my pens, although some have been as smooth (my Sheaffer Legacy 2, for example). The Edson just feels right when I put pen to paper and I know it will always be one of my top three favorite pens.

[Ghost Plane]

Any of my Viscontis, any of my Krones, Waterman Carenes. Seems like the fine nib contingent don't like the same brands as the B nib contingent. Just leaves more pens for me!

[Chris]

This is certainly a very personal decision and may indeed depend on an individual pen being 'just right'. For me, my 'return to' pens from a dozen or so different ones are:

 

Cross Century Classic (broad)

Cross Townsend (medium)

MB Chopin 145 (medium)

 

They fit my hand, are totally dependable and write smoothly. Also, they are completely comfortable for writing for an hour or two when necessary.

 

But also in daily use are several Sheaffer snorkels but somehow they are not quite the ones I pick up first if I must write more than just a line or two.

 

Chris

[FrankB]

It seems you asked for a short list of most dependable writing FP's and the list has grown ever longer. I think the good news is that there really are many excellent writing pens available today. Some of those pens are vintage, some are new. But I have found today to be the heyday of good writing FP's. Ironically, as technology allows for well manufactured pens, the penmakers are denigrating their warranty obligations. I do not understand that discrepancy. - But, that is another story altogether.

 

My own short list of depandable pens? Parker 51, modern Duofolds, Stipula "Etruria," Delta "Dolce Vita," Pelikans (any of them), Visconti "Anniversary" series, and, yes, Monty B 146 and 149.

[sleek_lover]

Oh so saad...none nominated from that poor MB thingie :ltcapd:

 

Of course not...the writer inquired after FOUNTAIN PENS WITH WHICH TO WORK , not MEDIOCRE EXPLODING PLASTIC/BIT OF METAL STICKING OUT THE END LIFESTYLE ORNAMENTS...

 

[Paddler]

When I leave the house for town, the woods, or the bodies of water hereabouts, I always take a Parker 21 along. It is hell for strong. It feels good in my hand. It writes on the first stroke and every stroke thereafter. It holds a lot of ink. It is a good tool. I think it is as ugly as a pipe wrench, but then, you weren't asking about eye candy.

 

I would put Snorkels in the same category, except they are easier to look at. Both of my Snorkels are heirlooms, so I never take them out of the house. One of these (a Saratoga) was my mother's purse pen. She carried it to school every day for 20+ years and graded papers with it. Its cap is missing; the end-cap is cracked; the barrel is cracked in two places. I just replaced the seals and sac. When I fill it, I have to hold it like a flute, BUT IT STILL WORKS!

 

Paddler

 

[amh210]

If you want to spend the $, Waterman Edson.

 

If you want 95% of the excellence for far fewer $, Waterman Phileas.

 

Andy

[andy b]

i would say the best writing pen is the one that feels good in your hand and has a perfect (to you) nib.

i know, pretty obvious.

 

i have a few pens i use at work where the paper is crappy, i'm writing quick notes, and i tend to write small. a nice dry fine point works well there. those pens do what they are meant to do very well (i've been using a Parker 75, a Sheaffer Statesman with a Triumph nib, and a Hero 329 lately). but when i'm at home and just grab a pen to play around with or use when speed and writing size don't matter, i grab this wonderful well-used Parker 61 i found. the nib is between a medium and broad and it writes a line so wet and dark that i'm always afraid it will never dry (it does in a few seconds though). i swear the pen is so smooth the nib doesn't even touch the paper when i use it. i get it out just to doodle with because it is such a pleasure to write with. to me, it is the perfect fountain pen.

 

andy b.

[Cloud]

What about:

 

modern: aurora 88, omas ogiva, visconti (any), pelikan 805... (to consider but I don't know much about them, bexley, conway steward, filcao, signum, nettuno, ....

 

Vintage: parker vacumatic, sheaffer PFM, waterman BHR, conklin crescent filler, ...

[Eastward313]

Just a note, I'm probably one of the guys that gave you a negative opinion of the Lamy 2000 - well, that was for my experience with the EF nibs. Just a few days ago I gave the 2000 a second chance, this time in fine, and I am very pleased and have to agree with Shelley that it's a reliable workhorse with a buttery smooth nib.