Heavy Pens or Light Pens?

[dpmahon]

I am a lover of light pens. When I started rediscovering/accumulating/using/collecting/obsessing over fountain pens about two years ago, I thought that the heavier a pen is, the better it must be. Well, I rapidly realized that writing with a full-metal pen for instance is very tiring.

 

I was totally changed about one year ago. I now love light pens. The lighter, the better. Normally that means for me, that they have to be made out of hard rubber or celluloid in order to be big enough and light at the same time. For that reason I have become a lover of the Omas Paragon line (old-style). The old Paragon weighs in at about 20 grams which I consider to be perfect. I recently acquired an Omas Lucens. While this pen's material is so sophisticated, it is even lighter than a Paragon although of the same size (I assume the lacking facets have something to do with it, as rounder pens need less material). The Lucens is probably not more than 18 grams. Like a feather, and yet it fits in my hand and is just perfect. The pen's nib is geared to the lightest of touch in order to correspond with the light weight of the body. I have to say this is the epitome of a writing implement for me. Just a year ago I would have described this feeling as "cheap," and now I absolutely enjoy it. And the good thing also is: With these light pens you can post the cap or leave it off. This will not change the balance of the pen but only add to the length.

 

I do love my Dupont Orpheo pen. It's finish is terrific and it writes great. But given that it is an all-metal pen body, I cannot use it for extended periods of time. For that I only take my light pens. I'd also like to add that I don't have any problems with my hands or joints, so the weight thing is just my personal preference.

 

I do think that light pens make you forget that you need to use a tool in order to write. They just feel as if molded in your hand.

Last, I have to add that I do have some pens whose own weight can guide the pen when writing (e.g. my Omas Bologna or Montegrappa 1930: both have silver sections that add to the weight of the pen), resulting in a medium to heavier pen which still feels very pleasant.

 

 

What is your preference and why?

Carry a lot, write little. Prefer a light pen for comfort in pocket. Write a lot. carry little, I like a pen with a little heft because of the solid feel.

[Sallent]

The Pelikan M200 (when capped) is perfect for me.

 

I grew up with Parker Vacumatics which are light/medium sized pens (typical of most vintage pens). The M200 is just about the same size and almost the same weight as a 3rd generation Parker Vacumatic

 

Combine that with a nib with a hint of feedback, you have a lovely writter that can be used comfortably for many hours at a time. The nonsense that the M200 is a small pen stems from the fact that most pens today are freaking battleships/starcruisers, thus it seems like a small pen when in reality it is a pen of classic size/proportions.

Edited April 15, 2008 by Dr Ozzie

[WhosYerBob]

I, too, thought that heavy pens were the ideal - until I got a Bexley Tea Time. Wow! Now I'm all about lightweight pens.