Help - Which Classic Black Pen?

[kubalai]

Hi all,

 

Need some adivce from others. I am after a 'classic black pen' for every day use. Perfer a fine Nib, might even try an italic fine nib (is there such a thing?). However I don't like extra large sized pens and the pen must not have threads also needs a converter as I use purple ink.

 

My current leanings are towards the Waterman Man 100, Exception. I find the Parker fine nibs a bit too flexi but admit to liking the Cross II Medalist fine nib. Views?

 

Appreciate others with more FP experience than I (non- existant) to point me in the right direction.

 

Regards

 

Kubalai

 

p.s also like the nib to write first time if not used for a day.

[mike1]

Try a sheaffer Prelude. It may not fit all of your requirements but it is a good pen .

[georges zaslavsky]

What about a Montblanc 146?

[BillTheEditor]

The Sailor 1911 (in the smaller size) is a solid classic design, "anti-bling" if that's important to you, under $100, and Sailor nibs are superb. Sailors (both pen and human) tend not to dry out quickly.

 

For a less expensive choice, I've been very happy with the Pilot 78G ($25 from HisNibs.com). Similar classic design, smaller pen, and a very good nib.

 

Edited to add: Sorry, I just re-read your post and realized that both the Sailor and the Pilot that I recommended have threaded caps. I guess that pretty much leaves you with the Sheaffer pens. However, realize that pens with slip-on or click-on caps are likely to dry out faster than those with threaded caps (I know others will probably disagree, just going by my own experience, plus the observation that a threaded cap should inherently be more air-tight than the other two.) I assume you are thinking about not wanting to have to spend time putting the cap on and taking it off. Really, though, that doesn't take much time and if you just like to cap the pen while thinking or taking notes, you can simply slip the cap over the nib without screwing it down -- both the Sailor and the Pilot pens have pretty long caps (Japanese preference?) and won't let the nib dry out. If your objection to threads is comfort, the Pilot in particular has the threads far back from the nib and I doubt your fingers would come in contact with them.

 

Finally, if I haven't bored you to death already, older Japanese pens were often made with "long caps" and some of those might be slip-on types. Long caps do a good job of keeping nibs moist. Look at the various Pilot pens that you can buy on eBay, especially from "speerbob" and you'll see what I mean.

Edited January 6, 2007 by BillTheEditor

[kubalai]

Thanks, but I don't like threads on the pen

[Cloud]

Hello,

 

There is a number of factors to be taken into consideration.

 

Do you prefer silver or gold trimming?

Do you want a converter or a piston/eye dropper/other filling mechanism is ok?

Do you want an extremely smooth nib like an omas or more of a tooty one like an aurora?

Do you want to be able to change the nib? exemple Richards binder offers a variety of nibs for pelikan pen?

Do you want a lot of ink in the reservoir or a small amount is ok?

Do you want a screw cap or a click?

Do you want a american fine or japanese fine?

What is your budget?

What material do you want for the body of the pen? plastic, resin, other

Do you want a new or a vintage pen?

Do you want a heavy pen or a light pen?

 

 

By threads do you mean threads on the body or thread for the cap?

 

Parker 51

Pelikan souverain, either 200 or 400. Black. Very good pens, with customizable nibs.

http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref_txt.htm

Lamy 2000

Sailor 1911M

Vanishing point namiki

Visconti van gogh midi black

 

I have no experience whatsoever with the pens you mentionned.

[brh]

Hmm, if you like the Cross, why not get a Century II in the 'Classic Black' finish? Or a Townsend in Black Lacquer/Rhodium? Or an Apogee in Black Star Lacquer? All should be good pens...

 

-brian

[Mike S.]

A Sailor 1911 in black was my first fountain pen and is the standard by which all other pens I will ever own are judged. There's a used one with a medium nib on the pre-owned pen page of www.nibs.com for $179. Pam at www.oscarbraunpens.com also has good prices on Sailor pens, as does www.peartreepens.com.

 

Mike

[Sharkle]

There are so many choices in black, and I find that most pen manufacturers have at least one black model. If you like a firm nib, Aurora tends to have them, as well as a lot of black models to choose from, in gold or silver/chrome trim. Go to a well stocked pen store if you can, check out a variety of brands, and that way you can check for threads. Good luck with your search .

[mafoofan]

What about a ST Dupont Orpheo/Olympio? Black doesn't get much deeper, its refined look, and the nib is super-smooth. I love mine.

[solaris]

If you can grab a Waterman Le Man 100, is a GREAT pen, but for size reasons I prefer the Gentleman: fantastic nibs, very good writers. The Exception, with its square barrel, is a NO-GO for me.

 

A Pelikan M250 in classic black, or even a M600 is a good option. Or a Waterman Charleston, which have a nive fine nib. A Parker Sonnet in black could also be handy. Or a Sheaffer new Balance in black (very nice nibs). Just some ideas...

[wiglaf]

Hi Kubulai-

(sorry about the dreadful rhyme)- If you can deal with a 2.5-3.0 twist cap, Sailor 1911 is imho the finest choice; perhaps you can get a hold of the early Visconti Van Gogh with the three point snap-

Another fine pen with a snap cap is the Lamy 2000- a smooth writer, big filler, and light pen.

Good hunting.

 

Tony

[TMann]

Pens that I've owned that don't have threaded caps and are available in black:

 

- Parker Sonnet

- Parker 75

- Sheaffer Legacy (This may be a bit bigger than you were wanting.)

- Sheaffer Imperial

- Parker "51" (I gather that this isn't exactly what you are looking for, but it's a great pen that would be worth trying.)

- Namiki Vanishing Point (This is definitely not a "classic style" pen, but it is worth checking out if the convenience of a retractable nib is importantn to you.)

 

Good luck!

 

TMann

Edited January 7, 2007 by TMann

[RSVP]

Pelikan M800, Montblanc 146, Parker Duofold, or a trusty Sheaffer Balance (modern, II?) may be up your street.

[JimStrutton]

My advice is to try before you buy, but my suggestion is this type of pen, and yes it is a Parker "51" in the Classic Black with a restored lustraloy cap. As I made this up from bits scavanged from eBay the most expensive single component was the restoration on the cap.

 

Certainly the "51" nib is not what you would call flexi

 

Just my .02 worth

 

Jim

http://www.strutton.free-online.co.uk/Pictures/Pens/51andink.jpg

[kubalai]

Dear fellow members,

 

Have just bought the Waterman Exception Black with Gold stripes and trims for half the RRP from Selfridges as well as the roller ball. Funny thing is that this model is the most expensive of the range and the cheaper ones were on display at normal price. Wierd! But it writes very well and is comfortable to use. Did have concerns that it would it too large but my fears have been layed to rest.

 

So to all many thanks for the advice but I am for now at least out of the black fp market

 

Kubalai