Recommend Me A Cigar Shape Pen

[ImQuagmire]

Hello guys,

 

The semester is starting and I'm thinking of buying a tough pen for my daily writing.

 

I have some requirements:

A) Cigar shape, old classy style pen. Black resin/celluloid gold plated body, nothing fancy. Vintage or modern, used or brand new, I'm open for everything.

B ) It has to be available with a nib with significant line variation. I prefer stub nibs. (This is where I'm having troubles, since Mont Blanc 146 is not available with a stub nib, the Japanese Sailor-Pilot-Platinum trio offer Music nibs and Zoom nibs, but I'm not sure they would give me enough line variation. I would like to get something like the Pilot Custom in Strang's comparison here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/222555-five-music-nibs-compared/

C) It has to be tough and durable since I am going to take it with me literally everywhere I go (okay, maybe not to the swimming pool ). I'm a huge road bike enthusiast, I will carry the pen in my backpack for an hour every single day riding a bike, so it has to be a really well built workhorse pen.

D) Price range: $50-$300.

 

I spent dozens of hours reading reviews, watching videos, searching the FPN and ebay, but I still can't decide. Any help would be appreciated.

Edited September 9, 2012 by ImQuagmire

[emiliovillegas]

Edison Collier with a stub nib?

[Sasha Royale]

Check out BEXLEY fountain pens at the Judd Pens site.

I don't recall the model, but it has the classic "Perfecto" shape.

[Ouroboros]

It may push your budget just a little, but look at a Sailor 1911 with Classic Fountain Pens ($250) and have John customize the nib to exactly what you want ($55). Also, Edison Pens have the Collier and Nouveau Premiere ($150 with the steel nib) and you could ask Brian to grind the nib or Richard Binder sells the replacement large nibs (which will fit both pens) for $25 plus his re-grinding fee ($50). You could also look at a Pearl from Brian (bit more expensive) and ask him to turn it more cigar shaped at the ends and you'd still have the same nib options. The Pearl is an incredible pen, I love mine.

Edited September 9, 2012 by Ouroboros

[jd50ae]

[ImQuagmire]

Thanks for your help guys, time to make a little more research.

[mongrelnomad]

MB 146 NOS (they come up all the time) and then send the nib to be stubbed by one of the numerous nibmeisters you'll find listed on here.

 

Can't really beat that combo for what you want (or generally actually)...

[dst207]

  On 9/9/2012 at 12:27 PM, jd50ae said:

 

Beat me to it.

[Cerbeos]

  On 9/9/2012 at 5:00 PM, mongrelnomad said:

MB 146 NOS (they come up all the time) and then send the nib to be stubbed by one of the numerous nibmeisters you'll find listed on here.

 

Can't really beat that combo for what you want (or generally actually)...

 

+1

 

Also, +1 on an Edison - just talk to Brian and ask for a stub grind of whatever size you want. If he can't do it big enough for you - send it over to Greg Minuskin!

[Jezza]

Here are a few that come to mind, from left to right:

 

Platinum 3776 Century--not available in a stub, but a bold or medium can easily be ordered that way from nibs.com (no affiliation);

Sailor 1911 Large--same as above, and also available in rhodium trim;

Pilot Custom 74--my version is burgundy, but they are widely available in black. They do not offer a stub, but you can get one in a music nib, or have a bold nib stubbed very easily;

Pilot Custom 742--again, mine is in burgundy, but the black version is available in a bewildering 15 different nibs, including a stub (Sutab) with good line variation;

Pilot Custom 743--the Custom 743 is a 742 with a larger nib and more trim, basically. The 743 also comes in a stub. I have one, and it's great;

Montblanc 146--not available in a stub, but I'm showing it for scale.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/IMG_0081.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/IMG_0079.jpg

[karmakoda]

This is a Stipula that I just became aware of. For a very reasonable price.

Great pen and a titanium nib that should offer some line variation.

You can pick up a tough pen case to tumble around in the backpack. Good Luck!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stipula-Model-T-Black-with-Titanium-nib-Fountain-Pen-Free-Shipping-/271051048947?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1be6c7f3

 

Edit to add:

Upon closer examination, I would take a pass on the above pen. Details of workmanship cause concern, does not look tough at all.

Sorry.

Go with the Edison if possible, but I am surprised that nobody has suggested a vintage Sheaffer Lifetime Balance or Crest. Classic cigar shape.

Edited September 9, 2012 by karmakoda

[risingsun]

I'll second the suggestion of an Edison pen. The Collier, the Herald, or even the Goulet-exclusive Edison Nouveau Premiere are all great cigar shaped pens... Brian Gray can make a nice black one for you to your specifications. We love our Edisons.

[ImQuagmire]

Wow guys, thanks to all of you for your help, I really appreciate it. Such a nice community, I'm really proud to be an FPN member.

 

Just a quick question to make it easier for me to calculate: approximately how much does a decent nibmeister ask for stubbing a standard F/M/B nib? (Anyway, what nib is easier to turn into a stub? I guess the broader it is, the easier to customize, but correct me if I'm wrong.) The Mont Blanc 146 with a stub nib would be a dream come true and if it's not too much over $300 then I might be able to take a shot at it.

[Ouroboros]

John Mottishaw from Classic Fountain Pens is around $55 and Richard Binder is around $50 and others range from about $35 - $55. The width of you nib you want will determine the best size nib to start from. For example, I use 0.5 cursive italic nibs (more variation than a stub but not quite a smooth, you need to maintain your angle of nib to paper a bit more) and most of my nibs start as a Fine or Medium depending on the brand. So, figure out what width stub you want, then you can figure out the starting nib size.

[ImQuagmire]

  On 9/9/2012 at 11:49 PM, Ouroboros said:

John Mottishaw from Classic Fountain Pens is around $55 and Richard Binder is around $50 and others range from about $35 - $55. The width of you nib you want will determine the best size nib to start from. For example, I use 0.5 cursive italic nibs (more variation than a stub but not quite a smooth, you need to maintain your angle of nib to paper a bit more) and most of my nibs start as a Fine or Medium depending on the brand. So, figure out what width stub you want, then you can figure out the starting nib size.

 

Thanks Ouroboros. I was thinking of a 0.6-0.7 stub nib. I guess I can't really go wrong with a Medium (maybe a B on Japanese pens), can I?

[mongrelnomad]

What about this, from FPN's very own classifieds?

 

Don't know where you are, but John Sorowka (aka Oxonian here, Oxford UK based) has a very quick turnaround (~1 week). He charges $55 for grinding.

 

No need to say thank-you

 

(And no, you really can't go wrong with stubbing a Western M, Japanese B.)

Edited September 10, 2012 by mongrelnomad

[ImQuagmire]

  On 9/10/2012 at 9:18 AM, mongrelnomad said:

What about this, from FPN's very own classifieds?

 

Don't know where you are, but John Sorowka (aka Oxonian here, Oxford UK based) has a very quick turnaround (~1 week). He charges $55 for grinding.

 

No need to say thank-you

 

(And no, you really can't go wrong with stubbing a Western M, Japanese B.)

 

Unfortunately the pen has been sold. :/

Thanks for the tip, I already sent an email to Mr Sorowka, currently waiting for his answer. I'm living in Hungary so still not an easy call but should be way faster than with an American nib meister.

 

Your help is much appreciated

[mongrelnomad]

  On 9/10/2012 at 12:22 PM, ImQuagmire said:

  On 9/10/2012 at 9:18 AM, mongrelnomad said:

What about this, from FPN's very own classifieds?

 

Don't know where you are, but John Sorowka (aka Oxonian here, Oxford UK based) has a very quick turnaround (~1 week). He charges $55 for grinding.

 

No need to say thank-you

 

(And no, you really can't go wrong with stubbing a Western M, Japanese B.)

 

Unfortunately the pen has been sold. :/

Thanks for the tip, I already sent an email to Mr Sorowka, currently waiting for his answer. I'm living in Hungary so still not an easy call but should be way faster than with an American nib meister.

 

Your help is much appreciated

 

Sorry about that :embarrassed_smile: Good luck with your search and let us know how it goes!

[hilsedwards]

Please see this reply to a previous post from FPN member Lorna Reed.

 

"Italix Parsons Essential.

I know I keep harping on about this pen, and I promise I don't have shares in the company, but it just ticks so many boxes I can't resist recommending it.

Black, classic appearance. A real workhorse. Takes Diamine cartridges. Choice of nibs.

£39.00 + shipping."

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/229546-special-gift-for-a-special-lady/

 

I personally have a medium italic and it is quite simply divine!

Edited September 10, 2012 by hilsedwards

[ImQuagmire]

What a nice pen it appears to be! I love its design and the available options to customize it, really professional. After my MB146 I will DEFINITELY buy a fine italic. Thank you very much for introducing the Italix pens to me, I will keep an eye on their products in the future.

 

And yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, I came to the conclusion that I can't live without a Mont Blanc 146 anymore so got to buy one. Originally I didn't even consider I can get one with a stub nib for my $300 budget, but I crunched numbers and got some (=tremendous) help from the community and especially karmakoda ( ), and ended up adding some additional bucks to my budget to fulfill a dream. Now let the hunt begin for an MB 146!

 

Thanks FPN members for your advices once again

 

 

 

  On 9/10/2012 at 3:13 PM, hilsedwards said:

Please see this reply to a previous post from FPN member Lorna Reed.

 

"Italix Parsons Essential.

I know I keep harping on about this pen, and I promise I don't have shares in the company, but it just ticks so many boxes I can't resist recommending it.

Black, classic appearance. A real workhorse. Takes Diamine cartridges. Choice of nibs.

£39.00 + shipping."

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/229546-special-gift-for-a-special-lady/

 

I personally have a medium italic and it is quite simply divine!