Namiki/pilot Falcon Fountain Pen Top Heavy?

[WARRZONE]

I was considering purchasing a Namiki (resin) or Pilot (metal) Falcon fountain pen. There are no specialty pen shops in the area, so I will not be able to try one out before buying. My question is if either one is top heavy (posted and unposted). I would assume the resin one is balanced, but I am not sure about the metal one. For example, a Lamy Safari is balanced, and I like it, but the Al-Star is top heavy when posted, which I dislike. I would rather purchase the metal one for durability and the fact that I like the black/silver coloring better than the black/gold but not if it is top heavy. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Edited August 10, 2013 by WARRZONE

[risingsun]

The resin Namiki is wonderfully balanced. Can't speak about the metal version though...

[apkayle]

The resin is balanced and is a joy to write with even when the cap is posted.

[Edwaroth]

I'd go with the resin...better balance and lower weight.

[johnjayalvaro]

I have both. The resin is balanced posted, but very light. It is so light that it is hard to discern it being off posted or not. I also have the metal one, and it is a little trickier. It is solid and heavy, and the cap really changes the overall balance of the pen. I use the metal one both posted and not, depending on the task. I draw with it un-posted for the most part. Not sure why, maybe because I manipulate the hold more often then when writing. I am including some pictures of me balancing the two pens posted and not so you can see how they compare. Not exactly science, but better than nothing. Both pens are newly filled, but the metal is using the larger pump converter so there is more ink to counter balance.

 

The resin is of course cheaper, but the metal can hold more ink and is easier to use bottled ink in, due in large part to the longer converter. Hope this helps.

[WARRZONE]

johnjayalvaro, thanks for the pictures! It looks like you are holding them at about the same place, but the metal one is tilting back, which means it is unbalanced when posted. I would probably feel the same way about it as my Al-Star. Looks like the resin is the way to go. Shame they don't offer it in more colors.

[johnjayalvaro]

See if you can find the Pilot Elabo. I think that is the Japanese branding for the resin Falcon and it comes in other colors (at least red) and silver accents. And it goes down to extra fine. You might have to check ebay. They seem to sell for around $160. Good luck.

[Bo Bo Olson]

If you hold your posted pen as light as a featherless baby bird, let the pen balances where it will.A longer capped pen(say a medium-long) will settle lower than a shorter Standard pen.

Metal of course will settle in lower..

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a fountain pen resting in the pit of the web of the thumb. There the web of the hand takes the weight of the pen taking away any 'un-balanced' feeling; or having to struggle with it if you are stubborn and insist it stay at 45 degrees no matter what..

 

One need not struggle to hold a pen at 45 degrees when it balances at 40 or when it is heavy enough to settle in the pit of the web of the thumb at 35 degrees..

 

Personally I like 'resin' pens over metal, but thought due to having a couple of the "heavy" metal pens, that if I do post it, will sit lower.

Will write fine from there too, it's just a matter of adjusting to the pen.

 

I have a Cross Townsend, a Lamy Persona and a Pelikan Celebry, and all three when posted rest in the pit of my thumb.

There are times when I just 'feel' like posting the heavier pens, for the sheer hell of it.

[fourseamer]

I've had both. I'm a serial poster, but the metal version was way too heavy and unbalanced when posted. It was sold. The resin version is a delight to post. Light and well balanced. Unfortunate that it comes with a deficient converter.