Help Finding Japanese C U R S I V E Italic Nib

[Black.thorn]

Maye I'm just looking in the wrong places but I'm finding it incredibly difficult to find a new Japanese fountain pen that I can get a 1.1 or 1.5 Cursive italic nib with. This could also be because I'm trying to stay under $50. Does anyone know of a pen, or even company that would match what I'm looking for? Your advice is hugely appreciated

 

P.S. Japanese FP's are preferable but not a deal breaker.

[Edwaroth]

I've heard the Pilot 78G in broad is an Italic. I have a fine and a medium on my two and do not see those as italic however.

[RitchieMac]

I have a Pilot Prera CM (?Calligraphy Medium) nib, apparently available only in Japan. It is a reliable, wet pen that gives nice line variation. Recently, I've found that Goulet pen company sells the Pilot Prera 1.0, which I think should be the same as the CM nib.

[Tberry010]

IIRC the Pilot Plumix or Pluminix (never can remember) can be had with a nib marked 'M' that is a little finer than the Pilot broad but still a square end nib-not sharp more of a stub. Certainly under your price ceiling, and the nib will fit some other Pilot pens like the 78G and Prera.

[monanza]

I agree with the recommendation for the Prera with CM nib and the Plumix. They both work well for italic but are not quite worthy for cursive or formal italic.

 

You can also try the FPN special edition Stipula Azurite with 0.9 mm nib. Wim did a great job tuning mine and it works flawlessly. May be you can ask to have it made it sharp enough for cursive or formal. The only drawback is that it will run you nearly $100 dollars with shipping. Still a great pen and wonderfully tuned (but you do have to used it capped because it is a tiny pen).

 

Cheers.

[brunico]

Pilot Plumix BB - if you can find one - is 1.0, according to Pilot, though even horizontal and vertical strokes seem a touch wider than this, and the widest stroke (diagonal NW-SE) considerably more. Certainly a wider nib than the Lamy 1.1. Buying a Plumix and a Prera to put the Plumix nib into a Prera will set you back around $50, and you can see the results from FPN member Leigh Reyes here.

 

From what I can gather, the Prera CM nib that Goulet Pens sell as a 1.0 is in fact the same width as the Plumix M, the standard Plumix nib, which Pilot said was 0.58 (it's actually only slightly narrower than the Lamy). If you can work out how these things get measured so differently, please tell me!

 

Pilot Parallel 1.5. No slouch. The stated line widths for the Pilot Parallels are the most accurate I've come across. With careful shopping, $50 might just stretch to a Prera and a Parallel. The Parallel and Plumix don't look $50, but then they're on eBay for ten. Great nibs, good line variation, equally suited to everyday handwriting (if you can write quickly with a 1.5mm nib) and calligraphy.

 

I think these are pretty much your Japanese options, either under or over $50. I'd love to know if there are more. Over $50, Japan gives us lots of nice big music nibs, just begging for custom grinds.

Edited August 25, 2013 by brunico