The Pen That Makes You Want To Just Write

[MBFan]

I came into fountain pens because I love to write, so I'm looking for every excuse to write. Often I'll fill a page with samples of writing from several different pens.

 

So for me it's more the intrinsic desire to write makes me choose a fp, and not the fp that makes me what to write. That being said, at the moment I reach for my Parker 21 more than the others.

[xwingrox]

My vintage Aurora 88 with semi-flexy/bouncy nib. This pen just is such a joy to write with that I use it non stop when at my desk. Other than that, maybe my Pilot VP with Binder 0.6 stub italic. I find that my handwriting seems to be improved with the 88 and much more messy with the 0.6 stub

[Bo Bo Olson]

Comment on a modern MB being stogy....could well be ...well mine being a B=BB don't get a lot of work. How ever my ('52-55 only) MB 234 1/2 Deluxe 15 degree KOB semi-flex is anything but. After three years as Champ..It got replaced by a Pelikan 500 with a flexi OBB 30 degree, the new Champ. A vintage B or OB is a writing nib...like a modern M-B, not a fat signature nib of today.

That 500 OBB could do signatures all year long, but find and scribble, it's a paint brush...much more than my Osmia OBB in 30 degrees. Wetter.

 

The nib on my for me a bit too much blingy full rolled gold overlay ('51- a couple of years only)MB 742 has a wonderful 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex F. I tried to steal it for the nib at a live auction at the opening bid of €90, some dealer didn't care about the nib; bid. So I ended up with it for €160, my last limit...having passed my first limit of a 120 a breath before.

I do find my Woolf's only Springy nib, rather pedestrian.

 

Do chase flexi or semi-flex '50-65and slightly lesser '66-75 MB's only....after that all there is second rate stogy 'Springy' nibs.

 

I've really lucked out this year with pens.

 

Yesterday, I was writing with my most sleek and classy rolled gold trim inlaid nib Geha 725, semi-flex fine and was so pat it on the head and tell it what a great pen it was. It had been my best non-oblique. Even if you don't like black and gold pens, you will like this one. Flat gold disk on barrel and cap end, tapered, the gold band is wider than normal, but not over wide...A couple of simple lines moved the clip into the sublime.

It was the pen Geha set out to catch MB with...did indeed. :puddle: Oh, a thin, light and nimble medium-long pen...perfect balance.

It is a pen that goes for €100 on Penboard.de and had on German Ebay. During the last World Cup, when all the Englishmen with money were in South Africa or those still in England lost their money betting. I got it for only €50.

The next week I watched two of them go for €25 on German Ebay.

That's ok, I got it...and at the time "cheap". A grand pen in all respects.

 

(One of my ...then thee best balanced pens (all different, MB 234 1/2, Geha 725, P-75)...got to do that balance test again some day when it matters. In three years a lot can change...with more pens.There could be more perfect pens. It took two years for my 400NN to nudge out my '90's M400 for better balance....still a great balanced pen.)

 

Staggering out of bed, an idea hit me before even my morning cup of tea....I only drink Irish Coffee, for coffee,

I got some pen cups sitting out on the desk, each color for an ink area....but I just grabbed the first pen I could lay my hands on.

400N tortoise, same shade as my gold capped and piston cap 500 (a fancied up 400) both are slightly lighter than my '90's M400. There is much more line variation (being a than my yesterday's great pen Geha 725 F......yep, prettier don't always win.

My new non-oblique best pen is my 400N semi-flex B.

That shade of tortoise fits my gold cap of the 500 much better, blending the gold into more class. When I put my darker M400 tortoise under that cap...that shade of tortoise becomes dull.

 

Sitting my M400 and 400N together, the M400 is a bit more golden, a bit more rich. The 400N at bit green, and the tad lighter, is not so rich.....absolutely no reason to buy the '84-96 M400 tortoise over a semi-flex or 'flexi' 400N tortoise. My '90's M400 has a very, very good semi-vintage springy regular flex nib. The 400N a semi-flex, so wins hands down. That B nib gives me such nice line variation....for a non-oblique (German vintage only, with some flex).

 

Don't waste your money on a modern oblique (lacking the line variation one with a tad of flex can give you), when you can find German obliques in semi-flex and 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex. Again, I've lucked into a 13-14 of them. They will always be my nibs that are fighting it out for #1.

It is only pure luck that I have in only 13-14 nibs, both 30 and 15 degree grinds in OBB, OB, OM, and OF...I've decided an OEF would be too small for my eyes.

 

They are a mix of semi-flex and 'flexi'. And I'm not going to chase a complete in both flex sets. You can only push your luck so far...before you end up with 47 more pens and still don't have one set complete.

 

I have 17 pens inked right now...there has been a time or two when I've had 27 pens inked after an ink test or two; in when I'm in the mood to do it right, I test the ink with 8 nibs of varying widths and flexes. 4-5 papers.

 

There is no perfect pen, paper or ink...there is how ever perfect match-ups.

 

This collection of very fine pens took five years to grow...starting with low budget bottom feeders,

If you only buy a pen a quarter , instead of a pen a week or month you can get some real nice vintage pens. Some of my low priced pens are still very good too.

 

It is a hobby of a life time, so don't hurry, if you take your time, you can and will get better pens.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[Nick T]

A Pelikan m200 with a Binder 1mm stub nib. That pen sits up and begs to be written with every day.

[minislot]

My new Sheaffer Targa, it's so well balanced and smooth.

Makes English homework as close to a breeze as it's going to get.

[mikefromsac]

Until this week it was my MB 146 Medium nib. She's so smooth and writes wet, which I like. Then a few days ago I received my Namiki Falcom with Soft Medium nib and now I can't put her down. Soft and springy (not really a flex nib, but definitely with nice line variation). Highly recommended for that use their pens .

[pavoni]

Absolutely love the passion with which you guys write about your pens

 

Thank you for starting this thread VladDracule. How long did John have your pen for? I have a Nakaya Portable Writer with a soft M nib, which I would really like to send off to John for his Spencerian customisation but the mere thought of the pen being away for up to 6 months and then likely having to pay even more for the custom charge back into England is putting me off. I also wonder how the end product would compare to my vintage flexible nibs! Perhaps I'm lusting after an unnecessary luxury? Perhaps I'll just send it off anyway!

 

Last night we had guests at home. Whilst I honestly tried to play the part of willing and obliging host, secretly I was wishing they would all leave just so that I could get back to my home office and write with my favourite writer. My lovely guests enjoyed themselves so much that by the time they eventually left, I was too cream-crackered (having been at work all day) to do anything other than sleep Some people have no manners or consideration.

 

My everyday carry is my Fountainbel-Conid Bulkfiller (Demonstrator version) with its M-stub titanium nib. This is rotated with my MB 149 F nib (personalised.......naturally ) However, the pen that simply forces me to write.........anything, anywhere, is my Waterman 42 with its XF-BB 14C nib. This pen simply excites me.

 

The Waterman is backed up by another magnificent vintage nib, an F-BB 14C on a Swan SF2. I could go on and on but I know you guys get the picture. My colleagues at work know when I have one of these pens in my hand........I'm the silly bloke sat on his own with that smug, silly grin on his face. Bothered?

 

Edit - I have just arrived at work and unpacked my pens in readiness........how on earth could I have forgotten to mention my Onoto 4601 with its paintbrush for a nib!!!

 

Don't you just love fountain pens!

 

Pavoni.

Edited January 30, 2014 by pavoni

[alexander_k]

Any fountain pen has this effect on me, even when I have nothing to write. I've gathered too many favourite pens and inks, I guess, but it also depends on the moment and the situation. Suddenly I get a craving to apply this or that pen to paper. The task is also important: if it's note-taking, I look for a Pilot Capless but writing a letter to a friend makes me look for a big pen with a broad nib and an ink with a colour that matches the mood. As I said, too many favourites and enough excuses to use them all.

[Medsen Fey]

I have a Grifos sterling "Pillars of Hercules" fitted with a 1.1 km calligraphy nib. It is so nice it makes my crappy penmanship look good. It is one of my daily carry pens and I enjoy it so much that sometimes I will pull it out and doodle even when I have nothing to write. It must be love...

[richardandtracy]

I have a Grifos sterling "Pillars of Hercules" fitted with a 1.1 km calligraphy nib. ...

1.1 kilometre wide nib!?! Boy, I have never seen one that big... Very special indeed.

 

Richard.

[Averett]

As I think I've stated in other posts, my favorite pen is an 1889 cedar dip pen. I don't have my camera software setup on this computer, but I'll try to post a sample of my writing on the other computer. I've tried of late to learn the Spencerian form of writing. And if I'm brave, I'll post a picture of the poor old pen's tines. You'll wonder how I ever wrote with it. It's in semi-retirement now, as it is sometimes very scratchy and catches the paper. But SOMETIMES when "Old Bess" is in good form, and the paper is right, she glides across it like a skate across ice, smooth as glass. It feels marvelous. After 125 years, "Old Bess" is still delivering joy!

Averett

[VladDracule]

@VladDracule - is that Diamine Marine? Lovely writing sample; as another person who feels their handwriting doesn't make the grade here, I really love what that nib's doing for you.

 

It is actually Pelikan Turquoise if i remember properly. One thing with this nib and this grind it forces you to get into a more proper writing rhythm which makes a difference.

 

Absolutely love the passion with which you guys write about your pens

 

Thank you for starting this thread VladDracule. How long did John have your pen for? I have a Nakaya Portable Writer with a soft M nib, which I would really like to send off to John for his Spencerian customisation but the mere thought of the pen being away for up to 6 months and then likely having to pay even more for the custom charge back into England is putting me off. I also wonder how the end product would compare to my vintage flexible nibs! Perhaps I'm lusting after an unnecessary luxury? Perhaps I'll just send it off anyway!

 

Last night we had guests at home. Whilst I honestly tried to play the part of willing and obliging host, secretly I was wishing they would all leave just so that I could get back to my home office and write with my favourite writer. My lovely guests enjoyed themselves so much that by the time they eventually left, I was too cream-crackered (having been at work all day) to do anything other than sleep Some people have no manners or consideration.

 

My everyday carry is my Fountainbel-Conid Bulkfiller (Demonstrator version) with its M-stub titanium nib. This is rotated with my MB 149 F nib (personalised.......naturally ) However, the pen that simply forces me to write.........anything, anywhere, is my Waterman 42 with its XF-BB 14C nib. This pen simply excites me.

 

The Waterman is backed up by another magnificent vintage nib, an F-BB 14C on a Swan SF2. I could go on and on but I know you guys get the picture. My colleagues at work know when I have one of these pens in my hand........I'm the silly bloke sat on his own with that smug, silly grin on his face. Bothered?

 

Edit - I have just arrived at work and unpacked my pens in readiness........how on earth could I have forgotten to mention my Onoto 4601 with its paintbrush for a nib!!!

 

Don't you just love fountain pens!

 

Pavoni.

 

This was actually a new order from John which meant it got pushed to the front of his line. I ordered the Falcon from him with the customization so i didnt have to wait. I would really like to see his spencarian on a Soft Nakaya nib, i would really consider that for my next purchase, alas i dont have any free funds at the moment because im paying off debt, 1/4 of which i accrued thanks to these blasted fountain pens!

[WirlWind]

If you'll pardon the sloppy handwriting (Pen is a very dark blue, hard to portray the colour correctly. It's my everyday notes pen, thus the boring ink colour choice.)

 

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/WirlWind494/20140131_120911.jpg

[pajaro]

I would say that the Parker 61 and 51 are better than most of those other pens.

[TSherbs]

My burgundy Italix Parsons Essential!

[RitchieMac]

Pilot Elabo or Namiki Falcon Metal SM (soft medium). Very different from all my other modern fountain pens - soft, wet and smooth nib, with great ergonomics, weight and balance.

Edited January 31, 2014 by RitchieMac

[Medsen Fey]

1.1 kilometre wide nib!?! Boy, I have never seen one that big... Very special indeed.

 

Richard.

Well if you think that's impressive, you should see the notebook I use it with to write!

[bernardo]

That would be my MB 149 BB...

[hungh]

My recently acquired FC #27.

That medium italic nib just calls out to you...like a siren luring you in or something.

[Tas]

My recently acquired FC #27.

That medium italic nib just calls out to you...like a siren luring you in or something.

 

Ooo, please post a writing sample. I'm planning on buying a FC Model 25 but can't decide on a nib . . .