Looking For The Ideal Pen For Japanese Ef Nib - Advice Please!

[bellsbells]

Hi all, I'm a relative newbie when it comes to fountain pens but I've had a few for many years that saw little use until I started using a journal and decided to go full fountain pen for my writing. The pens I already had were all quite wide, so I bought several more in the past month in my quest for the "one." It would seem that I'm extremely partial to the finest of extra fine nibs.

 

My ideal pen would have:

1. A nib that makes a razor thin line

2. A slightly weighty, thin to medium body, preferably metal and minimalistic in design (i.e.not curvy, bullet-shaped, or ornately fashioned)

3. A click-on (i.e. not screw) cap that is postable

4. A price of under $200

 

Here's what I currently own:

Kaweco AL Sport EF

Kaweco Sport M

Pelikano (vintage and nib size not indicated but seems F to M)

Pilot Decimo EF

Pilot Prera F

Pilot Metropolitan F

TWSBI Eco EF

Platinum Plaisir F

Platinum Preppy EF 0.2

Sailor HighAce Neo F4

Platinum Desk Pen EF

Pilot Penmanship EF

 

Of all of these, my 3 favorite nibs are, in order of preference, the Penmanship EF, the Platinum Desk Pen EF, and the Decimo EF. (Surprisingly, the Preppy EF 0.2 is wider than these 3!) The Penmanship nib is just wonderful and I even love the "ergo" grip because it makes me hold the pen in the ideal position. But I hate the ugly plastic barrel and how lightweight it feels in my hand. Same goes for the Platinum Desk pen. The Decimo has a great feel and I really love it but, but the nib isn't quite fine enough for my taste and I don't like the way writing with it feels compared to the other two. Picky one, I am!

 

So that brings me to my question, which is about which other pen bodies that fit my criteria would be compatible with the Penmanship and/or Platinum Desk Pen nibs (or a comparable nib that I may not have heard of)? I've already tried the Penmanship nib in my Metropolitan and Prera, but the Metro is too curved/bullet shaped for my liking, and the Prera, while I *love* the straight, sleek look of it, is as lightweight as the Penmanship.

 

I've searched high and low for this info on this forum and elsewhere but haven't come up with any other options. I do hope some of the knowledgeable forum members will chime in with advice! Thanks in advance.

 

 

[Bluey]

I don't think there are many metal Japanese pens. The only ones that comes to mind other than the Metro are the metal Falcon, VP which you already have, Pilot m90, and a vintage Pilot Elite. You may have a hard time getting the latter two for a good price.

 

There's the Pilot Elite 95s and the Pilot Falcon. The latter is probably the best fit, but it doesn't have a snap cap and the former will float away if it's not tied down it's so light.

Edited February 14, 2017 by Bluey

[LizEF]

The metal Falcon, with SEF nib, would write extremely fine (just as fine, I think, as the Penmanship). I have multiple Penmanships and a resin Falcon SEF. If necessary, I can ink up the Falcon to compare, but my memory says it's just as fine (when you put no pressure on it), but it's a very different feel from the Penmanship, given that the nib is soft.

[Flounder]

Maybe the old Pilot Custom, the steel cap and barrel one (though you would not be able to swap nibs with the penmanship).

[LizEF]

The metal Falcon, with SEF nib, would write extremely fine (just as fine, I think, as the Penmanship). I have multiple Penmanships and a resin Falcon SEF. If necessary, I can ink up the Falcon to compare, but my memory says it's just as fine (when you put no pressure on it), but it's a very different feel from the Penmanship, given that the nib is soft.

 

Oh, sorry, this one has a screw-cap.

[bellsbells]

Thanks for the ideas! I can handle a screw cap if the pen is right for me. I'll have a look at the Falcon, but what is the deal with the soft fine nib? I'm not familiar with soft nibs. Do they make thicker lines when more pressure is applied?

No ideas about pens that the Platinum Desk Pen nib would work with, or other Platinum pens with a comparable nib?

Thanks again!

[OmegaMountain]

A quick look at the desk pen nib leads me to believe it's specific to that pen in Platinum's lineup. It's gold plated steel and an odd shape that looks semi-hooded. Have you considered a Platinum 3776 Century in Ultra Extra Fine or Extra Fine? Meets much of your criteria. You could also get a Sailor 1911 mid or Pro Gear Slim in Extra Fine.

Edited February 14, 2017 by OmegaMountain

[ethernautrix]

Might try a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 (PO) (posting) nib. Very stiff and very extra fine and can be bought for ~150USD via Japanese vendors. I bought mine a year ago from Komamono Honpo through Rakuten - and just ordered another one.

Edited February 14, 2017 by ethernautrix

[LizEF]

I'll have a look at the Falcon, but what is the deal with the soft fine nib? I'm not familiar with soft nibs. Do they make thicker lines when more pressure is applied?

 

Yes, they make wider lines as more pressure is applied, but they aren't true flex and don't have that range of line variation. And they're not so soft that it's hard to maintain a fine line - if you want wider, you have to intentionally apply pressure. If you google Pilot Falcon, you'll see some videos and examples of what it can do (but be aware that some of those are using a modified nib and may show a wider variation than is possible with a stock nib). I love mine, FWIW.

 

Pretty much any quality Japanese pen is going to have the option of getting an EF nib, and Platinum does have an Ultra Extra Fine nib on at least one pen. Pretty sure for stock nibs, you'll want to stick with the Japanese brands, though someone may know of the odd exception from other brands.

[aeba]

*snip*

Pretty much any quality Japanese pen is going to have the option of getting an EF nib, and Platinum does have an Ultra Extra Fine nib on at least one pen. Pretty sure for stock nibs, you'll want to stick with the Japanese brands, though someone may know of the odd exception from other brands.

Franklin-Christoph something with a needlepoint nib? Although I don't think that they fit this thread because other reasons.

[bellsbells]

A quick look at the desk pen nib leads me to believe it's specific to that pen in Platinum's lineup. It's gold plated steel and an odd shape that looks semi-hooded. Have you considered a Platinum 3776 Century in Ultra Extra Fine or Extra Fine? Meets much of your criteria. You could also get a Sailor 1911 mid or Pro Gear Slim in Extra Fine.

I checked out the Platinum 3776 and that nib looks fine-olicious, but I'm not feeling love for the looks of the pen, nor the fact that since it's resin it's probably quite light. I can't bear to part with $150 just for the nib.

 

Might try a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 (PO) (posting) nib. Very stiff and very extra fine and can be bought for ~150USD via Japanese vendors. I bought mine a year ago from Komamono Honpo through Rakuten - and just ordered another one.

I'm afraid of flex nibs! I don't have enough control to keep a consistent fine line.

 

 

Yes, they make wider lines as more pressure is applied, but they aren't true flex and don't have that range of line variation. And they're not so soft that it's hard to maintain a fine line - if you want wider, you have to intentionally apply pressure. If you google Pilot Falcon, you'll see some videos and examples of what it can do (but be aware that some of those are using a modified nib and may show a wider variation than is possible with a stock nib). I love mine, FWIW.

 

Pretty much any quality Japanese pen is going to have the option of getting an EF nib, and Platinum does have an Ultra Extra Fine nib on at least one pen. Pretty sure for stock nibs, you'll want to stick with the Japanese brands, though someone may know of the odd exception from other brands.

 

I'm surprised that you say it's not hard to keep a fine line. I watched some video and read reviews since your first post, and it seemed like the nib was really made to show variation?

 

OmegaMountain: Do you know how the nibs on the Sailor 1911 mid and Pro Gear Slim in Extra Fine compare to the Sailor HighAce Neo (Fine/Fa)? I find the latter writes wonderfully but the line is definitely not an extra fine (I bought it on recommendations that it was like an EF and was disappointed).

 

Thanks for the ideas. I'm starting to think there might not be any more options within my price range. I wonder if there's a way to hack a pen to give it more weight? The Prera with the Penmanship nib in it would tick all of my boxes if only it weren't so darn lightweight.

SaveSave

[LizEF]

I'm surprised that you say it's not hard to keep a fine line. I watched some video and read reviews since your first post, and it seemed like the nib was really made to show variation?

 

The Falcon nib is indeed designed to allow for line variation, but I don't find it difficult at all to use it at its finest - I've used it that way to take notes between lines and in the margins of a pre-printed agenda, and I didn't have to concentrate on not getting line variation; rather, when I want line variation, I have to orient the pen differently from how I usually do, and intentionally apply pressure (it's not hard, but it doesn't happen automatically).

[OmegaMountain]

I only have one Sailor and it's a FM modified for flex. It writes a nice line, but I'm not a super fine nib guy, so I don't have much in way of comparison. I want to get something in a Japanese ex fine and have been thinking of going that way once I decide to get a Nakaya, but I can't help much right now. I can tell you my Pilot Falcon SF nib is definitely a smidge finer than my Sailor but the Sailor is far more flexible due to the modifications. You may seriously want to look at Franklin-Christoph and their Marietta.

Edited February 14, 2017 by OmegaMountain

[bellsbells]

Ooh I like the Marietta! I see from the F-C website that it can be ordered with the needlepoint nib (they say their EF is about .4mm which by my standards is basically wide). Only drawback that I can tell so far: it's lightweight. I weighed my Prera and it's about 17g, whereas the Marietta is 22. Negligeable difference. But the Prera is also very short, so perhaps the Marietta would be more balanced in the hand. I'm not familiar with this brand, are they sold in stores?

[cattar]

bells - The extra-fines in Japanese brands or the FC needlepoint will be similar to the Neo. If you use pressure in writing, the soft EF of the Falcon is not for you. Weight in a pen is tiring for extended writing, but you could consider adding weight around a cartridge/converter with metal washers from a hardware store or lead weights from a craft or fishing store.

 

omega - an _ex fine must be a custom grind.

 

 

eta. The FC Masuyama customized needlepoint is about .25. I've written with one, a lovely nib.

Edited February 15, 2017 by cattar

[OmegaMountain]

Most of the nibs you're tending toward will be in light pens unless you buy something western and have a custom nib ground. Franklin-Christoph is a direct sell manufacturer so you can only order their items through them with one or two items as exceptions. I suggested it because of the nib options and slip cap. Their pens are nice and get good reviews.

 

Cattar - I was just abbreviating

Extra Fine? Unless you noticed my autocorrect typo from earlier which I corrected...

[ethernautrix]

The Pilot PO is the opposite of a flex nib. It is the most exquisite nail. Very extra-fine line. The Custom Heritage 912 has a screw-cap, though. Handsome, not blingy, looks.

 

*Smiley*

Edited February 15, 2017 by ethernautrix

[bellsbells]

bells - The extra-fines in Japanese brands or the FC needlepoint will be similar to the Neo. If you use pressure in writing, the soft EF of the Falcon is not for you. Weight in a pen is tiring for extended writing, but you could consider adding weight around a cartridge/converter with metal washers from a hardware store or lead weights from a craft or fishing store.

 

eta. The FC Masuyama customized needlepoint is about .25. I've written with one, a lovely nib.

I'm a bit confused, if the FC needlepoint is similar to the Neo, then it's not really very fine at all...? And is the Masuyama version different?

 

 

Most of the nibs you're tending toward will be in light pens unless you buy something western and have a custom nib ground. Franklin-Christoph is a direct sell manufacturer so you can only order their items through them with one or two items as exceptions. I suggested it because of the nib options and slip cap. Their pens are nice and get good reviews.

 

Thanks again, I might try out the FC!

 

The Pilot PO is the opposite of a flex nib. It is the most exquisite nail. Very extra-fine line. The Custom Heritage 912 has a screw-cap, though. Handsome, not blingy, looks.

 

*Smiley*

I'm learning a lot from this thread! Never heard of the PO before and having researched a bit, it sounds like my dream nib. Problem is that I don't love the form factor of the 912 and it's over my price range too. I wish the nibs were more inter-compatible between pens. I stumbled on a pic of the Custom 92 and love the way it looks as well as the piston mechanism, but I can't seem to find if either the Penmanship nib or the PO (assuming it's possible to buy just the nib) would fit it.

[bigkahuna]

**DELETED**

 

Never mind, I see that you've already tried what I was going to recommend.

Edited February 17, 2017 by bigkahuna

[OmegaMountain]

bellsbells: The Franklin-Christoph needlepoint is the only needlepoint they offer and is custom ground by Mike Masuyama. He is one of the best nibmeisters in the U.S. and that's why the pen costs more with that nib. I know nothing of the Neo, but a Masuyama needlepoint is going to be a very fine nib.

Edited February 18, 2017 by OmegaMountain