Modern Duofold Broads And Obliques

[adim]

Hi all!

 

I recently became interested in modern Duofolds (Centennial and Prestige editions, to be precise) and I also started loving broad nibs since I purchased my Montblanc 149 which writes almost like a double broad.

 

Since I couldn't find any resources online, I thought of starting this thread. Can any of you share images and impressions of modern Duofold broad and extra broad nibs? Also, another thought that I have is to get an oblique broad, as I really love those found in Montblanc 146, so any thoughts on the Duofold obliques are much appreciated.

 

My experience is very limited in general and close to zero in terms of Parker, so if you could accompany your replies with comparisons to Montblanc 146 and 149 and Pelikan M800 and M1000, that would be great, since those are the only other pens that I own.

 

I've been reading that Duofolds write very wet and generally on the broader side (medium-like fines, broad-like mediums etc.), but couldn't find convincing pictures or more testimony of that.

 

Thank you!

 

EDIT: Also, I would like to insist on modern editions. I'm only considering buying new, from the shop currently, so comparisons or advice regarding vintage editions would not be quite helpful.

Edited April 12, 2019 by adim

[hood]

I can't comment on the broad nibs, nor on Montbanc and Pelikan, but as no-one else has replied I will offer this. I have found the modern Duofold nibs to be wet and on the broader side, both Centennials and Internationals. I have mediums for both that I would call broad, and I also have what Parker term 'needlepoint' for both (nib code 80) which to me are no finer than an extra fine. Certainly comparing these nibs to say a Parker 45 or Parker 75, the mediums are like a broad on those older pens, and the needlepoints put down the same line as the P45/75 extra fine, and that's only after I've tuned them to reduce the flow. I've also written with a fine and extra fine on the modern Duofold which seemed more like medium and fine respectively, so there seems to be consistency through the range.

 

I will also mention that my experience is the same with the older nibs as the newer ones - the Centennial medium and needlepoint I have are the older arrow design, and the International medium and needlepoint are the newer banner design.

 

[OCArt]

Just to share some information on nib availability. I purchased a new Duofold Centennial last fall and was excited to see the various nib options online that I could exchange the new pen for. I sent the pen off to Parker in France asking them for a BBB, BB or OB. Was told that only B and F were available. Too bad their offerings are now so limited! Best to buy the pen with the nib size you want.

[adim]

I can't comment on the broad nibs, nor on Montbanc and Pelikan, but as no-one else has replied I will offer this. I have found the modern Duofold nibs to be wet and on the broader side, both Centennials and Internationals. I have mediums for both that I would call broad, and I also have what Parker term 'needlepoint' for both (nib code 80) which to me are no finer than an extra fine. Certainly comparing these nibs to say a Parker 45 or Parker 75, the mediums are like a broad on those older pens, and the needlepoints put down the same line as the P45/75 extra fine, and that's only after I've tuned them to reduce the flow. I've also written with a fine and extra fine on the modern Duofold which seemed more like medium and fine respectively, so there seems to be consistency through the range.

 

I will also mention that my experience is the same with the older nibs as the newer ones - the Centennial medium and needlepoint I have are the older arrow design, and the International medium and needlepoint are the newer banner design.

 

 

 

Thanks for the reply! This is in line with what I've been reading, namely that their nibs are usually on the broader side, so this is good to know.

 

Just to share some information on nib availability. I purchased a new Duofold Centennial last fall and was excited to see the various nib options online that I could exchange the new pen for. I sent the pen off to Parker in France asking them for a BBB, BB or OB. Was told that only B and F were available. Too bad their offerings are now so limited! Best to buy the pen with the nib size you want.

 

I'm surprised this happened to you, since as far as I can see, both the official website of Parker and a couple of retailers I usually visit (TheWritingDesk in the UK and La Couronne du Comte in the Netherlands) list extra broads and obliques (no BBB though). Appelboom in the NL also offers replacement nibs which can be obliques as well.

 

Nevertheless, I am considering buying the pen exactly with the nib I want, which would save a lot of hassle, of course. If I discover that the listings on the webshops are fake or they cannot honor the order as I placed it, I will cancel it, of course.

[whichwatch]

The writing samples below compare a Montblanc 146 OBB with a Parker Duofold Centennial Extra Broad Oblique. Both samples are written with Visconti Blue ink on Franklin Christoph paper.

 

I find the Montblanc nib a bit softer than the Parker, which are generally extremely stiff. The Duofold nib seems a bit more crisp and not quite as broad as the MB.

 

The closest Pelikan 800 nib I have is a BB, which is not really an apples to apples comparison with these two. I think it writes similar to the MB, although given that it is not an oblique does not provide as much line variation.

 

I believe FPN software reduces the size of the sample, but if you click on it, it will enlarge for a closer comparison.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B3C27F433-45D9-43D3-B08B-501E169B4E9F%7D/origpict/img001.jpg

[adim]

The writing samples below compare a Montblanc 146 OBB with a Parker Duofold Centennial Extra Broad Oblique. Both samples are written with Visconti Blue ink on Franklin Christoph paper.

 

I find the Montblanc nib a bit softer than the Parker, which are generally extremely stiff. The Duofold nib seems a bit more crisp and not quite as broad as the MB.

 

The closest Pelikan 800 nib I have is a BB, which is not really an apples to apples comparison with these two. I think it writes similar to the MB, although given that it is not an oblique does not provide as much line variation.

 

I believe FPN software reduces the size of the sample, but if you click on it, it will enlarge for a closer comparison.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B3C27F433-45D9-43D3-B08B-501E169B4E9F%7D/origpict/img001.jpg

 

That's a great comparison, thank you so much for it and the comments as well!

 

In 146 terms, I'm more a fan of the OB for everyday writing and as I can see in the picture and as you mention, the Parker line seems a bit narrower and with a bit more character (more line variation).

 

That looks promising. Currently, I cannot completely convince myself to get a Duofold, after getting used to the piston filling mechanism of the Montblancs and Pelikans. But the Duofold Prestige Burgundy that I'm eyeing is such a great looking pen that I can't take my mind off it.

 

One more remark: I couldn't access the picture you uploaded without looking into this page's source, so if anyone else has that problem, here's the direct link.