<9mm grips

[Asteris]

I'm trying to find an upgrade from my pilot mr. I had a chance to try out a friend's pen, a pelikan m200 with tear-drop nib, which has a 9mm grip(according to goulet.com).from the first page of writing I suffered hand cramps. Same fate with a faber-castell grip model, which has an even bigger grip section. In my search for a prn with small grip section I found only one. Any suggestions?

[zwiron]

You may want to cast a hard look at the "metal on wood" tm2 Classic by Gazing Far, from Taiwan Isle. Coming from Pilot I suspect you might be real picky over nib size and qualities. But this pen model may well fit your prerequisites of a narrow grip diameter coupled with a luxury upgrade feel.
The one that I own has a two-tone plated #5 fine nib by Schmidt that writes very smooth, the line width it gives is still a tad too wide though for it to become a favorite. In due time I'll probably want to inquire after a possible EF replacement nib. Otherwise I like it well.
I'll refrain from listing other properties and link to a decent review with good pictures instead, to give you a better idea of the package.

 

And by the way, its barrel does have an interior liner one that's made of metal. Brass I'd say from the yellowish shine of it. I don't think they mentioned that in their specs.

And it's not widely available in penstores either.

 

[A Smug Dill]

Since you're looking for something that is an ‘upgrade’ from the Pilot MR, let's ignore all the slender HongDian and Jinhao models. I'd suggest:

• Lamy cp1
• models in Platinum's Vicoh line, including the discontinued PTL-5000A, and PB-2500 (which is not a Vicoh model, but nevertheless shares the exact type of gripping section, nib, and feed with the Vicoh models) if you can find retailers with stock of them, but there are certainly some models still in current production
• Pelikan M300 (which has been long discontinued, but I know of at least one retailer that has new-old-stock; I checked just now)

[CoolBreeze]

8 hours ago, Asteris said:

I'm trying to find an upgrade from my pilot mr. I had a chance to try out a friend's pen, a pelikan m200 with tear-drop nib, which has a 9mm grip(according to goulet.com).from the first page of writing I suffered hand cramps. Same fate with a faber-castell grip model, which has an even bigger grip section. In my search for a prn with small grip section I found only one. Any suggestions?

Depending on where you grip it, the Lamy 2000 can go down incredibly small.

 

Also - the Lamy Al-star/Safari are incredibly small. 8.9 on goulet - That being said, goulet measures it at approximately the middle of section (I think). So look at the shape of the section and if you can find one that tapers and it is slightly over 9mm, it might work for you.

[chromantic]

Check this thread 

Alexwi (2nd reply) has a pretty comprehensive list.

 

The slim Targa/Fashion I/TRZ use discontinued carts and converters that may be hard to find. (I had read that these were basically a re-badged Sailor Chalana, so their c/c's should fit, but I can't find anything about that now.) A fare  amount of NOS floating around on ebay at pretty reasonable prices and should include a converter. Many used ones will include an empty cart. Chalanas can be pretty pricey - $300+ - though I saw a few for under $100 and the slim carts are abundant.

 

The Hastil uses Parker carts (or the later slim, tapering converter), as do the various Parker models, of course. The 50 Falcon is a real beauty and it's small, like a 3/4-sized 45.

 

The Noblese is a Hastil knock-off, initially made under license from Aurora; it uses standard international carts.

[InesF]

Hi @Asteris, I can understand your desire.

I also love thin pens (to be like pencils). However, meanwhile I adapted well to more girthy pens, such as the Pelikan M600. it's a steady development ...

 

Slim pens you can still get:

Lamy CP1 (it can be equiped with a Lamy gold nib - a real upgrade!)

Cross Century II / Botanica / Wanderlust / Townsend models

Waterman Executive and Exclusive (vintage, but easy available on second hand marked with gold nib for ca. 110 €)

Waterman Hemisphere (which is slim, but I find the grip uncomfortable; I don't like it so much)

Venustas (Venuvstas) Carbon-T

Kaweco Liliput / Supra models

 

Good luck!

[chromantic]

I just got a slim Targa and it is even slimmer than a Hastil, by 2-3mm - the Targa cap can actually slip into the Hasti's cap.

 

I have a Parker 180 on order so it will be interesting to compare that when it arrives.

 

A fairly slim currently-made pen I don't think has been mentioned is the Sailor High Ace Neo, ~$15 on ebay.