If you could only have one pen

[Stew]

My Lamy 2000 XF.

 

Agreed. I'd take my Lamy 2000 XF any day. I have a quite a few pens, but I've found myself using it almost exclusively in the past few months.

[Belan]

It's funny, but I'd actually pick one of my least expensive pens: A Cross Apogee with a fine nib. Next to my Delta Tuareg, it's the smoothest nib I've got, but the Delta has a broad nib on it, which just isn't practical for most of my writing.

 

The Cross Apogee is smooth as silk, hasn't had an issue with any of the inks I've put in it, looks fantastic (very modern), has excellent flow, low cost (around $120), and still has an 18k nib. Probably the best pen purchase I've made, really.

[Doug Add]

1928 Cardinal Red Parker Duofold Jr.

 

When capped it is small enough to fit in just about any size shirt pocket, yet with the cap posted it is a comfortable length for writing. This pen, along with my Namiki Impressions, fits my hand perfectly. I can write page after page with no hand fatigue.

 

The fine nib is a delight to use--just right ink flow, never a hesitation or skip, writes every time it touches a page, smooth, but still lets you know you are writing on paper.

 

Not to mention that it has already survived pretty much intact for nearly 80 years. I don't think it will have any difficulty lasting the rest of my days!

[kenny]

149 with a fine nib.

 

[Denny]

From my current collection, I would take either Waterman Charleston or Sheaffer Prelude - which one depends on the astrological circumstances at the moment of decision. But when my Parker 100 is back, the decision is easy, the one and only Parker 100 (I hope).

[Leigh R]

I can't answer this question! Argh!

[Dylan]

The most difficult question anyone could ask me, happy to give an answer if I can give a new answer everyday.

 

Today it would be my 146 with XF nib.

[gregoron]

Right now, it's a vintage Aurora 888 F nib with Pelikan black. Very simple to use and elegant to look at. Writes smoothly too, after a good flushing and nib tuning.

[KClaw]

1945 Parker 51 DJ in Mustard w/ medium/fine nib and Empire State Heirloom Cap.

This is my "Holy Grail."

If the answer were to be confined to what I actually own, it would be my 1945 Parker 51 DJ in India Black with smooth gold 14K Heirloom cap and 14K trim. It puts down a great wet fine line and is as smooth as glass. And it is one elegant pen.

[ppenloverr]

I know. It’s a traumatic question. Here are the criteria:

 

1. It has to be a pen that you like to write with, not just look at.

 

2. Sentimental value does not apply in this survey. I’m only interested in the one pen you like to use best based on its form.

 

3. Specify the nib

 

For the record, I know that there is no one best pen- and that certain pens are better for certain things. But humor me! You only get one pen for letter or journal writing for the rest of your life. What would yours be?

 

Ahem, and no qualifiers. For example- if Pelikan made the m425 the length of an 800, keeping the 400 diameter, and a 0.5mm stub, that would be my ideal pen. But it doesn’t count, as the 425 is too short for me unspotted, and too heavy with the cap.

 

What would you choose?

 

-Ryan

well difficult question but maybe currently appart from my phileas i really like right now my parker slender televisor with medium a bit flex nib in green. a delight to write with and very good performance for a pen c 1937

[Mescof1]

Parker Duofold - Fine nib - customized by Binder

 

 

 

 

Mescoff

[Romeo Dog]

Mabie Todd Swan twist filler with Swan Eternal 14c # 4 nib.

 

 

[tnt]

Yard 'O Led Viceroy with a M NIB. If there is a Fountain Pen that could last the rest of my life this would be the one!

[juhtolv]

 

Ready-made solution would be: My black Waterman Philéas. It has Fine nib.

 

If I could have my nibs re-ground, then choice would be my Pelikan M200 translucent antracite. It has fine nib and I would have it ground to XF or or even XXF.

 

If I could buy any pen for that purpose, it would be probably all-black Pelikan M800 or M1000 with XF nib. If needed, I would have it ground to XXF.

 

[CharlieB]

Waterman Man 100, black with gold trim

 

OR

 

Pelikan M800, black with gold trim

 

OR

 

Dupont Orpheo, large size, black with gold trim

[I am not a number]

One pen?

 

*shudders*

[WhosYerBob]

Conklin New Nozac with B nib ground to a chisel point by Ward Dunham. The very best writer I've yet experienced.

Edited December 13, 2007 by WhosYerBob

[piembi]

Vintage Pelikan 400 with one of those smooth wet semiflex medium nibs.

But whicht colour? Green or tortoise? Both are beautiful ....

[telltime]

Vacumatic O.S. or Maxima. Yep, even over a 51. But 51 would be a very close second!

[krz]

My black Sheaffer Jr. size White Dot Balance (Fat) with a Lifetime firm fine/extra-fine nib.