King of pen (KOP) as daily writer and ink capacity

[Daniel K]

Hey guys,

I am new to this forum (and to quality FPs), so sorry if I am asking already answered questions, but I couldn't find anything related via the search option.

First my situation. I study law and I am learning towards my final exams in 12 month. For the preparation I have to write about 20 - 40 pages every day, for the next 12 month. For this time and for the exams I wanted to get a good fountain pen. So, right now I am using a Pilot Custom 823 medium. I love the smooth medium nib, but I tend to write smaller, so fine would have been better. Anyways, I got this one, because of the smoothness of the nib and of the ink capacity.

My Problem: The 823 is too small. I get cramps in my hands after 30 minutes and this hurts a lot.

So, I wanted to get a bigger pen, and I wanna get a Sailor KOP Profit. But I can't test it before I buy it, they are not available in Germany. I am searching for 5 days now, but no one says anything about if it is usable as a daily writer and for long writing sessions (8h+).

Question 1: Do you think that a KOP Profit is suited for 8h writing sessions - daily - or is it way too big and exhaustive for the hand ?
(Given, that I am average 186 cm tall and my hands are not out of proportion ... :wave: )

Now, I know that it has just 0.6ml of ink, but I don't mind to refill it with my Pineider Refiller (...awesome tool...) several times per day (...so much fun...) and I will use cartridges during the exams anyways.

Question 2: Isn't the whole debate about the ink capacity of the KOP at least a bit obsolete, given the existence of the Pineider Refiller now?


Now, a bit off topic. Isn't it possible to screw off the piston part of the converter and screw on a test tube with several ml as a converter modification? Didn't find anything on that. Test tubes nowadays have screw caps (no glue or something like that necessary) and come in packages of 100s, would be quite useful...

Thanks a lot and sorry if I asked utterly nonsensical and unrelated questions...

[mulrich]

I've never tried writing with a KOP for that long of a writing session but I've never had a problem in shorter sessions. The ink capacity thing will get old if you're refilling several times a day for the next year. Have you considered a Conid Kingsize? It's similar size as the KOP but has a massive ink capacity.

[suzy01]

I have not tried the pens you mentioned but my twsbi vac700r seems to go for ages without needing to be refilled. The EF nib is very smooth too.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Elim]

In my opinion, with that volume of writing ahead of you, you might want to look at something with a much higher volume of ink than a standard cartridge or converter or you will be swapping/refiling every page or 3. I would look into an eyedropper filler of some kind. There are a lot of vintage pieces you can find or even go low tech and add an o ring and silicon grease to the section of a basic sheaffer no nonsense cartridge filler (omit th cart) ultra lightweight, would hold an ton of ink and the basic steel nibs are pretty nice. There are several people that reshape/grind nibs. talk with one of them for the job. Then save the high end beauties for post degree daily work.

You can score a NN in ebay for $20 +/- for the most part.

[Elim]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=sheaffer+no+nonsense+extra+fine+nib+unit&_sacat=0

[jar]

I get far more than two or three pages from a single Sailor cartridge and it's easy to carry a couple boxes of such in your pocket. The King of Pen is great for long term sessions but of the two styles I prefer the ProGear to the ProFit. The former is slightly shorter and seems just a hair more balanced during extended sessions.


ProFit models on left, ProGear models on right. In each case the KoP model is the larger:
http://www.fototime.com/C64F78543FCA41C/medium800.jpg

A few other wider body pens. From top; Platinum Izumo, Sailor KoP, Nakaya Portable Writer, Danitrio Takumi and the Pilot 745 (same size as Pilot 823):

http://www.fototime.com/3C65A9D236DCDD8/medium800.jpg

[KBeezie]

... with a much higher volume of ink than a standard cartridge or converter or you will be swapping/refiling every page or 3. ...


... is everyone writing with a super wide and wet music nib or something to only last 3 or less pages?

And far as hand fatigue goes, seems like lighter is better.

[steelpanalley]

My Problem: The 823 is too small. I get cramps in my hands after 30 minutes and this hurts a lot.

So, I wanted to get a bigger pen, and I wanna get a Sailor KOP Profit. But I can't test it before I buy it, they are not available in Germany. I am searching for 5 days now, but no one says anything about if it is usable as a daily writer and for long writing sessions (8h+).

I think you are looking for a fountain pen with bigger diameter at the section.

Pilot 823's diameter at the section (min/max) is 10.2-11.2 mm (millimeters) [http://www.sbrebrown.com/2015/04/pilot-custom-823-soft-medium-fountain-pen-review].

Sailor KOP's diameter at section (min/max) is 12.1-13 mm [https://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/pens/fountain-pens/sailor-king-of-pen-ebonite-gold-trim.html].

It would be good if you can hold the pen in your hand first to feel if it's comfortable and that you can write with it for hours. Of course the Sailor KOP can be used as daily writer.

Other fountain pens with fatter section are:

Lotus Shikhar (https://www.lotuspens.com) has a diameter section (min/max) of 12.5-13.2 mm. [http://www.sbrebrown.com/2018/07/lotus-shikhar-ebonite-fountain-pen-review]

Namiki Emperor Urushi Vermillion’s section’s diameter is 12.9 – 15.5 mm [http://www.sbrebrown.com/2017/03/namiki-emperor-urushi-vermillion-fountain-pen-review]

The Namiki Emperor Urushi Vermillion is an expensive pen.

Now, a bit off topic. Isn't it possible to screw off the piston part of the converter and screw on a test tube with several ml as a converter modification? Didn't find anything on that. Test tubes nowadays have screw caps (no glue or something like that necessary) and come in packages of 100s, would be quite useful...

If you want to, you can cut off a piece of a converter and attach a fountain pen sac using shellac for fountain pen. Hopefully this link, http://stutler.cc/pens/converters/index.html, can be of any help.

[mitchell]

I've never tried writing with a KOP for that long of a writing session but I've never had a problem in shorter sessions. The ink capacity thing will get old if you're refilling several times a day for the next year. Have you considered a Conid Kingsize? It's similar size as the KOP but has a massive ink capacity.

I’ll second that recommendation. The Kingsize CONID has a large diameter section and huge capacity.

[davoud]

[QUOTE=Daniel K;252664]
Now, I know that it has just 0.6ml of ink, but I don't mind to refill it with my Pineider Refiller (...awesome tool...) several times per day (...so much fun...) and I will use cartridges during the exams anyways.

The precise ink capacity of a Sailor KOP measured on a scale is: 0.95ml to 1ml once you expel the residual air bubble.
If you wonder how this is, keep in mind that the nib and the feeder are huge.
Pilot 823: 1.6 to 2.5ml
Pelikan M1000: 2.03ml
Montblanc 146:2.1ml

[KBeezie]

Now, a bit off topic. Isn't it possible to screw off the piston part of the converter and screw on a test tube with several ml as a converter modification? Didn't find anything on that. Test tubes nowadays have screw caps (no glue or something like that necessary) and come in packages of 100s, would be quite useful...

It's possible when you think about how the barrel seems to be one seamless piece, but I don't think it was designed with that in mind.

On possible part of the pen I could see an issue with it not being possible is the area on the outside of the nipple where the converter connects. The tail of this nipple ends up inside of the converter which is pretty deep and pretty well sealed once it's inside of the converter. But the area in the outer circumference of the nipple/tail that goes up and around the feed housing is not likely sealed or air tight. (Platinum is a different story, but a lot of theirs don't have one seamless barrel without joints, with the exception of the expensive celluloid/urushi models).

Your suggestion to modify a sailor converter by simply unscrewing the rear portion would be a good one if you threw on an extra length of silicone or latex sac, since you can just shellac it to the very end of the converter wouldn't have to 'cut' anything since the provided link is more for short pens. You would be able to double if not triple the capacity with the length of sac hanging off the end once you got a good measurement of how deep it can go in the barrel (just make sure it's got some room around it).



The precise ink capacity of a Sailor KOP measured on a scale is: 0.95ml to 1ml once you expel the residual air bubble.
If you wonder how this is, keep in mind that the nib and the feeder are huge.
Pilot 823: 1.6 to 2.5ml
Pelikan M1000: 2.03ml
Montblanc 146:2.1ml

The ink capacity for both the Montblanc 146 and 149 (modern) is 1.3~1.4ml similar to the Pelikan M1000 (1.5) M800/M600 (1.4), M200/M400 (1.2). My Vintage 1960s Montblanc 14 holds more at 1.6~1.7, and my vintage 1956 Pelikan 400NN at 1.9~2.0. What's left in the feed is at best 0.1~0.2ml, since those are not by any means huge collectors like you'd find in a Parker 51 Vac or Parker 75/45.

[Barry B. Gabay]

Hello Daniel K,

The Sailor King of Pen is a very comfortable & reliable fountain for extensive daily use. I nearly always have one filled on my desk, and spend at least 90 minutes a day writing. That is certainly far shorter than your writing schedule. Before retirement, I wrote 4 to 5 hours daily, and the KoP was comfortable for that length of time. I generally use cartridges in KoPs. My hands are not large.

Another consideration is an older Montblanc 149, from 1990 or earlier, one with non-metal piston threads. Those are very similar to the KoP in size & weight with a far greater ink capacity.

By the way, according to Anderson Pens (and Brian Anderson is a Sailor authority and serious KoP fan) the Pineder Snorkle filler does not fit Sailor converters.

Good luck with your search and with your law studies & career. Best wishes, Barry

[davoud]

Buy a scale, weight the pens empty then weigh them again when filled with ink, you will see that my indicated figures are trustworthy.
M800 is 1.5 to 1.6ml , M400 and M600 are 1.65 to 1.75ml.
I have two electronic scales. Despite being chinese they can't be both wrong.
n.b. You get a better ink capacity when you fill/empty/refill again.
A forced emptied pen has a capacity of about 0.2 to 0.4ml depending on the brand and the model, etc.. enough to write 5 A5 pages or 20 meters. Tried and observed with about 30 pens.

[FredRydr]

As much as I like fountain pens, I just cannot imagine wanting to screw around with a fountain pen during law finals.

[KBeezie]

A forced emptied pen has a capacity of about 0.2 to 0.4ml depending on the brand and the model, etc.. enough to write 5 A5 pages or 20 meters.

Something's going on if someone can only get 3 or less pages out then from a fill. (assuming that's 5 A5 pages with a specific nib size)

[azkid]

They key is "forced emptied." What about that reduces capacity? Is flushing involved? Drying? Are we talking lever/button, piston, or what?

For comfort I would go with a thicker section. I have found my hand more likely to cramp with small sections of < 8mm diameter and I seem to do best with 9-10mm diameter.

I seem to go many pages on a fill with all my pens because they are all fine, medium or dry flow.

[Daniel K]

Wow! Thanks a lot for all these recommendations.

Last come, first serve:

@FredRydr: I used a Lamy Safari in all my Law Exams so far and it worked fine, because it has the cartridge option (fast, easy and clean). For this reason, only a bulk filler or cartridges are an option for my exams. I just can't write with ball point / gel pens, I get extreme cramps after just a few minutes. Nice to see another law student/lawyer here :D

@davoud & KBeezie: I surely will compare the weight of the pens in question, but I think weight is secondary compared to balance. My 823 is really light, but severely back heavy when capped and 100% filled. Pelikan or MontBlanc are not my taste, I think they are too boring...ehm, I mean classic. I know that the Pelikan nibs are smooth, but the looks are not my style. I once owned a Montblanc and I didn't know why it wrote so terrible, because I didn't know anything about pens. Today I know it had baby bottoms. That it got stolen later was maybe not the fault of the company...but I am done with them...

@Barry B. Gabay: Man, I was almost sold on another pen, now the KOP is back in the game again. Honestly, I think, from what I know, that the KOP might be the most well balanced and thought through pen right now. Besides the well crafted nib, I think the annoyingly big metal part of the grip section serves to balance the pen.

BTW, I was not talking about the Pineider snorkel filler, whatever that is. I was talking about this beauty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=3M7HjIffNgQ

I don't mean Brian Goulet, but the Pineider traveling inkwell. I would never have thought getting a piston or converter filler, because I am not willing to dip my pen into an inkwell in the library or even at home. Before the Pineider, it was either eyedropper or vacuum, because of their capacity, or cartridge. With this thing I can get 100% fillings in my 823 in a few seconds, because you fill it like a TWSBI with a TWSBI-Inkwell vertically with the inkwell on top. You can do this with all pens that fit. It came out in October and I predict that you will all buy one till the end of 2019, when the word has spread.

@steelpanalley: Yes, a Namiki Emperor would be awesome. I certainly will get one, when I start working and have a bigger budget.

@elim & Jar: Thanks for the pen recommendations. A vintage at that cost is an option to experiment a bit with it. I am looking for a vintage flex pen anyways, but this might become obsolete if I get a flagship pen, which often have a bit of flex anyways. The other models, esp. the Izumo or a Nakaya are interesting. (see below)


OK, now, here are my final thoughts for my choice. I have a budget of about 500-600€ (600-700$).

1. Perfect writing performance: smooth F/M nib, bit of flex and spring; slightly oversized grip section; long barrel or postable;
2. Ink capacity: option to use cartridges during exams or large ink capacity; pineider compatible for the library
3. Style: not too fancy, more understated, but high quality

Options:

1. Flagship pens: Sailor KOP, Pilot Custom Urushi, Platinum President

The President seems not much bigger than the 823. Sadly, the Pilot costs 750€, the KOP Ebonite just 500€ on Ebay when imported. There are also not enough reviews on the Pilot.

2. Luxury finishes: Well, the Izumo, the Nakayas and other in the range of 500€ (Ebay prices) look all very nice; but Japanese ppl tend to use those pens as gifts. Those big threads and all do not look comfortable, nor do those pens look like daily writers.

I guess I try out the KOP Ebonite. For 500€ I can sell it at any time on Ebay again.

Guys, thank you for your input. I will write a last update, to let you know if the pen solved my problems. In case I am successful with a converter modification, I will let you know.

Bye!

[KBeezie]

@davoud & KBeezie: I surely will compare the weight of the pens in question, but I think weight is secondary compared to balance. My 823 is really light, but severely back heavy when capped and 100% filled. Pelikan or MontBlanc are not my taste, I think they are too boring...ehm, I mean classic. I know that the Pelikan nibs are smooth, but the looks are not my style. I once owned a Montblanc and I didn't know why it wrote so terrible, because I didn't know anything about pens. Today I know it had baby bottoms. That it got stolen later was maybe not the fault of the company...but I am done with them...


This is pretty much the same feeling I have with 99% of the modern Pelikans and Montblanc now days, Especially after the 1980s models, their nibs (and sometimes the pens themselves) in comparison to the vintages I've tried, are just 'boring' to use. The only modern Pelikan I have is the M640 Mount Everest Special edition, and I mainly like that for two reasons : The body feels nice in my hands as it is pleasing to the eye, and the nib was tuned by Mottishaw from the previous owner. The other in the line up (M200,M400,M600,M800), generally speaking are just boring to me, similar when I had a 1990s+ Montblanc 146, nice pen body but nib was boring. (plus most of the vintage models, don't look like the desirable modern ones with the big price tags, and are actually quite a bit cheaper in most cases).

[Kulprit]

OK, now, here are my final thoughts for my choice. I have a budget of about 500-600€ (600-700$).

1. Perfect writing performance: smooth F/M nib, bit of flex and spring; slightly oversized grip section; long barrel or postable;
2. Ink capacity: option to use cartridges during exams or large ink capacity; pineider compatible for the library
3. Style: not too fancy, more understated, but high quality

Options:

1. Flagship pens: Sailor KOP, Pilot Custom Urushi, Platinum President

The President seems not much bigger than the 823. Sadly, the Pilot costs 750€, the KOP Ebonite just 500€ on Ebay when imported. There are also not enough reviews on the Pilot.

2. Luxury finishes: Well, the Izumo, the Nakayas and other in the range of 500€ (Ebay prices) look all very nice; but Japanese ppl tend to use those pens as gifts. Those big threads and all do not look comfortable, nor do those pens look like daily writers.

I guess I try out the KOP Ebonite. For 500€ I can sell it at any time on Ebay again.

Guys, thank you for your input. I will write a last update, to let you know if the pen solved my problems. In case I am successful with a converter modification, I will let you know.

Bye!

I have both a KoP and an Izumo. I never find myself writing for 8-hours with either, but it’s not uncommon for me to spend a couple of hours at a stretch writing. Based on that experience I would choose the Izumo every time.

The Izumo has a fairly firm nib, especially compared to the KoP, but the KoP (mine at least) is a VERY juicy writer. I burn through ink on that pen.

The Izumo, despite being ebonite, is a much heavier (feeling, at least) pen which, for me, makes it a more comfortable writer. Along with that is its balance. The KoP (in my case a Pro Gear) is well balanced, but the Izumo is better still.

The cap threads on the Izumo’s section do not get in the way at all. That’s coming from someone who holds his pens higher on the section. I will say, however, that as large as the Izumo is overall, the section is noticeably narrower than the KoP.

Overall, both pens are favorites of mine, but the Izumo is one of the most—if not THE most—comfortable pen I own for long writing sections.

Good luck with your final year of law school! I pretty much checked-out during my 3L year. [emoji6]



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[davoud]

They key is "forced emptied." What about that reduces capacity? Is flushing involved? Drying? Are we talking lever/button, piston, or what?

For comfort I would go with a thicker section. I have found my hand more likely to cramp with small sections of < 8mm diameter and I seem to do best with 9-10mm diameter.

I seem to go many pages on a fill with all my pens because they are all fine, medium or dry flow.

0.3ml king of pen, 0.4ml (Pelikan M805). No flushing only evacuation by turning the piston or the converter knob.

[Scooby921]

OK, now, here are my final thoughts for my choice. I have a budget of about 500-600€ (600-700$).

1. Perfect writing performance: smooth F/M nib, bit of flex and spring; slightly oversized grip section; long barrel or postable;
2. Ink capacity: option to use cartridges during exams or large ink capacity; pineider compatible for the library
3. Style: not too fancy, more understated, but high quality
Have you considered a Visconti Homo Sapiens maxi? The Dreamtouch nibs are smooth. In an EF they don't do the "firehose" thing and use up all of your ink. The power filler system holds a reasonable amount of ink. I think it's comparable to the full size Pelikan and Montblanc pens. The Homo Sapiens model (at least to me) has a very comfortable section diameter, the barrel length is just right to fit the hand without needing the extra weight of a posted cap to be comfortable. I prefer the weight of the basalt rock models, but the translucent acrylics used in the other models are lighter weight and preferable for knowing exactly how much ink remains in the pen. Coupled with Visconti's traveling ink well I think you'd be good-to-go wherever you go. **The "midi" and "elegance" models do not have the power filler and larger volume.

[SIR]

Daniel, in terms of balancing all your considerations, you should definitely consider a Pelikan M1000 - maybe a special/limited edition.

[ilikenails]

Daniel, in terms of balancing all your considerations, you should definitely consider a Pelikan M1000 - maybe a special/limited edition.

Notorious for coming badly adjusted though. And if the OP has a taste for Japanese nibs, those Pelikan nibs might seem like a medium size sharpie. And they're so broad that they negate the 2ml ink capacity of the pen - a cheap Pilot Kakuno with a 1ml cartridge and an F nib is probably going to write further. They're also a little heavy and have a short grip section. As someone who often writes all day, I'd avoid them. But ymmv.

Honestly, I'd just carry two Kakunos in a situation like this. They're full size pens, light, they can take the big con-70 filler, have good nibs in the size the OP probably wants, and it doesn't matter if they get lost. They don't have clips, but the Kaweco Sport one fits. Or I'd buy a pair of Pilot Lucinas if I wanted a more conventional look. But the simplest, most robust solution to one pen not having enough ink really is to carry two. It's not expensive, because lower priced and higher priced pens write almost identically.

Or the Danitrio Raw would be a great choice as a single pen solution. But I think they're not made any more?

[fkclo]

If budget is not an issue, I would highly recommend the Namiki Emperor Vermilion Urushi with a giant nib.

I think this pen needs no introduction, as Namiki is probably at the pinnacle of fountain pen making in Japan, and its nibs, through not flexible (as most modern pen nibs are), are one of the best you can find in the market today.

Since you have a big hand, and need to write a lot, I would say the Emperor is probably the perfect answer - it is an eyedropper, was finished beautifully with an understated, subtle beauty that few can mimic, and unique. The urushi application is truly impressive. A special, well balanced, big pen, but extremely good as a daily writer, especially for those with a big hand.

F. Lo
(this is my first post here)

https://www.nibs.com/sites/default/files/users/u446/namiki-emperor-vermilion-uncapped.jpg

[cegadede]

I'm surprised no one suggested the opus 88 demonstrator. 4ml ink capacity makes it almost impossible to go trough the ink in one day.

Enviado de meu Moto Z3 Play usando o Tapatalk

[IrenaRoese]

Its ink capacity is good as I have used this pen in my exams. As expensive you use as fine writing you will find.

[ilikenails]

I'm surprised no one suggested the opus 88 demonstrator. 4ml ink capacity makes it almost impossible to go trough the ink in one day.

Enviado de meu Moto Z3 Play usando o Tapatalk

The OP wants a Japanese fine. The Opus is going to be about twice as wide (which also halves its effective writing length - a true Japanese fine running at reasonable wetness gets about 500m from an ml of ink - call it 5000 words.) As someone who writes with a Japanese fine myself, I'd rather use a gel pen with the same line width for sustained writing than the Opus. (It's a shame the Opus can't take Pilot nibs - it's a great looking pen.)

[JunkyardSam]

Scooby921 - I own several 823s and a 1911 style KOP so I can advise on several matters:

1) I think you would like the size of the KOP. I find it very comfortable as long as I don't try to grip it firmly. A great way to use it is to rest your hand comfortably and let the nib do the work using comfortable, gentle hand motions. It's a very gentle writing experience that is, for me, completely without fatigue.

2) Japanese M is the most narrow nib offered in a KOP. Yes, it's a little finer than your 823 M, but probably wider than you are hoping for. I go through Mark Bacas at nibgrinder.com for my nib work, but you have several options to have it ground to a finer nib.

3) I have a solution for KOP ink capacity! I pulled the sac out of a Pilot Con-20 squeeze converter (the one that comes with a Pilot MR Metropolitan, actually) ... Then I cut the end off of a Sailor cartridge and worked the sac onto the cartridge until there was about a half inch overlap. Very secure - there will be no leak.

The result? 1.6 ml of ink in my hacked cartridge PLUS whatever is already in that giant feed.

Alternatively you could try refilling your own cartridges and sealing them with hot glue...

[gerigo]

A couple thoughts since there are already so many good suggestions from many others.

If you get hand cramps after 1/2 hour, it's the way you grasp the pen and not the pen itself. I usually write all weekend and never get any cramps after I changed my grip. Before I changed my grip I could hardly write a page before I would get cramps. While I know your question is about writing during your exams, you're unlikely to want to do something like changing your grip. Consider it after the examines.

The Sailor KOP nib and section is huge. Be careful because it might not fit in the Pineider ink filler.

[Ray-VIgo]

I've been through it. I started writing with a fountain pen my first year of high school and used one all the way through law school, a couple of states' bar exams, and beyond. My approach was to use fountain pens for class notes, homework, etc. They were great for everyday use. When it came to writing any kind of length exam (the ones where you start filling the blue books up in quantity), I went to a ball point. The first issue - the paper in the blue exam books is really cheap. Maybe an EF nib would be OK, but I wrote with mostly medium tips (a couple were a little finer, but nothing close to an EF). On the shorter exams where I did use a fountain pen, the ink really wanted to bleed into those cheap pages badly. I used Waterman Florida Blue or Waterman Blue-Black for everything in those times. Beyond that, I did not want any sort of distraction - running out of ink, changing cartridges, having the empties rolling around the exam table, etc. Finally, some exams actually limit what you can bring in to just a few, specifically listed items. The bar exams tend to be this way. The various committees on admission to the bar usually provide a list of what you can and cannot bring. Sometimes the list says just "pens" sometimes, the lists actually specify a ballpoint pen with blue or black ink only. Comply with those rules to the letter and research the allowable items before going to the bar exam. Law school exams are usually a little laxer as to what you can bring in, but the earlier mentioned concerns still apply.

I'm a hardcore fountain pen person for the past 23 years, but when it's crunch time in the long-hand final or the bar exam, it's ballpoints for me. In a more civilized circumstance, fountain pens would be great. But exams aren't civilized things, and the bar exam is particularly not a place to mess around. Bring it to class and use it on the homework whenever you want - they're great when you have the time and are not under the pressure of having to churn out an essay every 15-20 minutes for 6 hours.

[Zou]

I'm not surprised the 823 gives your hand pain, the metal rod makes the pen quite back weighted. It's hard to achieve balance with the pen without holding it very far back. You probably made your decision months ago, but any pen that is a bit more balanced or weighted toward the front will be easier to write for a long time with. It's the one thing apart from ease of cleaning that makes built in filling systems a trade-off rather than a straight upgrade.

I find with any Japanese fine or extra fine nib, I get 12-15 A5 pages of writing on the pilot con-50 con-40 or sailor converters. The PO nib especially is very gentle on ink usage. It depends how large your write and how much you press down on the nib, how absorbent is the paper, or how large is the sheet, but I have tended to find the claims that people can only write a page or two with converters confusing. Maybe they fill the converter with a syringe and lose out on the capacity in the feed, maybe the midori paper I favour just doesn't draw ink out very much.

[guyy]

I would go with a vintage MB 149 as a reasonable compromise of size and weight & ink capacity. The fine nibs are pretty nice, too.

[welch]

I would have suggested a Parker 51 aerometric, which was designed to be the world's best fountain pen in a time when people wrote all day. Most US-made P-51's had a fine nib; Parker England made more 51's with a medium nib. Years ago, I found I had better luck finding a 51 with nice juicy medium+ tipping on Ebay UK...more pens from Parker's Newhaven factory.

The 51 holds a lot of ink, whether the original vacumatic or the aero. The 51 Vac uses part of the barrel to hold ink and the aero has a sizable ink sac hidden inside its metal sac-guard. Both store ink at the ready in the collector, which is under that beautiful ultra-modern hood.

A 51 in black or blue goes for around $100, give or take about $25. Higher for the rare colors, such as Forest Green or purple (called "Plum") or Cocoa; rare because Parker offered them only for a few years. Otherwise, Parker sold millions of P-51's ("the world's most-wanted pen"), and they seem to last forever.

[azkid]

I agree on the Parker 51. I love mine. And true to the original meaning of the aerometric name mine does fine during air travel, and everywhere else I use it. It's always been extremely reliable and a great writer with a firm nib offering subtle line variation and exquisite control.

[JunkyardSam]

I get 1.6 ml of ink in my King of Pen using a modified Sailor cartridge. The process is easy, requires no special tools, and took about 5 minutes:

1. Obtain a Pilot Squeeze Converter which comes with a Metropolitan. (CON-20?) Pull the sac out. It is friction fit.
2. Obtain a Sailor cartridge. Empty & clean it.
3. Cut off the end of the Sailor cartridge.
4. Work the CON-20 sac onto the Sailor cartridge with about a half inch overlap or so.

The result is a refillable cartridge you can use over and over again and it holds 1.6ml of ink which is a nice capacity. It's probably four times that amount of fill I get in my regular Sailor converters... No leaks. No issues. It "just works" and if you ever need to prime the feed you just squeeze the sac.

[heymatthew]

I'd second or third or whatever the Conid recommendation. They'll do a custom grind for you via the order form to an XXF or whatever you want. The ink capacity is massive (I have a minimalistica and it holds a boatload of ink when completely full) and they are very understated pens if you go for black or demonstrator (not one of the flashier models with titanium and what not).