Looking for Economy FP (ink fill) XF Nib Pens

[TooLoose]

I am looking for some modestly priced (well under $100) FPs with an EF nib. I have my eyes on the Sailor 1911 M with the EX nib, but that's for later. I really like thin lines.

My other pens are mostly Pelikan (4) and Sailor (2; I have my eye on the 1911 XF nib and suspect that will be my perfect FP, and it will go nicely with my other two Sailors, both 1911 model, but not XF nibs.) What I am looking for right now are modestly priced pens. I use ink refill, no cartridges.

Any suggestions? I see that Lamy offers some XF pens. Any others?

Thanks.

[Silverbreeze]

Check for Pilot Metropolitan Fine
Also any cheap pen with a #6 nib and a XF nib from Goulet or Anderson

[rdcalhoon]

It may not work for you stylistically, but you might look at the Pilot Kakuno EF. I find mine quite satisfying to write with. I would carry mine more if it only had a clip.

[bluesea]

It may not work for you stylistically, but you might look at the Pilot Kakuno EF. I find mine quite satisfying to write with. I would carry mine more if it only had a clip.

I haven't been able to find the Kakuno in extra fine, having to buy and transplant the ef nib out of a Pilot Penmanship. Granted the Kakuno fine nib probably has a finer line than the Lamy ef.

[rdcalhoon]

My mistake on the Kakuno. Mine is a fine. I entered it in my database as EF. In my defense it is a pretty fine fine, although not a hairline fine.

[fountainpagan]

The Platinum Century 3776 is under $100, they have from UEF nibs to B nibs.

The nib is firm, although with a little elasticity if pressed.

[DASEFnib]

Platinum Preppy with 02 (EF) nib.....around $10....Really nice writer for the $$!!

Always try to get the dibs....on fountain pens with EF nibs!!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Also the 'fraternal twin' Plaisir, at around $12-20 depending on color and vendor, which comes in 03 and 05 nibs....but the nib sections are interchangeable with Preppys.

[jackokun]

Any of the TWSBI line would be under $100. you can get those in EF and you can also swap nibs easily

[mrcharlie]

Given what you say you own/use, possibly you mean something a little nicer than I would when you use the word "economy"? Pilot F nibs run closer to western EF nibs¹, so a Pilot Metropolitan or Prera with an F nib might be as thin as you want. If not, you can pull the EF nib from a Pilot Penmanship and put it into either one of those pens for a total cost of less than $25 or $45 respectively.

If you are willing to use a desk pen style pen, I *really* like my Platinum Carbon Pen (currently $13.50 at jet pens plus cost of a platinum converter, currently $8.25), and it is much better made and a nicer nib than either the Sailor super-cheap desk pen style pen in the same price range or the Pilot Penmanship (I haven't tried the Pilot Desk Pen that is now available from Jet Pens), but I think it is not quite as thin writing as the Penmanship. Jet Pens states the Platinum converter will fit in the Carbon Pen.

--
1. In my experience Pilot V-Pen/Varsity nibs write a little wider than the 78G/Kakuno/Metropolitan/Prera nibs, but still not quite as wide as most western brands of the same stated size. But it is all very relative and changes from company to company. My M Watermans are a little wider than most of my M Sheaffers, while my F Watermans are nearly Pilot thin. It is hard to make accurate absolute statements of this sort.

[inklord]

I'd certainly second the Pilot Metro in F - mine is finer than or as fine as my Lamy and TWSBI EF's; Platinum Cool and Balance are also excellent choices (in F)

[scrivelry]

Depending on how low you want to go and how long you want to wait you could get a Chinese pen with a nib just about as wide as two needles off of Ebay for under five dollars. It may require some fiddling with to get it to write exactly as you want, but short of dipping one of your own hairs in ink and using it as a brush I don't think you can get thinner, cheaper.

[TooLoose]

Wow, so many to choose from! Thanks for all the excellent feedback. I have to set aside some time and research each one of these. My FPs have been gathering dust for some years now and I'm cleaning them up and will pick up a few of these more economical pens. I have some cheap Chinese pens that I got as a gift but I favor the feel of my Sailor, Pelikan, Yamiki, Sheaffer, Parker, and Waterman pens. However, I really do enjoy using a few cheaper Lamy pens and that's the niche I want to explore.

Lots of great information here. Thanks.

I'll have to see if there are any pen stores in my area so I can get a hand's on feel. There are two but I don't know if they carry modestly priced pens. I will call and find out,.

I live in the metro Detroit area.

[ac12]

Pilot Crystal, with a Fine nib.