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Thread: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    I like to have my pens filled with my favourite inks, which are often pigmented/ bulletproof.
    Suffice to say, these pens often dry out in most my pens. TWSBI Go, TWSBI Classic, Sheaffer Prelude evaporate quite a bit.
    I know that platinums are supposedly some of the best pens in this category but they are pricey and as I favour broad nibs, their broad seems to be equal to an European medium.
    And the music nib makes it too expensive for my budget.

    So what are the pens that don't dry out for you?

    Thanks...

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    Senior Member mizgeorge's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    P51 original (but broads seem to be hard to get on your side of the pond)
    Vintage Pelikans, esp. the 140 and early 400/400N/400NN
    Ranga acrylics (the ebonites aren't quite as forgiving)
    Bizarrely, Visconti Breeze
    Most German school pens (esp. Geha)
    Osmiroid 75 (brilliant range of nibs for this too)
    Plumix/Pluminix with CM nib
    Kaweco Sport
    Opus 88.

    I'm sure I have others that are just as good, but these were the first that came to mind and are all are sub $100.

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Can vouch for the Opus-88.
    It's my only pen that has never had a dry start...ever.
    "I can only improve my self, not the world."

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Two current pens come to mind. One is the Faber Castell Grip. The other is the Pelikan Magnum.

    Both are good writers, durable, and well below your price limit. Both come withe converters as well.

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    I have a Platinum 3776 with a broad nib and though I haven’t had it long, it’s pretty juicy, and Platinum has those caps that are supposed to prevent drying out. I paid full price for mine, because I had to have one of those limited edition faceted “Nice” models...but I bought a second one with a plain barrel/fine nib on Amazon, where they are as low as $95 USD.

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    The older Osmiroid nibs fit vintage Esterbrook pens and come in broad italic.
    JBBPensPaper an Etsy store

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Faber Castell Loom - the large cap prevents drying out and the FC nibs are smooth writers.

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    You might want to get a Platinum 3776 with a Coarse nib which is broader than the B nib. Would not have the premium of a music nib (but of course writes a round line rather than the italic line of the music nib).

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    P51 original (but broads seem to be hard to get on your side of the pond)
    Vintage Pelikans, esp. the 140 and early 400/400N/400NN
    Ranga acrylics (the ebonites aren't quite as forgiving)
    Bizarrely, Visconti Breeze
    Most German school pens (esp. Geha)
    Osmiroid 75 (brilliant range of nibs for this too)
    Plumix/Pluminix with CM nib
    Kaweco Sport
    Opus 88.

    I'm sure I have others that are just as good, but these were the first that came to mind and are all are sub $100.
    Thanks mizgeorge. I'm a fan of Kawecos, I have two as eyedropper so could never gauge how much ink was evaporated.
    Finding vintage Pelikan below 100 $ would be a challenge now days....
    Opus 88 seems like a nice one too...

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Quote Originally Posted by An old bloke View Post
    Two current pens come to mind. One is the Faber Castell Grip. The other is the Pelikan Magnum.

    Both are good writers, durable, and well below your price limit. Both come withe converters as well.
    I guess you meant Diplomat Magnum. If it indeed has no or little evaporation then this one is a winner. Faber Castlell Grip is also cheaply available here...Thanks

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Quote Originally Posted by Igraine View Post
    I have a Platinum 3776 with a broad nib and though I haven’t had it long, it’s pretty juicy, and Platinum has those caps that are supposed to prevent drying out. I paid full price for mine, because I had to have one of those limited edition faceted “Nice” models...but I bought a second one with a plain barrel/fine nib on Amazon, where they are as low as $95 USD.
    I'm not a fan of fine nibs.. And unfortunalty up here in Canada, Platinums are double the price....

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Quote Originally Posted by Sandy View Post
    Faber Castell Loom - the large cap prevents drying out and the FC nibs are smooth writers.
    That seems like a nice one too Thanks.

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Quote Originally Posted by jbb View Post
    The older Osmiroid nibs fit vintage Esterbrook pens and come in broad italic.
    Thanks jbb will look into it...

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    I use a lot of iron gall ink, which is dry and can have particles in it. What works for me are vintage pens with simple ebonite feeds, MBs through the 1980s & Pelikans made until 1965. Parker 51s are great for not drying out, but not so great with pigment ink or iron gall inks.

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Thanks mizgeorge. I'm a fan of Kawecos, I have two as eyedropper so could never gauge how much ink was evaporated.
    Finding vintage Pelikan below 100 $ would be a challenge now days....
    Opus 88 seems like a nice one too...
    The 140s still come up for very low prices (esp. if you're prepared to do a bit of work on them) on German ebay. 120s are even cheaper, but are steel nibbed (very nice steel nibs though).

    I have to admit, I'm really enjoying my cheapest Opus 88 (a purple picnic) with a 1.4mm stub at the moment. It's brilliant for the pale, washed out colours I like to write with and IMO incredibly good value for a pretty sturdy pen.

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    [QUOTE=mizgeorge;322838]
    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Thanks mizgeorge. I'm a fan of Kawecos, I have two as eyedropper so could never gauge how much ink was evaporated.
    Finding vintage Pelikan below 100 $ would be a challenge now days....
    Opus 88 seems like a nice one too...

    The 140s still come up for very low prices (esp. if you're prepared to do a bit of work on them) on German ebay. 120s are even cheaper, but are steel nibbed (very nice steel nibs though).
    Möglicherweise kein Versand nach Kanada

    I have to admit, I'm really enjoying my cheapest Opus 88 (a purple picnic) with a 1.4mm stub at the moment. It's brilliant for the pale, washed out colours I like to write with and IMO incredibly good value for a pretty sturdy pen.
    Funny, I was lchecking one yesterday, same colour

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    Senior Member mizgeorge's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    [QUOTE=Yazeh;322846]
    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Thanks mizgeorge. I'm a fan of Kawecos, I have two as eyedropper so could never gauge how much ink was evaporated.
    Finding vintage Pelikan below 100 $ would be a challenge now days....
    Opus 88 seems like a nice one too...

    The 140s still come up for very low prices (esp. if you're prepared to do a bit of work on them) on German ebay. 120s are even cheaper, but are steel nibbed (very nice steel nibs though).
    Möglicherweise kein Versand nach Kanada

    I have to admit, I'm really enjoying my cheapest Opus 88 (a purple picnic) with a 1.4mm stub at the moment. It's brilliant for the pale, washed out colours I like to write with and IMO incredibly good value for a pretty sturdy pen.
    Funny, I was lchecking one yesterday, same colour
    Ugh. International shipping seems to be a bit tricky for some people these days - I don't know why, it still works just fine, but may require a little more patience than it used to!

    As for the Opus88, I don't think you can really go wrong there - I'm going to get another couple of colours whilst they still have them as I like the picnic shape, not to mention the price! The stub nib is very good too.

    IMG_20210420_153050-01.jpg

    (sorry about sunlight on window pane shadows - it's finally feeling like spring here!)

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    Senior Member christof's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    I made the experience that Pelikano pens are really long term resistant against drying out. LAMY Safari are not bad either, but do not reach the Pelikano.

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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Möglicherweise kein Versand nach Kanada
    Sometimes a seller will make an exception to their stated shipping policy if you ask.
    ---

    How about a Nemosine stub in a Chinese pen?




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    Default Re: Cheap pens with European broad nibs that don't dry out (below 100$)

    [QUOTE=mizgeorge;322859]
    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Thanks mizgeorge. I'm a fan of Kawecos, I have two as eyedropper so could never gauge how much ink was evaporated.
    Finding vintage Pelikan below 100 $ would be a challenge now days....
    Opus 88 seems like a nice one too...

    The 140s still come up for very low prices (esp. if you're prepared to do a bit of work on them) on German ebay. 120s are even cheaper, but are steel nibbed (very nice steel nibs though).
    Möglicherweise kein Versand nach Kanada

    I have to admit, I'm really enjoying my cheapest Opus 88 (a purple picnic) with a 1.4mm stub at the moment. It's brilliant for the pale, washed out colours I like to write with and IMO incredibly good value for a pretty sturdy pen.
    Funny, I was lchecking one yesterday, same colour
    Ugh. International shipping seems to be a bit tricky for some people these days - I don't know why, it still works just fine, but may require a little more patience than it used to!

    As for the Opus88, I don't think you can really go wrong there - I'm going to get another couple of colours whilst they still have them as I like the picnic shape, not to mention the price! The stub nib is very good too.

    IMG_20210420_153050-01.jpg

    (sorry about sunlight on window pane shadows - it's finally feeling like spring here!)
    My latest Ink-Love....Nekoyanagi.
    I cannot stop writing with it...
    "I can only improve my self, not the world."

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