Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 95

Thread: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    3,118
    Thanks
    874
    Thanked 2,528 Times in 1,299 Posts
    Rep Power
    13

    Default The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    To swim with the sharks... or not?
    Last edited by Empty_of_Clouds; May 13th, 2022 at 02:04 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    6,658
    Thanks
    2,027
    Thanked 2,189 Times in 1,419 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    Wish I could help you, but you know way more about pens than I do. I'd probably buy something beautiful if it were a pure splurge; the uniqueness of the nib would be secondary. But that is me. I have all the pens I need to write with, but I still don't own a truly beautiful work of art. But your collection is likely quite different.

    Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to TSherbs For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  4. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,075
    Thanks
    365
    Thanked 455 Times in 259 Posts
    Rep Power
    10

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    How about an Omas Paragon (old style)? Piston filler, no metal trim ring on the section, bouncy nib, ebonite feed?

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to BayesianPrior For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  6. #4
    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Nouvelle Angleterre
    Posts
    3,675
    Thanks
    3,483
    Thanked 1,222 Times in 598 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    I'd consider a 1950s OMAS 557/F. I had one in college and it is such a grand, comfortable, timeless pen. Very well built. Wonderful bouncy-yet-useable nibs too. I don't think there's anything made today that will give you the refinement of it, barring some sort of custom work, which iirc you have explored more than many...
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to fountainpenkid For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  8. #5
    Senior Member christof's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Confoederatio Helvetica
    Posts
    1,875
    Thanks
    1,893
    Thanked 7,814 Times in 1,426 Posts
    Rep Power
    17

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    One of my favourite modern pens is the Parker Duofold:



    in my humble opinion, it's one of the best made pens ever (although there are a couple of goldrings too much...)

    Another very well made modern pen is the Pelikan M101N series.
    Last edited by christof; August 25th, 2021 at 08:38 AM.

  9. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to christof For This Useful Post:

    catbert (December 22nd, 2022), Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  10. #6
    Senior Member christof's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Confoederatio Helvetica
    Posts
    1,875
    Thanks
    1,893
    Thanked 7,814 Times in 1,426 Posts
    Rep Power
    17

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    I'd consider a 1950s OMAS 557/F. ...
    These are great pens with no doubt. I have the smaller 555 and can say that it is excellent:

    OMAS Extra 555 by C.M.Z, auf Flickr

  11. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to christof For This Useful Post:

    catbert (December 22nd, 2022), Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 24th, 2021), pyiyha (March 26th, 2022)

  12. #7
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Dallas, as in the 80's TV Series
    Posts
    3,662
    Thanks
    3,364
    Thanked 6,703 Times in 1,972 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    The new Leonardo Magico is interesting, partly because I'm a sucker for piston fillers.
    I wish they have (or planning to release) ones in ebonite.

    If you don't like the stock nib, find the one you like that is about the same size and replace it.

    As for having pens that is not constantly being used, that's what (to me) a collection is.
    One day I may want to use one of those pens. If I let them all go now, what can I do then?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to penwash For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  14. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    California Central Coast
    Posts
    652
    Thanks
    2,403
    Thanked 1,124 Times in 428 Posts
    Rep Power
    9

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    EoC-- Have a pen that takes a #6 Jowo or Bock screw-in nib? You might try Kirk Speer's "Secretary of de Flex" that he custom produces. I think Detman101 is head over heels on his purchase. And Detman has purchased a few nibs from other nibgrinders that he wasn't thrilled with.

    https://www.penrealm.com/product/sec...flex-nib-unit/

    I see Kirk also produces an even flexier nib model in 14k if you have the money for it. Drop Detman101 a PM and he'll probably be able to tell you the pros and cons of his nib. I've purchased a few bottles of ink from Kirk and he's a reliable seller. You've probably met him on Zoom at one of the Texas Pen Club meetings.
    Last edited by junglejim; August 24th, 2021 at 10:12 AM.

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to junglejim For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  16. #9
    Senior Member silverlifter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    616
    Thanks
    359
    Thanked 772 Times in 355 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    To throw some others into the mix:

    * Ebonite King of Pen
    * Yukari Royale
    * Santini
    * Onoto Magna
    Vintage. Cursive italic. Iron gall.

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to silverlifter For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  18. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    117
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 33 Times in 20 Posts
    Rep Power
    5

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    Got to say that I agree about the Parker Duofold International, and I was able to but a gold plated one at the DC show, a pen that I had been looking for some quite some time. It is a classic pen, and available in a range of nibs, not as many as in the past, but still quite a few.

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to Boston Brian For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  20. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Posts
    42
    Thanks
    10
    Thanked 23 Times in 16 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    EOC, I recommend you get a used 149 from a trusted member of the pen community. It’s a classic and a must have for a veteran pen collector such as yourself. Best of luck in your hunt!

  21. The Following User Says Thank You to EricTheRed For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  22. #12
    Senior Member carlos.q's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    On a hill in Puerto Rico
    Posts
    1,698
    Thanks
    2,215
    Thanked 1,818 Times in 797 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    I don't know if you're still looking for a Parker 51 but if you are, Ernesto has some nice ones over at Parker51.com. Although it is vintage a P51 can very well be a trusted EDC pen.
    Last edited by carlos.q; August 24th, 2021 at 06:38 PM.

  23. The Following User Says Thank You to carlos.q For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  24. #13
    Senior Member guyy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Brooklyn NY
    Posts
    775
    Thanks
    381
    Thanked 618 Times in 344 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    I agree with Eric the Red: a used MB 146 or 149. It may take some patience to wait for the right deal. However, there are a lot of them out there, and something should come up eventually.

  25. The Following User Says Thank You to guyy For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  26. #14
    Senior Member guyy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Brooklyn NY
    Posts
    775
    Thanks
    381
    Thanked 618 Times in 344 Posts
    Rep Power
    8

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    There are better sellers than Gary Lehrer. I’ve never been impressed with his offerings. The pens are sometimes overrated and the prices inflated.,

    I used to prefer Japanese sellers, but it’s been difficult and more expensive to buy from Japan since Covid.

  27. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to guyy For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 24th, 2021)

  28. #15
    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Nouvelle Angleterre
    Posts
    3,675
    Thanks
    3,483
    Thanked 1,222 Times in 598 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    I have heard (and once or twice tried) post-celluloid MB 146/149 have some great nibs with bounce/character at a more affordable price than the OMAS I suggested (or rare modern Duofolds). (A monetary aside, probably ill-advised: I think you've mentioned that you have about 30 pens recently though--surely they are worth in sum a good deal more than the money you might spend on this single pen. Of course everyone weighs these things differently, but I think sometimes people get lost (I used to often fall prey to this) in the value of a single pen. If a pen really speaks to you and is worth a fraction of the value you already have invested in them, I say give it a good thought and get it. It'll probably be worth it.)
    Last edited by fountainpenkid; August 24th, 2021 at 09:24 PM. Reason: removed content
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

  29. #16
    Senior Member Lloyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    1,630
    Thanks
    3,597
    Thanked 1,043 Times in 637 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    Don't ask yourself what pen to buy, ask yourself what attributes do you feel are lacking in your current favorites. If you come up empty handed, be content and buy yourself and your closest friends a nice meal.

    Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
    M: I came here for a good argument.
    A: No you didn't; no, you came here for an argument.
    M: An argument isn't just contradiction.
    A: It can be.
    M: No it can't. An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.
    A: No it isn't.
    M: Yes it is! It's not just contradiction.
    A: Look, if I argue with you, I must take up a contrary position.
    M: Yes, but that's not just saying 'No it isn't.'
    A: Yes it is!
    M: No it isn't!

  30. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Lloyd For This Useful Post:

    AzJon (August 25th, 2021), Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 24th, 2021), silverlifter (August 24th, 2021)

  31. #17
    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Nouvelle Angleterre
    Posts
    3,675
    Thanks
    3,483
    Thanked 1,222 Times in 598 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lloyd View Post
    Don't ask yourself what pen to buy, ask yourself what attributes do you feel are lacking in your current favorites. If you come up empty handed, be content and buy yourself and your closest friends a nice meal.

    Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
    Considering I just recently finished my own pen search in another topic vaguely similar to EoC's and arrived at the process you describe to decide, that should have been my own answer. I think it is excellent advice.
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

  32. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to fountainpenkid For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), Lloyd (August 24th, 2021)

  33. #18
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2021
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 16 Times in 8 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post
    Identifying a trusted member in the sales area is not that simple and embodies considerable risk.
    I disagree with this completely. If you use Paypal Goods&Services or anything that uses a credit card there's almost no financial risk, just some risk of inconvenience.

    To be fair though, it seems like you don't want another pen based on the tenor of your responses. If you know what style/features you want then work with a maker and get a totally custom pen. It's not all that complicated. I recommend Lotus ... very good to work with and not very expensive.
    Last edited by scud80; August 24th, 2021 at 10:40 PM.

  34. The Following User Says Thank You to scud80 For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

  35. #19
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Chartres, France
    Posts
    1,137
    Thanks
    2,610
    Thanked 825 Times in 446 Posts
    Rep Power
    13

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    Right now, sounds like you don't need a new pen and you're casting about for things to do with the money. If nothing appeals, set the money aside and you have an emergency budget for that pen you suddenly and quite unreasonably fall in love with.

  36. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to amk For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 25th, 2021), Lloyd (August 25th, 2021), rkesey (February 9th, 2022)

  37. #20
    Senior Member Malcolm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Leeds, UK
    Posts
    233
    Thanks
    233
    Thanked 102 Times in 79 Posts
    Rep Power
    11

    Default Re: The perennial dilemma - which pen?

    EOC. Save your money for the time when you are sure. Only you will know when that is.
    Malcolm

  38. The Following User Says Thank You to Malcolm For This Useful Post:

    Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •