I should have mentioned the WS 601. If find mine is sometimes very smooth and sometimes not on the same paper. I only use Waterman inks. Of course a light touch is always a good idea I remind myself when evaluating a nib.
I should have mentioned the WS 601. If find mine is sometimes very smooth and sometimes not on the same paper. I only use Waterman inks. Of course a light touch is always a good idea I remind myself when evaluating a nib.
I have shortlisted these: Jinhao 911 (metal body version), WS 618, WS 3008/3009, WS 601.
Walmart has the JH 911 for $6.22 and free shiping here. Not too much money to risk it :-).
WS 618 from here.
WS 601 (available here and reasonable shipping time) looks quite interesting (along with the filling mechanism). But I couldn't find too many reviews on Amazon for it.
The other option would be to go std/un-hooded nibs and Pilot Metropolitan (but that ring delineating the grip from the barrel makes me nervous). Or Platinum Plaisir (not sure how durable though?)
Shape-wise: Something with a uniform body would be ideal - no rings, threads, or sudden reduction in girth, between the grip and barrel. Hero 616 / 329 is obsessive (simplistic design, and 329 has only a very thin silvery ring, and not protruding to the fingers).
What other FP online stores exist besides hisnibs.com, which are able to do a quality check + nib "meistering"?
Still afraid of not getting burned with the Chinese models, and I'm not crafty with doing nib adjustments myself.
Thanks again for the ideas.
Last edited by smihaila; February 3rd, 2021 at 01:02 AM.
Why don't you just buy a nice Parker 45 with semi-hooded nib instead of these chinese pens? It's a classic!
EDIT: I just read the entire thread. The Parker 45 was recommended several times. please excuse the repetition. But if you're interested, drop me a PM.
Last edited by christof; February 3rd, 2021 at 03:52 AM.
Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens
My other pen is a Montblanc.
And my other blog is a tumblr!
And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD
usually, the Parker 45 comes with a squeeze converter
...as already said, let me know if you're interested and we will find a deal.
smihaila (February 4th, 2021)
I'd think you could find a Parker 21 for 20, probably even an unused one. For a bit more you could find a Parker 21 Super.
There is the 45 as mentioned with a semi hooded nib, easily found for 20.
smihaila (February 4th, 2021)
Parker's current twist converter and cartridges fit the Parker 45.
You can replace the old squeeze convertors with the current range of Parker convertors, or cartridge.
smihaila (February 4th, 2021)
Status update, 10 days later: I've tried my luck with the Jinhao 911, for $6.22, and which just arrived today. Absolutely no careful packaging - just a little plastic pouch from USPS, no harder protection inside, no invoice. And pen was placed just inside another tiny plastic transparent bag without any "original" paper rectangular box or something. The cap wasn't even firmly closed on it but just hanging there. It actually got shipped from China via another intermediary shipping company named KWT.
The pen, including the cap, weighs half of the $10 Hero 3019 that I had before (and which is a bad writer)
But boy ... the Jinhao writes so smoothly, like on butter. Not scratchy at all, not skippy, no hard starts, and it picks up even after you let it sit unused (and capped) for several hours. It writes so easily, fluidly and without any effort at all, thus bringing back my pleasure of writing.
The nib is advertised as EF, 0.38 mm, but it writes about as thick as the previous "Hero" (which was sold as F).
A well-made $6.22 investment. Now I've got lucky with the nib / quality control lottery, and I am extremely happy!
Thank you all for all the great advice and suggestions!
Last edited by smihaila; February 13th, 2021 at 05:48 PM.
carlos.q (February 13th, 2021), Jon Szanto (February 13th, 2021), Sailor Kenshin (February 13th, 2021)
We all like happy endings...
Happy endings are usually much more expensive...
(I’m talking about Parker 51s... dunno what you’re thinking about...)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(Parker - very probably 45 - would've been next on my list, had the Chinese route disappointed again. It's good to be aware of it anyway, as a viable option, just in case.)
I just happened across THIS, and thought of this thread.
Zebra V-301 Fountain pen. Looks hooded to me, the medium is probably closer to fine, and it's $5 or so. Maybe worth a try...
"A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."
dneal (February 20th, 2021)
My other pen is a Montblanc.
And my other blog is a tumblr!
And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD
dneal (February 20th, 2021)
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