Pen advice.

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

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ST Dupont Olympio/Orpheos are my favorite fountain pens. Mostly, because the nibs are exceptionally smooth writing, and while stiff like a contemorary pen, they still manage to give a vintage flexiness in writing feel.

The brass bodies are made like vaults, and the even the basic black Chinese lacquer has a liquid depth that is both subtle and luxurious (there are elaborate optional finishes available also, of course). Everything about the construction is first rate.

The filling system is pedestrian, but I dislike pistons because I can never escape having ink weep into the cap.

I have four of them, so you can say that I like them a lot.

Here's a big Orpheo sitting on the Valextra wallet in one of my WAYWRN accessory shots:

- B

What money clip is that? It's very tasteful.

The Lamy 2000 I'll support as well. It's understated to avoid worries of being pretentious, but has a platinum plated gold nib to be sufficiently luxurious. Plus, with your budget, you could a fountain and a roller, cover all the bases.

Originally Posted by blackplatano

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What money clip is that? It's very tasteful.

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany.

- B

I second (third?) the recommendation for Dupont. I've been collecting the Montparnasse series the past few years and they are beautifully constructed and finished. The quality of the lacquer is just amazing. From what I can tell, the new lacquered ones are just as nice. They are moderately expensive, but, with the usual discounts, ebay, etc., you should be able to find one within your budget.

Here's a nice Orpheo FP from Altman Luggage, a B&M store in New York that's reputable and been around forever. It's $295.

http://www.altmanluggage.com/dupont_451403n.php

I think you should get a Pelikan M805 Souveran Black, Silver with a Fine Nib.

Originally Posted by newtrane

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I think you should get a Pelikan M805 Souveran Black, Silver with a Fine Nib.

I still don't get all the fine nib recommendations. Without knowing the recipient's preference, why wouldn't medium be the safest choice?

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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I still don't get all the fine nib recommendations. Without knowing the recipient's preference, why wouldn't medium be the safest choice?

I'm liking the Pelikan and will probably go for the medium nib unless the SA suggests otherwise.

Thanks for all the help.

lefty

Originally Posted by mafoofan

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I still don't get all the fine nib recommendations. Without knowing the recipient's preference, why wouldn't medium be the safest choice?

Originally Posted by lefty

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I'm liking the Pelikan and will probably go for the medium nib unless the SA suggests otherwise.

Thanks for all the help.

lefty

It really depends on usage. If you do a lot of editing, F and EF are best (and I believe Lamy nibs run a bit wide). If you do lots of paragraphs at a time, medium is nicer and has more shading. For signatures, addresses, note cards or short letters, B is nicest (in my opinion). But these comments just relate to the margins. All nibs write, which is the purpose of the pen. If you know what your friend will use it for, you can try to pick the most suitable nib, but I wouldn't worry about it.
Also, I would not worry too much about F nibs being scratchy. It is usually a function of the ink and the paper (and a Lamy F is really pretty much an M).

The nice thing about Pelikan nibs is that they are easy to switch out. Most dealers will switch an unused one for you for free, so your friend can exchange it right away if he wants.

Originally Posted by dopey

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The nice thing about Pelikan nibs is that they are easy to switch out. Most dealers will switch an unused one for you for free, so your friend can exchange it right away if he wants.

That's my thinking ... here's the pen ... here are your options ... here's the gift receipt ... over to you.

lefty

Fan,

For people use pen, I would said they either perfer EF, F or B/Musical, no one will like Medium.

If you know Calligraphy, you will know why.

Originally Posted by Fishball

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Fan,

For people use pen, I would said they either perfer EF, F or B/Musical, no one will like Medium.

If you know Calligraphy, you will know why.

I think this is an over-generalization. Music and Italic nibs are great for people experienced with fountain pens and interested in calligraphy. But if you're going to use your pen to take casual notes during the day on different varieties of paper, such nibs are a bad choice.

Fountain pens are really geared for the pleasure of writing and expressing one's individuality... to make notes you can use a ballpoint or rolling writer. The possibilities for expression with a fountain pen are endless. Personally I use mine to write thank you notes, personal letters, and all signatures. While medium or fine points are certainly adequate and the most popular... I personally prefer a triple broad oblique nib as it makes my (style of) writing look almost like calligraphy! So be sure to experiment! As for brands try nibs.com or the Fountain Pen Hospital.

Have fun.....

A medium fountain pen nib is (in most non-Japanese pens) much wider than the average line of a medium ballpoint or rollerball, which is what most people are used to. The boldest Uni-ball Vision rollerball (1mm) is more similar to a fine-nibbed Pelikan or Lamy than a medium. So for a fountain pen, fine is probably the better, more universal choice.

Also, I'm pretty sure that in that famed golden age of fountain pens the vast majority were fine points, and the fine was finer than it is today.

I take all my note and taking exam on my italic nib during all my college years. No problem at all.
If the paper is not sized, fine point doesn't really help.
EF/F is much better than Medium for writing. Medium nib just make your writing ugly.
Fountain Pen Hospital is good. They repaired my vintage Parker.
I still use metal dip pen and cut and write with real quill occasionally.

Agreeded with Will.