For me it would be my Montblanc 149. Not because it’s a Montblanc, but because it was given to me by my wife (who is no longer with us), and because it makes me smile and remember happy times.
Why would you be mocked? A pen doesn't have to cost a leg for it to feel great in your hand. We all have our preferences. As long as you enjoy writing, that's all that matters.
Really appreciate your answer! It's just that sometimes this hobby seems to aim for the "grail pens", and while I can appreciate for example the Platinum Century pens, there is something appealling at a pen being and very good in writing and feels good using, while being also very accessible to everybody. Also cool: Diplomat Magnums come with converters too.
Exactly. If I had to choose, I would take my busted old Pelikano Junior. It's in such a bad condition with its cracked barrel, broken cap and silicone grip, but it feels perfect in my hand every time I write with it and the nib continues to perform flawlessly. Because of that, it's one of my favourite pens and I can't see myself replacing it. I love it too much.
I have a Namiki Nippon Art crane and a Jinhao x450 in black, red. I like them both for different reasons and try to use them as much as I can. Hobby is about having fun and if using a fountain pen brings a little joy in a day more reason to use it, the joy shouldn’t be measured by the price of your pen. Just my two cents.
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I’m not sure what’s the base line for this Sailor pen( is it Profit line? Definitely not a Pro Gear), but I love it. The feedback is so suitable for my writing style. Also, this is like my first expensive fountain pen so it holds a special place in my heart.
The name of the pen is : SAILOR SHIKIORI TSUKUYO-NO-MINAMO
Ditto on Sailors - love your pen (I have a different color), the 14Ks and the 21K nibs too. If for 1 pen it will be the 21K Shikiori PGS Sound of Rain… I love the feel of 21K but prefer a slightly slimmer body and grip section on these for longer writing sessions. The feedback and the bounce is the best!
I love Sailor feedback and I was lucky enough to find the 14K nib at an easy to swallow price, I like it but I’m still very much attached to my first Sailor pen. I would love to try the Sailor PGS 21K nib Sound of Rain as well, my dream color is the Spring Rain one. I’m currently saving up for a Platinum before the Sailor though because I want to try all the big 3 Japanese brands on this subreddit.
I too am wanting to try one of the Platinum 3776 and complete my Japanese big three experience. I love my Pilots and the Preppies too but something about these Sailors just fits to me so well…
I bought my Sound of Rain from Amazon Japan at about half of the current U.S. retail price- if you aren’t gung-ho about the colors- I too love the Spring Rain the most but got the Autumn Drizzle instead (matte purple). Now if they make a Realo in the smaller PGS or 1911s bodies….
At first, I tried to ink it with Sailor Kitsune Biyori and the ink was super dry so I returned to my favourite blue ink : Pilot Tsuki-yo for around 6 months straight. However, I just finally pull the trigger and buy Sailor Shikiori Yozakura, and it’s definitely my favourite combination !
Yep. This, all day, every day.
Pilot Custom 74 is a close second though if you don’t like vac fillers or you like to change ink colors more frequently.
No, I did mean the 74, however upon closer inspection, and this is my ignorance here, I didn’t know the 743 came to America! So, I retract my previous statement because here you get the buttery smoothness of that Pilot 823 nib but you don’t have to go with the vac fill or the transparent look if you’re not into it.
Pilot 743, check it out people.
You should try the pilot custom 823;)
I have it since a month and became my favorite pen. In fact I bought the amber right after the smoke version.
Simply perfect balance and writing experience.
On the podium the MB149, Omas Ogiva, Otto Hutt 01, and some pelikans.
Same. They are dependable relatively inexpensive workhorses which I will happily take anywhere without worrying. And the ease of nib swapping gives you a variety of lines with a single pen…
I literally just got my L2K EF in today and inked it with PCB about 5 minutes ago. Wrote a few lines, and I can see what that fuss is about! I already love it.
This might be the easiest question I will answer all day.
For me it’s a TWSBI Diamond Mini - demonstrator piston filler with large ink capacity, reliable function, great nib options, compact pocket pen, and full size screw to post.
I was gifted mine in Hawaii for our 25th wedding Anniversary, with South Sea blue cartridges! When we returned I met with a friend to show him my pen. We both laughed because he had been gifted a Waterman Charleston black GT and he was also using South Sea blue. That cemented a long term friendship and sadly, when he passed away, his wife met me at the funeral and gifted me his Charleston. She said that their adult kids were not interested and that her husband would want it to be in the care of a good friend and enthusiast. I treat it with more care than any pen I own.
Sheaffer Triumph nibbed pens from the 40s, preferably lever or touchdown filler. A Crest with striped celluloid body and section are my favs. Such gorgeous, smooth writers.
Really tough question, but probably my 1920s Parker Duofold Junior aka "Little Red" (at least that's what I call it).
Timeless design, gorgeous red/orange hardened rubber body, and a juicy medium broad 14k gold nib.
Pilot Custom 823 51% vs. Pelikan M800 49%
It's really hard to decide on only one between them. Prefer vacuum fill and nib on 823, but M800 is more comfy and easier to handle, and has less turns to open and close. Also have an M800 in which I love.
These are always tough. If I want something more feedbacky, I'd have to go with Aurora Ambienti. Pleasant feedback, reliable writer, gorgeous pen, pison-fill. If I wanted buttery smooth nib, I'd probably go with Waterman Man 140, though that is cartridge/converter. Breaking that tie would be tough.
Cross Bailey light
Paid like $10 for it brand new and it's a great pen. I don't know if I just got very lucky with it out of the box, but it's a perfect pen.
I have a pen case in which I carry 4 or 5 pens everyday, a rotation of Vanishing Points, Decimo, Lamy 2000, Diplomat Aero, Carene, Parker 51, Pelikan 800, etc… but the one pen that is always in there and so the one I would choose for this ‘one pen for life’ is a Sheaffer Targa with a Stub nib, brilliant writer and a bulletproof brass casing…
Without a doubt: The Lamy Logo (black) i got from my dad for my 18th birthday that still serves me well after 25 years.
For pure writing pleasure it is a hard choice between my Rotring 600 (M) of the Graf von Faber Castell Classic Macassar (M)
Other than the custom 823, I would have to say I’m starting to warm up to the custom 912 SF, as it gives you a decent amount of line variation. But if I had to choose a lighter pen, I would go with the E95S
Nakaya Decapod in Midori tamenuri with a Naginata nib. Regular side for expressive writing, reverse for super fine lines. A functional work of art in every way, IMO.
I just started getting back into fountain pens this January, after 27 years, so I’m not really sure.
So far this Pilot 823-M-Blk is a revelation. Very few things blow my jaded old self away anymore, this thing however had my jaw clinging to the floor for days. Found myself thinking about it while at work. But I also know the world of fountain pens is huge and the journey has just (re)started. So who knows.
Might be my TWSBI Vac Mini . It's not my favorite pen to write with when I have nice paper, but it is my most versatile pen, which is why it comes with me everywhere. And it's certainly the nicest writing fine nib I've ever owned.
I have an 823 coming from Japan in the next couple of weeks, and I will be astounded if it doesn't end up instantly becoming my favorite pen.
Of the pens I have? Pilot Vanishing Point, closely followed by my Lamy 2000 and in a close race, my Lamy Safari in Charcoal. I don’t know what it is about that specific Safari, but the nib is crazy smooth, and I use it daily.
Moonman M2. it’s got a huge ink capacity, writes wetly enough that it can show shading well, which is my favourite ink characteristic, and the durable plastic looks super good as a clear demonstrator. it’s also so consistent despite how roughly I treat mine!
Probably my recently-acquired Pelikan M200 (EF) in brown marble. It's everything I've ever wanted from a fountain pen. Smooth, elegant, simple, with a crisp, fine line. The ink capacity is great, especially with the EF nib; I can write pages and pages of notes before it runs dry.
If I'd purchased one sooner, I doubt my collection would be as sizable. It's truly regrettable, really.
If we're talking out of any pens, I'm going with a Sakura Ballsign ID 3C multipen, but if we're talking just fountain pens it would be my Pilot Metropolitan. It was my first fountain pen and it has never, ever given me any problems.
I probably would have said my VP in fine about 5 minutes ago, but I just inked my new Lamy 2000 EF, and I think it may take over. Both inked with PCB as they are both going to be EDC pens. I need to compare more to be sure.
I love my Benu Euphoria, but I don't want a twist cap for EDC, so the Sailor Pro Gear is out as well.
Montblanc star walker precious resin in Medium nib. I won it and absolutely love its looks and the feel of nib on paper. The blue star on the cap is such a subtle nod to our planet earth.
Visconti Homo sapiens.. I sent mine back for some nib trouble and I already miss it. Even with a bum nib it was nicer than all my other pens including my pilot custom 823... I find that sentence hard to say so I imagine it's even harder to believe but by god do I feel it in my soul.
Partial-hooded gold nib pilot elite. Bouncy softness in the nib, but without the issue of getting ink on my fingers that the current ES model has bc ink travels to the edges of the inlaid nib.
Genuinely, if I could only use one pen, it would have to be a gel pen of some sort. I love my fountain pens and use them way more, but a gel pen is just more practical for everyday use
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My mint condition 1950s Sheaffer Snorkel Valiant (which is very hard to take a good picture of). I'd cry like a baby if I ever lost this pen. It is both my everyday carry and my most precious piece of stationery.
Yes the nib is supposed to be bent 😏
Namiki Yukari Nightline Moonlight Raden. It is the perfect balance of artistry, performance, and personal significance (it commemorated an important date).
Pilot metal Falcon, F nib. Nib rarely dries due I guess to the screw on cap. Just enough flex for drawing. The nib looks different from nearly anything else.
I'd choose a Jinhao 9019 because of the large ink capacity or perhaps a twisby or other large capacity for same reason. If my life is the length of the ink capacity then more the better. I'm old but not ready to kick it just yet. (Perhaps I misunderstood the question?)
From my VERY limited experience (LAMY Al-Star, Sheaffer Taranis, Parker Ingenuity, Kaweco Sport), I'd choose the Parker Ingenuity, however, I'd like to try the Pelikan M series. Esthetically I love the M700 and M900, but IHNI about the balance, the tip, and much more, and they are CRAZY expensive. If I had to choose right now, my Parker
My carandache 849 brings a smile every time I use it. It's my daily reliable PhD pen, bought in Cape Town over my first long trip abroad, and has been with me over Lisbon, Barcelona and Copenhagen.
That depends on how long my life lasts...
... and on the nib size:
Faber Castell Loom EF
Namisu horizon F
Schneider Ray M
I focus on the nib and how it feels.
If I could choose just one fountain pen but with multiple nibs (EF, F, M), it would be a Faber-Castell Loom. Here too, my main concern are the nibs.
My Diplomat Excellence A2 in evergreen. It has one of the most amazing nibs I have ever written with, has great overall build quality, looks stunning without being too flashy and is perfect for every day notes since it is a snap cap (bonus point the capping is extremely satisfying).
I got this pen recently and it really suprised me how good this steel nib is, actually surpassing most of my gold nibs in my opinion.
For me it would be my Montblanc 149. Not because it’s a Montblanc, but because it was given to me by my wife (who is no longer with us), and because it makes me smile and remember happy times.
Awww so sorry for your loss. Glad the pen brings back happy memories
“This guy’s wife” wins again.
Perhaps you’re right, but why do you assume it’s a guy’s wife? Could be a woman’s wife
It's a meme's ref.
In addition to being completely out of the loop of a 10 year old meme, why are you assuming the guy’s gender?
Where do I assume it’s a guy?
You clearly assume it’s a man. Many people consider guy to be gender neutral, which was the joke that you're also not getting.
I hope I won't be mocked, but my Diplomat Magnum with medium nib. It works, it feels great and I love it's design.
Why would you be mocked? A pen doesn't have to cost a leg for it to feel great in your hand. We all have our preferences. As long as you enjoy writing, that's all that matters.
Really appreciate your answer! It's just that sometimes this hobby seems to aim for the "grail pens", and while I can appreciate for example the Platinum Century pens, there is something appealling at a pen being and very good in writing and feels good using, while being also very accessible to everybody. Also cool: Diplomat Magnums come with converters too.
Depending on the time of year it also comes with a bottle of ink.🤗
Exactly. If I had to choose, I would take my busted old Pelikano Junior. It's in such a bad condition with its cracked barrel, broken cap and silicone grip, but it feels perfect in my hand every time I write with it and the nib continues to perform flawlessly. Because of that, it's one of my favourite pens and I can't see myself replacing it. I love it too much.
Diplomat make wonderful pens! The best pen for you is the one you use the most.
I have a Namiki Nippon Art crane and a Jinhao x450 in black, red. I like them both for different reasons and try to use them as much as I can. Hobby is about having fun and if using a fountain pen brings a little joy in a day more reason to use it, the joy shouldn’t be measured by the price of your pen. Just my two cents.
I have the same pen, which I swapped out the nib for a Goulet “F” nib. Love how it writes.💓
Does it flex btw? I've heard you can get some line variations?
It doesn't exactly flex, but the nib is quite flexible so line variations are possible.
https://preview.redd.it/y2ppd73fkklc1.jpeg?width=950&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=361c2938a1106f6369d1cee116c399a9d79c4e46 I’m not sure what’s the base line for this Sailor pen( is it Profit line? Definitely not a Pro Gear), but I love it. The feedback is so suitable for my writing style. Also, this is like my first expensive fountain pen so it holds a special place in my heart. The name of the pen is : SAILOR SHIKIORI TSUKUYO-NO-MINAMO
Ditto on Sailors - love your pen (I have a different color), the 14Ks and the 21K nibs too. If for 1 pen it will be the 21K Shikiori PGS Sound of Rain… I love the feel of 21K but prefer a slightly slimmer body and grip section on these for longer writing sessions. The feedback and the bounce is the best!
I love Sailor feedback and I was lucky enough to find the 14K nib at an easy to swallow price, I like it but I’m still very much attached to my first Sailor pen. I would love to try the Sailor PGS 21K nib Sound of Rain as well, my dream color is the Spring Rain one. I’m currently saving up for a Platinum before the Sailor though because I want to try all the big 3 Japanese brands on this subreddit.
I too am wanting to try one of the Platinum 3776 and complete my Japanese big three experience. I love my Pilots and the Preppies too but something about these Sailors just fits to me so well… I bought my Sound of Rain from Amazon Japan at about half of the current U.S. retail price- if you aren’t gung-ho about the colors- I too love the Spring Rain the most but got the Autumn Drizzle instead (matte purple). Now if they make a Realo in the smaller PGS or 1911s bodies….
I'm not a big fan of pink usually, but that's pretty nice! Kind of a subdued/pastel kind of pink. It looks really nice trimmed in gold.
Yes ! It also have gold shimmer/glitters on the body as well. It’s so pretty to look at in real life.
Oh wow! Sailor makes some gorgeous pens. What do you usually ink it with?
At first, I tried to ink it with Sailor Kitsune Biyori and the ink was super dry so I returned to my favourite blue ink : Pilot Tsuki-yo for around 6 months straight. However, I just finally pull the trigger and buy Sailor Shikiori Yozakura, and it’s definitely my favourite combination !
Just looked it up. It definitely looks like a good match!
Why do people keep asking this question almost every week? 5 pens is my minimum.
You mean five inked, right? Right?😂
See, you get it! 😆
Pilot Vanishing Point! So easy to deploy, so nice to write with.
Same here :) my Decimo is so nice and the clip doesn’t bother me woohoo
VP is the goat and I will personally fight anyone who disagrees.
I really wanted my Lamy Dialog 3 to be better. It just wasn't. The Pilot VP is so sleek and well engineered.
That's probably my runner-up. Excellent pen 👌
Same! If it’s just only fountain pen maybe my Sailor Yoseka PGS. But only one pen? Gotta be that vanishing point.
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I highly suggest the Pilot Custom 823.
love the body, but the filling mechanism isn’t for me. I change inks too often
If I ever make a pen.. it will be like the custom 823 with the added bonus of being easily dismantled to clean.
Yep. This, all day, every day. Pilot Custom 74 is a close second though if you don’t like vac fillers or you like to change ink colors more frequently.
You mean, the 743, right?
No, I did mean the 74, however upon closer inspection, and this is my ignorance here, I didn’t know the 743 came to America! So, I retract my previous statement because here you get the buttery smoothness of that Pilot 823 nib but you don’t have to go with the vac fill or the transparent look if you’re not into it. Pilot 743, check it out people.
Have you ever tried the 823 though. It’s fairly nice.
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It’s probably a conspiracy by big pen to get people to buy gold nib pens!
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This made me laugh pretty hard.
You should try the pilot custom 823;) I have it since a month and became my favorite pen. In fact I bought the amber right after the smoke version. Simply perfect balance and writing experience. On the podium the MB149, Omas Ogiva, Otto Hutt 01, and some pelikans.
Lamy safari
Same. They are dependable relatively inexpensive workhorses which I will happily take anywhere without worrying. And the ease of nib swapping gives you a variety of lines with a single pen…
Agreed
E95s
Pelikan Souverän M800 or M805 !!!
I'm suprised no one has said Lamy 2000 yet (which would be my pick)
That would be mine as well. L2K in EF inked with PCB. I use it every day, and it would be the last one I'd part with
I literally just got my L2K EF in today and inked it with PCB about 5 minutes ago. Wrote a few lines, and I can see what that fuss is about! I already love it.
One of us! One of us! I use it for work to sign documents and fill a planner and it makes it all so much better. Happy to see people on the same train
Lol. That's awesome! I'm thinking it's going to replace the Safari as my work pen, but I'm not 100% sure yet.
What’s pcb🚨?
Platinum carbon black
Same here. I have all the standard nib sizes of the Lamy 2000 and the medium is my fav fav.
I'm considering getting my first Lamy 2k. I prefer jap mediums or medium fines.. What's the equivalent in L2K?
Prob extra fine or fine.
Get the fine, thank me later.
Pilot Decimo
This might be the easiest question I will answer all day. For me it’s a TWSBI Diamond Mini - demonstrator piston filler with large ink capacity, reliable function, great nib options, compact pocket pen, and full size screw to post.
This is my pick too!
I wish I could give you 487 upvotes. :)
The vintage Parker 61 I inherited from my late grandfather
My grandma's 51 and 61 would be very high on the list!
Pelikan M600
Waterman Carene, Sterling Silver Medium nib.
I love my Carène.
I was gifted mine in Hawaii for our 25th wedding Anniversary, with South Sea blue cartridges! When we returned I met with a friend to show him my pen. We both laughed because he had been gifted a Waterman Charleston black GT and he was also using South Sea blue. That cemented a long term friendship and sadly, when he passed away, his wife met me at the funeral and gifted me his Charleston. She said that their adult kids were not interested and that her husband would want it to be in the care of a good friend and enthusiast. I treat it with more care than any pen I own.
Sheaffer Triumph nibbed pens from the 40s, preferably lever or touchdown filler. A Crest with striped celluloid body and section are my favs. Such gorgeous, smooth writers.
M1000. It's just perfect.
Parker Duofold Centennial
Sailor PGS in a cute color with H-M nib.
I know this is a fountain pen sub but for me I think it would a biro sorry guys but as much as I love fountain pens biro works on everything lol
Haha you like to live dangerously 😂
GvFC Classic Sterling Silver.
Sailor King of Pen.
Really tough question, but probably my 1920s Parker Duofold Junior aka "Little Red" (at least that's what I call it). Timeless design, gorgeous red/orange hardened rubber body, and a juicy medium broad 14k gold nib.
I love my little red with more of a fine/medium nib. I just love the style of that pen
Pilot Custom 823 51% vs. Pelikan M800 49%
It's really hard to decide on only one between them. Prefer vacuum fill and nib on 823, but M800 is more comfy and easier to handle, and has less turns to open and close. Also have an M800 in which I love.
Yard O Led Viceroy Grand (Victorian Pattern) with a broad nib. Looks stunning and writes like no other fountain pen.
Lamy 2K
Onoto scholar is my favourite to write with. Just wish I could afford their fancier pens!
Farber Castell Loom, I love how it feels and how it writes
Parker 51
One of my Sailors.
This should be the answer.
Today it'd be the Kaweco Parkeo M-nib. Though sometimes it's the Pilot Metropolitan that started this whole hobby for me.
Probably my Parker 45 w/ that pattern. It ain't much, but got it from my mother and has an unique pattern... lol
Pilot custom 823. Huge ink capacity, great size, great nib, and great build quility. only down side is its kind of a bitch to clean lol.
My most expensive pen I bought is Pilot Metro so I would use this everyday
These are always tough. If I want something more feedbacky, I'd have to go with Aurora Ambienti. Pleasant feedback, reliable writer, gorgeous pen, pison-fill. If I wanted buttery smooth nib, I'd probably go with Waterman Man 140, though that is cartridge/converter. Breaking that tie would be tough.
Still perfectly happy with my Platinum Curidas as my EDC for the foreseeable future, honestly. I am trying other pens, though!
Cross Bailey light Paid like $10 for it brand new and it's a great pen. I don't know if I just got very lucky with it out of the box, but it's a perfect pen.
damn, that‘s hard. but i guess pilot vanishing point. the convenience of not bothering with a cap is just to great.
Black Pilot Metro, fine nib
pilot metro , a fine nib as long as I had good paper.
I have a pen case in which I carry 4 or 5 pens everyday, a rotation of Vanishing Points, Decimo, Lamy 2000, Diplomat Aero, Carene, Parker 51, Pelikan 800, etc… but the one pen that is always in there and so the one I would choose for this ‘one pen for life’ is a Sheaffer Targa with a Stub nib, brilliant writer and a bulletproof brass casing…
platinum 3776 in M
Platinum President (UEF). It’s not the most interesting but it fits my hand perfectly and I love that needlepoint nib.
Lamy 2000
Lamy 2000. It looks better with age.
'Uni-Ball 2000' /s Joking aside, same choice here. Lovely pen.
Without a doubt: The Lamy Logo (black) i got from my dad for my 18th birthday that still serves me well after 25 years. For pure writing pleasure it is a hard choice between my Rotring 600 (M) of the Graf von Faber Castell Classic Macassar (M)
Benu Euphoria. So smooth to write with, and the larger size is perfect for my cranky fingers to grip.
It’s shockingly smooth! I didn’t think that I’d go for one and then I saw the Edelweiss in person, diptested it and had to bring it home!
A pen that I don't known? Probably a Custom Urushi. If it's one I own, probably a Custom 823.
rOtring 600 ballpoint
Kaweco Special
Pelikan M1000 Bold Nib.
It would be any old nib holder and the Brause steno 361 nib. Things will get slow but they’ll get gorgeous 💅🏼
Pelikan M205. Still writes beautifully.
Parker 51
One of Pilot Kaküno, Pelikan Pelikano, Pelikan Pelikano Junior or Lamy Safari; simple but great writers
Vanishing Point in gun metal with rhodium trim with a fine nib.
Scriveiner classic, medium nib.
Pilot Capless LS. Almost said Platinum Curidas but I love the weight/positive pressure of a heavier metal pen.
some boring bulletproof pen, maybe a parker vector, or a bit more fancy, a parker sonnet
My Sailor PGS Starry Sky. I just love looking at it, and it has the perfect amount of feedback and smooth writing.
Other than the custom 823, I would have to say I’m starting to warm up to the custom 912 SF, as it gives you a decent amount of line variation. But if I had to choose a lighter pen, I would go with the E95S
Pinched broad edge nib #5, whatever holder with more than 10cm of height. Atl, because it was my first one and I liked it so much.
Platinum 3776 broad. I have the Sakura and it is perfect.
The one I mostly use, the Pelican Golden Beryll with, I think, the medium nib.
Nakaya Decapod in Midori tamenuri with a Naginata nib. Regular side for expressive writing, reverse for super fine lines. A functional work of art in every way, IMO.
I just started getting back into fountain pens this January, after 27 years, so I’m not really sure. So far this Pilot 823-M-Blk is a revelation. Very few things blow my jaded old self away anymore, this thing however had my jaw clinging to the floor for days. Found myself thinking about it while at work. But I also know the world of fountain pens is huge and the journey has just (re)started. So who knows.
Might be my TWSBI Vac Mini. It's not my favorite pen to write with when I have nice paper, but it is my most versatile pen, which is why it comes with me everywhere. And it's certainly the nicest writing fine nib I've ever owned.
I have an 823 coming from Japan in the next couple of weeks, and I will be astounded if it doesn't end up instantly becoming my favorite pen.
Today I will pick my coppy Karas Kustoms Fountain K with EF Nib and always inked with Diamine Ancient Copper.
Of the pens I have? Pilot Vanishing Point, closely followed by my Lamy 2000 and in a close race, my Lamy Safari in Charcoal. I don’t know what it is about that specific Safari, but the nib is crazy smooth, and I use it daily.
Pineider Avatar TTT. Super durable, super ink volume, very elegant look 😍
Either Lamy Al-star with syringe-filled cartridge (for extra volume) or TWSBI Eco. These are my ride or die EDCs.
Moonman M2. it’s got a huge ink capacity, writes wetly enough that it can show shading well, which is my favourite ink characteristic, and the durable plastic looks super good as a clear demonstrator. it’s also so consistent despite how roughly I treat mine!
Probably my recently-acquired Pelikan M200 (EF) in brown marble. It's everything I've ever wanted from a fountain pen. Smooth, elegant, simple, with a crisp, fine line. The ink capacity is great, especially with the EF nib; I can write pages and pages of notes before it runs dry. If I'd purchased one sooner, I doubt my collection would be as sizable. It's truly regrettable, really.
If we're talking out of any pens, I'm going with a Sakura Ballsign ID 3C multipen, but if we're talking just fountain pens it would be my Pilot Metropolitan. It was my first fountain pen and it has never, ever given me any problems.
My silver grey Lamy Safari
As much as I love my vintage pens, probably my VP. It was the first one I got and it’s just so easy to use.
MB 1912
I probably would have said my VP in fine about 5 minutes ago, but I just inked my new Lamy 2000 EF, and I think it may take over. Both inked with PCB as they are both going to be EDC pens. I need to compare more to be sure. I love my Benu Euphoria, but I don't want a twist cap for EDC, so the Sailor Pro Gear is out as well.
My vintage 18k MB149/ebonite feeder and B nib
Lamy Dialog 3 with Extra Fine Gold Nip. It is my go-to pen
My Good Blue flex, it's just fun to write with.
Montblanc star walker precious resin in Medium nib. I won it and absolutely love its looks and the feel of nib on paper. The blue star on the cap is such a subtle nod to our planet earth.
Pilot Sterling Silver something. body can stand the test of time and a beating, its silver. and pilots amazing 18k nibs. totally last a lifetime.
My Parker Premier Cisele.
Visconti Homo sapiens.. I sent mine back for some nib trouble and I already miss it. Even with a bum nib it was nicer than all my other pens including my pilot custom 823... I find that sentence hard to say so I imagine it's even harder to believe but by god do I feel it in my soul.
Easy one. My all delrin Conid Regular with a 3776 medium stub.
Probably a Pelikan M200 with a vetted slim medium or fine nib (vetted for personal writing preference since most pens have some degree of variability)
Oooh.. that’s a hard one. Honestly, probably one of my vintage Esterbrook J series - it’s just such a good writer.
My Pilot Custom 743 Verdigris with M nib. I knew I had found my grail after the first word I wrote with it.
Partial-hooded gold nib pilot elite. Bouncy softness in the nib, but without the issue of getting ink on my fingers that the current ES model has bc ink travels to the edges of the inlaid nib.
Genuinely, if I could only use one pen, it would have to be a gel pen of some sort. I love my fountain pens and use them way more, but a gel pen is just more practical for everyday use
https://preview.redd.it/1om8za3ibmlc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fd1604cb4413e914f609c23a1352580de81589b My mint condition 1950s Sheaffer Snorkel Valiant (which is very hard to take a good picture of). I'd cry like a baby if I ever lost this pen. It is both my everyday carry and my most precious piece of stationery. Yes the nib is supposed to be bent 😏
My sheaffer intrigue hands down. It's such a smooth writing experience and it's in the whale shark pattern.
Probably Pilot custom 743
Pilot Falcon SEF♥️
Twsbi Eco. The weight and the grip is the most comfortable for me when writing long sessions.
The one that will not run out of ink
Namiki Yukari Nightline Moonlight Raden. It is the perfect balance of artistry, performance, and personal significance (it commemorated an important date).
My pilot VP. I just wish it held more ink.
Lamy2000 fine
Pilot metal Falcon, F nib. Nib rarely dries due I guess to the screw on cap. Just enough flex for drawing. The nib looks different from nearly anything else.
I’m not telling. Forgerers be damned.
Sheaffer 300 Yes, really.
I only want a Lamy Safari. But in All-Black. In EF/F nib. With a black ink that is also from Lamy.
My Ruan Krusac Kraken Legend. It's just a lovely pen and an excellent writer.
My Lamy 2000.
My Pelikan M1000
I'd choose a Jinhao 9019 because of the large ink capacity or perhaps a twisby or other large capacity for same reason. If my life is the length of the ink capacity then more the better. I'm old but not ready to kick it just yet. (Perhaps I misunderstood the question?)
Pilot Custom Urushi in broad nib. THE HOBBY KILLER
From my VERY limited experience (LAMY Al-Star, Sheaffer Taranis, Parker Ingenuity, Kaweco Sport), I'd choose the Parker Ingenuity, however, I'd like to try the Pelikan M series. Esthetically I love the M700 and M900, but IHNI about the balance, the tip, and much more, and they are CRAZY expensive. If I had to choose right now, my Parker
My carandache 849 brings a smile every time I use it. It's my daily reliable PhD pen, bought in Cape Town over my first long trip abroad, and has been with me over Lisbon, Barcelona and Copenhagen.
It's the Pilot vanishing point for me. The shape, the weight, the ability to use it one-handed, the click, the seal, the nib--perfection.
That depends on how long my life lasts... ... and on the nib size: Faber Castell Loom EF Namisu horizon F Schneider Ray M I focus on the nib and how it feels. If I could choose just one fountain pen but with multiple nibs (EF, F, M), it would be a Faber-Castell Loom. Here too, my main concern are the nibs.
My Diplomat Excellence A2 in evergreen. It has one of the most amazing nibs I have ever written with, has great overall build quality, looks stunning without being too flashy and is perfect for every day notes since it is a snap cap (bonus point the capping is extremely satisfying). I got this pen recently and it really suprised me how good this steel nib is, actually surpassing most of my gold nibs in my opinion.