Franklin-Christoph Model 65 with Masuyama Broad Steel Stub: Pen Review

[andrew98]

The F-C Model 65 and it's larger relative, the Model 66, are desk pens. As such, they don't have a clip, but they do have a flat side to help keep them from rolling off your desk or table. The Model 66 is 0.5" longer than the 65. The 66 has a #6 nib, and the 65 has a #5 nib. These pens are based on a pen that F-C designed, so customers could try all the F-C nibs at pen shows. Folks started asking to buy those pens, so F-C designed and released the Model 65 and Model 66.

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Like all (?) F-C pens, steel and 18K gold nibs are available, and choosing one is part of the fun of buying a F-C fountain pen. There are also standard nibs and custom nibs ground by Mike Masuyama who gained a lot of his experience working for Sailor in Japan. My pen's steel Masuyama broad stub is fantastic. It's smooth but provides a nice amount of feedback and offers a little line variation. Thanks to a B&B member, I was able to try a medium italic F-C steel nib some time ago. I prefer the stub because I find it easier to use. F-C italics a quite crisp, and provide very nice line variation. They're a lot of fun but take some getting used to. The medium and broad Masuyama stub and italic nibs don't write vastly different line widths, so I went with the broad stub.

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The rest of the pen is pretty basic and unassuming, except for the cap threads and engraving on the pen's flat side. The cap threads are large, and because they are at the end of the grip section nearest the nib, you never feel them during use. The cap comes off with just over half a turn. I don't use pens posted but the cap posts nicely. The entire pen is plastic, so it can be eyedroppered if you require a few long international cartridges worth of ink. My pen came with a converter and two cartridges; one black and one blue. I'm using the blue cart at the moment, and it's great ink.



This is a pen I've been interested in for some time now. I like the simple, utilitarian design, which is light and very comfortable to use. I also wanted to try a Masuyama nib, and I'm sure glad I did!

-Andy

 

[celestino]

Nice looking nib, Andy. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for the review.

 

[nemo]

Nice review. I'm guessing it is meant as a desk pen? I wouldn't know how to carry a pen without a clip.

Your nib seems to have been sliced a little off-center, I have an old Pelikan nib like that and it feels a little like an oblique (sliced more to the left of center on mine, though).

 

[Bob L.]

Fine review.

I have a Masuyama broad-stub nib on my FC pen and its my favorite nib. It works well on most papers and the ink trail it leaves behind looks great. Just wish I could get a Masuyama broad-stub on one of my Parker 51s.

 

[andrew98]

Nice review. I'm guessing it is meant as a desk pen? I wouldn't know how to carry a pen without a clip.

Your nib seems to have been sliced a little off-center, I have an old Pelikan nib like that and it feels a little like an oblique (sliced more to the left of center on mine, though).

Yep. It's a desk pen. I carry all my pens in a pen case that rides in a messenger bag, so I'm not bothered by the lack of clip. I never benefit from the clips on any of my pens, really.

The nib was indeed sliced off center. It doesn't bother me, though, and it writes fine. It's a keeper. This is easily one of the nicest nibs I own. The pen isn't terribly exciting to look at, but I think it's unique, especially the cap threads. I like its simple design. I've always thought of this pen as a regular Joe's Nakaya.

-Andy

 

[andrew98]

Nice looking nib, Andy. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for the review.

Fine review.

I have a Masuyama broad-stub nib on my FC pen and its my favorite nib. It works well on most papers and the ink trail it leaves behind looks great. Just wish I could get a Masuyama broad-stub on one of my Parker 51s.

Thanks guys. Are nibs other than fine difficult to come by for Parker 51s? If you could find a broad 51 nib, you could always have it ground to a stub. I have no idea what that would cost, though.

-Andy

 

[brianw]

Thanks guys. Are nibs other than fine difficult to come by for Parker 51s? If you could find a broad 51 nib, you could always have it ground to a stub. I have no idea what that would cost, though.

-Andy

Yes they are.... Broad 51 nibs are rare as hens teeth, although Greg Minuskin can retip them if you want. I saw one of his BBB nibs... what a honker