I've been thinking about getting a FP for a week or so and after surfing the NIB for a bit it seems that a good starting point may be with a Pilot Metropolitan or a Lamy Safari. To satisfy my initial curiosity I picked up a 3-pack of the Pilot Varsity last night just to mess around.
Here are my initial impressions.
1)I think the nib on the Varsity is a bit wider than I may care to have.
2) Since I don't write by hand much, I find that the ink flow is a bit more than I'd like and that if I pause, even momentarily, the ink bleeds through the sheet from a standard legal pad.
Here's what I think I'd like in my first fountain pen.
1) Something with a smaller nib than the Varsity, maybe an EF or an F, but definitely something that will accept different size nibs so I can experiment without buy new pens. Since I don't know the size of the nib on the Varsity I don't really have a good starting reference point. I'm assuming that the Varsity is either an M or B.
2) For initial use I'm looking for something to use daily in note taking with your generic garden variety note pad.
3) I think I'd like to begin simply so a cartridge system is okay with me. This will likely change as I progress so something that will easily take a converter may be preferable.
4) I like the idea of the TWSBI because it can be disassembled completely, but I understand it may not have many nib options in the US. I don't think that it will take cartridges so this may be more of a second-pen option.
5) I don't want anything with a huge barrel since my hands are becoming arthritic, but I don't like terribly skinny pens either.
Will either the PM or the Safari meet these conditions or is there a better option. I'm also good with buying one of each given their price point.
Any thoughts or recommendations for me?
Here are my initial impressions.
1)I think the nib on the Varsity is a bit wider than I may care to have.
2) Since I don't write by hand much, I find that the ink flow is a bit more than I'd like and that if I pause, even momentarily, the ink bleeds through the sheet from a standard legal pad.
Here's what I think I'd like in my first fountain pen.
1) Something with a smaller nib than the Varsity, maybe an EF or an F, but definitely something that will accept different size nibs so I can experiment without buy new pens. Since I don't know the size of the nib on the Varsity I don't really have a good starting reference point. I'm assuming that the Varsity is either an M or B.
2) For initial use I'm looking for something to use daily in note taking with your generic garden variety note pad.
3) I think I'd like to begin simply so a cartridge system is okay with me. This will likely change as I progress so something that will easily take a converter may be preferable.
4) I like the idea of the TWSBI because it can be disassembled completely, but I understand it may not have many nib options in the US. I don't think that it will take cartridges so this may be more of a second-pen option.
5) I don't want anything with a huge barrel since my hands are becoming arthritic, but I don't like terribly skinny pens either.
Will either the PM or the Safari meet these conditions or is there a better option. I'm also good with buying one of each given their price point.
Any thoughts or recommendations for me?
Do we need to revoke your enabler card, Tony?
, but if you're going to stay, You can get the metro and a pilot 78g ( off of the bay for about $10 ) in a fine NIB and swap the barrel and cap depending on which Nib you want to use that day. Good thing is, you can get a 78g in broad as well if you want to experiment with a wider line.
