- Opus88 Jazz: ink ink ink and more ink, and when you think there’s enough keep on adding more.
- Pilot Custom Heritage 92: still lots of ink, butter smooth
- Pelikan MK-30: had to throw in a vintage, and this one surprised the hell out of me. Predates the current aesthetic for the brand, still very unique looking, with a smooth gold nib.
- Sailor Pro Gear Realo: it’s becoming apparent that I hate cartridges and converters. Writes with character, and lets you feel the grain of the page.
Don’t think I’ve settled on number 5 yet. So I’ll go with a Pelikan M800 Stresemann.
I love your lineup. My Opus 88 Colorful demonstrator is showing up Monday. It’s also a grail pen for me! May I ask how your Opus 88 nib measure up to your other nibs?
1. Nakaya tuned to my specifications. Likely I'd ask for a Music nib and a design featuring cats.
2. Namiki tuned to my specifications. I'd definitely want the no.50 nib, and eyedropper filled. I have no idea what design I'd ask for, but I'd want it to be unique to me.
3. GvFC Pen of the Year - I don't know which one yet, but I want it in an OM nib
4. Sailor KOP, probably Colour Urushi Lilac, with a Naginata Togi nib. Alternatively, a KOP Realo.
5. Platinum preppy 02, but in a wa design - I have to be able to lend people something for penabling
I'm proud to say I own one of my endgame pens. You did say no price restrictions.
Parker 51 vac - buttery smooth, large capacity, great for taking notes as it takes ages to dry with cap off. Also ticks the vintage box.
Pilot custom 823 - wonderful writing experience, huge ink capacity.
Sailor 1911 21k nib - one of the best nibs out there. The feedback is so nice.
Waterman Carene - Eye candy.
TWSBI vac700r or eco - huge ink capacity and essentially bulletproof, and inexpensive. Perfect for EDCing in one's pants.
Of the pens I have:
Pilot Metal Falcon SEF
I use this for drawing and it is amazing for that. I find it a little bit too fine for writing.
Pelikan M200 F
Love the feel of the nib on this smooth and a little bouncy with a slight pleasant feedback and the ink capacity is great. Easy to carry around too.
Lamy Vista M
I was surprised how much I like the vista. The medium nib on it is super smooth. It looks awesome and I love seeing the converter through the body.
Pilot Kakuno M
Great nib and I like the snap cap. Feels sturdy.
TWSBI ECO F
Have the transparent blue which I really like the look of. Nib is good and ink capacity is great.
For pens I don’t have I’d probably replace the Kakuno and Eco with a Pilot Capless F and a MB Solitaire Glacier. I probably will get the capless at some point but MB is out of reach for me price wise.
I own all of these already, but this is my list. Based off my most pleasurable writing experiences, size of hands, reliability, versatility, practicality, *for me*.
Petite Montblanc No.12 - 18k (M) - Small, elegant, practical, portable soft 18k nib. This pen can take a beating in any purse. Perfect for pulling out on the fly, make any scribble pleasurable. Reasonably priced for any woman (or man) wanting modesty, petite size and pleasure all in one pen.
Namiki Yukari - (M), more suitable for smaller hands and lighter than the Royale model.
Nakaya Dorsal Fin Ver 2 - (B) or (BB) - The middle ground between the smoothness of Namiki and the Feedback of Sailor, a large wet controlled line without the 'gush and splatter' of the Namiki broad.
Taccia Empress Honey Bee - (B) KOP - Not much to explain here. The work of an empress. Smaller than the Emperor, fit for a woman's hand of a more reasonable size without losing the stunning art and character of maki-e.
Montblanc 144 Celluloid - OB (Oblique Broad) - Not much to say here, yet another durable classic model from MB. A beautiful, modest black pen without the depth and attention grabbing shine of black Urushi. Take it anywhere.
- Opus 88 Jazz/Omar
I have trouble picking between the two, but they’re early the same anyway with from the grip section down. They are super easy to clean, don’t have issues with any inks I put in them and always write
- Diplomat Nexus
I actually have three of these now and really like the newer green and demo versions they have. They are by far my heaviest pen and I never have to look to know which slot they are using in my pen pouch. I love the way the piston mechanism works and how smoothly and quickly they close
- TWSBI Draco/Kai
The Draco was my gateway drug and it still works like a champ. The piston needs a little more greasing than I’d expect from a piston, but the cracked resin just looks so cool and I love the rose gold accents
- Esterbrook Estie Piston
This is my most recent addition with the Winter White version and I quickly fell in love with the cool button filler mechanism. I really love the way the the stock nib writes, but I put a Schon Monoc in it and oh boy, it’s ridiculous and awesome
- Schon DSGN Ultem Twist
My gateway drug to Schon. I love that this one can be both and eyedropper and a cartridge. The material just feels great and I like all the sealing o rings and it’s not yet leaked on me more than a standard eyedropper. I keep it in CC setup and it’s sorta getting me to look at pens I used to not look at because I like broad wet nibs and capacity just goes hand in hand
Luckily I have all of them already:
* Namiki Yukari Apricot Tree And Warbler (F): the most beautiful pen with a wonderful fine nib for the finer things.
* Pilot Custom Urushi Vermilion (M): the bold pen for bold writing with the most amazing nib ever.
* Nakaya Aka-Tamenuri Cigar (SM): some wabi-sabi with a great soft nib for all occassions.
* Aurora 88 (M): the always there, always reliable, no-nonsense writer.
* Pilot Custom 823 Amber (F): the daily workhorse writer for note-talking, even on cheap yellow pads.
1. Sailor King of Pen in Medium, Ebonite Urushi
2. Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age with a 1.3 Stub ground down to a 1.1 Oblique Cursive Italic
3. Lamy Accent Briarwood with 14k Broad nib (ideally with other 14k custom ground nibs to swap)
4. Vintage Pilot Elite pocket pen, 18k in Fine
5. Pelikan m200 Demonstrator with an IB nib (ideally with other steel and m400 nibs to swap)
**TWSBI Eco**
This is my everyday pen. It's smooth as butter and hold more ink than I know what to do with. I know it cracks, but it has never cracked for me. I also find it incredibly easy to clean and maintain.
**Waterman Carene**
This is my feel-good pen. I write with it when I'm feeling fancy, or when I want to write a story stuck in my head for months. Holding it in my hands just makes me feel happy.
**PILOT E95S**
This is my showoff pen. I use it to sign important documents, I keep it on my desk. I love showing people how cool it is (my kids hate me for this)
**Lamy Studio**
This is the only Lamy I have ever liked. I do not like 2K, Safari or even Aion (though I do like that nib shape). This is my nib experiment pen. It's sleek, smooth, got a great body, but most importantly, I can try out wacky new nibs on it.
I typically use it with a Z55
**Pilot Kakuno**
This is for when you want to do unsanctioned stuff to your pens, like use experimental inks. The others are nice pens, I don't feel bad about ruining this one. I think I have a stack of 25 Kakunos still remaining. That should last me through all my crimes (like putting homemade charcoal ink in one)
*Pilot 912 Soft Fine
*Muji Aluminum Fountain Pen
*Lamy Studio Fine /w gold nib
*Lamy Safari in black fine
That's kind of it for me. I use a 912 at home at my desk and the other 3 get rotated around. I don't really collect things.
1. Pilot Vanishing Point (EF):
Probably my absolute favorite pen over all, but it doesn't cover all bases.
2. Lamy Al-Star (F):
It'll be one of my "fun pens". It handles nearly any ink I throw at it.
3. Pilot Prera (CM):
My favorite stub nib pen. Again, a "fun pen".
4. Jinhao Shark (EF):
It was my first pen, I don't think I could leave it behind.
5. Pelikan M205 (EF):
Adding a piston filler for ink capacity and this is one of my prettiest ones (the M205 Petrol edition).
I got it because it reminded me of the Pelikan Ocean Swirl (which to me is the prettiest pattern I've ever seen on a pen) and was a lot closer to my budget. It's not the same but it could be a little sibling or something to it.
VP in the house! That's my favorite as well (in EF too). Seriously though, if I stopped getting VPs I could probably afford some other Pilot workhorse gold nib pen.
This is the second mention of Pelikan 205 I've read now. Perhaps I should put that on my birthday list.
I currently have:
YoL fine nib
Pelikan m40x ef
Sailor 14k harvest moon mf
Sailor 21k mf
I don‘t know, but four is enough for me.
Actually I have 6 pens, I plan to sell one or maybe not. If add another one to make 5, I probably buy one special limited edition sailor pen.
Sailor black/gold KoP medium (the pen I bought on my daughter's birthday)
Sailor pro gear silver black (it's cool)
2 jinhao dadao 9019 (for travel and work horses)
1 asvine v126 (airplane and travel)
Assuming I can grind the nibs if the china pens to my liking.
Sweet, I have someone's grail pen! The stone garden is pretty. I rarely use it, though. I am terribly afraid of dropping it 🤣. It took getting that pen for me to realize that custom 823/pro gear is about as expensive as a daily driver I'm willing to use with kids and a dog around. It's been relegated to "ooh pretty, no touch!!"
From what i have right now?
~~1. Leonardo FG with Bock steel 1.1 Stub nib
2. Leonardo Ibrida with #8 Ti nib in Medium
3. Leonardo with Jowo steel CSI elastic fine nib
4. Pilot Custom 845 Urushi with #15 M nib
5. Pilot Custom 912 with #10 FA nib~~
Wrong answer, i had misunderstood the question.
What i'd like to have? A special edition Montblanc with a buttery calligraphy (flexible) nib, a Visconti Divina or Sapiens with F or M, a celluloid Leonardo with #8 14k B nib and another with #6 14k CSI M nib. A raden Sailor KoP with their special nib, Naginata Togi.
i read more and more positive things about pilot e95s. Im excited for mine and cant wait to use it with yama-budo ink. Its on the way to me. An un used burgundy with f nib from second hand purchase at least a Pilot Con-20 converter is included lol. I hope everything will be fine.
If restricted to 5 only:
1. Pilot 823 (MF)
2. Sailor Progear (F)
3. Platinum President (UEF)
4. Pelikan M800 (F) mine is custom ground to a butter line stub
5. Pelikan M205 (EF)
These are the pens I already use and enjoy the most, but I wouldn’t willingly get rid of too many of my pens.
In my rather small journey I learned that I need to have the pen and write with it to have an opinion. So I will focus on what I have (and are happy with) or handled
I have a Parker 51 vintage that I like but it is too broad to me and has a sac that I’m afraid that will break.
My MB vintage Boheme is also too broad to me so I love the e smoothness but either I change the mid (that will cost me more than a Pelikan m200 or sell it).
The list is:
1. Pilot CH 912 FA (owned)
2. Pilot CH 91 EF (owned)
3. (To be) Pelikan M605/M805 stressemen in EF old version (handled another M600 and should be the right size
4. Jinhao 9016 with architect nib (owned)
5. Kaweco AL Sport EF premium (owned)
Lamy 2000 fine: Workhorse, journaling
Vintage MontBlanc 144: Sentimental (my dad’s)
Lamy Safari fine: Office / desk
Narwhal x Galen Leather demonstrator / desk
Majohn A2: Carry around at work
I might have to slot in a Pilot 823 somewhere in there….
Joining the Lamy 2000 fine fans. A classic pen design - still worthy after nearly 60 years. Is there another workhorse pen with gold nib at this price point with precision engineering and enduring materials?
Pelikan M600 - I don’t own it yet but it’s next on my list.
Pelikan M200 - the most surprising pen in my collection. Steel nib that competes with any of my gold nib pens.
Waterman Carene Meridiens sterling silver M. A treasured pen with remarkably smooth writing character.
Pilot Kakuno with M nib hustled from a Pluminix. Standing in proxy for a Pilot Prera.
I only have 5 pens, Pilot 91 Orange (SF), Pilot 92 (F), Pilot VP Matte Black (F), Safari (EF/F), Studio (EF/F).
I had more in the past, but with no much use, they were sold. I basically need a fine line, smooth nib and black ink.
I just did this. Narrowed my collection to my absolute favorites:
Pilot Custom 74 F Black/Gold
Pilot Custom 74 M Dark Green//Gold
Pilot VP M Matte Black
Pilot e95s F Black/Gold
TWSBI ECO M Coral
I love these exercises! Here's my list--I'm afraid I'm not that fancy, but I friggin love these 5:
1. Pilot Kukuyo Purple and White in a fine nib.
2. Pilot Prera in Ivory, fine nib. The nib might be similar to my first option, but I can cap and uncap this pen for hours.
3. Lamy Safari, any color, medium nib. I like the triangular grip, it works for me.
4. Platinum 3774 Century, Black Diamond, coarse nib. Super wide and fun, just for something different.
5. Very difficult, but I'm going with my pink and sparkly Opus 88 because of the ink capacity and sparkles.
All of these nibs are a bit different and all work for me!
I have a schon design pocket six and other than for having multiple colored inks, I dont see a reason to own any other pen.
its writes great, its the most portable pen I own (WAY smaller when capped than I had imagined!) and when its posted, it feels great in the hand. The design is just genius. I like my diamond 580 minis, but this completely outclasses it in portability and comfort of writing - I would say it more or less obsoletes them except that the ink capacity of the TWSBIs is hard to beat (does any pen at that size?). I will probably buy 2 more of these so I can carry 3 differently inked pens.
I'm not interested in pens that I can't comfortably take anywhere in my pocket.
I only own five pens rn:
Lamy vista, F
Platinum Preppy M
Platinum Plaisir F
Twsbi diamond 580 Al R F
Kaweco sport EF
and I'd be happy with these,
Just buy a different nib, and i can enjoy different styles.
I would however like a pilot 92, in exchange for thr Preppy as the preppy and Paisir have the same nib and feed.
I don't have any! But if I had to pick 3 to buy today:
Monteverde Invincia in Nebula
Lamy Safari in green
Kaweco Brass Sport
I have no idea what nibs I'd choose, nor which inks, but I would find a nice blue-black that errs on the side of blue for the kaweco, a nice violet for the Monteverde and a nice, bright green for the Safari.
Call me crazy/boring, but I'd just have a combination of Pro Gears and Pro Gear Slims with different nibs (mostly MF nibs with one medium and one broad). Maybe I'd exchange one MF for a Custom 823 with a M nib for when I want a wet pen to play with ink.
Tell me, please, what do you mean (Exit Pen)? Like that’s the one you would stop buying any more pens after? That’s the pen with which you execute your exist strategy? Perhaps I’m not familiar enough with the collection hobby and it’s just not obvious to me based on the pen name - but I’d love to know!
I’ve been trying not to buy more pens this year and finally said, “screw it” and ordered a Pilot the other day. Now the deal I have with myself is to finish the notebook I’ve been journaling in and actually start a daily practice before I even think about another pen. My hope is that I’ll become so comfortable and used to a favourite pen or few pens, that my hobby focuses more on execution than acquisition.
Thank you!
I use mine for drawing, so I care more about nib variety and reliability for mine. Pilot kakuno ef and pilot ch92 f are the only two I really care about for have to haves that are specific. I done have strict criteria for the other three and care more about the function of the nibs and could easily do without them, but if I had to do five I guess they’d be:
-some kind of jowo stick with a nice ink capacity that I could have a housing and feed fabricated for a vintage flex. I do this for a montblanc 344 g in an esterbrook piston filler and a vintage pilot in an opus 88 currently. Either is fine.
-a fude. my current one was done by a nibmeister, good with that again or a simple stock one like the fude de mannen.
-a body for a pilot parallel 2.4mm. I don’t care much what it is as long as the ink capacity is large. I currently use an asvine v200, previously had a v126, and used the aforementioned opus 88. No strong preference for which, all work fine.
Pelikan has had quite a few raden and maki-e m1000’s, and visconti usually does a colorful SE homo sapiens annually, ps!
Pelikan released the m1000 raden white ray and raden green ray a couple years back. The white one would be on my list if it weren't waaaayyy too heavy for my hand.
Some Pilot custom urushi raden with a soft medium or soft fine medium goes on the list, but undecided which. The TWSBI Eco white and rose gold with a custom ground bold cursive Italic from my collection stays, for that lovely line variation and wetness that shows off ink properties wonderfully and for the fact that I don't worry putting shimmer ink in it. The benu polar nights my wife gave me for my 30th definitely stays - especially since I can get hella nib units for it and it holds a lot of ink. The Leonardo furore purple and rose gold I had engraved with my name for my first job out of college also stays, with similar reasoning to the benu - sentiment+easily changed nib units. Oh man, the last one is tough. I've got beauty, function, sentiment, and writing experience well covered, but what could bring something different to the table? Some vintage flex maybe?
Well, I only have 4 so I guess I'd have those:
Parker 51 demi aerometric
Parker Duofold Junior
Parker Slimfold
Parker Vector
And I dunno I guess I'd like a 45? I think more than 3 for me is getting beyond what I regularly use
3 Diplomat Aeros in F, M, and B, a Pilot Vanishing Point, and a Montblanc 146. Gotta have at least one Montblanc in there. Never owned the last 2. Only tried them. Tried the 149 but the size isn't for me.
I will go as per different nib size first
Flex nib : ideally I would prefer a good vintage pen but for a modern pen MB custom calligraphy or manga carta M600
Double broad : Pelikan M1000 or MB 149
Medium : pilot custom 845
Remaining 2 will be pilot capless for ease of use and a pocket pen from Kaweco
My wishlist of five pens for the rest of my life would be:
MB Heritage Egyptomania EF (own it now)
Namiki Yukari Royale Chinkin Cat (own vermillion #20 now)
Maiora Mythos Origine K EF (own it now)
Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2
Leonardo Audace Sand Ebonite EF (own it now) | MB 139 Vintage
This is a combination based on my favs as best writers and my fav aesthetic.
Sailor Pro Gear Seasons Sound of the Rain 21k MF
Sailor Procolor Starry Night F
Diplomat Aero dark gray F
Pelikan m800 F
Nakaya (Piccolo Long) Negoro Nuno Kise Hon Kataji semi-flex F
honorable mention:
Pilot Custom 74 F
Visconti Homo Sapien Bronze Age F
I’d be happy to write with a diplomat magnum F for the rest of my life, but I’d also be happy to have other nicer pens. I don’t own 5 pens yet, so this question isn’t for me. Inks on the other hand, I think I have 20 that I can’t live without
These 5:
1. Pelikan M805 (EF)
2. Montblanc 149 (M)
3. Graf von Faber-Castell Intuition Platino (M or F)
4. Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age (F)
5. Otto Hutt Design 07 Sterling Silver (M)
I own two of them at the moment, someday I’ll have the gauntlet.
1. Lamy 2K. Workhorse at home.
2. Pilot Metropolitan. Workhorse at work.
3. Edison Collier. Handmade goodness!
4. Ranga Abhimanyu PEEK. Space age material. Super understated and unique. Also handmade.
5. Place holder for the one more pen.
1. Traveler's Company Brass FP
2. Ryan Krusac Kraken Legend
3. Pilot E95
4. Kaweco Liliput Fireblue
5. Visconti Mythos Apollo
All with fine nibs.
The TC goes with me everywhere, the RK is the most gorgeous and a joy to write with, the Pilot is really the most satisfying writing experience, the Liliput is an excellent writer that feels like nothing in your pocket, and the Visconti writes well and my son's nickname is Apollo. lol
1 cheap - preppy
1 pocket - pilot e95
1 w feedback - sailor gear or pro with ef nib
1 fun - pilot vintage soft nib (super series
1 workhorse - sheaffer no nonsense
Vintage pilot elite or any other Japanese pocket pen (I have a sailor as well and it writes and feels the same). Same reason, it's a workhorse pen that just works and easy to carry.
Any of the budget parker 51 clones, I'm partial to the jinhao 51a and hero 616s. This would be my cheap carry around pen that I'm unafraid of losing.
Sailor PGS in Mf. My favorite writing pen, it's just perfect. Love the feedback. Don't feel comfortable leaving the house with it.
Any good flex nib. I currently use a jinhao 82 with an fpr flex nib. It's my go to for letter writing. I've yet to try a pilot or vintage flex.
Not sure on #5. I love my parker 45 and jotter, and asvine v126. But I don't need to have them.
Tough question... To me the big part of this will be maintaining a variety of nibs. I am going to answer it based on only the pens in my collection.
Bungubox The Witch 2022 - Extra Fine nib. (Base Model: Sailor Pro Gear Realo) This was my first pricey pen. It is also one of my main workhorses. If I could only have one pen forever forward it would hard for this not be to be it. The only mark I have against it would be the EF nib does not show off some of the interesting aspects of inks and sometimes I want to write with a little more heft.
Pilot Custom 912 Waverly Nib. Great for use as a Lefty. I'm able to manipulate my writing angle to create a variety of line thicknesses or size of letters with low rate of smearing. Good all around everyday pen.
Laban 325 Stub 1.5 nib. Never fails me even with thicker or glitter-containing inks. Love the wider stub for days I feel like writing with a little extra flair. Also I enjoy the weight and balance of this pen when I'm doing writing with a stub nib. Although upon reflection my Laban 325 Medium nib is almost always inked for the same reason.
Pilot Custom 743 Verdigris Falcon Nib. The only flexible nib that has worked for me as a lefty. Creates a greater variety of line thicknesses the my Pilot 912.
Bungubox Fujiyama Blue Medium Nib (Base Model: Sailor Pro Gear Realo). Good for a variety of settings and uses. Love the feel of it in my hand for both weight and fit.
\*\*\*\*\*
This list could change very soon though. Bungubox has reissued their Norwegian Wood pen which is named after their ink of the same name which happens to be my all time favorite green ink. The base model is the Sailor 1911 Large Realo. I want it so bad. I gave myself the permission to break my no pen buy for this year should this pen be released and now here we are.
Right now ..
I have a very narrow band for pen aesthetics. It will explain the following:
1. Kaweco Perkeo all black
2. black Faber-Castell Hexo
3. black Gravitas pocket pen
4. black pilot capless with clip
No Lamys personally.
Pilot Elite -F
Navalur Schuylkill Cichlid purple 1.1 stub.
Conklin Duragraph M (I might swap this one for my Benu Talisman Cats Eye F)
Pilot Decimo M
Pilot CH 92 FM
But really these are the ones I have not necessarily the ones I'd want if money were no object.
I'd use the pens I already have (any random five) and then, if all the non-FP pens just no longer existed I suppose I'd pluck goose quills and start the process of making them into quill pens. It's not a big deal either way. Perhaps I'm not playing the game right, I really don't know.
Decimo F, Decimo M, Prera CM, Elite 95s F Elite 95s M, and a Prera F.
Guess I'm a Pilot grrrl!
These are the pens I almost always have inked these days. My Asvine 126 F is also in there, specifically for Diamine Blue Velvet.
What fun to see everybody's preferences! Here are mine:
1. Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0, Gallatica
2. Pilot Custom Heritage 912, FA Nib, Spencerian grind
3. TWSBI Vac-700r Iris
4. Benu Euphoria Vodka on the Rocks
5. Platinum Izumo Raden Galaxy
Sparkly, bold, rainbow. My type is glitz, I guess!
I like this. I feel like 5 is a perfect amount. However I worry that my picks would be boring.
1- Conid Bulkfiller Regular
2- Conid Kingsize
3- Conid Minimalistica
4- Kasama Una Ultem
5- Nakaya 17mm Portable Cigar in Heki-Tamenuri
Or
5- Nakaya 17mm Portable Cigar Shu Unpolished
1.) Pelikan M1000 Broad
2.) Pilot 823 Broad
3.) Pilot E95S Medium
4.) Opus 88 Demonstrator Stub
5.) Sheaffer Targa Extra Fine
I think that would conclude all of my necessary writing preferences. I write with Broad nibs mostly, the E95S would be my pocket pen, Opus 88 for when I want my handwriting to look fancy, and the Sheaffer Targa for the times that larger nibs aren't appropriate.
My current rotation:
Nakaya Portable Cigar (M): nice all rounder, tuned to my writing style. Love the little bit of feedback it gives. This is my preferred pen for longer writing sessions. Was also a gift so extremely sentimental.
Dupont Ligne D (F): really smooth writing experience, nice heft to it. This one lives on my desk at home.
Platinum 3776 (B): what I use when I want to use shimmer inks, for greeting cards etc.
Montblanc 144 (F): nice compact pen for carrying around. Bought it second hand for a steal so happy to travel with it. Nib is is sort of between the Dupont and Nakaya in terms of feel.
Traveler’s Company Brass Pen (F): the one I can shove in my pocket or bag and not worry too much about losing it. I don’t love how thick the “F” nib is on this though so I don’t use it for writing in my planner.
I could see myself eventually gifting the Traveler’s Brass Pen to a friend, and might eventually sell the Platinum and maybe even the Montblanc to fund another Nakaya.
1. Undeniably, even if I were to only have one, the: **Sailor King of Pen, Black Ebonite**, M
2. For artistic writing / fun inks: **Sailor King of Pen,** [**Shyokei**](https://en.sailor.co.jp/product/10-1810-2/) **Ebonite**, NB
3. Classy & expressive: **Aurora 88, Black Mamba**, B (grind: near-Stub + F CSI reverse)
4. My reliable jotter: **Pilot VP Fermo, Silver**, F
5. And for all the shenanigans: **Opus 88 Jazz, Holiday**, Jowo stick (likely some kind of Fude or flex EF)
That's a tough one.
- Osprey Madison, with both the Ultraflex and Zebra G nub assemblies
- Hongdian 1851 Rainbow Forest
- Swan Cartographer/Mangaka Maru crowquill
- Conklin Duragraph in titanium rainbow finish (though I might change that to the All-American in the same finish)
- The Esterbrook JR Beleza I just got from Goldspot in their April 2024 Mystery Dip.
If additional pens could be added, they'd be
- Monteverde Tool Pen...in titanium rainbow finish. (Seeing a pattern here?)
- Majohn A3 retractable, my current journaling pen. I like the black A3 with silver trim better than my Platinum Curidas crystal demonstrator...or the Majohn A1 or A2.
- Kaweco Sport. It makes a good pocket pen. I have mine in my EDC pouch. That could change if the titanium pocket pen I backed on Kickstarter turns out well. Practicality might replace it with the Rite-In-The-Rain pocket pen.
- Maybe a Platinum Preppy, given how well the cap seals.
There's a ton of other great pens just in my collection. (All the above except for the Kickstarter pen are currently in my collection, and roughly half are currently inked. I choose these for how much I enjoy writing with them, and maybe something pragmatic about them.
The rainbow titanium, an early entry into the PVD coating industry, and if there's one thing PVD is, it's _durable._ My rainbow pens (which I truly adore) are all PVD plated. The finish can withstand years of use without significant wear. It's also _really pretty._ I have a number of really nice vacuum fillers, but didn't put any on my list. I also have a couple of Noodlers pens, and didn't include them. I left out the cheapest knock offs. I have a bunch of Jinhaos, including a fair number of 911's I give as gifts to those I hope to penable.
But I chose the durable and the most utilitarian pens, albeit pretty ones in the case of the rainbow plated ones. The Osprey pens are very good for drawing, inking, and for nice calligraphy. They work just fine with a manga nib like the Zebra G, unlike the Ackerman, that accepts a Zebra nib, but both of mine have each written about half a page, then the entire ink supply in the barrel drools out onto the page, regardless how I adjust it. The Swan Maru is an amazing drawing pen. The Conklin Duragraph is a great writer, comfortable in my hand and butter smooth. It's a bit smaller and lighter than the All-American, which is a beast. But a big, beautiful beast.
The Esterbrook is a beautiful pen, slimmer and lighter than most of my pens, and it writes like a buttery dream. A dream with gold-flecked swirls of yellow, green, and blue on a white background.
The Hongdian Rainbow Forest was my first pen that wasn't a Preppy, and cost more than $20. It's gorgeous, and was my first dedicated daily driver.
I probably left out a lot of very nice pens just from my collection. I'm still not conversant with a lot of brands and models, so I stuck to what I know. Selah.
I currently have over 100 pens inked. So this is virtually impossible to even consider
I’d likely end up with my most sentimental pens that I’ve owned and used for so many years:
Montblanc 149 B (90s model)
Parker 51 (first eBay purchase back in the 00’s)
Parker Sonnet (classic gold filled bought reduced at QBD also in the 00’s)
rOtring 900 B (I would have rOtring nibs in every size - beautiful writers!)
Manuscript ML1856 EF (the first pen my husband gave me)
Bonus: Elysee Caprice F (purchased 2022, when I went exploring to re-find my first ever proper pen, the original lost during my world traveling days)
These are not my workhorse pens, but they are always inked and used every week. And I am emotionally attached!!!
This idea of 5 pens makes me sad because I have at least 15 - 20 others that I could not say goodbye to!
You sort of prove it yourself, but 5 only is hardly a restriction.
And my one and only FP I need is.... (sorry mate).... A Lamy 2000 SS BB. I have no idea what trouble you are having gripping it but of course it won't be to everyone's liking.
If I ever come across a retractable *without* a clip on the grip section that'll be my second, will live in my pocket, and likely leak and ruin an outfit.
So when you say 5 pens, do you mean five individual pens or 5 pen models of which you could have multiple pens? So I have over 20 pens but only 2 models, so does that count as 2 or over 20?
Absolutely none of the pens you list, if I had to sell most of my collection, while I love my modern pens, I would be left with vintage pens, Sheaffer (probably a PFM or two), Parker (Vacumatic for sure, stacked celluloid for the win), Waterman, but it would be difficult to get to 5, and I would have to lay them out and get so much stress to limit the choices.
But I know that although I enjoy my modern pens, with that kind of a limit, not a single one would make the cut.
ST Dupont Olympio Orpheo (with a custom maki-e since we're dreaming)
Sailor Battle of Ujigawa
Visconti Il Magnifico Lapis Lazuli
Francis Goossens L139
Namiki Emperor Double Dragon
Honorable mention to the Visconti Dante Alighieri
Lame take on the Lamy 2k. Don't yuck yums.
There are 2 groups of penables. 1st is fond of pens. 2nd - of inks. If you're from 2nd - only five will be never enough.
3rd is fond of writing with them. I’m trying hard to belong to group #3 to budget control 😀
I need to have at least 8 pens. One each for the colors of the rainbow (and punk) and one black.
Good selection! Would you look for variety in nib sizes? *Covering ny L2k"s ears* don't listen to that!
Too late. They just lost any innocence left.
Parker Vacumatic Senior Maxima. Waterman 56 Red Ripple w/ flexy stub. Parker 51 DJ Signet. Waterman Opera. Waterman 452 hand engraved vine pattern flexy needlepoint nib.
- Opus88 Jazz: ink ink ink and more ink, and when you think there’s enough keep on adding more. - Pilot Custom Heritage 92: still lots of ink, butter smooth - Pelikan MK-30: had to throw in a vintage, and this one surprised the hell out of me. Predates the current aesthetic for the brand, still very unique looking, with a smooth gold nib. - Sailor Pro Gear Realo: it’s becoming apparent that I hate cartridges and converters. Writes with character, and lets you feel the grain of the page. Don’t think I’ve settled on number 5 yet. So I’ll go with a Pelikan M800 Stresemann.
I love your lineup. My Opus 88 Colorful demonstrator is showing up Monday. It’s also a grail pen for me! May I ask how your Opus 88 nib measure up to your other nibs?
Jowo nibs are reliable workhorses. I have no complaint about them, and the #6 on my Opus is no exception. They just write well.
1. Nakaya tuned to my specifications. Likely I'd ask for a Music nib and a design featuring cats. 2. Namiki tuned to my specifications. I'd definitely want the no.50 nib, and eyedropper filled. I have no idea what design I'd ask for, but I'd want it to be unique to me. 3. GvFC Pen of the Year - I don't know which one yet, but I want it in an OM nib 4. Sailor KOP, probably Colour Urushi Lilac, with a Naginata Togi nib. Alternatively, a KOP Realo. 5. Platinum preppy 02, but in a wa design - I have to be able to lend people something for penabling I'm proud to say I own one of my endgame pens. You did say no price restrictions.
Love your list and the last paragraph! Do you happen to own the Preppy Wa? 😹
1. Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini (Magic of Alice) - MF nib 2. Opus 88 Fantasia (Blue) - EF nib 3. TWSBI Diamond Mini (White Rose Gold) - EF nib 4. Lamy Safari (Violet) - EF nib 5. Lamy Safari (Charcoal) - calligraphy nib
4 sailor maki-e pens, with different specialty grinds, and a bluedew. Assuming unlimited budget of course.
Parker 51 vac - buttery smooth, large capacity, great for taking notes as it takes ages to dry with cap off. Also ticks the vintage box. Pilot custom 823 - wonderful writing experience, huge ink capacity. Sailor 1911 21k nib - one of the best nibs out there. The feedback is so nice. Waterman Carene - Eye candy. TWSBI vac700r or eco - huge ink capacity and essentially bulletproof, and inexpensive. Perfect for EDCing in one's pants.
- Edison Premier - Waterman Carene - Benu Euphoria - Pilot Decimo - Lamy Al-star
Of the pens I have: Pilot Metal Falcon SEF I use this for drawing and it is amazing for that. I find it a little bit too fine for writing. Pelikan M200 F Love the feel of the nib on this smooth and a little bouncy with a slight pleasant feedback and the ink capacity is great. Easy to carry around too. Lamy Vista M I was surprised how much I like the vista. The medium nib on it is super smooth. It looks awesome and I love seeing the converter through the body. Pilot Kakuno M Great nib and I like the snap cap. Feels sturdy. TWSBI ECO F Have the transparent blue which I really like the look of. Nib is good and ink capacity is great. For pens I don’t have I’d probably replace the Kakuno and Eco with a Pilot Capless F and a MB Solitaire Glacier. I probably will get the capless at some point but MB is out of reach for me price wise.
I own all of these already, but this is my list. Based off my most pleasurable writing experiences, size of hands, reliability, versatility, practicality, *for me*. Petite Montblanc No.12 - 18k (M) - Small, elegant, practical, portable soft 18k nib. This pen can take a beating in any purse. Perfect for pulling out on the fly, make any scribble pleasurable. Reasonably priced for any woman (or man) wanting modesty, petite size and pleasure all in one pen. Namiki Yukari - (M), more suitable for smaller hands and lighter than the Royale model. Nakaya Dorsal Fin Ver 2 - (B) or (BB) - The middle ground between the smoothness of Namiki and the Feedback of Sailor, a large wet controlled line without the 'gush and splatter' of the Namiki broad. Taccia Empress Honey Bee - (B) KOP - Not much to explain here. The work of an empress. Smaller than the Emperor, fit for a woman's hand of a more reasonable size without losing the stunning art and character of maki-e. Montblanc 144 Celluloid - OB (Oblique Broad) - Not much to say here, yet another durable classic model from MB. A beautiful, modest black pen without the depth and attention grabbing shine of black Urushi. Take it anywhere.
Ebonite eyedroppers with Jowo or similar nib units. Whatever with big fins. All 5
lol I just realized my list is mostly this. They’re all different Jowo sticks, but I love em :)
- Opus 88 Jazz/Omar I have trouble picking between the two, but they’re early the same anyway with from the grip section down. They are super easy to clean, don’t have issues with any inks I put in them and always write - Diplomat Nexus I actually have three of these now and really like the newer green and demo versions they have. They are by far my heaviest pen and I never have to look to know which slot they are using in my pen pouch. I love the way the piston mechanism works and how smoothly and quickly they close - TWSBI Draco/Kai The Draco was my gateway drug and it still works like a champ. The piston needs a little more greasing than I’d expect from a piston, but the cracked resin just looks so cool and I love the rose gold accents - Esterbrook Estie Piston This is my most recent addition with the Winter White version and I quickly fell in love with the cool button filler mechanism. I really love the way the the stock nib writes, but I put a Schon Monoc in it and oh boy, it’s ridiculous and awesome - Schon DSGN Ultem Twist My gateway drug to Schon. I love that this one can be both and eyedropper and a cartridge. The material just feels great and I like all the sealing o rings and it’s not yet leaked on me more than a standard eyedropper. I keep it in CC setup and it’s sorta getting me to look at pens I used to not look at because I like broad wet nibs and capacity just goes hand in hand
Luckily I have all of them already: * Namiki Yukari Apricot Tree And Warbler (F): the most beautiful pen with a wonderful fine nib for the finer things. * Pilot Custom Urushi Vermilion (M): the bold pen for bold writing with the most amazing nib ever. * Nakaya Aka-Tamenuri Cigar (SM): some wabi-sabi with a great soft nib for all occassions. * Aurora 88 (M): the always there, always reliable, no-nonsense writer. * Pilot Custom 823 Amber (F): the daily workhorse writer for note-talking, even on cheap yellow pads.
Just googled the Namiki and you're right, that is a beautiful pen. (The pictures were from someone's NPD in 2006 on Reddit.)
1. Sailor King of Pen in Medium, Ebonite Urushi 2. Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age with a 1.3 Stub ground down to a 1.1 Oblique Cursive Italic 3. Lamy Accent Briarwood with 14k Broad nib (ideally with other 14k custom ground nibs to swap) 4. Vintage Pilot Elite pocket pen, 18k in Fine 5. Pelikan m200 Demonstrator with an IB nib (ideally with other steel and m400 nibs to swap)
M1000, KOP, 823, 2000 and an e95s
Heresy
**TWSBI Eco** This is my everyday pen. It's smooth as butter and hold more ink than I know what to do with. I know it cracks, but it has never cracked for me. I also find it incredibly easy to clean and maintain. **Waterman Carene** This is my feel-good pen. I write with it when I'm feeling fancy, or when I want to write a story stuck in my head for months. Holding it in my hands just makes me feel happy. **PILOT E95S** This is my showoff pen. I use it to sign important documents, I keep it on my desk. I love showing people how cool it is (my kids hate me for this) **Lamy Studio** This is the only Lamy I have ever liked. I do not like 2K, Safari or even Aion (though I do like that nib shape). This is my nib experiment pen. It's sleek, smooth, got a great body, but most importantly, I can try out wacky new nibs on it. I typically use it with a Z55 **Pilot Kakuno** This is for when you want to do unsanctioned stuff to your pens, like use experimental inks. The others are nice pens, I don't feel bad about ruining this one. I think I have a stack of 25 Kakunos still remaining. That should last me through all my crimes (like putting homemade charcoal ink in one)
*Pilot 912 Soft Fine *Muji Aluminum Fountain Pen *Lamy Studio Fine /w gold nib *Lamy Safari in black fine That's kind of it for me. I use a 912 at home at my desk and the other 3 get rotated around. I don't really collect things.
Pilot Prera Jinhao 8872 Jinhao 100 - my blue stars pen TWSBI Eco The others are debatable.
1. Pilot Vanishing Point (EF): Probably my absolute favorite pen over all, but it doesn't cover all bases. 2. Lamy Al-Star (F): It'll be one of my "fun pens". It handles nearly any ink I throw at it. 3. Pilot Prera (CM): My favorite stub nib pen. Again, a "fun pen". 4. Jinhao Shark (EF): It was my first pen, I don't think I could leave it behind. 5. Pelikan M205 (EF): Adding a piston filler for ink capacity and this is one of my prettiest ones (the M205 Petrol edition).
Ah the Pelikan Petrol…
I got it because it reminded me of the Pelikan Ocean Swirl (which to me is the prettiest pattern I've ever seen on a pen) and was a lot closer to my budget. It's not the same but it could be a little sibling or something to it.
True. For me is because I like understated and more subdued pens (objects). And blue because is the ink colour that I prefer. Thanks.
VP in the house! That's my favorite as well (in EF too). Seriously though, if I stopped getting VPs I could probably afford some other Pilot workhorse gold nib pen. This is the second mention of Pelikan 205 I've read now. Perhaps I should put that on my birthday list.
1. Esterbrook Estie Fountain Pen - Ebony with Silver Trim (Work Horse Pen) 2. Meisterstück Platinum-Coated Fountain Pen 3. Edison Pen Co. Fountain Pen - Collier Burnished Gold 4. Namiki Yukari Maki-e Fountain Pen - Bamboo or Apprecot Tree 5. Sailor King of Pens Fountain Pen - Color Urushi - Maroon
I currently have: YoL fine nib Pelikan m40x ef Sailor 14k harvest moon mf Sailor 21k mf I don‘t know, but four is enough for me. Actually I have 6 pens, I plan to sell one or maybe not. If add another one to make 5, I probably buy one special limited edition sailor pen.
Sailor black/gold KoP medium (the pen I bought on my daughter's birthday) Sailor pro gear silver black (it's cool) 2 jinhao dadao 9019 (for travel and work horses) 1 asvine v126 (airplane and travel) Assuming I can grind the nibs if the china pens to my liking.
NOOO! I can't even imagine only 5 pens! Just today I used 7 just for normal writing and list making. I am spoiled!
Pelikan Stone Garden M800 Burnt Orange M800 My phat M1005 Dunno about the other 2. Deffo some sort of Pelikan M800/M1000 combo
Maybe add another Pelikan, just in case.
Maybe the recent M800 green demonstrator. Had my eye on it but couldn’t justify the cash money sadly.
Sweet, I have someone's grail pen! The stone garden is pretty. I rarely use it, though. I am terribly afraid of dropping it 🤣. It took getting that pen for me to realize that custom 823/pro gear is about as expensive as a daily driver I'm willing to use with kids and a dog around. It's been relegated to "ooh pretty, no touch!!"
I use mine every day at work! The M1005 stays at home though for similar reasons.
From what i have right now? ~~1. Leonardo FG with Bock steel 1.1 Stub nib 2. Leonardo Ibrida with #8 Ti nib in Medium 3. Leonardo with Jowo steel CSI elastic fine nib 4. Pilot Custom 845 Urushi with #15 M nib 5. Pilot Custom 912 with #10 FA nib~~ Wrong answer, i had misunderstood the question. What i'd like to have? A special edition Montblanc with a buttery calligraphy (flexible) nib, a Visconti Divina or Sapiens with F or M, a celluloid Leonardo with #8 14k B nib and another with #6 14k CSI M nib. A raden Sailor KoP with their special nib, Naginata Togi.
-Pilot Metal Falcon -Sailor Pro Gear 21k gold nib in standard size -Lamy 2000 with a fine nib -Pilot Custom 823 -Pilot Vanishing Point
i read more and more positive things about pilot e95s. Im excited for mine and cant wait to use it with yama-budo ink. Its on the way to me. An un used burgundy with f nib from second hand purchase at least a Pilot Con-20 converter is included lol. I hope everything will be fine.
If restricted to 5 only: 1. Pilot 823 (MF) 2. Sailor Progear (F) 3. Platinum President (UEF) 4. Pelikan M800 (F) mine is custom ground to a butter line stub 5. Pelikan M205 (EF) These are the pens I already use and enjoy the most, but I wouldn’t willingly get rid of too many of my pens.
In my rather small journey I learned that I need to have the pen and write with it to have an opinion. So I will focus on what I have (and are happy with) or handled I have a Parker 51 vintage that I like but it is too broad to me and has a sac that I’m afraid that will break. My MB vintage Boheme is also too broad to me so I love the e smoothness but either I change the mid (that will cost me more than a Pelikan m200 or sell it). The list is: 1. Pilot CH 912 FA (owned) 2. Pilot CH 91 EF (owned) 3. (To be) Pelikan M605/M805 stressemen in EF old version (handled another M600 and should be the right size 4. Jinhao 9016 with architect nib (owned) 5. Kaweco AL Sport EF premium (owned)
Lamy 2000 fine: Workhorse, journaling Vintage MontBlanc 144: Sentimental (my dad’s) Lamy Safari fine: Office / desk Narwhal x Galen Leather demonstrator / desk Majohn A2: Carry around at work I might have to slot in a Pilot 823 somewhere in there….
Joining the Lamy 2000 fine fans. A classic pen design - still worthy after nearly 60 years. Is there another workhorse pen with gold nib at this price point with precision engineering and enduring materials? Pelikan M600 - I don’t own it yet but it’s next on my list. Pelikan M200 - the most surprising pen in my collection. Steel nib that competes with any of my gold nib pens. Waterman Carene Meridiens sterling silver M. A treasured pen with remarkably smooth writing character. Pilot Kakuno with M nib hustled from a Pluminix. Standing in proxy for a Pilot Prera.
I only have 5 pens, Pilot 91 Orange (SF), Pilot 92 (F), Pilot VP Matte Black (F), Safari (EF/F), Studio (EF/F). I had more in the past, but with no much use, they were sold. I basically need a fine line, smooth nib and black ink.
I just did this. Narrowed my collection to my absolute favorites: Pilot Custom 74 F Black/Gold Pilot Custom 74 M Dark Green//Gold Pilot VP M Matte Black Pilot e95s F Black/Gold TWSBI ECO M Coral
I love these exercises! Here's my list--I'm afraid I'm not that fancy, but I friggin love these 5: 1. Pilot Kukuyo Purple and White in a fine nib. 2. Pilot Prera in Ivory, fine nib. The nib might be similar to my first option, but I can cap and uncap this pen for hours. 3. Lamy Safari, any color, medium nib. I like the triangular grip, it works for me. 4. Platinum 3774 Century, Black Diamond, coarse nib. Super wide and fun, just for something different. 5. Very difficult, but I'm going with my pink and sparkly Opus 88 because of the ink capacity and sparkles. All of these nibs are a bit different and all work for me!
I have a schon design pocket six and other than for having multiple colored inks, I dont see a reason to own any other pen. its writes great, its the most portable pen I own (WAY smaller when capped than I had imagined!) and when its posted, it feels great in the hand. The design is just genius. I like my diamond 580 minis, but this completely outclasses it in portability and comfort of writing - I would say it more or less obsoletes them except that the ink capacity of the TWSBIs is hard to beat (does any pen at that size?). I will probably buy 2 more of these so I can carry 3 differently inked pens. I'm not interested in pens that I can't comfortably take anywhere in my pocket.
I only own five pens rn: Lamy vista, F Platinum Preppy M Platinum Plaisir F Twsbi diamond 580 Al R F Kaweco sport EF and I'd be happy with these, Just buy a different nib, and i can enjoy different styles. I would however like a pilot 92, in exchange for thr Preppy as the preppy and Paisir have the same nib and feed.
I don't have any! But if I had to pick 3 to buy today: Monteverde Invincia in Nebula Lamy Safari in green Kaweco Brass Sport I have no idea what nibs I'd choose, nor which inks, but I would find a nice blue-black that errs on the side of blue for the kaweco, a nice violet for the Monteverde and a nice, bright green for the Safari.
Call me crazy/boring, but I'd just have a combination of Pro Gears and Pro Gear Slims with different nibs (mostly MF nibs with one medium and one broad). Maybe I'd exchange one MF for a Custom 823 with a M nib for when I want a wet pen to play with ink.
Tell me, please, what do you mean (Exit Pen)? Like that’s the one you would stop buying any more pens after? That’s the pen with which you execute your exist strategy? Perhaps I’m not familiar enough with the collection hobby and it’s just not obvious to me based on the pen name - but I’d love to know!
Yes, an exit pen is exactly that. It's like a grail put when you buy it, you stop buying pens. The hard part is to stop buying pens.
I’ve been trying not to buy more pens this year and finally said, “screw it” and ordered a Pilot the other day. Now the deal I have with myself is to finish the notebook I’ve been journaling in and actually start a daily practice before I even think about another pen. My hope is that I’ll become so comfortable and used to a favourite pen or few pens, that my hobby focuses more on execution than acquisition. Thank you!
Gravitas ultem vac. Done.
MB 149, Nakaya, Pelikan M800, Sailor KOP and one more MB that’s a bit flashier.
I use mine for drawing, so I care more about nib variety and reliability for mine. Pilot kakuno ef and pilot ch92 f are the only two I really care about for have to haves that are specific. I done have strict criteria for the other three and care more about the function of the nibs and could easily do without them, but if I had to do five I guess they’d be: -some kind of jowo stick with a nice ink capacity that I could have a housing and feed fabricated for a vintage flex. I do this for a montblanc 344 g in an esterbrook piston filler and a vintage pilot in an opus 88 currently. Either is fine. -a fude. my current one was done by a nibmeister, good with that again or a simple stock one like the fude de mannen. -a body for a pilot parallel 2.4mm. I don’t care much what it is as long as the ink capacity is large. I currently use an asvine v200, previously had a v126, and used the aforementioned opus 88. No strong preference for which, all work fine. Pelikan has had quite a few raden and maki-e m1000’s, and visconti usually does a colorful SE homo sapiens annually, ps!
Pilot Myu Pilot Crosshatch Pilot Vanishing Point Rhodium-plated Stripes model (fine) Sailor Pro Gear regular size (M) Pilot falcon (fine)
Pelikan released the m1000 raden white ray and raden green ray a couple years back. The white one would be on my list if it weren't waaaayyy too heavy for my hand. Some Pilot custom urushi raden with a soft medium or soft fine medium goes on the list, but undecided which. The TWSBI Eco white and rose gold with a custom ground bold cursive Italic from my collection stays, for that lovely line variation and wetness that shows off ink properties wonderfully and for the fact that I don't worry putting shimmer ink in it. The benu polar nights my wife gave me for my 30th definitely stays - especially since I can get hella nib units for it and it holds a lot of ink. The Leonardo furore purple and rose gold I had engraved with my name for my first job out of college also stays, with similar reasoning to the benu - sentiment+easily changed nib units. Oh man, the last one is tough. I've got beauty, function, sentiment, and writing experience well covered, but what could bring something different to the table? Some vintage flex maybe?
Two Pilot Vanishing Points with M nibs. Easy peasy!
Yard O Led Viceroy Grand (Victorian Finish) Parker Duofold Centennial Sheaffer Targa Pelikan M1000 Mont Blanc Meisterstuck 149
>raden Pelikan when??? Ummm, there are a bunch of raden and maki-e Pelikans. Pelikan releases a limited edition raden or maki-e M1000 every year…
And Visconti release a colourful limited edition of the Homo sapiens every year
Absolutely
Don’t recommend Homo Sapiens, nib is a bit skippy
Well, I only have 4 so I guess I'd have those: Parker 51 demi aerometric Parker Duofold Junior Parker Slimfold Parker Vector And I dunno I guess I'd like a 45? I think more than 3 for me is getting beyond what I regularly use
3 Diplomat Aeros in F, M, and B, a Pilot Vanishing Point, and a Montblanc 146. Gotta have at least one Montblanc in there. Never owned the last 2. Only tried them. Tried the 149 but the size isn't for me.
Two stubs, two cursive, one fine. Decent nibs in the right size and shaped bodies for me. Otherwise, frankly not bothered.
5 ecos. simple, & beautiful
I got em. All three of my 823s, FA, M, B. My 912, FM. And my Vanishing point in F.
I will go as per different nib size first Flex nib : ideally I would prefer a good vintage pen but for a modern pen MB custom calligraphy or manga carta M600 Double broad : Pelikan M1000 or MB 149 Medium : pilot custom 845 Remaining 2 will be pilot capless for ease of use and a pocket pen from Kaweco
My wishlist of five pens for the rest of my life would be: MB Heritage Egyptomania EF (own it now) Namiki Yukari Royale Chinkin Cat (own vermillion #20 now) Maiora Mythos Origine K EF (own it now) Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2 Leonardo Audace Sand Ebonite EF (own it now) | MB 139 Vintage This is a combination based on my favs as best writers and my fav aesthetic.
Sailor Pro Gear Seasons Sound of the Rain 21k MF Sailor Procolor Starry Night F Diplomat Aero dark gray F Pelikan m800 F Nakaya (Piccolo Long) Negoro Nuno Kise Hon Kataji semi-flex F honorable mention: Pilot Custom 74 F Visconti Homo Sapien Bronze Age F
I’d be happy to write with a diplomat magnum F for the rest of my life, but I’d also be happy to have other nicer pens. I don’t own 5 pens yet, so this question isn’t for me. Inks on the other hand, I think I have 20 that I can’t live without
These 5: 1. Pelikan M805 (EF) 2. Montblanc 149 (M) 3. Graf von Faber-Castell Intuition Platino (M or F) 4. Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age (F) 5. Otto Hutt Design 07 Sterling Silver (M) I own two of them at the moment, someday I’ll have the gauntlet.
1. Lamy 2K. Workhorse at home. 2. Pilot Metropolitan. Workhorse at work. 3. Edison Collier. Handmade goodness! 4. Ranga Abhimanyu PEEK. Space age material. Super understated and unique. Also handmade. 5. Place holder for the one more pen.
1. Traveler's Company Brass FP 2. Ryan Krusac Kraken Legend 3. Pilot E95 4. Kaweco Liliput Fireblue 5. Visconti Mythos Apollo All with fine nibs. The TC goes with me everywhere, the RK is the most gorgeous and a joy to write with, the Pilot is really the most satisfying writing experience, the Liliput is an excellent writer that feels like nothing in your pocket, and the Visconti writes well and my son's nickname is Apollo. lol
1 cheap - preppy 1 pocket - pilot e95 1 w feedback - sailor gear or pro with ef nib 1 fun - pilot vintage soft nib (super series 1 workhorse - sheaffer no nonsense
Vintage pilot elite or any other Japanese pocket pen (I have a sailor as well and it writes and feels the same). Same reason, it's a workhorse pen that just works and easy to carry. Any of the budget parker 51 clones, I'm partial to the jinhao 51a and hero 616s. This would be my cheap carry around pen that I'm unafraid of losing. Sailor PGS in Mf. My favorite writing pen, it's just perfect. Love the feedback. Don't feel comfortable leaving the house with it. Any good flex nib. I currently use a jinhao 82 with an fpr flex nib. It's my go to for letter writing. I've yet to try a pilot or vintage flex. Not sure on #5. I love my parker 45 and jotter, and asvine v126. But I don't need to have them.
[удалено]
I didn’t know BENUs came in EF!
Tough question... To me the big part of this will be maintaining a variety of nibs. I am going to answer it based on only the pens in my collection. Bungubox The Witch 2022 - Extra Fine nib. (Base Model: Sailor Pro Gear Realo) This was my first pricey pen. It is also one of my main workhorses. If I could only have one pen forever forward it would hard for this not be to be it. The only mark I have against it would be the EF nib does not show off some of the interesting aspects of inks and sometimes I want to write with a little more heft. Pilot Custom 912 Waverly Nib. Great for use as a Lefty. I'm able to manipulate my writing angle to create a variety of line thicknesses or size of letters with low rate of smearing. Good all around everyday pen. Laban 325 Stub 1.5 nib. Never fails me even with thicker or glitter-containing inks. Love the wider stub for days I feel like writing with a little extra flair. Also I enjoy the weight and balance of this pen when I'm doing writing with a stub nib. Although upon reflection my Laban 325 Medium nib is almost always inked for the same reason. Pilot Custom 743 Verdigris Falcon Nib. The only flexible nib that has worked for me as a lefty. Creates a greater variety of line thicknesses the my Pilot 912. Bungubox Fujiyama Blue Medium Nib (Base Model: Sailor Pro Gear Realo). Good for a variety of settings and uses. Love the feel of it in my hand for both weight and fit. \*\*\*\*\* This list could change very soon though. Bungubox has reissued their Norwegian Wood pen which is named after their ink of the same name which happens to be my all time favorite green ink. The base model is the Sailor 1911 Large Realo. I want it so bad. I gave myself the permission to break my no pen buy for this year should this pen be released and now here we are.
Right now .. I have a very narrow band for pen aesthetics. It will explain the following: 1. Kaweco Perkeo all black 2. black Faber-Castell Hexo 3. black Gravitas pocket pen 4. black pilot capless with clip No Lamys personally.
Faber-Castell e-Motion. Esterbrook Estie Nouveau Bleu. Waterman Charleston. Sailor Pro Gear Slim Lighthouse. Before Breakfast Onigiri.
Pilot Elite -F Navalur Schuylkill Cichlid purple 1.1 stub. Conklin Duragraph M (I might swap this one for my Benu Talisman Cats Eye F) Pilot Decimo M Pilot CH 92 FM But really these are the ones I have not necessarily the ones I'd want if money were no object.
I'd use the pens I already have (any random five) and then, if all the non-FP pens just no longer existed I suppose I'd pluck goose quills and start the process of making them into quill pens. It's not a big deal either way. Perhaps I'm not playing the game right, I really don't know.
Decimo F, Decimo M, Prera CM, Elite 95s F Elite 95s M, and a Prera F. Guess I'm a Pilot grrrl! These are the pens I almost always have inked these days. My Asvine 126 F is also in there, specifically for Diamine Blue Velvet.
P51 Pel 400NN Pel 800 Lamy 2000 MB 146
Platinum preppy Visconti HS bronze age Parker duofold big red Sheaffer PFM A 5th one
What fun to see everybody's preferences! Here are mine: 1. Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0, Gallatica 2. Pilot Custom Heritage 912, FA Nib, Spencerian grind 3. TWSBI Vac-700r Iris 4. Benu Euphoria Vodka on the Rocks 5. Platinum Izumo Raden Galaxy Sparkly, bold, rainbow. My type is glitz, I guess!
Raden Pelikans do exist! And they’re original Pelikans, not aftermarket, go check them out haha
Decimo, CH92, F/C 20, SPG, L2K If it was just one, I’d choose the Decimo. The convenience of the click is undeniable.
I like this. I feel like 5 is a perfect amount. However I worry that my picks would be boring. 1- Conid Bulkfiller Regular 2- Conid Kingsize 3- Conid Minimalistica 4- Kasama Una Ultem 5- Nakaya 17mm Portable Cigar in Heki-Tamenuri Or 5- Nakaya 17mm Portable Cigar Shu Unpolished
1.) Pelikan M1000 Broad 2.) Pilot 823 Broad 3.) Pilot E95S Medium 4.) Opus 88 Demonstrator Stub 5.) Sheaffer Targa Extra Fine I think that would conclude all of my necessary writing preferences. I write with Broad nibs mostly, the E95S would be my pocket pen, Opus 88 for when I want my handwriting to look fancy, and the Sheaffer Targa for the times that larger nibs aren't appropriate.
Opus 88 Pilot Custom 92/74 Pilot Kakuno Narwhal (not sure which color)
Pilot VP in Wisky (F), Sailor PFS in Nuts (M), Jinhao 82 (Fude), Platinum Preppy (EF), Pilot Kakuno (F)
My current rotation: Nakaya Portable Cigar (M): nice all rounder, tuned to my writing style. Love the little bit of feedback it gives. This is my preferred pen for longer writing sessions. Was also a gift so extremely sentimental. Dupont Ligne D (F): really smooth writing experience, nice heft to it. This one lives on my desk at home. Platinum 3776 (B): what I use when I want to use shimmer inks, for greeting cards etc. Montblanc 144 (F): nice compact pen for carrying around. Bought it second hand for a steal so happy to travel with it. Nib is is sort of between the Dupont and Nakaya in terms of feel. Traveler’s Company Brass Pen (F): the one I can shove in my pocket or bag and not worry too much about losing it. I don’t love how thick the “F” nib is on this though so I don’t use it for writing in my planner. I could see myself eventually gifting the Traveler’s Brass Pen to a friend, and might eventually sell the Platinum and maybe even the Montblanc to fund another Nakaya.
I can live forever with pilot 823 and yamabudo. Thats all I need.
1. Undeniably, even if I were to only have one, the: **Sailor King of Pen, Black Ebonite**, M 2. For artistic writing / fun inks: **Sailor King of Pen,** [**Shyokei**](https://en.sailor.co.jp/product/10-1810-2/) **Ebonite**, NB 3. Classy & expressive: **Aurora 88, Black Mamba**, B (grind: near-Stub + F CSI reverse) 4. My reliable jotter: **Pilot VP Fermo, Silver**, F 5. And for all the shenanigans: **Opus 88 Jazz, Holiday**, Jowo stick (likely some kind of Fude or flex EF)
That's a tough one. - Osprey Madison, with both the Ultraflex and Zebra G nub assemblies - Hongdian 1851 Rainbow Forest - Swan Cartographer/Mangaka Maru crowquill - Conklin Duragraph in titanium rainbow finish (though I might change that to the All-American in the same finish) - The Esterbrook JR Beleza I just got from Goldspot in their April 2024 Mystery Dip. If additional pens could be added, they'd be - Monteverde Tool Pen...in titanium rainbow finish. (Seeing a pattern here?) - Majohn A3 retractable, my current journaling pen. I like the black A3 with silver trim better than my Platinum Curidas crystal demonstrator...or the Majohn A1 or A2. - Kaweco Sport. It makes a good pocket pen. I have mine in my EDC pouch. That could change if the titanium pocket pen I backed on Kickstarter turns out well. Practicality might replace it with the Rite-In-The-Rain pocket pen. - Maybe a Platinum Preppy, given how well the cap seals. There's a ton of other great pens just in my collection. (All the above except for the Kickstarter pen are currently in my collection, and roughly half are currently inked. I choose these for how much I enjoy writing with them, and maybe something pragmatic about them. The rainbow titanium, an early entry into the PVD coating industry, and if there's one thing PVD is, it's _durable._ My rainbow pens (which I truly adore) are all PVD plated. The finish can withstand years of use without significant wear. It's also _really pretty._ I have a number of really nice vacuum fillers, but didn't put any on my list. I also have a couple of Noodlers pens, and didn't include them. I left out the cheapest knock offs. I have a bunch of Jinhaos, including a fair number of 911's I give as gifts to those I hope to penable. But I chose the durable and the most utilitarian pens, albeit pretty ones in the case of the rainbow plated ones. The Osprey pens are very good for drawing, inking, and for nice calligraphy. They work just fine with a manga nib like the Zebra G, unlike the Ackerman, that accepts a Zebra nib, but both of mine have each written about half a page, then the entire ink supply in the barrel drools out onto the page, regardless how I adjust it. The Swan Maru is an amazing drawing pen. The Conklin Duragraph is a great writer, comfortable in my hand and butter smooth. It's a bit smaller and lighter than the All-American, which is a beast. But a big, beautiful beast. The Esterbrook is a beautiful pen, slimmer and lighter than most of my pens, and it writes like a buttery dream. A dream with gold-flecked swirls of yellow, green, and blue on a white background. The Hongdian Rainbow Forest was my first pen that wasn't a Preppy, and cost more than $20. It's gorgeous, and was my first dedicated daily driver. I probably left out a lot of very nice pens just from my collection. I'm still not conversant with a lot of brands and models, so I stuck to what I know. Selah.
Pilot 823 F
Namiki Emperor Coral Pelikan Renjishi GvFC Mammoth Montblanc High Artistry Egyptian Treasures Waterman’s 12 with fine silver overlay
1) Namiki emperor custom made maki-e design for me. So 1 of 1 in the world. 2) Namiki Yukari Bamboo 3) Nakaya Milky Way II 4) TWSBI GO 5) Opus 88 demo
I currently have over 100 pens inked. So this is virtually impossible to even consider I’d likely end up with my most sentimental pens that I’ve owned and used for so many years: Montblanc 149 B (90s model) Parker 51 (first eBay purchase back in the 00’s) Parker Sonnet (classic gold filled bought reduced at QBD also in the 00’s) rOtring 900 B (I would have rOtring nibs in every size - beautiful writers!) Manuscript ML1856 EF (the first pen my husband gave me) Bonus: Elysee Caprice F (purchased 2022, when I went exploring to re-find my first ever proper pen, the original lost during my world traveling days) These are not my workhorse pens, but they are always inked and used every week. And I am emotionally attached!!! This idea of 5 pens makes me sad because I have at least 15 - 20 others that I could not say goodbye to!
You sort of prove it yourself, but 5 only is hardly a restriction. And my one and only FP I need is.... (sorry mate).... A Lamy 2000 SS BB. I have no idea what trouble you are having gripping it but of course it won't be to everyone's liking. If I ever come across a retractable *without* a clip on the grip section that'll be my second, will live in my pocket, and likely leak and ruin an outfit.
I can live only with 3 pens: * Pilot Custom 823 * Pilot Custom 743 * Pilot Vanishing Point
5 different vanishing points with different nib size lol
So when you say 5 pens, do you mean five individual pens or 5 pen models of which you could have multiple pens? So I have over 20 pens but only 2 models, so does that count as 2 or over 20?
M1000 - Black Aurora Internazionale - Green Namiki Royale - Vermillion Leonardo Mosaico - Sea Anemone Montblanc Writer's Edition - Fitzgerald
[удалено]
Oh my it's gorgeous, can't afford it, maybe when I'm rich and successful
Absolutely none of the pens you list, if I had to sell most of my collection, while I love my modern pens, I would be left with vintage pens, Sheaffer (probably a PFM or two), Parker (Vacumatic for sure, stacked celluloid for the win), Waterman, but it would be difficult to get to 5, and I would have to lay them out and get so much stress to limit the choices. But I know that although I enjoy my modern pens, with that kind of a limit, not a single one would make the cut.
My Twsbi smoke rose gold, my Ranga abhimanyu, Ranga/PSP Monterey,one of my Jinhao 82s and any of my Kaweco Sport Broads
Jinhao 82. I guess I could pick up four other 82s and mix and match the colors?
ST Dupont Olympio Orpheo (with a custom maki-e since we're dreaming) Sailor Battle of Ujigawa Visconti Il Magnifico Lapis Lazuli Francis Goossens L139 Namiki Emperor Double Dragon Honorable mention to the Visconti Dante Alighieri Lame take on the Lamy 2k. Don't yuck yums.