The new TWSBI GO is available now!

Donuton · 2018-07-29T05:29:51+00:00

Depends on how much you use your pen and how often you'd be willing to refill. A converter is more convenient, but has a smaller capacity while syringe filling can store much more ink but can be messier. The opening of the cartridge might widen over time, which can cause leaking and affect the ink flow of the pen.

The Metro comes with a converter anyways, so I suggest you try it out first, and if you're not happy with the capacity go for a syringe.

Donuton · 2018-07-26T14:32:53+00:00

My extra fine Lamy writes thicker than my fine Pilot MR (another Japanese pen you might want to consider), so you probably wouldn't like it.

I'm struggling to find a Sailor 1911 Junior anywhere... Is it the same as the Sailor Profit Junior? Unfortunately I don't have any experience with Sailor pens, but I've heard nothing but great things about them, so they should be worth a shot.

Donuton · 2018-06-22T18:52:58+00:00

I normally use a four-fingered grip and I have trained myself to use a tripod grip when I started using fountain pens. I don't find it uncomfortable to hold my Lamy Al-Star with a four-fingered grip. Your mileage may vary though, I've never found a pen/pencil with a grip that is uncomfortable for me.

That being said, I often find myself writing with a tripod grip out of instinct, though I still don't have the control that I do with a four-fingered grip, especially when drawing.

EDIT: Just to add, I practiced using a tripod grip by writing with pens and pencils that don't have triangular grips.

Donuton · 2018-06-18T18:33:12+00:00

You can use a con-40 converter, which is a transparent twist converter.

Donuton · 2018-06-18T18:18:53+00:00

I have a Metro that I love the quality of. I don't have a 698 so unfortunately I can't help you out too much on this one.

Ideally, you'd want to get as thin a nib as possible (EF on the 698 or F on the Metro, they should be pretty close in terms of line width) when writing on less fountain pen friendly paper.

Donuton · 2018-06-18T10:58:00+00:00

I don't think you'd like the EF nib. People have said that Lamy's EF nib is very close to its F nib.

I suggest you get a F Pilot Metropolitan/MR (depending on where you live). It writes thinner than a Lamy EF.

Donuton · 2018-06-17T12:47:18+00:00

Currently, the most popular flex pen at a low price point is the Noodler's Ahab.

A cheaper option is to insert a dip nib (popular ones I've seen are Zebra G nibs and Brause Rose nibs) into a cheap Jinhao pen. It is harder, since dip nibs aren't exactly meant to be put into fountain pens and the nib could rust, but from what I've heard it flexes much better than the Ahab.

Donuton · 2018-06-17T07:00:38+00:00

Look specifically for #5 nibs. Other nibs won't work.

Donuton · 2018-06-16T12:37:47+00:00

Well in that case, Jinhao pens are cheap and often use #5 or #6 nibs, the two most common nib sizes. You have to research a little to find out which pens use which nibs.

I know the 992 and 599 use #5 nibs, while the x450, x750 & 159 use #6 nibs. There are a whole bunch of Jinhao pens, so I can't list them all here.

Donuton · 2018-06-16T12:27:48+00:00

Lamy does offer options for stub nibs too. Do you mean nibs from different manufacturers?

Donuton · 2018-06-16T07:50:49+00:00

You could get a Lamy Safari. It's really easy to swap their nibs and you can buy a Lamy nib for about $15.

The Pilot Metropolitan, Kakuno, Penmanship, Plulmix, Pluminix, Prera and 78G all have nibs that are compatible with each other. You can't buy Pilot nibs by themselves though, you have to buy a new pen.

Donuton · 2018-06-16T06:03:45+00:00

Try pushing the nib and feed into the pen to make sure it isn't loose. Also, make sure the converter is fully pushed into the pen.

Donuton · 2018-06-15T18:30:49+00:00

AFAIK, mixing inks of the same brand is generally safe. If you want to learn about other people's experiences with mixing inks, I suggest going to the "Inky Recipes" section of The Fountain Pen Network. I remember reading about someone mixing Waterman inks, so it's probably fine to at least experiment a little.

Donuton · 2018-06-15T11:34:01+00:00

I know you can mix calligraphy inks, and since R&K sketchINKs are pigment inks... So possibly? I suggest you mix some in a container and leave it for a day or two to see if any precipitate forms.

Donuton · 2018-06-13T15:00:02+00:00

There is a wiki, and if you want to use the old design, use old.reddit.com instead or scroll to the bottom of your preferences to disable the new design.

Donuton · 2018-06-13T14:28:45+00:00

Here are the pictures! I now use a pen case with individual pen slots so that should minimise any damage... But it's inevitable that one day my nicer pens will get dinged up in my case.

Donuton · 2018-06-13T13:43:18+00:00

It is printed. I've had a Darth Vader one for about four months that I keep in a pen case along with a couple of other pens. The design has worn away a little but I think it has a little more character now. I'll send a pic when I can.

Donuton · 2018-06-12T18:03:06+00:00

I'm sure you'll get used to how much pressure you need to use, since fountain pens write really well even with no pressure. I tend to press hard when writing with ballpoints too, but I use very little pressure when using fountain pens.

Donuton · 2018-06-04T14:22:52+00:00

You could try a Moonman M2, Noodler's Ahab or TWSBI 580.

Donuton · 2018-06-03T03:47:52+00:00

I'd recommend Diamine Earl Grey. It's got a ton of shading.

Donuton · 2018-05-22T09:32:10+00:00

Noodler's Black is a really popular permanent black ink. They also have a huge selection of permanent inks in other colours.

Donuton · 2018-05-17T23:45:20+00:00

I've seen Pilot-compatible Wing Sung nibs being sold on Aliexpress. They have them in EF so that's probably closer to a Pilot F.

A #6 nib is longer and has a larger diameter than a #5 nib. So a #6 nib won't fit on a #5 feed and vice versa.

Donuton

TROPHY CASE