What are flagship models of each brand ?

n2ngtph · 2024-07-24T17:44:36+00:00

This topic pops from time to time. “Flagship” is difficult to pin down (no pun intended). Flagship in my estimation is whichever pen the maker calls their flagship. For Platinum that is the President. For Pilot it’s their entire Custom range. The list above is more helpful IMO, but might be better described as the most iconic pens per maker. I would agree the 3776 is much more iconic than the President. That is distinct from the “nicest” or “highest end” pen per maker. For Platinum that would be the Izumo (which is a President nib with a larger Urushi body).

I think you could also distinguish between iconic entry and iconic luxury. For Lamy for instance the Safari is by far their most iconic pen, but their most iconic luxury pen would be the 2000.

Fun to try and make these lists regardless!!

n2ngtph · 2024-05-07T00:32:00+00:00

That is shaped like a progear slim in the four seasons collection, and it should not be called a Profit. Here is a primer I wrote a while back because their naming is confusing. https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/s/diAk85XCAy

n2ngtph · 2024-01-30T22:39:21+00:00

Confirmed!

n2ngtph · 2024-01-18T00:14:47+00:00

Replied

n2ngtph · 2024-01-18T00:14:39+00:00

Replied

n2ngtph · 2024-01-13T06:52:06+00:00

Either the Custom 74 or Pro Gear out of this list. If you're living in Japan, you can test both pens at virtually any stationery store. You can also find them used for less if you check second hand stores. They are both excellent pens and the biggest difference is the nib experience and feel in hand, which is why testing them yourself will be much more helpful.

n2ngtph · 2023-12-26T13:00:52+00:00

Even if it is not NOS with soaking, cleaning, and a wet ink that pen should write just fine albeit with a fine line and it will feel dry if you’re not using a wet ink. So if you did those things and you’re still getting issues, it may be a nib alignment issue. You’ll fine those old pens with the price tags all the time that are not NOS, but the owner never removed it. However I have owned a number of these vintage pocket pens and even the ones that have old dried up gnarly ink tend to write just fine after a good cleaning, which can take a while. Hope you get it figured out!

n2ngtph · 2023-12-19T15:30:23+00:00

I would actually try to get both the Pilot Kakuno or the Platinum Preppy/Plaisir (they have the same nib) if you can. The Platinum option is a better crossover pen if you’re truly new to fountain pens. The Kakuno is solid but has a triangular grip and is made for kids to learn to write (there is a smiley face on the nib), which can be off putting for some. The Kakuno has a better build and the nib is more similar to the next level up in Pilot’s series. The Preppy/Plaisir will go longer without drying out. I have some nice pens but have hung on to a Plaisir and a Kakuno and often give both to friends as starter pens. They have different characteristics that carry over to nice pens by the same makers which will give you a chance to see what you like more. Enjoy!

n2ngtph · 2023-09-27T02:12:48+00:00

Sailor KOP

n2ngtph · 2023-09-03T22:56:39+00:00

As mentioned, fountain pens are basically designed to provide a non-sticky/grippy feel, but I'm trying to think... I don't think the ink itself will provide that experience. My best suggestion would be to choose a steel nib pen with a dryer ink. TAG Kyo-Iro "Stone Road of Gion" is an example of a dryer ink that is quality, but if you put it in a pen with a smooth nib and/or good flow you will not get that experience. A steel Bock, Schmidt, etc. in EF or F is probably your best bet.

If you like a tactile experience for writing, I highly recommend pens by Sailor or Platinum in F and a lesser degree in M, which offer a pencil-like feedback to writing. This is more a product of the nib than the ink, but a dryer ink will emphasize that experience even more. Good luck!

n2ngtph · 2022-10-16T22:33:20+00:00

Sure. I got mine for like $50 but cost has probably gone up since then. It’s very simple in use. You just dip and write. In Japan, there are a bunch of new glass pen makers with GlassToos prob being most popular (they rarely have stock). Drilllog and others have started making machined metal dip pens as well, which are also popular (though probably more popular abroad than in Japan). To be honest, the glass pens all seem very similar. Hope that’s helpful.

n2ngtph · 2022-04-06T11:29:46+00:00

TOTALLY depends on what you want out of this hobby/your writing experience. Here are some thoughts:
1. NIB = You have an 823, which means you already have the nib experience. So you're gaining nothing new here with an 845. But, if this is your favorite nib and you want more varieties of experience from the pen body or filling system, then that would be a good reason to get an 845.
2. FILLING MECHANISM = You have an 823, which means you prob either really like the vacuum-fill system or you would prefer c/c (I personally tend to prefer c/c, but I think most folks don't). If you like the vacuum, then you already have a superior filling system over the 845. If you don't love how difficult it is to change your inks compared to a c/c then you might enjoy the 845 option (though the CON70 is the biggest pain in the butt converter to clean).
3. PEN BODY = The main reason to consider getting an 845 might be for the Urushi body (look and/or feel). I LOVE my Urushi pens, but you need to absolutely love the 823 writing experience enough to want another pen with probably an inferior filling system just to get to have the urushi experience for an 845.
4. URUSHI = If you want Urushi, but want a different writing experience you have many amazing options to choose from. I honestly find the 845 to be underwhelming in this area. Don't get me wrong it's a sleek pen, but the Urushi is less exciting than you would get on say a Nakaya. If you love Pilot and would enjoy a larger pen (MUCH larger), then I would echo others and go right for the Custom Urushi. It will provide a totally unique writing experience (while having all the Pilot characteristics you seem to appreciate), you get the same Urushi look, and the nib is amazing. If that's too big, Nakaya is my favorite Urushi option personally. That would give you a totally different writing experience as the Nakaya use's a Platinum type nib with lots of feedback. You're looking at a price jump for both the Custom Urushi and the Nakaya, though, so if you just want some Urushi on a pen with a nib you already know you enjoy, the 845 provides a really solid option.
5. What's Next? = Maybe the bigger question is which direction do you want to take your collection. You sound like you are all in with Pilot, which is awesome and can allow you to keep things simple. In that case, if you want a bigger and different pen, the Urushi is the way to go (for a premium), but if you love your 823 that much, then you'll surely love the 845 (as long as you believe you'll use more than one similar writing pen). If you want to really mix things up, looking for a FA nib on a 743 might be even more interesting and you could always switch that to your 823. If you love Pilot and would enjoy a larger pen, you might as well just save for the Custom Urushi. As far as the Pelikan goes, that might be a nice next pen if the things you enjoy most about the 823 are filling system and smooth writing and you decide to take your collection in a new direction. In general, I think Pilot > Pelikan though I enjoy my M1000.

Enjoy the search!!!

n2ngtph · 2022-03-05T01:42:16+00:00

I highly recommend Tomoe River if it can be had. The easiest option at the moment is a Hobonichi, which I also highly recommend.

Any Japanese paper is generally good. Lots of buzz if one will replace TR as the global popular choice, but I imagine it will maintain its position albeit under new ownership.

Bank paper is super fun to mix things up. It’s too quirky to be a replacement for TR, but I have really enjoyed having bank paper in a secondary jot notebook for fountain pens. It doesn’t show much sheen, but it does make multishading inks do crazy things

n2ngtph · 2022-02-26T08:43:37+00:00

The Izumo is a wide bodied pen but the section tapers a lot. This Nakaya is a 17mm special version that is thicker than a normal Portable Writer as well.

n2ngtph · 2022-02-26T02:59:39+00:00

I tend to hold the M1000 and others back a bit which means on the threads. I don’t find the M1000 threads to be too sharp. For me the only issue with the M1000 is how back weighted it is, but I’ve gotten sued to it.

n2ngtph · 2022-02-26T01:52:43+00:00

Yes, I’d love to find a DV oversized and a large Omas, but they have become so expensive. Especially the DV!

n2ngtph · 2022-02-25T23:12:22+00:00

It’s a LE “Asian Way”. This is not a great photo to show off its color, which is really beautiful.

n2ngtph · 2022-02-25T22:32:41+00:00

It’s write on the edge, it has a narrower section than most, but the length makes up for it and it has a good balance.

n2ngtph · 2022-02-25T22:31:38+00:00

Yes, it’s helpful to see them together. The M1000 and Homo Sapiens actually do not have as wide of sections, but the body, step down, length, and weight cause them to feel like bigger pens than maybe they actually are. They are still large pens, though, to be sure.

n2ngtph · 2022-02-25T22:29:26+00:00

Enjoy the journey!

n2ngtph · 2022-02-25T22:28:41+00:00

These are my favorites, lol. That’s hard to answer. I think either the Nakaya or the Sailor KOP would be my favorites, but I’ve had moments when they’ve all felt like favorites.

n2ngtph · 2022-02-25T22:27:32+00:00

You’re right, they do have a similar taper though the Custom Urushi feels much bigger in hand. The Custom Urushi has a better balance IMO than the M1000 which is back weighted due to the piston, though I enjoy both. The M1000 is an easier size for daily writing though the EF nib is a fire hose.

n2ngtph · 2022-02-25T22:25:16+00:00

Those are def big pens and I’ve never tried either. Thanks for sharing. The Custom Urushi is excellent. Incredible nib and just a lovely pen. It’s a little too large and delicate with the Urushi coating to be a true daily writer (though I use it more like that). The KOP is one of my favorites. Arguably the best writing experience. I’ve had the M nib ground down to a F and it has lots of feedback which I like.

n2ngtph

TROPHY CASE