Favorite Fountain Pens
- Lamy Safari and Al-star with the extra fine nib
- Lamy Vista with 1.1mm italic nib
- Levenger True Writer fine in marble resin
- Namiki Falcon with a soft fine nib
- Pilot Elite 1970’s Isaac Newton pocket pen with a fine nib
- Pilot Elite 1970’s Socrates pocket pen with a fine nib
- Sailor 1911 fine in black with rhodium furnishings
- Sailor Sapporo fine in black with rhodium furnishings
- Waterman Deluxe Carene with factory stub nib
Note that all pens on this list come with stock nibs. Pens with custom nibs is a whole ‘nother subject entirely.
Hi, I’m writing from Brasilia, Brazil. Your webpage is superb!
Please help me: I am intending to buy a Namiki Falcon and would like to know what nib to buy: fine or medium. I heard the Japanese nibs are much finer than the ones in the US. Can you help me?
Keep up the good work.
Hello and thanks for the kind words. What you have heard about Japanese nibs is certainly accurate. However, ink flow plays into performance as well. My Pilot/Namiki pens tend to write drier than my Western pens which adds to the perception that their nibs are finer. The brand and color of ink matter, too.
To be fair I have no experience with the Namiki Falcon medium nib so can only comment on the fine nib of which I own two. They are quite different which really surprised me. One is closer to an extra fine and the other is almost a fine-medium. Both are soft and allow for some line variation though nothing on the order of a vintage Waterman.
With attention to my letter forms, I can double the width of a line quite easily. I can also use minimal pressure and reduce the line by half. Writing with no attention to how much pressure I am using, produces a line comparable to a Western fine.
Unlike a firm nib that does not give at all, the Falcon nib seems to change over time producing a slightly wider line with use. So consider buying the size nib you would usually enjoy. Then give your Namiki Falcon a little time to reach its full potential. It’s a great pen that I hope you will enjoy immensely.
Thank you so much for your time and attention. One last question: what ink you would suggest? I like black but I’m not sure what kind of ink would be the best for a Namiki Falcon. I will be in NYC next month and it is already time to start ordering.
So far every ink I’ve tried in a Falcon has worked very well so it really gets down to which color(s) would be suitable for you. It would be hard to go wrong with anything from Sailor, J. Herbin or Diamine. Waterman Blue-Black is very well-suited as is Namiki Blue. Sailor Brown might be my favorite ink in a Falcon but Sailor Blue-Black would be an excellent choice, too. Sailor Red-Brown and Diamine Monaco Red would be good if you need an ink that is in the red family but not a true primary color.
There are so many to consider. Check out inks at fountainpennetwork.com for color swatches and suggestions. There are lots of friendly pen people there should you still have questions.
You have been so nice! Thanks indeed for all the trouble in providing me with this important information. If I can be of any help down here in Brazil, please let me know. You have really made a friend here.
Your blog will continue being a must! Keep up this incredible tool.
Glad to be of assistance. Let me know how it goes.
LzRDG5 Thanks for good post