Any idea of a thin, strong fountain pen?

[PatrioticWhisky]

Throughout high school, I used a fountain pen. I've taken pride in my penmanship since I first began writing as a young boy. I feel the way you write a message conveys so much to the reader. They get the style of writing, the wording, the precision. It all speaks to your character.

Calligraphy was my choice of club on Fridays too.

Unfortunately, modern times and more so the Army is hammering this skill out of me.

I say modern times because as soon as I hit college, I did away with pens and ink and all my papers were typed as per the professors request. Plus, it did make it easy to change at the last moment.

The Army is taking this skill away from me too. I haven't filled out so many forms with a pen in all my life and it's the first time in years I've been constantly using a pen. However, all these forms are to be in printed in capital letters and the quality of paper cannot withstand the weight and saturation of ink.

Also, I left a note for someone at HQ and it was in cursive. I was told it held things up because it was not easy to read. I know for a fact my cursive handwriting is legible.

Anyway, I'm drifting away from the point. I want to use a fountain pen as much as possible and want to keep it safe in the pen holder in my sleeve. I need something thin and strong incase I end up doing something a little rough.

Could any of you gentlemen point in the direction of a fountain pen to suit my needs?

Apologies for the rant :001_unsur

[brianw]

Faber Castell ambition

http://www.joonpens.com/display_collection?qcolorid=281&id=680&brandid=116

just a link for an example

[PatrioticWhisky]

That looks pretty slim. More thank likely what I'm looking for. Do you think they would have them in spe......t stationary stores so as I could try it for fit? I do like the wood body of it. Thanks for the quick reply.

[ProphetNoir]

Or this.

http://www.journalingarts.com/tombow-fountain-pens

[brianw]

That looks pretty slim. More thank likely what I'm looking for. Do you think they would have them in spe......t stationary stores so as I could try it for fit? I do like the wood body of it. Thanks for the quick reply.

sure just search for faber castell in the area you are in, where are you located? I like a meaty pen, surprisingly this pen I like and use quite often

[RichGem]

In the vintage arena, parker 51s and shaeffer snorkels (particularly ones with the conical/ closed nib) are thin and can stand a reasonable beating.

and the snorkels are just plain fun too.

[Aperture]

Maybe give these (http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/products_id/4545&utm_source=pr&utm_medium=site) a try? They're thin enough, and you won't feel bad if they snap in your pocket.

[cbird]

Check out the Namiki Vanishing Point fountain pens. They offer the advantage of not having a separate cap (which can easily undo itself, which can expose the nib to damage and cause big ink stains). They are not especially slim, though. Waterman's are pretty tough, Montlblanc's not so tough. Lamy has some cool pens. Yard-O-Lead makes a nice, slim FP with a great nib and sterling silver construction (fairly tough). I believe some versions of the venerable Parker 75 had stainless steel construction instead of sterling silver - this is a truly great pen and can be gotten fairly inexpensively on eBay (always many for sale - get the medium nib).

[Bayamontate]

Rotring are metal and very strong last lasting fountain pens.

[RichGem]

Rotring are metal and very strong last lasting fountain pens.

good call. of note, tho, they can also be heavy which the OP may want to avoid if it's to be used a lot.

[superbleu]

Esterbrooks are well renowned for their durability.

They take a beating and keep on............writing.

[PatrioticWhisky]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've taken them down on a list and I'm going to find a store this weekend. See if I can try them all out. I'll let you know what I end up with.

[Razor&Pens]

Go to the NYC Pen show (or whatever your local pen show is) and you'll find more that you like than you can shake a stick at, both vintage and modern. You'll get to try different pens and different nibs and see what you really like!

http://nycpenshow.com/ October 9-11 in Manhattan.

http://www.dallaspenshow.com/ October 2-3 if you're in that part of the country.

[alexo]

A brand the specializes in thin fountain pens is Caran d'Ache (http://www.carandache.ch/m/index.lbl). I've seen a few thin pens by Delta and actually owned one until it was stolen with my bag.

[ratcheer]

A chrome Cross pen would be perfect. It takes either bottled ink or cartridges. It is inexpensive (the last one I bought was about $30). And it has avery sturdy barrel, probably made of steel. All that, and it writes very well, too. Mine is one of the best writers I have.

Tim

[Drubbing]

In the vintage arena, parker 51s and shaeffer snorkels (particularly ones with the conical/ closed nib) are thin and can stand a reasonable beating. X2 for the 51. An absolute classic of a pen in build and technology - plenty available online through reputable vintage sellers, for reasonable prices, $50+ depending on condition. Plenty of mints are still out there.

IMO, better made and longer lasting than any modern pen of the same price. Writes very 'dry' for a fountain and holds plentiful ink, so you may be able to use for those forms after all.

[DGS]

Pilot M90

http://www.nibs.com/www/WEBSITE%20PICS/Namiki%20website%20pics/PilotM90Uncapped.jpg

[AdrianR]

A chrome Cross pen would be perfect. It takes either bottled ink or cartridges. It is inexpensive (the last one I bought was about $30). And it has avery sturdy barrel, probably made of steel. All that, and it writes very well, too. Mine is one of the best writers I have.

Tim
I second this...my daily pen is a Cross Century II...like this one:
http://www.joonpens.com/display_collection?qcolorid=62&id=46&brandid=5

[Biffo]

I second this...my daily pen is a Cross Century II...like this one:
http://www.joonpens.com/display_collection?qcolorid=62&id=46&brandid=5

+1 for the Cross, I've carried the all chrome one for over 10 years