Need help with a new starter fountain pen. Thin Nib

**joeboom** · 05-02-2012, 09:34 PM

So I recently bought a Platinum Plaisir fountain pen to start of with. While I did like the pen, I really like how it looks, I found it wrote too thick. I bought it in a medium nib. I do like the look of it a lot so I was thinking of getting it in fine but I keep reading that there isnt much difference from fine to medium in the Platinum Plaisir. I like finer lines so I was wondering if there is a pen that doesnt write too thick, but is still in the $20-$30 price range. Thanks all. I'll check this thread in the morning and hopefully I can find a pen to order! Thanks.

-Will be using this pen daily.
-A fine nib

I was thinking maybe a Lamy Safari? I dont know much about pens so any help would be great.

**joeboom** · 05-03-2012, 04:48 AM

Bumping before I head off to work.

**rockviper** · 05-03-2012, 04:53 AM

PM sent.
I've found the Nib Nook at Goulet's to be a great tool.

**mayhem** · 05-03-2012, 05:13 AM

I ordered a couple of the Hero fountain pens from e-bay (fine nib), and they write a very fine line. They were dirt cheap, and for the price, I'm really happy with them.
(I like a thicker line myself, and I just ordered a Plaisir too.)

**JPDyson** · 05-03-2012, 05:46 AM

I think the Lamy Safari (or rather, it's nicer cousin the Al-Star) would be a good choice in that price range. It also has the benefit of having swappable nibs at $10 a pop, so when you decide later that you want to experiment with stubs, you can snag one cheap. It's a breeze to clean and maintain, and it has been nothing short of dependable for me. I've gone back and forth on the grip section more times than I care to admit, but I'm at peace with it right now.

It was also my first fountain pen (with a Fine nib at the time) and that may color my perception somewhat. I've had nicer pens since, but none more reliable.

**Brianggilbert** · 05-03-2012, 08:01 AM

I'm a brand new fountain pen user, and I absolutely LOVE my new Plaisir with the fine nib. While waiting for it to arrive I picked up a cheaper Schaeffer from Staples with a medium nib, and it's terrible. I was praying that the Plaisir would be better, and it light years beyond.

**joeboom** · 05-03-2012, 06:54 PM

I went ahead and ordered the white Lamy Safari extra fine. I've read good reviews about it so I'm really excited.

**Lexbomb** · 05-04-2012, 02:46 AM

I have a Lamy Safari with a fine nib and a rollerball in charcoal black. I have carried both for about 4 months now. I need to carry both as I'm a police officer and fountain pens struggle to write on carbon paper. What I can tell you is man these pens are tough. I have had mine punched and dropped and a mix of other unfriendly pen things and these two pens look brand new! Great pen to write with also!

**Doc4** · 05-07-2012, 12:08 PM

IIRC, Lamy is German, so the nibs tend to be thicker then their similarly-labelled Japanese counterparts (such as Platinum.) In my experience, though, the Pilot 78g "f" writes noticeably finer than the Platinum Preppy "f".