Pilot 78G F, looking for next pen.

**gnoils** · 07-23-2012, 08:09 AM

Hi gents,

I just started looking into fountain pen and got Pilot 78G with F nib as my first. I like it quite alot, I don't think it's scratchy, but I just started, so what do I know. Probably should've gotten the M and B nib as well to find out which nib size I like. I'm not sure about my handwriting size as I think I seem to be able to switch between small and medium handwriting sizes.

Anyway, I'm looking for a second fp and would like something smoother than the 78g if possible and have been looking more into lamy safari, but i've heard the 78g writes smoother than the safari.

Any suggestions and thoughts will be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Sy

**superbleu** · 07-23-2012, 08:18 AM

what is your price range, and what size pen(bigger or smaller or similar size to your 78g).

**gnoils** · 07-23-2012, 08:22 AM

Similar size or slightly larger I think. I think large pens won't be comfortable for me to hold.

Price range about 20-50.

**Ray Settanta** · 07-23-2012, 08:26 AM

I would suggest that you purchase the Safari. I have a blue Safari and a Vista and both are smoother than my 78g. Additional nibs in various sizes can also be purchased for the Safari. They also have an excellent reputation as a reliable pen.

**Doc4** · 07-23-2012, 11:12 AM

Figure out where you want to end up, pen-wise.

That is, if your ultimate goal is to own three pens each worth under $50, then you need different advice than if you want to end up with a $200 pen or a bunch of vintage ...

**Blooze** · 07-23-2012, 08:52 PM

The Safari or Al-Star would be great pens. I have an Al-Star with a M nib and it is very smooth. Both of my 78G's with the stub nibs are just as smooth as the Lamy. I know a lot of people have jumped on the Esterbrook bandwagon over the last year (the prices seem to have edged up), but I love all my Esterbrooks and their ability to swap out the nibs.

**gnoils** · 07-24-2012, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by Doc4

Figure out where you want to end up, pen-wise.

That is, if your ultimate goal is to own three pens each worth under $50, then you need different advice than if you want to end up with a $200 pen or a bunch of vintage ...

I'm really afraid this is going to add to my existing RAD.

**gnoils** · 07-24-2012, 05:55 AM

Can anyone tell me how the 78G with F nib writes compared to the Safari with equivalent EF nib?

**badgerstate** · 07-26-2012, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by gnoils

Hi gents,

I just started looking into fountain pen and got Pilot 78G with F nib as my first. I like it quite alot, I don't think it's scratchy, but I just started, so what do I know. Probably should've gotten the M and B nib as well to find out which nib size I like. I'm not sure about my handwriting size as I think I seem to be able to switch between small and medium handwriting sizes.

Anyway, I'm looking for a second fp and would like something smoother than the 78g if possible and have been looking more into lamy safari, but i've heard the 78g writes smoother than the safari.

Any suggestions and thoughts will be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Sy

FYI, the Pilot 78G "B" nib is actually an "italic", meaning it is squared off, or blunt rather than pointed. You can get variation in line width for more distinctive writing. Most scratchy nibs can have the scratchiness tuned out.

**Dave258** · 07-26-2012, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by gnoils

Can anyone tell me how the 78G with F nib writes compared to the Safari with equivalent EF nib?

I have never used a Lamy EF but I had a Pilot 78G F and man, to me it was like writing with a needle! I did not like it.
I still want to order a few of the 78Gs in B though. Hear great things about them.