I've been using fountain pens for about 2 years now. I'd like to try a stub nib as an easy way to introduce some line variation. Was looking at the Pilot Metropolitan with a 1.0 stub. Does anyone have experience with this nib? The Metro with a medium nib was my first fountain pen and it seems like this might be an inexpensive way to try a stub nib though it is on the narrow side as far as stubs go. Any other suggestions or do you think this is a good way to start?
Suggestions for a stub nib
- Thread starter den fly
- Start date
The pilot stub on the Metropolitan or the Prera are great. I really like them. They are closer to an italic which has a bit sharper corners, which makes them a bit not angle sensitive. However, I really like how they write.
Another way is to get a sub for a Lamy Safari. This is also a great way to go. It is easy to change the nibs on them. There are also a few sub widths available.
Another way is to get a sub for a Lamy Safari. This is also a great way to go. It is easy to change the nibs on them. There are also a few sub widths available.
Depends on your hand; I find a 1.0 much too broad. If you want something finer, you can't go past one of Audrey Matteson's SIG (stub italic gradient) from Franklin-Christoph. I have them in <F> and <M> and they are both fantastic nibs.
I agree with all these suggestions.
If you have a pen that uses Jowo nibs there stubs available that are generally easy to swap in. You can go with 1.1 or 1.5mm usually.
The Lamy edged nibs fit all except the 2000. They are either 1.1 or 1.5. Lamy calls them calligraphy nibs.
The Lamy edged nibs fit all except the 2000. They are either 1.1 or 1.5. Lamy calls them calligraphy nibs.
Stubs and italic nibs are not for everyone as a daily writer, I am hopeless with them, they are ok for special situations but they dont work for me for general use. I tend to write quickly and never mastered italics for smaller handwriting,
If you cannot borrow one then there are some cheaper pens for you to try TWSBI do a good stub nib at not too much money and some broad nib are bordering on being stubbish.
If you cannot borrow one then there are some cheaper pens for you to try TWSBI do a good stub nib at not too much money and some broad nib are bordering on being stubbish.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I've heard good things about the Safari but don't care for the look of the oversized clip on it. Similarly TWSBY has a good reputation but the plastic demonstrator look just isn't for me. I ended up ordering the Metropolitan in Retro Pop Gray. It costs a little more than some options but still reasonably priced and I like the standard medium tip I have, which was the first fountain pen I purchased.
I have that exact Pilot. Sadly, the nib is not a good sample, it's too scratchy, so it sits unused. I like the pen itself, so hopefully you'll get a better nib.
As far as TWSBI goes, the Eco is a great pen and the 1.1mm stub is always smooth.
Don't be so hard on the demonstrator look...
Also, once you're more experienced, I suspect you'll appreciate the piston filling. After having them, cartridges are a thing of the past, for me, at least.
/Acey
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- #9
I can see where that might easily be the case. I figure if I end up not liking the stub for daily use then perhaps it would be good for greeting cards and such.
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- #10
I suppose it's possible you just got a bad nib. But if I have the same experience I may consider a TWSBY. I do like the idea of piston filling. And looks aren't everything.
- Thread starter
- #11
The Metropolitan with a 1.0 stub came yesterday. It is just feels just right. Gives me some subtle line variation and the friction is enough to slow me down and improve my hand writing. I wouldn't write pages and pages in a long session with it but its great for a planner and a page or two of journal entries which is what I'll use it for. I think it will be good for greeting cards too.
Rhody
I'm a Lumberjack.
One eco I have broke. The black knob on the backend broke off. And the piston doesn’t work if I push the knob on and twist the mechanism. I’m assuming this can’t be repaired. This has soured me somewhat on the brand.
I am not a fan of the brand either, I have had problems with cracks on the section and ink blobbing. I have two examples that do not get used.
Jet Pens have a very good Youtube video on how to take the Eco apart and reassemble, they highlight a couple of key areas which other vids gloss over.
Rhody
I'm a Lumberjack.
Thx! maybe I’ll try to check that out to see if there is a diy repair. My pens get treated pretty nice so at first I thought it just snapped back on.
Contact TWSBI. They have been good at replacing their pens because there is a lot of breakage of their pens.
The only complication with involving TWSBI in Taiwan is that they insist on you sending the pen by some form of secure mailing and paying for the return trip. I then heard from them saying 'it is your fault', I had used an ink they didn't like. By the time I had paid for the mailing I could have bought a new Eco and kept my old pen for parts or given it away to an apprentice repairer.
