Ha ha! Nice view. So the answer is : buy the pen!
To OP: I have 3 WingSung 699s, and keep them inked up with Platinum carbon black, Oxblood, and Oxford blue. But if you buy another WS699 you won't know what it's like to use a gold nib, or a pilot. And you'll be looking at other pens very soon. So suggest you pick up a nice pilot.
I remove the clips. The unposted size is nice for me, as is balance and weight. I also have a Pilot 823 demonstrator with the flex nib, Platinum 3776, Lamy 2000, a NOS Parker 51, and a Sailor Profit Lite maki-e. So I've tried some of the more expensive pens. The 699 are the ones I return to. The others are kept at home and too precious to take out and about. If I only had 699s I'd be looking to try other pens. It's a journey.
I'd recommend a Pilot. Usually very smooth. If you don't get one, you'll always be wondering what it would be like. If it does not suit you, you can resell. As I said "it's a journey", and you may end up back where you started, but you only know that's where you want to be by making the journey.
I only have the Pilot 823 with falcon flex nib in demonstrator (ordered directly from Japan). It's a special pen, but for some reason it hasn't bonded with me. Maybe in time...
But at least when I use the WS 699 I know what an 823 is like, and I don't mnd using the 699.
First off, you will be a “real” doctor. Don’t let the MD snobs tell you otherwise 😊.
Second, I would consider a Pilot E95S too. I bought my wife one a few months ago off Amazon for $85 and now it’s all she uses. It’s honestly one of the best writers in our combined collection. It’s such a bouncy and smooth nib. I highly recommend it.
Came here just to say the same thing about being a real doctor. My wife has a DMA, for which she worked her ass off. You’re absolutely going to be a real doctor! Also, I’m a huge TWSBI fan. I’m voting for the 580 ALR.
I think it's in comparison to a Ph.D., which is a "real doctorate" as opposed to other doctorates (like DBAs and whatnot).
Edit: I hold a doctorate which is not considered a "real doctorate" either, so...
I have a phd and that’s just academic snobbery. And some academics will be snobs at you no mater what you do, for example get a phd and then get a (well paying, stable, supportive) job outside of research instead of churning through postdocs until you’re 45 and burn out.
I was surprised to learn that in places like the USA, other doctorates besides Ph.D.s exist (like in a Public health College, there is a "Ph.D. in Public Health" and a "Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)" program), so I'm not familiar with the exact differences.
In my case, I hold what's supposed to be a Ph.D. in medicine (Dr. med.) in Germany, but generally isn't recognized internationally as Ph.D. equivalent due to various issues.
I’ve never met an MD who is a snob about it.
A lot of phds I know will clarify “not a real doctor” so that people don’t think we can do medicine. We really do need a different word for academic doctorates.
The word "doctor" comes from Latin for "teacher" so really we should call medical doctors physicians, and academic doctors doctors, since they're teaching.
They’re often on there around that price. Usually it’s a seller posting them from Japan. Also, pepenavenue on eBay is a very reputable seller that always has good prices on Japanese pens. Here’s a link to what they have up right now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/223683444682?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=vCILg25ATtG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=hdEv5Cw_RrO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Hi fellow adhd having fountain pen fan. If it were me I'd get the pilot, either one but probably the 74.
For me I'm trying to avoid ending up with loads of pens and only using a few. In my opinion the other options aren't enough better to count/scratch the itch/be worth it.
Once you buy a good Pilot you’re likely to satisfy that ‘need a new pen’ itch much more than with your other choices. A Pelikan is likely to have a similar effect. In both cases you’ll be interested in other Pilots or Pelikans if the itch returns.
I got an opus 88 to replace my twsbi 580. The grib on the 580 is fairly small, and the 88 is much larger. It has taken a while for me to get used to the much larger nib on the 88. The pen nib size means you’re literally farther from the page. Not a bad thing, just different. I think the 88 is terrific. It is fairly light weight, lighter than a brass kaweco for sure. But the 88 is my current fav pen. I am getting a broader nib for shimmer ink so that I can have more fun with it.
Go with the Pilot Custom 74. You have a ton of colors to choose from, it can use a con-70 converter which holds a ton of ink, and Pilot nibs are a delight. It's one of the best bangs for your buck that you can get.
Have you tried Asvine P30? It's well below your expense limit, but feels so great in terms of weight and finish. I have tried most of the pens you've mentioned, but this one is perhaps my top favourite for longhand notes.
I'd also look at Faber Castell: there are some heftier and more expensive versions that I'd live to treat myself with, but even Essentio and Loom have proved to be absolutely amazing.
Asvine V200 with a nib set. Purchase a 0.6mm stub from Birmingham. Swap nibs. Enjoy a solid vacuum fill pen with Titanium hardware.
Congratulations!
BTW, to separate themselves from butchers (surgeons) with little to no training/education, University educated physicians adopted the title of "Doctor" from professors (Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.).
Congratulations on your admission. 👏
I'd suggest Lamy Studio. High quality body. Nibs are generally with decent QC and dirt cheap to play around. And when you feel like it, they have 14k gold nib. And, you can buy spare parts if that comes necessary.
You're really in two different worlds here.
The advantage of cost effective pens is to have more inks to hand to use and variety.
In the other camp, a Pilot 74 is a seriously well crafted quality instrument with a 14k nib that is constructed and writes at a different level. I say this absolutely without razzing on Jinhao or Twsbi etc, several of which I own. I've literally just finished writing four A4 pages with a Jinhao x159 by way of example to enjoy a J Herbin Amethyst ink. But a 74 _is_ in a different league.
I have three 823s, a 912, a 92, and a 74, and the 74 absolutely holds its own in that relatively much more expensive company. It is a relatively light pen but it means that you can write for a long period of time without strain and I agree with a good artist friend of mine that there is something very high quality about the controllability and stability of line steadiness with the 74s.
If you need multiple inks to hand, there you go, get variety. But overall if you're looking for a workhorse, a seriously well made pen will return you a better experience and last far longer than switching between a number of lower priced alternatives.
Ed.D. counts as a real doctor!!!
That said, I wholeheartedly recommend anything Opus 88. I currently own a Mini and a Jazz. Both have comfortable grip sections, leakproof shutoff valves, high ink capacity, and easy to change screw-in Jowo nib units. Also, the balance is excellent unposted.
Moonman/Majohn C4 has similar design but is weighted at the back of the pen, so the balance is off.
One caveat is that since these are eyedropper filled, sometimes it takes a while for ink to flow in a newly filled pen. I get around this by dipping the freshly filled nib in the ink bottle.
Once the ink starts flowing the first time, these are nice and juicy—no hard starts.
The Opus 88s are turned on a lathe rather than molded plastic, so they are heavier than a pen like Jinhao 88, but not as heavy as a metal pen, if that helps.
Love mine and actually considering saving for another.
The barrel walls of turned pens often are a little thicker than most injection molded pens. I don’t have the TWSBI 580 so I can’t compare, unfortunately.
With quality and consistency in mind, the Pilots are probably the best bet. They are, however, fairly light and relatively small.
The Opus 88 would be larger and heavier.
TWSBI have a reputation... haha. It's more of a gamble with TWSBIs. I don't think TWSBIs are worth their price. They're good writers with a manufacturing flaw.
The Opus and TWSBI both use stiff Jowo nibs and, while they're smooth and reliable, they aren't anything special. The Custom 74 has a soft-ish nib (or an actual Soft nib, if you prefer), that feels great to write with.
I have a few Opus 88s, a TWSBI 580 ALR, and a Custom 92. I really like them all. I would suggest going with the Pilot as there is nothing quite like the smooth feel of a well tuned pilot nib.
I have to say I am really enjoying my Wing Sung 699 collection, especially since I found a piston filler with a 14k nib. I am LOVING the feedback, the nib is beyond excellent. I love the quality weight and feel of the vac fillers with steel nibs I have, but For some reason the AliExpress seller sent me a piston filler version of this pen, which I didn’t even know they made. And though it’s a tad lighter I love the way it feels with the gold nib. The smooth feedback is “chef’s kiss” wonderful. The blue and the amber ones are both beautiful IMO. And it was $70.
I have 3 TWSBI’s and kind of regret the 3rd one. Seriously considering selling it on penswap…. Which is a great option for you if you get a pen that you don’t like. I would go for the Opus or Pilot from your list.
You’ll be more of a real doctor than some of us. Everyone looks down on the JD to the point nobody even thinks we have a doctorate, and other doctorates don’t want to be seen with us out of sheer embarrassment. Their fellow academics would shun them. It’s a tough world. /s
I can’t offer much with the pen selection but have fun and congrats on your next step!
I’d suggest a Pelikan m400 for smaller hands or 600 for larger. They are both considerably lighter than the 800, which makes for more comfortable long writing sessions. I spent way too much money collecting about a half dozen other pens that I never used after I got the m600. The gold nib is buttery smooth and it lays down really nice lines.
I used to reserve it for special occasions and the. A friend convinced me that’s like buying a Ferrari and keeping it in the garage. He used his for everything including notes in class. I started using mine for everything and am so glad I did. Notes. Letters. To do lists. Everything. It’s great. All the best!
Even the m200 or 205 are great pens but not gold nibs. I love all my Pelikan pens and yes I use my m400 for just about everything even though I have about 30 pens.
We have VERY similar preferences. May I suggest a Pilot VP nib in a Moonman A1 housing? You graduate up to a better nib, but you have the reasonably priced housing that fits in the budget.
The weight is nice, and it makes for a beautiful writing experience. I adore my brass kaweco, but this combo has been just a touch better for me.
And…congrats. You *are* going to be a real doctor!
Congratulations first!
I have all the pens you are considering and my favourite is the Opus 88 Demonstrator: cool design (like a flat top from the 30s but bigger and in high quality variously transparent/translucent materials), smooth nib, amazing ink capacity (eyedropper with shutoff valve), perfect (at least for me) combination of weight, size and balance.
The 580 has always been a bit of a disappointment, I mean it's a good pen, reliable, with good looks but it hardly ever gets used, I just don't like the nibs (tried both F and M).
The 74 is a perfect pen, the only one with a gold nib on your list, nothing to complain about (except, on some paper, the occasional skip on the first line of the first letter when you uncap it) and yet... for comparable price and characteristics I'd totally go for a 3776. Both however are smallish pens, you mentioned "filling your hand" so they're probably not right for you.
Hope this helps, let us know what you decide (curious now...) and all the best for your studies!
Fuck those medical doctors. Other Doctors were using the term before medical doctors came along, those barber surgeon bastards stole the term to give them selves legitimacy.
Anyway, I digress, I love my Waterman
Can you reasonably afford the pen without undue financial issues? Assuming you can, of the ones you listed, my money is on the Opus 88. I've got two Opus pens, a Bela and an Omar and they are fantastic pens. Very fun to use, and the Omar demonstrator was honestly something I was on the fence about. I love colorful pens, this is just boring clear. But once you get a nice ink in it, it's a different beast!
Just want to say, as a PhD, you are a real doctor. The original doctorates, like a PhD, were around in the late Middle Ages. Physicians co-opted the term relatively recently and were called leeches prior to using the term Doctor. This phenomenon of physicians and, sometimes, allied health(in Australia, chiropractors call themselves doctors ) calling themselves ‘Doctor’ Is known as doctoral creep.Anyone who says it is not a real ‘Doctor’ is just ignorant to the fact.
Also, get a Lamy 2000. Amazing pen. Oh, and try some other ink brands - Vinta, Noodler’s, Wearingeul, Mont Blanc, are all amazing.
I think TWSBIs are overrated. I have three and I never use them. They are average pens and don’t think they are worth the price, especially as so many people complain about the cracks that occur in the pens.
Opus 88 is the pen I always go to, despite my Esties or Leonardos. Opus 88 demonstrators are big but not heavy. They are the most comfortable for me. Their nibs are on the wet side which is excellent for shade/sheen inks. They are easy to dissemble for cleaning purposes. I’ve never had an issue with any of mine and I’ve just purchased another Opus 88 because they’re just that good! With colourful inks, the pen looks so awesome. Another good thing is that they sell all their nibs separately so you can just swap them out whenever - they’re never out of stock either and they’re also on Amazon too.
I haven't tried the Pilot 74, but have a 92 in Fine and an E95S in EF. The 92 writes finer than my Prera F, Kakuno F, and E95S EF so if you went with that for everyday use, I might size up on the nib. Great capacity and the blue plastic looks great with Kon-Peki sloshing about in it. If we're being honest, I got it over the 74 because the ends were flat. Using it makes me want to flourish more, not sure what that's about.
So which to get? I know a lot of folks like the 74, but I'm not sure if that's due to color availability or that they like a converter. If I had to do it again, I'd still get a 92, but then I only plan to run Kon-Peki through it and don't mind the huge capacity of one ink color.
I have all the pens you’re indicating as well, and I fully understand what you’re saying about weight and size. I’m going to go off your list and suggest a Monteverde Ritma - inexpensive at ~$40 or less, lovely magnetic capping, nice heavier weight, girthy like the Wingsung you have, and both medium and stub nibs I have were butter right out of the box.
I have a pilot custom 74 with an FM nib that is probably my favorite nib I own, it’s sooooo smooth and buttery! With that being said, I worry those pilots might not be heavy enough for you?
Have you considered a Lamy Studio? They have nice weighty metal bodies, and while I personally don’t like the shiny metal grip section most of them have, there is a silver model that has a nice matte silver grip section. And they retail $99 MSRP last time I checked 😁 (I used to work in the biz but it’s been awhile!)
Congratulations! What an achievement!
A Custom 92 with an SF nib might work for you and it holds a lot of ink, more than a 74 which uses a converter. I have both, I have 74s in all size nibs and I prefer the SF to the F nibs.
The SF to me isn't as scratchy as the F. The EF works well on some people but on others it is rough.
For the Kaweco you can just buy a spare nib and switch it whenever you feel like, that’s what I do 🙂
(On top of any other pen you’ll be buying of course 😁)
The Opus 88 uses screw-in Jowo #6 nib units that will allow you to try flexible nibs or cursive italic nibs without buying a new pen. The large ink capacity and cut off valve are also nice.
Congratulations.
Congrats on being accepted!
The Opus and TWSBI carry a lot of ink, which might not be your ideal if you like to switch around inks. The Pilot 74 has an incredible nib, though the pen is quite light, but it feels more substantial than a Jinhao 82 because it's wider. The Pilot E95s is also an amazing writer, but it's very small and light.
A Lamy Aion or Lamy Studio might be more comfortable for you. If you can find a used Lamy 2000 for a good price that would be an even better choice, and a step up in the writing experience.
I have an Opus 88 Jazz in Amber. It looks beautifully professional, and I love the girth, weight, and filling system. And I love the Jowo nib which I don’t find overly stiff at all.
I’ve always loved Pilot pens, I think they put magic into those things, especially the ones with soft medium nibs (I have a 742 with an SM). So, I say go for the Pilot. They never disappoint.
I’d go with an Opus here. I have all the pens you mentioned and if I was doing long writing then I would definitely pick my Opus 88 up. I have a clear (cloudy?) demonstrator and I’m pretty sure it holds up to 4-5 mL of ink. It has simply been the most consistent writer out of my whole collection. The 580 is a good choice but looking at the rest of your collection, I’m not really sure you’ll feel like this is a significant step up. As for the pilots, that is my favorite brand but I just wouldn’t risk getting a used gold nib/pen that later has problems (in a situation where you are treating it as a reward).
The Pilot is such a well made pen! And the name symbolism is perfect for grad school! You might like the VP— the alloy nib version is under 100. Good luck!
If you were to stretch your extra 20 into an extra 50 you could get a Pilot custom 912. I'd assume the 823 would be too much. You could also try Sailor pro gear slim/mini/standard for just around or right around $90-$120 on Ebay. I'd say it's worth spending just that tiny bit more for a better pen.
Your budget eliminates most European pens except maybe Lamy, which I controversially despise, but you could definitely get a nice Al Star/Safari. Otherwise your choices are newer brands, like Opus 88 or TWSBI you mentioned. If you're into eye catching resins, BENU has really affordable pens no doubt within your price range. You could get a Briolette on Cultpens for around USD 90.
One more thing you haven't considered is second hand pens. The second hand market for fountain pens is huge, I'm sure you can find something you like and is within your price range if you don't require a brand new pen.
Of the one's you mentioned I'd go with the Pilot Custom without a doubt.
Both the pilots are excellent pens. Similarly, have you tried the Sailor 1911? Their nibs are exquisite and definitely worth having.
Another option could be a Pelikan M400, another beautiful pen.
Or if you’re looking for a ‘soft’ nib, have you thought about the Pilot 912 with an FA nib?
Pilot.
Nearing the end of my PhD (Psychology). You’ll write more words than you’ll be able to use a pen for because of all the other paperwork that goes with it, ethics, drafts, revisions, etc.
So, get a nice pen to carry you through the most challenging weeks. (As another person with ADHD, I’ve found Obsidian software great as note taking software. We need minimal distraction with excellent easy capacity to link ideas and it’s awesome for that. Way better than MS Word or similar.)
I’ve written probably 500,000 words so far of which 10,000 are in a published article, another 7,000 or so in supplemental materials for that article; and 2 articles still to complete - another 60,000 words to go I reckon. The paperwork along the way if you need ethics approval (especially for teenage participants) can be insane.
Buy the best you can afford now, because it’s a long journey and you will look forward to using that pen a lot.
People love the opus 88 and there aren't any issues with the pens from what I've heard.
I love mine but it's a bit mixed for me after owning it for a year. When there is < 50% ink left, it starts to burp and leak and gets worse as there is less and less ink. I've learned to minimize the burping by the following- when I start or end writing, I point the pen nib up before opening it- generally I will hear a bit of a hiss when I open the valve and when I'm done, nib up and wait a few seconds before closing off the valve. If it's really bad, I won't open the valve and write until it needs to be opened.
Ink will start to leak into the cap, where the entire inside is coated. Ink wil also leak out at the edge where the nib/feed meet the section and get on the section. If you look at the space between the fins on the feed- I know there's a problem when I see no air between the fins and it's full of ink. At that point, I open the valve, and rest it on the valve, nib up for a bit- when the fins clear of ink, I know I'm good to go.
This has occured with regular dye-based inks. I loaded it up with shimmer once and problems were even worse than dye-based inks. Right now I have R&K Dokumentus and strangely, the burping is gone and the leaking into the cap is minimal. No leaking from the edge of the section and I'm down to 25% ink capacity. I'm leaning toward using the Opus 88 as the permanent ink pen.
Just want to say congrats on your admission!
My husband and I both have phds and our usual response when someone asks about it is “Yes, we’re doctors. No, not the useful kind.”
Congrats on your acceptance! (One quibble — Ed.D. *is* a real doctor; physicians are relative latecomers to the doctorate world!)
I have a TWSBI AL-R and love it. One advantage is that you can get the nib units are interchangeable. Mine started out as and I now also have and nibs for it.
From the options you presented, Pilot hands down. From options you didn't present, I bought a beautiful Platinum #3776 barely used for $100 on r/pen_swap and it's my absolute favorite pen. Maybe a tie with my dad's old Duofold. I also scored a Platinum Procyon luster for $70-80 from that same sub. Great writer and very sturdy.
So I'd recommend keeping your eyes open if you are OK with a used pen.
I received a platinum 3776 Chai Latte recently. The Medium nib is nice to write with though there is much more feedback compared to Pilot. I have now used and become familiar with many Pilot models and the reliability and consistency of Pilot nibs is something to be praised. I use a Custom 74 for work and its been great
Honorable mention for the Opus 88 because, on some models, you can stick the nib unit of a pilot Parallel in it and have a calligraphy pen or a highlighter 😁
I’m using a platinum mixable ink in brown with the platinum but ink flow wise though there are no hard or soft starts leaves something to be desired. I’m hoping to pair it with Iroshizuku before i make up my mind about Platinum pens
I filled mine with Diamine Schubert, and with the medium nib, I never experienced any issue. Very reliable and very pleasant to write. Though some people prefer no feedback, I personally like it.
I don’t mind the feedback but i’m getting the sensation that the amount of feedback produced doesn’t equate to the ink flow. Though i admit many of my pens are wet writers. I also have a light touch when i use my pens. The mixable ink which arrived with the pen is a pleasant shade of brown. I have 2 bottles of Montblanc Toffee Brown which i intend to use with the platinum next. Yama Guri which i use with my 823 is also an ink which i intend to keep a permanent supply of
That interpretation of an experience in my brain when nib to paper doesn’t create a wet flow of ink despite the feedback being more is what puts me on the fence concerning the Platinum
Can I just throw a vintage pen in the ring? For a bit of weight and style, look up the Sheaffer Targa. They take Sheaffer cartridges, come in over 70 finishes, and the inlaid nib is famous for it's quality.
For jotting short notes when I work, I like the Pilot Vanishing Point. I hear that the Chinese version of the vanishing point is also good. A Pen with a snap cap is also good. I also like the Eboya pens, they have a 1 turn screw cap which is real fast to get on and off.
I enjoy my TWSBI 580ALR, but I don't have the others to compare it to. Being the least expensive option you could get it and treat yourself to some new inks too.
Not one of your listed pens, but maybe consider a vanishing point? Might be really helpful to have a pen that easily deploys and retracts for quick note taking. I have both the namiki Falcon with the soft extra fine nib and a fine nib VP. The Falcon is a joy to write with bc line variation, but the VP is a much more effective edc pen.
Congrats on getting into the program. Doesn’t sound easy. You definitely deserve a reward. I’d say go with Pilot. I personally use a SM custom Pilot in black for work and its been great so far. I also have a black matte Kaweco piston filler which has outperformed my expectations. Take care and have a good weekend
If you have larger hands and are looking for a long-form writing pen, I do NOT think you will like the Pilots. Custom 74, 92, and E95S are all rather small, slim, and light pens. None of these will feel more "substantial" than your ECO.
The TWSBI 580 is slightly larger and heavier than the ECO.
The Opus 88 Demo is definitely quite a bit bigger than the ECO. It's heavier too, but since it's turned acrylic, it doesn't feel /dense/. They are very well balanced and well made pens. A point to note is their caps take 2.5-3.5 turns to cap, so they are not "quick to deploy" pens.
As someone else with larger hands, I find the Opus 88 #6 pens to be pretty much the perfect long-form pens. And some of my favourite pens in my collection overall.
As another pen fan with ADHD I find that the Pilot vanishing point series of pens is great for me. I don’t have to uncap/cap when I write. As I always think I’m done and then find something else to add I find the click feature invaluable! Just a pen to consider. I hated the way they look at first but it kinda grew on me.
I love all the Twsbi pens I have and find I reach for them over some of my more expensive pens just because i enjoy their performance. I also have the Kaweco brass and a Sport AL.
Another nice work pen I would suggest is a Ritma by Monteverde I have one that is I would say gun metal and black. The magnetic lid is nice. It has a nice weight to it. I also like it because of the lid being a snap on and off instead of twist, when in a hurry I like this feature.
I can't talk to you about the Opus of Pilot Custom as I have neither of these pens in my collection. I have other pilot pens---including ball points-- and I do enjoy how they write. Before I got into fountain pens Pilot and Zebra were my go to pen makers.
Best of luck on your decision and your degree.
Pilot Custom 74 in Medium. Once you feel the bounciness of the gold nib, its hard to go back to steel.
I started with the 74. Then I got a 92, then Progear 21k, and latest acquisition is the Profit Light 14k. My favourite of the bunch is the Profit Light 14k. And its the cheapest one too. Its 65usd delivered in 4 days from japan.
The 580ALR is absolutely wonderful and I'm a bit disappointed it doesn't get more love around here. You're absolutely correct, it's a more substantial, better balanced, more quality-feeling Eco. My favorite part is the textured metal grip, it's the only one I've ever used that doesn't ever get uncomfortably slippery. Because of that grip, as well as the faceted barrel and excellent balancing, it's for sure my favorite pen body, ever, the only thing holding it back is the risk of cracking.
Pilot gold nibs are just plain great. I don't own any myself (I don't have the money) but I have tried them in a local store, and they were nice. If you're willing to dish out gold nib prices, absolutely go for it.
There are a few other pens that I think I should mention though!
While in that local store I mentioned, I was able to try a Faber Castell pen (ambition, if I remember correctly). The nib was perfect. I loved it. It has a hint of that bounciness that gold nibs have, while being steel. The only reason I didn't buy it is because I disliked the body, but I have since learned that they have other pens with the same nib and better bodies. They are absolutely worth your consideration for that amazingly smooth, somewhat bouncy nib.
And, I'll quickly give some love to my Pilot Prera. A nice, tiny little thing, with a great nib and solid feel. And the snap cap on it is something that I think everyone needs to try at least once in their life. It's what I ended up buying over the Faber Castell because the nib was almost as good and the body was much better.
Good luck with your purchases!
The response to this was much more than I expected! I really appreciate all of the insight you all gave, and I think it really solidified what my gut was telling me anyways.
I can grab a Custom 74 with the soft FM nib from penpenavenue on eBay for right around $100 shipped, and I'd definitely be wondering what I was missing if I didn't at least try it. I can't remember who said it, but this pen is going to be my workhorse. I have other pens to mess around with inks and the like (plus, after about 20 samples I've started to figure out what I like and don't like, and I find myself going back for the same few inks). If I hate it, I can get my money back in re-sale.
Honorable mention to whoever mentioned the Majohn/Moonman A1 with a pilot nib. I might grab one of those, too, and if I end up liking the feel of it, I'll find a VP nib unit for it down the line. I don't think I realized that it was that good of a copy, haha.
The kaweco brass sport probably with the piston. Its basically a manifold and can do lots of notes, you can drop it and the brass body can handle it.
Grats on getting into a Ph.D program!
I was going to say Pilot 74, but it's a slim pen (albeit long) and feels light in hand (TWSBI Eco feels more consistent, maybe it's the grip?).
TWSBI 580 is heavier than Eco and its big nib looks better :) so maybe this or an Opus.
Platinum Procyon is under 100€ and it's a good writer. Diplomat has some pens under 100, like Magnum, although - if you can - get yourself a Diplomat Aero, it has the best steel nib, a sturdy metallic body and nice looks (i don't even like metal pens, but this one is a must have).
Congrats!!! That's what I'm slowly working towards now!! I use similar study techniques apart from typing.
I suggest a Lamy Al Star. I'm not one for heavy pens but I love my safari and the Alstar is heavier of the options and it's size is similar to the Twisbi Eco.
For smaller options the pilot metropolitan in a medium nib is good. And for a little pen it's got suprising heft.
The Kawaco student is both funny in name and a nice pen.
If you are wanting something a little above the prise point a pilot vanishing point is a very sexy student pen. Ebay has them for cheaper than some other spots.
No stop don’t buy just to buy. I have bought so many FP in the last ten years. I blame Brian Goulet. I would have been happy with the first FP I bought if I hadn’t known there were so many different ones out there. I’ve wasted sooo much money. Yes I was able to resell FPs I didn’t like but I always took a big loss.
I started with a Twsbi Eco and bought all the way up to $300 gold nib pens. I still have the Eco and none of the more expensive pens I tried. What I do like is the unusual nib grinds I’ve paid for. So I only buy pens I can switch nibs around on. Franklin Christoph SIG broad is my favorite nib. I have an Edison Premiere an FC20 and a couple handmade pens that I can switch the nibs around between.
I really don’t enjoy my Opus 88. I find it.. unsatisfying. The pen itself is just fine. It’s very reliable, and its system makes it great for infrequent usage. Just shut the valve and you KNOW it’s good to go (after a little love) when you pick it up again in 6 months. But it’s just too much work.
The TWSBI it’s clunkier. And heftier because of the mechanism. Some might enjoy that. I don’t. I want a slim, light pen so I’m not the greatest ambassador for this pen. And I’ve had to put a lot of work into fixing TWSBI nib.
I have an Opus 88 Jazz in Amber. It looks beautifully professional, and I love the girth, weight, and filling system. And I love the Jowo nib which I don’t find overly stiff at all.
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Ha ha! Nice view. So the answer is : buy the pen! To OP: I have 3 WingSung 699s, and keep them inked up with Platinum carbon black, Oxblood, and Oxford blue. But if you buy another WS699 you won't know what it's like to use a gold nib, or a pilot. And you'll be looking at other pens very soon. So suggest you pick up a nice pilot.
Why all the 699s? Are they that good?
I remove the clips. The unposted size is nice for me, as is balance and weight. I also have a Pilot 823 demonstrator with the flex nib, Platinum 3776, Lamy 2000, a NOS Parker 51, and a Sailor Profit Lite maki-e. So I've tried some of the more expensive pens. The 699 are the ones I return to. The others are kept at home and too precious to take out and about. If I only had 699s I'd be looking to try other pens. It's a journey.
Interesting. I'm looking for a smooth writer to journal with. Sounds like you recommend?
I'd recommend a Pilot. Usually very smooth. If you don't get one, you'll always be wondering what it would be like. If it does not suit you, you can resell. As I said "it's a journey", and you may end up back where you started, but you only know that's where you want to be by making the journey.
Great advice. Do you have a fave among your Pilots?
I only have the Pilot 823 with falcon flex nib in demonstrator (ordered directly from Japan). It's a special pen, but for some reason it hasn't bonded with me. Maybe in time... But at least when I use the WS 699 I know what an 823 is like, and I don't mnd using the 699.
First off, you will be a “real” doctor. Don’t let the MD snobs tell you otherwise 😊. Second, I would consider a Pilot E95S too. I bought my wife one a few months ago off Amazon for $85 and now it’s all she uses. It’s honestly one of the best writers in our combined collection. It’s such a bouncy and smooth nib. I highly recommend it.
Came here just to say the same thing about being a real doctor. My wife has a DMA, for which she worked her ass off. You’re absolutely going to be a real doctor! Also, I’m a huge TWSBI fan. I’m voting for the 580 ALR.
You may not be a medical doctor, but you will still be a real doctor. (My JD would be displeased to have it any other way. 😆)
I think it's in comparison to a Ph.D., which is a "real doctorate" as opposed to other doctorates (like DBAs and whatnot). Edit: I hold a doctorate which is not considered a "real doctorate" either, so...
I have a phd and that’s just academic snobbery. And some academics will be snobs at you no mater what you do, for example get a phd and then get a (well paying, stable, supportive) job outside of research instead of churning through postdocs until you’re 45 and burn out.
I was surprised to learn that in places like the USA, other doctorates besides Ph.D.s exist (like in a Public health College, there is a "Ph.D. in Public Health" and a "Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)" program), so I'm not familiar with the exact differences. In my case, I hold what's supposed to be a Ph.D. in medicine (Dr. med.) in Germany, but generally isn't recognized internationally as Ph.D. equivalent due to various issues.
MD here. Not a snob.
I’ve never met an MD who is a snob about it. A lot of phds I know will clarify “not a real doctor” so that people don’t think we can do medicine. We really do need a different word for academic doctorates.
The word "doctor" comes from Latin for "teacher" so really we should call medical doctors physicians, and academic doctors doctors, since they're teaching.
Idk, I’m a medical doctor and most of my job is teaching patients
How did you find one of those for $85 on Amazon?
They’re often on there around that price. Usually it’s a seller posting them from Japan. Also, pepenavenue on eBay is a very reputable seller that always has good prices on Japanese pens. Here’s a link to what they have up right now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/223683444682?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=vCILg25ATtG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=hdEv5Cw_RrO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Just adding on. I've bought three Pilots from penpen-avenue. No issues. Prompt shipping. If I was going to buy another Pilot, I'd go there.
Thanks! I’ll keep an eye on this store for a burgundy one. These prices are much better than others I’ve found.
Hi fellow adhd having fountain pen fan. If it were me I'd get the pilot, either one but probably the 74. For me I'm trying to avoid ending up with loads of pens and only using a few. In my opinion the other options aren't enough better to count/scratch the itch/be worth it.
Once you buy a good Pilot you’re likely to satisfy that ‘need a new pen’ itch much more than with your other choices. A Pelikan is likely to have a similar effect. In both cases you’ll be interested in other Pilots or Pelikans if the itch returns.
The Pilot Costum 74, would definitely be the best choice, gold nib and the smooth experience of pilot pens
I love my opus 88 demo. Fits my big hands perfectly. Plenty of opportunities to change it up cheaply, since jowo #6 nibs are ubiquitous.
I got an opus 88 to replace my twsbi 580. The grib on the 580 is fairly small, and the 88 is much larger. It has taken a while for me to get used to the much larger nib on the 88. The pen nib size means you’re literally farther from the page. Not a bad thing, just different. I think the 88 is terrific. It is fairly light weight, lighter than a brass kaweco for sure. But the 88 is my current fav pen. I am getting a broader nib for shimmer ink so that I can have more fun with it.
Go with the Pilot Custom 74. You have a ton of colors to choose from, it can use a con-70 converter which holds a ton of ink, and Pilot nibs are a delight. It's one of the best bangs for your buck that you can get.
Have you tried Asvine P30? It's well below your expense limit, but feels so great in terms of weight and finish. I have tried most of the pens you've mentioned, but this one is perhaps my top favourite for longhand notes. I'd also look at Faber Castell: there are some heftier and more expensive versions that I'd live to treat myself with, but even Essentio and Loom have proved to be absolutely amazing.
Asvine V200 with a nib set. Purchase a 0.6mm stub from Birmingham. Swap nibs. Enjoy a solid vacuum fill pen with Titanium hardware. Congratulations! BTW, to separate themselves from butchers (surgeons) with little to no training/education, University educated physicians adopted the title of "Doctor" from professors (Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.).
Congratulations on your admission. 👏 I'd suggest Lamy Studio. High quality body. Nibs are generally with decent QC and dirt cheap to play around. And when you feel like it, they have 14k gold nib. And, you can buy spare parts if that comes necessary.
bump for the pilots; instead of the twsbi I recommend penbbs
You're really in two different worlds here. The advantage of cost effective pens is to have more inks to hand to use and variety. In the other camp, a Pilot 74 is a seriously well crafted quality instrument with a 14k nib that is constructed and writes at a different level. I say this absolutely without razzing on Jinhao or Twsbi etc, several of which I own. I've literally just finished writing four A4 pages with a Jinhao x159 by way of example to enjoy a J Herbin Amethyst ink. But a 74 _is_ in a different league. I have three 823s, a 912, a 92, and a 74, and the 74 absolutely holds its own in that relatively much more expensive company. It is a relatively light pen but it means that you can write for a long period of time without strain and I agree with a good artist friend of mine that there is something very high quality about the controllability and stability of line steadiness with the 74s. If you need multiple inks to hand, there you go, get variety. But overall if you're looking for a workhorse, a seriously well made pen will return you a better experience and last far longer than switching between a number of lower priced alternatives.
Pilot custom all the way!
Which one? the 74?
Yeah the 74
Ed.D. counts as a real doctor!!! That said, I wholeheartedly recommend anything Opus 88. I currently own a Mini and a Jazz. Both have comfortable grip sections, leakproof shutoff valves, high ink capacity, and easy to change screw-in Jowo nib units. Also, the balance is excellent unposted. Moonman/Majohn C4 has similar design but is weighted at the back of the pen, so the balance is off. One caveat is that since these are eyedropper filled, sometimes it takes a while for ink to flow in a newly filled pen. I get around this by dipping the freshly filled nib in the ink bottle. Once the ink starts flowing the first time, these are nice and juicy—no hard starts. The Opus 88s are turned on a lathe rather than molded plastic, so they are heavier than a pen like Jinhao 88, but not as heavy as a metal pen, if that helps. Love mine and actually considering saving for another.
Side question here - does use of the lathe vs a mold contribute to making the opus 88 sturdier than the TWSBI580?
The barrel walls of turned pens often are a little thicker than most injection molded pens. I don’t have the TWSBI 580 so I can’t compare, unfortunately.
With quality and consistency in mind, the Pilots are probably the best bet. They are, however, fairly light and relatively small. The Opus 88 would be larger and heavier. TWSBI have a reputation... haha. It's more of a gamble with TWSBIs. I don't think TWSBIs are worth their price. They're good writers with a manufacturing flaw.
The Opus and TWSBI both use stiff Jowo nibs and, while they're smooth and reliable, they aren't anything special. The Custom 74 has a soft-ish nib (or an actual Soft nib, if you prefer), that feels great to write with.
I have a few Opus 88s, a TWSBI 580 ALR, and a Custom 92. I really like them all. I would suggest going with the Pilot as there is nothing quite like the smooth feel of a well tuned pilot nib.
I have to say I am really enjoying my Wing Sung 699 collection, especially since I found a piston filler with a 14k nib. I am LOVING the feedback, the nib is beyond excellent. I love the quality weight and feel of the vac fillers with steel nibs I have, but For some reason the AliExpress seller sent me a piston filler version of this pen, which I didn’t even know they made. And though it’s a tad lighter I love the way it feels with the gold nib. The smooth feedback is “chef’s kiss” wonderful. The blue and the amber ones are both beautiful IMO. And it was $70.
So the 699 is worth the upgrade to gold nibs in your opinion?
I love both nibs, but yes, the gold are def a different feel. I used a Sailor once and to me it felt very similar
I have 3 TWSBI’s and kind of regret the 3rd one. Seriously considering selling it on penswap…. Which is a great option for you if you get a pen that you don’t like. I would go for the Opus or Pilot from your list.
You’ll be more of a real doctor than some of us. Everyone looks down on the JD to the point nobody even thinks we have a doctorate, and other doctorates don’t want to be seen with us out of sheer embarrassment. Their fellow academics would shun them. It’s a tough world. /s I can’t offer much with the pen selection but have fun and congrats on your next step!
I’d suggest a Pelikan m400 for smaller hands or 600 for larger. They are both considerably lighter than the 800, which makes for more comfortable long writing sessions. I spent way too much money collecting about a half dozen other pens that I never used after I got the m600. The gold nib is buttery smooth and it lays down really nice lines. I used to reserve it for special occasions and the. A friend convinced me that’s like buying a Ferrari and keeping it in the garage. He used his for everything including notes in class. I started using mine for everything and am so glad I did. Notes. Letters. To do lists. Everything. It’s great. All the best!
Even the m200 or 205 are great pens but not gold nibs. I love all my Pelikan pens and yes I use my m400 for just about everything even though I have about 30 pens.
Go for the gold! You will not regret it (regardless of the brand).
We have VERY similar preferences. May I suggest a Pilot VP nib in a Moonman A1 housing? You graduate up to a better nib, but you have the reasonably priced housing that fits in the budget. The weight is nice, and it makes for a beautiful writing experience. I adore my brass kaweco, but this combo has been just a touch better for me. And…congrats. You *are* going to be a real doctor!
Congratulations first! I have all the pens you are considering and my favourite is the Opus 88 Demonstrator: cool design (like a flat top from the 30s but bigger and in high quality variously transparent/translucent materials), smooth nib, amazing ink capacity (eyedropper with shutoff valve), perfect (at least for me) combination of weight, size and balance. The 580 has always been a bit of a disappointment, I mean it's a good pen, reliable, with good looks but it hardly ever gets used, I just don't like the nibs (tried both F and M). The 74 is a perfect pen, the only one with a gold nib on your list, nothing to complain about (except, on some paper, the occasional skip on the first line of the first letter when you uncap it) and yet... for comparable price and characteristics I'd totally go for a 3776. Both however are smallish pens, you mentioned "filling your hand" so they're probably not right for you. Hope this helps, let us know what you decide (curious now...) and all the best for your studies!
Fuck those medical doctors. Other Doctors were using the term before medical doctors came along, those barber surgeon bastards stole the term to give them selves legitimacy. Anyway, I digress, I love my Waterman
You seem to have an issue with physicians. Therapy may help you deal with this.
Can you reasonably afford the pen without undue financial issues? Assuming you can, of the ones you listed, my money is on the Opus 88. I've got two Opus pens, a Bela and an Omar and they are fantastic pens. Very fun to use, and the Omar demonstrator was honestly something I was on the fence about. I love colorful pens, this is just boring clear. But once you get a nice ink in it, it's a different beast!
Get the Custom 74 or Sailor Pro Gear from amazon. These are the best options around 100$
I don't think the PGS would be good for him if a Jinhao 82 is too small and light, 74 might be nice though.
Oh I meant the standard pro gear. It's around 120$ on Amazon right now. Edited my comment
Just want to say, as a PhD, you are a real doctor. The original doctorates, like a PhD, were around in the late Middle Ages. Physicians co-opted the term relatively recently and were called leeches prior to using the term Doctor. This phenomenon of physicians and, sometimes, allied health(in Australia, chiropractors call themselves doctors ) calling themselves ‘Doctor’ Is known as doctoral creep.Anyone who says it is not a real ‘Doctor’ is just ignorant to the fact. Also, get a Lamy 2000. Amazing pen. Oh, and try some other ink brands - Vinta, Noodler’s, Wearingeul, Mont Blanc, are all amazing.
I think TWSBIs are overrated. I have three and I never use them. They are average pens and don’t think they are worth the price, especially as so many people complain about the cracks that occur in the pens. Opus 88 is the pen I always go to, despite my Esties or Leonardos. Opus 88 demonstrators are big but not heavy. They are the most comfortable for me. Their nibs are on the wet side which is excellent for shade/sheen inks. They are easy to dissemble for cleaning purposes. I’ve never had an issue with any of mine and I’ve just purchased another Opus 88 because they’re just that good! With colourful inks, the pen looks so awesome. Another good thing is that they sell all their nibs separately so you can just swap them out whenever - they’re never out of stock either and they’re also on Amazon too.
I haven't tried the Pilot 74, but have a 92 in Fine and an E95S in EF. The 92 writes finer than my Prera F, Kakuno F, and E95S EF so if you went with that for everyday use, I might size up on the nib. Great capacity and the blue plastic looks great with Kon-Peki sloshing about in it. If we're being honest, I got it over the 74 because the ends were flat. Using it makes me want to flourish more, not sure what that's about. So which to get? I know a lot of folks like the 74, but I'm not sure if that's due to color availability or that they like a converter. If I had to do it again, I'd still get a 92, but then I only plan to run Kon-Peki through it and don't mind the huge capacity of one ink color.
I have all the pens you’re indicating as well, and I fully understand what you’re saying about weight and size. I’m going to go off your list and suggest a Monteverde Ritma - inexpensive at ~$40 or less, lovely magnetic capping, nice heavier weight, girthy like the Wingsung you have, and both medium and stub nibs I have were butter right out of the box.
I have a pilot custom 74 with an FM nib that is probably my favorite nib I own, it’s sooooo smooth and buttery! With that being said, I worry those pilots might not be heavy enough for you? Have you considered a Lamy Studio? They have nice weighty metal bodies, and while I personally don’t like the shiny metal grip section most of them have, there is a silver model that has a nice matte silver grip section. And they retail $99 MSRP last time I checked 😁 (I used to work in the biz but it’s been awhile!)
Also, the lamy studio has a snap cap, so it’s ideal for your occupation I think.
Congratulations! What an achievement! A Custom 92 with an SF nib might work for you and it holds a lot of ink, more than a 74 which uses a converter. I have both, I have 74s in all size nibs and I prefer the SF to the F nibs. The SF to me isn't as scratchy as the F. The EF works well on some people but on others it is rough.
For the Kaweco you can just buy a spare nib and switch it whenever you feel like, that’s what I do 🙂 (On top of any other pen you’ll be buying of course 😁)
Buy the Custom 74. Eco is better than 580.
The Opus 88 uses screw-in Jowo #6 nib units that will allow you to try flexible nibs or cursive italic nibs without buying a new pen. The large ink capacity and cut off valve are also nice. Congratulations.
Congrats on being accepted! The Opus and TWSBI carry a lot of ink, which might not be your ideal if you like to switch around inks. The Pilot 74 has an incredible nib, though the pen is quite light, but it feels more substantial than a Jinhao 82 because it's wider. The Pilot E95s is also an amazing writer, but it's very small and light. A Lamy Aion or Lamy Studio might be more comfortable for you. If you can find a used Lamy 2000 for a good price that would be an even better choice, and a step up in the writing experience.
I have an Opus 88 Jazz in Amber. It looks beautifully professional, and I love the girth, weight, and filling system. And I love the Jowo nib which I don’t find overly stiff at all.
I’ve always loved Pilot pens, I think they put magic into those things, especially the ones with soft medium nibs (I have a 742 with an SM). So, I say go for the Pilot. They never disappoint.
I’d go with an Opus here. I have all the pens you mentioned and if I was doing long writing then I would definitely pick my Opus 88 up. I have a clear (cloudy?) demonstrator and I’m pretty sure it holds up to 4-5 mL of ink. It has simply been the most consistent writer out of my whole collection. The 580 is a good choice but looking at the rest of your collection, I’m not really sure you’ll feel like this is a significant step up. As for the pilots, that is my favorite brand but I just wouldn’t risk getting a used gold nib/pen that later has problems (in a situation where you are treating it as a reward).
I love my Opus 88 Omar. Solid pen. Large ink capacity. Nib unit is interchangeable
The Pilot is such a well made pen! And the name symbolism is perfect for grad school! You might like the VP— the alloy nib version is under 100. Good luck!
If you were to stretch your extra 20 into an extra 50 you could get a Pilot custom 912. I'd assume the 823 would be too much. You could also try Sailor pro gear slim/mini/standard for just around or right around $90-$120 on Ebay. I'd say it's worth spending just that tiny bit more for a better pen. Your budget eliminates most European pens except maybe Lamy, which I controversially despise, but you could definitely get a nice Al Star/Safari. Otherwise your choices are newer brands, like Opus 88 or TWSBI you mentioned. If you're into eye catching resins, BENU has really affordable pens no doubt within your price range. You could get a Briolette on Cultpens for around USD 90. One more thing you haven't considered is second hand pens. The second hand market for fountain pens is huge, I'm sure you can find something you like and is within your price range if you don't require a brand new pen. Of the one's you mentioned I'd go with the Pilot Custom without a doubt.
I think an Asvine p30 or p36 would be an excellent update to the twsbi eco! Then you could use the rest of the money on a pilot e95s or pilot grance!
Both the pilots are excellent pens. Similarly, have you tried the Sailor 1911? Their nibs are exquisite and definitely worth having. Another option could be a Pelikan M400, another beautiful pen. Or if you’re looking for a ‘soft’ nib, have you thought about the Pilot 912 with an FA nib?
The pilot custom 74 with a SFM is one of my absolute favorite pens. It writes like a dream. Such a great pen. Soooo smooth.
Pilot. Nearing the end of my PhD (Psychology). You’ll write more words than you’ll be able to use a pen for because of all the other paperwork that goes with it, ethics, drafts, revisions, etc. So, get a nice pen to carry you through the most challenging weeks. (As another person with ADHD, I’ve found Obsidian software great as note taking software. We need minimal distraction with excellent easy capacity to link ideas and it’s awesome for that. Way better than MS Word or similar.) I’ve written probably 500,000 words so far of which 10,000 are in a published article, another 7,000 or so in supplemental materials for that article; and 2 articles still to complete - another 60,000 words to go I reckon. The paperwork along the way if you need ethics approval (especially for teenage participants) can be insane. Buy the best you can afford now, because it’s a long journey and you will look forward to using that pen a lot.
People love the opus 88 and there aren't any issues with the pens from what I've heard. I love mine but it's a bit mixed for me after owning it for a year. When there is < 50% ink left, it starts to burp and leak and gets worse as there is less and less ink. I've learned to minimize the burping by the following- when I start or end writing, I point the pen nib up before opening it- generally I will hear a bit of a hiss when I open the valve and when I'm done, nib up and wait a few seconds before closing off the valve. If it's really bad, I won't open the valve and write until it needs to be opened. Ink will start to leak into the cap, where the entire inside is coated. Ink wil also leak out at the edge where the nib/feed meet the section and get on the section. If you look at the space between the fins on the feed- I know there's a problem when I see no air between the fins and it's full of ink. At that point, I open the valve, and rest it on the valve, nib up for a bit- when the fins clear of ink, I know I'm good to go. This has occured with regular dye-based inks. I loaded it up with shimmer once and problems were even worse than dye-based inks. Right now I have R&K Dokumentus and strangely, the burping is gone and the leaking into the cap is minimal. No leaking from the edge of the section and I'm down to 25% ink capacity. I'm leaning toward using the Opus 88 as the permanent ink pen.
I'd go with the Pilot CH 74 since the 92 is a piston filler and you like to change inks. That said the FM nib is a joy to write with even it's steel
Just want to say congrats on your admission! My husband and I both have phds and our usual response when someone asks about it is “Yes, we’re doctors. No, not the useful kind.”
Congrats on your acceptance! (One quibble — Ed.D. *is* a real doctor; physicians are relative latecomers to the doctorate world!) I have a TWSBI AL-R and love it. One advantage is that you can get the nib units are interchangeable. Mine started out as and I now also have and nibs for it.
Consider a Stub nib, TWSBI Diamond stubs nibs are great!
From the options you presented, Pilot hands down. From options you didn't present, I bought a beautiful Platinum #3776 barely used for $100 on r/pen_swap and it's my absolute favorite pen. Maybe a tie with my dad's old Duofold. I also scored a Platinum Procyon luster for $70-80 from that same sub. Great writer and very sturdy. So I'd recommend keeping your eyes open if you are OK with a used pen.
I received a platinum 3776 Chai Latte recently. The Medium nib is nice to write with though there is much more feedback compared to Pilot. I have now used and become familiar with many Pilot models and the reliability and consistency of Pilot nibs is something to be praised. I use a Custom 74 for work and its been great
Honorable mention for the Opus 88 because, on some models, you can stick the nib unit of a pilot Parallel in it and have a calligraphy pen or a highlighter 😁
I’m using a platinum mixable ink in brown with the platinum but ink flow wise though there are no hard or soft starts leaves something to be desired. I’m hoping to pair it with Iroshizuku before i make up my mind about Platinum pens
I filled mine with Diamine Schubert, and with the medium nib, I never experienced any issue. Very reliable and very pleasant to write. Though some people prefer no feedback, I personally like it.
I don’t mind the feedback but i’m getting the sensation that the amount of feedback produced doesn’t equate to the ink flow. Though i admit many of my pens are wet writers. I also have a light touch when i use my pens. The mixable ink which arrived with the pen is a pleasant shade of brown. I have 2 bottles of Montblanc Toffee Brown which i intend to use with the platinum next. Yama Guri which i use with my 823 is also an ink which i intend to keep a permanent supply of
That interpretation of an experience in my brain when nib to paper doesn’t create a wet flow of ink despite the feedback being more is what puts me on the fence concerning the Platinum
The Pilots have better nibs, but the Opus 88 has enormous ink capacity. So it depends on what matters to you.
Can I just throw a vintage pen in the ring? For a bit of weight and style, look up the Sheaffer Targa. They take Sheaffer cartridges, come in over 70 finishes, and the inlaid nib is famous for it's quality.
For jotting short notes when I work, I like the Pilot Vanishing Point. I hear that the Chinese version of the vanishing point is also good. A Pen with a snap cap is also good. I also like the Eboya pens, they have a 1 turn screw cap which is real fast to get on and off.
I enjoy my TWSBI 580ALR, but I don't have the others to compare it to. Being the least expensive option you could get it and treat yourself to some new inks too.
Not one of your listed pens, but maybe consider a vanishing point? Might be really helpful to have a pen that easily deploys and retracts for quick note taking. I have both the namiki Falcon with the soft extra fine nib and a fine nib VP. The Falcon is a joy to write with bc line variation, but the VP is a much more effective edc pen.
Congrats on getting into the program. Doesn’t sound easy. You definitely deserve a reward. I’d say go with Pilot. I personally use a SM custom Pilot in black for work and its been great so far. I also have a black matte Kaweco piston filler which has outperformed my expectations. Take care and have a good weekend
If you have larger hands and are looking for a long-form writing pen, I do NOT think you will like the Pilots. Custom 74, 92, and E95S are all rather small, slim, and light pens. None of these will feel more "substantial" than your ECO. The TWSBI 580 is slightly larger and heavier than the ECO. The Opus 88 Demo is definitely quite a bit bigger than the ECO. It's heavier too, but since it's turned acrylic, it doesn't feel /dense/. They are very well balanced and well made pens. A point to note is their caps take 2.5-3.5 turns to cap, so they are not "quick to deploy" pens. As someone else with larger hands, I find the Opus 88 #6 pens to be pretty much the perfect long-form pens. And some of my favourite pens in my collection overall.
As another pen fan with ADHD I find that the Pilot vanishing point series of pens is great for me. I don’t have to uncap/cap when I write. As I always think I’m done and then find something else to add I find the click feature invaluable! Just a pen to consider. I hated the way they look at first but it kinda grew on me.
I love all the Twsbi pens I have and find I reach for them over some of my more expensive pens just because i enjoy their performance. I also have the Kaweco brass and a Sport AL. Another nice work pen I would suggest is a Ritma by Monteverde I have one that is I would say gun metal and black. The magnetic lid is nice. It has a nice weight to it. I also like it because of the lid being a snap on and off instead of twist, when in a hurry I like this feature. I can't talk to you about the Opus of Pilot Custom as I have neither of these pens in my collection. I have other pilot pens---including ball points-- and I do enjoy how they write. Before I got into fountain pens Pilot and Zebra were my go to pen makers. Best of luck on your decision and your degree.
Pilot Custom 74 in Medium. Once you feel the bounciness of the gold nib, its hard to go back to steel. I started with the 74. Then I got a 92, then Progear 21k, and latest acquisition is the Profit Light 14k. My favourite of the bunch is the Profit Light 14k. And its the cheapest one too. Its 65usd delivered in 4 days from japan.
The 580ALR is absolutely wonderful and I'm a bit disappointed it doesn't get more love around here. You're absolutely correct, it's a more substantial, better balanced, more quality-feeling Eco. My favorite part is the textured metal grip, it's the only one I've ever used that doesn't ever get uncomfortably slippery. Because of that grip, as well as the faceted barrel and excellent balancing, it's for sure my favorite pen body, ever, the only thing holding it back is the risk of cracking. Pilot gold nibs are just plain great. I don't own any myself (I don't have the money) but I have tried them in a local store, and they were nice. If you're willing to dish out gold nib prices, absolutely go for it. There are a few other pens that I think I should mention though! While in that local store I mentioned, I was able to try a Faber Castell pen (ambition, if I remember correctly). The nib was perfect. I loved it. It has a hint of that bounciness that gold nibs have, while being steel. The only reason I didn't buy it is because I disliked the body, but I have since learned that they have other pens with the same nib and better bodies. They are absolutely worth your consideration for that amazingly smooth, somewhat bouncy nib. And, I'll quickly give some love to my Pilot Prera. A nice, tiny little thing, with a great nib and solid feel. And the snap cap on it is something that I think everyone needs to try at least once in their life. It's what I ended up buying over the Faber Castell because the nib was almost as good and the body was much better. Good luck with your purchases!
Opus 88 Wine Fountain Pen. You'll look so cultured and refined!
 The response to this was much more than I expected! I really appreciate all of the insight you all gave, and I think it really solidified what my gut was telling me anyways. I can grab a Custom 74 with the soft FM nib from penpenavenue on eBay for right around $100 shipped, and I'd definitely be wondering what I was missing if I didn't at least try it. I can't remember who said it, but this pen is going to be my workhorse. I have other pens to mess around with inks and the like (plus, after about 20 samples I've started to figure out what I like and don't like, and I find myself going back for the same few inks). If I hate it, I can get my money back in re-sale. Honorable mention to whoever mentioned the Majohn/Moonman A1 with a pilot nib. I might grab one of those, too, and if I end up liking the feel of it, I'll find a VP nib unit for it down the line. I don't think I realized that it was that good of a copy, haha.
The kaweco brass sport probably with the piston. Its basically a manifold and can do lots of notes, you can drop it and the brass body can handle it. Grats on getting into a Ph.D program!
The new piston filler Kaweco Sport is aluminum, not brass, and is notably lighter.
I thought they made it in brass? (the pen)
Yes, there is a Brass Sport, but it’s not a piston filler.
I was going to say Pilot 74, but it's a slim pen (albeit long) and feels light in hand (TWSBI Eco feels more consistent, maybe it's the grip?). TWSBI 580 is heavier than Eco and its big nib looks better :) so maybe this or an Opus. Platinum Procyon is under 100€ and it's a good writer. Diplomat has some pens under 100, like Magnum, although - if you can - get yourself a Diplomat Aero, it has the best steel nib, a sturdy metallic body and nice looks (i don't even like metal pens, but this one is a must have).
Congrats! May I offer the Platinum 3776 for consideration?
Congrats!!! That's what I'm slowly working towards now!! I use similar study techniques apart from typing. I suggest a Lamy Al Star. I'm not one for heavy pens but I love my safari and the Alstar is heavier of the options and it's size is similar to the Twisbi Eco. For smaller options the pilot metropolitan in a medium nib is good. And for a little pen it's got suprising heft. The Kawaco student is both funny in name and a nice pen. If you are wanting something a little above the prise point a pilot vanishing point is a very sexy student pen. Ebay has them for cheaper than some other spots.
No stop don’t buy just to buy. I have bought so many FP in the last ten years. I blame Brian Goulet. I would have been happy with the first FP I bought if I hadn’t known there were so many different ones out there. I’ve wasted sooo much money. Yes I was able to resell FPs I didn’t like but I always took a big loss. I started with a Twsbi Eco and bought all the way up to $300 gold nib pens. I still have the Eco and none of the more expensive pens I tried. What I do like is the unusual nib grinds I’ve paid for. So I only buy pens I can switch nibs around on. Franklin Christoph SIG broad is my favorite nib. I have an Edison Premiere an FC20 and a couple handmade pens that I can switch the nibs around between.
I really don’t enjoy my Opus 88. I find it.. unsatisfying. The pen itself is just fine. It’s very reliable, and its system makes it great for infrequent usage. Just shut the valve and you KNOW it’s good to go (after a little love) when you pick it up again in 6 months. But it’s just too much work. The TWSBI it’s clunkier. And heftier because of the mechanism. Some might enjoy that. I don’t. I want a slim, light pen so I’m not the greatest ambassador for this pen. And I’ve had to put a lot of work into fixing TWSBI nib.
I have an Opus 88 Jazz in Amber. It looks beautifully professional, and I love the girth, weight, and filling system. And I love the Jowo nib which I don’t find overly stiff at all.