If you have a pen you like, but can’t find a small eough nib, you can get the nib reground to any size you like at someplace like Nibs.com. The really nice thing about this service is that most nibs don’t actually write all that well out of the box. Most people just don’t know any better these days.
My current favorite: a Pelikan M805 fountain pen, fine nib. Aurora black or Private Reserve tanzanite ink.
I can’t believe I found this thread so late (I started the pencil thread referred to in the OP).
I’m a huge pen freak, and I have several fountain pens, which I rotate through. They’re from several brands with several styles of nibs. Love fountain pens. Currently I’ve got my eye on a Sheaffer Legacy.
Actually, as someone mentioned, new fountain pens are often made with the idea that people aren’t going to use them for regular writing. You’ll have more luck looking for an older pen. They’re often very well made and you can get a good deal if you’re looking for something just ordinary. I recently got an old Parker 51, one of the best pens ever made off EBay for around $40 or so. It’s a fantastic pen and it’s as fine a nib as I’ve used. Most new pens I’ve sued have broader nibs.
Oh, when I can’t use a fountain pen, I use Pentel Hybrid Gel Roller fine-line roller-ball pens. They’re the smoothest, most generous ball-points I’ve used.
What’s the difference between a regular ball-point pen and a so-called “roller ball”? Don’t they work on the same principle?
People are so litigious these days… 
Heh.
I started with the V5 but migrated to the V7 (thicker line). If you are left-handed they are the absolute best pens to use. The tip won’t compress when used by a lefty and they will never skip, The ink also dries really fast. Count me in as one of those people who buy them in bulk for fear they will be discontinued. If someone borrows one I stand there and watch them until I get it back.
My favorite mechanical pencil has been discontinued twice but the design keeps getting picked up. Currently Papermate makes a version of it (Titanium) and I have to special order it. It has a long twist out eraser, the tip retracts and the whole mechanism is shock absorbed so the leads never break.
The Law of Pens:
If you find the most perfect pen that you absolutely love, it will be discontinued shortly after you discover it.
Another fan of the Pilot Precise V5 Extra Fine. Black. As far as I’m concerned, there is no other. I’m left-handed and not a very hard presser when I write, so this pen is perfect for me.
Go ahead and mash it if you like, it can take it. Just don’t write on fresh white-out (the killer of good pens). You might treat yourself to a V7 to see how you like it. Same pen, slightly bigger tip.
Anecdotal situation, I had a historical book signed by the author recently and she remarked on how well the pen wrote. I stared at her politely until I got it back. Love your book, give me back my damn pen.
I love my Parker Vector. And I also have to confess I love Pilot Varsity, but they are so damned hard to find. But my daily pen o’ choice is Sharpie ultrafine. The only problem with that is that you can use only ONE side of a piece of paper.
Oh, it’s not just pens. It’s bras, jeans, and makeup too, at the VERY least.
You know, it had never occurred to me that you could get that done!
Any other inexpensive old pen reccommendations for a woman with little hands who likes a fine nib? I know Neil Gaiman loves his Waterman 52. Is it worth getting one that needs work if you’d have to send it out to have it done?
My favourite fountain pens are –
My old Parker 51
Waterman Edson, although it’s a bit too wide for lots and lots of writing
Cross Townsend - I love the weight of this pen
For lightweight writing, I like my Levenger TrueWriter
I’m still on the lookout for reasonably priced, classic Mont Blanc, Pelikan, and Sheaffer fountain pens. I just want one of each. Can anyone recommend particular models of these?
For contract signing and letter writing, the silver Mont Blanc I got for high school graduation. I don’t remember the model, but it was marketed for women (small barrel, fine nib) 20-some-odd years ago.
For everyday use, puzzles & work, the pens my bank gives away. They’re marvelous! Fine point, dark black ink (none of that vaguely grayish crap), never ever blob or smear, and they’re designed like a pencil! Wood barrel, eraser, brass thingy to hold the eraser. I love them so much I begged (read “whined to, threatened and harassed”) my loan officer until he let me purchase (at cost – gotta love the guy) a gross of them. He keeps “forgetting” to tell me the supplier, tho.
My mom’s gimme stash (mentioned upthread) includes a Chinese Hero FP given her with a leather organizer set. It has a silver-plated, engine-turned barrel and cap and a very nice-writing fine point nib. I initially didn’t consider it any girlier than the gold Cross ballpoint I used to carry to work. Am I wrong?
[Bill Murray] Bic medium point blue[/Bill Murray]
I doubt it. It may be just that enough women griped about giant good pen barrels that Mont Blanc tried a marketing campaign direct at women to sell the slimmer barreled pens, or maybe some marketing genius thought such a campaign would sell a boatload of pens.
I know that mine was advertised for “ladies” because the giver made much of it after hearing the tale of my other grandmothers fultile quest for a size 4 diamond non-engagement ring. My small hands were the hot topic that year :rolleyes:
Like the bold points, huh? </tease>