Fountain Pens with Nib Size: SF

Flexi steel nibs can be a lot of fun, especially for more artistic writing. Our modern, orange Conklin Duragraph sports a steel "omniflex" nib. It writes from extra fine to about 1mm. It takes a little practice to master it, as it is a little on the stiff side. The pen comes with its original box and papers. Also included is a screw-in standard international converter. Only light traces of wear mar this pen's cap and barrel. 14cm capped.

If you first thought this was a Parker Challenger, there is good reason. Parker made this Diamond Medal Vac-Fil fountain pen as one of Sears' housebrand pens! Interestingly enough, this is a lockdown Vacumatic filler that likely was made after Parker discontinued lockdown fillers in its own pens. Nevertheless it is a very handsome vintage pen that we would argue is a less common find. It is the first one we've seen. The materials Parker used on this pen are a little cheaper than their regular Vacs, and it would not surprise us if these Sears models didn't last as long. Ours has been fully restored with a new diaphragm. No cracks, but some brassing. You'll write a dry extra-fine line to nearly 1mm with its semi-flex 14k gold Warranted nib. 12cm capped.

What makes the Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal fountain pen is it screw-in "Signature" nib system, which allowed customers to be certain they got the nib that was best for them. This lastest vintage pen, also known as a Decoband, comes with a 14k gold nib with an F marked on the inkfeed--indicating a fine point. However, when we dipped it, we found that with a little feedback it could write from an extra fine to just short of a millimeter. Fully restored with a new ink sac, this classic pen is ready for action. You can see some discoloration in the original black and pearl design. No cracks but some wear from use. Its matching pencil is in the same condition, working with a 1.1mm lead that is red! Pen measures 13.7cm capped.

Where to start?! Oversized, blue-on-blue lapis...a buttery smooth semi-flex nib! Admit it. You're already salivating over this Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal/Decoband. It is one of the best vintage pens we have posted this year. Fully restored with a new ink sac, the fountain pen has few flaws. The barrel is clearly still blue, but it is three or four shades darker than the cap and pencil. The only brassing is on the ball of the pocket clip. No cracks nor scratches. The writing experience is second to none. It can be a buttery smooth extra-fine, but with just a little gentle pressure it can write a 1mm line. The pencil still works with a 1.1mm lead. It has a little brassing on the nose cone and pocket-clip ball. The lead only advances; you have to push it in to retract it. No eraser. Pen measures 13.55cm capped.

In an effort to remain relevant during the early days of the Great Depression, Parker made some basic button-filler pens at affordable prices. There remains some debate as to their names. We think this is a Parker Premier, though some might argue it is a Moderne or Duette. As we are more into the aesthetic and writing experience, we say you can call it anything but late for dinner. The gold flecks really stand out on the cream coloring that is a bit discolored. It is brassing on top of the clip and on the ball of the clip. We restored this pen with a new ink sac. You might love the 14k gold nib best! It is a reasonably smooth semi-flex that goes from fine to just under a millimeter. 11.3cm capped.

One of the first unique filling systems that caught our attention in vintage pens was the Conklin Crescent. Extremely simple, easy to use and a "profanity saver" according to Mark Twain. We restored the Conklin Crescent 40 with a new ink sac. We also gave it a blackening treatment to help remove the chocolate hazing and restore its shine. In anything other direct light such as in the photos, it looks nearly black. It has a firm nib that mostly wants to write a fine or extra-fine line rather dryly. Yet, with careful and gentle application of pressure, it can be a semi-flex nib that writes up to 1mm wide. No cracks. The chasing and imprint are worn but still easy to see. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.6cm capped.

A third-tier pen with first-tier semi-flex quality is difficult to find. However, our Hi Writer pen from what looks like the 1920s has just that. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sac. What will dazzle you most is the smooth medium steel nib that gently flexes to about 1mm wide. Click the headline for close-ups. Yeah, the nib looks rough. If we polished it, it would lose all of its gold plating. Otherwise the pen has some minor marks and stains. The pocket clip is and comes out if you pull it out in a Z shape. 12.7cm capped.

You just can't overlook the stunning beauty of the green-and-quartz pebble design of this beautiful Franklin-Christoph 46 fountain pen. In near-mint condition it steals everyone's attention. The only think that might impress you more is that it has a 14k gold semi-flex nib. We think it was intended to be a full-flexi, but it feels firm fine when we write with it. You'll need to engage the flex with a little more intentionality. This oversized pen also includes its original standard international converter. No pocket clip on the cap. That is just how these came. 13.5cm capped. Click the headline for close-ups.