Noob here looking for advice, I'm thinking about this drop, it would be my first fountain pens. Does anyone more experienced have any recommendations for nib sizes? I'm leaning on the two middle options, but idk if that's best? Cheers!
Chris_N64Welcome!!
If you get to start out with two, I might recommend one standard nib size for regular writing, then one of the calligraphy nibs for some flourish. Mediums are good middle grounds to start with the former, unless you have smaller handwriting in which case a Fine nib might be better for everyday use.
Chris_N64man start with something cheaper and better.
lamySafari or pilot metropolitan even though they are not my favorite for starters.
but they provide a great experience for a bigger.
check the preppy platnuim, it is the cheapest but I found it better than the above, or you can go for parker.
AdamGHWhat about the Super5 don't you like? IMO, the Safari is a very poor suggestion for a first fountain pen. The triangular section (this is the name of the part you hold) is so specialized - people who like it, love it, but those who don't, hate it. If a newbie hates it, they are far less likely to move on to another FP. The paper clip-like clip is also a loser in my opinion. And finally, it's no cheaper than the Super5.
The Metropolitan is ok, and used to be my recommended starter pen, even though I don't really like the shape of the section. It's a fine pen, and quite a bit cheaper (closer to 20 than 30 dollars), but its nib is not well-suited to any but the smoothest paper, and its prone to rough starts and railroading after sitting for a few minutes.
The Super5 beats them both in many ways. I've been using Super5s as my daily writer for about two years now, and the things I like about them are - they almost never have rough starts, even after weeks of disuse. The only railroading I've encountered is when the pen is nearly out of ink, and they survive drop like a champ. A bigger selling point is that they are available with nibs other than fine, medium, and broad. The .05 Calligraphic is nice, and the .07 gives some very pleasant line variation.
The Platinum Preppy is a fairly good suggestion for a dirt cheap entry into FPs, but I like the Pilot Varsity better. It never rough starts, and writes like a dream on almost anything, including Post-it notes.
For newbies, don't let all these terms throw you - the takeaway for you should be that the Super5 is a very good starter pen, and might be all the fountain pen you ever need. You may not want to start with two, but if you do, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Gort5000I like your reply... but honestly, you really didn't need to attack my opinion.
@Chris_N64 you should also look up fountain pens for beginners.. and you will see other opinions.
AdamGHI actually did end up joining the drop last time, and outside of massdrop also got a Safari Al-Star (and a Jinhao X750, this is becoming an addiction lol), and I like all of them! The Super5's write great, the ink isn't quite as wet as my Noodler's has been, but I haven't had any problems with it.
AdamGHI don't think I attacked your opinion at all. I disagree with it, as you know, but I certainly had no intention of attacking it. My apologies. I would like to know what you don't like about the Super5.