>>5732104So
>>5732159 is sort of bullshit because the Pilot Kakuno exists.The Pilot Kakuno is if you took a decent, $15-20 usd Fountain pen, and made the body out of cheap plastic to make it far cheaper. The nibs are glorious, because they're nippon nibs, and jap fine nibs run finer than western ones, though they also feel scratchier as a result. It's not *more* scratchy and fucky than a fineliner or smth, but western nibs can feel buttery smooth.
If you're looking for a fountain pen to surpass microns or other fineliners, get the Pilot Kakuno in fine or, if you can find it, extra fine. The Extra Fine nibs only come in clear plastic pens, and are the only pens that Pilot offers an Extra Fine in, and i suspect that it's because the nib is so fine they're worried about durability. It's genuinely like using a fineliner that doesnt break because you used a little force. If you can't score an EF Kakuno, the fine should serve you, well, fine.
>>5732168Lamy safari and Eco are both alright, but you don't need to go that expensive; the Pilot Kakuno should serve your purposes, and if you want something more durable the Pilot Metropolitan is basically a Kakuno that's got a steel body. The Safari's are a nice enough brand, but their nibs can be fucky, and even when they aren't it's still a german nib, so they're extra fine will be a little thicker and wetter than a japanese fine nib.
Above all, I'd recommend the Kakuno to start if you want a cheap pen that'll still serve you well. Afterwards, it's up to you if you want to fuck with jap nibs or euro nibs. Personally I've gone with option C and have been diving into antique pens as well as flexible and italic nibs, but that's all stuff for another time.
Start with the Kakuno, aim for an Extra Fine or Fine nib, then go from there.
t. fountain pen connoisseur that actually wanted to be useful
