Fountain Pens with Nib Size: XF

Bullet-shaped Eversharp Skyline pens were the darling of many writers of the 1940s. They looked like they were going 100 mph when just sitting on your desk. This burgundy model is a standard size that was well loved. It has a little brassing on the clip and lever, plus wear marks on the cap and barrel. No cracks. No deep scratches. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sack and breather tube. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a very smooth line for an extra-fine 14k gold nib. 13.1cm capped.

Hunters of the Parker 51 are always on the quest for the elusive 1948 aerometric first-year pen in plum. Our pretty purple vintage pen is only the 2nd one we've featured in 17 years! It is in good working order after all this time. No cracks or deep scratches. There is a fair amount of light wear from use and one dimple on the back of the gold-filled cap. You will write a very nice extra-fine line with its 14k gold nib. Parker only made this color for about a year. That is why it is so sought after. 13.7cm capped.

Bonjour, Waterman #3. We love it when we get French pens from the 1940s. This Waterman #3 is a post-World War II model that we don't think was officially released here in the U.S. We restored it with a new ink sac, and it is a very attractive example. No cracks nor deep scratches. Light wear at worst. You will write a firm, extra-fine line with its 18k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.6cm capped.

Oh so sleek and glassy finished, our oversized Sheaffer Balance Lifetime fountain pen is a beautiful vintage pen for many a collection. Ours has been restored with a working "vacuum-fil" system. The piston rod feels a little stiff, but it pushes out air and draws in water when we tested it. Not visible in the photo is an impressive double-helix design visible through the ambered ink-viewing window. Minimal if any wear. You will write a firm, extra-fine line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. Expect a some feedback. Not terrible but noticeable. No brassing, cracks or deep scratches. Nice crisp imprint. 14cm capped.

A ruby-red vintage pen is just what this holiday season needs. Our Esterbrook LJ has been fully restored with a new ink sac. It sports a steel 1555 Gregg nib, which meant the nib was originally for anyone who took shorthand. Think secretaries and journalists. This can be thought of as the long, slender version of the J-model pen. The cap and barrel have some wear from use, but there are no cracks or major scars. Nice, clean imprint. You will write a surprisingly smooth extra-fine line, if you have a light touch with this firm nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.8cm capped.

What are the most desirable features on a Montblanc 149 fountain pen that connoisseurs love most? 14k gold nibs and a split ebonite feed! That is exactly what our preowned luxury pen sports. The one feature it doesn't have is the brass piston fitting under the blind cap. Our pen was made during that brief window after German unification where the clip band had the word Germany but no serial number. In excellent working order, the piston fills the pen nicely. You will write an extra-fine line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. There's a little feed back from its firmness. No cracks. No brassing. Light wear from use. Click the headline for close-ups. 14.8cm capped.

Composer, conductor and pianist Johannes Brahms was one of the great romantics of classical music. This renowned German artist gets his due in this limited edition pen by Montblanc. Part of Montblanc's Donation Pen series, the Montblanc Brahms comes as a complete box set that includes a tuning fork and booklet. Our preowned luxury pen looks like new, and likely was only written with once given the minimal ink on its extra-fine, rhodium-plated 14k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. Guaranteed authentic.

Hailing from Canada is another great Sheaffer Craftsman. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sac and O-ring. Click the headline for close-ups. It is easy to read the Canadian imprint, but you will also see some wear from use. No cracks nor brassing. We love the simplicity of the TouchDown filler. You will write an extra-fine to fine line that is a little on the drier side with some feedback. The tip of the nib seems aligned well, and we suspect regular use will help smooth out the feedback with a little time. 13.1cm capped.