Fountain Pens with Nib Size: XF

It came as a surprise to us to learn that there is a huge difference between the original Rotring 600 fountain pens, such as this one, and the poorly made modern ones. These original ones were very well constructed. There are no cracks or problems with the metal. The cap snaps tightly, and the worst you can say about this pen is that it has a little wear from use. It comes with standard international converter. You will write a firm, dry extra-fine line with its steel nib. There's a little feedback, but not much. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.7cm capped.

Oversized carmine Sheaffer Premiers are a real treat when they have fully restored Vacuum-Fil systems. We had the great Sherrell Tyree restore this exceedingly handsome vintage pen. No cracks, no deep scratches, minimal brassing. This pen is a beaut with only minor wear from use. We've filled it and written with it to make sure it is working well. You will write a very nice extra-fine line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. A treasure for any Sheaffer collector and lover of vintage writing instruments. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.7cm capped.

Handmade in India, this mottled yellow ebonite fountain pen by Ranga is a handsome retro modern writer. Officially it is the Ranga Model 3. It is large at nearly 6-inches long and rather girthy. Looks nearly new. Minimal if any wear. Click the headline for close-ups. Even though the two-tone steel nib is marked F for fine, it seems more like an extra-fine to us. It comes with a Ranga box, too. However, we aren't sure if this is the original box to this pen. 15.1cm capped.

We wish we could tell you that this Rotring 600 is one of the classic ones from longer ago, but it is much more modern. You can tell by the crack in the barrel near the tail. You can see the brass beneath the black. Click the headline for close-ups. We've never seen a metal pen crack before. Otherwise, this pen is nearly perfect. The crack won't effect the writing. It has a firm, extra-fine steel nib that is reasonably smooth for an extra-fine nib. It fills with standard international cartridges. There is a silvery disc on the tail that has "EF" in black letters, indicating the nib size. 14cm capped.

If you like handsome, rugged, oversized pens, the Monte Verde Giant Sequoia is for you. Our preowned pen comes complete with its original boxes. The pen is in great cosmetic conditions with only light wear from use. Also included is a working standard international converter. The steel nib is marked fine, but we find it writes a nice, firm extra-fine line. Easy to grip for hands with arthritis and other soreness issues. 14.2cm capped.

Smoky blue makes for an elegantly dynamic barrel on our Pelikan Souveran M200 fountain pen. Aside from a little light wear from use, our preowned pen is in excellent condition. Its piston works smoothly, though it is a little reluctant to give up some stubborn green ink. You will write a very nice extra-fine line with its golden alloy nib--even though it is marked "F" for fine. As long as you don't write with any pressure, there is no feedback. The black logo on top of the pen features a golden mama pelican with two chicks. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.5cm capped.

If there was one pen that taught Americans how to write with a fountain pen, it was the Esterbrook J-model. Required by many high schools and professional schools in the 1950s, these vintage pens were attractive, easy to use, easy to customize and very affordable. We restored this J-model pen with a new ink sac. If you have a spare Esterbrook nib, these are easy to customize by simply unscrewing the old nib and screwing in a new one. Its steel 1555 Gregg was designed for practitioners of the Gregg Shorthand Method. Mostly stenographers, secretaries and journalists. You will find it is extra-fine with some feedback. No cracks or deep scratches. Staining to the barrel threads and the pocket clip isn't flush against the side of the cap. 12.7cm 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.