Pilot FP3-38 3.8mm Parallel Pen (Pack of 1), green

I already own the 6mm nib version of this pen and wanted to try this one, which seemed to be a good all rounder size. For those not familiar these are pens with a nib consisting of two parallel steel plates (hence the name). This enables both thick and thin lines to be produced depending on how you hold the pen and the angle it touches the page at. I bought the optional multi coloured ink cartridges (it takes Pilot's propriety ones) and so my pictures are of me using the lovely violet ink. The pen comes with one red and one black ink cartridge, a reservoir thing for cleaning the feed and nib and a little thin piece of plastic to get between the two pieces of the nib. It also comes with a handy and informative paper guide to the different pen strokes you can achieve and some calligraphy tips. I find this very useful but the text and illustrations are too small really. I bought this for drawing with and there seem to be a small but dedicated group of people like me who use them for art. However, I now also enjoy practicing calligraphy with it. If you want to use ink other than Pilot's you could refill their cartridges from bottled ink with a blunt syringe (I've done that with my 6mm pen), or else Pilot do a ink converter (Con 40), which should be easier. Okay it's made of plastic but feels well made enough to me. I can recommend this as something a bit different and great fun to use. I have also bought the 2.4mm one and wouldn't rule out getting the other sizes too!

Excellent pens, I bought this along with a 6mm version too and a bottle of Pelikan highlighter ink. The highlighter ink is being used with the 6mm pen and it works brilliantly, allowing me to highlight notes in text books etc..This pen is obviously very wide also, though you can write with the edge of the nib for a fine line, although a little scratchy. This makes it pretty versatile. I have been using for practicing calligraphy and using it on cards and for headings etcThe pen can easily be covered to an eyedropper with just some silicon grease on the threads, but I have been using a cartridge which I refill using a syringe with my favourite bottle inks.

I am trying to learn 5th century Irish calligraphy and I needed this as part of my class requirement list.I don’t find this pen perfect to use, getting all parts of it working is a challenge for me, as well as holding it at different degree angles to get the correct shape of lettering. I think this is better than the old fashioned version of the staggered tooth dip pen version as you don’t have to contend with the ink running out rapidly. I’m hoping that I will get a better handle with this pen the more I try and use it.This size (with the green lid) produces very large lettering.

This pen is unique and takes time to master but gives a perfect finish. Worthwhile trying on different papers to minimise feathering because it puts a lot of ink onto the surface. Excellent though when you get used to it.

Works perfectly fine once you have practiced with it. I wish the pilot inks were not too expensive. But I have to say Pilot inks are perfectly opaque on the paper, I have not seen anything like that. I practice with a fountain pen ink though.

This is the first time using this pen, as I have used other types of fountain pens, as a left handed user it is learning curve with this particular pen. A very simple pen to use and maintain, but choose your paper wisely as on standard printer paper the ink will bleed through and feather also. The best option is to use a heavier weight paper 80gsm and above.

Excellent, just what you would expect from Pilot.

Great calligraphy pen, very easy to use. The exterior looks a little cheap looking but fits nicely in my hand and I'm loving it.The only issue is that as in any calligraphy project you use a lot of ink. The small cartridges go fast. I recommend getting some calligraphy ink and a dropper to refill them instead of buying a box of cartridges per week