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 etc The 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.

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.

Calligraphy is a hobby of mine. These Pilot pens have helped enormously. A definite for Blackletter writing. The ink flow is good on good quality paper. If you write the individual letters in the correct manner the pens are easy to use.

I am learning calligraphy at the moment and this pen is helping me achieve nice straight clear traces. The ink flows very well and you can get beautiful shapes with no effort. It uses a lot of ink, I suppose because of the nature of the pen and the width, the wider the more ink it will use to write a line.

Have used this as my first calligraphy pen and it has been perfect. Easy to add refill cartridges and easy to use. I have not had any issues with ink spill and it is easy to create fine and thick lines. I will be looking to add other size pens to my collection and will be buying this brand again

The Pilot Parallel pen is one of the weirdest pens I have used, but they are a lot of fun. There are so few pens that are as broad as the ones in this range, and it is simply fantastic at laying down a really broad strokes. Be aware that these pens need specific cartridges, but the cartridges are available in broad ranges of colours. They can also be eyedroppered, but that needs to be done with care. Overall, a lot of fun and at this price point any pen enthusiast should have at least one, if not more (I have three) in their collection.

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.