TWISBI is like 40+. If you want a professional writer for under 200, why not consider the LAMY 2000?
I guess my daily fountain pen (I have a few) has to be the Lamy 2000. It is a very solid pen that holds a huge amount of ink. Highly recommended! I really enjoy using it, and it's one of the few pens that I would 'dare' to carry in one of my pockets.
The Lamy Nexx is a good pen but for about the same amount of money I would opt for the Lamy Safari, which I think is better looking then the Nexx.
love my Lamy 2000... if I remember right it was about that price. I really like the look because it doesn't attract attention. It is a matte black.
The Lamy 2000 is one of the most unsung pens out there IMHO - for around $150, you get a very understated, classy pen with what I think of as classic Bahaus design features. This pen has been around since 1966 and, in terms of appearance is a classic. I don't like flashy pens, but this one has enough style not to be boring and is classy in its own understated way.
In terms of writing, you get an excellent gold semi-hooded nib that starts up easily, resists drying out and writes extremely well. It is a piston fill and holds a ton of ink so makes a great workhorse. In terms of functionality, the only pen that I own that I think is better than my Lamy 2000 is my Pelikan 800 - and that's largely because I think the piston system is a little smoother and the nib is narrower (which is a statement about my preferences for nib widths as much as anthing). Basically, what I'm saying is that I don't think there's a better value out there at the Lamy 2000 price point.
I also really like the Vanishing Point, but the main issue is ink capacity (as has been mentioned) - that being said, its a very convenient pen and mine gets a lot of use. If you do get one, get one from Richard Binder that's been tuned - the nib on mine took a fair bit of use before it smoothed out.
Isellpens.com (no affiliation) has Lamy 2Ks for around 110 right now.
At this price, the pen is a steal - folks looking for a first good pen or who have been waiting to buy one of these, now's the time!!!!
They also have a sale on for the vanishing point - buy one and get two bottles of ink free.
Those school pens are indestructable.... did you get some cartridges and are you then refilling them ????
I'm set!
Although I have been considering getting one of the hardware kits people use for refilling Printer Ink cartridges. They have a large bore blunt needle which will make up for my lack of coordination!
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What kind of cartridge are you planning on filling with that behemoth?
Believe me when I tell you if I have two options;
1. Waste a little ink
or
2. Rely on my eye hand coordination while handling bullet-proof ink
I'm going with option 1 every single time.
I hadn't planned on filling the thing up, just using the needle on a smaller syringe I have, but the same theory applies.
Goulet pens sells a syringe refill kit - two syringes and two blunt needles for $5.
Awww Gosh.... Make sure you get a syringe with a blunt tip... you can then refill those Carts a number of times with your favorite ink !!!!!!!