Recommend first fountain pen

[Brance]

Hi all,

OK, after getting into traditional wet shaving, my next venture is to find a nice pen. I'm interested in getting a good, usable fountain pen. I want something classier than writing with a ball point, that I can use regularly.

I'm new to this, so I'm asking. Should I start with a new pen, like a Lamy Safari? Or should I go vintage? Parker 51? If so, I would prefer to buy one that is currently operational since I'm new to this. What kind of price range are we talking? (keep it reasonable since this is my first)

Help me decide on my first fountain pen! Let's hear your recommendations...

[TenorClef]

Parker 51 or if that seems a bit more than you'd want to spend a Parker 45.

[john.bradburne]

I am obsessed with Montblanc. I would buy a Montblanc Meisterstuck LeGrande model, The vintage ones are reffered to as a Meisterstuck 149 or Diplomat. I would most certainly avoid ebay for montblanc products though. I have been burned a couple times,\cheers

[Pescara]

I would suggest visiting a pen dealer -- it appears there is one is KC:
http://www.penplace.com/info.html to try out a few. You can find a Waterman, Pilot, Lamy, Parker, and Pelikan for under $100 -- they're all excellent pens, but all quite different in terms of feel. The "best" pen is the one you will enjoy using.

[penmanship]

+1 good advice. I had 3 Mont Blanc's and sold them. I didn't like them. I'm sure to get slammed by MB fan's, but they just weren't for me. I have had alot of luck with Lamy, Pilot, Shaeffer, and alot with the one's I make. (from kits). I always have a FP with me.

Good Luck with what ever you choose.

Tim


I would suggest visiting a pen dealer -- it appears there is one is KC:
http://www.penplace.com/info.html to try out a few. You can find a Waterman, Pilot, Lamy, Parker, and Pelikan for under $100 -- they're all excellent pens, but all quite different in terms of feel. The "best" pen is the one you will enjoy using.

[Miles]

My first fountain pen was a Lamy Safari with a medium nib and a converter. After going crazy and "collecting" a few pens, Parker 51, Pelikan, vintage Esterbrooks, Kaweco, Lamy 2000, etc, I am still using the first Safari most of the time.

If I had $ flying out of my butt I would most likely try out a Montblanc, but sadly there is no font of infinite wealth back there.

Has anyone recommended www.fountainpennetwork.com yet? They are kind of like the B&B of the fountain pen universe. Have fun choosing!

[jcocucci]

Waterman fountain pens are reasonable and make for a good first purchase.

[Wsamsky]

If you have never tried a FP before I would suggest going out to office depot or similar store and get a Pilot Varsity. They are a disposable FP and are cheap, that way you can see if you like writing with them first.

My first and only real FP is a Noodler's resin piston fill. At $14 I couldn't be happier with it. It has a nice fine nib and doesn't require a converter but then again I don't have anything to compare it to. Most of the reviews I have read say it makes a great daily beater pen which is exactly what I use it for.

[baggiez]

Waterman fountain pens are reasonable and make for a good first purchase.

+1. This is my daily user.

http://www.waterman.com/en/style/pens/product/expert_essential

I tried many others but this works best for me.:thumbup1:

[diphy]

If you can find a pilot (Japanese), Hero (chinese)- they shouldnt be expensive.
Watermans are great, but pricier. I am not sure where to find SHEAFFER pens. I used to have a few they were the best ones I ever owned. But lost them all.

[Bill Smith]

I would start with a Lamy Safari because they are cheap and if writing with a fountain pen agrees with you, spring for something nice like a Pelikan M 800 or a Parker 51.

[CMATakashi]

My first pen was a Lamy Safari. I am a huge fan.

[MaxP]

I would suggest visiting a pen dealer -- it appears there is one is KC:
http://www.penplace.com/info.html to try out a few. You can find a Waterman, Pilot, Lamy, Parker, and Pelikan for under $100 -- they're all excellent pens, but all quite different in terms of feel. The "best" pen is the one you will enjoy using.

The Pen Place is a fine shop. If you let them know that you're there to purchase and not just smell the ink, you'll be well served.

[Mir]

My first purchase was a Waterman. I used it for quite a while and really didn't like the feel of the nib. It felt more like a showpiece than a pen for actual writing.

Next up was a cheap modern Parker, once again not very good.

The Lamy Safari changed everything though. For about $27 shipped to Aus (ebay), it was a great purchase and one my girlfriend would not return after she used it! So naturally I had to get another one.

Next was a vintage Mabie Todd which was amazing to write with. I got it for 10 dollars at an ebay auction, however the sack inside gave way and I've just been using it as a dip pen.

I also purchased a Namiki Falcon and this once again changed my experience of fountain pens. Like the Mabie Todd, this had a semi flexibile nib but this was engineered very differently with a sort of 'beaked' or curved nib, making it very cushiony to write with, as opposed to the Safari's stiff and unyielding nib.

Both are great for different reasons. The Safari gets used outside, the Falcon is great for writing at home. It also has some decent line variation which makes it more interesting!

You can't go wrong with a Safari to start with. I think you can get the Lamy Logo fountain pens even cheaper than a Safari on the bay, so have a look around. They are quite modern pens though and tend to have much stiffer nibs.

[pal]

For $35 you can't go wrong with a Lamy Safari.

[DunEdinRanger]

I have a Noodler's Resin Fountain Pen and have had no complaints. At $14 it is very reasonably priced.

I also like Jinhao's, especially the X 450, which you can snag on that auction site for under $10 shipped.https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207104_544925094058_47700012_31249799_944256_n.jpg

Top to Bottom is a Noodler's Blue Resin Piston fill, a Jinhao X 450, and a "No Name" - the most expensive one was the Noodler's at Fourteen ($14).

[luvmysuper]

I have a Noodler's Resin Fountain Pen and have had no complaints. At $14 it is very reasonably priced.

I also like Jinhao's, especially the X 450, which you can snag on that auction site for under $10 shipped.[Top to Bottom is a Noodler's Blue Resin Piston fill, a Jinhao X 450, and a "No Name" - the most expensive one was the Noodler's at Fourteen ($14).

I'm with you on the Jinhaos.
They seem to write quite well, and you can't beat the price.
I like the large size, and I'm very fond of the oversize nib.
(I actually don't like the look of subdued or hooded nibs)

Brian (who turned me on to fountain pens) is probably ready to burst a blood vessel right about now! :lol: :lol:

[molly]

Another vote for Lamy Safari for first pen, good priced introduction and then you can figure out what you want/like/can afford :lol: Styling is nice and simple/modern (well thats personal taste, but since you are already considering it seems like you might agree), a good everyday pen where you wont be worried about knocking it around.

Going vintage worries me as I just don't know enough about pens/used prices.

Oh, get the convertor for the lamy if you get it.

[DunEdinRanger]

I'm with you on the Jinhaos.
They seem to write quite well, and you can't beat the price.
I like the large size, and I'm very fond of the oversize nib.
(I actually don't like the look of subdued or hooded nibs)

Brian (who turned me on to fountain pens) is probably ready to burst a blood vessel right about now! :lol: :lol:

Brian turned me on to them as well... but don't worry, no one has mentioned Hero 616's yet. He's safe. :lol:

[instpasr]

Another plug for the Lamy Safari as a good starter I also have a Namiki Vanishing point that I carry.

[Gray Wolf]

I like the Jinhao pens too, they write well. Waterman Phileas is a pretty good pen for a beginner.
I would caution you about buying a used pen, someone that has used the pen before you has gotten the nib broken in to suit their hand, and it may not write well for you, due to differences in the angle that you hold the pen, the pressure you use, and several different other variables. For the same reason, you should not loan your fountain pen to anyone else.

[Rev Rob]

I like Pelican fountain pens, I have a Lamy, a couple Rotrings and an Aurora. Stop by a pen shop if one is available and just check out what is available. A good pen store will let you experiment with different pens to see what is your heart's desire.

[Viseguy]

My standard reply to this question is to get a Pelikan M200 from a "nibmeister" such as Richard Binder (http://www.richardspens.com) or John Mottishaw (http://nibs.com). Nib width is, of course, a matter of personal preference but a safe place to start is F (fine). (Pelikan Fs tend to run more toward medium, anyway.) The advantage of ordering from a master nib restorer is that they test the nibs to ensure that they're free from problems like skipping or starving (where the ink stops flowing to the nib). They can also customize the flow of the pen anywhere from dry as bones to the proverbial fire hose. There are many gorgeous looking FPs out there, but you won't find any more reliable than a Pelikan, IMO. Fool-proof piston-fill mechanism, interchangeable nibs, large ink capacity -- all-around excellent writing instruments.

[mgiah]

You guys suck! :lol:

I've been looking at pens for a while, but didn't want to start up another collection expecially since I assumed the decent ones were all really expensive (they're pens after all). Oh, no... Great pens can be had for reasonable prices (that's like telling this fat kid that the chocolate is good for him :lol:). Thanks for sucking me in.

Seriously, these are great recommendations for a total pen noob. Thanks -

I'm only getting one. I'm only getting one. I'm only getting one. or maybe two...

[Brance]

I feel the same way mgiah. Thanks for all the feedback guys. A friend has a Lamy that I've tried out. I like the looks, and the idea of something vintage (all mt DE's are vintage, I'm that guy). I don't know much about fountain pens though and don't want to get one that is beyond my skills for upkeep.

I'll probably end up with a couple, but have one that is my "go to" pen.

Looks like I've got some homework now checking out all the recommendations you guys have made!

Thanks!!

[DavyRay]

I feel the same way mgiah. Thanks for all the feedback guys. A friend has a Lamy that I've tried out. I like the looks, and the idea of something vintage (all mt DE's are vintage, I'm that guy). I don't know much about fountain pens though and don't want to get one that is beyond my skills for upkeep.

I'll probably end up with a couple, but have one that is my "go to" pen.

Looks like I've got some homework now checking out all the recommendations you guys have made!

Thanks!!

Waterman Phileas are available new or vintage.They are a good workhorse FP. I am on my second one. The first one was my companion for years, before I lost it in the airport in SF. My current one was bought via the bay, and is old enough to have the nicer marble patterns in the barrel.

Vintage pens are good as well. Even the no-name fountain pens of the 1930s can be good writers, if the ink sacs are replaced.

[DunEdinRanger]

I just got this in the mail: Dark green and black marble effect, two tone gold plated nib, and loaded with Noodler's Ellis Island Blue. She writes beautifully!

[Dubbya]

As a first pen, I would recommend either a vintage Parker 45, or a Lamy Safari.

Also, look into Hero. I know they're Chinese but I've never gotten a bad one and they are cheap as chips. I keep 3 of them inked in my bag at all times just in case and, at about $3 a piece, If one falls out of my bag or pocket and hits the sidewalk, I'm not out a ton of cash like I would be with the ones I keep in my case(Montblanc, Parker, Waterman, Scheaffer, etc.)

Check out ISellPens (http://www.isellpens.com), no affiliation but Todd is a great guy to deal with and his prices are reasonable.

If you want to have a look at some vintage pens and higher end stuff, check out Richard's Pens (http://www.richardspens.com/). Again, no affiliation, just a very satisfied customer for years.

[DunEdinRanger]

...

Also, look into Hero. I know they're Chinese but I've never gotten a bad one and they are cheap as chips. I keep 3 of them inked in my bag at all times just in case and, at about $3 a piece, If one falls out of my bag or pocket and hits the sidewalk, I'm not out a ton of cash like I would be with the ones I keep in my case(Montblanc, Parker, Waterman, Scheaffer, etc.)
...

On the bay you can get a ten pack of Hero 616's shipped and delivered for $15.

Ok, now Brian is going to need to call EMS. At least no one has called the Parker 51, a Hero 616 clone... yet... :lol:

[Dubbya]

On the bay you can get a ten pack of Hero 616's shipped and delivered for $15.

Ok, now Brian is going to need to call EMS. At least no one has called the Parker 51, a Hero 616 clone... yet... :lol:

I now have to disappear to the bay for a while and hunt down even cheaper Chinese pens. :lol:

I'll go ahead and get it out of the way, why did Parker copy a Chinese design back in the 50's. :lol:

[devorenm]

First the controversial part:

Don't buy it online - for two reasons.
1. You really need to give it a spin before you buy it - are you a fine nib person or a medium nib? Converter or Piston Fill? Do you know how to use a fountain pen? The guy at your local pen store can help you sort all of this out ink a dozen pens for you and let you pick.

2. If you don't buy from him he won't be there when you really need him for warranty support, ink, etc. It will be more expensive full stop. I usually pay MSRP minus ten percent or so at my local shop, probably ten percent more than you could get it online.

3. It's fun - I rarely get out of my local pen shop in under 45 minutes even if I'm just buying ink or paper. We chat about what's new I try some new pens (even if we both know that there is no way I can afford them) etc.

Now - for your first pen.

My first was a waterman carene - 5 years, 6 countries, and a dozen bottles of ink later it is beaten abused and still writes like a dream. ($250)

I have a lamy safari that writes well, less soul than the waterman but it was cheap and if I'm going somewhere and afraid of losing it/dropping it I take the lamy. ($30)

I also recently bought a Visconti Wall Street. Excellent pen, beautiful celluloid body, temperamental sometimes but full of soul and a true joy to write with. ($500)

It all depends on your budget - honestly I would go for the two hundred dollar range if you can afford it right now - you'll get a nice pen with a story but that is rugged and a workhorse. The Lamy is a good pen but you'll quickly outgrow it.

Nathan

[HyperCamper]

I would start with a Lamy Safari because they are cheap and if writing with a fountain pen agrees with you, spring for something nice like a Pelikan M 800 or a Parker 51.

I agree with your remarks completely! I've been using a Pelikan M800 for years now (OM nib) and it's the best fountain pen I've owned... And I've owned quite a few... I joined B&B "to get away from" The Fountain Pen Network and yet now it seems that fountain pens are inescapable phenomena! :001_rolle

By the way, I can't recommend The Fountain Pen Network enough if you're looking for information on the subject! Visit the site and have a look around, very nice people, much like B&B...

[craig87c]

Just to add to your confusion over a choice, I'd go with a Parker 21. It's a more inexpensive version of the venerable Parker 51, and writes nearly as well.

I doubt you could go wrong with anything suggested here though.

[Sullybob]

Be sure and check out the TWSBI pens. They are about $40 delivered. I have a handful of nice pens and the TWSBI gets used everyday. Its tough enough to be able to take being dropped into a pocket, it holds a lot of ink which is important for me. The extra fine nib is much finer then the extra fine nibs on my Lamy or my Pelican 215 and the fine Nib on my Pilot Vanishing Point. All in all I couldn't be much happier with this pen. I'm just waiting for the vacuum filler to come out so I can order anther TWSBI.

[Bloomey]

Ok

First of all lamy safaris are as other people on this thread have said, cheap, write well and cartridges are easily available.

Parker fountain pens aren't bad, something like a jotter, vector or even a frontier would do the job and are cheap too, keep in mind though that the nibs, imho are slightly more scratchy to write with than the lamys but ymmv.

Sheaffers are pretty good but are expensive. Your looking at £30.00 to £40.00 for a cheap one, as you would for a waterman.

If your starting off, get a safari or a parker and take it from there, you do really need to try before you buy if possible in order to see if it'll work for you. I used to work in an independent stationary shop and the manager would keep several different types of fountian pens as demonstrators behind the counter in order for people to try.

Hope this helps

[DunEdinRanger]

Be sure and check out the TWSBI pens. They are about $40 delivered. I have a handful of nice pens and the TWSBI gets used everyday. Its tough enough to be able to take being dropped into a pocket, it holds a lot of ink which is important for me. The extra fine nib is much finer then the extra fine nibs on my Lamy or my Pelican 215 and the fine Nib on my Pilot Vanishing Point. All in all I couldn't be much happier with this pen. I'm just waiting for the vacuum filler to come out so I can order anther TWSBI.

I am planning on trying out a TWSBI - hopefully there will be a NY Fountain Pen Show, and they will be back...

[coyotewhisper]

If you want to go new I would suggest Waterman Philleas for around $50 or a Noodler's with a ink for about $20.
If you want to go vintage a Parker 51 or 45 are good routes to take. Sheaffer Nonsense.
I collect both vintage and modern. You can pm for any other questions.

[noahpictures]

My favorite fountain pens are from Cross. I have a Century and a Townsend. They look great and write very well.

[LouieGrandie]

The best pen for a beginner? Pilot Vanishing Point. Great daily writer, easy to carry and easy to you. With all other pens you have to uncap to write and re-cap when finished. You may tire of this. With the Vanishing Point you can handle it just as if it was a ball point. With older pens such as the Parker 51 you have to be careful about using inks such as Noodler's and replacing old parts.

As has been suggested the best thing to do is to go to a local pen store and try out various models.

Also note the following:

Each companies pens write different. Mont Blanc are well known for being "wet" writers while the Pilots are drier. Inks are different also. Noodler's is a very lubricating, free flowing ink that results in "nib creep" in a number of brands. Aurora is a quick drying ink.

There is NO one best pen for beginners, only what is best for you. There is no way to know but to go sample them.

My pens:

Pilot Vanishing Point
Nakaya Piccolo
Waterman Le Man 100
Parker 51

[Dpflaum]

I've tried a handful of pens around the $30-$40 mark and I love the Lamy All-Star. Same pen as the Safari, but in Aluminum instead of plastic. My fiance has a pink plastic Safari and I have a coffee brown aluminum All-Star.

Noodler's Sequoia in mine, it is like writing with a tree.

[Skullring]

My standard reply to this question is to get a Pelikan M200 from a "nibmeister" such as Richard Binder (http://www.richardspens.com) or John Mottishaw (http://nibs.com). Nib width is, of course, a matter of personal preference but a safe place to start is F (fine). (Pelikan Fs tend to run more toward medium, anyway.) The advantage of ordering from a master nib restorer is that they test the nibs to ensure that they're free from problems like skipping or starving (where the ink stops flowing to the nib). They can also customize the flow of the pen anywhere from dry as bones to the proverbial fire hose. There are many gorgeous looking FPs out there, but you won't find any more reliable than a Pelikan, IMO. Fool-proof piston-fill mechanism, interchangeable nibs, large ink capacity -- all-around excellent writing instruments.

I keep an eye out on Richard Binders http://www.richardspens.com "Pen Show Tray". They sell out fast so click quickly on the first of the month. :laugh:
I have quite a few fountain pens but my favorites are my Parker Vacumatics and Parker 51.
The good thing about Richards pen show tray is he has reconditioned them and tuned the nibs. A fountain pen tuned by a master makes all the difference.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/skullring/IMGP2748.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/skullring/IMGP2473.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/skullring/IMGP2286.jpg

[DunEdinRanger]

You guys are enablers! :lol:

[Dubbya]

You guys are enablers! :lol:

That's what we're here for.:001_cool:

[rickboone1]

I cannot suggest the Lamy. I have used them, have them and they are not my go to. I have seen and worked on too many with issues with the nib. For someone new to pens, this is not something you should have to worry about dealing with. They skip too much/ have ink flow issues, nibs need work. For that price range I may suggest the TWSBI. However, the section is a tad short, thus making the grip feel a little odd, IMO. YMMV.

For much less, and to get started I would suggest looking at the Pilot 78G's. They're about $10 shipped on eh? bay!. You can try various nibs, too. Durable, great writers, no issues. So, for what you'd spend on a Lamy, you get 3 78 G's. Get a fine point, medium point and Bold point.

[Dubbya]

I cannot suggest the Lamy. I have used them, have them and they are not my go to. I have seen and worked on too many with issues with the nib. For someone new to pens, this is not something you should have to worry about dealing with. They skip too much/ have ink flow issues, nibs need work. For that price range I may suggest the TWSBI. However, the section is a tad short, thus making the grip feel a little odd, IMO. YMMV.

For much less, and to get started I would suggest looking at the Pilot 78G's. They're about $10 shipped on eh? bay!. You can try various nibs, too. Durable, great writers, no issues. So, for what you'd spend on a Lamy, you get 3 78 G's. Get a fine point, medium point and Bold point.

I actually forgot about the 78g. I absolutely can not say enough about those little gems. Great nibs, good flow, and very low on the dough meter.:thumbup:

[D.Gray]

I would recommend going to Franklin Covey and purchasing their fountain pen (under $20.00 US) and trying it out, or purchase a cross pen from them (around $35.00). You can also find Parker pens as a set (extra ink, cleaning cloth, ink converter to be able to use bottled inks) at Office Max and Office Depot for around $50.00.

If you like these like I do you will soon be looking for the nicer pens to use.

Dave

[Plano]

IMO you have to go to a pen shop for your first pen. I made the mistake of buying 4 cheap china made pens on line when i started using a fountain pen and HATED everyone of them. As luck would have it a year later i ran across a Montblanc at work that my buddy let me use all day and realized what a fountain pen should be. I now have 2 Montblanc, 1 Lamy Safari and a Parker 51. Out of all of them i find myself bragging about the 51 most. I love the fact it was 1/10th the price of my MB and writes so well and that it was made in 1948 and still works.

[LuckyR]

For a first pen (not the ultimate pen, or the prettiest pen) I would recommend the Waterman Phileas (currently available new on the Net though out of production).

It is good looking enough, very reliable writing and working, easy to come by, reasonably priced and best of all, pretty close to smack dab in the middle of the FP world. You can go more modern, more retro, cheaper, more expensive, etc but you get a feel for the middle of the pack.

[sojiro]

+1 on the Lamy Safari. I have both the standard and the aluminum ones (AL Star). Both write very well, but the aluminum ones feel slightly more substantial.

Also +1 on the Pilot 78G. This pen is a little lightweight and slightly cheap looking to be honest, but it writes incredibly smoothly and is a great value. Check out the Fountain Pen Network site for many rave reviews on this pen.

Chinese pens (Hero) can be real hit or miss. Some of them are amazing, and others are real dogs. Roll the dice if you feel lucky.

If you're sure you're a fountain pen kind of person and don't need a "starter" pen, the Japanese Sailor fountain pens are very, very nice. Much more expensive than a Safari, but you get what you pay for. Personally, I would choose a good Sailor over any Montblanc any day.

[jeffpofutah]

I have a Rotring Initial that is my daily pen. It rides in a pannier, to and from work in all weather and flies on business trips and never leaks. It is a little finicky on inks (some don't flow well) but otherwise it is delightful and not expensive.