Starter fountain pen

[nyfinest]

Just want to get some recommendations for a beginner fountain pen. I've been on some sites and there not very helpful. I also don't want to spend $400 on a Mont Blanc.

Thanks

[Shangas]

The regrettable thing is that like all fine gentlemanly pursuits, fountain pens have a million and one variables, just like watches, clothes, shaving equipment and motor-cars.

Good penmakers that make nice, mid-range pens include...

LAMY.
Parker.
Waterman.
Sheaffer.

There's also Conway Stewart (although I'm not familiar with their modern lineup).

There's also an endless list of cheap fountain pens out there made in China and Japan.

It depends. What are you after? What are you looking for in a good fountain pen? Ask more questions and you'll get more answers.

[Sullybob]

Take a look at the TWSBI line of fountain pens. They run circles around both of my Lamy's and it isn't even a fair comparison to the Chinese pens I've had.

[Shangas]

I've heard of TWSBIs. Are they expensive? They look pretty cool, if nothing else.

[Sullybob]

I've heard of TWSBIs. Are they expensive? They look pretty cool, if nothing else.

I'm not sure what shipping is going to be for you, but mine was $42 and some change shipped.

[Epicurean]

What do you want to spend?
There are pens that write well from $5.00 to well over $500.00.
Chinese Hero pens are hit and miss but I have a 616 (copy of the Parker 51) that does really well.
Vintage Parker 51 and 21 are nice and can be had restored for anywhere from $50-150.
The Noodler's piston fill pens are ok for $15.
The pen that is best for you is the pen that is best for you. Similar to a razor. There are many models and brands out there. You will have to try and experiment to find "your" pen.

[nyfinest]

I don't want to spend more than $50 for my first pen. I've been writing with a cross century and would like to make the leap to the fountain pen

[ROBBI52A]

Just want to get some recommendations for a beginner fountain pen. I've been on some sites and there not very helpful. I also don't want to spend $400 on a Mont Blanc.

Thanks

hi Pelikan 200 series

[LouieGrandie]

Everyone feels as if their favorite is the only pen you should try *ugh* Here are my thoughts.

Pens vary so there is no one best pen. The best way to get started is to find a pen store and try out a different number of pens before you purchase. Most decent stores will let you wet a nib and try writing a bit in an effort to find the perfect pen FOR YOU. Some pens write "wet" and others "dry". You have to find out which style you like. Here is a list of pens to try.

1. Pilot Vanishing Point - Probably one of the best all around every day writers.
2. Waterman - Excellent pens with a variety of prices and styles.
3. Pelikan - Excellent pens although not a lot of variety in styles.
4. Lamy - Some nice pens at a decent price.
5. Chinese pens - Hero, Jinhao and the rest are generally sub $50 and good writers but the quality of workmanship is all over the place. When the pen is only $12.00 you don't mind tossing it and getting another.
6. Parker 51, 100 and Flighter - Great pens but they are also like really really old which means you have to be careful about purchasing one as they may require more care and you might not be able to use all inks in them.
7. Pilot - Some interesting pens like the Vanishing Point and M90.

Here is a list of my rotation at the office:

1. Waterman Le Man 100
2. Pilot Vanishing Point
3. Pilot M90
4. Parker 51
5. Waterman Carene
6. Nakaya Piccolo

Since you are in New York I would strongly suggest going by the Fountain Pen Hospital and looking over their vast offerings and sampling as many as you can.

[LouieGrandie]

I don't want to spend more than $50 for my first pen. I've been writing with a cross century and would like to make the leap to the fountain pen

Cross makes some excellent fountain pens. You should look at what they have to offer.

[penmanship]

you could also do a little research over at the Fountin Pen Network.........good group & very informative:thumbup:


http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?app=forums

[DunEdinRanger]

I don't want to spend more than $50 for my first pen. I've been writing with a cross century and would like to make the leap to the fountain pen

You can get a Jinhao X450 for under $10 and they write very smoothly. Then snag a nice bottle or two of Noodler's ink. :thumbup1:

[Jaybh1974]

My starter fountain pen was a Lamy Safari. I absolutely love it. You can buy different nibs for it, so you can choose how thick you want your writing to be. It is an inexpensive pen.

[americanarmsdealer]

I've read some shining review on the Kaigelu 316. Anyone here have experience with one? I'm thinking of getting one of those for my entry into the FP world. Then I just gotta figure out what ink I want to get. It's like trying to find the perfect DE blade before you've even got your first DE razor in hand.:001_rolle

[Jim]

I've read some shining review on the Kaigelu 316. Anyone here have experience with one? I'm thinking of getting one of those for my entry into the FP world. Then I just gotta figure out what ink I want to get. It's like trying to find the perfect DE blade before you've even got your first DE razor in hand.:001_rolle

I have this pen and its a ridiculous deal for what you get. The Only ink to get is the soon to be released B&B ink of course.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=25983

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=25982

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=25981

I think I paid 35.00 for it.:thumbup1:

[americanarmsdealer]

The B&B ink is gonna be a Noodler's bulletproof, isn't it?

[BobK]

I got a Waterman fountain pen for about $30.00 15 years ago from local office supply company. Still use it everyday.

[Matt S]

Great thread. I've always wanted to get a fountain as well, but never knew where to start. I like the Vanishing Point design, but I might just grab a Lamy Safari to start.

Can a pen like the Kaigelu 316 use different nibs? I think I would prefer a more fine nib. What about inks? The attractive thing about the Safari for me, was that it seemed like I could try some different nibs and inks with the converter. If I remember correctly, they were also relatively easy to find on the old 'net. Heck Amazon had the pen in different nibs and the ink adapter. It is just not the most impressive looking thing in the world.

[DunEdinRanger]

I believe the Kaigelu comes in different nib sizes, but not sure how easy it is to change out in the pen.

As to inks, I love Noodler's inks. They have a tremendous variety of colors to choose from.

Oh, and Jim you just enabled my KAD. :lol:

[Legion]

If $50 is your limit get yourself a Hero 100. You can get the flighter version (All stainless steel) for about $35, and IMO is about the best value fountain pen you can get. 14k gold nib, fine wet line, well built. I have several Parker 51's (the pen that this is based on) but I still use the Hero as my "go to" pen that sits on my desk.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x146/dh10au/HERO100STAINLESS1C.jpg

[Miles]

I recommend (and use daily) a Lamy Safari. The price is right, it performs great for my needs and it looks cool. Be sure to pick up a converter if decide to try one, as the converter allows you to refill the pen with whatever ink you wish. The ink can be a lot of fun.

[Sejanus]

I don't want to spend more than $50 for my first pen. I've been writing with a cross century and would like to make the leap to the fountain pen

Lamy Safari (as mentioned above) is a good sub $50 pen. Also look out the TWSBI pens.. they run around 40 and are able to be fully broken down for cleaning. Either should get you into the FP world without a huge investment.

[Jim]

I picked up a TWSBI pen at Shawn's suggestion and I really like it.

Writes great and is a perfect large without being huge. Very smooth nib.

[orchestrion]

I picked up a TWSBI pen at Shawn's suggestion and I really like it.

Writes great and is a perfect large without being huge. Very smooth nib.

I've been on the fence about a TWSBI for a few months now. I might just have to take the plunge!

[Shave Cave Dweller]

My starter fountain pen was a Lamy Safari. I absolutely love it. You can buy different nibs for it, so you can choose how thick you want your writing to be. It is an inexpensive pen.

Same here. The thing I like about the Lamy is at the tip it's contoured so your fingers are in the proper position for the pen.

Unlike ballpoints there is a proper technique needed to use a fountain pen effectively. I found this very helpful when I started. Now that my technique has been established I've moved onto other NON contoured pens with no problems.

[Sullybob]

I picked up a TWSBI pen at Shawn's suggestion and I really like it.

Writes great and is a perfect large without being huge. Very smooth nib.


I'm glad you like it. What size nib did you get?

I like that it's a no nonsense demonstrator, built to last a long time. I have carried mine in my front pants pocket since March and it still looks great.

I am waiting for the vacuum filler to come out.



I've been on the fence about a TWSBI for a few months now. I might just have to take the plunge!

Do it. This pen see's more use then my nice pens. It writes circles around my Lamy.

[The Nid Hog]

I'm not a fountain pen connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination. I have three Waterman Phileas pens that I received for presents over the years. I've never had any problems and they are very reliable. The oldest must be about twenty years old and the newest about ten. I have used them inconsistently, but those are the only pens I've written with for the last year or so and I'm very happy with them.

[Jim]

I'm glad you like it. What size nib did you get?

I like that it's a no nonsense demonstrator, built to last a long time. I have carried mine in my front pants pocket since March and it still looks great.

I am waiting for the vacuum filler to come out.

Do it. This pen see's more use then my nice pens. It writes circles around my Lamy.

Shawn, I got the Fine nib. I want to try the very fine as well.

Here is a link (http://cgi.ebay.com/TWSBI-Diamond-530-Fountain-Pen-nib-F-piston1-5installed-/120671290449?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1891c451)if anyone is looking for it.

I am testing the new, soon to be announced B&B ink in the pen now and it works wonderfully.

[csmorris]

Shawn, I got the Fine nib. I want to try the very fine as well.

Here is a link (http://cgi.ebay.com/TWSBI-Diamond-530-Fountain-Pen-nib-F-piston1-5installed-/120671290449?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1891c451)if anyone is looking for it.

I am testing the new, soon to be announced B&B ink in the pen now and it works wonderfully.

You have a sample of the new ink! :w00t:

[Jim]

You have a sample of the new ink! :w00t:

Of course!

[orchestrion]

Dang! That's a fast turnaround for Nathan. He usually takes his time on stuff, which is completely understandable. He's a one-man operation making all of those inks more or less by hand and dealing with the flex pens on top of that. I'm impressed!

[csmorris]

Of course!

...and????

[Jim]

...and????


Its fantastic!

[Miles]

Very exciting!

Maybe I'll check out those TWSBI pens myself, too :)

[jeffpofutah]

The TWSBI pen looks very cool. I might have to get one as an office pen to use with the new B&B ink. :lol:

I carry a Rotring Initial fountain pen. I commute by bike, here in Madison, 5 miles each way and it rides in my pannier everyday. I've had it for at least 6 years now. I fly for business with it once a month or so. I've never had it leak. You can find them for $40ish now.

[brianw]

The B&B ink is gonna be a Noodler's bulletproof, isn't it?
Yes


You have a sample of the new ink! :w00t:
Yes :blushing:


Of course!
:tongue_sm


...and????
What Jim Said


Its fantastic!

I couldn't agree more !!!!

[csmorris]

I couldn't agree more !!!!

A scan would be wonderful :w00t:

[csmorris]

...and appologies to the OP for a partial hijacking of this thread. To add my 2c on the original question:

I have no experience with a TWSBI but use and love many others. For a starter, you cannot go wrong with a Lamy (Safari or my preference, Al-Star). Only thing to keep in ming, IMHO, is that the Lamy nibs tend to be on the wide side of what they are marked as. I prefer a F nib but use an EF in my Lamy.

As others have mentioned, FPN is a graet resource for all Fountain Pen information.

[brianw]

A scan would be wonderful :w00t:

Keep your shirt on and keep a eye out for the announcement soon I hope...(but don't hold me to it.)

For the OP. Hero's are some decent pen's the only problem is quality control. As you move into this slippery slope of FP's remember 1 thing....Vintage Parker "51"

[joshmpdx]

These TWSBI threads are eating away at me.

Great info fella's!

[brianw]

These TWSBI threads are eating away at me.

Great info fella's!

Oh this boy has got it bad !!!!!

[Sullybob]

Oh this boy has got it bad !!!!!

Oh, I don't know. It isn't like he's looking at Sailor's, Nakaya's, Pelikan's or Danitrio's!

[brianw]

Oh, I don't know. It isn't like he's looking at Sailor's, Nakaya's, Pelikan's or Danitrio's!

Give him another week.... before a few days ago... I don't think he knew Fountain Pens still existed

[joshmpdx]

:hand:

Im only getting two...

and the new twsbi when it comes out.










...and maybe a backup...

[Sullybob]

:hand:

Im only getting two...

and the new twsbi when it comes out.










...and maybe a backup...

Sailor's are supposed to have really nice nibs.

Just saying.....

[DGS]

+1 for Parker 51. You may be able to find a clean aerometric fill version with steel cap for under $50. They are IMHO the best fountain pen ever made, and nearly indestructible. The aerometric (i.e., squeeze filler) version rarely needs restoration, een if it's been sitting in a drawer for 50 years. Just flush a few times (add a bit of ammonia and liquid dish detergent to the warm water), let dry, and use.