Pen Nwbie

[camelman0075]

Good morning gentleman,

I finally decided that its time for me to pick up a proper writing instrument. Here's the problem, i have no knowledge on pens at all. Now, rather than ask you guys to re-invent the wheel and explain every detail, I was hoping to mabye you guys could suggest a few brand that i could research and get an idea of what i may be interested in. that being said if any feel like they dont mind listing so aspects of pens that i should take into consideration i would really appreciate that

cheers,
Camelman0075

[DeaconKC]

Drop in at
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?act=idx
A very friendly bunch. As far as my recommendations, you cannot go wrong with Pelikan fountain pens. They are excellent all the way through the line.

[dwestenk]

you cannot go wrong with Pelikan fountain pens. They are excellent all the way through the line.

+1 Excellent pens!

:thumbup:

[Austin]

Your budget will determine what pen you will buy. Prices run the gamut from $5 to several thousands. I agree that you should visit fountainpennetwork. It's a great forum.

[camelman0075]

Price isnt actually a factor for once :biggrin:

I know even i cant believe that

[Trius]

I bought my first FP (well, first in my adult life) through hisnibs dot com. Great guy, great selection, great service. But then I'm a newbie, so what do I know? I bought the Bookworm (http://www.hisnibs.com/bookworm.htm), which for the price is amazing. Smooth nib -- on a Moleskine it's smoother than buttah. Finish is very good but not perfect. I use it for writing more than admiring, but it's pretty easy on the eyes.

[olps]

Because the ink is water-based (correct?) how do fountain pens work on different types of paper compared to the standard gel or ball-point pens? I've always been curious...

[Suzuki]

Couple of thoughts for a a long time FP user.

FPs aren't for everyone - before you sink a lot of $ into a high-end FP, try out an entry level model, some of the best are the Waterman Phileas (get a fine nib if you can, as the medium nibs are quite broad) or the Lamy Safari - I think the Safari is the better of the two, but its got a modern design that some folks don't like. Also, the Safari comes in a variety of colours and nib widths (I suggest fine or medium for most folks). A Safari should run you between $20 and $25 online (make sure you get a converter so you can use bottled ink).

I haven't used a Chinese or Pakistani pen in ages - I tried a bunch when I first got into FPs and they were all junk - scratchy nibs, lousy plastic, etc. I threw them all out. While they may be better than they were 5 or so years ago, I'd steer clear unless you have a chance to try one first. The real issue with most Asian pens is that they are quite fine - very fine nibs can be scratchy.

If you do decide you want to plunk out the cash for a high end pen, my two top recommendations are (i) if cash is no limit, the Pelikan 800 or (ii) best pen for the cash, the Lamy 2000. Both are piston fill, which means you can only use bottled ink, but on the upside, since the pen body is the ink resevoir, the hold a ton of ink. The Pelikan will run you between $375 and $450 and the Lamy will run $120 to $150 (these are below the list prices - look for a sale or buy from a reputable e-tailer (I like pencity.com or swisherpens.com). The Pelikan is a bit better (IMHO), but the Lamy is an amazing pen - especially once you factor in the price. There are lots of other good pens out there, but I've not found any that write any better than the Pelikan or Lamy - I've not purchased a new FP since receiving my Pelikan 3 years ago.

One other pen worth considering is the Namiki/Pilot vanishing point series - they have a retractable nib, which is great for travel/carrying around - they're very good writers and come in a variety of colours/finishes and are a good deal for around $120 - the only issue is that they have a small ink capacity. This is the only FP I can see me adding to my collection any time soon.

That's my very opinionated $0.02.

[Suzuki]

Because the ink is water-based (correct?) how do fountain pens work on different types of paper compared to the standard gel or ball-point pens? I've always been curious...

FPs are more sensitive to paper - if its a poorer quality paper, they will bleed.

Ink is also a factor, as thinner inks are more prone to bleeding/feathering.

My favourite all-'rounder ink is Waterman - decent colours (I like florida blue, blue-black or the black) and works great in all pens.

Noodlers is also very popular, but I find that its a little thin - but it is great in my pens with finer nibs or pens that are prone to clogging.

[RoyalKooparillo]

I am partial to Caran d'Ache pens. Excellent craftsmanship, simple/elegant designs, built to last. Although they make excellent Fountain Pens, you can't go wrong with a rollerball or ballpoint from them.

I have a black rubber/rhodium rollerball that is gorgeous, and understated.


http://www.worldlux.com/products/carand%27ache/_pens/metrub/fullsize3.jpg

[Roman414]

Is a slim pen comfortable for you, or a fat one? Heavy, or light? I suggest you go to a stationer who carries a good variety of pens and test a few in the store. Some pens feel "right" and some don't.
My own favorite is my Pelikan M200. Writes flawlessly, holds a ton of ink, and is so light weight I can write all day with no fatigue. I bought it from an EBay seller in Germany, new in the box, for something like sixty bucks. Best pen purchase I ever made.

[Trius]

Chris: You might want to try some of the Chinese pens now. My buddy in Port Credit who referred me to hisnibs.com (they don't just sell Chinese pens) has another Chinese pen in addition to the Bookworm. He likes the Bookworm better, so for $15 I couldn't resist.

But I'm sure they don't match up with other manufacturers.

Next time I'm in Toronto you can check out my Bookworm should we cross paths.

[superbleu]

Here is some great info on pens you can get for around 100 dollars
http://roossinck.wordpress.com/?s=review

And you have a great stationary store in your fine city.
http://www.nota-bene.ca/

As others have suggested Fountain pen networks is a great place to get informed on all matters of fountain pens and stationary.

Look for a pilot varsity at the local office supply stores and try the fountain pen out to see if it suites you, don't let it being cheap and disposable mislead you, these are great writing reliable pens.

let me know if you have any questions I can try to point you in the right direction.

best of luck.

[Suzuki]

Chris: You might want to try some of the Chinese pens now. My buddy in Port Credit who referred me to hisnibs.com (they don't just sell Chinese pens) has another Chinese pen in addition to the Bookworm. He likes the Bookworm better, so for $15 I couldn't resist.

But I'm sure they don't match up with other manufacturers.

Next time I'm in Toronto you can check out my Bookworm should we cross paths.

Thanks for the offer - I'm always interested in finding good starter pens to refer people to - I still have a hard time believing they're better than the Safari.


Here is some great info on pens you can get for around 100 dollars
http://roossinck.wordpress.com/?s=review

And you have a great stationary store in your fine city.
http://www.nota-bene.ca/

As others have suggested Fountain pen networks is a great place to get informed on all matters of fountain pens and stationary.

Look for a pilot varsity at the local office supply stores and try the fountain pen out to see if it suites you, don't let it being cheap and disposable mislead you, these are great writing reliable pens.

let me know if you have any questions I can try to point you in the right direction.

best of luck.

The only problem with B&M stores in Canada, is that their prices are crazy - I'm happy to pay a bit extra to support a good local B&M, but when they want $200 for a pen that e-tails for $120 (which I see all the time), I'll buy from the e-tailer.

[superbleu]

for the best prices on pens go here,
http://www.oscarbraunpens.com/
Pam is great to work with, I am not sure if she ships to canada.


I'm not sure if nota bena even carries pens, I just know they have some fine paper from all over the word that isn't available elsewhere in North America

[MAK]

For a nice quality, but not over the top pen try the Libelle brand.

[Trius]

Chris: I will have to pick up a Safari. I am eclectic when it comes to design, as long as it feels good/right. I prefer some heft.

[DeaconKC]

For not much more than the Safari/Alstar [great pens btw], you can get a Cross ATX or Pelikan 150. Both are excellent pens. The ATX is a larger, heavier pen, very solid while the 150 is small and lightweight.

[chickpea]

+1 Safari/Alstar It's my current pen, although I am moving up soon to a Pelikan M200 :w00t:

Safari is great. It will let you get used to foutainpen writing and experiment with inks and nibs to find the one (or several) you like and get you ready for a "real" FP.

If you want to leap-frog the learner pen, then Lamy 2000, Pelikan M200 (m400), Waterman Charleston, Taccia Staccato, Waterman Phileas, Sailor Sapporo/1911M.

As an aside, if I were you, I would avoid vintage pens for now (other than NOS). You will not have any way to compare the performance of a used/vintage pen, with the way a fountain pen is "supposed" to feel/operate. Therefore, if you get a clunker, you could easily become discouraged, or not know what you are missing with a great pen.

[DeaconKC]

I feel rather dumb. For around the $100 range, try the Pelikan 215. I've got one in my shirt pocket right now. Nice balance of weight, nib, size, etc.

[superbleu]

Todd at Isellpens.com has good prices on pelikans.

Don't forget inks. If you need waterproof inks, noodlers are one of the few.

[whitecrane7]

+1 for Todd. Don't forget the Namiki Vanishing Point

[pal]

Get a Pelikan or an Aurora pen at the entry level, you can't go wrong.