Fountain pen starter kit suggestions

**justinp** · 03-12-2011, 07:33 PM

Hey folks--

I'm interested in buying a fountain pen on the cheaper side of the equation as an element of a plan to improve my penmanship (which is: bad.) I'm thinking a Hero 616 with a fine tip.

My question is this: what is the best source to purchase from, and what do people recommend as a good, cheapish all-rounder ink in blue or black?

Thoughts?

**Gray Wolf** · 03-12-2011, 09:24 PM

For my fountain pens, I like Noodler's ink. I usually get it from e-bay.

**i_shaved_something** · 03-12-2011, 09:42 PM

Waterman makes a nice starter kit with a Phileas that I thought was pretty good. Has everything you need to get going:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/r...1?a=B0006G2LBE

May be able to find even cheaper if shop around, think I got mine at Staples or Office depot on sale a few years ago but not sure if they still stock the kits.

**invizable** · 03-12-2011, 09:48 PM

The Pelikan 4001 cartridges are also very nice if you'd like to avoid refiling for now. Noodlers and Private Reserve are great options, as mentioned.

**LouieGrandie** · 03-13-2011, 09:49 AM

While the Chinese pens are cheap the quality can vary quite a bit. As for where to by my suggestion would be www.isellpens.com which carries a large selection of Chinese pens. Most major pen companies have "starter" pens so I would suggest looking at pens such as the Pilot 78G or the Waterman Phileas. As for ink, there is no "bad" ink out there but be aware that not all inks are alike. Noodler's is a very lubricating and free flowing ink while Aurora is pretty quick drying. I guess you could call it a "drier" ink.

You should expect to spend around $100-$125 for a good quality pen you can use every day and be of good enough quality to hold up to daily use.

**Dave258** · 03-13-2011, 11:35 AM

I also just bought my first fountain pen. I went with the pilot 78g and ordered it from jetpens.com. The pen was only $12.50 and came with a converter so you don't have to worry about ink cartridges. Spend more then $25 and they ship free. I got it from Cali to NY in like 3 days.
I used the pen a bit yesterday. It takes a bit to get used too, but I do like it. I wonder what a higher quality pen would feel like. I already have my eye on a TWSBI!
Good luck, and have fun!

**perogee** · 03-13-2011, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Dave258

I already have my eye on a TWSBI!

Do it!!

It is a fabulous pen, I fell in love nearly instantly as soon as I had it in my hands

**Dave258** · 03-13-2011, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by perogee

Do it!!

It is a fabulous pen, I fell in love nearly instantly as soon as I had it in my hands

I did. Ordered it today... TWSBI fine nib and a Lamy Safari med nib to try one out. And a bottle of Noodler's Aircorp Blue Black.
Once I used my Pilot 78g more today, I figured that a better quality pen would be an even bigger pleasure to use.

**DunEdinRanger** · 03-13-2011, 08:31 PM

Justin

There is a seller on Ebay who will sell you 10 Hero 616's for about $15, shipped.

I used Noodler's Ink in them and haven't had any problems. I use them sign time cards.

Good Luck, you're on the Primrose Path.

**LouieGrandie** · 03-14-2011, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Dave258

I wonder what a higher quality pen would feel like.

If you are in or close to New York City you should go by the Fountain Pen Hospital there and try out some Waterman, Parker, Pelikan, Sailor and Pilot fountain pens. A higher quality pen will almost always have 14-21K gold nibs and will be very smooth. You will also find that some pens write very "wet" or very "dry". If possible look at the difference in the line between a Mont Blanc 146 and a Pilot Vanishing Point.

**njpaddy** · 03-14-2011, 06:40 AM

I have a $50+ Aurora Style and a $12 Pilot 78G (Med) and the Pilot writes as smooth as the Aurora. I'm using Noodlers Blue-Black and Noodlers Black Swan In Australian Roses inks.

**Dave258** · 03-14-2011, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by njpaddy

I have a $50+ Aurora Style and a $12 Pilot 78G (Med) and the Pilot writes as smooth as the Aurora. I'm using Noodlers Blue-Black and Noodlers Black Swan In Australian Roses inks.

I was wondering if I would like med nib better.

**LouieGrandie** · 03-14-2011, 08:40 AM

You have to remember that the Pilot and Sailor nibs write a size smaller than European pens. Pilot in Med would be like an Aurora Fine.

**njpaddy** · 03-14-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by LouieGrandie

You have to remember that the Pilot and Sailor nibs write a size smaller than European pens. Pilot in Med would be like an Aurora Fine.

The Aurora Fine and Pilot Med seem to be the same size, about the equivalent of my 0.7 med Uni-ball gel pen.

**DunEdinRanger** · 03-14-2011, 03:29 PM

I have a "rule" with Single Malts. Let's say the base price of a 10/12 year old Single Malt is about $45 with tax.

I ask myself "Is that $90 bottle of Ardbeg Uigedail twice as good as regular Ardbeg?" And the Ardbeg 10 is pretty good!

So with Fountain Pens, (and I know BrianW is gonna love this), I ask myself is that $12 Pilot twelve times better than a Hero 616?

If we take the $12 Pilot as the baseline, then is the $50 Fountain Pen four times as good?
Of course, sometimes you just have to say "What The Heck!" and splurge whether it be a 15 year old Balvenie Single Malt, or a nice fountain pen.

**justinp** · 03-15-2011, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I managed to snag a write-tested Hero 616 and five fills' worth of Noodlers Black for 8 dollars shipped from the 'Bay, so I think that'll be a good start. I'll report back!

**DunEdinRanger** · 03-15-2011, 07:28 PM

And so begins your journey down the Primrose Path.

**brianw** · 03-15-2011, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by DunEdinRanger

I have a "rule" with Single Malts. Let's say the base price of a 10/12 year old Single Malt is about $45 with tax.

I ask myself "Is that $90 bottle of Ardbeg Uigedail twice as good as regular Ardbeg?" And the Ardbeg 10 is pretty good!

So with Fountain Pens, (and I know BrianW is gonna love this), I ask myself is that $12 Pilot twelve times better than a Hero 616?

If we take the $12 Pilot as the baseline, then is the $50 Fountain Pen four times as good?
Of course, sometimes you just have to say "What The Heck!" and splurge whether it be a 15 year old Balvenie Single Malt, or a nice fountain pen.

Simple answer...... yes

**Vintage Razor** · 03-16-2011, 04:17 AM

Looks like no turing back for me eh? I decided to purchase some fountain pens... I have purchased 2 pens and will be here soon. Lamy Safari and a Russian Soyuz. I am thinking of getting Parker 21, 51 or Waterman Phileas.

**Troggie** · 03-16-2011, 06:04 AM

My wife really hates all of you enablers.. I have been looking to get a fountain pen for a while. Now I find this thread and she is not going to be happy

Quick question.. have any of you used the throw away pens by Pilot and if so are they any good? The reason I ask is I would love to use these at work so I can leave them there ( cleaning services tends to keep items they deem "valuable" sometimes ) so if I forget to grab the one at home I have something to use besides the horrible bic pens they have for our use.