Where to start? Maybe a bit of help getting together a starter set.

[Nova316]

So I have been looking at this forum for a while and would love to get into pens or at least a few that I enjoy writing with. I love to write and have been using a zebra with carts for a while.
While it works it tends to bleed a little on my cheap office paper so I haven't been able to use it much for anything. I prefer a finer or medium tip if that helps and more modern style I was looking to get a parker sonnett

Any idea where to start or what pens I should go with. Hopefully I can keep it around 60$ for my first setup to see how much use it actually gets and go from there.

Thanks for your help and input

[oc_in_fw]

So I have been looking at this forum for a while and would love to get into pens or at least a few that I enjoy writing with. I love to write and have been using a zebra with carts for a while.
While it works it tends to bleed a little on my cheap office paper so I haven't been able to use it much for anything. I prefer a finer or medium tip if that helps and more modern style I was looking to get a parker sonnett

Any idea where to start or what pens I should go with. Hopefully I can keep it around 60$ for my first setup to see how much use it actually gets and go from there.

Thanks for your help and input

It could be the ink- what are you using? My Baystate Blue is a bleeder on just about all paper, while Pelikan Brilliant Black doesn't bleed at all.

[duokun]

Are you looking at getting a fountain pen? I know the sonnet is available as a rollerball and a fountain pen, so i just wanted to clarify.

If you meant a fountain pen, then i would suggest getting something inexpensive, like a pack of pilot varsity pens or maybe a couple of Platinum Preppy pens (about $2, but good writers) to see if you like the feel of writing with a fountain pen. Personally i love it. Goulet Pens is a great website as they have a great selection, helpful staff, and a discount for B&B members. Also they have the Swab Shop where you can check out color corrected samples of ink colors (for if you decide to go the liquid ink route over cartridges) and the Nib Nook, where you can compare writing samples to see the difference between different nibs.

also, a lot of good beginners info in the Fountain of Knowledge section.

after figuring out that you like fountain pens, pen choice is going to be a personal thing. lots of us on here have opinions, and will be glad to share them (i love my vintage Esterbrook J in a medium nib for example)

[duokun]

of course, it took me till after i posted to realize you were probably talking about writing with a Zebra fountain Pen already, so ignore my finding out if you like fountain pens bit. :)

There are a lot of good, not to expensive pens there, and honestly, if you get one that you dont love, someone on here will surely be willing to take it off your hands in the B/S/T

[airmech]

+1 on the Esterbrook!!! You can get a restored on on the bay for around $30, or go to Goulet's for a complete set-up. Either way you can't go wrong.

Tom

[The Nid Hog]

You can get a lot of pen for $60. Putting aside vintage pens for a moment, I think that there are some great deals in new pens. My first choice would be a Pilot Prera. You can get one of the clear-bodies ones from the Goulets for $56, including a converter. Jet Pens has some of the solid body ones for less than $50. It's a nice, reliable pen with classic lines (the designer must have had a Pelikan 200 on the desktop in front of him). Lamy also has some nice pens at that price point, running from the large Safari to the smaller, sleeker Logo. Jet Pens has the Kaweco Classic Sport at under $25. I've never owned one, but I've tried one before and it seems nice. The TWSBI 540 would also be in your price range. It feels nice in the hand but I've heard too many stories about breakage to buy one myself. Dropping down a little more, you might like the Platinum Plasir (you could order one of those and throw in a bottle of B&B LE ink for under $35 at West Coast Shaving). Continuning down to more inexpensive pens, there are Platinum Preppies, some different Noodler Pens, and Pilot Varsities.

[Slivovitz]

Just to add more choices, since the other recommendations are good, the Sheaffer 100 is a very nice pen, less than $40 from Goulet Pens or iSellpens, but that doesn't include postage. Based on what you wrote, you'd want a fine nib, though, not the medium that I've got.

Here is the obligatory mention of the Lamy AL-Star.

And I haven't looked back since finding vintage Esterbrooks. My cheapest cost me $11.27 plus $9.30 for a different nib (although the one that came with it was okay), the most expensive was around $40. I bought mine already restored, though. Apparently they're not that hard to fix up for yourself, but I haven't done it.

[EDIT]

+1 on the Esterbrook!!! You can get a restored on on the bay for around $30, or go to Goulet's for a complete set-up. Either way you can't go wrong.

This reads as if you mean that Goulet has restored Esterbrooks. Is that what you meant, or am I misinterpreting? I don't see any mention of it on their site.

[Nova316]

Thanks for all this info everyone, slowly breaking it down and looking up each of these models to find a good fountain pen. Yah I'd like a fine nib over a medium. But maybe I should get a medium because a fine might look to much like a ball point?

Lots of researching to do I suppose, thanks for all your help once I figure it all out I'll let you know what I came up with haha

I enjoy the look of the Esterbrook, but I'll contiune down the list to see what I like. This may take a while but thank you all for your help its much appreciated.

[Nova316]

I like the Lamy Al-Star but where would I buy it in Canada?
I found it on Ebay for ~32$ shipped but it doesn't come with a converter. I am guessing the converter is used so you can use other inks?

[Ray Guy]

Living in Canada, you may want to look at Benton Clay for pens (http://bentonclay.com/?page_id=31&shopp_category=11). I have never used one of their pens, but they are located in Canada. They also sell shave gear.

[Doc4]

If you live in/near Edmonton ... some of the prices appear higher than the internet, but internet prices will often attract duty/tax at the border during delivery.

Also, for an inexpensive way to start with pens, consider the Pilot 78g that can be bought on e-Bay from several reputable Hong Kong dealers ... a made-in-Japan pen with converter and a couple cartridges ... $10 including worldwide shipping.

[Brianggilbert]

$30 will get you a very nice restored Esterbrook J or LJ on the Bay. Best thirty you'll have ever spent.

[miatapaul]

Pilot 78G is hard to beat.

I also like some of the new old stock pens from Peyton Street Pens

Under $50 pens listed here:

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/serv...450/Categories

The thing I like about her pens are that they are the best of both worlds, new and vintage. NOS is a vintage pen but never been used. She does replace a lot of the ink sacs as some disintegrate with age.

Benton Clay is a good source for cheap pens, but they are made in China and can be a mixed bag. I got three of his "mystery pens" he offered for $3.00 each and had 2 good writers out of the three. but that offer is over, and to be honest I really did not find the pens to be too inspiring. I do want to try some of his soaps after I go through some of what I have here at home and will likely order a Shakespeare and a Grid. The grid has a reputation for being scratchy and dry fine point, but may just be the answer for my bad paper at work.

[crowdog]

I am a big fan of the Lamy's. It has been my most consistent pen, especially for the price. It writes smooth and well every time and you can get multiple nibs to try out for fairly cheap. I even like the finger "guides", as they help to keep my penmanship lined up.

Marty

[Nova316]

Thanks for all the info everyone
I am doing an order from Goulets for some ink and a converter
The Nid Hog has been ever so generous and PIF'ed me a fountain pen and got an nice Esterbrook from windrider
Gonna order a bunch of samples and we should be good to go now :)

I've been look at Lamy's maybe one day with these 2 pens on there way I should be set for the next little while
Now what ink to get hmmm haha

[oc_in_fw]

Now what ink to get hmmm haha

All of them

[camjr]

Parker makes a starter set that retails for around $50 at Office Max an online as well. The kit includes a Parker Urban pen, a bottle of Quink black ink, a converter, and 4 cartridges (2 blue, 2 black). All in all, a nice deal for a good pen.

[Nova316]

Thanks Windrider (Sabin)
Here is an example of my writing with the esterbrook with a fine flex tip I think its the perfect tip for my writing style

[Chi Town]

I like the Lamy Al-Star but where would I buy it in Canada?
I found it on Ebay for ~32$ shipped but it doesn't come with a converter. I am guessing the converter is used so you can use other inks?

This place is not in Canada, but in the UK, but their prices for a Lamy are very good! 25.00 shipped to the USA for a Green Safari LE with a Free converter. Takes a bit of time, but what the heck? The Writting Desk. http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/
Hope this helps?