Inexpensive entry to Fountain Pens

[Andy]

... <snip>...You could just get a Preppy...<snip>....

Yep! Another vote for the preppy, I keep a couple inked at all times in my work bag, they are fantastic.

[N2theBreech]

I was in the same place as you a few months ago. I decided to get a Lamy Safari because I heard it was 1) a good writer, 2) durable, 3) seemed to be trouble-free, and 4) it didn't look cheaply made. When I told the owner of anther pen shop that I'd just bought a Lamy, he told me I'd never need another pen. I might want another pen, I wouldn't need one.

Having said that, don't buy a Lamy just on my say-so. I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a pen, in addition to your price limit and that you prefer slimmer pens. Do you want a certain look, prefer fine nibs over broad, and so on. I've heard that Pilot nibs are really good. To get one on a pen that's in the ~$10 is really good (78G). You can get two 78G's for the price one Safari. There's also the Platinum Plaisir for ~$20. Some folks around here have them and sing their praises.

If there's a pen shop within a reasonable drive, I do recommend test driving several pens. I just came from a pen store today, where I test drove some inks using several Lamys, two with Extra Fine nibs. I could tell the difference between them. One was too scratchy for me.

'Tain't easy to settle on just one! Good luck.

[Doppelgaenger]

My vote goes for the LAMY safari, I've had one for going on 12 years and I just replaced the nib on it. You can replace the nibs on them as well super easy for 10 bucks each. I have a medium and a 1.5mm calligraphy nib as well. You'll want to get a converter as well, makes life easier.

[Costabro]

A restored Esterbrook Fat.

[strop]

Pilot 78G with a medium nib is a great starter and all around great pen for daily use.

Remember though, the entry to fountain pens can be quite inexpensive but the exit may become very expensive.

I didn't know there was an exit!

[miatapaul]

Pilot 78G is one of my favorites. I have not gotten a Lamey yet, but I find the 78G starts well, and writes nice. I can also recommend a New Old Stock (NOS) Shaffer from Peyton Street Pens.

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/serv...-Deluxe/Detail

I got one and it is far and away my favorite daily writer. It is very smooth, but has no flex. I have the fine and it is quite fine, and good for poor paper. We have very crappy paper at work and this is about as good as I have found and I like it with Feather X. And as far as being a second it has a small pit on the clip, about as noticeable as that scratch you will get the first week anyway. I really need to stop recommending them, as they will all be gone, and I won't get anymore!

I know it goes against the grain, for some reason I really don't like they Preppie. I like the roller-ball converter in it, but just never really found the fountain pen tip very nice to write with. I also think they are too prone to cracking, and one I use as a eye dropper (came with BSB) and it really makes me nervous with all that bay state blue in it!

[mmcaleer]

Pilot g78, get a medium, many find the fine is too fine.

you can get these dirt cheap on ebay. good bang for the buck value.

I agree. I purchased a 78G fine nib and it is way to fine. I also bought a Lamy Safari in F, a Platinum Plaisir in F and a few Preppy's. I really like how smooth the Lamy writes. The Platinum is nice as well but not quite as smooth although I like the tradition look of the Plaisir better.

I think I am going to try an Esterbrook J next.

[nemo]

I agree. I purchased a 78G fine nib and it is way to fine. I also bought a Lamy Safari in F, a Platinum Plaisir in F and a few Preppy's. I really like how smooth the Lamy writes. The Platinum is nice as well but not quite as smooth although I like the tradition look of the Plaisir better.

I think I am going to try an Esterbrook J next.

Esterbrook J was my inexpensive entry.








48 years ago.

[zethreal]

I've been using a Zebra V-301 for about a week and I have to say that, while I like it, I find that I have to hold the pen at a very precise angle to get it to write. If I stray from that position at all, it stops putting ink down. I wonder, is this something that I'll have to get used to with any/all fountain pens or could it just be that I'm starting out with a $4 pen?

I've also decided that I'm likely going to have to upgrade to one that I can use a converter for, as I've read that the zebra uses a wick and you can't really change the colors or inks. I haven't decided what I'm getting yet as an upgrade, but I'm looking at the LAMY AL-Star in either Graphite, Coffee or plain Aluminum. I will likely end up going with the aluminum as I have a brushed aluminum ball-point coming shortly and they might make at least a decent looking set.

[zethreal]

Ok, here's what I'm planning on buying from gouletpens.com:

Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen - Blue Fine ( $18 )
Platinum Cartridge Converter ( $7 )
Noodler's Black (3oz) ( $12.50 )

Does this look like a good starter kit for a 'real' fountain pen?

[Doc4]

Absolutely.

[Huy]

I've been using a Zebra V-301 for about a week and I have to say that, while I like it, I find that I have to hold the pen at a very precise angle to get it to write. If I stray from that position at all, it stops putting ink down. I wonder, is this something that I'll have to get used to with any/all fountain pens or could it just be that I'm starting out with a $4 pen?

I've also decided that I'm likely going to have to upgrade to one that I can use a converter for, as I've read that the zebra uses a wick and you can't really change the colors or inks. I haven't decided what I'm getting yet as an upgrade, but I'm looking at the LAMY AL-Star in either Graphite, Coffee or plain Aluminum. I will likely end up going with the aluminum as I have a brushed aluminum ball-point coming shortly and they might make at least a decent looking set.

This is definitely not a usual to be able to write only at a specific angle. They are actually designed to work best at a certain angle but they do write in other positions as well, though not as well. The angle to the pen should be pretty shallow, you rest the pen on the webbing between your thumb and pointer finger.

I am surprised no one mentioned Hero pens yet. I highly recommend it if you like a pen similar to the Parker. They are dirt cheap and write well.

[oc_in_fw]

Ok, here's what I'm planning on buying from gouletpens.com:

Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen - Blue Fine ( $18 )
Platinum Cartridge Converter ( $7 )
Noodler's Black (3oz) ( $12.50 )

Does this look like a good starter kit for a 'real' fountain pen?

Excellent order. I want that pen in green, myself

[zethreal]

Excellent order. I want that pen in green, myself

I'm stuck between black & blue... Part of me is thinking that I should get both, 2 converters & 2 things of ink. Then I could figure out which I like better and give the second away. I have a coworker that loves fountain pens & just lost the one she's been using for years. It wasn't really anything major. Just a Parker 'el-cheapo' from when they were sold at Staples/Office Max.

[oc_in_fw]

I'm stuck between black & blue... Part of me is thinking that I should get both, 2 converters & 2 things of ink. Then I could figure out which I like better and give the second away. I have a coworker that loves fountain pens & just lost the one she's been using for years. It wasn't really anything major. Just a Parker 'el-cheapo' from when they were sold at Staples/Office Max.

I want the green because I have no green ink, yet.

[zethreal]

I want the green because I have no green ink, yet.

Ah. Up until now I've only written in black. I don't normally get 'fun' colors other than blue & black and I haven't found a blue ink that I like. Then again, I normally settle for BIC or similar pens that you get in packs of 10 for just a couple bucks.

[The Velvet Monkey]

I've purchased many Parker 45s for under $20 on eBay. They are wonderful writers and as far as I understand it, have gold nibs. I've purchased several that are NOS from the 1960s, so I've been the first to use them. You can also find Parker 21s with a little effort with the aeromatic filling system so you can personalize your ink.

[strop]

Ah. Up until now I've only written in black. I don't normally get 'fun' colors other than blue & black and I haven't found a blue ink that I like. Then again, I normally settle for BIC or similar pens that you get in packs of 10 for just a couple bucks.

Sounds like you are looking for a blue-black ink. Look at the Swab Shop on the Goulet site. Diamine Denim is a very dark blue -black that might be a good starting transition ink for you.

[oc_in_fw]

Ah. Up until now I've only written in black. I don't normally get 'fun' colors other than blue & black and I haven't found a blue ink that I like. Then again, I normally settle for BIC or similar pens that you get in packs of 10 for just a couple bucks.

I am not big on matching ink to pen color, but my blue Studio is extremely close to the color of Baystatr Blue, so it is my BSB pen. I just think it would be fun to do the same with green.

[Doc4]

Ah. Up until now I've only written in black. I don't normally get 'fun' colors other than blue & black and I haven't found a blue ink that I like. Then again, I normally settle for BIC or similar pens that you get in packs of 10 for just a couple bucks.

You need to try some other colours. Ink samples from the Goulets are a great thing.

I used to be a 'just black' guy ... and then I got blue ... and then I got ... well, now I have a couple dozen colours ... more if you count the samples.

Sounds like you are looking for a blue-black ink. Look at the Swab Shop on the Goulet site. Diamine Denim is a very dark blue -black that might be a good starting transition ink for you.

The Goulets have packaged some of the best of each colour group into samples ... one or two might be worth a try.