Help with Pens! Need a suggestion!

[Cheech]

May I suggest a Pilot Vanishing Point? Great pen and perfect for everday use and carrying on your person. NOt much cooler than a clickable fountain pen!

I have a Vanishing Point with a Binderized nib. I love that thing. The only caveat is that the clip is not movable, and the positioning doesn't work for everybody. But, in my humble opinion, it is second only to the 51 in terms of practicality. Its also affordable, and not too hard to find a good one.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Cheech,

Many thanks for the lengthy info. Think I've settled on an M215 for my starter pen for Christmas. Just emailed the wife...we'll see what she says. When I get it (I've basically decided on it regardless of if SWMBO decides to purchase) then I'll post a Newb's review.

Thanks again for all the great replies and info!

 

[BarryR]

Cheech,

Many thanks for the lengthy info. Think I've settled on an M215 for my starter pen for Christmas. Just emailed the wife...we'll see what she says. When I get it (I've basically decided on it regardless of if SWMBO decides to purchase) then I'll post a Newb's review.

Thanks again for all the great replies and info!

I have one with a medium nib. It's a great pen, one of the best choices in it's price range.

 

[StylinLA]

I'm getting here after the decision has been made...but I throw out Waterman.

They make a wide range of nice pens. I've had one of their fountain pens for over 10 years with no problems in near daily use.

Pilot makes a very cool and unique "retractable" fountain pen (referenced earlier here) in a number of styles. Makes it easier to use than uncapping the pen for each use. The only issue I have is they are smaller.

 

[LeverTime]

I'm looking at the Pelikan M215. Really like the look and cost of this pen, but I travel quite a bit.

How often do you travel with your Pelikan? Never had any leaks, spills etc?


Whats a piston filler?

I only fly 2-3 times per year, probably not as much as you. Never had any leaks or spills with it. I always top it off before I go anywhere so that I don't need to refill before I return.

I don't have a 2xx series, only 4xx, 6xx and 8xx series. I would imagine that the 2xx pens are probably similar in terms of traveling.

 

[BarryR]

I have a Vanishing Point with a Binderized nib. I love that thing. The only caveat is that the clip is not movable, and the positioning doesn't work for everybody. But, in my humble opinion, it is second only to the 51 in terms of practicality. Its also affordable, and not too hard to find a good one.

...Pilot makes a very cool and unique "retractable" fountain pen (referenced earlier here) in a number of styles. Makes it easier to use than uncapping the pen for each use. The only issue I have is they are smaller.

That's the Vanishing point mentioned above. I've got one that I use when I'm seeing patients in my office and constantly starting / stopping writing. In this case capping / recapping gets annoying.

The VP is another excellent pen in the approximately $100 range. Particularly good if you need the "clickability" though, as Cheech mentions, the positioning of the clip annoys some. For me, it was a problem for about two days, then I got used to it and it's a non-issue. They are not at all small pens though, and they're quite solid and a little bit on the heavy side.

 

[statius]

That's the Vanishing point mentioned above. I've got one that I use when I'm seeing patients in my office and constantly starting / stopping writing. In this case capping / recapping gets annoying.

The VP is another excellent pen in the approximately $100 range. Particularly good if you need the "clickability" though, as Cheech mentions, the positioning of the clip annoys some. For me, it was a problem for about two days, then I got used to it and it's a non-issue. They are not at all small pens though, and they're quite solid and a little bit on the heavy side.

I love VPs! If someone found them too big or heavy, they could try the Fermo or the older Decimo. Kind of hard to find and expensive, but slimmer. I'd love to get my hands on a Fermo.

 

[withoutink]

You could always go the route I did. A Parker 21 Special and then maybe a Parker 51.

I also have a Lamy Safari $25 and I love it! I also have a bunch of cheaper Chinese pens most of which I actually like. Another inexpensive one that I use a lot is a Pilot 78g which writes fantastic.

For vintage, you can go Esterbrook. I have three and I love them.

 

[goby]

Oscar Braun has some great prices. Never purchased anything from her, but the prices look great.

I have several Pelikans (HUGE fan) and have never had a problem traveling with them.

In terms of how a piston filler works: Think about the piston in your engine. The sleeve is the pen body. There is a piston inside, operated by a knob at the end opposite the nib, that moves back and forth. As the piston moves, it creates suction or pressure in the body, either drawing in ink or expressing ink.

Richard Binder's site is chocked full of info. Here is the link to his explanation of piston fillers:http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/fillers.htm#piston. Richard Binder's site covers the history, models, makes, fillers, nibs, and about everything else you can think of. I've heard it said that Richard Binder is one of the few remaining true nibmeisters (Yes, there's a few others such as John Mottishaw). Having had one or two of his nibs, I can agree that Richard Binder is the man.

In terms of traveling, I've traveled with full pens, but I am a paranoid sort. I've taken the habit of emptying my pens before hand and refilling them upon arrival. SWMBO worked in biotech and brought home these super-cool, cheap little containers that hold about a penload. I can ask what they are if you like.

In terms of recommendations, I'd say to start with something inexpensive to see how it works for you. Don't get me wrong, I love fountain pens and I think they're the greatest thing since sliced bread (maybe before sliced bread?). However, I know that they're not for everybody. The Heroes are decent and really inexpensive. Also, the Parker 21 is really inexpensive and a solid pen that will grow with you.

For inks, as I posted before, I'm a fan of Private Reserve, SWMBO loves Noodlers. Waterman Florida Blue is also a standard. It is important to note that inks have personality traits all their own, far beyond color. One of the nice things about fountain pens is that you can change inks as frequently as you like. And inks are fairly inexpensive.

I think I agree with everything you said, plus, as someone said, the Vanishing Point is not only amazing, it is the smoothest pen I own. Not my favorite (I LOVE Parker 51's), but definitely the smoothest.

As much as I dislike Hero pens, that is what i would suggest. See if you like the whole fountain pen experience. Do you mind ink on your fingers? Waiting for the ink to dry?

Or will you like having 20 choices of ink when its time to refill?

 

[Cheech]

Or will you like having 20 choices of ink when its time to refill?

Oh, c'mon. It will take at least 2 weeks before he has that many inks.






Tanzanite. No pressure.

 

[DougK]

My wife bought me this one last Christmas from a card shop down the street. I use it every day and love it. It's fun and funky without being obnoxious in the business environment. However, if I could use my glass dip pens in meetings (can't keep up with the pace of discussion and dip ink at the same time), it would be a whole different story.

 

[cbird]

One point I would make about choosing a pen is that the ergonomics matter. You really should try out a pen before purchasing it. There are several very fine pen manufacturers, but you have to try their pens out yourself to see which works with you the best. Different strokes for different folks - you should go to a fine pen store and try out a few models to get a sense of how different they feel when you actually use them. The choice will be much easier for you then, with less potential disappointment for you. There is one of the best pen stores in the US in Washington, I believe it is called Fahrney's or something like that - check out that place.

 

[Bill Smith]

There are a number of Parker 51's in FPH's vintage section. Those pens are some of the most reliable daily users ever made. Absolutely bulletproof. My wife (a professional writer) has a Parker 51 "Flighter" that she loves.

Another vote for the Parker 51, the aerometric filler models are pretty much bombproof in terms of reliability.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Ok...I'm hooked on this damn Fountain Pen thing..."NOT ANOTHER HOBBY!!!" My wallet is going to be giving me this...

Oh well...joined FPN and have a Pelikan M215 on the way from the wife and two Parker 51s on the way. One from an FPN member and one from the Bay...which has me concerned.

I think I need to go see a Dr about my hobbies...

But hey...now I get to shop for ink!

 

[DocMitch]

I use a Parker 45 Black & Stainless Steel fountain pen every day. Mine came with a blue ink cartridge, but I got a converter to allow the pen to take any type of bottled fountain pen ink (I prefer Aurora black).

You should be able to pick up this pen for under $50 easily. I think it's one of the classiest-looking fountain pens out there in its price range.

I agree with the previous posters though- there are lots of good choices.

-Mitch

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Thanks!

I went in for the Pelikan M215 when my wife told me to pick one, and came out with a Pelikan Pura because I was blown away by the aesthetics of this pen...its not a piston filler, but the local guy at the Paradise Pens store hooked me up with a converter...he said its just as good and I can still use my bottled ink!

Only now I have to wait til Boxing Day to use it

 

[Zonian]

My daily pen is the Pilot Varsity. It is a disposable fountain pen (I know not very wet shaving of me) that has a great ink flow, is comfortable, and is affordable enough that I can loose or lend them without worry. If you like fountain pens give a Varsity a try, you will not be disappointed.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

My daily pen is the Pilot Varsity. It is a disposable fountain pen (I know not very wet shaving of me) that has a great ink flow, is comfortable, and is affordable enough that I can loose or lend them without worry. If you like fountain pens give a Varsity a try, you will not be disappointed.

Hey...if you like it and it works...who can judge?

I used my vintage Parker 51 all day long with Waterman's Black...works GREAT!

I just need to learn to write differently now...I noticed I tended to bleed on the page a bit today because I lingered too long...something I'll get used to over time.

 

[kopio]

Also, for new pens, check out Pam Braun at Oscarbraunpens.com for excellent prices and a stellar reputation.

+1 on Pam. I bought my Pelikan m400 Tortoise from her and she was fantastic to work with.

FWIW....I'd advise Pelikan. The fact that it is a piston fill means that you can get a TON of ink in it. I write a lot, especially when I am at school. It would not be uncommon for me to need to refill my pens (with converters) every day or every other day. The piston fill would usually last at least a week.

Plus....you gotta love German engineering!

 

[Zonian]

Plus....you gotta love German engineering!

Yeah, someone somewhere told me they make decent razors too. I just can't remember where I heard that.