These are my first 2 fountain pens to own. I have had the varsity for a little over a month and the viewpoint just a few days.
As for the varsity, it's greatest asset is the price and ease of use. It always has ink whenever you want it and when it runs out, you can just trash it; very inexpensive. The downside is the nib. It has a small ball on the end so it writes more like a wet ballpoint than a fountain pen.
The other downside is you are stuck with the ink it comes with.
As for the Shaeffer, it came with 2 cartridges a blue and black and I got the fine nib. The pen is a little bigger than the varsity and I like the way it fits in my hand. The nib is better than the varsity, but slightly scratchy. I like the fine and the way it writes. Though it does sometimes need a line or two before the ink starts flowing. I am pretty sure I could get a converter for the viewpoint also if I wanted to play with different ink colors.
As for my first foray into fountain pens, I want a nicer one. I would think a $20 to $30 pen would not have as scratchy a nib and would just write better than both I own. I just need to convince SWMBO on that fact. I look forward to finding more pens and seeing what else I like and can do!
Hope the reviews were helpful!
As for the varsity, it's greatest asset is the price and ease of use. It always has ink whenever you want it and when it runs out, you can just trash it; very inexpensive. The downside is the nib. It has a small ball on the end so it writes more like a wet ballpoint than a fountain pen.
The other downside is you are stuck with the ink it comes with.
As for the Shaeffer, it came with 2 cartridges a blue and black and I got the fine nib. The pen is a little bigger than the varsity and I like the way it fits in my hand. The nib is better than the varsity, but slightly scratchy. I like the fine and the way it writes. Though it does sometimes need a line or two before the ink starts flowing. I am pretty sure I could get a converter for the viewpoint also if I wanted to play with different ink colors.
As for my first foray into fountain pens, I want a nicer one. I would think a $20 to $30 pen would not have as scratchy a nib and would just write better than both I own. I just need to convince SWMBO on that fact. I look forward to finding more pens and seeing what else I like and can do!
Hope the reviews were helpful!