Christmas present for my wife - starter fountain pen

[jamesspo]

Hi gents. This is my first (sort of) dive into pens, and I'm looking for a little assistance in selecting a pen for my wife for Christmas. My wife is an office supplies geek . She loves pens and stationary and writing "real" letters (as opposed to email) to her family and friends. She's always done so with roller ball pens or ball points, but never with a fountain pen. I've thrown a few hints around about the Nib forum here, and about looking at one for my self, and she really perked up when I talked about it, so I'm pretty sure she's interested.

So, I've spent a little time this week learning a bit about pens, and I feel like I've got a reasonable handle on the basics... filler types, popular brands, etc. However, I of course have questions in a few areas to help me narrow down what to go for, as well as some constraints.

Price - I'm going to presume this will narrow the field at least somewhat - let's say $150 for now. I could move up a little bit but would prefer moving down. If she develops a strong interest, we can always spend money later on more pens. I do have some aesthetic constraints, so will probably need to stick to something that will have a range of colors available..or at least ones that have blue available. It pretty much has to be blue (or have a strong blue component), as that's her favorite color .

Nibs - This area I've not researched enough to have a clue, really. So, I'm looking for a bit of a shortcut on this. I see things about the stiffness of the nib, composition, tip style, line width. Any suggestions on the ideal properties of a good first pen would be welcome. Maybe more importantly would be things to avoid. Today she mostly uses Pilot G2 pens in fine point or Pilot Precise V5 in extra fine.

Applications - Most of her letters are on plain old, cheap notebook paper, with some occasional inexpensive stationary. I'll probably consider a bit of an upgrade for her in this area, but I'd like to get a pen that's going to work well over a range of different papers, if that's possible. The other big use will be cards. She sends a huge number of cards, and at every holiday she can find an excuse.

Aesthetics - Simple, elegant, understated, classy. As mentioned, it needs to contain blue, so that narrows things quite a bit for me. She's going to want something simple though..no over the top bling. Obviously this is something I'll just need to hunt down myself, but if anyone has any particular pens to point me to (or brands), that'd be awesome.

Modern vs Vintage - I like the idea of vintage, but I'm not sure it's the best choice for this gift. I don't really know enough about the mechanical operation and problems with vintage pens (yet) to know if I could go that route (especially on auction sites), and fix up any issues before Christmas. As such I'm thinking either modern, or purchasing a vintage from a trusted source (BST being the obvious one..but welcome other recommendations) that will have looked over the pen well, and fixed any issues (new sac ,etc). I just want to make sure I'm not going to have any serious issues. Modern is of course great as well a I suspect will get me more choices for color.

Filler Type - Since I don't have any experience with actual using FP's, I don't really have a preference. I know my wife is interested in inks from bottles, so something that can take a converter is probably wise. I'm interested in any things to avoid here, particularly if I were to go with something vintage.

Misc - She's right handed, if it makes any difference, and has average sized hands for a woman.

Ok, that's the brain dump for now. Thanks for any tips!

 

[syngent]

James check out the Franklin christoph line of pens they have some gorgeous pens and different nibs to suit her needs... either a stub medium for fine make for good all around use as italics can be a bit scratchy for certain work uses though look great for letters

I think you'll find simple and elegant on that page... the 29 bellus is a personal favourite and is my next pen

 

[Jut]

a pilot vanishing point in her favorite color may be appropriate (and they are wonderful writers imho)

 

[jamesspo]

Thanks James! I took a quick look, and those are some nice looking pens. I don't seen any in blue, so those may be more like something I'd go for.. but I'll consider anyway.

I noticed on the Franklin Christoph page that going from a steel nib to a gold one takes you from the 150-ish range to 250-ish range. If that's the typical difference in price, it looks like steel will be my choice (unless I can go with vintage..which seem to be cheaper for gold nibs on a casual look at ebay). So, what are the pros/cons to steel vs gold? Anything that would matter for a beginner?

James check out the Franklin christoph line of pens they have some gorgeous pens and different nibs to suit her needs... either a stub medium for fine make for good all around use as italics can be a bit scratchy for certain work uses though look great for letters

I think you'll find simple and elegant on that page... the 29 bellus is a personal favourite and is my next pen

 

[jamesspo]

a pilot vanishing point in her favorite color may be appropriate (and they are wonderful writers imho)

Thanks... I saw those on one of the pen sites.. I'll give those a look.

 

[Doc4]

Blue Sailor 1911 ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sailor-Prof...405?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e73c92ac5

 

[jamesspo]

Blue Sailor 1911 ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sailor-Prof...405?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e73c92ac5

Thanks sir! Those look quite nice.

 

[Doc4]

Thanks sir! Those look quite nice.

Your biggest decision will be size of nib. (They have fine, broad, &c for sale if you look.) I linked to the medium as that's probably a safe bet. If your wife has really tiny handwriting then maybe a fine would work better.

 

[jamesspo]

Your biggest decision will be size of nib. (They have fine, broad, &c for sale if you look.) I linked to the medium as that's probably a safe bet. If your wife has really tiny handwriting then maybe a fine would work better.

Sounds good. I think medium would probably do it, as she has fairly large handwriting. Great shade of blue on that one as well. It goes nicely with the gold trim.

 

[syngent]

Nice looking sailor... Think it would be great selection for your needs Doc knows much better then I on, well l probably everything.... but make sure you let u s know what youbend up with and how it goes over


And when the Nib can claim you as a member as well lol

 

[andrew98]

I have to second the Pilot Vanishing Point. It has a retractable nib like a clicker ball point pen. It's wildly practical for both quick, short notes and longer writing sessions, so it's great for everyday use. It's not overly heavy, and the blue carbonesque finish I'd recommend is beautiful and tactile. It is warm to the touch and provides more grip than a lacquered metal pen. It also comes with a converter and ink cartridge.

I own two (one yellow lacquer and one black carbonesque), and they have worked flawlessly from day one. I recommend the medium nib to start with, but the beauty of this pen is that the nib, feed, and part that holds the converter are all one piece. If you want a fine or broad nib later, you just buy that internal part of the pen, which costs a lot less than an entire pen. You unscrew the pen in the middle, pull out the nib/feed/converter unit and slide in a different one with whatever nib size you like. It's as easy as changing the innards of a roller ball pen.

The Sailor would also be an excellent choice. I'm happy with my Sailor Sapporo, but I would recommend the Vanishing Point first.

Good luck with your search!

-Andy

p.s. - These pens are called carbonesque, but the finish just looks like a cross hatch pattern, not really like carbon fiber.

 

[andrew98]

The only complaint I've heard with these pens is that the clip can get in the way if you write with your index finger over the top of the pen, as some folks do. Also, if your budget allows, I would recommend a leather pen case, like this. There are others out there, but something like that is a must if the pen is going to be carried in a bag or briefcase. I like double pen cases because I can carry both a fountain pen and roller ball, in case someone needs to borrow a pen. Most folks won't know what to do if you hand them a fountain pen.

Check out Noodler's inks. They come in a variety of colors and are good value for money. Clairefontaine makes very nice staionery.

-Andy

 

[jamesspo]

The only complaint I've heard with these pens is that the clip can get in the way if you write with your index finger over the top of the pen, as some folks do. Also, if your budget allows, I would recommend a leather pen case, like this. There are others out there, but something like that is a must if the pen is going to be carried in a bag or briefcase. I like double pen cases because I can carry both a fountain pen and roller ball, in case someone needs to borrow a pen. Most folks won't know what to do if you hand them a fountain pen.

Check out Noodler's inks. They come in a variety of colors and are good value for money. Clairefontaine makes very nice staionery.

-Andy

Thanks Andy, that's a beauty too! I can see myself getting...eh..carried away with these . I was just about to comment on the clip being on the grip end of the pen. It's probably not a big deal, but something I might want to scope out before if I were to buy it as a gift. I'll guess I'll have to take a sneak look while she's writing sometime to see if I can tell if it would be problem.

On the case, I'll definitely be getting one. Thanks for the pointer. Actually I might get (or possibly make) a wooden pen holder for her desk as well.

 

[Go West Young Man]

As long as you're not doing this....
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7mjd3_the-simpsons-singing-sirloin-birthd_shortfilms


(wait out the ad, then fast forward to 1:15)

 

[jamesspo]

As long as you're not doing this....
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7mjd3_the-simpsons-singing-sirloin-birthd_shortfilms


(wait out the ad, then fast forward to 1:15)

Ha! Well, I'm reasonably sure I'm not gifting this to myself..I least I think I'm not . Naah, she's really into this sort of stuff... I think she'll take to it. If not, I'll take the pen, and let her go crazy with the credit card, or some such .

 

[syngent]

Well since your buying one for your wife, and now one for yourself, maybe you should get a couple of each of you and see if you cant get yourself a group buy discount,... btw dont forget the nice paper maybe a wax seal kit, some ink,...

Have you thought about a dip pen btw <~~~ this question is actually serious

 

[jamesspo]

Well since your buying one for your wife, and now one for yourself, maybe you should get a couple of each of you and see if you cant get yourself a group buy discount,... btw dont forget the nice paper maybe a wax seal kit, some ink,...

Have you thought about a dip pen btw <~~~ this question is actually serious

Man, talk about enabling! I'm blaming you when I go bankrupt .

Had to google "dip pen".. those do look cool. From my 30 second read, it looks like that's mostly about using alternative inks that would mess up a fountain pen? Neat, but prob not in my ( I mean my wife's) use case at the moment.. we'll see .

 

[syngent]

No they are just the pre fountain and all other pen, pens,... think of the old feather pen styles,... its a pen that doesnt hold ink, they usually have a holder that you can swap out nibs although modern ones come in glass to,.. have a look at goulet pens for those kinds,.. but instead of filling with ink, you dip them in the bottle believe it or not a simple dip in ink holds enough to write about a page worth of ink

But you can get calligraphy nibs for them,... and the vintage ones have cool flex to them so they can do crazy things
but they can also get pretty elegant looking in their designs both new and old


dip pen Nib and holder


some different nibs


a glass one, their nibs are not swappable

 

[andrew98]

Thanks Andy, that's a beauty too! I can see myself getting...eh..carried away with these . I was just about to comment on the clip being on the grip end of the pen. It's probably not a big deal, but something I might want to scope out before if I were to buy it as a gift. I'll guess I'll have to take a sneak look while she's writing sometime to see if I can tell if it would be problem.

On the case, I'll definitely be getting one. Thanks for the pointer. Actually I might get (or possibly make) a wooden pen holder for her desk as well.

I hold my thumb and index finger on the sides of pens with my middle finger underneath, so it's never been a problem for me. The other thing I forgot to mention about the carbonesque material is that it's more resistant to scratching than resin or lacquered metal pens. It won't pick up micro-scratches like plastic pens tend to and would hold up to a wooden holder. The leather case would be better, though. Also, because the nib is so well protected, even when exposed, it's a robust pen.

-Andy

 

[puros_bran]

I'm huge Sailor fan (that sounds bad) followed closely by Pilot.
Having said that, a nice vintage Parker or Sheaffer is a nice nostalgic gift.