Could anyone recommend a decent fountain pen? Maybe around $50? I would like to have one, but dont have several 100 to spend.
Thanks
Thanks
Decent fountain pen
- Thread starter sgtslaughter
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The Lamy Safari with a converter and some decent ink plus shipping should end up around that price. Get the fine nib and you'll be quite happy with it I think.
+1 on the Safari. Also make sure you get the converter so you can take advantage of the vast variety of ink colors available.
-1 on the safari, + 1 on a vintage Parker "51"
The Safari is OK. However, the Parker 51 is one of the best available at any price. You might spend $10-$30 over your budget, but you'll get a pen you can use forever.
I started using fountain pens in 1994 and have a couple hundred in the collection. Some I really love and some I have flings with for a few months, but there's a 51 in my pocket right now.
Look for a common color like gray or black (some colors are highly sought after and expensive), a stainless cap and an "aerometric" filler. The aerometric is more reliable than a vacuumatic (though a vac is a good pen) and pretty much never needs service. Just occasional flushing (involving a glass of water) and a polish. I've taken 51s all over the place. They're great on airplanes, don't leak and always work.
Though you might spend a little more on a 51, they're wonderful pens. Another benefit is that you can always get your money out of one. If you paid $70 for one, odds are you'll get $70 or more back if you decide to sell it.
I started using fountain pens in 1994 and have a couple hundred in the collection. Some I really love and some I have flings with for a few months, but there's a 51 in my pocket right now.
Look for a common color like gray or black (some colors are highly sought after and expensive), a stainless cap and an "aerometric" filler. The aerometric is more reliable than a vacuumatic (though a vac is a good pen) and pretty much never needs service. Just occasional flushing (involving a glass of water) and a polish. I've taken 51s all over the place. They're great on airplanes, don't leak and always work.
Though you might spend a little more on a 51, they're wonderful pens. Another benefit is that you can always get your money out of one. If you paid $70 for one, odds are you'll get $70 or more back if you decide to sell it.
I would recommend a Rotring Initial Fountain Pen. It is a classy pen and can use either a cartridge of converter.
http://www.penboutique.com/showprod...EName=rotring-initial-black-matt-fountain-pen
It is a little over your budget but it is a good fountain pen, and that is a Pelikan M 205 transparent blue demonstrator.
http://www.penboutique.com/p-5125-pelikan-demo-m205-blue-fountain-pen.aspx
Others have suggest the Lamy Safari. It is a good pen, I have one. But kick it up a notch with a Lamy Joy Calligraphy Fountain Pen.
http://www.penboutique.com/p-572-lamy-joy-calligraphy-fountain-pen-l15.aspx
If you are a fan of things Italian the Aurora Ipsilon is a good choice as well.
http://www.penboutique.com/p-65-aurora-ipsilon-satin-orange-fountain-pen.aspx
This should be a good start for you. The Pen Boutique is as good a web site as any other to begin your search and initiate a purchase. I have been a fountain pen fan for a long time. I prefer Pelikan and Omas. This is a classy hobby that nicely dovetails with retro shaving devices and methods, classy watches and other refined accoutrements.
Have fun.
RKL
http://www.penboutique.com/showprod...EName=rotring-initial-black-matt-fountain-pen
It is a little over your budget but it is a good fountain pen, and that is a Pelikan M 205 transparent blue demonstrator.
http://www.penboutique.com/p-5125-pelikan-demo-m205-blue-fountain-pen.aspx
Others have suggest the Lamy Safari. It is a good pen, I have one. But kick it up a notch with a Lamy Joy Calligraphy Fountain Pen.
http://www.penboutique.com/p-572-lamy-joy-calligraphy-fountain-pen-l15.aspx
If you are a fan of things Italian the Aurora Ipsilon is a good choice as well.
http://www.penboutique.com/p-65-aurora-ipsilon-satin-orange-fountain-pen.aspx
This should be a good start for you. The Pen Boutique is as good a web site as any other to begin your search and initiate a purchase. I have been a fountain pen fan for a long time. I prefer Pelikan and Omas. This is a classy hobby that nicely dovetails with retro shaving devices and methods, classy watches and other refined accoutrements.
Have fun.
RKL
The Lamy Safari will do in a pinch but if you can squirrel away another $30-40 you can get a decent Parker 51, they are a timeless elegent pen that never quits.
+1 for the 51! Lovley pen.
Totally agree. And make sure the water is cold, not hot, when you flush it. If you hate it, you'll be able to sell it for what you paid for it.
Also going to suggest the Safari. Reliable, comfortable, lots of colors to choose from. I got mine from jetpens.com who had great service. Price of the pen, converter, and J. Herbin ink was $43; $46 if you get Noodler's Ink. Go to www.fountainpennetwork.com and scrounge around the reviews of inks to find the shade of color you want, and see who provides that color. Be sure to read reviews of the ink to see if something about the ink doesn't factor into your liking (like, you probably shouldn't get a slow-drying ink if you are a lefty because of your dragging hand, or not to get a ink that sun dries quickly if you want more permeation).
If you can afford it, the 51 is a good choice. Like everyone else here has said, if you get a decent price on it, you should be able to sell it for about the same.
If you can't afford the 51, I'd suggest the 21. They can still be had for fairly reasonable prices. It doesn't have the high quality of design and materials as the 51, but its still a good workhorse.
If you can't afford the 51, I'd suggest the 21. They can still be had for fairly reasonable prices. It doesn't have the high quality of design and materials as the 51, but its still a good workhorse.
I would say the 51 as a first choice and if that was out of your budget a Hero 100. I have both and they both write really well.
Pretty happy with my Lamy Safari. Haven't tried the Parker but it sounds interesting too.
Or the Hero 110/110 (replica 51's) which will fit in the budget. I have become very fond of the Hero pens.
Just out of your budget but you'd be glad you bought it first time! Pelikan M200. Tough as old boots and writes superbly. I have a couple and I can leave them for months and they don't dry up. Even with their stainless steel nibs they write as smooth as silk.
They only used bottle ink though if you're looking for a cartridge pen.
Gareth
They only used bottle ink though if you're looking for a cartridge pen.
Gareth
The Heroes are actually decent pens. Best part is that they're so cheap, you won't cry if something happens to them.
I'm a huge Pelikan fan. Super pens. I've had the same experience of not using a Pelikan for an extended time and having it start right up when it hit paper. Again, though, a bit above the $50.
If you have the money, a 51 is probably a more practical pen for daily usage. I use a 51 at work, but a Pelikan at home.
I'm a huge Pelikan fan. Super pens. I've had the same experience of not using a Pelikan for an extended time and having it start right up when it hit paper. Again, though, a bit above the $50.
If you have the money, a 51 is probably a more practical pen for daily usage. I use a 51 at work, but a Pelikan at home.
I've been using a Safari and have been looking for something a bit nicer. I'd been looking at the Cross Century II, but the reviews weren't as stellar as I would have liked. I researched the Initial, based on your post, and liked what I saw. I found a new silver Initial fine nib for $35.95 and it's on the way. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have always gotten great use of a simple Cross fountain pen. When I bought it around 15 years ago, it was only around $30. It is actually my best writing pen, even though I have several others that were much more expensive.
Tim
Tim
Hey Guys
I can't for the life of me remember what I paid for my Pelikan M200, I think it was a bit higher than your price range, but their prices can vary depending on where you look. By all accounts it's a great starter pen, I certainly like mine.
Keep up posted on your choice! They're a lot of fun to write with.
Regards
Derek
I can't for the life of me remember what I paid for my Pelikan M200, I think it was a bit higher than your price range, but their prices can vary depending on where you look. By all accounts it's a great starter pen, I certainly like mine.
Keep up posted on your choice! They're a lot of fun to write with.
Regards
Derek
My daily writer is a Waterman Phileas fountain pen in green marbled finish. I have a converter for it, but usually use a syringe to refill the cartridges with Quink or Caran d'Ache Amazon Green. Mine is vintage. I prefer it to several other vintage fountain pens that I have.
They are available rather often on the bay for $50 or less (I just checked).
They are available rather often on the bay for $50 or less (I just checked).
