Fantasizing about dropping some cash on a FP

[Vlad]

I'm planning on selling some pens soon and IF they all sell, and IF I get the amount I have in mind for them, I could have $600 to spend So I'm already thinking of ways to spend it. Here is what I have in mind.

Pelikan 100/100N I love me some Pels!
Pelikan 400-size with silver cap
Aurora Optima
Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze
Visconti Homo Sapiens Midi Silver (bronze is cooler, but this is more my size)
MB Boheme
MB 146

Any other ideas? Here's some considerations:

• No cart/converter. Boheme is the exception because of the retractable nib.
• I prefer pens which post reasonably well. HS bronze probably fails this, though.
• I really want to try a Visconti because they are the only truly innovative maker these days, but I generally do not find the italians attractive. I have a Dolcevita, though, and love it except for the converter.

 

[Vlad]

Also I don't care for Japanese pens much. I like the heritage of European makers, and am not into the maki-e or other painted finishes.

 

[andrew98]

Not to muddy the water, but have you seen the Dolce Vita Stantuffo Star? It's a piston fill and a restrained design. I'd love to own one, personally.

-Andy

 

[Rudy Vey]

I think Pelikan's are excellent pens!! I have three myself (and as a kid in Germany wrote with a Pelikano Schulfueller...) I love the piston fill system. The best pricing can be found here:
http://www.isellpens.com/pelikan.htm

Bought two from them and the 800 last year when a company was selling them for about half price (forgot the company's name, though).

But, have you considered Edison pens, too?? I think for your spending limit, you can get two from Brian!

 

[Vlad]

Not to muddy the water, but have you seen the Dolce Vita Stantuffo Star? It's a piston fill and a restrained design. I'd love to own one, personally.

-Andy

I was just looking at those, Andy. I think Bry at Pentime has slightly better prices, and would be a great deal on a Delta piston filler.

I think Pelikan's are excellent pens!! I have three myself (and as a kid in Germany wrote with a Pelikano Schulfueller...) I love the piston fill system. The best pricing can be found here:
http://www.isellpens.com/pelikan.htm

Bought two from them and the 800 last year when a company was selling them for about half price (forgot the company's name, though).

But, have you considered Edison pens, too?? I think for your spending limit, you can get two from Brian!

I think I am up to 7 Pelikans, vintage and modern. They are my favorite. I will eventually want a green striated, but it can wait. So far, Edison has not cought my eye. I am not sure why. I appreciate that they are hand made, but his bulb fillers seem rudimentary and expensive next to something like a Delta piston or Viscomti plunger.

 

[Dave258]

The Visconti Homo Sapien is definitely on my short list! When the funds appear.

 

[macjager]

I have the Visconti HS (amongst other pens), and I find that it is more comfortable unposted, as posted the weight is thrown off and becomes top heavy. It is a very smooth writer with Diamine ink, and comfortable.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

I think Pelikan's are excellent pens!! I have three myself (and as a kid in Germany wrote with a Pelikano Schulfueller...) I love the piston fill system. The best pricing can be found here:
http://www.isellpens.com/pelikan.htm

Bought two from them and the 800 last year when a company was selling them for about half price (forgot the company's name, though).

But, have you considered Edison pens, too?? I think for your spending limit, you can get two from Brian!

Rudy,

I believe you're thinking of PenCity.com I wonder if they will have the same sale again this year?

 

[LouieGrandie]

Also I don't care for Japanese pens much. I like the heritage of European makers, and am not into the maki-e or other painted finishes.

To be perfectly honest you are really missing out. Did you know that most European makers get their nibs from the same source, Bock. Only a couple make their own. Sailor and Pilot, two outstanding Japanese companies put a lot of effort into nibs and absolutley shame the Europeans on nibs. A Sailor 1911 Large with a Naginata Togi NMF medium fine nib will absolutely out perform almost all European pens.

 

[maxman]

Oh man. Nice picks.
I'm a MB fan and I would have no hesitation recommending one to anyone.
My 146 is with the platinum accents. I love it, but I do wish I had the gold accents too.

 

[Vlad]

To be perfectly honest you are really missing out. Did you know that most European makers get their nibs from the same source, Bock. Only a couple make their own. Sailor and Pilot, two outstanding Japanese companies put a lot of effort into nibs and absolutley shame the Europeans on nibs. A Sailor 1911 Large with a Naginata Togi NMF medium fine nib will absolutely out perform almost all European pens.

I have and enjoy a Vanishing Point, and I had a Sailor medium-grade pen (with converter), but didn't care for it. I'm fairly easy to please on nibs: flexy, stiff, I like them all as long as they're smooth, and I didn't feel like the Sailor was special in that respect. It took too many turns to take the cap off, and that's a deal-breaker with me.

 

[maxman]

I have and enjoy a Vanishing Point, and I had a Sailor medium-grade pen (with converter), but didn't care for it. I'm fairly easy to please on nibs: flexy, stiff, I like them all as long as they're smooth, and I didn't feel like the Sailor was special in that respect. It took too many turns to take the cap off, and that's a deal-breaker with me.

You know what you like. Don't compromise.
I've learned that lesson.

 

[Doc4]

I have and enjoy a Vanishing Point, and I had a Sailor medium-grade pen (with converter), but didn't care for it. I'm fairly easy to please on nibs: flexy, stiff, I like them all as long as they're smooth, and I didn't feel like the Sailor was special in that respect. It took too many turns to take the cap off, and that's a deal-breaker with me.

Given your dislike of converters, few Japanese pens are left, unless you want to eyedropper a 78g and have $590 left over for ink.

But Sailor makes a "Realo" piston pen for the larger size of 1911 (and occasionally for King of Pen?) so that could still be a good option, with a Naginata togi nib ... really nice, and much better than the "mid-range" Sailor nibs.

But we're talking about a lot of coin here, so if you have your mind set against Japanese pens, then I'm sure you can find lots of other good options ... maybe test drive a naginata togi one of these days ...

 

[Isaac]

Montblanc all the way for me. I am trying to save a bit for a Boheme at the moment. I would personally but a used 149 to appreciate the flagship pen

 

[wimbouman]

Can I be of any assistance?



(Just received it and think it is a beautiful pen indeed)

 

[maxman]

Montblanc all the way for me. I am trying to save a bit for a Boheme at the moment. I would personally but a used 149 to appreciate the flagship pen

Oh yeah the 149 is a nice one, but it's like writing with a pickle.
It's just massive.

Edit: but awesome.

 

[Doc4]

Oh yeah the 149 is a nice one, but it's like writing with a slightly bruised cucumber.
It's just massive.

Edit: but awesome.

ftfy

 

[maxman]

ftfy

 

[Vlad]

Oh yeah the 149 is a nice one, but it's like writing with a pickle.
It's just massive.

Edit: but awesome.

It's...awesome. I got a chance to use one for a couple of weeks, and really enjoyed it. But now I'll be thinking of it as a pickle, and that may help me laugh at it instead of drooling for it.

 

[maxman]

It's...awesome. I got a chance to use one for a couple of weeks, and really enjoyed it. But now I'll be thinking of it as a pickle, and that may help me laugh at it instead of drooling for it.

Still, you gotta get one.
You've just gotta.