I had a fountain pen 20 years ago, and enjoyed using it. I think I want to get another, but don't really know where to start. What I do know is that I want a pen that I can refill, doesn't use a disposable cartridge, and doesn't cost too much. If I like using it, I can upgrade later. Can you give me some ideas of what to look for and good places to get it from? Thanks.
Fountain pen for complete rookie
- Thread starter gmgaj
- Start date
Lamy Safari is a nice starter pen.
Platinum Preppy is inexpensive and can use a converter or be used as an eyedropper.
Goulet Pens is one of the recommended vendors.
Goulet Pens is one of the recommended vendors.
I would highly recommend reading through this thread recently started by a convert such as yourself.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/325544-I-m-only-here-to-research
There are a LOT of really good tips in it.
I wonder if we could sticky a good "Getting Started" guide with entry level suggestions, vendors, and such.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/325544-I-m-only-here-to-research
There are a LOT of really good tips in it.
I wonder if we could sticky a good "Getting Started" guide with entry level suggestions, vendors, and such.
What's your budget? Lots of "acquisition" consultants here to help spend your money!
Platinum Preppy or Pilot Metropolitan. Which ever you decide on, I highly recommend Goulet Pens. Lots of helpful videos and reviews.
Agree with BigWill, Pilot metropolitan is a good metal pen. I think it would last longer than the Preppy and looks better IMO. Goulet pens is a great resource for learning and buying, they have a lot of reasonably priced pens and everything to go with them. Plus, if your lucky, you may get a bag of jelly beans or a tootsie pop with your order 
What's your budget? Lots of "acquisition" consultants here to help spend your money!
Acquisition Consultants! I like it!
Should be a badge!
If you haven't tried a Lamy Al-Star or Safari before, I'm hesitant to suggest them. The triangle grip is not for everyone, it didn't work for me.
I always like to recommend a Pilot 78g or Metropolitan. My first was a Noodler's Resin Piston Filler and it gets the job done.
I always like to recommend a Pilot 78g or Metropolitan. My first was a Noodler's Resin Piston Filler and it gets the job done.
Almost every fountain pen out there is refillable (ie, not limited to disposable cartridges). 99% of current-production pens use "cartridge converters", which are easily refilled mechanisms that replace the cartridge in a pen. This is going to be your best bet to start.
(You may also want to consider an "eyedropper" pen, which is basically a pen you fill the whole insides with a syringe or eyedropper ... hence the name ... and seal the threads with a bit of silicone grease. A bit trickier for a n00b, but the pen holds a lot more ink. But the pen has to be non-metal, and non-leaking.)
You can order a Pilot 78g pen off e-bay for $10, including worldwide shipping, a converter, and a couple of cartridges. You can get a bottle of decent ink at your local Staples or Office Depot &c. IIRC, Parker Quink is usually sold there. Then you are good to go. The 78g can also be 'eyedroppered' as well ... you just need a bit of silicone grease on the threads where the pen comes apart halfway down the body.
If you have a bigger budget, there are other options too ...
Another vote on the Metropolitan. All the other entry level pens are a plastic or resin, this one is a decent solid metal body. Costs only a bit more than the 78g or preppy, but I don't worry about the cap/body cracking if it falls off the table.
The disposable cartridges themselves are even refillable with a fairly cheap syringe setup, btw.
The disposable cartridges themselves are even refillable with a fairly cheap syringe setup, btw.
+1 Great pen for the price.
I love the Lamy Safari and Al-Star.
Ditto on the metal Pilot Metropolitan. Got the wife an Al-Star, has a more ergo design good writer, but is 3 times the price of the $15 Pilot Metro.
Also, nib, feed and section are swapable with the plastic Pilot 78g so you can get a different nib for cheap if you want. You can supply ink with cartridge, converter or use as an eyedropper if you want. Converter included. With the Lamy that's another $5
Get the Metropolitan. A great place to start.
Also, nib, feed and section are swapable with the plastic Pilot 78g so you can get a different nib for cheap if you want. You can supply ink with cartridge, converter or use as an eyedropper if you want. Converter included. With the Lamy that's another $5
Get the Metropolitan. A great place to start.
- Thread starter
- #16
I think the metro is what I'm looking for. I'll hopefully have something in the next week or 2 at the most. Thank you everyone for you input.
- Thread starter
- #17
I just got a pilot metropolitan for my birthday. It has 1 cartridge that will get me through a while, but am now looking for ink. What's a good bottle of ink to learn with? Is the private reserve stuff on the bay any good?
I've used several Noodler's inks in the past. They're good value and work fine. Some of them exhibit gorgeous shading. I'm going to try Diamine inks next, though. They cost about the same as Noodler's, and Diamine may be lower maintenance when it comes to cleaning your pen. I just posted an ink thread with a link in it that you may find useful.
-Andy
-Andy
Last edited:
I also recommend the Lamy Safari and Pilot 78G
Funny how the Metropolitan is so difficult to find in the UK.
After much googling, I've come to the conclusion that it's sold under the name 'Pilot MR Series', with the fountain pen being the 'MR1'. There's one retailer offering it at £18.95 but they only stock a medium nib. The only option I can find for a fine nib is to have one shipped from HK, which runs to £30 ($48) which is a shame as I love a fine nib.
That kind of cost brings many nice pens into scope. Is a metropolitan worth $48?
After much googling, I've come to the conclusion that it's sold under the name 'Pilot MR Series', with the fountain pen being the 'MR1'. There's one retailer offering it at £18.95 but they only stock a medium nib. The only option I can find for a fine nib is to have one shipped from HK, which runs to £30 ($48) which is a shame as I love a fine nib.
That kind of cost brings many nice pens into scope. Is a metropolitan worth $48?
