Fountain Pen: How Much Would You Spend?

[Mendel]

Time for another poll:

So, how much would you spend for a fountain pen? Please cast your vote.

 

[Artimid]

Before the Vanishing Point, I would have said $25 (for my Lamy). I cannot see myself possibly spending this much again on a pen, but things might change. I expected a quality difference, but... not this much. So I can't say no, for sure, but right now my limit is ~$140.

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Well, my most expensive purchase should land Monday or Tuesday: an Edison Glenmont, $260.

Part of the purchase was curiosity; i.e. "What can Edison do for me"?

Another part was choosing to support a very well respected maker by the name of Brian Gray. I love to support small businesses, especially when they're headed by someone that really knows their stuff.

I want quality, good customer service, a good value considering materials and resources used and the kind of customer support that truly believes in those things, also.

Given that, I could see myself spending upwards of $500.

 

[Slivovitz]

For many of us, the level gradually creeps upward, after an initial period when paying even $20 for a pen seems outrageous. It crept a little above $150 for me once, so I selected that range.

It can creep downward again, however. I've spent a fair amount of time window shopping pens in the range from $200 to You've-Got-To-Be-Kidding-Me, and don't see anything that's worth it to me. At this point, I can't see paying anything close to what I already have.

 

[American1911]

A Pilot G-2 (10) for $1 is hard to beat. However, when I want a light, smooth, large fountain pen that lays down ink better than the Pilot it tends to cost 200+.

 

[maxman]

I would spend what's necessary to get what I want.
Often that means I have to save up, but it's worth it!

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

What's necessary for the pen I want and the disposable income I have at the time

 

[Lexbomb]

That's a hard one because it doesn't just come down to dollars. I couldn't pay $150 for a safari but I would pay more than that for a Pelikan. I love both but I don't think they are comparable under the same price point.

 

[Snargle]

I have one pen (a Waterman Carene) that cost over $200, but it was a gift. I also have an Edison that was just under $200. I really can't see me spending more than that unless something were to dramatically change my financial status. The bulk of my collection is vintage pens found in the wild, and that's where my pen interests lie.

 

[Slivovitz]

A Pilot G-2 (10) for $1 is hard to beat. However, when I want a light, smooth, large fountain pen that lays down ink better than the Pilot it tends to cost 200+.

I think I'll have to (quite amiably) disagree with you on that one, although "large" is not something I look for in a fountain pen anyway. The Pilot G2 is a great pen for people who want a step up in performance over ballpoints without getting caught up in fountain pen madness, and it can compete with some fountain pens for smoothness and overall performance. Even if you leave out vintage FPs, however, you don't need to come anywhere close to $200 to get something clearly superior. You can probably make a case for a number of pens in the $25 to $50 range, but I'll just mention two pens right around $50, a TWSBI 540 and Taccia Overture. YMMV as always, and of course, at some point people are paying for something other that simple writing performance.

If you include vintage pens you may get something better for much less than that, even including any cost of restoration. That's harder to judge, though, as you can't count on finding the same prices that other people did.

This brings up the question of the price point where you reach diminishing returns for performance, but I think that would be another thread, which I'll start when I think of how to phrase it.

 

[oc_in_fw]

For many of us, the level gradually creeps upward, after an initial period when paying even $20 for a pen seems outrageous. It crept a little above $150 for me once, so I selected that range.

It can creep downward again, however. I've spent a fair amount of time window shopping pens in the range from $200 to You've-Got-To-Be-Kidding-Me, and don't see anything that's worth it to me. At this point, I can't see paying anything close to what I already have.

I selected over $200. I would have never though that until I got my M200. Now $300 for an M600 doesn't sound outrageous- hell, it has a gold nib after all

 

[SAPed]

I'm completely new to this, bought a Lamy Vista last week, and felt $35 was very reasonable. I probably would have thought there is no need to spend more, unless you wanted aesthetics (metal vs plastic, etc). But, I wrote with a Lamy Studio that was about $85 if I remember correctly. The feel of the pen was great, and if I stick with a fountain pen, I can see spending that. Certainly its a luxury purchase, but not outrageous if you find value in it. Its not much more than taking a family of four out to eat at a reasonable restaurant.

Because of the difference that I experienced between the Vista and the Studio, I imagine there is another jump like that in noticeable difference to maybe a $130-$150 range. After that, I would think diminishing returns quickly sets in. Keep in mind, thats diminishing returns in terms of performance. If you value a certain design (appearance) or brand name, then your own personal returns aren't diminishing at that point.

Mmmmm, I guess I better go test this theory by heading back to that pen store and writing with some other pens - I'm sure I could resist!!

 

[Mr5x5]

Unless my financial circumstances change greatly, I can't spend over $50. Even if my circumstances did change greatly, $100 would be the most I would spend. As much as I now enjoy writing with a FP, I can think of other things I would rather do with $100 than spend it on a pen. Others have different priorities than I do which is as it should be.

 

[mmack66]

I spent over $200 for my Parker Duofold Centennial Special Edition Orange, but for everything else I prefer to keep it under $50.

 

[rickcharles606]

For me it's about value. If there is value to what I'm buying and I can get it at a good price, I will. What's a good price, well that's a price that leaves room for me to sell it at a later date and still be right at fair market value. If I sell it, lol. I've always been one to preach that, "you get what you pay for" so I don't mind paying more for quality. Quality is part of the value ;-)

 

[Isaac]

I am ashamed to say.

 

[cursethis]

At the moment, I'm capping myself to $200. I'll totally blow through that once funds and desire coincide in a perfect storm.

 

[mikeschu]

I'm probably at about $150 these days, but let me get my vintage Pelikan from the 'bay first and see how that writes.

 

[flat_tire]

Here is my dilemma; my most expensive pen to date is the TWSBI Vac 700 (followed closely by the F&C B&B fountain pen). For each of the past two years I have watched the Edison group buys develop and then pass by. For the past year I have been coming to terms with spending almost $200 on an Edison pen and these posts very much hint that something is coming. However, I don't want to pass on other opportunities based on unknowns and I can only buy one expensive pen this year.

I know you mods like to keep a tight lid on these things, but can I get a timeframe? Will something more definitive be leaked before April 7th?

 

[oc_in_fw]

Unless my financial circumstances change greatly, I can't spend over $50. Even if my circumstances did change greatly, $100 would be the most I would spend. As much as I now enjoy writing with a FP, I can think of other things I would rather do with $100 than spend it on a pen. Others have different priorities than I do which is as it should be.

If you ever spend $100, go $20 more and get a Pelikan M200. The capacity is great, when compared to cartridge/converters (of which I won't buy again)