Fountain Pen Suggestions

[osueng800]

After a lengthy dry spell from my cheapo fountain pen I have decided to return now that graduation is nearing and my professional appearance is in need of polishing. My price range is a bit limited ( $15-$50), but I’m curious as to what my fellow shavers would suggest for a good starter fountain pen.

Please lend me your thoughts !!!!

 

[Sluggo]

After a lengthy dry spell from my cheapo fountain pen I have decided to return now that graduation is nearing and my professional appearance is in need of polishing. My price range is a bit limited ( $15-$50), but I’m curious as to what my fellow shavers would suggest for a good starter fountain pen.

Please lend me your thoughts !!!!

You can find a Parker 51 for that price. I would start there. If you need something more dressy, look for a used Lamy Studio.

 

[m13a8]

One pen that will DEFINITELY fit your price range is a Lamy Logo if you want to buy brand new. I got mine from here: http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/cPath/214_809 and have been using it for the past couple of months for everything from note taking to homework in class.

It's available in several sized nibs. I have the fine nibbed version and it's perfect for my writing style! I'm excited to see other people in the shaving community excited about fountain pens, as it is one of my favorite interests!

 

[RichGem]

You'll find a good selection of vintage pens in that price range which will also be more comfortable to use for long stretches as opposed to the modern stuff which tends to be over priced, imho, and much heavier than the vintage. If you go modern,imho, go with Pelikan, tho you'll have to up your budget. Lamy safari isn't bad as mentioned above, but I found it too big for my hand and kind of toy-ish looking.

 

[Mycon]

I've been pretty happy with the Sheaffer Prelude Fine-Nib that I got for Christmas. It writes nice and smooth on all but the cheapest paper, and being made of metal it has a nice feel in the hand.

 

[kwk285]

I use a Lamy Al Star. I like the heft of it compared to the Safari

 

[Menhir]

I'm a big fan of the Waterman Phileas. Not too expensive.
They have gone up in price recently but you still may be able to find one in your range. It's not just a good pen for the price, it's a good pen, period.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Parker 51 bud...all the way no question!

 

[Miles]

If you're looking for an overwhelming collection of good fountain pen information, may I suggest that you take a look at http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/

I've been going thorough the site over the past few days and am keen to get a pen and some ink myself.

Good luck!

 

[Baker]

I'm excited to see other people in the shaving community excited about fountain pens, as it is one of my favorite interests!

Amen to what you said! The two just seem to go hand in hand. I received a Levenger True Writer with the stub nib over Christmas, and it has been a real pleasure to use. There are several True Writers available for under fifty bucks, with the choice of fine, medium or broad nib.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Just wrote two B-Day cards with my Pelikan M215 with specialty stub nib...yeah...I'm hooked into this hobby as well!

 

[osueng800]

thank you all for the great suggestions.

One of my family members recently found a couple fountain pens in storage. I have figured out they are 1953-1963 Sheaffer Tip Dip fountain pens. One is blue, but the other is yellow. Supposedly they only made four colors, none of which are even close to yellow.

The yellow pen is identical to the blue with the exception of the color.

Any help with identification would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[CCMphysician]

What was your major? I find that the pen really does seem to suit the person. If you are science/engineering, I would suggest the Lamy Safari.

-CCM

 

[Razor&Pens]

From where you are, go to the Chicago Pen Show at the end of April/beginning of May or go to the Ohio Pen Show in Columbus in November.

 

[sol92258]

I am just getting into FPs, so I can't really offer any "professional" suggestions. But, I have a Pilot Knight that I gave myself as a Christmas present, it's hefty, but I like it, writes well, and have gotten several compliments on it. I think it was about $40.

I have two Pilot Plumix pens that I got at Target, one blue and one black, that I keep have their respective colored inks in. They have more of a calligraphy-type nib, but they're fun to write with.

My day-to-pen is Pilot Varsity. Disposable fountain pens that write forever, and rather nicely, especially for the price. I get a case of 12 for $24, and keep some at the office, at home, etc.

But, I'm on the verge of breaking down and looking for a Parker 51, they're very highly recommended, as you've already seen here.

 

[Jim B.]

Lamy Safari or Waterman Phileas.

 

[andrew98]

I'm a big fan of the Waterman Phileas. Not too expensive.
They have gone up in price recently but you still may be able to find one in your range. It's not just a good pen for the price, it's a good pen, period.

+1 to the Phileas. I've also bought 2 Waterman Laureats (Laureat is the correct spelling) for $30 each. That's probably my favorite pen.

-Andy

 

[dchasef]

Where can you find a Parker 51 in that price range (I would be interested in one myself)?

 

[superbleu]

Where can you find a Parker 51 in that price range (I would be interested in one myself)?

15-50 dollars??? No where because it would already be sold. You'd have to be pretty lucky to get one in decent shape at even 50 dollars. 65-100 dollars is probably more in line with pricing of a middle of the road P51

 

[dchasef]

15-50 dollars??? No where because it would already be sold. You'd have to be pretty lucky to get one in decent shape at even 50 dollars. 65-100 dollars is probably more in line with pricing of a middle of the road P51

Thanks. I was beginning to wonder when I saw prices much higher than the range given by the OP. BTW, thanks also for the fountain pen site earlier, I ordered from her a few days ago.

Regards,
Chase