I'm looking to start using a fountain pen once in awhile and I'm not sure what to buy. I know absolutely nothing about them, although I remember having a cheap one years ago. My question is what would you guys suggest? I'm not looking to spend a lot of money and usually don't like buying online, though I will if its a credible site. Thanks for any suggestions.
Getting started
- Thread starter PClark
- Start date
Welcome to the NIB and i think you may have to rethink this statement!
These pens are quite good to get started with depending on you. i am also new to fountain pens, but i really like these. i am sure the more experienced gents will come along and offer some more suggestions. Best of luck to you.
* Pilot 78g (i prefer the Broad nib) approximately $10-15 shipped to Canada.
* Pilot Metropolitan; approximately $20-25 shipped to Canada.
* Lamy Safari
Platinum Plasir, Sheaffer 100, Waterman Kultar etc etc etc. 
Celestino named off a couple of good ones. Some of the ones I posted are still gateway pens, they just cost a tich more depending on where you buy them.
OfficeMax or Staples sometimes have a Parker or Cross starter pack with a pen and carts and sometimes a bottle of ink. You can also find darn near anything on Amazon.com. I'm not sure what you have for Brick and Mortar stores up there.
Celestino named off a couple of good ones. Some of the ones I posted are still gateway pens, they just cost a tich more depending on where you buy them. OfficeMax or Staples sometimes have a Parker or Cross starter pack with a pen and carts and sometimes a bottle of ink. You can also find darn near anything on Amazon.com. I'm not sure what you have for Brick and Mortar stores up there.
I love my Lamy Safari, great pens write every time even after a couple of weeks of not writing with it. they come in a plethora of colors and nib choices.
While I don't have on I don't have a problem recommending the Pilot 78G from all the praises that pen gets on this forum!!! As for size nib a good starting point is what size is your favorite pen that you write with now? As a general thought, if you like a .5 mm or smaller you would get a Fine nib, if you like a .7mm you will probably like a Medium nib and if you like writing with a 1.0 mm or bigger start with a Broad. These are only general guesses though. Go here http://www.gouletpens.com/Nib_Nook_s/1114.htm for an interactive look at different sized nibs and the line width that they write!!! And welcome to the NIB!!! Throw caution to the wind and join our merry band!!!
Tom
Tom
- Thread starter
- #6
where do you order from?
gouletpens.com is a good place to order, you may want to grab yourself a ink sampler pack to have fun with as well
So far I would recommend the Zebra V-301 which you might be lucky to find at a local store, I found one at a Walgreens. I have seen the Pilot Varsity (disposable) fountain pens at Office Depot, but I have not tried them. Not sure if you have either of those stores near where you live. The only problem with the Zebra pen is that you would have to find their ink for it, not sure if you can get a converter or generic refills.
A few good choices posted. I am a Lamy Safari fan. I picked mine up at gouletpens.com as well. I have no stores that carry fountain pens in my area. I have a medium nib and my next will get an italic for a bit of line variation. Get yourself a sample pack of inks like syngent stated and you should be good to go.
Out of these 3, I perfer the 78g. The Metro is also nice, but a bit too heavy for my tastes. I got my 78g off ebay. Took awhile to come because I don't think they're sold in North America for whatever reason. The Safari is a bit more expensive and I didn't really see much to justify the extra $$.
Edit: one thing to keep in mind is the Japanese medium nib is about the same as a German fine nib. The Japanese fine is about the same as a German extra fine. If this isn't right, please correct me, but I believe it is correct.
Alarcity59 recommends a places in Canada because it is a Canadian business meaning you don't have to go through US customs. It may also be easier/cheaper for you to order from a Chinese ebayer or even Japanese ebayer depending on price. I don't know the seller names off the top of my head.
If you like a heavier pen, Pilot Metro. If you want something lighter, Pilot 78G. Best starting points I can come up with.
I have and really like the Lamy vista with a fine nib.
I carry that everyday
I carry that everyday
- Thread starter
- #14
I was looking in a few stores and the only fountain pen I could find was a Cross Adventure fountain pen. It uses ink cartridges and it's $40. Anyone have an opinion on this one? Is it any good?
Haven't used one of these. I believe Cross is a decent brand, but also I think it uses a proprietary ink cartridge. I would try to find out whether this specific model will at least use a converter that lets you refill easily from a bottle. Cross does make a converter, but I don't know whether this pen takes it.
I don't know what office supply stores you have where you are, but sometimes if it's a chain they will order something for you that is in their catalog but which they don't normally keep in the store. For example, if I wanted to get a Pilot Metropolitan (which is probably about equivalent to my FP 78Gs), I could go to my local Staples and ask them to get one in for me. So if you want to see one before you buy, that might be an option.
- Thread starter
- #16
Staples is where I found the pen, it was the only one they had on the shelf, that being said I didn't even think to ask if they can order anything for me.
If you do go that route, make sure they order the Metropolitan fountain pen for you. There is also a Metropolitan ball point.
The Metropolitan fountain pen takes proprietary Pilot cartridges, and I don't know if any would be included, but it also comes with a converter. I looked on the Staples web site to see if they have any bottled ink in stock, and came up with this rather confusing reference to what is apparently a bottle of Monteverde ink, but is described as a cartridge. They also have various colors of Iroshizuku ink, which is excellent, but may be a bit pricey to start with.
And of course, you have many other choices for inks and pens. I've bought most of mine from various online dealers.
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- Thread starter
- #18
If you do go that route, make sure they order the Metropolitan fountain pen for you. There is also a Metropolitan ball point.
The Metropolitan fountain pen takes proprietary Pilot cartridges, and I don't know if any would be included, but it also comes with a converter. I looked on the Staples web site to see if they have any bottled ink in stock, and came up with this rather confusing reference to what is apparently a bottle of Monteverde ink, but is described as a cartridge. They also have various colors of Iroshizuku ink, which is excellent, but may be a bit pricey to start with.
And of course, you have many other choices for inks and pens. I've bought most of mine from various online dealers.
I was looking online but decided I'd rather buy from an actual store if I could for my first pen so that I could actually see it before I buy it.
Pilot Metropolitan was my fifth pen.
I wish it had been my first. 14.99 off Amazon. It is one of the best deals going......site wide....not just pens.
It's that good.
I wish it had been my first. 14.99 off Amazon. It is one of the best deals going......site wide....not just pens.
It's that good.
- Thread starter
- #20
Now the problem is did you use amazon.com or amazon.ca? The one for the U.S. makes Canadians pay duties on anything shipped. Also the Canadian one doesn't have a lot of the stuff the U.S. one has.
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