Help for picking fountain pens

[Miss Neecerie]

I've been looking for a fountain pen for a while. I didn't know I could look so close to home. I volunteer at a museum in Monrovia every Thursday so next week when I go there I'm going to stop in and do some pen shopping (or window shopping- oh my poor empty pockets)

Its on -south- Myrtle.....almost to Longden....if you are heading south from the rest of Monrovia...its in a small industrial complex that will be on your left hand side.

 

[JennyLou]

Ok. Than you so much Miss Neecerie.

 

[Bugsy]

-I think there have been other posts about this, if there is can someone direct me to it and delete this post? -

I am looking to buy some era correct fountain pens, I used to write with then all through middle and high school. And I guess I used them too much and the nibs broke. There is just something about using a fountain pen thats so...idk its like your true hand writing. What would be a good company? Conklin? I miss writing with fountain pens a lot!

Thanks and best regards,
Dylan

I have a Mont Blanc and a Cross. The Mont Blanc is quite reliable, more so than the Cross.

 

[JEEP]

I find my new MB to be much more unreliable than my vintage Parkers. It constantly dries out on me, even when using the original MB ink.


Regards.

Jakob

 

[Miss Neecerie]

While a MB might be a good choice....the person asking is 17.

Erm even if one could afford a MB at that age ( I won't assume he can or that he can't), I would still recommend starting with something else.

All sorts of things happen at school and college.....and a valuable pen going missing or stolen is a greater tragedy then a 30 dollar pen getting taken.

 

[JEEP]

Agreed. I would recommend a Parker Duofold or 51 as the first pen for anyone. They are build like tanks, has a varaity of nibs available, they can be found for reasonable prices and they definitly has that "feel" to them.

I actually have an Esterbrook laying aruond somewhere, sadly the bladder has dried out and crumbled. I guess it is time to have it restored


Regards.

Jakob

 

[scotrace]

Merged into this one.

 

[SweetieStarr]

I do love fountain pens, they add a touch of class to what I write and they just feel more classy. Anyways, I was hoping I could get some help on selecting a practical fountain pen. Right now I have a Scheaffer fountain pen. It has a plastic body, a nice nib with a fairly even ink flow. I like it, but I feel like I am writing a symphony with a crayon sometimes. I can't afford a very fancy one, but I am looking for a practical pen that can last me for a while. So, I'm open to your suggestions and pointers.

If you want some really cheap pens, get the Pilot Varsity. It's disposable, but there is a hack where you can refill them (PM me if you want details). Also, the Reform 1745 is very cheap and a piston filler. Good little pen.

If you want to go a bit nicer - Parker 45. It was my first FP and consistently great. You can find some for not too much money, usually cheaper than a 51.

If you will excuse the shameless plug, there is more FP info at my pen site http://www.plume-etoile.com.

 

[Shangas]

Duofolds and '51's are certainly tough and reliable pens; I have one of the former and three of the latter, and I do agree that they make wonderful writers, but they can be rather expensive...and you'd never forgive yourself if you lost them or broke them.

I would suggest starting with a modern fountain pen such as a Waterman Phileas, Harmonie, a Sheaffer Legacy or if you can manage it, a MODERN Parker Duofold (some of the older ones from the 1980s & 90s go for fairly good prices). Start with one of those, before you move to vintage models.

If you want to start REALLY cheap and all that, and you're worried about losing your fountain pen/s, there are plenty of companies that manufacture "disposable" fountain pens...Pilot, comes to mind here. They're cheap, but dependable.

 

[fiddletown]

Good evening. This is my first post here.

I've used a fountain pen for my everyday business since I bought my first Mont Blanc, a Diplomat, in 1965. However, for about the last 10 years, my first choices have been either a Pelikan 605 or an Omas Paragon Celluloid.

 

[Viola]

My guy has and likes a Waterman pen. If I wanted to get him another or similar for Christmas this year, what are good models or brands? I know nothing about this. I'd prefer something with gold accents but that's not required.

 

[rippsnorter]

Hi all, first post here.

I'm looking at getting my first fountain pen, and yes I've done extensive reading on here about it. Waterman Phileas have unfortunately jumped in price to nearly $80 since this thread was started, so they're not as cheap as before.

Would you recommend a Lamy Safari for around $25 for my first, or a Parker Sonnet for around $80? Pelikan 400s can be had used for around $130 to $150 on ebay, but I'd rather not spend that much. I would prefer some sort of filler pen, not cartridge, but I guess I can get a converter for a Lamy Safari if I must. Does anyone know what kind of fill the Parker Sonnet uses?

Nice board you have here!

By the way, is there any sort of general discussion forum on here that I can introduce myself on?

Rip

 

[rippsnorter]

Well, I went with none of the above and just bought a Parker 51 Aeromatic Fine Nib off of ebay. Very excited for it to arrive. I also bought some Pelikan Royal Blue to go with it.

Is there anything I should do to it when I get it before I use it? I believe I read to flush it out with water 10 or 12 times, is that all? Should I run some rubbing alcohol through it? I'm thinking that would be detrimental to the sac.

--- Edit ---

After reading through various googled pages I found Richardspens.com and his Care and Feeding: How to Pamper Your Pens page. (there is no direct link) which seems very helpful.

 

[Shangas]

Fill + flush with cold, clear water several times, just in case the pen's full of crap. Once the pen's clean, empty water, fill with ink and write.

 

[John in Covina]

My guy has and likes a Waterman pen. If I wanted to get him another or similar for Christmas this year, what are good models or brands? I know nothing about this. I'd prefer something with gold accents but that's not required.

When it comes to pens it is a lot like watches you need to have an idea as to what your budget is going to be.

When it comes to brands I like to point to Pelikan as a really superb maker, not that there aren't a lot of fine pen makers out there. Current makers such as Lamy, Pilot, Namiki, Platinum, Laban, Rotring, and even Hero pens have models covering economy to pretty extravagent and pricy.


If you are interested in vintage and your guy has an interest in vintage also you can buy a nice vintage pen (fountain pen) and have a lot to choose from too. the big names after waterman were parker and Sheaffer. There were tons of smaller but really great makers like Wahl-Eversharp, Conklin, Chilton, Onoto and many others. i love Esterbrooks a lot.