5 ms·

Could you recommend a particular fountain pen?

by tjr 13y ago

gtani 13y ago
can you go to a stationary store or art supplies that deals in Waterman, Cross, Mont Blanc etc and try a bunch. Mostly they have gold nibs which make the ink flow really nicely, but they all balance and fit your hand differently, and after a while, the nib softens to how you write
- canthonytucci 13y ago
  jetpens.com, pick up a lamy safari and a couple different nibs of different thicknesses to see what you like best.
gknoy 13y ago
There are whole networks of fountain pen afficionatos with reviews, writing samples, etc for pens, paper, and inks. It's amazing. However, if you're starting out, I recommend getting a cheap pen and then move up if you feel the need. The cheap Pilot Varsity disposable ones are a fantastic starter FP, as they cost about $3, a tenth (or less) of the price of a Good Fountain Pen. Ink isn't changeable, but the leaking is minimal. (They aren't waterproof, though.) The advantage is, if you decide you don't like it, you aren't stuck with it, and if you lose it or loan it out, no big deal. I also like that Staples tends to sell them in a pack of three colors. I've also used the Bic one [1]. It's also OK, and is partially waterproof, but its cap drives me bonkers. It's been a long time since I used one, though, as the pads at current employer bleed a bit when I used my fountain pens. I liked writing on the sugarcane spiral bound pads from Staples because they were so smooth. 1: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/206440-bic-disposable-fountain-pen-a-picture-review/ http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/2064...
canthonytucci 13y ago
http://5by5.tv/penaddict http://5by5.tv/penaddict has a few episodes discussing this. highly recommended if you like to hear people talk about pens for 40 minutes at a time.
ryanobjc 13y ago
I would actively discourage you from even looking at Mont Blanc. They are the designer pens of the ... uh pen world. Personally I have enjoyed my Pelikan... german made, huge ink reservoir and as far as these things go not excessively expensive. Also as many others have pointed out, disposable pens let you get used to the fountain pen world first.
- Spearchucker 13y ago
  I have a carbon fibre and silver Caran D'Arche. It cost me GB£ 500 seven years ago, and I use it daily. It, and my watch (a Breitling Navitimer) are the only things I've ever bought where I was able to perfectly balance utility, quality and aesthetics, and hence didn't care less about the cost. The point is that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.
paulrademacher 13y ago
Lamy Safari + Noodler's ink + a Z24 converter
Ma8ee 13y ago
Lamy Safari. I own and have used many much more expensive pens, but Lamy Safari (fine nib) is still my favourite.

Could you recommend a particular fountain pen?

by tjr 13y ago

Could you recommend a particular fountain pen?

gtani 13y ago

can you go to a stationary store or art supplies that deals in Waterman, Cross, Mont Blanc etc and try a bunch. Mostly they have gold nibs which make the ink flow really nicely, but they all balance and fit your hand differently, and after a while, the nib softens to how you write

canthonytucci 13y ago
jetpens.com, pick up a lamy safari and a couple different nibs of different thicknesses to see what you like best.

gknoy 13y ago

There are whole networks of fountain pen afficionatos with reviews, writing samples, etc for pens, paper, and inks. It's amazing. However, if you're starting out, I recommend getting a cheap pen and then move up if you feel the need. The cheap Pilot Varsity disposable ones are a fantastic starter FP, as they cost about $3, a tenth (or less) of the price of a Good Fountain Pen. Ink isn't changeable, but the leaking is minimal. (They aren't waterproof, though.) The advantage is, if you decide you don't like it, you aren't stuck with it, and if you lose it or loan it out, no big deal. I also like that Staples tends to sell them in a pack of three colors. I've also used the Bic one [1]. It's also OK, and is partially waterproof, but its cap drives me bonkers. It's been a long time since I used one, though, as the pads at current employer bleed a bit when I used my fountain pens. I liked writing on the sugarcane spiral bound pads from Staples because they were so smooth. 1: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/206440-bic-disposable-fountain-pen-a-picture-review/ http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/2064...

canthonytucci 13y ago

http://5by5.tv/penaddict http://5by5.tv/penaddict has a few episodes discussing this. highly recommended if you like to hear people talk about pens for 40 minutes at a time.

ryanobjc 13y ago

I would actively discourage you from even looking at Mont Blanc. They are the designer pens of the ... uh pen world. Personally I have enjoyed my Pelikan... german made, huge ink reservoir and as far as these things go not excessively expensive. Also as many others have pointed out, disposable pens let you get used to the fountain pen world first.

Spearchucker 13y ago
I have a carbon fibre and silver Caran D'Arche. It cost me GB£ 500 seven years ago, and I use it daily. It, and my watch (a Breitling Navitimer) are the only things I've ever bought where I was able to perfectly balance utility, quality and aesthetics, and hence didn't care less about the cost. The point is that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.

paulrademacher 13y ago

Lamy Safari + Noodler's ink + a Z24 converter

Ma8ee 13y ago

Lamy Safari. I own and have used many much more expensive pens, but Lamy Safari (fine nib) is still my favourite.