Thread: Fountain pens on eBay

Originally Posted by eggman

Man that is a sharp looking pen. I have always wanted a fountain pen just not sure where to start.

Fortunately, I had a number of years experience fixing up and reselling old razors. That allowed me a methodology to keep the run-away, pen-buying down. I've still made a few pricing mistakes, but not big ones, and *that* learning curve is getting *real* short. There is a huge range of pricing with modern pens. Prices are very negotiable except for the just-emerging, collectible pens from artsy makers ...... but after a number of years, most will again become available at reasonable prices.

I can't emphasize enough the importance, both in razors and pens, to buy what you like and avoid any buffalo stampede, mass buying frenzies. Do some homework. Run searches on eBay of completed sales and see if there is any pricing pattern. If a really, really good-looking item is priced way under recent sales, ask yourself, "Why?" If an ordinary looking item is priced way high, ask yourself, "Why?" Avoid bidding wars.

Isn't that logo-like arm wielding a battle ax really wicked on the OMAS nib ? *That's* what I mean about buying something you like ....

That's excellent advice David!
I thought buy razors could be tough on eBay but Pen's Wow !!!
I haven't bought a fountain pen in years but have always loved the way they write, got a couple somewhere...must find them.
Takes me back to when I was at primary school in NSW, the government till issued nib pens and there were ink wells in our school desks. The ink came as powder little paper envelopes that were then poured into a stone ink bottle and mixed with water. I bet those ink bottle would be worth something today.
:!:

Hey David, Nice looking gear! You remind me of my first fountain pen experience. I was five or six years old at the time, visiting my Grandparents in Colorado. My Grandfather had a Rexall drugstore ( in downtown Brush ), and I was told I could pick something out for myself. I just couldn’t resist that fountain pen. I don’t recall the brand, but I remember it came with plastic barrels full of the ink. Within a day or so I managed to destroy the nib, and get ink all over the place, including myself. To this day I haven’t bothered with them. But I must say, the pens in your pictures are lovely. Thanks for sharing. Tim

Originally Posted by bones59

Hey David, Nice looking gear! You remind me of my first fountain pen experience. I was five or six years old at the time, visiting my Grandparents in Colorado. My Grandfather had a Rexall drugstore ( in downtown Brush ), and I was told I could pick something out for myself. I just couldn’t resist that fountain pen. I don’t recall the brand, but I remember it came with plastic barrels full of the ink. Within a day or so I managed to destroy the nib, and get ink all over the place, including myself. To this day I haven’t bothered with them. But I must say, the pens in your pictures are lovely. Thanks for sharing. Tim

Is that sort of hand-eye coordination still a problem? If not, why not indulge and start off with something on a small scale? Even the high-end designer pens today offer cartridge models ....

Have you ever heard of these guys?

http://www.yichengtrading.com/

I don't know anything about pens. I like them, but I don't know one from another other than some look better than others.

I saw some slick looking pens on this site. The enamel ones were very interesting. You have to do a lot of navigation just to see what he has. On one of his pages he has a high price for a particular pen, and on another, the same pen is cheap. Could be that the site is just not organized well and updates become overwhelming. Anyway, he has a large variety to choose from.

Any of his pens worth buying :?:

If not, why not indulge and start off with something on a small scale?

Hummm perhaps :?:

Thanks johntopdog and uthed. I have been looking around alittle bit and really like the look of the Lamy allstar safari. But I think I might have a problem. I am lefthanded. I found a few lefthanded pens. Does this really make a diference? Should I buy a LH fountain pen or a reg pen just to see if I like them?

The problem with being lefty is:

If you drag your hand across the fresh ink and smear it. If you do drag your hand on the paper, you have problems as few inks dry quick enough to prevent smearing.

HOWEVER If you write with a lifted hand, off the paper it should be no problem and the regular F/M/B nib will work since it is a ball in shape, so identical or mirror image on each side.

OR Learn to write, right, that is right handed?

Specific left hand Italic or stub nibs tend to be pricy.

John in Covina

Thanks John. There are some LH lamy pens on ebay that are the same price as the standard ones. But I think I will look at the standard pens.

I have always been partial to the Old Schaefer's and Pelikan's. They seem to write really nice and aren't too expensive. Wish I could repair the old bladders though. Love seeing a signature in real ink. Lynn