Thread: Fountain pens- info needed

Where could one find just a cheap fountain pen to try out. I have never used one and wondered it fountain pens are still in production and would you be able to find one at a walmart or office depot type store?

Office Depot/Staples should have a small selection of FP. I bought my first (and only) at Staples... Waterman phileas I think.

Originally Posted by Doc

Where could one find just a cheap fountain pen to try out. I have never used one and wondered it fountain pens are still in production and would you be able to find one at a walmart or office depot type store?

Another poster suggested the Waterman Phileas Fountain Pen. I can recommend this seller and have no affiliation with them.
http://www.pendemonium.com/pens_waterman.htm
Search the net and you may be able to find a better price. As others have mentioned, the Lamy Vista is another good value. There are so many good fountain pens available that it can be hard to decide. Another option (more expensive) is to buy one from someone like Richard Binder www.richardspens.com who tests each pen he sells before it ships.
Best Regards, Ken.

I've been using these since elementary school in the 50's. We learned with them. I use mine daily and go through rotations as with the Str8's and DE's.
Stay away from Mont Blanc- a lot of money and messy-
I echo the Namiki Vanishing point as a terrific starter pen- The company is now owned by Pilot.
My all time favorite for smooth writing is the Shaefer White Dot- classic styling and great 18K nib.
Currently I really like the Noodler's ink. great variety and good smooth nonfeathering product.
Many fine Chinese pens are available from Isellpens.com. This is a great company to use- good service. Prior posts here have recommended several brands to use. They also have knock-off Parker 51's that look pretty good.
Look at flea markets- I just picked up 4 Parker 51's in good working order for $3.00 apiece.
Have fun with this-
Headdoc

Aaahh Nibs, inks, pens, paper..... What a slope you are entering!!!!
To start and SEE if you like the idea and use of the FP...Get a Waterman Phileas ~ $15
Here's my everyday writer. Cross Townsend Green Tortoise ~ 1990


My everyday carry is the Namiki Vaishing Point Fine Nib ~ $85


Here's some of my vintage pens. I do like writing with these.


T

This is the pen I bought about a month ago. I whish this thread would have come up so I could have tried a Waterman or Pelican. I didnt know german pens and vintage pens were affordable. I thought they all were $100+.




Don

No problem; the Retro 51 is a good value in a FP, and there is no reason not to have multiple pens...
Ken.

I really want a nice Pelikan, so I second everyone on that. I've been eyeing the m605 for a few weeks, that blue and silver looks amazing! Though they're out of stock everywhere I look. Does anyone know if they're still in production? The 405 would also be good.

Of course, I need to settle for something at least $100 cheaper, and probably won't be able to get a new pen for months now that I've emptied my "fun fund" (It was a German beer stein filled with quarters, I miss it already) on a startup razor setup. I did get some nice new inks (Noodler's in good colors) out of the fund, too, though, so that should hold me over.

Have you tried Pam Braun here? http://www.oscarbraunpens.com/
She isn't showing the 605 edition but her service and prices are excellent and she will know what the market situation is. Lots of other places to try and why not ask on FPN - link earlier in thread. Somebody is bound to want shot of one - sorry, Pelikan aversion showing through again! The 1000 is a cracker though, 800 a bit small and below that just not for me. Be a shame if we were all the same!
Nobody has mentioned the Pilot 78G yet. Great wee pen. I have it in a BB and it is great for italic style writing. Check the bay and you can usually pick one up new for about $15 - a really nice starter pen actually.

Stephen

Originally Posted by Abraxel

I really want a nice Pelikan, so I second everyone on that. I've been eyeing the m605 for a few weeks, that blue and silver looks amazing! Though they're out of stock everywhere I look. Does anyone know if they're still in production? The 405 would also be good.

Of course, I need to settle for something at least $100 cheaper, and probably won't be able to get a new pen for months now that I've emptied my "fun fund" (It was a German beer stein filled with quarters, I miss it already) on a startup razor setup. I did get some nice new inks (Noodler's in good colors) out of the fund, too, though, so that should hold me over.

DC, it depends what you're looking for. Do you like a big, small, light, heavy, pen that will flex and give variation or a stiff nib and so on.

I like most Japanese pen makes, because they come in very fine sizes which suits my tiny writing. Namiki, Nakaya, Sailor...
Pelikans are nice enough as well and you can get a great deal on a white tortoise 400 just now. They are a bit small for our large hands (depending how you hold them.)