Thread: Fountain pens- info needed

In a couple other forums I hang around at, the topic of fountain pens has popped up. I thought I saw something here at one time regarding pens.

I'm looking to get started with a nice fountain pen but don't know ANYTHING about them really. I've used the dime store cheapies and have become interested. So I'd love to hear from others that are into fountain pens

Not really 'into' them but I have a nice Waterman that I think looks good and writes well.

I really prefer dip pens for serious corospondance

I'll see if I can get a picture of my favorite pen and nibs.

I am addicted to using fountain pens, and have been ever since about the third grade. Others will differ (wrongly) but I feel that the best value in fountain pens are the Pelikan "M" series. If you have smaller hands the M 200 is a good place to start, and they go up in size and price with the numbers; M250 M400 M600, M800 and the largest M1000. For most people the M 400 is a good starting place in terms of all around value. Another thing is that Pelikans maintain a good resale value if you decide to move to another pen, or size. A good place to find a used pen is : http://www.pentrace.net/PenMarket.htm (No financial interest of any kind on my part, unless you count dropping lots of money there). Good luck on your excursion into fountain pens.
Best Regards, Ken.

I re-discovered my preference for fountain pens last year. I don't claim to really know much about them, but I always like to get a sufficient quality for the lowest possible price. Besides my Lamy Safari pens, which are in the $20-30 range, I'm very impressed by the quality of Chinese fountain pens. I own several by Duke, Baoer, and Jinhao. All of them between $8 and $22 (incl. shipping from China!). Those I bought on eBay. My most expensive one is made by Jim Mauldin, an American gentleman who turns wooden pens. He made one of Zebrawood (photo below) for me for $50. I'd never pay more than that for a fountain pen. But that's just me, I guess.






This forum
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/
is for fountain pens what SRP forum is for straight razors. Lots of information!

I just bought a fountain pen from Paradise Pen. The lady in the store guided me to a Retro 1951 brand. It has served me well thus far and for $30. I however have not ever written with anything higher quality than a Fisher space pen so what do I know. I do enjoy writing more now. I just wish I could get onto that whole spelling thing.

Don

I once had a Mont Blanc Diplomat w/ 18K nib. I sold it to a friend who died unexpectedly at age 38 before I received payment. I sincerely hope his widow was able to sell it for a good price.

Now I have only cheaper fountain pens. A Waterman Phileas, a Parker 21, and a Shaeffer No Nonsense that takes cartridges. Interestingly I like the Waterman better than I liked the much more expensive Mont Blanc. Someday I'd like a Pelikan 200 series.

I reckon it's a bit like razors - you need to try a few before you know what you like. I have settled on Japanese pens, they IMHO have the function of the German pens but with the flair of the Italians. I find Pelikans lovely pens - have had 200/800/400 and still have a 1000 - but they are like Mercedes cars to me, a tad boring. My favourite working pen is the Pilot/Namiki Vanishing Point or capless - just so easy to use - interchangeable nibs gives you flexibility in one pen. Getting a custom nib by Richard Binder can give you masses of writing scope. I also love Danitrio pens - the Densho is a lovely entry level to the world of eyedroppers and you can look at raw ebonite ones through to urushi lacquer and maki-e design. You also can't go far wrong with a Parker 51 - a real work horse that suits many people.
We could talk inks too - hundreds of them with different qualities, paper, nibs... Prepare to shell out some cash!!
My advice is to check out fountainpennetwork.com. It is a great community, very civilised like here and the Marketplace is the place to pick up some things to try out. I bought around 30 pens in the first few months and have gradually whittled back down to around 15 or so. Still adding and subtracting from time to time.
cheers
Stephen

There are two very popular choices vis-a-vis modern, entry-level pens, but I suggest you try them before you buy. One is the Pilot Capless or Vanishing Point (VP), and the other is a Lamy Safari. The reasons I suggest you try them out is with the VP, you're gripping the pen where the pocket clip is, and while some don't mind it, others, like myself, hate it. I've had two and tried to like them, but I just couldn't get around that darn clip. For similar reasons I don't like the Safari. The section (or grip) has cut-outs or recesses where your fingers grip the pen, and it's difficult to manage the pen unless you hold it where you're forced to do so. However, unlike the Parker 75, which I do like, you cannot rotate the nib, so if you don't like the way the nib rests on the paper in relation to the way you're forced to hold it, too bad. Take what I say with a grain of salt, though, because lots of people like and use both.

While I do use modern pens, I prefer vintage and echo the recommendation for a Parker "51". A user grade pen can be relatively inexpensive (around $75), and I would recommend an Aerometric fill "51" over a Vacumatic fill "51" for someone new to fountain pens. With regard to Pelikan pens, yes, they're boring, but they work. And if you buy a pen from Richard (www.richardspens.com), he checks them out so you know it'll work when you get it.

Other vintage/modern choices are:
Esterbrook
Parker 75
Parker 21 Super
Waterman Phileas
Sailor Sapporo

If you live in a metropolitan area with a good pen shop or stationer, your best bet is to go in, give a few a whirl, and let the clerk guide you to something that works for you.

Here's the pen I mentioned earlier. Best for serious writing. It balances perfectly and gives just the right amount of feedback.

Ahh, FPAD ...

I had a couple of Parker 51's in the sixties and seventies that I used all the time. Nice pens, but the nibs were a little stiff for me. Right now I've got an old English Parker in the shop of a guy down South who restores pens ... just got to get the check to him ... and for now, I've gotta stop with that.