Thread: More fountain pens!

So I got thinking about this again recently.. I'm not sure if I'll do anything very soon just because I'm a little tight on $$ right now and trying to cut back on non-essentials.

But I've got one lonely fountain pen that I got a little over 10 years ago. Just a basic Waterman, cartridge type.. It's a green marble finish and doesn't complement most of my wardrobe so most the time it just sits in its box and I use it for some journal writing etc, but I'd like to get one I can use all the time.

Does anyone know of a good pen in something like a chrome finish, with a fairly fine point? I'd like to stay under $50 if possible, for sure under $100. Doesn't have to be real fancy but a classy/elegant look would be nice.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

So I got thinking about this again recently.. I'm not sure if I'll do anything very soon just because I'm a little tight on $$ right now and trying to cut back on non-essentials.

But I've got one lonely fountain pen that I got a little over 10 years ago. Just a basic Waterman, cartridge type.. It's a green marble finish and doesn't complement most of my wardrobe so most the time it just sits in its box and I use it for some journal writing etc, but I'd like to get one I can use all the time.

Does anyone know of a good pen in something like a chrome finish, with a fairly fine point? I'd like to stay under $50 if possible, for sure under $100. Doesn't have to be real fancy but a classy/elegant look would be nice.

I've recently started a small collection of founain pens. I have a Schaeffer pen and pencil set (needs to be sent for refurbishing),a Parkette that is usuable (had it refurbished and just don't like the nib), a Parker 51 vacumatic demi model and a Hero 616 (Chinese version of the Parker 51).Of the 3 that I have at my disposale the Hero 616 and the Parker 51 gets the most use. For your money,I would go with the 616, they are inexpensive and are great pens to use.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

Does anyone know of a good pen in something like a chrome finish, with a fairly fine point? I'd like to stay under $50 if possible, for sure under $100. Doesn't have to be real fancy but a classy/elegant look would be nice.

Lamy AlStar (basically a metal Safari). They make one of the best non-custom extra fine points in the fountain pen world. you can get one for under forty bucks, plus another five for a convertor, spend the extra money on ink! The look is very clean and stylish, VERY german looking, sort of a bauhaus minimalist thing. has the single most useful clip design i've ever seen in my life.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...51_1999_381340
there are lots of colors, including varying shades of silver/gray

Thanks for the recommendation. I like this one as well
Lamy USA - Lamy Fountain Pens - Lamy Logo Fountain Pen

I like the polished SS.. I'm concerned that AL would feel kinda strange and light (though probably better than the plastic!). I've gotten kind of used to the weight of my chrome-plated brass fishers.

Anybody ordered from the "pen gallery"? Look like really good prices
PenGallery - Lamy Logo Pens

Also, where do you get the noodler "bullet proof" ink? And what is the blackest of their blacks?

Originally Posted by bbshriver

Thanks for the recommendation. I like this one as well
Lamy USA - Lamy Fountain Pens - Lamy Logo Fountain Pen

I like the polished SS.. I'm concerned that AL would feel kinda strange and light (though probably better than the plastic!). I've gotten kind of used to the weight of my chrome-plated brass fishers.

yes, the AlStar is very light, it actually weighs LESS than some of my plastic (bakelite, celluloid, etc) FPs, but has a very effective grip. since it's light, it's comfortable to write with for hours on end. I have some heavies, too, like an old Shaeffer Legacy, and a Duke Charlie Chaplin, but I don't like writing with them for a long time because of the weight, they are more like, "impress people" pens.

the most often-used pen I own is a Pilot/Namkiki Vanishing Point. basically a retractable fountain pen, it is the most convenient pen made by man. the only reason I use the AlStar more at work is that I am an engineer, and the AlStar is more abuse proof, and holds a lot more ink.

I have a Waterman that I have been using every day for a good 3 years now. I have some fountain pen kits that I plan on turning some wood barrels for some day.

I always wanted a pelican, but at $3500, it isn’t ever going to happen.

In that price bracket, I'd second the Parker 51. I'd buy one that has been restored. Richard Binder puts some nice pens up for sale on his site at the beginning of each month. In modern pens, I'd go with a Sailor Sapporo or 1911, or something from Pilot/Namiki such as the Vanishing point or Falcon. A Lamy 2000 in F nib would be a nice one too.

Can you guys tell me whether or not there are fountain ink brands out there where the ink dries virtually instantly? I have a small number of nicer roller balls and would like to branch out into fountain pens, but to date I have not been able to; reason:

I broke my right ring finger as a child and it was not set correctly; consequently I can not tuck it under when I write and have to keep it straight when I write. As a result, writing left to right, if I write quickly on more than one line, the index finger draws across my written word smearing it. I can get gel roller ball ink that dries right away and therefore don't have that problem. Ball point also tends to smear for me as well so I don't write with ball point.

Thanks.

Chris L

One brand that has been satisfactory is "Private Reserve." It doesn't clog pens that don't do so well with other inks and dries fairly quickly. Good solid colors too.

I like all the choices listed so far. My favorite has been a Namiki Falcon. Given your price criteria, the Lamy is the best value for the money.