Fountain pen for a beginner

[bluejay]

I would like to purchase a fountain pen for someone's birthday. She is a tall female, loves jazz, rock. Wants to be a teacher. I'm thinking of sending her a vanishing point. Any other cheap-like pens out there that are great gifts? Or should I just write her a letter with my fancy writing.

[OldGriz]

The VP is a fantastic pen.... however, some people don't like the way it feels in their hands due to the clip location when writing.

I would recommend a more convential FP. There are many in that price range that would be good....

I will leave the recommendations in the hands of the modern pen enthusiasts.... unless you are also considering the possibility of a good vintage pen.

[pvdiamon]

I've wondered about this kind of thing before. I sort of think you need to determine how they would use the pen....if someone gave me a pen for the first time, and it was a medium nib, I might be turned off right away because it was just too broad for everyday use. Unless they write with broad rollerballs already or something. Why not a Sheaffer Prelude, with a fine nib, that isn't too fine, and that can take cartridges which may interest her more at first. If hooked, can move on to ink and converter.

 

John

[FP_Lover]

I think the Cross Solo, available at the moment on Ebay, is a good bet. Practical and sturdy, it writes beautifully. It would be an excellent introduction to the sport.

[BillTheEditor]

Take a look at the Montverde Charisma pens. His Nibs has them on sale for $45 through Monday, September 11. The Turquoise Acrylic Resin might be a nice choice, or the Red Celluloid. These have a short barrel and take short International-style cartridges so she won't have to tote an ink bottle. You could also order the cartridges from His Nibs -- take a look at the choices from the Private Reserve brand.

 

I don't work for His Nibs, he doesn't give me anything for recommending his pens, I'm just a satisfied customer.

Edited September 10, 2006 by BillTheEditor

[Michael Wright]

The Charisma is kind of nice (I have one), but the fact that it only takes one short international is a bit of a problem for me -- the virtue of the shorts is that you can have one in use and a spare in the barrel, with most pens, which is a great convenience when it comes to empty cartridge time.

 

The VP is a great pen for note writing and occasional use. I agree about the clip, but that only gets to be a problem if you're writing for long stints -- and if you're doing that, you're by now hooked and need a second FP.

 

Alternatives to a VP might include a Rotring 600 or a Safari, both of which are fairly old designs that remain cool. But on that note, the definitive suggestion is an Aerometric 51.

 

Yeah, buy her an Aerometric 51.

 

Best

 

Michael

[arvadajames]

I would second the vote for a Cross Solo, or you might also consider a Waterman Phileas.

[Lisanti]

I gave all my artistic friends Rotring Core pens and they were major hits: very high in the funky factor. They are good for those of us with big hands, which may be an issue with your tall friend. I would recommend the Rubidium for an out-there fashion statement. They are a love them or hate them pen, and the FPN nation seems to be evenly split about them, but I love them. You can find them for much less than $20 usually; some varieties are a little harder to find in the US.

 

Joan

[PinarelloOnly]

No doubt about it, a Vanishing Point is an excellent first FP for someone new to FP's.

Don't worry if she thinks it's weird to hold, most newbies do not think anything about it

and the pen makes you hold it the right way! Newbies are way more intrigued by the

pen than put off by it.

 

I also have to add that the Aurora Talentum Finesse is an excellent first although pricey

for some to think of as a first, it is a hot pen for women and won't look so short in her

hand for someone 6' tall.

 

Scott.

[wiglaf]

Rather than win her heart via a fb, let her know you have tasted the best AND the worst-

recommend a roller ball- a MB at that- perhaps a MB meisterstuck- let her get used to the smoothness of the tip, and tell her every 1000 mtrs or so, that it's all she will feel-

then provide her with any fp- perhaps a LAMY and when she stops, picks up the pen, stares at its nib and wonders what it could possibly be that prevents her from going on and on-