Which are typical female pens ?

[The Legend]

Because I sometimes want to buy a FP-gift for a female person, I am in need of 'what they prefer in a pen'.

Is it colour or design or format or all of it?

 

So please give me some examples of the typical female fountain pens on the market.

 

Anyone.

 

The Legend

[Taki]

I like pink pens but probably some women won't even touch it. Some men might like some pink pens. Most of my pens are not gender specific, IMHO. I guess it really depends on the recepient. What color does she like? Is she a FP user already, or will it be her first pen?

 

Even I like Sheaffer I really am not interested in PFM just because of its name

Edited November 1, 2006 by Taki

[sonia_simone]

Women's hands are typically somewhat smaller than men's. Other than that, you're pretty much gonna have to figure it out case by case.

 

What do men prefer in a pen?

[RSVP]

Conway Stewart Nightingale, Pelikan M300, M400 Honey, P. de Concorde, Cartier Diabolo Mini, Montblanc Garbo, Parker 17 come to mind.

[fjf]

I would never think I understand women, but I just got this Monteverde Charisma for a niece, and I hope she likes it:

 

http://i20.ebayimg.com/05/i/07/70/90/40_1_b.JPG

[Tassos]

Take a close look to Mont Blanc Boheme series. Reach a retail shop and see those with the leather finish, that come in set with a same color leather single pen case.

[Carrie]

I think we're all going to come across as very individual in our choices, just as the men on this forum will.

 

Different people will like different nibs / sizes / weights / designs. Personally I always return to a Parker 51, plain and simple but very robust which makes it an ideal work pen. I like an absolute mix of pen sizes, from Conway Stewart Dinkies up to a Duofold Centennial or my VP. I'm not a big fan of black pens and I guess I can be quite girly in collecting vintage Conway Stewarts, hey, the colours and patterns are nice. However, looks aren't the main thing on a pen, I want a pen that writes well which all of my Conways Stewarts do.

[thn]

How about a Waterman Ici Et La? It's the first pen to pop to mind when talking about pens specifically designed for women.

[umenohana]

Ringtops are fun and small.

 

-Hana

[*david*]

Some women like "ladies pens". Others detest the same pens, maybe even for the same reasons that the first group likes them.

 

Give her a pen that might fit with the rest of her life - what she does, the style of other items she prefers, etc.

 

Don't buy a PFM for a tiny-hands frilly-pink-dress girly girl. Don't buy an Ici et La for a brush-cut flannel-shirt other kind of girl. Anybody in between, you have to judge for yourself.

[sonia_simone]

David puts it extremely well.

[Taki]

David puts it extremely well.

I agree, because ici et la and small ring tops are too short for me to use comfortably. And I'm 5'2" and my hands are small (glove size 51/2).

[Kalessin]

I agree with everything people have said here, but wanted to add a few things:

 

1) Are you sure she wants an FP (or are you trying to get her started?)

 

2) Color and design are very important. If you know her favorite color or metal, or can match or contrast well to what she likes to wear in colors, then you're on your way. For example, my mother and sisters just can't get enough of the sterling-silver Parker Cisele grid pattern (now offered on the Sonnet).

 

3) Guess as best you can on the size of pen required to fit the recipient's hand. Be prepared for an exchange being required.

 

4) Do everything you can to complement the recipients personality, or things you've noticed about her personality, with the pen you buy. If you can, mention in the card something like, "I chose the color because I know it'll match your favorite orange scarf! Enjoy!"

 

5) Many of my female friends and relatives prefer fine point nibs. I'm not sure exactly why.

 

6) If it's not perfect, and it came from a brick-and-mortar shop and the recipient would like to return it, offer to bring her to the shop and have her test models (in your price range) until she finds something she likes. (This does depend on what kind of relationship you have with the recipient; I've done this with a close friend.)

 

7) Buy two bottles of ink, one traditional (blue, black, etc), and one fanciful (green or burgundy or brown or whatever). I would put the ink in a separate box.

Edited November 1, 2006 by Kalessin

[Green Maned Lion]

I know women who like teenytiny womens watches i can't read the face of through a 10X loupe, i know a girl who loved my giant Poljot Aviator 48mm watch so much she bought it off me. Yes, 48 mm diameter.

 

I am sure its the same with pens.

[umenohana]

Also, the type of writing she has is very, very, very important! I would not be happy if I got a stiff nib, since I do flex work all the time!

 

-Hana

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

After observing a person for some time, I can most of the time match them up with the pen that they would most likely like.

 

The M200 is fairly neutral, and I always give a beginner's package with an M200 and a bottle of ink.

 

Dillon

[WillAdams]

The Sheaffer Agio seems to be marketed to women in the designer Colours. My cousin to whom I gave an Olive FP liked hers.

 

William

[Badger]

I really respond to colour, mottled green or red, however I'm very fussy about the shade and it would be difficult to buy me a surprise that I loved. I was given a black Parker Duofold which I considered to be a man's pen and it took quite a long time to get use to the size. however once I did I loved the nib and can write with it very happily. My favourite pen is my Carene and I also have a very slim Waterman in the perfect shade of green. Lovely Mr Badger bought me a Cross ladies pen which I instantly disliked and yet most of my girly friends loved it. Odd! I love picking up my Carene because it just feels right.

[HDoug]

The problem is that the options are greater for women than for men. A woman can use a very "manly" pen (say a Pelikan 1000 or some such), or a very "girly" pen (like this Pilot Petit.) As another responder pointed out, it's like watches. A girlfriend can wear a 48mm Poljot, or a tiny "women's" watch. I myself like those kid's Flik Flak watches and I've bought some for my girlfriend. As much as I like them, I don't think I could get away with wearing one to the office.

 

Oh, sorry for wandering. The point is that buying a pen for a woman is more difficult than buying one for a man.

 

Doug

[girlieg33k]

Being new to FPs and being a bit girlie (although I do like to wear flannel shirts), I like the Waterman Ici et La -- I own two of them -- both in Silver, one in F nib and the other in M nib. Waterman also makes the Audace and they market it as a "girl" FP.

 

I have a Lamy Safari and I love the way it writes, but I find it's too big for my hands when it's posted (and I like to write with the caps on), so I use it mostly for notes. The same goes for the Cross Jade Townsend -- great writer but quite heavy, so I use it only occasionally. Other pens which have a nice fit and good balance for my relatively small hands are: Parker Sonnet, Waterman Harmonie, and Waterman Exception in Slim Black.

 

If I'm going to write an epistle or I'm journaling, I reach for the Ici et La, the Sonnet, Harmonie, or Exception, depending on where I am (home/office/law library/Starbucks, etc.)

 

I'd gauge her "preference" in a FP with the way she dresses and accessorizes -- if she's understated, demure, or the like, I'd go for something simple and elegant. If she likes to dress in bright colors, then perhaps a FP in a bright color or even one with a floral design. I personally avoid anything floral.

 

As far as nib sizes, I won't be much help there -- my preference varies, depending on the pen. I have several FPs with F and M nibs, but I also have a Sailor 1911 with a B nib, which I love.

 

I suppose price range should be taken into consideration, yea? At the end of the day, any FP you choose, so long as she knows you chose it specially for her, she's guaranteed to love. You can even engrave it with her initials. And last but not least, don't forget the card, with a note written with your own favorite FP of course.

 

Sorry if I brought more confusion to the subject, but I hope that helps.

Edited November 2, 2006 by girlieg33k