Very interesting site. Thanks for all who have welcomed me so far. Some may have read in another thread that I started out looking for a gift....we've decided to go with a rollerball for that person based on their preferences, so now I'm shopping for MYSELF!

I'll be traveling to San Diego this weekend, and will find a pen shop or two to actually try out some pens, but here's what I can tell you so far about my wishes. I'd love some opinions.

1. Main use will be daily use, quick-writing note-taking. I'm a physician, so also have a dream of writing out prescriptions in beautiful penmanship (my current print is very legible...perhaps because I'm only 6 years out from med school ).

2. Since this'll be a first FP, I'd rather stick to a pricepoint < $50, leaving a little budgeting room for an extra nib up front.

3. I tend not to like thin pens, and like the pen to have a little weight/substance to it. I'm not a fan of a pen that I can barely tell is in my hand. At the other extreme, I don't like the pen to look like a fat sausage.

4. I like the more "classic" look than the more modern/futuristic type. Just as an example, I like the looks of the Watermark Phineas & Charleston pens that I've seen photos of, but I'm not too fond of the Lamy Safari.

5. As for writing, I like a smooth feel. I'm used to rollerballs, and like a nice glide across the page. I think I'd probably use a fine nib the most, although I may like to try a medium nib for the prescription pad....I'm just not sure.

6. I'd rather start with a new pen than buying something vintage/used. If I like writing with a FP as much as I think I will, I'll move into the vintage pens once I know more about the hobby, what's available, etc.

7. Easy to use. That is, I'm afraid I'm not even going to be able to fill the darn thing and maintain it properly. Clearly I have a lot to learn.

I hope this is helpful & not too extensive, but I've been reading the forum for awhile now, and am ready to take the plunge. I could let the pricepoint ride up a little bit if necessary, but I'd rather do a little bit of exploring before plunking down some more serious cash. It sounds like there's enough available in this price range to get something decent.

Thanks so much in advance,

Jim

If you like the classic looks like the Waterman Phileas, I think the Parker Frontier might also be a nice choice which is cheap as well (can find on ebay at low prices).

I think many people will recommend Pelikans as well, they are quite popular on this forum but I haven't tried them myself. They come in a range of sizes, but also have a range of prices.

For cheaper pens, there is a great range of pens at http://www.isellpens.com/ that are available under $50, many of these are chinese brands, but the quality can be quite good.


Don't worry too much about difficulty of filling or cleaning, especially if are already an expert with syringes . Most pens on the market are very simple to fill, either with cartridges (you can fill cartridges using syringes), converters, or pistons.

1. That Waterman Phileas you saw is in your price range and a great writer. Make sure to get the fine nib, as the medium is generally a very fat writer on that model. (I think if you have to buy the medium because that's all the store had, you can get a factory exchange - but I'm not too sure 'cause I don't own one.) Offhand, I can't remember a pen store where this pen is not available. Everyone seems to stock it.

2. Hero 100 is another good choice, a reliable writer. Not as pretty a pen as the Waterman. (Some would say classic appearance, others would say boring.) Comes in fine only, as far as I'm aware. These are available several places, including www.isellpens.com - (I have no interest in that seller, except as a satisfied customer). A lot of pen for the money.

Well, there's two to get you started anyway.

Have fun!

My top pick would be a Pilot Knight. It's a metal pen with good, solid fell in the hand, wonderful smooth medium nibs (Japanese mediums, which are more like US fines) and takes both a cartridge or converter. At $35, I think these are a steal, and they are nice looking too. After using mainly Pelikans and vintage pens, I've become a huge Pilot/Namiki fan for their unbeatable nibs.

I also just received a Hero 100, which is also a very nice pen for the money. My flighter has a nice heft in the hand and writes beautifully - though a finer/drier line than the Knight.

Hope this helps. Have fun shopping!

If you have an office depot near you, they have the Phileas for 39.00 at least here in San Diego. You can probably find it cheaper if you look hard enough.

The Waterman Phileas is a very nice smooth writing pen. The medium nib is what I prefer, but I like a little wider line. I like the looks of the Phileas also.

Another nice pen is the Cross Townsend. It's very classy and the nib is very smooth also. They make them with a stainless nib or a gold nib. I prefer the gold nib.
I personally don't care too much for the Pelikans. But that's just my preference. I think they are too lightweight and compared to other pens just don't write as well IMO. They are a thinner pen than the Phileas or Townsend.

Jim,
Email sent....
Johnny

You may also want to try the Sheaffer Prelude - it's comfortable and puts down a nice line.

My recommendations based on your criteria such as smooth, reliable writing, easy useage, style and price

I would recommend Parker45 or Parker Frontier. Yes, i admit, I do favour Parkers - But I find them as a solid starting point for new fountain pen users (my opinion)

Parker 45:


Parker Frontier:


Both these pens fit comfortably in your price range and are widely available at pretty much any pen retailers. They also have a good reputation among fountain pen users. I hope the appearance of them suit your tastes These fill with either cartridges or easy-to-use syringe-style ink fillers (how medical ) which come with the pen.

Have a nice day, Doctor (I am a highschool student aspiring to be a doctor some day )

The $39.00 set at Office Depot is a great starter set! It comes with cartridges in about 5 or 6 different colours and a bottle of black Waterman ink. Plus the Phileas is one of the best inexpensive pens out there! It does tend to be a thicker medium and it lays down a nice wet line! It's a great starter!


J. Haney

1) much as I'm a Pelikan fan - I'd say no Pel. When you say "quick-writing note taking" I see a physician frantically scribbling on a chart during rounds or when writing out a prescription. A screw cap may be the wrong direction based on that.

2) I understand the pricepoint thing and if you're willing to use a snap-cap, then I'd say Waterman Phileas given you like the look.

3) Still thinking Phileas - the pricepoint limits you from the 600 series Pelikans and for some folks the 200 is a bit small. But there are other nice pens out there that are about the same size as the Phileas. Just not sure they're as consistent in quality.

4) Still thinking WM again, based on price point. But there are certainly other pens with nice "classic" lines that are in your price range. I've always thought the Frontier was a bit thin but not having actually handled one... I am going by pics that may deceive the eye.

5) Never had a Phileas that wasn't smooth as silk. I've had about 10 pass through my hands as gifts to others or for myself.

6) ease of use - I agree maintenance is not going to be a problem for just about anything you choose. Cartridges will probably be preferred for you though if you don't mind the extra expense.

And now I'm going to say something that always annoys me when I specifically tell someone I'm looking a particular pricepoint. Since you'll be looking at a shop, especially if you can go to a pen shop vs. Office Depot, pick up a Namiki VP and see what you think. Classic looks? - well, perhaps not. And the grip isn't for everryone. But for quick notes, it's almost unbeatable, IMO. No cap to keep track of and the medium VP nibs I've tried are super smooth and write more like a typical "Western" fine. So don't rule it out based on the price until you've actually had one in hand. You may find that with the ease of use and a handful of carts, it's ideal for your task.

Still, aside from the Pelikan 200, I always point to the Phileas as a good "starter" pen. They are sturdy, comfortable, and dependable. I have looked at the Charleston many a time but never purchased.

Thanks for all of the advice. I've had a deal offered I can't refuse on a Phileas, so that'll be #1. I sure do like the looks of the Parker Frontier & Parker 45 as well. Heck, I like the looks of a lot of 'em. I guess that's why you all have an army of pens......uh oh, I see what's happening to me.....

Jim

Resistance is futile...you will be assimilated...

(Just wait until the "ink pushers" start in on you. I thought I could resist, but even I finally gave in.)