When I first got into collecting fountain pens, I tried one or two more expensive models (eg; Waterman Carene).

But I keep coming back to cheap, cute, bright-colored plastic pens, like the Varsity, the Pelikano Jr., the Sheaffer No-Nonsense, and my new Preppies and Pilot Petits!

Even as far as 'writeability' goes, the cheap pens perform well.

How 'bout you?




*teh king of cute*

I like the vintage 3rd tier pens, like Belmont and Majestic. Sometimes they are just dreadful, but they are fun to tinker with...

The only things I like that are cheap and cute are women...

I'm a big fan of both vintage third-tiers, as well as the modern cheapie/disposable types. I don't care so much for the Varsity, as the nib is a touch wide for me, but after grinding my Preppy into a stub, I'm really enjoying it. The Itoya Blade is another one you ought to try, Kenshin. For $4, you'll really like it.

As far as third-tier goes, I've got a couple of flat top Thompsons that are being worked over right now, and should be home soon. I can't wait!

There is a vast array of choices. Why limit yourself?

Definitely!

Oh, wait - fountain pens?

Sure, them too.

I think its great but simply not my cup of tea.
I love to feel a solid pen in my hand.I dont claim a cheap pen cant be a good writer,not at all but usualy a cheap pen feels cheap and thats unacceptable for me.

Enjoy your pens

Maybe we can compare pens to cars. I have a Cadillac that is conservative; a Corvette that is flashy; and a little Geo Tracker that is my redneck thing. I end up driving the little Tracker three times as much as the other two cars because of its utility. I quite frankly do not care what others on the road think about my choice of vehicle. I enjoy driving it.

I enjoy writing instruments in general. I have some that are expensive, and I have some that are quite inexpensive. The hobby is about your enjoying the act of writing. If you have a preference for a particular type of writing instrument (FP, BP, RB, or pencil) then buy those and enjoy them. The heck with pen snobs.

I've got some Bic Xpen Select fountain pens that take international size cartridges and also converter. They have an ergonomic rubber grip and feel quite solid and stylish and I don't have to worry about losing one! Sometimes they write a bit dry but respond to a shake. For some reason I am attached to them, although most of my writing is done by Sailor Professional Gear (B nib). I suppose the worry of dropping your FP is removed if they are cheap and disposable.

NEVER!! THOU SHALT KNEEL BEFORE THE HIGH LORD FUZZYKINS OR FACE HIS ADORABLE AND LOVING WRATH:



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Back to fountain pens. I was quite a fan of the cute and adorable when I was younger, and I would not say no if I was given the chance to buy all those pens back

Absolutely!

I love my (several) Pilot Pluminix - great little Pilot nibs, which are like fine stubs even!

Too small to take any convertor I've found, but they take internation cartridges (so I can use my Diamine, yea!).

Fun colours too!

I grabbed a handful for myself when I first saw them and went back and got more to send to folks for fun.

And all for £3.99 each!

Gotta love it!

The Bic sounds like something I would totally buy and use.

Wonder if you can get the Pluminix over here in the states?

Shangas - Is that your Scottish Fold?

This is not mine:

Click to view attachment
It's Katamari, Alia Phibes's kitty.


Scottish Fold: cute, not cheap.

Scottish Fold. I had not heard of the breed. Now those kitties are cute beyond words. If I ever find a FP that cute, I am all over it.

Thanks for the photos.

In cats? I'd take a Munchkin over a Fold any day. (What's a Munchkin, you ask? Think....a feline version of a Dachshund. More info here.)

As far as pens, I really like the Pelikano Jr.

One of those is inked up now in my daily writing life, with J Herbin Violette Pensee....

yeah, I enjoy the cheaper pens from time to time. Don't really care for the Varsity so much, nib doesn't work too well with my way of writing, but the Preppy is most likely the best pen for the money. The Pilot Petite1 is also a nice pocket pen.

I love the feel of my fancier pens and can definitely feel the difference, but I do love the cheap pens. Not sure if it's the pens, the fact that I don't feel too bad if they go missing, or that the wife tolerates collecting cheaper pens better...

Sometimes cheap and cute pens are nice because you can have a nice collection of different colors and styles without breaking the bank. Using a less "serious" pen also lends a lighter, more carefree attitude to the whole writing experience. Sometimes those expensive pens are just too formal!

My current daily writers are all cheap European pens ($30 or less)
Bic Easy Clic (two tone violet)
Bic For School (pink with purple trim)
Reynolds (translucent pink)
Pelikan Pelikano (blue)
Lamy Safari (blue)

pens I want include
Pelikan Pelikano (pink)
Schneider 4ME (violet Paris)
Lamy Safari (lime)

Ooo! They make a pink Pelikano Jr???

No.....I'm afraid the pink is only in the Pelikano.......

And here is my kitty yet again

Cheap cute pens: Pilot Prera F

Cheat cute kitties: Local humane society Domestic Shorthair

King Joe...

I would be careful about making that comment about a Munchkin being the feline version of a Dachshund around a true lover of dachshunds...especially a standard dachsie about to take out a badger...

As to cheep and cute...depends on your thoughts of cheap...I think a $50 Carene is cheap and an $85 M215 is in the ballpark as well. But then, I use the $15 Wing Sungs from His Nibs with equal relish. Go figure...

Tge Bic Xpen Select is a very good fountain pen. (reviewed it here on FPN. A good review about the 'standard' Xpen can be found here).