Hi all,

I'm new to this board and recently returned to the use of fountain pens. I live in the New Orleans area where, unfortunately, there's no good brick and mortar pen shop. But I do get to London quite frequently and was wondering what are the must dos for a FP aficionado (not that I'm an aficionado of course). On my list already is Penfriend and Penshop. The former claims to have a large selection of vintage pens and I've read that they have a helpful staff. For paper I've been to the Paperchase on the Strand, which is very good, but I'm open to further suggestions for any place I should check out.

Thanks all

Selfridges and Harrods also have fairly large pen/stationery departments. If you feel like venturing out of central London, there's always Webster's (http://www.websterspenshop.co.uk/). I've only been to the Petts Wood branch, where the staff were extremely helpful and patient. They even ordered in a couple of Sailor pens for me to try out.

Neil

Hello,

to not plagiarize what other have written here is a useful link concerning two markets where you may find pen stalls http://penhome.co.uk/penshow/london.htm - and you will also find a link there for the london pen show...

As to Penfriend shops I find the branch in Burlington Arcade off Piccadilly street to have wider selection of vintage pens than the one in Bush house. They certainly have some 100 plus pieces to look and try out there - they are very willing to let you dip even some very valuable pieces... But alas their prices are in my opinion ridiculously high and I wonder whether they ever sell anything...

And should you happen to be in Hampstead (an old place in north west London definitely worth visiting) there is a little pen shop in a tiny but famous street called the Flask Walk just off Hampstead High Street. They haven't got any vintage pens but an OK selection of contemporary ones and are very helpful there.

I hope this info might help you to kill your time in London a bit, Zed

There are a couple opf similar threads elsewhere. I don't think the prices in the average UK store are anything near as good as you get in the US, so I think you'd be better buying online back home. The London shops in particular are very (outrageously?) expensive. Whilst visiting you could try out the pens you might like in the London B and M shops, but then you're left with the dilemma, to buy from them or head home and order online...

I think Selfridges is the main place to have a browse. Probably the best range of pens and inks in London. They also have a reasonable selection of paper. The London Graphic Centre near Covent Garden is also worth a peak -- not for pens, but for paper and art supplies.

Otherwise I would echo all of that said above - Penshop, Penfriend (Burlington Arcade and Bush House -- used to be Parker UK headquarters) and Portobello market on a Saturday.

- Mark

Thanks all. This was very helpful. I'll post anything of note once I return.
Cheers

the pens in the london shops are droolworthy, but if you feel adventurous (and have a good pair of walking shoes on), you might want to try the flea market (and the shops as well) on portobello road on weekends. here's my story of a recent, wonderful find (as recent as last saturday, in fact):

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=67278