I am about to embark on an overseas trip from Australia to the USA.
I've chosen my notebook - but what fountain pen should I take?
It has to be able to stand being in an aeroplane, be good to write with, not be so good that I would cry if I lost it, not be so ordinary that I would cry if I used it, hold enough ink that I don't have to constantly fill it...
Your recommendations?

Oh gosh, that's a tricky one. I would've said one of your Tibaldis straight off but then it'd probably hurt a great deal if anything happened to them.

What about a Pelikan?

If I were in your situation, I would use my Lamy 2000.

Rotring Initial? Features 'Air Pressure Compensation', a system which Rotring claims prevents ink leakage and ensures smooth writing even during flight. See southpaw's review in the database.

My travelling pen is either a Pelikano Junior or Rotring 600. The Pelikano Junior writes well, won't break your bank if you damage or lost it. I've even put it in a bag as I ride to work each day. There's been minimal of ink in the cap or nib proving that it doesn't leak. I really like the bright colours of the pen as it never fails to cheer me up.

The Rotring 600 is abit more formal but I've found the writing experience not as good. That's just me

I don't know how it handles planes, but I really like my Lamy Vista as my walking around/pocket pen. It's not too expensive, it writes well, and it's tough. I also like the Vista because I can instantly see what state it's in. I know that the Safaris have the same little window, but I like being able to see the whole converter.

When I had the chance to take my Vista on a plane recently, I opted to take a Pigma Micron instead, thinking that I wouldn't have to worry about leakage with one of those. I pulled it out on the plane, and it dropped permanent ink on my shirt and pants.

The Tibaldi's I love too much Feiye - too much potential sadness there.
The Lamy 2000 is not a bad idea xmattxyzx.
I have a rotring 600 old style matt silver which might be good also
Pelikan not a bad idea, but my only Pelikan is a white/tortise M400 with a Mottishaw nib - again cry material.

The Pilot Custom 823 is well-suited to plane flights. Ink flow can be shut off using the blind cap. Pen is a superb writing that holds a fair amount of ink.

Ah, then I guess the Pelikan's sort of out. I reckon if you had a M200 or something, it'd be a great choice.

In that case, go with the 2000. Keep the Tibaldis in their crystal case

Another vote for Lamy. Either the Vista or the 2000.

That'd be my vote. My Pelikans are sorta my workhorses. If space is an issue, take one M200 with a variety of steel nibs. If you lose it, it's not so bad to replace.

Fred

Hey, You!

I'll be back from my vacation a day or two before your visit to San Francisco!

I haven't experienced any problems (that I can remember) with any of my pens on trips, so I say take your favorite, cos then when you're back home, it'll be even more your favorite.

I'm taking on my road trip (which includes a flight to the starting point): Pelican M215 (What?! You don't have one of these? And when I say "You," I mean "You."), Parker 51 Special, Sheaffer Triumph Tucky (so cute! fabulous nib!), Visconti Metropolis, Nakaya Piccolo Cigar... and the Delta Tuareg RB, if it's back from Italy before I leave. (Yes, my pen got to go to Italy.)

Now... I've read where others suggested the Lamy 2000. I gave mine away, but I had some experience with it, so I can reinforce others' opinion that it's a good choice. For the time that I had it, it was a comfortable, reliable pen.

How many pens are you bringing?

How many pens are you bringing?
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Just how many pens do you think I should bring?

Won't have my Nakaya by then.

Maybe I should press the @@**!! button and bring a couple of goodies. What would you like me to bring?

Whaddya got?

Also, four.

No, bring three pens, inked.

That way, you'll have room to pick up one or two on your travels. Cos that's part of the plan, right?

Whaddya got?
Omas (a few - no Arco unfortunately)
Couple of Parker 51s and a couple of Duofolds
Tibaldi Impero & Modello 50
Stipula Etruria/Duetto
Levenger Verona
MBs (Hemingway, 149 and a couple of others)
Ujuko Sailor Yellow LE
Rotring 600 & a core
Montegrappa Symphony red
Lamy 2000 and an Orange Safari
Wierd gold square dunhill
Got a Nakaya coming (but not sure if I'll have it by then)
Pelikan M400 White
Waterman Edson
a Lexaf reform, Kaweco sports set, Monteverdi very ordinary striped thing and a couple of others acquired along the way (and a few ballpoints too)


Also, four.

No, bring three pens, inked.

That way, you'll have room to pick up one or two on your travels. Cos that's part of the plan, right?
[/quote]
darn tootin'!

Okay, from what you have, bring a Parker 51 and the Lamy 2000.

On my trip, I'll probably use the P51 and Pel 215 mostly, with some Tucky action. The Visconti Metropolis and the Nakaya Piccolo, although very smooth and fabulous writers, are sortv amulet pens, if you know what I mean.

Er... why are you flashing?

From the pens you have listed, I'd probably bring:
MB 149, P 51, and a Lamy 2000. All have average or above average ink capacity, they cover a range of design aesthetics, and they (mostly) tend to be reliable pens. I guess an equally important question is what sort of nibs do they have, and how much variety in nib size do you need to be content.

Now DrScott has chosen your pens....

What about ink?

If you're into utilitarian pens, get a Pelikan Level L65. It holds a TON of ink, which is easy to carry along. It's bulletproof rugged. And the nib is pretty nice, if stiff. And they're available for less than $20.00.

Skip

I like the idea of bringing a variety of inks. Probably Lie De The, Violette pensee and florida blue/DC Super show blue

Nibs tend to be fine - although my Lamy 2000 has a M nib.

Flashing was for a brilliant idea...bed!

I've taken dozens of different types on flights all over and have only had problems with pens that *don't* have lots of fins directly under the nib. Doesn't matter what the age or material - without the fins I always had leaks of some sort.