Well if it's a pen what do you recommend
I'm pulling for a Lamy Safari if it has to be a pen

Kurt H

Huh? What are we talking about? I just voted for a price range because I sold my used books to a book dealer today and that's the amount of money I made.

A thread was started about doing a FPN pen sort of like Zoss & Pentrace. Alot of talk so I thought a few polls might pull a concensus together.

I am probably stepping all over the toes of the administrators of this site, but what the heck I figure they'll tell me if its a problem.

Hey I might even volunteer to be director of the special ting for FPN committee ( if asked )

K H

based on feedback so far, doing this on the cheap seems to be the way to go...

I hereby, with all the power vested in me (none), nominate Kurt for grand poo-bah of "the ting", with all the privliges and ammenities thereunto appertaining (none)


Tom.

ooh I haven't had absolute power in a looong time!


k H

Don't forget - it corrupts absolutely.

This isn't the "realm" of the admin folks - but that of the group as a whole, AFAIC

The Pelikan M-200 is one heck of a pen and infinitely suited to all manner of alterations. Hey, these cheapos work better than those high dollar pocket jewelery brands.

David

OR we could find a stock of Pelikan GOs and do the whole thing for under $20


Kurt H

I like the Safari idea.....or a Pelikan GO (but I have the turquoise one already so I would go for a pink one, if given the choice between the two colours )...

How practical would a short run of pens from a 'known' company be? Could it be done for < $100 for the numbers expected here?

Being cynical I doubt it. Maybe we could get one of the smaller companies to do a different material for a standard line. Maybe Bexley or Filcao.


Kurt H

Good question! (although I voted for the <$30 price range )
I know that several large pen brick & mortar/online stores like Fountain Pen Hospital, Joon, Art Brown, 7th Ave. Stationers, Penwright and World Pen can engrave or customize pens....but perhaps not all pens are "engravable" in terms of practicality.

I was browsing Norman's site and saw that little thing: SwitchCap.

Hi Denis,

Please no! There are only few penmakers to create a nice looking purse pen, and I don't think this is one. I'll look one up, and post a link.

Alternatively, why not go for a Pelikan M200 in blue marble? Looks exactly like the FPN colours, and should be quite cheap when ordered through Pam Braun...

Or even a transparant blue one?

Just my opinion, of course

Kind regards,
Wim

Note (added after original post):

Ok, just found the one I meant, saw one in the shop yesterday. Very nice looking pens, the Monteverde Charisma; sell over here for 37.50 euros on special:
Monteverde Charisma
Just check the Brown Celluloid Marble to get an impression of the pen posted, when it is a normal size, lengthwise, fountain pen. The blue celluloid marble looks best, though, IMO.

And as an alternative:
Why not a Brause Calligraphy Set or so? These sell for less than $30. Considering the contributions in Calligraphy rather appropriate I think. This certainly is one subject where FPN stands apart from other pen-related message boards.

Kind regards...
Wim

How about a Pelikan 150 or a 200??? Great pens, writes well, great filler, easily engraved, a variety of colors for the 200 and if one chooses, they can switch out nibs. Or how about one of the Duke pens from Norman Haase? They are priced pretty well too!




Duke Esteem

It looks like, while we're still discussing the pen, the biggest step forward would be for someone to contact an engraver and determine approximate costs. Did someone say they knew of such a person?

I have to confess, I find the M200 (or even 150 such as the Katie Hill pen) to be very enticing. I've never gotten my blue marble 200! But there are obviously a lot of Lamy fans here. And the idea of a similarly engraved Lamy also appeals to me.

I wonder - does it have to be *one* pen then. Since this is not being done for profit to the group and the point seems to be to have fun and have a special little pen, then the ability to choose between a couple of pens might be even more appealing to the group as a whole. We're not going for an LE here that is so exclusive that only a few people will buy, right? At least, i think that is somethign we want to avoid.

Depending on the number of pens and the seller, we might be able to get a slight discount - say by including their business card and a short blurb on their support of our endeavor?

Does anyone know if Chartpak would sell to a group like ours if it's a "bulk" order. I

thinking out loud here.

Things to consider: The Lamy does have a unique grip which some find very comfortable (me) and some do not. The M200 is smallish, but comfortable for many folks at least in the short run (for me they're perfect), the M150 is a bit smaller and while this is fine with me, it may limit it's appeal (though it's also usually a bit cheaper I think.)

I believe the first pen shown by Tom? was the Sheaffer Javelin (of which I know nothing) - did that generate any interest?

Hey Rob,

for the purposes of this discussion..

define "less expensive" Pelikan. My mind goes to the 200 or 150. But some perhaps think Future or Pelikano.

I'm of German descent so fortunately I think I can exclude myself from any role of importance in this process.

I would be willing to contact Chartpak or a seller on FPNs behalf unless of course someone else here has better contacts. And of course, that would depend on the final decision of if a pen, what pen. As well as a solid quantity we would be purchasing.

Hmmmmmmm <_<

For me a small pen would not be purchased since I wouldn't write with it afterwards.



I just like large pens

Kurt H

Well rob,
I will humbly give up my mantel of power and say:

Good luck getting it all together.





Kurt H

Who is from Louisiana and last time I checked it's in the USA

Ya you really want to. The old "learning form your mistake" thingy... Canadians never got a shot at it. Who knows what they would do, given that power !!!

I vote for Kurt

Does anybody know anywhere we could get Pelikan GO!s cheap? Even if we don't go with it, I want to know where I could get some myself

I am uncomfortable with a lot of power ... but thanks anyway, Rob!



PT regular "Dov" had some listed on January 4th on the Pentrace Green Board:
Pelikan Go! sale link here
I don't know him personally, but I have heard he is a reliable seller and he seems like a really nice guy on the chat channel

and of course, there's the bay. uh. e-bay, not bay muh dog.

I've purchased from Dov. 3 Go's as a matter of fact.

hi Kurt.

So, what is your "minimum" pen in terms of size on this. Does a Lamy count as a medium-sized pen? I ask because you've given a lot of input here and I am wondering if the M200 or Lamy thing is a big turn-off for you.

of course it's impossible to please everyone in a thing like this - which is why the ink or well thing is appealing in addition to a pen.

THe M200 is too small a pen for me to like. Actually a M600 is probably below what I would choose as a pen. This being said I have and use a Lamy Vista and enjoy it. I think it might have to do with the shape of the barrel and section.

As a whole I just think that something other than a pen would be nice as an 'identifier' for the site.

Kurt H

The Core and the lamy Safari Vista. Can't find a core that is Orange, grrrr...

To add to the chaos of this thread for the sake of bringing my precious, invaluable opinion (in my valuation, at least ) to bear - I would recommend a FPN special edition be:

• One pen from one manufacturer
• One color
• A numbered edition (engraved, perhaps, on the cap band)

It could be a heretofore unused color in a known pen, like an "FPN blue".
I would prefer Pelikan, or any other pen that is piston fill and which has an ink level monitoring window.
It must have a gold nib.

I mean, this is a high-class forum right? Do we really want cheapie (Potty Mouth) pens as emblems of our taste in fountain pens? (no offense of course to those of you who prefer writing with a cheapie (Potty Mouth) pen over a luxuriously smooth, refined, delicious pen) People should see the pen and say "Ooh la LA, I want to visit FPN now!" It is, after all, primarily an advertising scheme, I imagine.

Absolute power belongs to someone from the Dutchy of Grand Fenwick - without question.

J. Appleseed

I am not sure what is happening with regard to the pen project...but I'm pretty happy that FPN picked a logo and got the notepads printed. They're very nice....

I would love to own an FPN pen...

OK KCat. We've discussed those dratted acronyms before. Wonder if I finally got you. Isn't it suppoerd to be AFAIK? As in [bold]Know?[/bold]

Heh.

Over to you (and don't stay up too late trying to find something beginning with C that fits)

Best.

Gerry

PS: Tongue firmly planted in cheek...

AFAIAC, it's all the same to me

AFAIC = As Far As I'm Concerned?
Is that what you meant, KCat/Denis?

What about the pen as a writing instrument?

A Special pen for me is one:

That never leaks
Italic medium flexible nib
writes on all surfaces effortlessly, and glides like butter
That is guaranteed not to spit on air travel
workmanship guaranteed for life
the pen is made to be fully user serviceable
classic design, not the Vanishing point style retractable
adjustable pen balance


Body:
base model made of an extremely durable economical material like delrin or carbon fiber, or any kind of metal alloy [brass or stainless steel], and the body can be user changed with the pen components

This allows the owner to still enjoy the writing instrument segment but can easily upgrade the body, if damaged or for appearance, and opens the door for a 3rd party market to make custom bodies or of precious metal

Price:
To be affordable to nearly all who want one and upwards for precious metals in the nib or shell

Based on the Poll it looks like we at FPN believe:

Special Dinner = McDonalds

Special Car = Kia

Special Gift = Socks

Special Jewelry = Mood Ring

Special Color = "Light" Blue (as contrast with Blue)

Yeah, I see a FPN Lamy Safari or a Pelikan Go being sought after by the collectors in a couple of years.

How about a FPN Limited Edition Sheaffer Balance II to commemorate the closing of the Iowa plant? Pick a special FPN celluloid color!

no no I know a Lamy VISTA but in clear smoke, for less that $20 too OK?

Except I don't normally carry a purse...except when Peg asks me to...and she only likes rollerballs... /:)

Jeez, I dunno, Kurt...

The RS Cracked Ice First Anniversary Pen really didn't go over that well. Why I will never know. It was a great pen and I personally own two. I always thought it looks like a Hysek clone but the designer swears the Hysek was NOT the insiriation...

So..If we do an FPN thing...

First, I will be the first (I think) to ask you to be the Director...

Second, in the 30 to 50 buck range there are a lot of decent pens...

Waterman Phileas
Coupla Parkers
That Indian Waterly that everyone keeps raving about
A whole raft of Hero models
Pels aplenty

God, the list goes on.

I would be happy with any of them, although my heart is in the Phil camp more than any of the ones I have listed....

Bill