First Serious Pen Suggestions

[FountainPen2001]

I've been into fountain pens for about a year now, and I'm looking to buy my first serious pen. Something around the 230-250 dollar range would be ideal. Any suggestions

[SujiCorp12345]

Hi, welcome to FPN.

 

What are your preferences? Big pens? Any particular barrel colours/materials you fancy? Would you like a nail like nib or something with a little spring? Ink capacity? Filling system? Modern or vintage? etc...

[orfew]

Do you want to buy new or would used be okay. You can sometimes get a great deal on used pens. I would recommend the classifieds section of this board.

[FountainPen2001]

Suji, modern, little spring in the nib, cartridge converter, standout "eye popping" design on the barrel,

And thanks for the welcome

Also I am willing up to other suggestions though

[pennut]

I am thinking you don't have to spend 230-250 for a "serious" fountain pen. Part of the decision process involves what you are going to do with the pen (e.g. use it or display it). With regard to the "use it" category, I would venture to say that you can purchase a pen that feels great in your hand and writes with a feel and flow that you love for less than the 230. In summary, I am suggesting that you not base your decision just on price.

[ernestcow]

A Pelikan would be nice since they have good piston fillers or you could save a littleeeee for a Visconti that's on sale they have beautiful designs

[parnesh]

Pilot 743.

[redisburning]

the best pen I've ever purchased in this price range is a second hand Montblanc 146.

 

also it's black and gold and has a little snowflake that some people will recognize; very serious indeed.

 

this is a price range where second hand gets you into something that is actually worth owning in a modern pen. if you are incapable of judging a pen beyond it's nib feel (the classic trapping of the muscle car fan) then you can save your money, I assure you, and pick from any number of nondescript pens that so many here will tell you are just as good. I would except internet pricing for the Pilot Custom 823 from this as it's not only a very nice pen but one that has something worth caring about to it, but that's about it.

 

other choices you might consider could be a Sheaffer PFM, or an Aurora 88.

 

I would recommend against a Pelikan unless you are willing to spend a little more and get an M800. an M600 was absolutely and without question the most disappointing pen I've ever acquired. despite that, I own two M800s.

[Brian C]

Platinum 3776 Century

[inkstainedruth]

I would recommend against a Pelikan unless you are willing to spend a little more and get an M800. an M600 was absolutely and without question the most disappointing pen I've ever acquired. despite that, I own two M800s.

I'm gonna have to kinda disagree on this -- which model to get is going to be someone dependent on what size you like (and also if you want new, older, or vintage).

I have a 90s era M400 and I love it -- and would consider a 600 if I thought I could afford one. But I personally have smallish hands, so when I tried someone's M800 a couple of years ago it was a bit on the heavy side. I also tried someone's Montblanc 146 and was completely underwhelmed by it; the guy's 149 had a better nib, IMO, but was much too large and heavy a pen for me. YMMV

I haven't tried a lot of pens in FountainPen2001's price range, but I love my M400 (and because it wasn't new -- I got it on Ebay -- I paid less than that, even with shipping). But I also don't have a lot of modern pens at this point, because I got bitten by the vintage bug, and would probably put most of my Parker 51s and Vacumatics up against the suggestions other people made -- and they were all a LOT less money.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Buzz_130]

A nicely restored vintage fountain pen will typically run far less than your budget. You could get a Parker Vac, 45, 51 (vac or aero), and even 75 in that range. Each of those pens has it's own look and style. The Vacs are true "lookers" and can write beautifully. The 51 is simply iconic and is worth its reputation. You could buy several 45s with different nibs to enjoy multiple colors. A 75 has a very distinct look as well and could brush against your budget. Esterbrook and Sheaffer also made some tremendous pens in the golden age of fountain pens and will stay well under your budget.

 

But if you are looking for modern, some of the finest ones made today are made in Japan. Pilot makes a wide range of pens across the entire range of budget. Sailor makes many classic-looking pens and the nibs tend to be excellent. Platinum's nibs tend toward the "nail" side but are also incredible buys.

 

Your final option is to look at customs.

 

I, too, have been bitten by the vintage bug and love it. With that kind of money, you will definitely get great value in a restored vintage pen.

 

Buzz

[redisburning]

I'm gonna have to kinda disagree on this -- which model to get is going to be someone dependent on what size you like (and also if you want new, older, or vintage).

I have a 90s era M400 and I love it -- and would consider a 600 if I thought I could afford one. But I personally have smallish hands, so when I tried someone's M800 a couple of years ago it was a bit on the heavy side. I also tried someone's Montblanc 146 and was completely underwhelmed by it; the guy's 149 had a better nib, IMO, but was much too large and heavy a pen for me. YMMV

I haven't tried a lot of pens in FountainPen2001's price range, but I love my M400 (and because it wasn't new -- I got it on Ebay -- I paid less than that, even with shipping). But I also don't have a lot of modern pens at this point, because I got bitten by the vintage bug, and would probably put most of my Parker 51s and Vacumatics up against the suggestions other people made -- and they were all a LOT less money.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

You are free to disagree, afterall my post was a recommendation based on opinion, not fact.

 

But, it is an opinion based on ownership. In several cases ownership of multiple examples.

[sandy101]

The Platinum make-I come with springy gold nibs, a convertor and eye-popping colours.

[Mister K]

A Waterman 58 in Cardinal Red with a full flex, superflex, wet noodle nib would be very serious indeed. Buy one of those.

[Drone]

I recommend you go for a quality modern pen first. Later, as you study more and learn you will be better prepared to dive into the wonderful world of vintage pens.

 

How about an Edison or Bexley beauty with a gold nib. There's a pretty good range of pens to choose from:

 

http://edisonpen.com/

 

http://www.bexleypen.com/

 

Another would be the "new" Wahl-Eversharp Skyline pens: The best of modern quality, yet faithful to the Skyline's vintage roots.Today's Wahl-Eversharp does justice to the vintage brand, it is not just a "Retread" of the company name like you see so often these days.

 

http://wahleversharp.com/

 

No matter what pen you are thinking about, the best advice I can give you is that you learn all you can about the pen and the company that made it, before you buy. This prevents a case of Buyer's Remorse.

 

Read the reviews. Pay attention to how big (or small) the pen is. Does the pen post? Is the pen well balanced, or is it top heavy when posted? Is the pen too heavy - what is it made of? Is the filling system easy to clean and maintain? What is the company's location and reputation for service? What if you change your mind and want a different nib, does the company offer spare nibs in different sizes that you can change yourself?

 

The three companies I have recommended here get good marks in my experience.

 

Good Luck, David

Edited January 12, 2015 by Drone

[dkim87]

Please tell us what you have already so there is a reference point. Furthermore you can tell us if you want something similar to what you have or something different.

[Charles Rice]

I've been into fountain pens for about a year now, and I'm looking to buy my first serious pen. Something around the 230-250 dollar range would be ideal. Any suggestions

Yes - trying to figure out the best pen for someone else without really knowing the person is a waste of time. If at all possible, visit a B&M store and get the feel of several different pens. If you can't do that, go to one of many web sites and look at all the options. Try the Fountain Pen Hospital, Goulet, well, I could go on and on. The point is that EVERYONE here will recommend something different but only you can decide what is best for you.

[prighello]

Hard to go wrong with a Pelikan in that price range. You could probably get an M400, maybe even a M600 if you're lucky.

[FountainPen2001]

ive been looking at some of the Edison production line pens (specifically the Collier) and I think that would probably be a good way to go, as someone had mentioned

[Namo]

If you like pens on the heavy side, you might give a try to a Waterman Carene (two, actually). C/c filler, smooth rigid nib, outstanding, modern design... My choice would be a Lamy 2k though, either in steel or makrolon