Need Help Picking Out First Fountain Pen

[Spoofo9t9]

Hi everyone, i'm new to this so im not really sure on what to choose. I've used disposable fountain pens and I like the idea of having a pen that i can use for years. I've been looking at the Pilot Metropolitan and the Lamy Safari. If anyone has any other ideas that would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to spend more than $30.

 

Thanks

[Bluey]

The Pilot metro is a great pen, but the Lamy Safari is essentially an ugly pen for kids with meh nibs. The latter is useful if you want to change nibs quickly and keep on hand a good range of nibs, but the nibs are still meh and inconsistent.

 

I would also suggest either a Jinhao such as the 159, x250, x450, or x750, or a WingSung 698. They are much cheaper than the above, and the Wing Sung has perhaps a nib that is the equal of the Pilot Metro, and is also very fine(it comes in 2 nib widths) with a decent ink capacity so it will last you the longest, if that's a criteria.

 

The Wing Sung 698 is best I would say.

Edited March 13, 2018 by Bluey

[Tryek25]

You're definitely in the right track. I have several Metros and love them all. One thing to remember, those Asian nibs are fine than similar Western nibs.

[Spoofo9t9]

Thanks for the input i'm checking them out online.

[Spoofo9t9]

The Pilot metro is a great pen, but the Lamy Safari is essentially an ugly pen for kids with meh nibs. The latter is useful if you want to change nibs quickly and keep on hand a good range of nibs, but the nibs are still meh and inconsistent.

 

I would also suggest either a Jinhao such as the 159, x250, x450, or x750, or a WingSung 698. They are much cheaper than the above, and the Wing Sung has perhaps a nib that is the equal of the Pilot Metro, and is also very fine(it comes in 2 nib widths) with a decent ink capacity so it will last you the longest, if that's a criteria.

 

The Wing Sung 698 is best I would say.

 

 

You're definitely in the right track. I have several Metros and love them all. One thing to remember, those Asian nibs are fine than similar Western nibs.

 

Thank you for the help, I think i'm going to go for the Metropolitan which will hopefully be the first of many.

[chromantic]

​First, welcome to the club!

 

Sheaffer VFM is a nice pen to start with - sturdy (brass cap and barrel), inexpensive ($15-20 on ebay), smooth writer (M or F), comes in several colors (F seems to be limited to black, red and silver).

 

Kaweco Sport is another good choice - compact design, light as a feather (all plastic), comes in a plethora of colors and has a wider range of nibs than the VFM, very smooth writer; runs a little more ($25-30 on ebay, clip sold separately ~$8-10).

 

Pretty much limited to short international cartridges, though Kaweco does offer mini converters.

[SoulSamurai]

Sheaffer VFM is a nice pen to start with - sturdy (brass cap and barrel), inexpensive ($15-20 on ebay), smooth writer (M or F), comes in several colors (F seems to be limited to black, red and silver).

 

I'm quite fond of my VFM myself. It's possible to modify a Monteverde Mini converter to work with it, but normally you're stuck with single Standard International short cartridges.

 

Another one that I like to recommend is the Platinum Plaisir, which is claimed to be more resistant to drying out than most pens. It can use either Platinum ink cartridges (or their converter), or Standard International with the use of a small adaptor.

[Maurizio]

Pilot Metro is a good choice. I would start with the medium nib. I had both a medium and a fine and th fine was too scratchy and I gave it away. I haven’t tried the WingSung, but I do have a Jinhao 159 which writes very well. Problem is the Chinese pens still have inconsistent quality control. I was lucky with my 159 I think.

 

I will also suggest a Pilot Lucina. It’s a bit higher than your budget but you can get one from Amazon for around $38.00. It comes in 4 colors. This pen is more than twice as good as a Metro with a really nice writing nib. Only downside is that the pen is a little small so if you have large hands maybe not a good choice; otherwise it’s a great underrated pen.

[Spoofo9t9]

Pilot Metro is a good choice. I would start with the medium nib. I had both a medium and a fine and th fine was too scratchy and I gave it away. I haven’t tried the WingSung, but I do have a Jinhao 159 which writes very well. Problem is the Chinese pens still have inconsistent quality control. I was lucky with my 159 I think.

 

I will also suggest a Pilot Lucina. It’s a bit higher than your budget but you can get one from Amazon for around $38.00. It comes in 4 colors. This pen is more than twice as good as a Metro with a really nice writing nib. Only downside is that the pen is a little small so if you have large hands maybe not a good choice; otherwise it’s a great underrated pen.

 

Thanks, I ordered the Pilot Metro last night from what Ive seen it would be a good starter.

[Torrilin]

For next time, tell us which disposables? A lot of them can actually be refilled with very little trouble. And they’re pretty common pens so we can suggest similar ones.

[Spoofo9t9]

For next time, tell us which disposables? A lot of them can actually be refilled with very little trouble. And they’re pretty common pens so we can suggest similar ones.

I think they where just like bic brand. I sadly lost them and that's what made me want to get a nicer fountain pen.

[sail1942]

I would go with a TWSBI Eco. User friendly, piston fill, lifetime warranty.

[senzen]

I have one metro and seven Vistas (clear Safaris), mostly because the metro appeared later .

 

Nib: The metro is very nice, but it writes thin (M) or very thin (F). The Lamy offers more options and you can buy more nibs, most of mine have required some sort of adjustment.

 

Looks (subjective of course): the metro is ok in black, I don't like any of the other colours, particularly since I like sections the same colour as the rest of the pen. The vista looks better for me, very techy.

 

Comfort: Both are equally comfortable, the metro is borderline thin.

 

Ink evaporation: The metro seems to evaporate less quickly.

 

Conclusion: if you don't mind a pen in any colour as long as it's black (or you like the other colours), get a metro. Spend the other $28 on a nice ink and some decent paper.

[Maurizio]

Thanks, I ordered the Pilot Metro last night from what Ive seen it would be a good starter.

 

When you get it, report back here and let us know how you like it.

[Arkanabar]

Consider the Platinum Plaisir. Unlike the Safari, it has a round section. Unlike the Metro, it is lightweight aluminum, instead of weighty brass, and the 10.4mm section doesn't have a sharp(ish) step up to a significantly larger barrel, as the 8.4mm section on the Metro does. My wife takes hers out every few months or so, and it always writes, right on the first stroke.

 

eta: My wife owns all three of these pens. I'll have to ask her which of them gets the most use, and why. ... but I can just about guarantee that it's not the Safari (she has a Vista), because she's never asked me to fill it. I have filled her Lamy Logo, and she's quite happy with the XF nib. /edit

Right at the very top of your price range is the TWSBI ECO, which is a piston filler, instead of cartridge/converter.

 

and I'm a day late. But in order not to also be a dollar short, use your metro for a few months before you buy another pen. Take careful not of what you like about it, and what you'd like to change, and take those things into consideration when choosing your next pen.

Edited March 15, 2018 by Arkanabar

[Spoofo9t9]

When you get it, report back here and let us know how you like it.

Just came today. I haven't really used it yet but from what I have noticed the Metro has to be the nicest feeling pen ive used in my life. Thank you all for your help!

[akrohn2010]

Just came today. I haven't really used it yet but from what I have noticed the Metro has to be the nicest feeling pen ive used in my life. Thank you all for your help!

My first pen was a Metro and I still have it and use it often despite having more expensive options. Fantastic pen, congratulations and welcome to FPN!

 

~AK

[Maurizio]

Thanks for checking back in. Glad your first impressions were favorable.

 

I’ve been hanging around the FPN for several years now and it’s a great forum with nice, civil folks.

[southpaw]

 

Thanks, I ordered the Pilot Metro last night from what Ive seen it would be a good starter.

 

Can't go wrong! You're hooked now!

[JonB55198]

Jinhao x450 is an inexpensive cartridge converter pen. It takes a #6 nib so you can swap other #6 nibs in. There are many out there at various pen sites.

 

The Wing Sung 698 is a great piston filler that can take pilot nibs. So you can swap any of the Pilot 78G, Pilot Penmanship, or Pilot Plumix nibs in. So you can get some cool italic nibs and such. The feed is pretty nice and keeps up with even a BB italic. It is a good all around pen. Very versatile. Very reliable.