I Need A New Pen

[Astronymus]

 

The Chinese make a aluminum bodied pen inspired by the Lamy Alstar-- they are not as well built but they offer very pretty colors and for only $1.50 each

 

You should work in marketing or politics. That's one nice euphemism.

[BKCooper]

I am really liking the twsbi but it's not a cartridge pen which means I won't use it at work. I've been thinking though. A preppy would be better for work. If it gets broke I'm not out so much. So for journal writing I would want a nice med nib that writes wet or a fine nib that lays down a nice dark line. I dip want something that writes as smooth as my metro med nib, but something different. I'm very curious about the vintage pens too. Lots of great suggestions. Thanks again.

[PaganArcher]

The pen I would suggest, though slightly above your listed budget, would be the Platinum #3776 Balance/Maestro (I've seen it listed as both on ebay).

 

I have one with a broad nib and it's one that I reach for almost as often as my Lamy 2000 or my #3776 Century. It is a discontinued model, but it's a fantastic writer if you can find one. Steel nib, cartridge/converter, and light weight.

[sandy101]

A preppy will crack over time. The plasir would be a better option. The same nib unit, but with more robust aluminium.

[Buzz_130]

Getting a Preppy or a Varsity is an outstanding choice to bring to work without worry about loss or damage. I started with a pack of Varsities when living in Japan.

 

But I also have no worries about bringing other pens to the office, and the ones in your price range are mentioned above: Lamy Safari, Parker 45 (vintage), Esterbrook J. All are durable, reliable, and faithful companions. The Parker and Esterbrook can quickly change nibs as well.

 

Buzz

[Katduffy]

A Lamy Logo uses the same nibs as the Al-star and Safari, but doesn't have the large clip and triangular grip section making the Logo look more like a conventional ballpoint or rollerball.

[southpaw]

TWSBI ECO, Lam y Safari, Lam y Al-Star, Platinum Balance.

 

My personal choice would be the ECO...or the newer ECO-T with its larger section.. Good, reliable, and a true piston filler! I have 2 ECOs.

[Brianm_14]

A preppy will crack over time. The plasir would be a better option. The same nib unit, but with more robust aluminium.

My Preppys no longer crack. I think they have address that issue to some degree, as long as one does not overtighten the pen.

[inkandseeds]

I would recommend a Sheaffer Imperial III. Peytonstreetpens has NOS seconds for $38. I have bought several over the years from peytonstreetpens and like them. Cap is snug so they don’t dry out.

[calvin_0]

I have a pilot metro med

 

Wing Sung 698 would be a decent option since you already have Pilot Metro.. just replace Wing Sung 698's nib with Pilot Metro's nib and you'll have an awesome pen.

Edited September 19, 2018 by calvin_0

[Honeybadgers]

under $30, you're in the "awesome chinese made pens" territory. Any PenBBS model is great, there is a piston filler, and all the models can be eyedropper converted.

 

 

Wing sung 698 and a wing sung 601. 698 is a piston filler, better made than the TWSBI eco and can actually swap the nibs with your pilot pens.

 

 

The wing sung 601 is a perfect parker 51 vacumatic clone, vac-filler and lovely clutch cap, even has an ink window (or a cool demonstrator)

 

 

Both can be had together for under $30 shipped.

 

If you like the kaweco sport, I recommend you avoid that pen and instead get the chinese version that's actually better - the delike alpha. If you plan on using the clip in a front jeans pocket, get the acrylic or aluminum models, the brass model requires that you file a notch into the body and glue the clip in place (if you're willing to do that and have a basic single cut file on hand, however, the brass model is a home run of a pen) whereas the aluminum and resin models have firm fitting clips. All the models are under $15 and the fit, finish, and design are all actually BETTER than Kaweco.

 

 

 

[WLSpec]

I was eyeballing a kaweco sport but it had no clip for my front pocket. I like the look of the jinhao 750 and the penbbs. Things lamy, at least at jet pens, is a bit higher than I wanted to go but I might talk myself into it. Need some other things too.

 

Kaweco Sport is a good pen, you can purchase a Kaweco clip online if you feel the need. Otherwise, Lamy Safari or TWSBI Eco would be my top choices.