Need Help Finding A Thin Pen For My Wife

[SlowRain]

I finally have my wife interested in getting a fountain pen, but she wants a thin one. I know she'll want to buy the cheapest one she finds, but she'd probably be willing to up the price a bit (but nothing too expensive) if the pen is pretty. I'd like her first pen to be a pleasant experience so I can buy her a nicer one later (maybe a Waterman Hemisphere).

So, what can you suggest for a decent-quality, thin, pretty (girly) pen with a smooth fine nib that uses bottled ink? Sheaffer? Cross? Parker?

Thanks.

Edited October 13, 2019 by SlowRain

[visper]

Hi SlowRain,

 

I would try pens from Graf Von Faber Castel then. They are thin and beautifully made. Here was a conversation about them just recently.

I myself do not have one but my wife really likes them

[SlowRain]

Beautiful pens to be sure. But anything "Graf Von" is going to be more than what she wants to pay.

[visper]

What about Lamy Studio? I have two and they are amazing.

[visper]

Or Lamy Scala, they had just released a new color which looks very nice.

[ingolf]

Another pretty thin pen might be the Kaweco 1910 Eyedropper pen. "Eyedropper" is just part of the model name as it is designed like a vintage eyedropper pen. The pen itself is a cartridge filler pen.

But, as "Graf von ...", the pen is not a cheap pen.

[inotrym]

Parker Vector,

Lamy CP1,

Faber Castell NEO Slim,

Cross Classic Century,

Cross Century II,

Lamy Logo,

Pilot Metropolitan (the grip is pretty thin)

Edited October 13, 2019 by inotrym

[SlowRain]

The Lamy Studio & Scala may work as a second pen later on when she knows she likes fountain pens, but she'd never pay that price now. I don't think a solid black pen would meet her definition of pretty. It has to be quite "girly" for her to be interested in it.

[MsRedpen]

Faber-Castell issued NEO Slim for Asian market in white colour and in red. Both are with rose gold trim. Very elegant design.

Platinum PTL-5000A might be another suggestion. Slim and light pen, with 14 kt gold nib.

[SlowRain]

Parker Vector - probably not pretty enough for that price

Lamy CP1 - I doubt she'd go for a plain black or silver pen (not "girly" enough)

Faber Castell NEO Slim - see above

Cross Classic Century & Cross Century II - maybe in the right color, but likely too expensive for her first pen

Lamy Logo - possibly, thanks

Pilot Metropolitan - she doesn't like mine, but I can not figure out why

[SlowRain]

Faber-Castell issued NEO Slim for Asian market in white colour and in red. Both are with rose gold trim. Very elegant design.

Platinum PTL-5000A might be another suggestion. Slim and light pen, with 14 kt gold nib.

If the NEO Slim comes in red or white, that's a maybe. The Platinum may work in red, but pricey. Thanks.

[milkb0at]

Suggestions for modern:

- Caran D'Ache 849 (funky colours)

- One of the slim Lamy options

 

Vintage (but not really old)

- Waterman Laureat

- Sheaffer Targa (or Slim Targa)

- Sheaffer Skripsert (although I've no idea about prices for these)

[SlowRain]

I know she won't go vintage/second-hand.

 

What are the Caran D'Ache 849 nibs like? The pen is weird-looking to me, but she may go for one simply because it's pink.

[gmax]

Some suggestions:

• Cross Century II in Plum lacquer
• Lamy Scala in Violet
• Waterman Hemisphere Privee Rose Cuivre

 

[SlowRain]

Yes, all of those would work--but for a nicer pen later on. She'd never pay that for something she's not sure she's going to like yet.

[hari317]

How about a new old stock Sheaffer Targa slim from Peyton Street Pens?

[milkb0at]

What are the Caran D'Ache 849 nibs like? The pen is weird-looking to me, but she may go for one simply because it's pink.

 

I love my 849 ballpoint (and 844 mechanical pencil) so I'm biased with the style, but I haven't tried the fountain pen which is bound to be a bit different. I don't know what the nib is like, but Ana at Well Appointed Desk likes them (and she has the pink one too)

 

https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2017/07/pen-review-caran-dache-849-fountain-pen/

 

I don't know if the price point is still too high, though.

[SlowRain]

How about a new old stock Sheaffer Targa slim from Peyton Street Pens?

 

It would have to be something local. She wouldn't be something she'd want to pay international shipping on for something she couldn't see and touch when buying.

 

 

I love my 849 ballpoint (and 844 mechanical pencil) so I'm biased with the style, but I haven't tried the fountain pen which is bound to be a bit different. I don't know what the nib is like, but Ana at Well Appointed Desk likes them (and she has the pink one too)

 

https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2017/07/pen-review-caran-dache-849-fountain-pen/

 

I don't know if the price point is still too high, though.

 

Thanks. The review sounds good. If she likes something, she'll suddenly increase the budget. But it's really difficult to know what will strike her fancy.

[Namo]

Platinum desk pen. Amazing SEF nib.

[JulieParadise]

Define "pretty" ... my favourite slim pen would be the classic Montblanc 144. It would not really be cheap, but it is a classic you buy once for life.

 

Since the 144 is not made anymore you would have to get a pre-owned one which brings down the price a bit.

 

There are even models with a gold cap ... aaah, beautiful!