Looking for input

[slt]

I've just begun exploring the possibility of collecting decorative and interesting pens. I'm looking for some input as to my first 3 or 4 purchases. I am willing, at this early stage, to invest up to $500 per pen. What are some recommendations for good brands and models to consider.

 

S.L. Tarakan

Long Island, New York

[KendallJ]

SLT -

 

You'll get a lot of opinions on that one, I'm sure. A lot of it depends on what you are looking for in a pen.

 

If you are interested in good writers first of all, then maybe some of these would be appropriate:

 

1. Pelikan, 800 series

2. Nakaya, You'll need the full 500 here, but anyone of their pens in maki-e lacquer are stunning

3. Namiki - great writers and again maki-e lacquer available

4. Sailor

 

If you are first and foremost interested in beauty and interesting design elements. here I can't always speak for writing, but you might consider:

1. Conklin

2. Krone - out of their fashion series (see my review of the Geometrik)

3. Nettuno

4. Visconti

5. Omas

6. Montegrappa

 

A couple of good websites to look at that have all of these would be Fountain Pen Hospital, World Lux, Swisher Pens. Pam Braun at Oscar Braun Pen (www.oscarbraunpens.com) has the best prices when you're ready to buy.

[Guest Denis Richard]

Hi slt,

 

If you are looking in the $500 or less price point, you have a lot of choices. As Kendall pointed, browsing online merchants is always a good thing. I would had to the list joon.com, which is very well done to quickly browse through the lines of many manufacturers.

 

If you are looking for "decorative" pens, Maki-E is the way to go, if they suit your taste. In that case, I'm sure winedoc will be happy to give you some pointers.

 

Welcome to FPN, slt !

[Guest Denis Richard]

Oups... just realized you are in Long Island. A visit to Fountain Pen Hospital and Joon is in order ! There you'll be able to see and try all the pens you want.

[slt]

Thanks for the replies. I'll be sure to visit both Joon and the FPH in NYC.

 

Now that I'm retired I can focus on some of the hobbies I've always wanted to develop . . . pen collecting among them.

 

I spent many years as a professional writer, dictionary editor and political speech writer, and bemoan the decline of the written . . . as opposed to the computer-generated . . . word!

 

By the way, a friend suggested I join the Pen Collectors of America. What do you folks think? Are their publications worth the membership fee?

[KCat]

are you considering vintage as well? you can spend $500 easily on a vintage pen (and, you can spend $15 on some of them)

 

I only have a few vintage pens myself and prefer modern for various reasons. But there are ton of collectable and useable vintage pens "out there" as well.

[slt]

Yes, eventually I will likely drift toward vintage pens . . . collecting is an addiction, after all . . . but for now I'd like to get hold of some modern pens which write nicely and look good . . . and take it from there. I'm willing to devote a lot of time to this, and there's no hurry.

[wimg]

Hi slt,

 

Don't forget to visit Art Brown's either...

 

If you can only visit 2 shops, visit FPH and Art Brown's <G>.

 

(I speak from <a single> experience )

 

Kindest regards,

Wim

[Free Citizen]

Hi, welcome to FPN. $500 is a serious amount of money to spend on a pen. If I have this kind of budget for 3 or 4 pens, I would plan it this way. I would like a variety by type of material. First, the metal range. I am partial to Sterling Silver. They don't shout as loud as gold filled pens do and it looks very smart. Almost all major brands makes them. Secondly, I would look for pens made of precious or semi-precious stone. The Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli and Jade comes to mind. They are lovely. Third, pens made of precious wood also looks very nice. Brands to look out for is Faber Castell and Sailor of Japan. Just FYI, I have a handmade wood pen that is a stunner for just $50. For the forth one, I would definitely go for an art deco in the form of a maki-e. One of our members here by the name of winedoc have some of the most beautiful maki-e pens by Japanese artistes. Check some of them out in our Trade Forum. Or better still, send him a Private Message (PM), inform him of your budget and see what he has to offer. Looks like you are going to have fun. Oh, how I envy you.

[slt]

Free Citizen -- thanks for the reply. I'm not trying to evoke envy, believe me. I've retired, saved some money, and am looking to expand a lifelong involvement with writing by getting closer to pens -- tools which are rapidly being replaced by what I'm doing now -- typing on a computer keyboard! Many of my friends collect something -- some collect sports stuff, others collect stamps, still others collect antique cars (now they are to be envied). I'd like to get back in touch with my roots, as it were -- recalling a day when as a dictionary editor for Random House in New York I actually wrote things with a pen! Ah, such a lost art -- what will our descendents read of ours that isn't stored on a zip disk?

 

S. Tarakan

Long Island, New York

[Free Citizen]

Ah Tarakan, you are a true pen user. It is only fair that you should treat yourself to the joys of using fine writing instruments in your retirement. I would do the same when all my other financial obligations are dispensed with You have come to the right forum. I believe there are a number of retirees here. And even one member who have finished a book with a fountain pen! I am sure you you can make yourself at home at FPN. Please do check out the Penmanship forum. It has become my favourite forum here

[Karin]

A hearty welcome to you SLT. As Lim has said, you have come to the right place!

I have a Von Faber Castell with the grenadilla wood barrel. It's a beautiful pen. The grip is silver though so if you don't like holding metal this may not be a suitable purchase.

I also recommend speaking to Kevin (Winedoc). I'm writing a book with a fountain pen and just sent the first chapter to my webmaster. Ironically, it's going to start its life as an e-book. When I finish this magnum opus, I've decided to treat myself to one of Kevin's Urushi pens.

May you buy many beautiful fp's and enjoy your collecting, and writing.

 

Kind Regards,

Karin

[slt]

I want to sincerely thank all of you who responded, both publicly and privately, to my call for guidance in starting down the path toward righteous writing . . . I have, since I first joined this forum, purchased three fountain pens, each possessing a distinct character, each feeding into something within me that makes me want to scrap my computers and start writing letters (assuming anyone can still read handwriting). I now own a Pelikan M800, a Parker Duofold Pinstripe, and an Omas Ogiva. I'm still deciding on the point width I prefer, but I assume most, if not all, of these pens have interchangeable nibs.

 

By the way, I paid my first visit to the FPH in New York, browsed through Art Brown, and skipped Joon altogether (it's Christmas in New York, and the shops are crowded).

 

Many thanks to all of you who recommended Pam Braun.

 

Sheldon Tarakan

Long Island, New York

[KendallJ]

slt, you have good taste those are all great pens and worthy of any classic collection!

[Guest Denis Richard]

That Parker Duofold Pinstripe is a gorgeous pen ! If someone has some extra cash for Christmas, PM me for my address....

[mkoenig]

SLT,

 

I, like you, believe that writing is almost extinct...I'm to blame as well, whilst I spend 10 hours a day on this computer!

 

I plan on telling my grandfather about your endeavour, as I hold him to be one of the finest writers I know. He started in Jounalism out of College, a medium sized paper in Arkansas. From there, he went into advertising, having won a couple national awards for his print ads. He keeps his writing to himself for the most part, but he'll publish a bit every now and then. He too is now retired, and as I begin to spend some more time with pens, I'm sure he'll receive a couple from me.

 

I write terribly, due to me being brought up in the e-mail age, I suspect. I've written for a Congressman, and for business, but that's about all I can do at this point.

 

At any rate, welcome! I'm really new here as well, and it's a great forum.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

[mkoenig]

SLT,

 

I, like you, believe that writing is almost extinct...I'm to blame as well, whilst I spend 10 hours a day on this computer!

 

I plan on telling my grandfather about your endeavour, as I hold him to be one of the finest writers I know. He started in Jounalism out of College, a medium sized paper in Arkansas. From there, he went into advertising, having won a couple national awards for his print ads. He keeps his writing to himself for the most part, but he'll publish a bit every now and then. He too is now retired, and as I begin to spend some more time with pens, I'm sure he'll receive a couple from me.

 

I write terribly, due to me being brought up in the e-mail age, I suspect. I've written for a Congressman, and for business, but that's about all I can do at this point.

 

At any rate, welcome! I'm really new here as well, and it's a great forum.

 

On a side note, please don't take offense to me making a grandfather reference, I'm certain he's much older than you...I just know that he'd think people wanting to get back to their respective "writing roots" would make him happy!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

[slt]

Mark . . . no offense taken vis-a-vis the "grandfather" comment. I'm nudging 63, but what's a number? I remember, as a child, being forced to write within the lines in an effort to imitate the handwriting in our "penmanship" books.

 

Having spent 35 years as a writer, I have learned to type with 2 fingers (one on each hand), write in a hand decipherable only by myself, and edit typescripts with scribbles, slashes, smudges and coffee stains.

 

I have begun to redeem myself by daily writing with my plume du jour alternating between a Pelikan M800, a Namiki Hawk, an Omas Ogiva, a Parker Duofold Pinstripe and a neat Namiki VP Raden. I look forward to recommendations for new pens to work with.

 

Nice hearing from all of you.

 

Sheldon Tarakan

[Guest Denis Richard]

Sheldon,

 

I just visited your website... I'm drooling all over my keyboard

 

You know, I could translate that Louis Pasteur Letter, and keep it until you find a buyer

 

Denis.

Edited December 16, 2004 by Denis Richard