$400 to buy a fountain pen

[wimg]

Hi Johnny,

 

I would have to agree with Amin - a Stipula, preferably an Etruria, maybe a Novecento, or a Da Vinci. And an Etruria or Novecento either as a true pistonfiller, or a model with the big piston converter.

 

The 991 is still available here and there, but it is over $400; the Ocean Blue and the Amber big piston converters are current models. All of these are made of celluloid, hence that adds a very nice touch, and quite an extensive choice of nibs.

 

The d'Inverno is still available too, and I just love mine, made from the same blue clluloid as the Ocean Blue, but I think it may be more expensive, and it is a pen you have to be careful with, because of the retractible nib construction.

 

You may also still be able to get the Amber Grande true pistonfiller, either with vermeil or with silver trim.

 

So far Etrurias . The Novecento is probably a bit cheaper, except for the Aqua LE, piston filler. Beautiful pen, too.

 

And the Da Vinci is just something you need to see and handle to believe it. There is the LE, which is short and very stocky, and the normal sizes, which are really big, come in either black or cracked ice, and an LE in Amber and rose gold, only available at Bertram's, though. However, all of these may just be a bit too expensive.

 

Ah well. One can dream of pens, I guess. I do .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[JRodriguez]

I agree with what tzmcneill said, and generally follow that practice myself. If you are wanting a new pen, and have no idea what, I would spend some time browsing to see what really catches your attention. Then try it if you can before plopping down a bunch of dough. If you find a pen that really grabs you and that writes well for you, the details ($$$) can be arranged later!

[Onion]

Well. I don't have $400 to spend on a pen, I was just going thru the Airline Intl. Catalog and saw some pens for a whole lot of dough and I just wondered what everyone would spend $400 on should they have it to spend. Pretty interesting to me that there are so many different views on this subject.... no clear consensus.

[Richard]

I already have my perfect pen.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/51_cedar_sterling.jpg

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/51_cedar_sterling_capped.jpg

 

For $400.00 I'd seek out as perfect a lined sterling cap for it as I could find. With what was left over, I dunno, maybe a dinner with Barbara at Michael Timothy's Urban Bistro in Beautiful Downtown Nashua. (If you ever visit Our Fair City, that's the one restaurant you must not miss.)

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I would have a bespoke Conway Stewart Lever-filled pen based on the Dinkie made in a 100 piece limited edition.

 

Dillon

[sleek_lover]

First...

 

I have long wanted a CROSS VERVE MERLOT. I have the Cross Verve Selenium with the steel nib...and it is just the most awesome modern rendition of the Triumph -style nib. For $400 I can the pen in a sumptious purple...

 

Second

WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS FINDING WATERMAN EDSONS FOR $400. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM SOUTH OF $700!!!

 

Bill...tending wounds that make a whuppin' from Lady Heather look like a strokin' with a peacock feather...

[sleek_lover]

I already have my perfect pen.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/51_cedar_sterling.jpg

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/51_cedar_sterling_capped.jpg

 

For $400.00 I'd seek out as perfect a lined sterling cap for it as I could find. With what was left over, I dunno, maybe a dinner with Barbara at Michael Timothy's Urban Bistro in Beautiful Downtown Nashua. (If you ever visit Our Fair City, that's the one restaurant you must not miss.)

Yah...that is a beaut...

[wimg]

First...

 

I have long wanted a CROSS VERVE MERLOT.  I have the Cross Verve Selenium with the steel nib...and it is just the most awesome modern rendition of the Triumph -style nib.  For $400 I can the pen in a sumptious purple...

 

Second

WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS FINDING WATERMAN EDSONS FOR $400.  I HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM SOUTH OF $700!!!

 

Bill...

Hi Bill,

 

They´re a little over $400 now, I think $415 or thereabouts, at Pam´s place, also known as http://www.oscarbraunpens.com. Just send her an email via the website, which, BTW, doesn´t show all the fps she sells. So I recommend you just ask.

 

Disclaimer: No connections etc., other than a very satisfied (repeat) customer .

 

HTH, warm regards, Wim

[Stylo]

I'd actually look at the question a little differently ...

With the exception of special cirumstances such as a designated amount by someone for a gift, that would be a huge understatement for me. My first criteria in chosing a pen is: do I want it, am I dazzled by it, would be something very new to me? And then I look at the price and decide if it would be a sensible purchase.

[HesNot]

I'd love a chased ebonite CS Churchill but that is over budget. Hence, a CS Churchill in lapis blue would be my choice!