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So I am getting a new pen at the end of the coming semester and was wondering if anyone could help point my indecision in the right direction. I'm torn completely between the rose gold Diamond 580 and the clear Vac 700. I'll be using it primarily in a school environment and think that the #6 nib of the 700 would make replacement not such a big deal in the case of damage, and it's higher ink capacity would be useful for copious amounts of note taking. However, the rose gold 580 is very very attractive, but lacks that fantastic sloshing ink trait of the 700. It has a smaller #5 nib and smaller ink capacity, but is by no means lacking in functionality. I'm only a tad bit worried about the gold plating being damaged or it seeming too gaudy. All in all it is more aesthetically pleasing than the 700, and it strikes me as a romantic design embodying modern functional appeal to classical elegance. It makes more of a "fashion statement" per se. Does anyone have both a 580 and 700? Any thoughts on which I should get or which would be best for my purposes?

Hi, So... since this is my first post, let me tell you guys a little about myself. Last summer, I was at Waterloo University for a camp, and, as an impulse purchase, I bought a Pilot HiTech-C 03. I loved the fine point, and got myself completely enamoured with pens and paper. I promised myself that, at least, I would never get into fountain pens, for they were too fussy, but...well, I'm here. For my first fountain pen, I've been looking into a cheap fountain pen, with a super fine point, and a really durable body that can last me years-something practical for school that I can replace my HiTech-C with. The Pilot Penmanship is the only pen that I found that with the thin tip I want, but I'm not a fan of the body. I was thinking of replacing it with the body of the Metropolitan, but the two pens with a better converter would set me back around $30-40, and at that price point, I'm not sure if I should just get a different pen. The only way that I would spring for this arrangement is if the nib of the Penmanship was super smooth (taking account that it's extra-fine) and if the body of the Metropolitan will last me at least 10 years. What do you guys think? Does the Penmanship/Metropolitan combo satisfy my needs, or should I consider a different pen?

Hey, so I'm going into my senior year of high school, and I'm just about to go school supply shopping. I really only need a three-subject or five-subject notebook that's good with fountain pens, so any advice? I prefer the three or five subject ones because they have the folders in them, so are easiest to use for everything. For context, I live in the US and I use a Lamy Safari XF, but will be getting a pen with a finer nib soon. Thank you!!

Hi~ I've done some looking online but I am quite unsure about this) I am new to Fountain pens and just got my Noodler's HoD ink yesterday (btw, loving it; but haven't received my Lamy F yet) Now, I filled the Preppy and thought "If I end up having to fill my Lamy at school, I don't wan tmy ink to get smashed". You see...My school isn't the best one, People break into lockers all the time and like to take things like that (glass bottle = smashed...or the'll try to get a buzz from it.) ---------- Can anyone suggest a cheap ink that I wouldn't care about as much if it was smashed? It doesn't matter what the bottle is made of (it can be glass), It just has to be a cheap black (picky teachers...uhg) ink that is low enough in price were even I (who is dirt poor xD) can have it in my locker so I can fill my pens in an "emergency" Sorry If this is an odd thing to ask but I really have little money to waste an dI may end up needing to leave a bit there sense I probably won't check the pen too often...

Hello, I just started using fountain pens last year about halfway through my most recent school semester. I use a Lamy safari with a fine nib inked with Parker Blue/Black and I am not happy with the performance of the cheap notebooks I have been using ( feathering, bleed through, etc). I am looking for a better notebook to use for taking notes in school and I usually go through about 12-15 80-100 page notebooks a year so I would like them to be somewhere in the 5 dollar or lower range. I have been searching the forums and online for a while already trying to find a quality notebook at a decent price but no real luck yet. I live in Canada so many online retailers make it impractical to order from them even with lower prices, example: Goulet pens wants 35 dollars just for shipping on 5 notebooks. Any advice would be welcome.

In the process of browsing the various threads of FPN, I have noticed that there are quite a few active users who are teachers. What are your favorite teaching pens, and what purpose do they each serve? In my middle school math classes I regularly use: - Pilot Frixion 0.5 - Blue Black is my favorite, but I like having a variety of colors to use under the document camera. Explaining a concept can be so much clearer when I have different colors for different parts and have the ability to erase my mistakes cleanly. http://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-FriXion-Ball-Knock-Retractable-Gel-Ink-Pen-0.5-mm-Blue-Black/pd/6798 - Zebra Sharbo LT3 - This multi pen stays with me everywhere I go. As a math teacher I need to have both a pencil and a pen with me at all times. This one gives clean crisp lines in a compact package. Plus, unlike most mechanical pencils, the feed tube on this retracts completely. http://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Sharbo-X-LT3-Pen-Body-Component-Cobalt-Blue/pd/9828 - Lamy Safari EF - My first non-disposable fountain pen is my go-to grader. The extra fine nib allows me to write in corrections and comments even when the kids forget to skip lines. The inconspicuous colors don't attract sticky fingers and the low cost (as far as fountain pens go) won't turn me into a rage monster if the pen walks away from my desk. http://www.jetpens.com/Lamy-Safari-Fountain-Pen-Extra-Fine-Nib-Charcoal-Black-Body-Black-Clip/pd/1937 Teachers, what are your go-to pens? Thanks, Mr. Gould