Manhattan Pen shop

[redneck6497]

I am going to be in Manhattan for the day on Friday, and was wondering what the best pen shop to go into is. I would like to purchase some Lamy stuff, as well as some inks. Maybe even another beginner fountain pen. I was thinking of going into Joon on Lex. Is this a good idea? I noticed that the fountain pen hospital has more stuff (or at least it looks like it might).

 

Also, in the Joon store there is some sort of an expo next week.

 

Ideas?

[zedcorrado]

Art Brown has a large selection. Been there once but didn't buy anything. I have been to the Joon store in Grand Central but not their main store.

[Kimo]

Joon, FPH, and Art Brown are the main choices, but be prepared to pay very full prices plus a stiff sales tax. If money matters to you, you can do much better at places not in New York City.

[stevlight]

Art Brown is an excellent store. You can tell them your budget and they will show you many choices and let you try them all--tons of ink and notebooks too.

[welch]

Art Brown's (45th and 5th) has the best supply of inks (bottle and cartridge) in NYC; a lot of Clairfontane, Rhodia, and Moleskine paper, and a good selection of pens.

 

Fountain Pen Hospital might have a larger selection of pens, but it's hard to compare. Their shop wanders back and turns around, while Browns is one rectangle. FPH also has books -- repair books and the Parker 51 Book and such. Smaller selection of ink and no paper. (See FPH web-site for directions. They are a block from several subways, just across from City Hall Park).

 

I've only been to Joon in Grand Central, which is small and tight, but has a good collection of high-end pens.

 

It's fun to chat with the people at Art Brown's and FPH...they've been in the business a long time.

 

I find the prices at FPH and Art Brown's are about the same as Swisher's, and the stores will often match each other on price. A paying customer is better than a $10 markup that you don't get because your price is too high. You might find an on-line discount store that's a few dollars cheaper than either, but the on-line store won't invite you to dip the pen (in Noodlers!), nor will it take ten minutes discussing the relative merits of a Lamy 2000 versus the Parker 51 you have in your pocket...

[wallylynn]

I know you already mentioned getting inks, but I wanted to remind you that FPH and Art Brown each have their own respective exclusive Noodlers.

[girlieg33k]

Also, in the Joon store there is some sort of an expo next week.

Regarding Joon's Spring Expo, I received the postcard with the announcement. The info is also posted here.

 

In addition to all the other stores already mentioned above, you may want to venture to Altman Luggage (135 Orchard Street, cross streets @ Delancey & Rivington).

 

[tmenyc]

I live and work in Manhattan, and have consistently found Art Brown's to be more friendly and helpful, and consistently open to a dip. FPH can be very snooty if you're just browsing. Some time ago, FPH was not interested in a repair I brought them, which led me to Ron Zorn and this board, so for that I thank FPH.

 

Tim

[redneck6497]

Interesting replies. Thanks for everyone's time!

 

I think maybe I'll try and get by Joon's for the expo, and Art Brown's (which I didn't know about). My wife will be with me, and I'll probably drive her nuts.

[playpen]

If you have the opportunity to get downtown, try to stop in at the Fountain Pen Hospital. If your wife objects, send her shopping and enjoy the pen store yourself. The shopping is fabulous in that area of the city.

 

I have been in Joon's on Lexington Avenue a number of times and was not at all impressed with the salespeople. They were of no help at all and appeared to be bored and uncomfortable in their jobs. On the other hand, a visit to the FPH is always a pleasure!

[redneck6497]

Hi All,

 

I went into Manhattan today and hit Joon (expo), and Art Brown's. I enjoyed both stores. Art Brown has a great ink selection, and the folks in there were also willing to let me dip a Sailor 1911 I was eyeing. At the Joon store they had 25% off of all pens along with a bunch of clearance stuff where I took advantage of a Montblanc fountain pen @ 50% off. My wife even did plenty of damage on her own my purchasing a Faber Castel "shake pen", and pre ordered the Lamy retractable fountain pen.

 

Thanks for the recommendations!!