Refillable pen similar to Pilot varsity

[NinaP]

Hi

 

I am brand new to this forum (so I am therefore a fountain pen novice) but I need some advice. I like writing with fountain pens but I just can't seem to find one that I really get on with (I am a poor student so I have never brought an expensive pen, I think the most I have ever spent is £30). The only fountain pens that I love are the Pilot Varsity pens (or Pilot V pens as they are called here in the UK) but the fact that I can't refill them really annoys me (the ink inside doesn't last very long and it is quite expensive to keep buying new pens just to chuck them away after 1-2 weeks not to mention the amount of wasted plastic). I have used a few of the refill methods suggested by this website and others and these work ok but ideally I would like to buy a proper refillable fountain pen that writes similar to the Pilot Varsity. I love the way it writes, even on crappy paper it's brilliant and I also like the fact that it is light (as it is made from plastic) I really hate heavy pens, as I write in fast cursive my hand cramps up when I use those heavy pens.

Therefore if anybody could suggest to me some fountain pens that have nibs that write similarly to the Pilot Varsity I would very much appreciate it (also bear in mind that they need to be under at least £50 if not less, not sure what that is in dollars)

 

Many thanks

[jakelogan]

Pilot Prera is a light pen which has a nice body and cap as well as a VERY similar nib. It's around $40 USD on JetPens. I highly recommend it

[DecafAmericano]

Hi Nina -

 

I'm not quite sure what part of the writing experience you mean when you say your next pen "needs to write like a Pilot Varsity." I think you mean it needs to be quite wet, never skips, is light in the hand, and is a steady writer?

 

While I could suggest a few pens that might work, I think my very BEST suggestion is to tell you to spend some time at a good pen shop, trying out pens in your price range.

 

You should find there a lot of different pens in a wide price range, and helpful people who will spend some time with you letting you try out sample pens. If you don't get that helpful, patient, lots-of-pens-to-try experience, go somewhere else. Buying a new pen should be FUN!

 

Lots of really good pen companies (Pelikan, Lamy, Pilot, to name a few) have really nice inexpensive pens, but you should try them out. Generally, they are going to have steel nibs and plastic parts, like the Varsity, but you need to see how they work in your hand.

 

Good luck, and welcome to this fascinating world of liquid ink and beautiful writing tools!

[carroll]

Maybe something more like the Platinum Preppy, clear plastic, with the 0.50 nib ( medium ) It takes cartridges, or you can convert it to an eyedropper and fill the whole body with ink. Check out Ebay, or Jetpens.com

[Possum Hill]

Hi

 

I am brand new to this forum (so I am therefore a fountain pen novice) but I need some advice. I like writing with fountain pens but I just can't seem to find one that I really get on with (I am a poor student so I have never brought an expensive pen, I think the most I have ever spent is £30). The only fountain pens that I love are the Pilot Varsity pens (or Pilot V pens as they are called here in the UK) but the fact that I can't refill them really annoys me (the ink inside doesn't last very long and it is quite expensive to keep buying new pens just to chuck them away after 1-2 weeks not to mention the amount of wasted plastic). I have used a few of the refill methods suggested by this website and others and these work ok but ideally I would like to buy a proper refillable fountain pen that writes similar to the Pilot Varsity. I love the way it writes, even on crappy paper it's brilliant and I also like the fact that it is light (as it is made from plastic) I really hate heavy pens, as I write in fast cursive my hand cramps up when I use those heavy pens.

Therefore if anybody could suggest to me some fountain pens that have nibs that write similarly to the Pilot Varsity I would very much appreciate it (also bear in mind that they need to be under at least £50 if not less, not sure what that is in dollars)

 

Many thanks

 

The Pilot Petit1 writes much like the varsity and in fact the nib and feed assemblies can be interchanged between the two. The Petit1 is quite short and a little plump, so the shape will not suit everyone. It uses short Pilot cartridges.

[rsx]

Lamy Safari should do nicely and not break the bank. You will find it to be a very similar writer to the Varsity but many color choices and nib widths.

[Chthulhu]

Hi

 

I am brand new to this forum (so I am therefore a fountain pen novice) but I need some advice. I like writing with fountain pens but I just can't seem to find one that I really get on with (I am a poor student so I have never brought an expensive pen, I think the most I have ever spent is £30). The only fountain pens that I love are the Pilot Varsity pens (or Pilot V pens as they are called here in the UK) but the fact that I can't refill them really annoys me (the ink inside doesn't last very long and it is quite expensive to keep buying new pens just to chuck them away after 1-2 weeks not to mention the amount of wasted plastic). I have used a few of the refill methods suggested by this website and others and these work ok but ideally I would like to buy a proper refillable fountain pen that writes similar to the Pilot Varsity. I love the way it writes, even on crappy paper it's brilliant and I also like the fact that it is light (as it is made from plastic) I really hate heavy pens, as I write in fast cursive my hand cramps up when I use those heavy pens.

Therefore if anybody could suggest to me some fountain pens that have nibs that write similarly to the Pilot Varsity I would very much appreciate it (also bear in mind that they need to be under at least £50 if not less, not sure what that is in dollars)

 

Many thanks

 

I'll suggest the Pilot 78G as a possibility. It's a cartridge/converter pen, not noticeably heavier than a Varsity/VPen, usually comes with a converter, and generally less than US$15.00, often less than US$10.00. Note that no cartridge or converter will hold as much ink as you're used to with the VPen, but this one can be used as an eyedropper pen with some silicone grease to seal the barrel threads. The nib is nicer than the VPen's, but mine writes as nicely as the ones on my four Varsity pens.

[dcwaites]

In the ultra-cheap range, I would certainly recommend both the Platinum Preppy and the Pilot Petit1. Both can be bought from Jetpens, and it would be worth it to buy a couple of each and some cartridges to make the shipping to UK worth while.

As was said, the Petit1 is a small pen, but when you post the cap on the end, it becomes a normal-sized and comfortable pen to write with.

 

Some people do like to refill their Pilot V-Pens. You need some needle-nosed pliers with the jaws wrapped in cloth (or some very strong fingers). You can, with some effort, winkle the nib/feed/collector assembly out of the pen. It is then a simple matter to refill the pen. When you put the nib back in, make sure it clicks back into place.

 

If you do a search on the FPN, there are more detailed instructions.

Also

 

[Malcy]

The Platinum Preppy can be bought in the UK. Cult Pens does the 0.3mm version and cartridges for it. Andys Pens does the eyedropper converted version but the site doesn't say how fine. You could also look at the Pilot 78G which seems to get a good rep and comes with a converter. I got a broad nibbed version which was unusable so the fine may be better.

 

There are tons of others to try that cost a few quid.

 

Sainsburys have some in their stationery area.

 

W H Smiths do a large selection including Inoxcrom plus own brand stuff.

 

There is the Berol handwriting pen for a couple of quid.

 

The Pilot Plumix about £5

 

Some of the new Platignum range.

 

The list is almost endless and widens greatly if you spend more than a tenner.

 

You could then look at Lamy, Kaweco, Pelikano etc.

 

Have fun.

Edited April 11, 2010 by Malcy

[bluemagister]

If you can, find a Waterman Phileas M nib. The converter is large, the pen is comfy and the nib is nice and wet like the Varsity. If you can't get a Phileas, I'd say that a Pen & Ink sketch pen would be close in terms of cost and performance.

 

Preppies are good, especially with the Blue Black cartridges. They're large and last for awhile.

Edited April 11, 2010 by bluemagister

[WyattS]

I would recommend a Waterman Phileas. It was a very smooth and generally a very wet writer. I like mine quite a bit, until I dropped it on its nib :-P .

 

I ordered a fine nibbed Pilot 78g, and mine has a lot of issues, but that is probably just mine, as others seem to love theirs. I also didn't like the very small point of the fine nibbed version.

 

I bought a Platinum Preppy today and It is pretty nice, and fun to use. Mine is quite a dry writer however (quite the opposite of my experiences with Pilot Varsities).

 

Hope that helps a bit!

[thebz1]

I would buy an eyedropper bottle of Noodler's Ink (4.5oz). I comes with a free Platinum Preppy already converted to an eyedropper fill. Plus Noodler's inkis awesome! :roflmho: .

It's also $19.

[Feanor]

I would buy an eyedropper bottle of Noodler's Ink (4.5oz). I comes with a free Platinum Preppy already converted to an eyedropper fill. Plus Noodler's inkis awesome! :roflmho: .

It's also $19.

 

Yes, you can get a (big) bottle of Noodler's that comes with a free Preppy ED. I got one, filled it, and it's still about 40% full after 6 weeks. I have to say I haven't been impressed by my Safari, and I'd suggest you look at Dollar pens and Reform 1745s instead. You can get a Dollar student pen or three, a Dollar demo, and a Reform shipped for the price of a Safari, and the Safari doesn't even include a converter. PM Smeden and see if he has any left.

[rsx]

I would buy an eyedropper bottle of Noodler's Ink (4.5oz). I comes with a free Platinum Preppy already converted to an eyedropper fill. Plus Noodler's inkis awesome! :roflmho: .

It's also $19.

 

Yes, you can get a (big) bottle of Noodler's that comes with a free Preppy ED. I got one, filled it, and it's still about 40% full after 6 weeks. I have to say I haven't been impressed by my Safari, and I'd suggest you look at Dollar pens and Reform 1745s instead. You can get a Dollar student pen or three, a Dollar demo, and a Reform shipped for the price of a Safari, and the Safari doesn't even include a converter. PM Smeden and see if he has any left.

Safari is, IMHO, a very well made, wet and smooth writing pen, much in character with the Varsity.

[wallylynn]

I have used a few of the refill methods suggested by this website and others and these work ok

As a short term solution until you find that refillable pen you're searching for, have you tried drilling out the plastic spacer in your Preppy? That'll let you use the entire body as ink reservoir.

[NotPiffany]

As a short term solution until you find that refillable pen you're searching for, have you tried drilling out the plastic spacer in your Preppy? That'll let you use the entire body as ink reservoir.

 

Be sure to plug that hole at the end before you fill it, or you might not like the result.

[savingbirds]

Hi

 

I am brand new to this forum (so I am therefore a fountain pen novice) but I need some advice. I like writing with fountain pens but I just can't seem to find one that I really get on with (I am a poor student so I have never brought an expensive pen, I think the most I have ever spent is £30). The only fountain pens that I love are the Pilot Varsity pens (or Pilot V pens as they are called here in the UK) but the fact that I can't refill them really annoys me (the ink inside doesn't last very long and it is quite expensive to keep buying new pens just to chuck them away after 1-2 weeks not to mention the amount of wasted plastic). I have used a few of the refill methods suggested by this website and others and these work ok but ideally I would like to buy a proper refillable fountain pen that writes similar to the Pilot Varsity. I love the way it writes, even on crappy paper it's brilliant and I also like the fact that it is light (as it is made from plastic) I really hate heavy pens, as I write in fast cursive my hand cramps up when I use those heavy pens.

Therefore if anybody could suggest to me some fountain pens that have nibs that write similarly to the Pilot Varsity I would very much appreciate it (also bear in mind that they need to be under at least £50 if not less, not sure what that is in dollars)

 

Many thanks

 

I'll suggest the Pilot 78G as a possibility. It's a cartridge/converter pen, not noticeably heavier than a Varsity/VPen, usually comes with a converter, and generally less than US$15.00, often less than US$10.00. Note that no cartridge or converter will hold as much ink as you're used to with the VPen, but this one can be used as an eyedropper pen with some silicone grease to seal the barrel threads. The nib is nicer than the VPen's, but mine writes as nicely as the ones on my four Varsity pens.

Try putting a few used button cell batteries into the pen cap, some may not work though...

[savingbirds]

Hi

 

I am brand new to this forum (so I am therefore a fountain pen novice) but I need some advice. I like writing with fountain pens but I just can't seem to find one that I really get on with (I am a poor student so I have never brought an expensive pen, I think the most I have ever spent is £30). The only fountain pens that I love are the Pilot Varsity pens (or Pilot V pens as they are called here in the UK) but the fact that I can't refill them really annoys me (the ink inside doesn't last very long and it is quite expensive to keep buying new pens just to chuck them away after 1-2 weeks not to mention the amount of wasted plastic). I have used a few of the refill methods suggested by this website and others and these work ok but ideally I would like to buy a proper refillable fountain pen that writes similar to the Pilot Varsity. I love the way it writes, even on crappy paper it's brilliant and I also like the fact that it is light (as it is made from plastic) I really hate heavy pens, as I write in fast cursive my hand cramps up when I use those heavy pens.

Therefore if anybody could suggest to me some fountain pens that have nibs that write similarly to the Pilot Varsity I would very much appreciate it (also bear in mind that they need to be under at least £50 if not less, not sure what that is in dollars)

 

Many thanks

 

I'll suggest the Pilot 78G as a possibility. It's a cartridge/converter pen, not noticeably heavier than a Varsity/VPen, usually comes with a converter, and generally less than US$15.00, often less than US$10.00. Note that no cartridge or converter will hold as much ink as you're used to with the VPen, but this one can be used as an eyedropper pen with some silicone grease to seal the barrel threads. The nib is nicer than the VPen's, but mine writes as nicely as the ones on my four Varsity pens.

Varsity pens are awesome!

[hobobaggins]

Uh you just replied to a 1 year dead thread.

 

I'll throw in a pilot 78g, as it is the next step up the pilot lineage.

 

As a tangent question, how do v pens write?