Need buying advice, $300 ...

[cmeisenzahl]

Just got the following from a good friend. What can you recommend?

 

"We are planning on getting a fountain pen for our boss upon her retirement from the company. She likes fountain pens.

 

Our budget is around $300 - do you have any suggestions - I am thinking black is probably the best color -and a feminine style would be nice.

 

We really want to get the nicest pen within our budget"

 

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Chris

[HesNot]

My first reaction was - the Conway Stewart 58 in red stardust that is on clearance at Swisher for around $230 - which is of course not black but it is a lovely red and in my opinion acceptable for a man or a woman. Not to mention it is just a beautiful and classic design. And it is not something you see every day - a plus I think.

 

If you're set on black it's hard to go wrong with a Pelikan 800 in black, or perhaps a 600 with a custom stub nib from Richard (600 to stay in budget)?

[tzmcneill]

Talk to winedoc, he might have something that's a real work of art for right around that price range.

[kissing]

Well, for $300, you sure do have plenty of options. I really don't know where to begin

 

Parker Sonnets that wield a Gold Nib may be within that price.

http://www.coloradopen.com/images/parker-sonnet-fountain-pens.png

 

Maybe a higher-model Pelikan?

 

A Parker Duofold would be very ideal for such an occasion, though they retail from $600 up. However, I was able to purchase a brand new Duofold Black Platinum for $226 at a Department store (Big clearance discount). Perhaps if you do a bit of looking around, you too may be able to find one at that price?

 

http://www.giftland.ru/covers/small/1F83s.jpg

 

Higher-model Watermans are also a fabulous selection, such as the Harmonie, though I am not very familiar with them.

 

http://www.coloradopen.com/images/waterman-harmonie-fountain-.png

 

 

On the other hand, there always are a selection of professionally restored and beautifully refurbished Vintage Parker "51"s which are available from reputable sellers such as Richard Binder.

 

If she prefers modern, there is also the Parker 100.

 

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/parker/100_01.jpg

 

 

There are plenty more options out there, I'm sure. This is just what I could think of at this very moment

Edited September 21, 2006 by kissing

[Ruaidhri]

For what it's worth when I'm buying a pen for anyone

 

* try to find out what they use already - do they have a favourite ?

* get a look at their handwriting - what sort of nib do they seem to favour

 

It can narrow your target area.

 

I recently bought one for a staff member who had gone to a lot of extra bother to sort a problem "above and beyond the call of duty" etc. I brought in a selection of pens in a range of sizes, styles and nibs and explained that

 

1 she was getting a present of a pen, one way or another, and might as well get something she liked

2 she was NOT getting one of these !

3 I'd like her to try them & let me know which size/stlye/nib she liked best

 

She did. I went and got the pen. She's happy. Pen is haoppy.

While it is not a surprise it does indicate that you are taking some trounle over choosing something for her - not just buying the first thing in sight.

 

Just my 2c

 

Regards,

Ruaidhrí

[HesNot]

Ruaidhri makes some very good points methinks. If you're going to spend that kind of money on a pen you really do want it to be something she'll truly enjoy and treasure.

 

If you really don't want to spoil the surprise then make sure wherever you get it has a reasonable return policy so they can, if they want, exchange it for something more to their liking.

[greencobra]

If I may....A Namiki Bamboo. A wonderful, unique looking pen that writes extremely well.

 

Can be found for a bit more than half of the $300 budget so there's room for extras like inks, paper and other goodies.

[Michael Wright]

And to add to Ruaidhri:

 

If it's known she likes FPs, she presumably has at least one already. Could someone do a bit of snooping to discover what she has now?

 

Best

 

Michael

[PinarelloOnly]

Aurora smaller size "88"

 

or

 

Omas Mezzo.

[kissing]

What if she's a member at Fountain Pen Network??

 

If she likes fountain pens, there is quite a possibility that she's someone who posts here

 

Oh dear

[sonia_simone]

Any idea what her style is with regard to dress? Very formal? Clean classic lines or more feminine frills?

 

Black is great but color adds a lot of excitement. The Conway 58 idea is an excellent one. Or Richard Binder has it in a lot more colors, slightly over your budget but then that's the fun of the thing, right?

 

I think an M800 is a little large for a woman's hand, just MHO. Also, if she already likes pens, a vanilla Pel is nice but maybe not a big thrill.

 

Rick Propas has a very nice new Pelikan M400 tortoise set for $325, excellent pens and very limited edition. http://www.angelfire.com/mac/penguin0/ If I was this woman, I would be extremely happy to receive this set!