Best 'starter' Fountain Pens

[Shangster]

Howdy Doody Everyone,

 

I'd love to learn more about fountain pens and find a few I could buy here in Canada. I write 500-1000 words each work day and have never found a ballpoint or gel pen that I could fall in love with. I'd like an stylish but economical work pen that has a reputation for ruggedness and longevity. Easily maintained and easily replaced are other attractive features to me. I guess I'm looking more for a Volvo or maybe Corvette rather than a Lamborghini. I'm thinking $50-$100. But maybe there's a quality threshhold hovering around $125. I'm totally ignorant about fountain pens but eager to learn. Can anyone make some suggestions for me? I'm not interested in having to ship in from the U.S. unless the shipper can guarantee the total delivery costs upon arrival. The last time I tried that my $75.00 cordless MP3 player cost over $140.00 by the time it got to me. It was a UPS nightmare with customs charges and taxes on top of taxes etc. etc. But maybe someone knows a way to ship cheaply to Canada. If Sarah might run for president, I'm thinking anything is possible. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

Cheers,

 

Shangster

[opus7600]

TWSBI Diamond 530 is the way to go.

[jsonewald]

TWSBI is a good choice, but delivery to Canada may be expensive.

 

A Pelikan in the 2xx series is more likely to be available within the country, and they are reliably good out of the box.

Both use bottle ink.

 

 

Also:

 

Lamy Safari/AL-Star/Vista

Pilot 78G

Both use cartridges/converters

[Joe in Seattle]

Or a Lamy 2000 if there is a Canadian vendor.

[Halden]

Where in Canada? I know where you can go in Ottawa (Paper-Papier or Wallacks) or Cambridge (Phidon Pens)? Are far as Canadian online retailers go try Stylus fine pens from Edmonton. I understand you fear of "import fees" as they do indeed suck.

[inkspot]

Howdy to you! +1 on the stylus pens - they have a great site with lots of selection. No affiliation - though wouldn't mind a job there if they have a good employee discount...

[PAKMAN]

Hi and Welcome to FPN!!

[StyloBug33]

Another vote for Lamy 2000. Awesome pen!

[Snezhni]

Waterman Phileas!!

Good or great quality, and cheaper than the lower number in your price range.

[hobobaggins]

Here is a list of Sub-$75 fountain pens (USD)

 

I think you will find what you need with one of them, as your budget was 50-70 CND

 

Edit: Lamy2k and Pilot VP are also good pens, but I think out of your budget.

Edited December 21, 2010 by hobobaggins

[ThirdeYe]

You can get a Namiki Vanishing Point on Amazon right now for ~$130 shipped. There is also the rugged & durable Parker 45 and Parker 51 pens that you could find in your budget (and under, if you're considering a 45).

[yourmanpann]

I just bought a Lamy Studio in brushed stainless that was about $60 shipped from Oscar Braun Pens (US to US, I'm afraid). It's a beautiful pen and a good writer. Will take any/all of the inexpensive Lamy nibs.

 

Other recommendations are all good, but I think the Studio is the most Volvo-like.

[Ghost Plane]

+1 Waterman Phileas - writes like a far more expensive pen.

[mrphyig]

Consider perhaps a Sheaffer Prelude? Mine was a constant, rugged companion for nearly a decade and cost around $60. You can find them for less, too.

[777]

Hello and welcome to the fountain pen network!

 

I would recommend an Esterbrook J (approx. $40.00) or a Parker "51" (approx. $70.00 - 125.00 +).

 

Both are great vintage pens.

 

Regards,

777

[River]

Some very good values:

 

Lamy Safari (about $20 - $30)

 

You can also get inexpensive Pilots for about $7 - $8 dollars (www.stationaryart.com -- no affiliation.)