Which Pen For A Beginner?

[Bo Bo Olson]

From the Czech Republic; you should be able to find the two following papers.

 

German (Ladnre) Oxford Optic paper 90 gs/m, the 'cheap' school paper is rated as as good as Clairfontain (regular) and Rhoda which costs 4 X as much. The English and other countries that make the Oxford Optic paper also make it good.

During a thread where some folks were talking about Oxford Optic and Red and Black, Optic was said to be a good paper....but no one had compared it to Clairfontain or Rhoda a couple of the Best Papers....Clairfontain Triumphe is a class higher and one of 'The Papers'.

 

I knew it was better than 80 gs/m copy paper...but I'm still paper noobie. Reading about Oxford Optic in another thread a long time ago, had not been quite relevant in I could not lay my hands on any Red and Black...that is if I remember correctly an uneven paper...certain ones are good, others not.

 

Now, it dawns on me :blink: ...German schools allowed only fountain pens until recently; so one needed a good fountain pen paper.

 

I found that out just last week it is a very, very good paper. That was such a big surprise and I was so happy...it's cheap.

 

You can know somethings 'good' but you need experience for every thing in fountain pens....and there people saying it's better than GOOD! It was a Better to Much Better.

I dragged down that booklet and ran six nibs of various widths and flexes over it with some six inks. Good paper had been sitting there all the time...and all I'd noticed was Xerox 80 gs/m did not shade Lamy Turquoise ink, and Oxford Optic did....in I was not looking for more...and could find my elbow with both hands about paper didn't think to explore the paper.

 

 

Just around the corner from me in the kids toy, school pen and paper and newspaper shop.

 

Brunnen 90 gs/m also, seems ok also a school booklet paper...but I'm still upset* they didn't send me a sample pack like another couple of smaller companies. They are the largest paper producers in Europe.

 

It has to be close to Oxford Optic quality, in that Oxford Optic is big in German school kid's paper here, and Brunnen has to compete.

 

Having done a quick unofficial 'test' a B and a F, I think Oxford Optic is the better. I got a tad of feather with both the B and the F with two types of inks, on Brunner that I did not get on Optic. * :ltcapd:

 

It took a touch longer for Optic to dry...but I did no so many seconds smear...no data...no results. So I'll buy Oxford Optic.

 

I have some plans to get some 15 manufacturer's basically European papers so I can run a 15 nib assortment with 15 shading inks across the paper to find out which nib and flex on what paper makes the ink Dance at Midnight.

Then buy the best 5-6 papers.

I've been planning this for some time but the 'Last Week', the 'Last Day', much less the 'Last Minute' has come, so nothing gets done.

I have some US Stantrhope 100% cotton on the way.

 

HP Laser 28 pounds @ 100 gs/m is reputed to be good. The thicker HP Laser 32 or @110 gs/m is reputed to be very good but in the States cost $17 a 500 sheet ream. I've not priced it here.

For normal good use the 28 pound may be better.

 

 

Remembering I'm still a paper noobie, I think 90 gs/m would be better than the cheaper 80 gram paper.

 

I don't know if copy paper that says Ink Jet has improved. But a while back I read many said, don't use Ink Jet paper in it is not Fountain Pen friendly. The way it has to absorb Ink Jet ink makes fountain pen ink spread a lot.

 

So a paper that is laser and ink jet would have compromises that might not make it a real good paper.

I of course am using some now, but I only scribble on the back of the sheets of a book I am writing, so it don't matter.

 

Just checked my Fine writes Finer on the Bunnen 90 gs/m than on the 80 gs/m Laser/InkJet copy paper.

 

I got some real good sharp two tone color with that Fine with MB White Forest green on that Optic...Wow. Go Optic.

[bassopotamus]

Pilot 78g, 18 bucks. I'd get a medium in these, the F is very F.

 

http://isellpens.com/pilot.html (just a happy customer)

Edited June 16, 2011 by bassopotamus

[ChesterBen]

Pilot 78g, 18 bucks. I'd get a medium in these, the F is very F.

 

http://isellpens.com/pilot.html (just a happy customer)

 

Thank you very much for your advice. I have read many topics which refered Pilot 78g as a very good and reliable pen, but I'm probably too demanding. I don't like its design. It seems so old-school for me .)

[ChesterBen]

...

 

Oh, my friend, from your long posts I got feeling that using a fountain pen is a real full-time job .)) I have so much things to learn.

I don't know if I should wait some time to find a pen which would really suit me or just buy something quality and cheap...

 

By the way, I liked Parker, especially the Frontier but I read many bad things about its clip. I don't want to be sad from my first FP, so I don't want to risk it.

[Julio]

You can get a new Lamy Safari for your budget with converter and extras. Great looking pens specialy the ones with the bright colors.

[welch]

- Lamy Safari, keeping in mind that the grip is something people either love or hate. Either it is a work of engineering genius, or a torment.

 

- Parker Frontier is good, and has a more ordinary -- cylindrical -- grip. Nib is usually smooth and reliable.

 

- Parker 45: out of production, but inexpensive on EBay. You can find several nib-widths, each for $10 or $15 if you dislike the first one you get. (It was my first "serious" pen, 50 years ago...and Parker made them until about 2007. A pen has to be very good to stay in production that long.)

 

- ink: you've already made a good choice. Dry ink -- Pelikan ink -- will do better on bad paper.

[ChesterBen]

- Lamy Safari, keeping in mind that the grip is something people either love or hate. Either it is a work of engineering genius, or a torment.

 

- Parker Frontier is good, and has a more ordinary -- cylindrical -- grip. Nib is usually smooth and reliable.

 

- Parker 45: out of production, but inexpensive on EBay. You can find several nib-widths, each for $10 or $15 if you dislike the first one you get. (It was my first "serious" pen, 50 years ago...and Parker made them until about 2007. A pen has to be very good to stay in production that long.)

 

- ink: you've already made a good choice. Dry ink -- Pelikan ink -- will do better on bad paper.

 

Thank you.

You know, I'm afraid of Lamy because of the grip. I remember when I had pencils which were triangular and I didn't like it because it showed me how to hold it. And it's a thing I don't like. I want to hold it the way I want .)

Frontier... I really like its design, but I don't want the clip to be lost.

But thank you again.

[rcmirani]

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh306/rcmirani/Nisstiiv/Fountain%20pen/fp_lipstick_L.jpg

 

Nisstiiv safety Fountain pen.

 

Fountain pen takes standard European size small cartridges.

Medium nib

Twist action fountain pen as shown to retract or extend the nib.

The cap is long enough to accommodate the pen with extended nib.

It's a slightly undersized pen whereby it slips easily in pocket, purse or organizer.

Dimensions:

Length = 5.0 inches capped

Retracted = 3-1/4 inches

With nib extended = 4-1/2 inches ,

With the cap posted = 5-3/8 inches.

 

Price $20 including shipping within USA

[Julio]

I have a couple of Mirani's pens and these are excellent for a beginner. I will vote for a Safari first, but if the triangular shape of the Lamy is a big deal, this one will be the ideal within your budget. Beside, the man is great seller with good service.

[Surf Monkey]

Great advice in this thread. For what it's worth, I'd add that the TWSBI is not a great choice for beginners if only by virtue of the fact that it must be used un-posted. The TWISBI strikes me as a pen lover's pen. I dig mine but I'd never recommend it as a first pen.

[usqview]

If you don't like the style of Safari, take a look at the Lamy Nexx. The M model has the metal clip (vs the plastic version). Same nib as the Safari but pretty neat styling going on.

 

Nexx M, converter, bottle of ink and a few backup cartridges and you should be set for a while. Just my 2 cents.

 

Best of luck, welcome aboard and let us know,

rj

[Bo Bo Olson]

Fountain pens are not a full time job...it is something where there is always something 'new' to learn if you wish.

Only if you wish.

 

Cheap pens a Reform 1745 can be had 2 for about € 5. on German Ebay. All you have to do is screw out the nib and add a rice corn of 100% pure silicon grease in they are NOS. New Old Stock and have been sitting quite a while.

The silicon grease will last you a life time and all you need is a very small amount. It must be 100% pure not plumbers 95% because petroleum additives are bad for a fountain pen.

 

A couple of years ago when Esterbrook pens were going for $15-25 and the nibs from $8-15 it was the other noobie pen out side the P-51.

The price of Esterbrooks doubled along with their nibs and I've not seen it suggested as a noobie pen since.

 

Having inherited a hand full of pens to get me back into fountain pens I started chasing old 'cheap' vintage fountain pens.

 

Geha 790 can be had 'cheap' on German Ebay. @ €30...I saw one go real cheap € 8 :headsmack: , but having two am not chasing that model, OB and OEF. It is a great pen, with a semi-flex nib...which may or not be what you want. I'd suggest that as a second pen though.

 

PM me and I'll send you my German cheat sheet. As an American I do need a bit of help so I can send questions. There are 7 words one needs in German to get at all the fountain pens.

Edited June 17, 2011 by Bo Bo Olson

[Anne S. Gray]

Wow, I did not expect so fast answers, thank you very much! And thanks for your welcome .)

 

Well, Lamy Safari is that kind of pen which doesn't have a rounded grip, I don't know how to call it .) Triangular grip? I'm not sure if it would suit me. But I have read many good reviews on this pen, so I will think about it. To be honest, I don't like its design.

 

And for TWSBI, this pen looks great, but quite cheap for me. It's plastic, isn't it? But I like it more than Safari, no offense.

 

I know, I'm very demanding .)

 

By the way, this is very similar to the pen I have destroyed. I don't know if it helps you, but I liked it.

 

You may want to consider sending the pen to a nibmeister like Richard Binder to have the nib smoothed. You may be able to fix the nib on your current pen rather than buying a new pen. I don't know if fixing the nib would be less expensive than a Lamy, but it might be worth it if you really happen to like the style of your damaged pen. I've also found that I need to try a new pen with different papers. The paper can make a big difference in the feel of the pen as you write.

[kirtar]

And for TWSBI, this pen looks great, but quite cheap for me. It's plastic, isn't it? But I like it more than Safari, no offense.

FWIW I'd say about 90% of FPs are made of some sort of plastic (TWSBI and Safari included). If you want a metal body for some reason, the Lamy AL-star has an aluminum body and is the same shape as the Safari. It is of course, a little more expensive, and dependent on personal tastes. As others have noted, the Safari is certainly more flexible in terms of nib choices, but I personally like the look and feel of the TWSBI. Honestly, as a starter, either one would be fine provided that you don't end up hating the Safari grip.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Plastic is sturdy unless you use it as a spare axle for your skateboard.

 

 

Of course some shove their pen into their pocket...the a Kaweco Sport is good it is the only pants pocket pen...been making that model since 1930 out of plastic of a sort.

It's the only one made just for pants pockets as far as I know. Not expensive either.

It is a robust, short, thick pen that posts well so you can write with it.

The modern ones are cartridge...don't know what vintage ones are...some sort of piston?

 

Having no allergy against shirt pockets I carry mine there. They were invented to carry fountain pens back in @1895. Which was the time they invented the button down shirt...before that it was a three button pull off shirt.

 

Then there are pen pouches. A good cheap pen pouch is a cigar holder( 2,3, or 4)...nice sturdy leather...see if you can find one in a flea market.

[mer6]

Great advice in this thread. For what it's worth, I'd add that the TWSBI is not a great choice for beginners if only by virtue of the fact that it must be used un-posted. The TWISBI strikes me as a pen lover's pen. I dig mine but I'd never recommend it as a first pen.

 

I'd actually disagree. It's firm ss nib seems hard to break, it's a piston filler, and it gives you an overview of how FP's work. I'd vote for the TWSBI 530 (my 3rd FP).

[mer6]

Great advice in this thread. For what it's worth, I'd add that the TWSBI is not a great choice for beginners if only by virtue of the fact that it must be used un-posted. The TWISBI strikes me as a pen lover's pen. I dig mine but I'd never recommend it as a first pen.

 

I'd actually disagree. It's firm ss nib seems hard to break, it's a piston filler, and it gives you an overview of how FP's work. I'd vote for the TWSBI 530 (my 3rd FP).

[Surf Monkey]

I'd actually disagree. It's firm ss nib seems hard to break, it's a piston filler, and it gives you an overview of how FP's work. I'd vote for the TWSBI 530 (my 3rd FP).

 

Again, my issue with recommending the TWSBI to beginners is the situation with posting it. If you post it on the piston twister it's only a matter of time before you accidentally twist it and dump a bunch of ink. If the TWSBI could be safely posted I'd recommend it in a heartbeat.

[wbpeoria]

I'd browse around hisnibs.com and isellpens.com, to find one that looks appealing to you, then maybe look for a review on it here.

 

I like the R. Pirre Paul's Woods that I got from hisnibs (under Chinese pens, $15).

[ChesterBen]

Many thanks for your experiences and information.

 

I have read many, many reviews on LAMY Safari and I decided to give it a try. It's not so expensive pen so if it would not suit me, I could give it to somebody or just leave it unused on a table.

TWSBI Diamond 530 is sold out and TWSBI will release some new pens soon so maybe I could order it if Safari would not be good for me.

 

Another things which came to my mind, do you think that Safari could teach me how to hold a pen correctly, or its grip allows to hold it only one way?

The next thing I would like to ask you is this: Do you have some experiences how long lasts an ink? Is it on a paper for months, years, decades,...? I'm quite curious about it because with fine pen I must write everything what comes to my mind even if it is completely dumb and I wondered if there is a possibility that I will be able to read my notes after ten, twenty years since they have been written .)

I'm sorry again for my bad English, I'm not so sure in using tenses .)