Buying A New Pen

[zagestoned]

Hello! I am rather new to fountain pens and am looking to buy my second one. I am turning 18 soon and am going to college for accounting next year. Last Christmas I was given the Cross Aventura as a gift. It was my introduction to fountain pens, but I would like something a step up from this. I have about a $130 budget. I have read a lot on these forums and have done my fair share of research and still cannot come up with something.

 

After some research, the pens that peaked my interest are the Parker Sonnet (stainless steel) and Cross Townsend or Century II (medalist). From what I've read, the Sonnet is not the best writer, but I find it quite elegant and I really value looks and writing ability almost equally. Which is a better value? I'm also open to pretty much any other suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Edited December 15, 2011 by zagestoned

[ParkerQuink]

Hello there- I highly recommend the Parker Sonnet. I have had one and have been writing with it every day for quite a while and it writes beautifully. The nib is perfectly smooth and not too wet but not too dry. The pens themselves are crafted extremely well. I know that there are people that talk down the Sonnet here but that may be just because the people that have good experiences don't speak out often. I've used various older Parker pens, I have a few Levenger, Lamy, and Kaweco and I'd say that the Sonnet is my pick over them all for everyday writing quality, comfort, and dependability.

[J English Smith]

Current production Sonnets are quite nice, and for your price level you should be able to go for one with a gold nib, should you so desire.

 

The earlier Sonnets do sometimes have a bit of ink evaporation due to the way the cap is constructed, but I believe that something on that changed prior to the 3rd generation pen.

 

Sonnets are perhaps a more comfortable weight than the Cross Townsend for through the day writing...? Just my two cents.

 

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that for your budget, you could definitely get a fully refurbished and perfect Parker 51 aerometric...just food for thought...a P51 with an XF nib would be just perfect for accounting handwork!

Edited December 15, 2011 by J English Smith

[zagestoned]

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like there are two votes for the Sonnet. I was kind of worried about some of the negative reviews on them. Anyone else care to chime in? And yes I plan on getting either fine or extra fine nib.

 

Whoa, I was just checking amazon for a Sonnet and I came across:

Parker Sonnet Premium Silver Lustre CT Medium Point Fountain Pen - 1743562

for $129.99. Looks like an awesome deal, it's a shame it's medium nib though.

 

Also:

Parker - Sonnet 07: Chisseled Silver CT Fountain-Pen, Chrome Trims, Medium Nib.

for $119.99.

Edited December 15, 2011 by zagestoned

[JLT]

For just a little more (the most dangerous words ever spoken in any language!) you could be looking at an Edison Collier. Fabulous pens, these, for $150.

 

Also, your budget will accommodate a Bexley Corona - a very well-built and attractive piston filler that sports a very nice steel nib.

 

Either one of these leaves the Sonnet and the Townsend in the dust. IMHO, that is . . .

[rx170]

Did you consider Pelikan Pura?

[nxn96]

I've long thought the Sonnet Flighters (the Stainless barrel/cap models) are the great value pen of the Parker line. I would suggest the fine as opposed to the extra-fine nib. It's a very nice writer, and I think for someone relatively new to fountain pens, an extra-fine nib might be too much/too soon. Since you're looking to study Accounting, I can understand the idea of a very narrow nib, but I think these nibs take a very "light" hand. Until you get a little more experience using a fountain pen, I would suggest the fine nib.

 

Hope this helps.

[apatel]

+1 on the fine nib! All the ef nibs that I've used feel scratchy if they are not used with very light pressure.

[zagestoned]

+1 on the fine nib! All the ef nibs that I've used feel scratchy if they are not used with very light pressure.

Gotcha so fine nib, not extra fine.

 

Did you consider Pelikan Pura?

Is that a cartridge only pen? Looking for something that I can buy an ink bottle for and refill.

 

For just a little more (the most dangerous words ever spoken in any language!) you could be looking at an Edison Collier. Fabulous pens, these, for $150.

 

Also, your budget will accommodate a Bexley Corona - a very well-built and attractive piston filler that sports a very nice steel nib.

 

I'll look into those too. Thanks for the input everyone!

Edited December 15, 2011 by zagestoned

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Hmm. If you were to buy a Pelikan M200, you'd have enough left over to get a head start on another pen.

[jslallar]

Of the choices you mentioned I would pick the Townsend any time of the day every day. Wonderful writers all three for thier price though.

 

I have all the pens you mentioned.

The Townsend is heavier and larger than the other two, and posted becomes top heavy (I do not mind, in fact it feels more comfortable in my very big hands).

 

Cross CII medalist and Sonnet Steel with GT are pretty similar in weight and balance, great pens both, a bit thin for my taste, but every time I decide to sell them off I delay and then forget about it. While at it maybe you would like to see the Tango version of the CII too, a looker if anything.

 

Sonnet is a little shorter of the two. Mk II I hear has no problems of ink drying, but I like the thiner trims of the Mk I and have two of them (steel GT, and Forest Green)

 

All my pens are either Broads or Thick Juicy Mediums, and a Stub (Sonnet). How does the fine behave I'll not know and do not intend to find out. bUt for balance and durability you can't go wrong with these choices.

 

Alternates for the same cost, and pen size (approx):

 

Montbalnc Noblesse and Noblesse Oblige (used - e Bay / penboard.de)

Pelikan New Classics (381, 391 or 390 series, same pen in Laquer, gold and silver finishes)

Waterman Hemisphere or Expert II (later comparable to Townsend)

Sheaffer Targa (Used maybe - NOS will be very hard to find but you may luck out at Peyton Street pens)

Bexley Corona and P51 mentioned above.

 

All the above are keepers and good pens and any choice you make will be a good one.

I have, and have used, all of the above but the Bexley, nary a problem.

[zagestoned]

I think I'm going to go with the Parker Sonnet stainless steel CT or black matt lacquer . Is Amazon.com a reliable place to buy a fountain pen or should I go elsewhere? Thanks again everyone!

Edited December 16, 2011 by zagestoned

[zagestoned]

Hmmm.. I've been intrigued by the Waterman Hemisphere. It looks very nice in Cognac and Black Matte.

Anyone have any experience with them?

Edited December 17, 2011 by zagestoned

[zagestoned]

So where is a good place to purchase fountain pens from? Kind of weary of amazon.