A Big Howdy From Detroit!

[snus]

Hello everyone!

 

I am a new member and complete fountain pen newbie. I've long admired fountain pens, my father always used one while I was growing up. I always look at them in stores but for some reason I never got around to purchasing or even writing with one until this past weekend when I randomly purchased a pack of the Pilot Varsity and the Bic disposable fountain pens. I have really enjoyed them so far, but am left feeling like there is so much more out there. A few quick google searches led me to this board and after some brief browsing I've realized that my initial suspicion was true, there is a vast ocean of pens out there waiting for me.

 

Some day, I would love to have a collection of them, but for the time being I am looking for some guidance on my first non-disposable fountain pen purchase/purchases. I am looking for something that is noticeably better than the Pilot and Bic, but still reasonably priced ($50 US and under). Can anyone make a recommendation? I don't even know where to begin to look.

 

Great board here with a lot of information and well informed members. I look forward to coming here as my obsession and collection builds into the future.

 

Edit: Forgot to mention that I am looking for an everyday pen for use with black and/or blue ink.

Edited March 6, 2012 by snus

[Lalique]

Aloha, snus:

 

Welcome to FPN!

 

I purchased my first fountain pen last week that got a friend interested. On Amazon, she bought two piston fill Noodler's Ink Fountain Pens, one blue and one burgundy, for just over $24.00 each, bought separately, that included the shipping. That fountain pen writes well and smoothly right out of the box. You can use a whole host of inks in it, blue and black included.

 

I am happy you've joined us, snus : ) .

 

Happy pen trails to you : ) .

Edited March 6, 2012 by Lalique

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you join us!!

 

Some pen options would be:

 

TWSBI Diamond 540

Lamy Vista or Safari or AlStar

Pilot 78g

[Sailor Kenshin]

Hello everyone!

 

I am a new member and complete fountain pen newbie. I've long admired fountain pens, my father always used one while I was growing up. I always look at them in stores but for some reason I never got around to purchasing or even writing with one until this past weekend when I randomly purchased a pack of the Pilot Varsity and the Bic disposable fountain pens. I have really enjoyed them so far, but am left feeling like there is so much more out there. A few quick google searches led me to this board and after some brief browsing I've realized that my initial suspicion was true, there is a vast ocean of pens out there waiting for me.

 

Some day, I would love to have a collection of them, but for the time being I am looking for some guidance on my first non-disposable fountain pen purchase/purchases. I am looking for something that is noticeably better than the Pilot and Bic, but still reasonably priced ($50 US and under). Can anyone make a recommendation? I don't even know where to begin to look.

 

Great board here with a lot of information and well informed members. I look forward to coming here as my obsession and collection builds into the future.

 

Edit: Forgot to mention that I am looking for an everyday pen for use with black and/or blue ink.

 

 

Do not scorn those Pilots---they're wonderful writers.

 

People here will tell you what to buy based on their own preferences, and I'm no different.

 

I'm sure some have suggested the Lamy safari. I'm still trying to get around the odd-shaped section, but they come in wonderful colors and many nib choices.

 

Some will recommend vintage. I like their looks and nibs, don't like a lever-filling pen.

Me? I say that buck-for-buck, Chinese fountain pens like Hero are the best value around. Be sure to buy genuine Heros from a dealer like isellpens or speerbob on ebay; there are loads of fakes.

 

Other Chinese makes I'm fond of: Haolilai (their 'copper burst' pen is less than $20 and a good looker as well as a good writer), Jinhao, Duke, Kaigelu.

 

Welcome aboard and good luck.

[Lalique]

TWSBI fountain pens have had a persistent cracking problem as seen here and commented on by FPN members, http://www.fountainp...56#entry2272956

 

There have been issues with the Lamy nibs too, http://www.fountainp...19#entry2273719

 

It's true, though, you generally get what you pay for.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Lalique

[snus]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I am going to pick up a Lamy Safari to start with and go from there. Next stop...ink. Very interested in the Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue and Ebony Purple. Anyone else have suggestions for Black, Blue-Black and/or Blue ink?

[CaiusMerlynBrittanicus]

First of all, welcome. Secondly, also look into the Sheaffer 100, I got that sucker as my entry pen and it was 27CAD so not pricey. I'm in absolute love with Diamine's midnight ink. Has great shading with a hint of red lurking in it.

 

Edit: For use as an everyday writer? I'm a full time History student, so it gets a couple miles on it a day

Edited March 6, 2012 by CaiusMerlynBrittanicus

[Wolverine1]

and Greetings from Ann Arbor!!!!!! Whereabouts are you from? The Lamy Safari is a good choice.

[NedC]

Welcome to a fellow Detroiter! Probably the best deal on sub $50 fountain pen you're likely to find would be an NOS (new old stock) Cross Solo. I'd suggest going downtown and checking out a place called Pen-Z-Detroit, no affiliation, just a customer. I picked up a couple of Solos with extra fine points in different colours, for editing drafts, a couple of months ago they probably still have some. He also carries a wide range of inks.

Lamy Safaris are very good but I don't know who carries them in the Detroit area.Tthey usually sell for bit over $50 but Pilot Preras are terrific little pens.

[mrcharlie]

Hello and welcome from a former Michigander.

 

I haven't tried a lot of inks, but I very much like: Waterman Florida Blue & Levenger Cobalt Blue; Noodler's Black, Levenger Raven Black, and Sheaffer (aka Skrip) Black (aka Jet Black). I also like the Black that is in the Pilot Varsitys, but I haven't tried the Pilot/Namiki ink from a bottle.

 

Some stores (including some of the online stores that people enthuse about here on FPN) will sell you inexpensive "sample" size vials of ink to help find what you like before you buy a larger amount.

[snus]

I am in the Clinton Township area now after spending some time in Royal Oak. Surprised to see so many others in the area. I found a store called Paradise Pen at the Somerset Collection that sells Lamy pens, but it's much cheaper and way less time consuming to just order from Amazon. I will definitely check out the Pen-Z-Detroit place though, I am downtown at both the federal and county courthouses all the time and have probably passed the place but never saw it.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Jetpens has free postage for orders over $25.... just sayin' ... :ltcapd:

[USMCMom]

Hello and welcome from west Tennessee!

 

I have several TWSBI 530s, a TWSBI 540 and several Lamy Safai fountain pens and like them. I've had no problems. No cracking, no leaking, no nib issues ... just good pens that write well.

 

I hope you will enjoy being here as much as I do!