Best Pen For Student?

[cambookpro]

Hi!

 

I'm a student at the moment, and obviously spend most of my school day writing (and most of the time when I'm at home, too!)

 

I couldn't get on with a Biro, so I bought a Parker Vector in black about three years ago. The plastic case on that cracked, so at the moment I am using the Parker Jotter that I bought last year.

 

Anyway, this pen, although brilliant, has gotten fairly scratched up during its use, partly down to my neglect, partly down to other peoples'!

 

I was just wondering, can anyone recommend a new pen? I have a very tight budget, no more than £25-30. Ideally less than £20, but I can stretch a bit further.

 

I was looking at the Parker IM, and was wondering if it's better than the Jotter I have at the moment?

 

Or can anyone recommend anything else? I prefer Parkers as I have just been given twenty ink cartridges, so would prefer not to waste them!

 

Obviously I don't have the knowledge or collections that most people on here have, but would be great if I could get any advice on what to buy.

If there isn't anything better, I may just buy a brand new Jotter as it feels fairly comfortable when writing, however it is slightly on the small side.

 

Many thanks!

[rochester21]

Parker ingenuity.

[OldGriz]

Find yourself a nice Parker 45.... preferably a nice Flighter model that will not crack or show bad scratches.....

It is a much better pen, IMO, than what you are looking at now....

 

Here is one in England

Another one in England

Here is a complete list of EBay England Parker 45s

[cambookpro]

Find yourself a nice Parker 45.... preferably a nice Flighter model that will not crack or show bad scratches.....

It is a much better pen, IMO, than what you are looking at now....

 

Here is one in England

Another one in England

Here is a complete list of EBay England Parker 45s

 

I'll definitely look into them, thanks.

[cambookpro]

OK, so I've hunted for a Parker 45 and found one on Amazon, along with some other fairly cheap ones.

Can anyone suggest the best pen? Obviously based on reliability, toughness, whether they write well, etc.

 

Parker 45

 

Parker Urban

 

Parker Frontier

 

Parker IM

 

Many thanks!

[OldGriz]

Of the lot I still recommend the tried and true Parker 45.... been around a long long time and very popular and a good well writing pen....

Also I would still look for a good used Flighter model on the eBay links I gave you......

[Rockyrod]

Can't beat the Parker 45 as a great student pen, or office pen. It has minimal parts to break or wear and with a little occasional cleaning it will last long enough to give to your grandchildren (if people still write by then).

[cambookpro]

Of the lot I still recommend the tried and true Parker 45.... been around a long long time and very popular and a good well writing pen....

Also I would still look for a good used Flighter model on the eBay links I gave you......

 

I would love to buy one of those, but I've been given an Amazon voucher by my school which I forgot to mention so has to really be from there! Sorry it's so complicated!

 

Would the 45 I've linked on Amazon be any good, or are there better ones?

Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for your help!

Edited November 19, 2012 by cambookpro

[OldGriz]

Of the lot I still recommend the tried and true Parker 45.... been around a long long time and very popular and a good well writing pen....

Also I would still look for a good used Flighter model on the eBay links I gave you......

 

I would love to buy one of those, but I've been given an Amazon voucher by my school which I forgot to mention so has to really be from there! Sorry it's so complicated!

 

Would the 45 I've linked on Amazon be any good, or are there better ones?

Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for your help!

 

That 45 would be fine.... other than body material there is no difference between that one and a Flighter.

[Mike 59]

Hi cambrookpro, Yes can only agree with the above, if you want to use up the Parker Quink cartridges.

The '45' is a sleek looking pen and very reliable. The Frontier is also a good choice, it's a wider pen than your Jotter, and has a good finger grip section. The Flighter version (satin metal) is a really strong pen too, I have two, and they would be fine for school. They are not made now, Parker stopped making them about 4/5 years ago, but new ones are available online. I paid £8 for one in a W.H.Smith sale and then £12 for a 'metal' Flighter in J.Lewis about 3 years ago.

I must say I thought it was a dull pen at first, but time has proven both to be totally reliable, and a much better nib than the Vector/Jotter.

[cambookpro]

Ok thanks for the help everyone. Just discovered that there's a specialised pen shop near me, so may go and have a look at the 45/Frontier as they both seem to be available from there to try them out.

 

One last slightly unrelated question, I keep getting ink on the outside of my thumb whenever I use my Jotter, and on further inspection it seems that there are always patches of ink on the plastic grip which is obviously rubbing onto my thumb. Is it due to a defective pen or the way I'm storing/using it? Thanks

Edited November 19, 2012 by cambookpro

[Mike 59]

Hi, Well the Jotter is one Parker I don't have, BUT I have read others say they do get splits in the plastic around the nib which then gets on your fingers. Also as a general rule fountain pens should be kept 'nib upwards', rather than left to roll around in a bag etc.

In fact if you shake any fountain pen enough, it will get too much ink down in the nib and it's got to go somewhere.

If you buy a new unused pen, be sure to flush water through the nib/grip section a few times, or better let it stand overnight in a cup of water with a dot or two of washing-up liquid in,( the green liquid ), dry the nib out by shaking it, and drying on a kitchen paper towel before fitting the cartridge. It will write better for it.

Edited November 19, 2012 by Mike 59

[lightspirit]

I have both the 45 and the Frontier. Smooth nibs on all, even the F nibs. I like the Frontier better,since my M-nib Frontier slides across the page so smoothly. The grip is rubberised so that's quite nice and I prefer the exposed nib, even though its plain and boring. However, the caps on the Frontier pens can wobble about,though totally snapped in place and in no danger of departing the pen. Some don't like that issue. The 45 cap is friction fit and won't wobble.

I have a flighter and plastic barrel in both models. Used both for years, with no leaks.

[cambookpro]

Hi, Well the Jotter is one Parker I don't have, BUT I have read others say they do get splits in the plastic around the nib which then gets on your fingers. Also as a general rule fountain pens should be kept 'nib upwards', rather than left to roll around in a bag etc.

In fact if you shake any fountain pen enough, it will get too much ink down in the nib and it's got to go somewhere.

If you buy a new unused pen, be sure to flush water through the nib/grip section a few times, or better let it stand overnight in a cup of water with a dot or two of washing-up liquid in,( the green liquid ), dry the nib out by shaking it, and drying on a kitchen paper towel before fitting the cartridge. It will write better for it.

 

OK thanks for the tips! I always keep whatever pen I have on me in the inside of my suit jacket, so I don't think that's the problem.

Will check for any cracks near the nib though.

[Robinkeys]

I looooooooooooooooooove my Parker Sonnet. DePENding on your price range it's relatively inexpensive and it writes like a dream.