Best Cheap Fountain Pen

[yolrgrand]

My go to less expensive pens: (from least expensive to higher)

 

-Pilot Varsity

-Lamy Safari

-Lamy Al-Star

-Twsbi Mini

-Twsbi 580

-Twsbi Vac 700

[Eduardo]

My best cheap pen: PELIKAN GO! M75

 

I bought my Go! three years ago and it costs US$ 15.00

 

Today you don't find for less than US$ 40.00

 

Maybe it falls of the "cheap" category...

[Jeje3325]

I have a Jinhao X450 and I'm totally amazed that a 7$ pen can write so well.

Incoming a X750 just to see if it was a fluke.

[sandy101]

I have never understood why they don't get more love either. My hubby and I have a couple of Pelikano pens. They have been dependable writers.

 

I have the new pelikano, and it is a thirsty pen - certainly the medium nib sprays ink like there's no tomorrow. It does write well enough, but it goes through cartridges at a phenomenal rate. Also in the UK, the pelikano costs the same as a Plasir, or a Parker Vector.

 

The Platinum preppy is good, or if you want a classier (cheap, metal) version, the platinum Plasir. The medium nib will give you a smoother writing experience than the fine. Cult pens is a good place to get them in the UK..

 

The Pilot 78G isn't a bad shout either. You could get the three nib sizes they offer for not much cash. You'll probably have to order them from e-bay. My one came from Hong Kong.

 

WH Smiths & Tesco sell Fountain pens too. Smiths one is £3.60 odd and the Tesco one for around £1.90. They do work, but are not very robust - drop It and you'll get ink sprayed all over the place. So if you are just looking for an FP to try them out, perhaps one of those - the WH Smith assorted ink cartridges are not bad either - you can get a bag of turquoise, pink and violet cartridges for not much money.

 

If you don't want to go down the postal route, the easiest solution would be to go to a shop and pick up a Parker Vector FP, or the IM. The Parker cartridges are easy to find and you can buy a separate converter. They both cost between £10-£25 in the shops and are not terrible.

[Aurko]

I would like to recommend the Muji Aluminum Round Pen; I think it's beautifully designed, and though a bit on the thin side, should be more than hefty enough for extended writing. I have received one recently from a friend, and it writes smoothly with just a hint of feedback, and considering the price, it is one of the best pens I have. It feels very sturdy and durable too!

[ac12]

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I would like to recommend the Muji Aluminum Round Pen; I think it's beautifully designed, and though a bit on the thin side, should be more than hefty enough for extended writing. I have received one recently from a friend, and it writes smoothly with just a hint of feedback, and considering the price, it is one of the best pens I have. It feels very sturdy and durable too!

 

Aurko

The pen looks neat, similar to a Lamy cp1. I might have to get one.

I wish they had specs on the pen; size and weight.

 

Would you measure the diameter of the Muji pen.

Do you have another pen that you could compare it to for weight.

What is the nib size? I presume a Fine.

 

Thanks.

Edited March 23, 2014 by ac12

[j.a.j.]

If you like pens with medium or large grip i would recommend Nemosine Singularity, although there is a small chance you might get a pen that needs some attention. Quality control is not on the level of some other brands. Also Noodlers bigger pens are nice if you are willing to take small chances. In my experience Jinhao X750 is great pen but 2 of my 3 Jinhaos have been leaky out of the box.

 

Many inexpensive Pilot Pens (78G, Penmanship and Metropolitan for example) have superb nibs and will spoil you.

 

Lamy Safari probably has best build quality in it's price segment.

 

Reform 1745 is quite nice inexpensive pen with little bit of flex but there is again a small chance of getting pen that need some attention.

[Gump]

I'll keep my opinions to the sub-$30 offerings:

 

Lamy Safari - I have several with a multitude of nibs and have found them to be durable and extremely reliable.

Platinum Preppy - Very fun eyedropper conversion and although it is a nail in the worst sense, it is reliable and has good flow.

Pilot 78g - I kept the broad stub version of mine, but truthfully it is too petite for my preference.

 

I picked up a Pilot Metro from Todd while I was taking advantage of the Lamy fire sale, I've heard too many good things not to try one out.

[KBeezie]

I have a Jinhao X450 and I'm totally amazed that a 7$ pen can write so well.

Incoming a X750 just to see if it was a fluke.

 

I liked my X750 better than the X450 I have. I'm not a fan of the 3-way ridges on the section, and not a fan of how the cap doesn't seem to stay on back of the pen when posting with the X450. The X750 fixes both those (and it feels like the X750 is ever so slightly lighter than the X450).

[Guest Ray Cornett]

I would have to recommend the 3 cheap pens I have. Jinhao x750, Jinhao 149 which is a Montblanc 149 clone, and the Baoer 707. Smooth writers and even after says of being stored in a briefcase nib up they have written for me immediately.

[Eduardo]

Goldstar 28B... Also known as Beijing JinXing 28B... Flawless...

[Aurko]

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Aurko

The pen looks neat, similar to a Lamy cp1. I might have to get one.

I wish they had specs on the pen; size and weight.

 

Would you measure the diameter of the Muji pen.

Do you have another pen that you could compare it to for weight.

What is the nib size? I presume a Fine.

 

Thanks.

 

I think it's a designer's dream;

I don't have a caliper or anything like that, but I can give rough measurements.

It is about 5.5" capped, about 6.5" posted (a bit under for both) and has a diameter of about 3/8"

The pen is 20 grams, and it's made of aluminum so it's not terribly hefty. I find it to be just right.

It's definitely a true fine nib. I'll be posting a review of it sometime soon.

[ac12]

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I think it's a designer's dream;

I don't have a caliper or anything like that, but I can give rough measurements.

It is about 5.5" capped, about 6.5" posted (a bit under for both) and has a diameter of about 3/8"

The pen is 20 grams, and it's made of aluminum so it's not terribly hefty. I find it to be just right.

It's definitely a true fine nib. I'll be posting a review of it sometime soon.

 

10mm diameter

The 20g is a bit heavier than my 15g pens, but still in the acceptable range.

I think I will have to order me one.

I will be looking forward to your review of it.

 

thanks much

It is SO hard to find good slimline pens.

[Aurko]

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10mm diameter

The 20g is a bit heavier than my 15g pens, but still in the acceptable range.

I think I will have to order me one.

I will be looking forward to your review of it.

 

thanks much

It is SO hard to find good slimline pens.

 

It's very hard to find nice, slim pens. The trend seems to be towards thicker pens. While it's not necessarily a bad thing, I generally like my pens on the thin side despite having fairly large hands. Vintage pens tend to be slimmer than modern pens, thankfully.

[WilsonCQB1911]

I'm a big fan of Pilot's Varsity line and the Metropolitan. I have found either to be of quality construction, reliable, and smooth - way more so than they have a right to be for the money. The more time I spend with the Metropolitan the more I'm starting to believe that you can spend more money on a pen, but you can't get a better pen.

[theolu]

Sailor Highace Neo, Lamy Safari, Pilot Metropolitan - all great pens. I own and enjoy them all. However, currently my personal favorite is the Nemosine Fission. Under $30, Taiwanese body, German nib, assembled and shipped in the US. The nib is very smooth and consistent. The body is metal which gives it a nice substantial feel and I enjoy a bit of extra weight. The look and feel are top notch, in line with a pen costing $125, not $25.

[IcySwan1]

I join in on the Lamy Safari and TWSBI 580 recommendations. I understand there a less expensive pens, but these two perform very well. I do have several nibs for the Safaris and they are easy to swap. If the 580 didn't leak, it would have the edge, but since it does leak, I have to go with the Safari.

[wlwilcox]

I'm sorry to chime in late on ths thread but I havoe to say thatwhen I saw the title with the word "cheap", my mind goes to a product with poor quality. If the word would have been inexpensive, I would of thought, hmmm what would be a pen yhat fills that criteria.

So... with that in mind, I would have no problem recommending either a Jinhao X450, X750 or a 159. I would also suggest a Noodlers Ahab or Konrad.

 

Sorry for the rant.

wl

[Tas]

Just recommended this to another FPN member. Worth considering if it's not too late . . .

 

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/fabercastell/basic_fp_matt.jpg

I LOVE mine.

Seriously underrated, often overlooked.

Get one.

[ac12]

@Aurko

I found this compact pen on teh Muji site.

http://www.muji.us/store/aluminum-compact-fountain-pen.html

And it sure looks like the Ohto Tasche, except for the finish.

So now I have a better idea of the pen you showed, because I have an Ohto Tasche.

In fact based on how the compact looks, I would guess that Ohto makes the 2 fountain pens for Muji.