Good Fountain Pens For Around £30.

[Blazing]

Hello,

 

A few months ago, I've bought the Faber Castell Loom and it hasn't been letting me down, however I'd like to step up a bit and see if there are any other good fountain pens for around £30. I would not mind the method the pen uses to refill, but a larger tank would be preferred. I rate smoothness of the nibs over the maximum amount of ink the pen can hold, though.

 

Thank you.

[usk15]

I think the best deal is Pilot MR. It is a classic shape fountain pen, wet and smooth medium nib write like a fine one, takes standard C/C, medium weight. Second in my mind is Sheaffer 100, almost the same characteristics. Also consider Lamy Safari/Vista a good choose as well. For this money you can go EBay for vintage Parker 45,25,51 or Sheaffer Targa, Imperial.

[Blazing]

I think the best deal is Pilot MR. It is a classic shape fountain pen, wet and smooth medium nib write like a fine one, takes standard C/C, medium weight. Second in my mind is Sheaffer 100, almost the same characteristics. Also consider Lamy Safari/Vista a good choose as well. For this money you can go EBay for vintage Parker 45,25,51 or Sheaffer Targa, Imperial.

I already own the Pilot MR & Lamy Safari as stated below my post.

 

I'm not really looking for second hand, too risky for me.

[usk15]

Now that you mention I've seen it...sorry.

 

Or you can search vintage pens at car boot sales, antique stores...

[Blazing]

Fountain pens are very rare to see in my area.

 

Any good pens which I could buy brand new at around £30?

[thehobbit]

Look at ebay - Engeika has some good dealst at the moment on Sailor Profits

[Tangster]

I can see in your signature you already have the Pilot MR and the Safari. I would also look at the Kaweco Sport and some of the Fountainpenrevolution Indian made pens(which are cheaper in the UK than getting a noodlers pen). The Shaeffer VFM and 100 also seem popular.

 

Slightly higher in price is the much loved TWSBI mini and Diamond 580 as well as their new Classic, the Diplomat Traveller and the Sailor 1911 Young.

 

Then of course there is the vintage/2nd hand market. Many, many bargains to be had there, many of which just need a little TLC(a new sac and a polish usually) to bring them back to like-new condition. Can be a little tricky to navigate though and already restored pens carry a significant premium.

Edited January 8, 2014 by Tangster

[The Blue Knight]

The basic Stainless steel Parker Sonnet is a fine pen for a tad over £30 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parker-Sonnet-Stainless-Medium-Fountain/dp/B001G71PY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389221100&sr=8-1&keywords=parker+sonnet+stainless+fountain+pen.

 

The best idea is browse cultpens and a few other's get a rough idea of say 5 pens your intrested in read some reviews from the reviews section.

 

Also what do you like eg. firm nib, a long pen, thick pen, Metal grip etc. You will find a lot at the £30 price segment but to get something really nice you may have to touch £40.

Edited January 8, 2014 by top pen

[Vendome]

I can recommend the Sheaffer 100. They're just under 30 quid on Amazon.

[halcapps]

I second Vendome. I'm pretty brand new to fountain pens, but I have tried handful. I really, really enjoy the Sheaffer pens though. The Sheaffer VFM writes great and feels incredibly smooth. The only problem with the VFM is, you're looking at a pen that will only take cartridges (at least as far as I know.) It comes in some pretty cool colors and is super cheap, maybe a little cheaper than the MR. My most recent pen is the Sheaffer 100. Amazon should have one of those right in your price point. I have the medium nib and it's an awesome pen. Feels great in your hand, writes smooth, haven't had any problems with it at all!

[stevekolt]

Parsons Essential from Mr. Pen. VERY hard to beat for the price, and the nibs are good to go! Price is a little more at 39 but that includes VAT

[Blazing]

Thank you. I've been considering the Sheaffer 100 for a long time, I'll be further looking into those. The Parson's Essential has also caught my eye, as has the Parker Sonnet but these tend to be a tad expensive likewise the TWSBIs.

 

I'm not really looking to get a cartridge only pen.

Edited January 9, 2014 by Blazing

[Blazing]

I can see in your signature you already have the Pilot MR and the Safari. I would also look at the Kaweco Sport and some of the Fountainpenrevolution Indian made pens(which are cheaper in the UK than getting a noodlers pen). The Shaeffer VFM and 100 also seem popular.

 

Slightly higher in price is the much loved TWSBI mini and Diamond 580 as well as their new Classic, the Diplomat Traveller and the Sailor 1911 Young.

 

Then of course there is the vintage/2nd hand market. Many, many bargains to be had there, many of which just need a little TLC(a new sac and a polish usually) to bring them back to like-new condition. Can be a little tricky to navigate though and already restored pens carry a significant premium.

How is the Diplomat Traveller? I've heard it has some issues while writing.

[The Blue Knight]

How is the Diplomat Traveller? I've heard it has some issues while writing.

 

If you like the idea of a Diplomat the Esteem seems to be a better pen than the Traveller and it's just over £30 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diplomat-Esteem-Medium-Steel-Fountain/dp/B002TVWWH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389259926&sr=8-1&keywords=diplomat+esteem

 

The problem with Diplomat is that there are so few reviews out there so it's hard to know what to expect.

Edited January 9, 2014 by top pen

[whitedot]

 

If you like the idea of a Diplomat the Esteem seems to be a better pen than the Traveller and it's just over £30 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diplomat-Esteem-Medium-Steel-Fountain/dp/B002TVWWH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389259926&sr=8-1&keywords=diplomat+esteem

 

The problem with Diplomat is that there are so few reviews out there so it's hard to know what to expect.

 

I'll review it against its competitors . In a word: TOP.

[OiRogers]

I know you stated you are not interested in used... But seriously consider the Parker '51 if you can find one in your price range.

They are as close to bullet-proof as a fountain pen can be. They are also extremely likely to work just fine after decades of neglect and without any restorative effort beyond flushing with water (well... The Aero fills anyhow).

 

When I first got into fountain pens, I would have openly sworn they were the ugliest pen made and I honestly had zero interest in even trying one out... Then I won an eBay auction for an Aero fill '51 for under 20usd.

I now own about 20 various '51s and am looking for more. Slightly homely? Yes. One of the best fountain pens ever made? Yes. Generally superb writers? Also yes.

Only '51 I've had issue with is a Demi-vac in an odd color that had missing tipping material on one tine. It was cheap enough that even paying for a new nib and a restoration by a well known pen-smith put my total investment well under market value.

 

TL:DR version: Don't write off vintage so quickly. Try a Parker '51. If you hate it, I'll probably buy it from you.

[andymcc]

The Platinum Cool is only £29 and can take a cartridge or converter : http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Platinum-PGB-3000A-Cool-Fountain-Pen-Clear.html

 

The Sailor Lecoule is £30.50 and Sailor nibs are brilliant : http://www.andys-pens.co.uk/lecoule.shtml

 

Another option is FountainPenRevolution's line of pens, the dearest model comes in at under £30, they can all be fitted with flex or stub nibs

http://www.fountainpenrevolution.com/fpr_collection.html

[Blazing]

I know you stated you are not interested in used... But seriously consider the Parker '51 if you can find one in your price range.

They are as close to bullet-proof as a fountain pen can be. They are also extremely likely to work just fine after decades of neglect and without any restorative effort beyond flushing with water (well... The Aero fills anyhow).

 

When I first got into fountain pens, I would have openly sworn they were the ugliest pen made and I honestly had zero interest in even trying one out... Then I won an eBay auction for an Aero fill '51 for under 20usd.

I now own about 20 various '51s and am looking for more. Slightly homely? Yes. One of the best fountain pens ever made? Yes. Generally superb writers? Also yes.

Only '51 I've had issue with is a Demi-vac in an odd color that had missing tipping material on one tine. It was cheap enough that even paying for a new nib and a restoration by a well known pen-smith put my total investment well under market value.

 

TL:DR version: Don't write off vintage so quickly. Try a Parker '51. If you hate it, I'll probably buy it from you.

Another reason as to why I'm not really interested in vintage is because of the physiological reasons too. I'm mainly going to be using these fountain pens for school, and I just can't stand but think about how I'd feel if I were to damage my Parker 51 like the Lamy Safari.

 

Also, I'm only really interested in pens which have medium and/or fine options.

Edited January 9, 2014 by Blazing

[usk15]

How is the Diplomat Traveller? I've heard it has some issues while writing.

 

 

Here is a review :

[Blazing]

 

 

Here is a review :

Thanks, I think the Diplomat Traveller may be my next option! I'll probably get it in a few months, because I'm looking to get a pen case now [i've been using the Pilot gift shell box as a case, but I need a proper one].