Jumping Right In

[Dubin]

Hello! I'm a lover of books and writing who's just decided to get more serious and invested in one of his primary hobbies, for much the same reason I shave with straight razors (romance, audacity, love of fine skills and nice things, etc.)

 

I'm looking for one beautiful pen to fall in love with and marry long-term, to use for the pleasure of excellence and beauty as well as for heavy lifting. I've been saving up to a $1000 stash for some time now, and I was all set to throw the entire thing at the first pinnacle-tier pen I could randomly Google up. Then I remembered that I know absolutely nothing about fountain pens. From trying twenty or so shaving creams and learning the discipline of a straight razor, I know very well how much finding "the perfect <x>" is 95% about learning yourself and your needs, and 5% talking with friends about the range of the <x>'s they all like best.

 

So more than anything else, I simply want to know: What is the best way for me to learn what I need to know about fountain pens, and will personally want out of my writing instrument? I've spent a few minutes in Fahrney's Washington DC store scribbling with a fountain pen, but that's obviously not enough to know fountain pens. I've also spent long enough with my razor, and my headphones, to know I'd much rather live with a pen, learning the nuances and varieties and idiosyncracies of the tool, than try to get it perfect the first purchase. What should I be paying attention to, as I live with my first pen?

 

Moreover, what kind of pen would be a good first pen, to give me a taste of the wide varieties of pen personalities, virtue, flavoring and fit to my hand? Given that I was ready to throw $1000 sight unseen at a fountain pen, it should be obvious how little I'm afraid of paying a meaty sum for an excellent pen. Though I suspect I should be able to learn everything I want and need to from attentive life with a Hero 359 or something. I've already done just enough reading to be aware of the reputations of the Lamy 2000 and the Pilot Vanishing Point, Pelikan and Aurora and various and sundry other entry-level pens that will serve anyone faithfully, so I suppose I'll just throw a dart at a board with their pictures and just get one already.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Dubin

[Anirban4u]

umm, I have no idea about Pens that cost more than 200$.

However, I think it's prudent to start with a few beginner pens (Pilot Metro and Lami Safari will get MOST votes )..

 

Then work your way through mid level pens, and try both vintage and modern offerings.

 

Thus you'll be more likely to find out what you actually need your fountain pen to be.

 

Then buy a 700$ ish pen, and send to a nibmeister...

 

ok, I am going complete berserk..

 

but do understand, a 1000$ pen wont write by itself or spew gold (read really fancy calligraphy skill or literary skill et cetera).

The FPN world is divided as I have seen on many topics and posts, about spending that amount of money on a single pen (a functional tool & NOT a showpiece).

 

Also, many beginner/midrange pens outshine their costlier big brothers.

 

So welcome to FPN, and happy hunting.

 

 

p.s.: with that budget, I'd have bought a sheaffer PFM II M.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Anirban4u

[Matlock]

Welcome to FPN. As you have found out from your shaving experiences there is no one answer to your question. I have seen the different comments about shaving brushes and creams etc. One person will give their favoured product only to have a dozen more tell you that that is rubbish, as they say YMMV. You mentioned the Lamy 2000, I have one and I have to say it is not my favourite pen, it is not the best looking pen I have, it is not the best writer. However if someone was to say that I have to give up all my pens bar one I would probably keep the 2000. It writes well, it is robust, it has good ink capacity, it sits comfortably in the hand, in other words it is a very good pen. Give one a try (you may hate it, only you can decide) but if you take it on and then move on to more expensive pens you will always have a great pen to fall back on. As an aside, my two favourite pens are the Pelikan M400 and the Parker 75.

[H1N]

Welcome to FPN

[benincanada]

Don't buy a $1000 pen to start. In relative terms, that's like a $50,000 swiss watch as your first 'nice' watch.

 

Even if you want to start with an expensive, luxurious pen, start with a Pelikan M400 or 600 from Binder or Mottishaw with a tuned nob, or a Pilot Custom 823 etc from same. If you like those, then get the pricier brand offerings.

 

I have a Vanishing Point and love it, but as an only fountain pen I think it misses the mark and wouldn't satisfy - part of why I love it is that it's not a normal fountain pen! But, its perfect for every day use at the office, and then I can come home and write with a vintage Pelikan 400Nn Tortoise or something less practical but more typically a "fountain pen"

Edited September 20, 2014 by benincanada

[PAKMAN]

Hello Dubin and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!!

 

Like others have mentioned, I'd try a few lower end pens first to see what I like and don't like.

[notVirtuThe3rd]

Hi! Welcome to FPN.

I'm really glad you've joined us.

Enjoy!

Best wishes from Japan,

VirtuThe3rd

[Clancy]

Greetings and welcome to FPN. It's great to have you here with us.

[mallymal1]

Hello Dubin...

 

Enjoy the FP journey.

[Dubin]

Thank you all! I definitely will.

but do understand, a 1000$ pen wont write by itself or spew gold (read really fancy calligraphy skill or literary skill et cetera).

Oh no, I've learned far too well not to trust a big, fancy price tag to do all the work for me. But still I do love investing in intentional excellence, especially as I learn what I do and don't want out of my pen.

[Wahl]

I could give you my opinion about the perfect pen, but I believe it´s up to you to find that pen.

 

You could start with a Pelikan, which is a mechanically sound pen, with the advantage that you can purchase extra nibs to experiment with. Keep reading this forum, go to Penshows, and take your decision in due time.

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome !

 

Congratulations on your prosperity. A $1000 pen will get you jewelry, in addition to a pen. An 18K handle on your razor will not

make it shave better. Your budget allows great latitude, including careful deliberation, which can be fun.

 

I suggest that you start with an inexpensive pen, less than $20. What do you like about it ? What do you want to be different ?

This will help choose your next, and preferred pen. At the risk of heresy, you might decide that a fountain pen is not for you. We

would be sad, but at least you won't have a $1000 pen that nobody wants. That's why you are here.

 

Good to see prosperity returning to Maryland.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Sasha Royale

[Dubin]

An 18K handle on your razor will not

make it shave better.

 

No, but a well-crafted blade that feels nice and looks pretty makes me feel happier, which makes for a better shave experience.

 

That's one of the things that I learned about shopping for good gear in other hobbies--there's a lot more things than pure performance to spend money on, and they can be actually worth money. I actually find myself shopping for scent and skin care more than the actual shave performance anymore with soap; it's too easy to take care of performance with simple prudence and lathering technique, to worry about my money going to waste by that metric alone.

 

Similarly with pens. The pinnacle of all the pens that I've personally used so far is a Pilot G2 gel pen but it's still enough to give me some comparative idea of what I might prefer. Solid physical build, that feels like a proper tool and not a flimsy, fragile toy. Meaty heft--a size and weight that actually fills my hand and lets it focus on writing, rather than the skinny throw-away stuff that draws so much of my attention and effort toward holding it in place.

 

Little things besides the way it writes! And it has an impact (however small) on my hand and emotional health, I'm counting that as worth real money.

 

I'm heading out to a local art store today to see if I can't buy and try some fountain pens in person. The Pilot Metro is at the top of my immediate short list I've learned enough about my biases from other hobbies to feel safe jumping right in with Pilot, and Japanese companies in general.

 

 

You could start with a Pelikan, which is a mechanically sound pen, with the advantage that you can purchase extra nibs to experiment with. Keep reading this forum, go to Penshows, and take your decision in due time.

That too. Getting one tuned from Mottishaw, or a vintage Pelikan, is one of the more attractive options I've been looking at.

 

At the risk of heresy, you might decide that a fountain pen is not for you.

 

Oh no, I don't think there's any risk of that! I shave happily with a *straight razor* that I bought sight unseen and am stoked to start learning more handwriting styles than the two I learned in U.S. grade school. I think I'll safely navigate my way past any mere inconveniences that the art of the fountain pen may have.

 

Honestly, one of the biggest reasons I want to fountain pen so much is deep frustration with every little thing about ballpoint pens. Most of them are flimsy and don't work, you have to throw them away just when you might be starting to grow fond of one, the prerequisite pressure makes your hand hurt if you're writing more than a signature. And worst of all, there's no romance! at least in the models that are commonly available at non-specialty vendors.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Dubin

[Sasha Royale]

I think you will enjoy using fountain pens for the same reasons that I do, Dubin.

For pens with more "heft", seek those with metal (usually brass) barrels, rather than plastic.

The Pelikan M215 comes to mind.

Good hunting !

I shave with a badger bristle brush, Dove beauty soap, and a Rolls Razor.

Warmest greetings from the ink on my fingers and the blood on my chin.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Sasha Royale