Fountain Pen Under $70

[Joshuagee]

Now I'm not that new to fountain pens, I've had a Lamy Safari for a few months now, but I want to get a better pen. Now, I need something for everyday use! I'm still a student in high school so I need something for somewhat heavy writing. I'm fine with any type of fountain pen, but hopefully it's heavier in weight than the Safari because it can sometimes feel a little light. If you can also recommend bottled inks that would be great too! (Preferably Black or Blue)

Many Thanks!

Edited February 8, 2015 by Joshuagee

[av8r172]

You can't go wrong with a TWSBI 580 and a bottle of Noodlers Blue.

[Joe in Seattle]

Levenger True Writer, Levenger Cobalt ink.

[ScienceChick]

+1 on the TWSBI 580. $50 ($70 if you want the Rose Gold), 6 or so nib choices, swappable nibs, piston filler, easy to maintain...

 

For a true blue I like Aurora Blue or Private Reserve Lake Placid Blue.

[langere]

I also like the Retro 51. They are mainly cartridge, but write really well. Very sturdy and heavier than a Lamy Safari,

 

Erick

[ac12]

Take a look at the Parker IM and Urban.

Both are metal pens, so significantly heavier than the Safari.

 

I have an IM, and with Waterman ink the standard M nib has worked just fine. Also the exchanged F nib also worked just fine.

You can do a nib exchange with Parker for a different size nib if you don't like the standard nib. But you only have 28 days from date of purchase to do this, so don't waste time or that window will close on you.

The only reason that I stopped using my IM is the weight. I prefer a lighter pen like the Safari. I did not know how heavy the IM was until I got it in the mail and picked it up.

 

The Pilot Metroplitan is another good option.

The nib is VERY smooth, available in F and M nibs. The Pilot M nib is finer, more like a Parker F.

At 26 grams, it is slightly lighter than the Parker IM (30 grams).

 

Depending on how much you have to write, you may find that the Safari might be better for LONG writing sessions of more than 1 hour. The lighter pen being easier on your hand to hold/support. At least that is my experience doing writing sessions up to 3 hours long.

 

As for ink, there is a HUGE list of inks to choose from, and the selection is really personal. You may HATE the color that I like, and visa versa.

• For turning stuff in to be graded, I strongly suggest a medium or dark ink. Having been a grader, I can tell you that it hurt my eyes to read pages of stuff written in a bright ink. And you really do not want to do that to the guy grading your paper.
• For your own use, like class notes, anything goes.

Here is my short list of blues and black inks that I use and like:

• Sheaffer black
• Cross/Pelikan black (dry ink)
• Waterman black (wet ink)

• Sheaffer blue
• Sheaffer turquoise (this might be too bright, depends on how wet/dry the pen is)
• Waterman Serenity blue (wet ink)
• Private Reserve DC SuperShow blue
• Diamine Midnight
• Diamine blue/black

There are dozens more ink options. Take a look at the various online shops and wander through their ink selections.

 

There are some/many that consider waterproofness of the ink important for school use. Others do not. Couple of the reasons for waterproofness are: spilling coffee on your notes and getting caught in the rain. You have to make the decision yourself, if you want waterproof or not.

Edited February 8, 2015 by ac12

[mike.jane]

If you truly write a lot, then an inexpensive yet solidly performing ink might be something of interest to you.

- I like Parker Blue, also black (not a breathtaking black-as-night black, but a solid performer)

- Or Pelikan black (much darker black), or Pelikan blue/black (very nice); but not regular royal blue, as I feel it fades too much after a short time.

 

For a pen which hasn't been mentioned yet, Monteverde has a few nice offerings at the semi-entry level, but I can't speak to their quality.

Edited February 8, 2015 by mike.jane

[hbdk]

 

I find the Safaris hard to beat when it comes to writing experience, but I can recommend Parker Frontier for at good everyday writer - it is sturdy and only a bit heavier than the Safari, the grip is excellent.

 

As for inks, Waterman blue is very well behave in most any pen, Aurora black is my preferred black ink, but it is a bit expensive, Parker Quink both in black and blue is very nice as well - and cheap.

Edited February 8, 2015 by hbdk

[The Blue Knight]

I would disregard the suggestions of a Twisbi if you want a heavier pen as these are plastic. What I would recommend is a Lamy Studio. Because you probably already have a few Lamy nibs and you said you liked the Safari. The studio is a bit heavier and is very comfortable in the hand.

[benbot517]

The problem with a heavier pen is that overall writing comfort can suffer if it's too heavy. The TWSBI is a fantastic pen, and even though it's lighter than a metal pen, it doesn't feel cheap in any way. I have the AL version, and it feels very solid.

[lwc]

Consider a Kaweco.

[hypnostene]

I think the question you should ask yourself is: why do you want a new pen.

 

If you want something that writes just like your Lamy, but is sturdier/heavier, you could follow The Blue Night's suggestion and get a Lamy Studio. It's a lovely pen, but you will still be using the same nibs, so the most fundamental part of the writing experience won't change.

 

If you want something that writes differently, new questions comes to mind:

- what do you like about how your Safari writes?

- what you like not?

- what nib do you use, and do you feel you'd prefer it to be different.

- how would you like to fill your new pen?

 

With these questions answered, you can get better suggestions.

Edited February 8, 2015 by hypnostene

[freewheelingvagabond]

You should definitely consider the Parker 45.

[av8r172]

The problem with a heavier pen is that overall writing comfort can suffer if it's too heavy. The TWSBI is a fantastic pen, and even though it's lighter than a metal pen, it doesn't feel cheap in any way. I have the AL version, and it feels very solid.

I should have mentioned that I the 580 AL (aluminum) version. It is substantially heavier than the Safari, and still within the allotted budget of the OP.

Edited February 8, 2015 by av8r172

[Lamyrada]

I have not seen a $50 en that is heavy and I have several. My heaviest are a $100+ pilot custom Heritage and a Jinhao X750 ($8.50). Of these two, for daily writer I prefer the Jinhao with Broad or stub nib. The Heritage has a fine nib that I use for drawing and you cannot swap nibs so I am stuck with that. I also like heavy for daily use.

[doriath19]

+1 on TWSBI 580. I have the orange aluminum and it is a good weight and balance. For the ink capacity, looks, performance, and price it is an amazing pen. This is the one pen that never leaves my bag.

[Ecriveur]

If you want heavy, take a look at the Faber Castell Loom. It's well within your price range.

 

A Lamy Studio is also a good choice if you like the Safari. It's sleeker pen than the Safari and it's made of metal (and therefore heavier) but it uses the same nibs as the Safari. You can even buy individual nibs if you want some variety without having to get a whole new pen.

 

As for ink, your choices are vast, both as to color, price, and other features (speed of drying, suitability for use on cheap paper, etc.).

 

If you highlight things in books, I'm a big fan of the $5 Platinum Preppy with the highlighter tip and a bottle of Pelikan yellow highlighter ink. You'll have a yellow as brilliant as any highlighter you've ever used, a single fill of ink will last longer than any disposable highlighter you've ever used, and you can refill it as many times as you like.

[frogbaby]

It doesn't make a lot of sense because there is only a few grams difference but like you (the OP) I find the Safari to be too light but it's aluminum sibling the Al-Star, to be just about right in terms of weight.

 

I have other problems with Lamy's, namely their proprietary filling system (only Lamy's cartridges which limit ink colour choice) so I will be trying a TWSBI 580 next.

[Tresconik]

I think the question you should ask yourself is: why do you want a new pen.

 

If you want something that writes just like your Lamy, but is sturdier/heavier, you could follow The Blue Night's suggestion and get a Lamy Studio. It's a lovely pen, but you will still be using the same nibs, so the most fundamental part of the writing experience won't change.

 

If you want something that writes differently, new questions comes to mind:

- what do you like about how your Safari writes?

- what you like not?

- what nib do you use, and do you feel you'd prefer it to be different.

- how would you like to fill your new pen?

 

With these questions answered, you can get better suggestions.

This

[Moshe ben David]

I also like the Retro 51. They are mainly cartridge, but write really well. Very sturdy and heavier than a Lamy Safari,

 

Erick

 

+1! Go for the EXT models; they can handle the long form international cartridges or a normal size converter. Be advised if you opt for a B nib, ink flow is high. I'd stick with a M nib or smaller; YMMV