Best Pen Under $100

[adin]

It's that time again where I look for a new pen but don't know what fits me.

So far I have a Metropolitan (F), TWSBI Mini (F), Lamy Safaris/Vistas (F)&(EF), and Kaweco Sport (F). My EDC pen is my TWSBI, but it's been about three years and parts are starting to break. I really like the TWSBI in terms of how thin it writes. I'm looking for a pen with a similar wetness/line thickness as an F TWSBI (maybe a tad thinner/dryer would be nice), as I use fairly cheap paper for school. Any recommendations/deals that are going on right now?

[nscampos]

For me, if you are willing to buy directly from Japan, the best pens under 100$ can be found there.

You have great pens with a good range of 14k gold nib options well under that budget: Pilot Custom 74 and 91; Platinum 3776 Century; Sailor 1911 Promenade/Profit or Pro Gear Slim. Or the Vanishing Point steel nib.

Edited October 25, 2015 by nscampos

[Uncial]

It seems like you don't mind small pens; so, I would say give a vintage Pelikan a whirl. There are 400's from the 50's on the bay that go for less than $100 if you're patient enough and they can be beautiful writers and look nice too. There is an inherent risk I guess of getting a lemon or one that needs considerable work, but just use the usual care and it should be ok.

[ink-syringe]

The Platinum 3776 Century is a lot of bang for buck at the $80-$100 range from Japan. I have a B nib century that is reminds me a lot of Aurora pens at 5x the price.

 

Pilot Custom 74

 

Pilot Custom Heritage 92 is just $10 over your limit but gets you a piston filler.

 

Lamy 2k is also just a bit over your limit, but gold nib w/piston filler and a good option if you happen to not care for Japanese pens and the Me too MB-a-like shape of the 3776. I will say, as boring as the design of the 3776 is, they do somewhat make up for it in the finishes. They look really nice in real life. excellent plating and the Chartres Blue is really pretty.

[Buzz_130]

For half of your budget, a restored Esterbrook J. You'll have a pen that is rugged, reliable, inexpensive, and outstanding EDC. Swapping nibs is as easy as unscrewing the old one out and screwing a new one in. The pens are light and thin. There are charts of all of the nibs that Esterbrook made for their pens, and you can find ones that will let your press heavy on carbon copies (manifold nibs), stubs, fine, broad, and everything in between. And for the price, you'll start looking at the differences between the SJ, LJ, and J and even begin admiring the colors available. You won't be able to have just one!

 

But if modern is your requirement, then you will get works of excellent craftsmanship and 14k gold nibs from the big 3 in Japan (Sailor, Platinum, and Pilot).

 

Buzz

[shawndp]

$100 is firmly Japanese gold nib territory - you have several excellent suggestions above... I can vouch for the 3776 - I have 2 with M-F nibs and a ProGear Slim. Both are excellent on most every level - the Platinum has a bit of feedback (not scratchy) when I write - which is actually nice as it keeps my writing in check. If you can find a Pelikan 200 / 205 (it is possible) they are dynamite too but are wider than the Japanese offerings. All the best!

[ink-syringe]

Well if you are willing to entertain vintage then you can get a restored Parker 51 at that price or a nice rebuilt Sheaffer TD or Snorkel (both of which I would personally rec over an Esterbrook for an every day pen) or even a Sheaffer Targa or Imperial.

 

But I assumed you were only into new pens since that is what you listed in the original query. Still F nib Sheaffers and Parkers are everywhere. I'd look for a restored Sheaffer TD or a Parker 51 but if I was buying new it really does sound like the Pilot Custom 74 or Platinum 3776 in F would fit the bill nicely.

[Brian C]

Platinum Century 3776 is not only the best under $100 pens, it's also one of the best pens made today IMHO.

[J85909266]

I was able to snag a fully functional Parker 51 aerometric with a 14K Gold stub nib for 80 bucks, and I can't put the thing down. It doesn't look flashy, or even much like what most consider a fountain pen, but it is the perfect size, perfectly balanced, posts deeply without looking silly or throwing off the weight, holds plenty of ink and is so reliable. Never dries out, never skips, never hard starts.

[Randal6393]

If you like fine pens and the TWSBI, might try a TWSBI Eco. Understand they hold up a lot better than the older TWSBI's. I have a 580 that is really nice to write with.

 

For really inexpensive pens, have had a lot of luck with the Nemosine Singularities from xFountainPens.com. Or almost any of the Fountain Pen Revolution offerings.

 

Best of luck,

[adin]

Which would you prefer out of these three: Pilot Custom 74, Vanishing Point, Lamy 2000?

[ThirdeYe]

For a new pen, the Pilot Custom Heritage 91 or a handmade ebonite pen from India (Ranga, Asa, etc.). For a vintage pen, probably a Parker "51" or a Parker Vacumatic.

Edited October 25, 2015 by ThirdeYe

[FountainPages]

+1 to nscampos,especially the Pilot Custom 91. I have also had many Picasso pens from China in the 13USD range that have been remarkable. TWSBI also comes to mind for well under 100USD. A Lamy 2000 used from a reputable dealer is another way to go and you will own a time honoured icon. There is a whole world of under 100USD pens out there that are amazing to write with. I just acquired two NOS Waterman Phileas' with a combined price of 120USD that are wonderful writers...and one of those came in a Big Set Box with carts, blotters, bottle of Waterman ink and, manual.

[wowbanger2000]

Another vote for Platinum 3776 Century or Pilot Custom 74 - both available just under $100 on eBay direct from Japan. Have you considered Cross? Century II should come in under $100 though that would be with a steel rather than gold nib. I've found the Century II to have a really well sealed cap & very resistant to drying out.

[Highbinder]

It seems like you don't mind small pens; so, I would say give a vintage Pelikan a whirl. There are 400's from the 50's on the bay that go for less than $100 if you're patient enough and they can be beautiful writers and look nice too. There is an inherent risk I guess of getting a lemon or one that needs considerable work, but just use the usual care and it should be ok.

 

I picked up my Pelikan 140 for approx. 40$ on the bay. I'd be hard pressed to find a new pen for the same price that writes as well.There are definite deals to be had and personally I quite like picking out certain models to observe, watching auctions to get a feel for how prices compare to ratios and then the thrill of bidding/winning a great deal.

I'd also have to recommend the vintage montblancs from the 60s. Not as pricey as the earlier models, and you should be able to get a 12/14/22/24 for under 100$. They are piston filler with delicious springy 14k nibs.

Edited October 25, 2015 by Highbinder

[ele]

Lots of great suggestions that I'll second with personal experience at school:

user grade Pelikan 400 (great nibs, nib system, amazing ergonomics, reliable, holds lots of ink, durable...)

Parker "51" (ready for anything and wonderfully inconspicuous)

For thin hands, the Pelikan P1 is the best of both worlds: inconspicuous, ready for anything, easy to flush and with great ink capacity...

 

The nib thing is all in the tuning...learning how to do it yourself is well worth it. Specific wetness performance expectations aren't consistent enough to mean anything anyway.

[adin]

In terms of actually choosing a pen, how would all of you guys actually decide which one is right for you? Do you go to a store to test them (what if stores don't carry a pen you're looking for)?

[Runnin_Ute]

Lots of good ideas.

 

One I haven't seen (or to be quite honest seen a lot of talk about on these boards) are Levenger's True Writer line of pens. Depending on model, they run up to $99. The one I have is the Silver Anniversary model. It was built to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Levenger's founding. I paid $99. It's a c/c filler and a nice German (Schmidt I believe) nib. I have a fine nib on mine and it is a very good writer. I believe this line of pens to be very underrated. The design pays homage to the Esterbrook J series pens, only a bit larger.

 

An Estie J next to my TW Silver Anniversary:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/Runnin_Ute/Fountain%20Pens/20130731_195706_zps2ef2fd4c.jpg

 

J and LJ:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/Runnin_Ute/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-02/20150217_180933_zpsodznj1fb.jpg

 

You can find on ebay Pelikan M200/M205 for prices in your budget as well if you are willing to go that route. This past summer I paid ~$50 SHIPPED for a M200 with OB nib that is the marbled version here:

 

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/Runnin_Ute/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150706_195302_zps19iazny2.jpg

 

Guy I got mine from was selling two of them at the same time. One with a medium I think, and the OB. Decided to go for the OB. One was $46.00, the other $46.01. Nib was only difference.

 

I picked up a black M205 on ebay in like new condition and a fine nib a year or so ago for about $72 shipped. Unfortunately I no longer have it. (long story)

 

The Parker 45/45 Flighter is always a solid pen and can be picked up NOS for under $100. I have seen NOS Flighters at about $60. Parker 51, is always a good pickup. Some colors are harder to find and hence more expensive than others. But unless you are looking at a Plum or something you can find them pretty easy at $50-$100 range. The 45's and 51's can be had with a 14k nib in that price range as well.

[ele]

In terms of actually choosing a pen, how would all of you guys actually decide which one is right for you? Do you go to a store to test them (what if stores don't carry a pen you're looking for)?

Going to a store or, even better, a pen show, is the best, but there's something fun about buying something mysterious. As long as the seller would be o.k with a return, I think online is fine.

[abstractsbybrian]

No one mentions buying these from Amazon, why?