Good Inexpensive Vintage Fountain Pen?

[corgicoupe]

If you like the design of the Parker 51 but not the hooded nib, then consider the Parker VS, which is a button filler that feels like a P51 in the hand but has an open nib. They are < $100.

[Parker51]

Parker 21s are hit and miss in regard to their nibs. My guess is originally most were good to excellent, but that many on the market today were heavily used and so are simply worn out and write badly. And none take cartridges.

Parker 45s appear so far as I have experienced, all good to very good in regard to their nibs.

I second the idea of a Parker 75, but difficult to get at the identified price point.

Esterbrook pens are a good choice, but they do have bladders, so bottled ink is a requirement.

Sheaffer Targas fit the requirements, except for price, however, a Sheaffer 444 would meet the criteria.

I suggest a steel nibbed Sheaffer pen which has all the characteristics of the Targa, but not the name, the gold nib, Orr the price. The best one I have received was from Peyton Street Pens. I don't know the postage to Kuwait, so I don't know if they'd be a good source however.

[bsenn]

Parker 45

Sheaffer NoNonsense

Sheaffer Skripsert Cartridge pens (and just syringe fille cartridges)

Parker 25

User grade Targa or Triumph or C/C Imperial

 

But honestly, the first 2 are my strongest recommendations. Bulletproof & great writers. Easy to maintain.

For a more vintage experience, #3 unhalmarked palladium or steel or if you get the Skripsert Deluxe gold (I have heard 14k and 9k, don't know) short conical nib and lovingly carved ebonite feed and sports about the same form factor as the 45.

 

The best deal going on Vintage now is the Imperial IIs that Peyton Street has but they are Touchdown pens and have sacs.

 

 

Safest choice is a P45.

I second this entire post...

[kestrel]

Reform 1745 is a good pen but make sure the seller has checked the piston. One of mine arrived with a piston that needed unfreezing and some silicone.

Nobody has mentioned the Parker "51" Special. Like the Aerometric 51 but with the less expensive octanium nib. I bought mine from Tom Mullane and it has been a workhorse ever since.

[pajaro]

It is very hard to find a fountain pen WITHOUT a sac. If I were you, I would buy a restored Parker 51 Aerometric. They are cheap, extremely reliable, and well known for their quality and service. The Parker 51 is arguably one of the best fountain pens ever. It's got a 14k gold nib (Except for the octanium ones.) Restored Parker 51 Aerometrics should have their pli-glass sac replaced, with is known to be really durable. If I were you, I'd go for the Parker 51 Aerometric. Make sure you buy it already restored though, because only then are the very durable.

 

Restored? Only then reliable? Rubbish. This only applies to 51 Vac.

 

If you don't like 51s, try a Cross Solo. C/C. Buy a medium. These are made by Pilot, and a medium is like a western fine. Very smooth. Very reliable.

Edited September 28, 2017 by pajaro

[dogpoet]

Parker 21s are hit and miss in regard to their nibs. My guess is originally most were good to excellent, but that many on the market today were heavily used and so are simply worn out and write badly. And none take cartridges.

Parker 45s appear so far as I have experienced, all good to very good in regard to their nibs.

I second the idea of a Parker 75, but difficult to get at the identified price point.

Esterbrook pens are a good choice, but they do have bladders, so bottled ink is a requirement.

Sheaffer Targas fit the requirements, except for price, however, a Sheaffer 444 would meet the criteria.

I suggest a steel nibbed Sheaffer pen which has all the characteristics of the Targa, but not the name, the gold nib, Orr the price. The best one I have received was from Peyton Street Pens. I don't know the postage to Kuwait, so I don't know if they'd be a good source however.

 

The 444's a nice idea and they're certainly cheaper than a Targa, but it did take me three attempts to find a working second hand one myself. I suspect it's possibly a pen you'd be better off looking at in person before buying it, rather than going through fleabay or the pen sites unless I was just unlucky...

[dcwaites]

Another vote for Parker 51 or 45 (or 75 if you can find one at a good price). However, don't forget you can get the P51 Special for a better price than the 51 Aerometric.

 

 

 

PS, it disturbs me that we are talking about vintage pens (P75, 45) that I bought NEW when I was at uni...

Edited September 29, 2017 by dcwaites

[owend]

Another vote for the Parker 45. Robust, easy to service yourself, takes cartridges or adaptors (squeeze-bar, or Parker sliding-piston type (not sure of the correct label!) both work). Nib is firm and will take a fair amount of abuse. And with luck you could get two for your target price - try a Medium and a Fine!

[mitto]

Either a Parker 45 or 51 would be a great choice. The 45 is a bit thinner if that makes any difference.

+1

[scratchofapen]

Maybe a Lamy 2000, it is from the 60's...and a that oldone can be found relative easy.

[Runnin_Ute]

Parker 45

Parker 51/51 Special (aerometric filler)

Esterbrook J series

 

45 is a c/c my favorite Parker

 

The 51 Special has an aerometric filler and can be found in your budget. Octanium nib, black jewel.real workhorse.

 

J lever filled, easy to replace sac, can be had under your budget restored.

Edited October 1, 2017 by Runnin_Ute

[MercianScribe]

I second this entire post...

 

I second this entire post, or third the one that this one seconded, or both.

 

45 flighters are especially nice, although I regret selling a pristine one I was given as they're going up and up in price, mind.

 

No Nonsense are still really cheap. If you're looking through eBay for them search under 'Sheaffer calligraphy' rather than 'No Nonsense' or 'Sheaffer fountain pen'. Then you get all the unused sets that have sat round people's attics for thirty years for half the price of the fountain pen hawkers' ones. Don't tell anyone!

[limt]

have you considered Lamy 81/86 pens or Montblanc 3x line - from what I remember they can be easily cleaned and they're nibs (especially on MB) are extra smooth

[Charles Skinner]

I have two Parker 51 Specials, one Sheaffer Targa, and one Esterbrook. Love them all, and use them very often. Can't go wrong with one of these if it is in good working condition. A friend gave me the two 51 Specials, and I had to send them off for minor tune-ups. They are real "work horses" now. C. S.

[corgicoupe]

+1 on the Targa. Recently acquired a Parker VS that is commendable. Feels like a P51 in the hand and looks like one when capped, but has an open nib.

[LanceSaintPaul]

 

No Nonsense are still really cheap. If you're looking through eBay for them search under 'Sheaffer calligraphy' rather than 'No Nonsense' or 'Sheaffer fountain pen'. Then you get all the unused sets that have sat round people's attics for thirty years for half the price of the fountain pen hawkers' ones. Don't tell anyone!

 

That's just how I got a stainless steel Targa set.

[Charles Skinner]

I also have a "Nononsense pen, which I have inherited --- from my wife's first husband.----(God rest his soul) ----- It is a very plain pen, ---nothing fancy ---- but it is a very good "writer," and I recommend it. To me, the measure of a pen is not how it looks, but how it "writes!" C. S.

[Needhelp]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Man, there are so many good options to choose from my mind is exploding. Maybe I will have to wait until I stumble upon something good.