Fountain pen recommendations?

[pawnraider]

I hope that this is the right place to post this. I'm looking for recommendations on a good fountain pen. I have several fp's but the one I use is a Pelikan Souveran 600 mainly for writing in my journal. 

[jburchett]

In an effort to help.. 

 

You might need to narrow down your very broad question. Good is a subjective term; what I find good you might not. What are your preferences in a pen; characteristics, nib width, wetness, et cetera? What is your budget range? What is the majority purpose for the pen? Other than a 'good' fountain pen, what exactly are you looking for? 

 

Then we might be of more use to offer suggestions or share our experiences. 

[pawnraider]

14 minutes ago, jburchett said:

In an effort to help.. 

 

You might need to narrow down your very broad question. Good is a subjective term; what I find good you might not. What are your preferences in a pen; characteristics, nib width, wetness, et cetera? What is your budget range? What is the majority purpose for the pen? Other than a 'good' fountain pen, what exactly are you looking for? 

 

Then we might be of more use to offer suggestions or share our experiences. 

Nib width: fine. 

Budget range: around what the Pelikan Souveran 600 costs, roughly $450 or less? 

"What is the majority purpose for the pen" and "what exactly are you looking for?": Already answered, writing in my journal mainly. 

I prefer writing in black and blue ink. Not black/blue but in either black or blue ink. 

Hope this helps.

[A Smug Dill]

37 minutes ago, pawnraider said:

Nib width: fine. 

 

Wing Sung 3008.

Lamy cp1.

Opus 88 Koloro (because it's difficult to get new units of the Picnic model now).

Sailor Promenade.

Pilot Justus 95.

Platinum Izumo Tamenuri.

[Karmachanic]

Pelikan M600 F

[jburchett]

Pilot Custom 74

Lamy 2000 (regular & stainless steel versions would both fit in the budget) 

Platinum President

Montblanc 146 (can be found used in that budget range)

Pilot Falcon

Pilot Custom 823

Sailor 1911

[pawnraider]

1 hour ago, A Smug Dill said:

Pilot Justus 95

Looks interesting! Thanks for the suggestion.

[N1003U]

To be a little more abstract: if you like the Pelikan M6xx (happens to be one of, if not absolutely, my favorites), then I would guess your criteria are light (generally less than 20g-25g, medium size, neutral balance (posted, in the case of the Pelikan), and a wettish nib-feed and a smooth (very little feedback) nib.

 

Now, given those criteria, I pretty much agree with @Karmachanic's answer above, but there are alternatives. Some the Japanese pens listed above are nice for similar (light) weight and balance, but a different look.

[Checklist]

Another vote for the Lamy 2000 in Makrolon (the steel version is much heavier, I hear).  I highly recommend it.

Since no one else has mentioned it, a vintage, aerometric Parker 51 is a great, no hassle writer.  As with the 2000, it has very little feedback, holds a lot of ink, and is fairly light.  Plus, it's well within your budget, if you're not looking for a rare color.

[A Smug Dill]

13 hours ago, pawnraider said:

Looks interesting! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

In case you haven't already seen this:

 

Quote

My (brief) write-up of the Pilot Justus 95's performance, from two years ago:

• https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/347697-pilot-justus-95-m/?do=findComment&comment=4274077

See also:

• https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/gallery/image/2303-writing-samples-from-four-gold-nibbed-pilot-pens/