Most beautiful blue fountain pens

[TgeekB]

Sooooo, after much debate and thinking about what my needs really are, value, etc. I decided on a Lamy Al Star Ocean Blue with F nib. A lot of beautiful recommendations but, as in many hobbies, once you get into them you realize you already have overpriced yet beautiful pens and just need a workhorse. The F nib is perfect for my needs and writing style. I will be traveling this summer for a couple of weeks and being able to use cartridges will make it much easier to carry. 

[inkstainedruth]

Safaris and a-Stars are great "workhorse" pens -- they're not horribly expensive, there's a good range of nibs and the nibs are easily interchangable.  

Although I'm thinking that in the long run a bottle of ink (or some sample vials, which are easier to carry) and an installed converter might be better for you in the long run than cartridges.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[dms525]

I have many beautiful blue pens. I couldn't say which is the most beautiful. This is my latest, and it's at least in the running:

 

 

I am fond of combinations of green and blue.

 

David

[torstar]

On 3/31/2025 at 11:40 AM, Penguincollector said:

That’s a gorgeous pen, @torstar! That shade of blue is beautiful. 

 

The Verne isn't a fan favourite, pricing is affordable (all things considered) 22 or so years later.

[TgeekB]

On 4/13/2025 at 5:18 PM, inkstainedruth said:

Safaris and a-Stars are great "workhorse" pens -- they're not horribly expensive, there's a good range of nibs and the nibs are easily interchangable.  

Although I'm thinking that in the long run a bottle of ink (or some sample vials, which are easier to carry) and an installed converter might be better for you in the long run than cartridges.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Thanks Ruth. 
I do have a converter to use at home. It gives me a much wider variety of inks to choose from. For traveling I think I’ll stick to cartridges for safety and lightness. 

[welch]

Parker 51 Vac in Cedar Blue, P-51 aero in Midnight Blue, or aero /Special in Teal.

 

As Tony Fischier shows in Parker Penography, here: https://www.parkercollector.com/parker51.html

 

Most beautiful shape, and two or three types of blue.

[lamarax]

On 4/1/2025 at 4:22 PM, torstar said:

Excellent choice! Many happy years of use ahead!

 

Thanks @torstar! All these days have passed and I forgot to post the real deal:

 

 

Inked with J. Herbin Rue de la Verrerie 👍

[TgeekB]

Also just picked up (my first) TWSBI Diamond 580ALR in Prussian Blue. F nib that writes like a dream. Holds a ton of ink. Only $65. Very enjoyable experience thus far. Filled with Pilot Shin-Kai. 

[TgeekB]

8 hours ago, lamarax said:

 

Thanks @torstar! All these days have passed and I forgot to post the real deal:

 

 

Inked with J. Herbin Rue de la Verrerie 👍

That’s a beauty! 

[Pen Ffynnon]

I don't know if it's the most beautiful, but I like it. Diplomat Viper, F/M nib. I thought the Leonardo ink was a pretty decent match for the pen.

[Penguincollector]

  I’ve been eyeing the blue viper since its release. I was thisclose to buying a Aurora Blue Mamba, but left it for late and got sniped. I’ll end up with one of these blue snake pens soon enough.

[Pen Ffynnon]

15 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

  I’ve been eyeing the blue viper since its release. I was thisclose to buying a Aurora Blue Mamba, but left it for late and got sniped. I’ll end up with one of these blue snake pens soon enough.

I bought the brown and liked it enough to get another. The only downside is I would love if it came in other nibs, but it's smooth, wettish, and a pleasure (for me, anyway) to write with. I've only used Leonardo Officina inks in them--Noce Moscata in the brown, but I think Iroshizuku inks or other wettish inks would give much the same feel.

 

I hadn't seen the Aurora Blue Mamba--what a gorgeous pen! I certainly hope you're able to get one!

[Waltz For Zizi]

Seing how many people like the Cross Townsend Lapis, let me just tell you how stupid I am:

2 weeks ago at the flea market I found one, just the barrel, section and nib, in pristine condition, (only that the section metal ring at the base of the nib was missing and the nibunit was free to move without that ring holding it in place), no cap, and the seller was asking about 35$, for the gold scrap price, and I being the kind of person that tries not to buy pens I cannot use, I passed on it.

...but it gets better because after I began to walk home, after about a mile I changed my mind and went back for it, but someone already bought just the nib, most likely for scrap, and left the rest of the pen there,

..and I being so stupid left it there, without making an offer for it, and I'm sure the seller would have sold it for under 10$.

 

Am I stupid or what!🙃

 

Any similar experiences? or am I the king of fools😂

[Penguincollector]

22 hours ago, Pen Ffynnon said:

I've only used Leonardo Officina inks in them--Noce Moscata in the brown, but I think Iroshizuku inks or other wettish inks would give much the same feel.

  This is excellent information. I have Leonardo Tuchese Hawaii, so I will try it whenever I land the Viper. 

[jchch1950]

On 4/20/2025 at 2:01 AM, Pen Ffynnon said:

I bought the brown and liked it enough to get another. The only downside is I would love if it came in other nibs, but it's smooth, wettish, and a pleasure (for me, anyway) to write with. 

Maybe in the future, the pen will be offered with broad nibs.

[Pen Ffynnon]

15 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

Maybe in the future, the pen will be offered with broad nibs.

🫰

[lamarax]

5 hours ago, Pen Ffynnon said:

 🤞

 

FTFY  🙂

 

(sorry)

[Pen Ffynnon]

6 hours ago, lamarax said:

 

FTFY  🙂

 

(sorry)

Hah! That's what old eyes after staring at a computer all day get you.  (bows) Thank you kindly.

[CSSD]

a Beautiful Blue Fountain Pen ......

----  Elysse, En Vogue model, in Lapiz Lazuli !!

 

I bought this one 4 years ago.

 

Here's two pictures I took of the pen ........

 

 

 

 

Here's a couple of "professional quality" pictures I found on the internet .......

 

 

 

 

And if interested in some history of the Elysse brand, here is a link to a downloadable book .......

https://ndma.com/resource/ndm26743.htm

 

 

 

[Wahl]