Best Everyday Pen for $100.00 or less ?

[Deirdre]

Would it be anyone's learned opinion that I would be going too far wrong in selecting a Lamy Safari as my first fountain pen?

While there are other pens in that price range I was happy with, the Lamy Safari wasn't one of them. I'd suggest you spend some time test driving one. I'd pick up a Waterman Phileas in preference to a Safari (I prefer the Safari's looks, though).

[Alan Smithee]

Would it be anyone's learned opinion that I would be going too far wrong in selecting a Lamy Safari as my first fountain pen?

While there are other pens in that price range I was happy with, the Lamy Safari wasn't one of them. I'd suggest you spend some time test driving one. I'd pick up a Waterman Phileas in preference to a Safari (I prefer the Safari's looks, though).

 

Thank you for your reply, Deirdre. I'd be interested in why you didn't care for the Safari. I like the way it looks too but I expect to spend more time writing with my pen then looking at it (not that looks don't matter some what). In the meantime, I decided to go for the Pilot 78G from Hisnibs. I haven't read anything negative and for $25 plus S/H I figure I can't go too wrong.

[griffin2020]

I used a Fine Nibbed Lamy Studio until just a few days ago (when it was stolen from me). I just replaced it with a Retro 51 (today, so I have not had much chance to write with it, but so far I love it).

 

I was using a Lamy Safari before that, but the medium nib was simply too broad for my notes (and my handwriting).

[Deirdre]

Thank you for your reply, Deirdre. I'd be interested in why you didn't care for the Safari.

Two reasons, one of which is fixable and one isn't:

 

1) It wrote very scratchily and was a hard starter. I now know how to help a pen like that along, but I didn't at the time.

2) I had had a much-beloved Safari ballpoint, and I didn't like the look or feel of the fountain pen anywhere near as much. My BP was one of the first generations where they had a cool texture.

 

That said, now that I know more about Safaris, and now that I've got Noodler's Blue Ghost ink, I've been considering picking up a Vista. Honestly, though, I'd prefer a gold-nibbed pen.

[Noh]

Would it be anyone's learned opinion that I would be going too far wrong in selecting a Lamy Safari as my first fountain pen? As a beginner, I naturally don't want anything too extravagant (i.e. expensive) for my first purchase. Any recommendations as to the type of nib? I’m only looking to see if a fountain pen will make my general writing more legible (with practice of course.) Also, are refills difficult to find? Do I need to lay in a supply of refills by ordering them or are generic refills available at office supply stores such as Staples or Office Depot? Thanks in advance for steering me in the write direction. Sorry…I'm weak and couldn't couldn’t resist.

 

I just love the poop out of my Safari. I use it all the time; I almost always have it with me, and I've never had a problem with it. I think it's a great pen for the price, and not a bad pen to start with at all. If I have any complaint with it, it's that the way the section is designed makes it hard to clean with a snot bulb, but I've figured a way around that so it's not even an issue for me anymore.

 

I have a 1.1mm italic nib on it, and haven't had a chance to try the regular nibs, so I can't really make any recommendations there. But if you find you like italic nibs, the Lamy italics are really nice to write with--not toothy at all.

 

Unfortunately, the international refill carts you can pick up at Office Depot won't fit Lamy pens. Their cartridges and converters are specific to their brand, so if you get a Safari you'll probably want to pay the extra $5.00 and spring for a converter (I mean, you can always empty a regular ink cart into a plastic bottle cap, or something, and fill your converter from that in a pinch); but Lamy ink carts are sold pretty much anywhere that sells fountain pens (except Office Depot and places like that), you can even buy them off amazon.com. They're not exactly hard to find, just not exactly ubiquitous either.

 

[Alan Smithee]

Thank you Deirdre and Noh for your advise. Since I first asked my question, I have purchased a Pilot 78G and then a Safari. I didn't realize that the Pilot didn't come with even one cartridge so I had to go out and buy a bottle of Parker Quink. When I ordered the Lamy, I also got the converter and a pack of cartridges plus I ordered a bottle of Noodler’s Blue-Black. So far I enjoy both pens very much. I want to get broken in as a new FP user before I make a more expensive investment. This site is great for advise and opinions. Thanks again!

 

[sargelee71]

I love these following pens and am not a freak about using them.

 

-Rotring Freeway M nib

-Waterman Expert F nib

- Lamy Studio (Black) F nib

- Pilot Prera (Excellent!!) F nib

- Sheaffer Prelude F nib--I love this pen! * Have it in a black and JUST ordered a silver one.

- Rotring Core F nib--FUN FUN FUN, TIL MY DADDY TAKES THE T-BIRD AWAY.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

[CraigR]

A late contribution - I have had extremely good luck with Levenger True Writer fountain pens for every day duty. /Craig

[foobar]

I am going to second, third or fourth the vanishing point. It's quite reliable and always handy. I think it is the only modern fountain pen I own.

[KClaw]

Parker 51 Aerometric.

[xena]

I'm seconding the Retro 51s. I love mine dearly. Paradise Pen is running a sale on the Pelikan Epoch, and I test drove that and liked it. No affiliation, just a happy customer (they treat me nicely even when I come in wearing jeans and a t-shirt, unlike one of the mom and pop stores in my area, which looks at me like the scum of the earth even when dressed for work)

[Garageboy]

Old classic is the Parker Sonnet. Waterman Charleston is nice too

[jimg]

Try an Esterbrook 'J".

 

Buy a pen and 6 NOS renew nibs for under $100 and get 6 pens in one.

Edited February 15, 2008 by jimg

[dsatco]

All of the above suggestions are good and I'd like to add, if you can find one, the Danitrio Cumlaude. Where else can you find a celluloid pen with a great nib for under $100! Also, don't forget one of the best bargains out there: Reform piston fillers that can be obtained for ~$25 including S&H (great if you like slim pens or can handle it for brief spells).

 

I can't touch this for $100...anywhere! Where do you get such deals?

[discplayer]

I'm also a fan of the Levenger Truewriter. I picked up a Kyoto at Christmas. I think it a beautiful pen and it was a great price from the outlet. The medium nib is quite full, try the fine.

 

Another inexpensive pen is the Waterman ici et la. It is very smooth.

[james3paris]

My work horse is my black Waterman Phileas with a fine nib. My back up is a German Diplomat med head pen. These are it until I change.