The Perfect Pen for Me

[Donald594]

Hello fellow collectors! My name is Donald Allen Lee III! Anyway, I need help finding the perfect pen for me. I recently purchased a Lamy All star, Lamy 2000, Waterman Phileas, and had a pen hand made for me out a rare Mexican wood, and all of those are find and dandy, but I'm looking for the perfect pen. I need a pen that is beautiful. Beautiful being a celluloid, not one of the pens that are being turned of to the Asian "Luxurious Touch". Nothing that's like a solid gold, or caps with demonic baby angels on them. Something reminiscent of a Clef, by tryphon, but being a little more...rich, or dark. A Pen that is large, but not overwhemingly huge, something like, one of the larger viscontis. Also, a pen that is pretty light, but not too light. A little heavier than the 2000 would be perfect. A pen with a nib smother a baby's bottom, but not so smooth that you can't even control your writing, and not a pen so wet, because i am a lefty. Not as dry as a fine lamy all star, but not as wet as the 2000, or some of the Asian pen brands. AND, it has to be less then $120 dollars. And it cannot have a sac. Only a piston filler, OR... maybe even a cartridge converter...so I know you can help me out. I'm only 14, only make $100 dollars a week (well, 60, I have to put 40 into my future savings account) and I have pen fever, had it for a year, and know the type of pens agree with me. I have tried (not owned) About all pen brands but montblanc, most models, (Except for the parker "51") And, if your curious... my current collection is....

 

5 assorted asian pens

1 Lamy Safari

2 Waterman Phileas

7 Pilot varsity

3 Aldo Domani

1 Lamy All star ( Well, my friend lost it.... so he repays me in two days hehehehe....)

1 Cumstom Made wooden pen thingy...

1 Sheaffer Javelin

1 Pelikan Pelikano (well.... kinda lost it hahaha...)

 

Thank you for help. And may the bunnies be with you!

 

:bunny01: :bunny01: :bunny01: :bunny01: :bunny01: :bunny01: :bunny01: :bunny01:

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:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

 

:roflmho:

 

[langere]

I'm afraid there is no such thing as a "perfect pen." Only you can determine what is the "perfect" pen for you.

 

Close to your price range is a Conklin Nozac, which have wonderful colors and can be marvelous, smooth-nibbed pens. That is, if you get them on sale. I've had good luck with them, but from what I read from others is that quality can be inconsistent. They have absolutely amazing colors.

 

Also, how about a Stipula Vedo? I just bought one today (at Fahrney's) and it is a great writer. Unlike the other pens, it is also a piston filler and is mostly celluloid. Check 'em out on the Internet!

 

I'd recommend a Scheaffer Legacy, but it's not celluloid - great balance and the inlaid nib is a dream to write with.

 

The other possibility is vintage pens - always great because you can get high quality and dependability with a relatively low price. Think again Scheaffers and others.

 

I think you need to get out (or your parents take you to) a pen store that has both modern and vintage pens. Also, you might want to consider saving over a couple of months and then buy the pen you really want.

 

Hope this helps - welcome to our community!

 

Erick

[foxtail1]

In Hampton you are very close to Swisher Pens (Virginia Beach). Why don't you make a trip to the shop and you could try and get the feel for a bunch of different pens? I think Swisher carries only new pens, so that won't work for trying vintage ones.

 

Good luck!

Kristi

[Donald594]

I have 3 pen stores close to me. One is a one hour walk that I like to take my dog on the "Hampton Stationary Store". It is a store that has no vintage pens, and the pen selection is VERY small. Yet, it has an abundance of Pelikan Rollerballs. It's where I go to get my sealing wax though... Then next one is "A Pen Lover's Paradise" Again, is has no vintage pens, but the selection of modern pens Mrs. Hunyh has is it drool for. The Next one is "Swisher Pens" I have NEVER been to this store, but I don't think that have vintage pens. So I'm out of luck there. When I like about a pen lover's paradise is the owner prices her pens at MSRP, and you can have fun bringing in articles from other places and haggling the price down, and then she gives you twenty percent off I am no stranger saving up for the pen i really want, and I have yet to look up your reccomendations, but I will before the night is over. Thanks!

[MinasTirithScribe]

You might consider a Levenger True Writer in cellulose acetate. They're light and warm to the touch like vintage celluloid and capture light fascinatingly. I have the Sea Glass finish (clear background with flecks of light green, light blue, white, and tan) and have had to use willpower to keep from buying the newer Flourish (Forest Green, Cranberry, or Pearl White--swirly patterns with depth) and Fiery Amber finishes too. The steel nibs are firm but smooth and generous. Prices vary among the different patterns. I think the Sea Glass was $68.

 

These are cartridge/converter pens, which I use with cartridges only to protect the section, which is the same material as the pen.

 

If you visit Swisher Pens, check out their modern Conklins and Taccias. I bought first a Conklin Nozac (the wild orange/black swirl one, my second 3-digit pen) and later a Taccia Staccato Vanilla Latte from their website.

 

Fahrney's Pens' website has the Conklin Symetrik on sale with some very nice patterns (purple or gray veining on a white background). They're modern but replicate a vintage Conklin design.

 

[Donald594]

bump

 

[Glenn-SC]

I'm afraid there is no such thing as a "perfect pen." Only you can determine what is the "perfect" pen for you.

I can't agree more on both accounts.

[Tangelfoot]

I'm afraid there is no such thing as a "perfect pen." Only you can determine what is the "perfect" pen for you.

I can't agree more on both accounts.

 

Is a pen not one of the most personal items a person can buy. It has to be true that you need to feel the pen before buying it and then you will know. I have seen even pens that are of the same type but feel different in the hand.

 

[Martius]

Hmm, why not stick with the German pens? The Lamys are definitely high quality pens, and the 2000 is one of my favorites. If you are looking for something relatively cheap, high-quality, and handsome, I say check out Pelikan. The M600 would be the perfect size for you, I think, and if you get it from someone like Richard Binder, who will tune the nib for free, I think it might be the pen of your dreams. The M600 is a piston filler; it has beautiful finish and trim; and it is a great writer!

 

The only problem, of course, is cost. You could easily get a new-condition M600 for $150 from someone here on FPN, but you would have to send it off to a nibmeister to get the full potential out of the nib. (Not really expensive, but I imagine you don't want to wait.) If you can handle a smaller pen, I say just get a gold-nibbed M200 (which is the M400 size - one step smaller than the M600) from Richard or John Mottishaw. It has all the characteristics of the M600 except for the striped celluloid and larger size.

 

The Viscontis are nice, but aren't cheap. I would also recommend Omas for the ultimate celluloid pens, but those are definitely not cheap (my Royale Blue Omas Paragon was a steal at $300).

 

If you are going for the ultimate in writing quality, you should definitely buy a pen from a skilled technician - or buy your ideal pen and have it worked on by a skilled technician. Find a pen that really suits you balance-wise and get the nib and flow reworked. In my experience, this has by far been the easiest - and sometimes only - way to achieve what you want in a pen.

 

Good luck. You might want to try to make it to a pen show: I went to my first one in April and I can't believe how much I learned about various pens in only 2 days! Raleigh has a great one every year. So do Atlanta and Philly - not to mention the biggest show of all, the DC Supershow. So you're not TOO far away from some of the best pen shows in the world.

 

Best,

Summer Greer

[Donald594]

Wont be able to go to a show, but for clarification, the perfect pen for me is a pen that has the body of the Montblanc Meiserstruck 149, the patter of the Phileas (only not plastic) the writing quality of a visconti, and medium size / weight, I just find a pen in my pricerange, so I'm open to more selections. Gold nib preferred, anyone know if Mr. Binder can take a nib and make it a gold one, or make a nib out of gold? Or can he condition a steel nib into something that can write as smooth as a hot knife through butter.

[Donald594]

A lamy 2000 not a safari hehe, sorry about that.

 

[xena]

How much writing do you do in a session? i have 10-15 page writing sessions (note taking), so I found capacity/ ink usage to be a huge factor. My note-taking pens are my hemisphere (waterman) in fine, and my new reform 1775, and i'm saving up for a stipula vedo (or a ventidue if one comes into my price range on ebay). Piston fillers are where it is at for me. And I love the Italian flair (and price point) of many of the Stipulae.

[Donald594]

well, at school anywhere from 2-6 pages, then 2 pages of scribbles, 2 pages of journal entry, and 5 pages on novels/ short stories. so Alot, but i keep a bottle of Private Reserve Chocolat in my locker at school (it was a miracle that my teachers let me use that color hehe...) and one at home with my other ink. but I like flushing pens and changing ink colors, so if the capacity is so high that i couldn't change the ink every 1-2 days, it would be a minus for my taste. But, I do love piston fills. I don't like c/c, having to take the nib off to fill is so inconvenient unless traveling (IMO). I hope that helps. I'm going to make my decision soon I think.

[Cloud]

I would get a Omas Ogiva. This would be my best fit for your criterium.

 

Super smooth, piston, extra-light.

 

Purchase mine on the FPN boaRD FOR 120$!

 

It was my safe pen, good ink capacity, you can write many pages. Super smooth nib. Can be had for much cheaper then Visconti.

[mdblue]

well, at school anywhere from 2-6 pages, then 2 pages of scribbles, 2 pages of journal entry, and 5 pages on novels/ short stories. so Alot, but i keep a bottle of Private Reserve Chocolat in my locker at school (it was a miracle that my teachers let me use that color hehe...) and one at home with my other ink. but I like flushing pens and changing ink colors, so if the capacity is so high that i couldn't change the ink every 1-2 days, it would be a minus for my taste. But, I do love piston fills. I don't like c/c, having to take the nib off to fill is so inconvenient unless traveling (IMO). I hope that helps. I'm going to make my decision soon I think.

buy a sailor full size 1911 from John or James (peartree/minuskin) and ask them to modify the nib as per your taste. It's a c/c but the converters are very nice. I've also tried to convert them into ED fill however, it can be a little tricky. The body is a shiny plastic, does not look cheap and can be very conservative looking similar to MB

If you can tolerate an anti-bling experience I'll highly recommend the raw ebonite Danis. They also come with ED options. I also have customized a Dani Takumi with a Binderized Bexley nib transplanted and converted into an ED filler which lasts a whole week's of writing. Sometimes they pop-up in the market place, however usually are gone within 30 mins.

You may also consider the Pilot Custom 823 which is a vac-filler and holds ton of ink.

Edited June 11, 2008 by mdblue

[langere]

Donald, you do not need to take the nib off when you are refilling your pen with a converter. C/cs are easy to use - as much as piston fillers, but of course they do not hold as much ink. But that's why I like 'em - I can change inks, just as you do, more often.

 

Erick

[Donald594]

Donald, you do not need to take the nib off when you are refilling your pen with a converter.

 

I mean the nib section, with the feed, and all. The unscrew thingy (vocabulary?!). Or is there another way?

[wvbeetlebug]

Everyone made wonderful suggestions. I will be in Hampton next week and plan to make a trip to the area pen stores. Swisher is definitely on the list. They were at the Raleigh Pen Show but I didn't spend much time at their table.

 

What kind of sealing wax does that stationery store have?

 

PS: With a converter you shouldn't have to take any part of the pen apart, except for unscrewing the barrel to get to the converter of course. All you have to do is the immerse the nib in the ink and twist the converter. When you're done just wipe down the nib.

[Donald594]

What kind of sealing wax does that stationery store have?

 

Not sure of the brand, but they have kits, and individual sticks. There are only 3 stores with fountain pens around here though, Hampton Sationary Sotre, Swisher Pens (never been there) and A Pen Lover's Pen Paradise (Make sure to bring in ads of the pens for a lower price, and she will match or beat the price, and Local Pen makers have some of their pens on display at her store, be sure to check it out!

[wvbeetlebug]

Thanks Donald. Swisher Pen is definitely on my list of places to go. We're going to Williamsburg Pottery (yawn) today.