Graduation Gift Poll!

[Beardy]

Hey all. I will be graduating after the Spring semester, receiving my bachelors in English. I will likely be asking for a pen as my graduation present from the folks, and I'm already thinking about which one to ask for. I have a Safari and Studio, so far being rather fond of the Lamy brand. However, though I'm sure I'd like the 2K, there are also other pens I have been drooling over.

 

So, I know there are already a plurality of threads with pen recommendations in various price ranges, but I'm looking for votes (and explanations, if offered) choosing between these four. I am looking for a medium nib, so the 2K nib size issue is not extremely imoprtant.

 

Looking forward to opinions!

Edited December 30, 2008 by Beardy

[nkk]

Hey all. I will be graduating after the Spring semester, receiving my bachelors in English. I will likely be asking for a pen as my graduation present from the folks, and I'm already thinking about which one to ask for. I have a Safari and Studio, so far being rather fond of the Lamy brand. However, though I'm sure I'd like the 2K, there are also other pens I have been drooling over.

 

So, I know there are already a plurality of threads with pen recommendations in various price ranges, but I'm looking for votes (and explanations, if offered) choosing between these four. I am looking for a medium nib, so the 2K nib size issue is not extremely imoprtant.

 

Looking forward to opinions!

Emphasis mine.

 

Which four? The general idea of a poll is to list options (mainly in poll format).

 

I am sure an admin or mod would be glad to do that, or edit your post ( I do not know if you can edit in a poll).

 

-Nkk

 

EDIT:

 

I did not see the poll at first...maybe I need to pay attention.

 

Anyway, I voted VP, because I love mine, but try the clip first and see if it is ok with you. After that, I would go Sailor, becuase it is so nice and smooth. Although depending on what you want , the sailor nib is stiff, and may not be as expressive as an english major wants. I love my sailor for math and science (engineering/phyiscs major here), so it may be too sterile for you. If so, get the Lamy.

 

-Nkk

Edited December 30, 2008 by nkk

[louie24]

I voted for the Sailor, because I want to buy one myself! Binderized Pelikan would be a good choice, too, though.

[Breck]

That is a hard choice. I have both an L2K and a Pilot VP, and love them both. Since I have them already, if I were to get a pen on this list, I'd pick the Pelikan - but strictly because I don't have one.

 

Sailor got ruled out because it's a c/c filler whose looks scream for it to be a piston filler.

 

In the end, I cheated and peeked at the results and voted for the pen that had no votes, was my first pen, and is still my favorite - the Lamy 2000.

 

 

[Michael S.]

Looking forward to opinions!

 

My vote actually was for the Sailor, because that is one of my life goals to have... However, I believe the next pen on my list is going to be a Pelikan 215. I am planning to buy it online, but I'm curious what "Binderized" exacatly means... I expect you mean from Richard Binder, but what exactly does he do to Binderize it?

 

Michael

[Beardy]

I've seen the term around the forum, and it may have a more specific meaning. I just meant that I was thinking about buying it from his his site, and therefore would be tuned and tested before I get it, ensuring a nice writer.

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

Another vote for the Sailor.

[HDoug]

Winning bunch of pens there. Just mentioning that since Richard Binder is also a Namiki/Pilot dealer you can get a Binderized VP also.

 

Doug

[lefty928]

I am not sure I should have voted, because what a person would like is, in the end, all so ... personal: All the choices were really good* and I kept thinking, "Well, it depends ..." In the end, I voted for the Sailor 1911 as a substantial pen with which to mark a milestone event. Plus, I love my 1911M, which has written smoothly right out of the box and never failed me.

 

Congratulations, btw!

 

(The VP is very practical, if it turns out you are fine with the clip position, and many of the LEs are attractive; the M200 is my least favorite, but that's just my own preference and piston fillers do hold a ton of ink, if you like that sort of thing, and the M215s are pretty if you aren't obsessed with lighter weight pens as I am.)

 

* This opinion based on the fact that I own a Decimo, an M200, and a Sailor 1911M, so I'm obviously aligned with the program!

Edited December 30, 2008 by lefty928

[louie24]

oh, duh, congratulations on graduating!

 

What degree?

 

edit: gaaahhh .. BS in English. Just reread post. Don't mind me, seems my brain is not here tonight.

Edited December 30, 2008 by louie24

[Imzadi]

The choice is srtictly personal, however, I voted for the Sailor. I own a VP and a Sailor and love them both. Be sure to check out the clip position on the VP. It is an issue for some users. Personally, I cannot get into Pelkans. Maybe it's because they're light or piston fillers. I want to change ink colors too often to mess with piston fillers and their ton of ink. :embarrassed_smile:

 

Congratulations on your degree in English.

[Joe in Seattle]

I voted for the Sailor. I have both the Pelikan Binderized nib and the Sailor "M" nib.

 

The Sailor is a better writer by a slim margin. The Pelikan holds more ink.

 

I enjoy using both, but I'd have been delighted if someone had given me the Sailor for my B.A. in English ('72) or M.A. in English ('74)

[PAKMAN]

I voted the Lamy 2000. If you are or plan to be a prolific writter then the Lamy 2000 may be the pen for you. I is tough and a good writer and holds a ton of ink. I love my Pelikans also, the 215 is a good bit shorter than a 2000 but again a very nice pen. If you will just be an ocassional writer or a note taker the VP has some serious advantages with the ball point click actuation. If you have never held one I would suggest you do so before purchasing as some folks don't get a long with the clip placement. The ink supply in a VP is very limited.

[piembi]

My graduation pen had been a Pelikan M400 but this one could not be choosen

 

Voted for the Lamy 2K because it is a piston filler (holds lot of ink) and a very unique pen. You will always spot your pen if it is lying on a desk with other pens. The Sailor 1911 is a nice pen, too, but for some reason this pen gets nearly no use at all. Maybe because I prefer M-BB nibs and Sailors B nibs are somewhat between fine and medium. Or maybe because they are rather stiff compared to my Pelikan nibs.

[de Servantes]

Congratulations on graduating, first of all.

 

 

I voted for the Sailor. As they're not seen that often around here (here being Belgium) they have some weird exotic appeal to me (I haven't dared to order one on-line - yet).

 

I'm using a Pel 215 (regular M-nib) almost daily, and I would'nt trade it for any other pen, but it gets a bit too "normal" for me to see it as a graduation gift. The Binderizing may of course change that, but will of course require a lot of clear communication between yourself and the artist, or you may end up with a nib in the for sale threads of FPN. (don't get me wrong: I love my Binder ItaliFine in my Pilot VP, but it took me a lot of pages before I could hit the sweet spot every time)

 

Lamy 2K and Pilot VP are too much of "work horse" pens for a graduation gift, I feel.

 

Greetings

Miguel

 

 

[Beardy]

Thanks for all the input so far, and for all the congratulations! Of course I need to pass the next semester, but I don't anticipate any great difficulties.

 

I find myself leaning towards the Lamy, as I intend it to be a heavy user, and the large ink capacity and semi-hooded nib seem like useful features. I've got a long time to decide though, which means I'll likely be going back and forth. Really, I just want them all!

Edited December 30, 2008 by Beardy