Your 5 best pens for a beginner

[Jules]

I started using fountain pens in September. Prior to that, I tried the Pilot Varsity but was really put off by how wet and thick it wrote -- it bled through everything like a Sharpie. D:

 

1. Lamy Safari

My first pen was a Lamy Vista (and then a Lamy Safari) -- I'd recommend that to anyone. At first I was worried that the clip would be really ugly, but now it's one of my favorites. Nice and sturdy.

 

2. Waterman Phileas

The Phileas is nice but doesn't start up as easily. I have a blue one in medium point and what I'd really like is a black Phileas with an F nib, but so far I haven't found one for a good price.

 

3. Jinhao

Good experiences with the Jinhao pocket missiles, as well as the Jinhao 905 and any of the commemorative pens.

 

4. Sheaffers

Even the cartridge pens are really nice. I've never had any trouble with them and I'd go with one of these any day. Smooth and wet and perfect every time.

 

- I had really bad experiences with Hero pens, though I did get one nice Hero 329 out of it that I still use frequently. The other Hero 329 was scratchy (and I don't have enough magnification to try and fix it), and the Hero 332s leak from the joints.

- My Esterbrook SJ likes to leak into its cap when jolted in my backpack.

- My Pilot 78G writes so dry that it's not worth bothering with. I'm thinking about trying it with different ink.

- I like my Parker 51, but... I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be a F point and it's not. Writes like a firehose.

- I bought two Dollar pens and they write a bit thicker and wetter than my Lamy EFs. Well, one of them does...the other writes after I fill it but then it dries out and just won't start again.

[RCC]

Phileas, Pilot 78G and old Cross Solo (if you can find one)

 

These pens are inexpensive by most standards and not only are they smooth, likely moreso than the inexpensive Lamys, but the nib design is not fussy about angle of attack and is forgiving of wrist turning, unlike say the Lamy 2000 and some other pens. These pens also have a following and could easily be resold. Might be hard in the US to get the Pilot serviced without spending more money than one might wish to spend, but if you pick one up for $12 what is the worst that could happen? If $12 busts your bank, buy a BIC and be safe.

Edited February 4, 2010 by RCC

[antimony]

We're always pointing people towards the cheap-and-cheerful "workhorse" pens, it seems like. . . . . How many of us actually got started that way?

 

Years and years ago, my parents bought me a Waterman Phileas when I was in high school. I loved it, and kept it filled with Waterman Green all the time, and used it for letter writing, etc ever since. I still enjoy that pen it writes beautifully, and it's special to me.

 

Recently, I decided I'd like to use a fountain pen at work as well - and I was not going to that that gaudy, ridiculous-looking Phileas to work with me. Totally not in line with my work environment. I'm an actuary, and have my degree in engineering, and wanted a pen that looked like a pleasant and functional tool to get a job done. I now keep a Lamy Safari and a Lamy Logo at work, and they suit my purposes perfectly.

[eric47]

1.Lamy 2000

2.Pelikan M200

3.Parker 51

4.Waterman Phileas

5.MB 146

Once you get the first 4 I think you are ready for a 146.

 

That's a bit better.

[adam11]

Pelikan M200 is wonderful pen that I could recommend not only to beginner. Interchangeable nibs for trying different sizes, piston filler which gives you "real fountain pen" feel together with an opportunity to use different kinds of bottled inks.

My first FP was Parker Frontier and it served me very well, so more from sentimental reason i can recommend one

Edited February 4, 2010 by adam11

[dexaco]

While I like the Lamy Safari (I have two of them) I'm not completely enamoured of the triangular grip. No-one has mentioned the Lamy nexx (I don't think) but for me as a lefty underwriter I'd rather have a nexx M (with the metal clip) than a Safari. Still a triangular grip, but soft-touch and more rounded, and a metal body, with the same nib inter-changeability as the Safari, and around the same price. I have one, with another on the way.

 

Apart from the nexx, I'd add Parker Reflex (surprisingly good writer, although I gave mine away), Pelikan M150/200 (I have and use both) and possibly a Parker 17 - nice pen and available for less of the disposable income than a 51. I've had one for 45 years, still going strong, at the cost of one new sac about ten years ago.

 

Although I like the handling of the Hero 616, my experience has been a tendency to flood, or at least write very wet. No problems with a Hero 330 - nice pen.

 

Derick

[JMX]

Pelikan Go!

 

Lamy Safari/Vista/Nexx

 

Pelikan M200

 

Pelikan 140

 

Pelikan Level 65 

 

runner up:

 

Reform P 120

Edited February 4, 2010 by JMX

[jdkonzem]

Pilot Varsity -- if they do not enjoy fountain pens, they are only out $3

 

Twotone

 

Completely agree

Great for those unsure about getting into fountain pens. Cheap and they can be purchased at Staples. (if they don't have them in stock they can ship to store at no charge from web site)

[eric47]

5. Parker 51 - $50-75 - I've yet to own one, but all those fans can't be wrong!

 

:roflmho:

[mremptypants]

Excellent list. I'd put the Safari as #1 and also consider Kaweco. About $15. Must be posted to be comfortable

[jorgerp1]

1. Vanishing point: as a ballpen BUT A GREAT FP.

2. Parker 51: the ballpens copy it design :ltcapd:

3. Snorkel: only to see how it works

4. P Duofold: a great nib.

5. Other P 51 to be friend of the nº 2.

[tenorclef]

so i bought this one in the end a Parker 45, how hard are these things to use, my life experience is the ball point.

Edited February 4, 2010 by tenorclef

[dogpoet]

They're pretty straightforwards. Just don't press too hard on the nib.

Is that one of the current 45s or one of the older ones?

[tenorclef]

It was listed thus-

 

Brand New, Genuine PARKER 45 Fountain Pen in Blue with Gold plated trim

 

Pen

 

Blue acrylic barrel with stainless steel cap

23K gold plated trim

Fitted with piston fill converter for bottled ink

Can be converted for use with cartridges

23K gold plated stainless steel nib

Medium Nib

[impossiblebird]

tenorclef:

 

so i bought this one in the end a Parker 45, how hard are these things to use, my life experience is the ball point.

Congrats! I've had one of these since I was 11, in 1972: I used it daily at school and still use it regularly. Profiled here: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/45_profile.htm As dogpoet says, don't press as hard as you would with a ballpoint.

[cuza]

1. Pilot Varsity Black

2. Pilot Varsity Blue

3. Pilot Varsity Red

4. Pilot Varsity Pink (my favourite for underscoring)

5. Pilot Varsity Green

 

Can be purchased in a multi-colour 7-pack for the incredible price of USD $11.78.

 

 

-- cuza

[impossiblebird]

Has anybody here ever tried to refill a Pilot Varsity?

http://hans.presto.tripod.com/nibs/refill_varsity.html

[tenorclef]

tenorclef:

 

so i bought this one in the end a Parker 45, how hard are these things to use, my life experience is the ball point.

Congrats! I've had one of these since I was 11, in 1972: I used it daily at school and still use it regularly. Profiled here: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/45_profile.htm As dogpoet says, don't press as hard as you would with a ballpoint.

 

 

Thanks for the advice and your profile page on the colt 45 made interesting reading!

[ailleurs]

I just gave the following pens to two different people who had not used FP before

 

Lamy Safari F nib

Pilot Varsity

 

Both people are now talking about starting collections of FP. That's some serious praise IMHO.

 

For someone who is a bit more concerned with a professional appearance, I'd also add a Levenger TW or Plumpster on a Diet Wow do I love my Plumpster on a Diet! It was under $50 on sale IIRC and came with a cartridge and converter.

 

The Pelikano JR for kids is a great entry-level pen, as others have commented.

[returnofpenguy]

To start with, I would recommend following pens.

1. Waterman Phelias or its inexpensive models such as Kultur. These are excellent pen and can be purchased under $25

2. Lamy Safari under $25

3. Parker IM and Vector both under $20

4. Wality 69TL or other such pens under $20.