Help deciding, please!

[bruno7]

Hello everybody!

 

I am brand new to this forum as well as to the beautiful world of pens. I realize that there is no reason to buy a cheap pen and than regret it. But I'm on the lomited budget as well so I need your help.

After spending couple of days on Internet my selection came down to only two pens:

 

1. Namiki Bamboo

2. Visconti Van Gogh

 

Which one is better and why? And also, if you know another good pen within the price range $200 -$300, please let me know.

 

Thank you very much for your help!

 

David

[petra]

If it's your first pen, then I would say Namiki -- because I'm guessing that it's going to be a totally reliable pen with a terrific nib, and your first pen should make you fall in love with all the great aspects of fountain pen writing.

 

I have had terrible luck with Viscontis, although I know there are folks here who have had better luck than I. Because of my own experience I couldn't recommend Viscontis wholeheartedly.

 

Good luck!

Petra

[helius]

Based on looks alone, the Namiki. I love the shape of the Namiki Bamboo, and was about to plunk down my credit card for it... and that's when I dip tested it. There's a big "step" between the section and barrel just make it horribly uncomfortable for my grip. So... I'd recommend that you try one first before committing to it.

[bruno7]

Yes, that's actually suprising. I thougt that Viscontis would be really great, that's why I'm still considering it, but after reading about all these nibs and ink flow problems I might finally go for Namiki. I just cannot find more reviews here, there are some but not too comprehensive.

Thanks anyway for your thoughts!

 

David

[jay23]

There are many inexpensive pens that you can buy, which are great writers and you will not regret buying them. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better.

[kissing]

I personally recommend an inexpensive pen ($15~100?) to be a first. I don't know where you got the notion that "there is no point buying a cheap one and regretting it", because most cheap pens discussed here are quite reliable and great. Sometimes even better value than the expensive ones

 

If you are very new to fountain pens, and haven't had much experience with one before, I strongly recommend you start off with something inexpensive . Fountain pens require a period of learning how to use. They are quite different to writing with a ballpoint or rollerball, and using a fountain in the way you write with those may end up in damage

[sonia_simone]

I agree 100% with Kissing.

 

I think the smartest way to start is to pick up a Waterman Phileas and a Lamy Safari. They're both cheap and they're both good and they're different enough from one another that they will show you things you like and do not like about different types of pens. There's no substitute for that experience. (Actually, you might add a third to that--email or sent a PM to the FPN user <winedoc> and ask if he has any "tactical carry" pens left--this is a $33 pen, high quality and on the heavy side--once again, quite different from the other two).

 

You can get all three for well under $100 total, and you can pick up a couple of different colors of ink as well. If you decide you don't really like FPs after all that, you aren't out much. (Someone here might even buy them from you at half retail or so, so you can recoup some of your costs.)

[bruno7]

Well, I should've cleared that out - I had been using FP in the past for some time (not a good ones though) so I'm not that new to the FP world, what I meant was the world of fine pens that are beautiful and representative as well and that is what I'm looking for right now. I've seen so many pens online and in some catalogues recently and these two I mentioned are the two I like th most, maybe Aurora Talentum as well. I just need a pen that will write good, feel good and look good - in this order.

Sorry for being not so specific.

And thank for help, guys!

 

D.

[sonia_simone]

And also, if you know another good pen within the price range $200 -$300, please let me know.

There are a whole lot of fantastic pens in this range!

 

I saw a Stipula 22 that's right at this price point this weekend--absolutely great looking pen. Piston filler, 14K nib and celluloid to die for. It dip-tested as smooth as ice cream, but I don't know anything more about it--haven't had a chance to pore over reviews. It doesn't photograph nearly as gorgeous as it is in person.

 

If I had $200-$300 burning a hole in my pocket right now, I would either get another Danitrio from winedoc, a Pilot Custom 823, a Pelikan Place de la Concorde (and have Richard make me up a gorgeous flexy little nib for it), an Aurora 88 or a Visconti Midi. (I don't remember if the 88 or Midi are within that price range.)

 

Although actually if I had $300, I'd sock it away and save another $200 to get a Nakaya Urushi Writer's Model.

[bernardo]

I am brand new to this forum as well as to the beautiful world of pens. I realize that there is no reason to buy a cheap pen and than regret it. But I'm on the lomited budget as well so I need your help.

After spending couple of days on Internet my selection came down to only two pens:

 

1. Namiki Bamboo

2. Visconti Van Gogh

 

Which one is better and why? And also, if you know another good pen within the price range $200 -$300, please let me know.

Are you telling me that you want to spend $200 - 300 in your very first fountain pen? You are kidding, right? If you are serious and really want advice to get a nice and reliable pen as youf first one, get yourself a Pelikan Future for less than $20. You will be surprised with the writing quality of this pen, and it will make you think twice about making a stronger investment.

[helius]

Since someone just mentioned Winedoc's Tactical Carry... He has two more of the prototypes for sale right now over at the marketplace. Incidentally, he does still have a number of the regular ones in stock.

Edited December 11, 2006 by helius

[MikeLip]

Well, you've had all kinds of practical, sane and sensible advice. Well the heck with all that rot! I'd get that Namiki Bamboo just because I *love* the looks of it! Somehow it just says "Japan" without ornamentation or garishness. The styling embraces everything I admire about oriental design.

[StanSoph]

My next pen is a Nakaya Urushi-Picolo.

 

Here is a review:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=20884

[wiglaf]

Welcome- and if you are set on spending money, do it wisely- a Sailor 1911- a pen you will always come back to, even after getting all those others- well maybe not if you do get one of those Nakaya's- hmmmmm-

 

Tony

[geremy]

The cap broke on my van gogh, the resin just cracked while tightening the cap (after it had been left in a freezing car). The local store I bought it from would not replace it, instead I have to send it back in.

 

I'll let you know how the warranty service goes.

[Nihontochicken]

Get a good condition "know-nothing" (i.e., not a super collectible color or cap) vintage Parker 51 Aerometric. Price should be somewhere in the middle to perhaps upper two digit dollars, depending on condition, source and "goodness" of the deal. If decent, and should you choose not to be assimilated, you can sell it to one of the Borg for what you paid for it, unlike a new pen. I don't think that flogging it off will prove to be your desired option.

[eightstrings]

This thread reminded me of the first fountain pen I purchased in Switzerland right out of high school. It was some no-name pen hanging on a grocery store shelf. Nearly a year later, I bought my first safari in Germany. This was THE standard all the way through college.

 

Of the many pens I own and use, there are two pens I consider performance standards: Lamy Safari and any Pelikan in the Souveraen series (preferably M400 and larger). I own several, and have recommended several to friends and co-workers and have seen very few problems. They are reliable and will last for a very, very long time if treated well. I have also had good luck with Waterman pens.

 

There is pretty long list of pens I simply do not trust, many of them are very expensive as well. I think checking this forum is a good idea. Take a good look at Pelikan before you decide.

Edited December 12, 2006 by eightstrings

[kissing]

Well, if we're all recommending starter pens, I couldn't bear to see that the Pilot Knight was left out These are fabulous, inexpensive writers that give you a glimpse of what Japanese nibs are like Cost around $35 from various sellers.

 

Also - don't neglect the Parkers. I believe the best starter pen in the Parker world is the Frontier, which is reliable, smooth and tough. If you want to spend a bit more money - go for the Sonnets Despite quality control issues, if you get your hands on a good one, they sure are lovely pens!

[JimStrutton]

Just a thought, if I was going to buy myself a new pen with a real WOW factor, then it would have to be the nib that was going to give me that WOW. So I would go to the infamous Mr B's site, fill out his custom nib form about my writing style and hold etc. Then get him to ship me the Pelikan of my choice with a custom ground nib. Pretty much a bullet proof pen body with a nib that will write like a dream. Job Done :ltcapd:

 

So why have I not done this? Well I saves up me pennies and then that vintage Parker "51" calls to me from Fleabay and I have to get it just to annoy the bear if nothing else :bunny1:

 

My other suggestion would be to hold you cash in an investment account until you can get yourself to a pen show, then you can actually try a few of the exotic new and vintage pens and buy what truely 'Speaks' to you.

 

OK ramble mode off, but I have just got up and it was Herself's birthday yesterday and I had to assist with the wine drinking.

 

Jim

[Mike S.]

With Viscontis, the rule I live by is "Try before you buy, and buy the one you try." I have three Viscontis, and the first one I bought (a Wall Street LE from an internet retailer) was a very poor writer out of the box and had to be sent to a nibmeister for correction, and two (the Divina and an ocean blue Van Gogh), purchased from a local new pen dealer only after I was able to inspect them up close and try them on a pad of paper, are absolutely marvelous -- among the smoothest and best-performing nibs I have.

 

In my experience, Pilot/Namiki pens have incredible quality control and write well out of the box. However, you can virtually guarantee the performance by purchasing your Bamboo from John Mottishaw at www.nibs.com -- he will set up the pen to your specifications and make sure it's working perfectly (however you define that) before he sends it to you. If you get it and it's not the way you want it, he will keep working on it until he gets it right. I believe they have the Bamboo models on sale now.

 

Mike