Pen Recommendations

[cmenice]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm pretty new here (just signed up a couple weeks ago) and I do a lot of writing in my spare time. I'm in the process of eliminating pens from my collection. I no longer want to collect pens. I just want to write with them. Which means that I just want like three pretty good pens. I have two which are:

 

Pelikan M800 (about 2 weeks old) F nib

Waterman Carene F nib

 

I love both pens, but probably like the pelikan more. I'm looking for one more pen. What does everyone think?

[Rabbi Zvi Solomons]

Well there's no doubt about it - you have to go with a Parker 51 with a fine or medium nib. I would say you should go for a vac filler but the aerometric is quite nice. you have other conventional pens. I would also suggest a Sheaffer (why only 3 pens - surely at least 5!!) tubular nib - a Triumph or perhaps a Lady Skripsert. They are great pens to use. And a Wahl 1920s ladies pen with that ribbon ring - the nibs on those are quite exceptional.

But only 3 That's sad. Why so few? You say you're no longer a collector, but pens are a way of expressing your mood - so you need at least 5 I would say, to feel more complete...

 

Regards

 

Rabbi Zvi

[Vintage Pens Fan]

Hi,

 

Are you keeping 1 more pen from your existing pens collection? Or are you thinking of buying a 3rd one?

 

I would keep at least 1 vintage pen ( I second the Rabbi's suggestion, as either the '51" or Sheaffer will be a good representaive of FP in the past).

 

But if you only want a modern pen, I would make it one of the big three Japanese pen mfr (Namiko, Platinum, or Sailor).

 

By the way, what pens are you planning to get rid of?

 

David

[BillTheEditor]

If you're using your pens for a lot of writing, and if you don't mind spending $175, I recommend the Danitrio Densho eyedropper in raw ebonite. As a writer and editor who does a lot of "marathon writing" I appreciate the Densho's light weight, wonderful nib (mine is a flexible fine), and enormous ink capacity. It is a full-size pen, so I have to say, I recommend it provided your hands are not small (as I guess they are not, considering the pens you are keeping).

[cmenice]

Are you keeping 1 more pen from your existing pens collection? Or are you thinking of buying a 3rd one?

 

I'm wanting to buy a third pen.

 

what pens are you planning to get rid of?

 

hmm...I have a small collection of Pilot Murex, Myu and Volex pens. A Morison (60's I think). A Sensa Meridian (all silver M nib). A Golden Star (Chinese I think). All these have never been inked.

 

Also a Waterman Liasion Rollerball (brown/orange woodgrain ebonite).

 

Also, I have a Hero 100 you know the Parker 51 fake and I don't really like it. So I would be on the fence about a 51.

 

I don't mind spending money on a pen. I just bought the pelikan that was $220 I think. The reason I'm ready to buy one soon is because I'm selling off my collection and I have some money. Pretty soon I'm going to be broke. I have a baby on the way so most of my money will be tied up on diapers

Edited December 18, 2006 by cmenice

[chainwhip]

I would say Lamy 2000, but you're getting rid of that...

 

Tibaldi Iride/Transparente is tops on my list.

 

RichardS did a great review on it:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=8211

 

The Transparente is similar (different color & piston-filler as opposed to vacuum-filler on the Iride).

 

Edit: Added review link.

Edited December 19, 2006 by chainwhip

[Vintage Pens Fan]

Hi,

 

I'd take it you are not too thrill with the Japanese makers, & is looking for a modern pen...

 

I would recommend to check out the Aurora 88 lines. I have had one with gold plated cap a few years back, & it wrote excellent.

 

The Omas 360 collection is very good too, IMO.

 

Good luck,

 

David

[cmenice]

I love the look of the japanese pens. I just happen to like pens that write wet. My experience with the two that I've inked has not been that. I was actually thinking about a Nakaya, but I just wanted some opinions on other possibilities.

 

Thanks for all the input so far.

[BillTheEditor]

I love the look of the japanese pens.  I just happen to like pens that write wet.  My experience with the two that I've inked has not been that.

Danitrio Denshos are not inherently dry writers. Some of them are reported to be firehoses. In part this is because the Densho features an adjustable valve that can increase or decrease the flow.

 

Some people say that ink flow depends on the ink. With the Densho, you can just open that valve a bit wider if a given ink is not keeping up with your writing speed.

 

re the "51": Pens are like horses. If you get a good one, it's a good one for you and pure misery for someone else. If you get a bad one, that same horse will be the best one that someone else ever rode. You can't say that all gray horses are slow, or that all bays are smart. The most you can say is that a cow pony is probably not going to outrun an Arabian -- and then there will be exceptions. The only way to be sure about one pony or one racehorse is to try it.

 

The point of that is I have a Hero 100 and I have two Parker "51"s. I like all three, and I have to tell you that each of them writes differently to the other two. Fountain pens, especially vintage models, seem to all be individuals. It seems to me (based on the wildly different responses people have recorded here to the same pens) that it is often not a good thing to try to generalize experience with one pen, or with one clone of a pen model, to all pens of the same make and model. Same for ink.

Edited December 19, 2006 by BillTheEditor

[goodguy]

If you wouldnt have the M800 I would probably recomment it but since you have it then I recommend:

 

Omas Paragon (the old model that is still available).Superb pen,its a classic with a piston filler and perfect for writing due to its AMAZING nib!!!

 

If you are willing to go nuts and spend some more than go for the Waterman Edson nothing bad to say about the pen exept its an expensive pen.

 

Another favorite but maybe a bit "in your face" is the MB 149.Put the mane aside this is a truly pleasurable pen that most people that own say is a FANTASTIC pen.I own one and I love it.You can get a used one for around 230$.

 

I would love to know what you chose at the end.

[brh]

hmm...I have a small collection of Pilot Murex, Myu and Volex pens.  A Morison (60's I think).  A Sensa Meridian (all silver M nib).  A Golden Star (Chinese I think).  All these have never been inked.

Oh my! Just keep one of those Myus! Or at the very least... send one to me for a Christmas present..

 

-brian

 

PS, Aside from my just being totally in love with it, I think the Myu is a good choice because IMO it has a sort of Zen quality to it that you can't find in a lot of other designs. I'm a writer myself, and I think that this inspirational quality is just as important (if not more) than ink capacity, how the nib feels, and all that other stuff that we look for first in a pen. That being said, Pilot nibs are ace anyway. If you do end up getting rid of the Myus, I hope you sell them here... and let me know about it

 

(edit = that PS)

Edited December 19, 2006 by brh

[cmenice]

I agree that the myu has that zen look that inspires creativity. I will definitely be putting them up in the marketplace in the next couple of days probably.

[bernardo]

But only 3 That's sad. Why so few? You say you're no longer a collector, but pens are a way of expressing your mood - so you need at least 5 I would say, to feel more complete...

I think you need at least 52 pens, one for each week of the year.

[scogre]

I would second the Danitrio Densho in raw ebonite. It is a wonderful writing pen! Mine has a regular stub nib, and it is just a joy to write with it! I don't think of it as being in my rotation because it is the one pen I always keep inked!

 

Scott.

[wiglaf]

How about the Sailor 1911 with a Togi? Pengallery still has a stock of them I believe- nice writer, smooth, wet, and classic appearance.

[cmenice]

Thanks for everyones responses so far. I'm researching all as possibilities. I'd love more opinions.

[marklavar]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm pretty new here (just signed up a couple weeks ago) and I do a lot of writing in my spare time.  I'm in the process of eliminating pens from my collection.  I no longer want to collect pens.  I just want to write with them.  Which means that I just want like three pretty good pens.  I have two which are:

 

Pelikan M800 (about 2 weeks old) F nib

Waterman Carene F nib

 

I love both pens, but probably like the pelikan more.  I'm looking for one more pen.  What does everyone think?

A good, cheap pen to complement your existing ones would be a Sailor 1911. Otherwise, a Sheaffer Legacy Heritage. You might also consider a Parker Sonnet. Ideally, get all three! These are the 'safe' options. I would advise against experimenting with more exotic pens and filling systems if you are new to fountain pens. Stick with modern cartridge-converter fillers and you'll be OK. Once you are comfortable with these you might like to branch out, but be careful, because not all pens are suitable for all users. Best of luck in your search.

Edited December 19, 2006 by marklavar

[D.R.Mabuse]

Now, granted I'm somewhat narrowed in my experience in that I'm exploring alsmost strictly Chinese product, but for a relatively a inexpensive write that doesn't require mangling the nib or tie-dying your shirt , shaking it into life, I've had my best luck with the Haolilai 305 and 614F.

 

I've also had good fortune with the Dinouyang 818. Though I can't pronounce THAT brand name in casual conversation (and I'm not even going to try)...

[FrankB]

You did not indicate your budget parameters. If I were to have just three pens that were workhorses, I would want something both reliable and aesthetic. If you like the Pelikan M-800, then similar sized pens would be in order. The Dani raw ebonite Densho is larger than an M-800, dead on reliable and it has its own very special aesthetics.

 

A Parker Duofold Centennial is a wonderful writer, as is a Stipula oversize Etruria. They are very different pens, with different aesthetics, but I love the feel of both in my hand. If you watch the on line sales boards, you can find one of these pens at a good price.

 

Too frequently, people seem to forget about the Sheaffer Balance 2. It is actually a large pen, right in there with the Centennials, M-800's and Etrurias, but it has its own shape, feel and aesthetics. The Balance 2 is the more economical of this selection. I saw a crimson glow example go for just $75 on the PT green board recently. The Balance 2's are lovely pens that write very nicely.

 

If I were to pick just a few pens to live with (the proverbial "if I were exiled to a desert island" senario), I could not choose just three. I would have to have one of each of the above pens.

 

Good luck. Please tell us what you choose.

[cmenice]

Ok, I think I've narrowed it down to a couple of pens.

 

1. A Nakaya, not sure which model, something with roughly the same size as the Pel. m800.

2. A DaniTrio, again not sure which model with size requirements close to the Pelikan m800.

 

I like the tamenuri urushi finish. I should also say that I'm looking for something not black because that's what my m800 is.

 

What are some opinions on these pens. Pros and Cons? It would be a huge pen purchase for me, but I'm excited. Also, I've heard of people having reactions to urushi, does that happen a lot?

 

I guess I would take more recommendations as well. As FrankB noted, I didn't include budget params. $600 max.

Edited December 21, 2006 by cmenice