Recommendations for next pen purchase

[arvadajames]

I am interested in recommendations for my next pen purchase. A little background to help guide your recommendations. I have been using fountain pens for a little under a year. I have tried 19 models from 15 makers from 5 countries. What I have liked so far have all been vintage—Parker 51, Parker 45, and Esterbrook J. Based on the size, shape, weight, etc of these 3 pens, what would you recommend I try next?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

James

 

[Johnson]

QUOTE (arvadajames @ Mar 13 2007, 09:23 AM)

I am interested in recommendations for my next pen purchase. A little background to help guide your recommendations. I have been using fountain pens for a little under a year. I have tried 19 models from 15 makers from 5 countries. What I have liked so far have all been vintage—Parker 51, Parker 45, and Esterbrook J. Based on the size, shape, weight, etc of these 3 pens, what would you recommend I try next? Thanks in advance, James

more 51s

 

http://uk.gizmodo.com/borg.jpg

 

[Johnson]

Okay, since my last post was completely unhelpful...

 

Have you ever tried a Pelikan? In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a total Pelikan fan, but they are popular and people seem to like them. The M200 with a steel nib runs you about $60, piston filler, good solid workhorse pen. It is suggested you purchase the pen from someone who can tune the nib for you.

 

If you are interested in going the vintage route, the Pelikan 140 comes cheap for a vintage Pelikan (less then $100, often) and looks like a solid pen (I don't own one myself, yet.)

[meanwhile]

If you like vintage pens, then the obvious next steps are the vintage Sheaffer Balances and Parker Vacumatics. These would have been prestige pens when the Esties would have been workhorses. They don't write significantly better than an Estie but they can be much prettier.

 

The great rival to the 51 would have been the Triumph nibbed version of the Sheaffer Snorkel. Like the 51 it's a cigar shaped pen and renowned for innovative engineering and an efficient filler and feed system. Weirdly, although thinner looking than the 51 it feels bigger.

 

Or you could take the jump into Sheaffer PFM territory - a Snorkel on steroids.

 

A nice 30's Balance or Vac might be $80-$120.

 

A Snorkel $50. (Check condition carefully - restoration is more expensive than usual.)

 

A nice PFM could be $175.

 

Of the three pens the Snorkels have the least interesting appearance but give the best writing experience for the dollar. Just check that the pen is from a reputable seller and the filler is working.

 

[jd50ae]

PELIKAN

[arvadajames]

QUOTE (jd50ae @ Mar 13 2007, 10:27 AM)

PELIKAN

What Pelikans are similar in size, shape, weight to the pens I like. Also, new or vintage?

[scogre]

You seem to like Parkers, and you seem to like vintage pens, I would suggest a Parker Vacumatic! Like the 51, it is a pen that they "got right". I would also suggest maybe a Parker 45 Flighter - they are cheaper than a 51 Flighter, and the one I have is a very nice writer, and looks good too!

 

Scott.

[sleek_lover]

Take a look at the Waterman C/F, one with a gold inlaid nib. Reasonably priced, P45ish in size. The pen was designed by Harley Earl, the legendary GM designer who did some of the great Buick designs and worked on some early Corvette models, IIRC.

 

The C/F was the first really successful cartridge filler and the cart design is the predecessor for the current International Long and Short. (NB: The EPC co-opted the cart design and maligned it for the Empty Mountain cartridge. The EPC also did a nearly direct plararistic copy of the Waterman C/F in the Empty Mountain &$ series which is now called the Jen-hair-ha-shun, I believe.)

 

The C/F, while available in many modalities, is sublime in either the Canadian or French manufactured gold-nibbed inlaid versions. The Waterman Carene and Edson are direct lineal decendents of the C/F.

 

You might want to consider the Carene in a modern pen, if you like the lines of the P51. The Carene and the P51 are two of my four or five "go-to" pens.

 

Bill in South Jersey...

[jonro]

From what you said, I think you might enjoy a Parker Vacumatic as your next pen. It's vintage and has a different style than your current pens.

[jd50ae]

QUOTE (arvadajames @ Mar 13 2007, 12:16 PM)

QUOTE (jd50ae @ Mar 13 2007, 10:27 AM) PELIKAN What Pelikans are similar in size, shape, weight to the pens I like. Also, new or vintage? If you like the way an Esti feels the M800 might be too big. Here is a quick photo of M800, Esterbrook and M200. I really don't think the wieght in pens this size (M200 and Esterbrook) will be all that different. If that is not right I am sure someone will say so.

Edited March 13, 2007 by jd50ae

[bobioden]

For Pelikans the 400 or 600 size would be close to the Parker "51". I prefer the 400.

 

For modern Parkers there is the Sonnet.

 

I second the Sheaffer Snorkel. A great all around pen.

 

And I also suggest the Pilot/Namiki Vanishing point. It has become my go-to pen. I just added my second and am looking towards my third.

 

Bob

[meanwhile]

QUOTE (arvadajames @ Mar 13 2007, 06:16 PM)

QUOTE (jd50ae @ Mar 13 2007, 10:27 AM) PELIKAN What Pelikans are similar in size, shape, weight to the pens I like. Also, new or vintage? If you're interested in a Pel, then buy a blue 600 from Pam Braun. They're currently a steal and the 600 is a little bit bigger than Estie J sized. Like the Estie's they have interchangeable nibs. I was very underwhelmed by the Pel 200 I tried, but it was the absolute bottom of the range. Pam Braun is a legendary seller and her price on the 600 makes it a great time to try one - although I think it isn't nearly as interesting pen as, say, a Snorkel.

[arvadajames]

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

Johnson - I have 3 Parker 51's -- I know you can never have too many 51's. I will look into the Pelikans, maybe I can actually see, feel, and use one from a local store.

 

Various people who recommended the Parker Vacs -- I have never seen one in person. They do look interesting on the web sites, but I am having a little trouble getting a handle on the sizes as they seem to have several?

 

scogre -- I have a 45 Flighter (In fact it and a grey 51 are the pens I have been using this week.

 

All others -- thanks I need to research and digest the other suggestions.

 

I really appreciate all of the ideas and welcome more.

 

James

[Nihontochicken]

QUOTE

more 51s

 

Hahahahaha! Beat me to it. Better that you take the flak, anyway.

 

Trying to be somewhat helpful, I second (third? fourth?) the Parker Vacumatic (just so danged pretty, and works fairly well) and the Sheaffer Snorkel with Triumph nib (not much to look at, but works really well, and is fun to squirt!). If, by chance, all three of your 51s are one type, either Vac or Aero, then you need to get one of the other for comparison. Particularly you must get an Aero if what you have is all Vac. Aeros rock (though Vacs are sexier looking). Good luck!