Fountain pen for 9 year old

[Scribbles]

Today I had some friends over for a visit and they brought their 9 year old son with them. While we were catching up I brought out a couple of my fountain pens and let the boy's father try the Parker Frontier. Of course the boy wanted to try as well (secretly that is what I was hoping for) and I let him write with it for a bit. His father was familiar with FPs and was able to instruct him in how to use one and I also made a small demonstration.

 

When the boy was finished I asked him if he liked the pen and he said yes. Well.. I really didn't want to give up my pen and I wanted to make sure it was OK to give him one before offering. I pulled one of the parents aside and asked. As I expected my friend said it would be fine. In fact they thought it might help with his handwriting.

 

Rather than give the pen I had to him right there I figured I had stumbled on a possible Christmas gift. And that leads into the reason for this post.

 

What sort of pen would be good as a first pen for a 9 year old. He was able to use the Frontier just fine and that is a good pen thats not that expensive. I could easily afford to get him two of those and some ink (then he would have a spare... something I know that is useful). What other pens have forum members given to their children or the the children of friends and family?

 

I figure I will start him out with a bottle of washable blue ink... or is my assumption that it can be washed out of clothing mistaken? I've never actually had any to test.

 

It was really neat to watch the boy when his father uncapped the pen. He really thougt it was neat looking. Well it was a stainless steel Frontier with a gold plated nib. I think it looks really cool too.

 

Anything else that might enhance the enjoyment for a young boy starting out with FPs? Any stories from parenthood or childhood?

[Patrick Hand]

Why not one of those cheap Chineese pens and a bottle of ink.....

 

 

If he looses it... no problem......

 

If he keeps track of his pen (Hey.... that's how I learned..... I Don't lose lighters or pens....) Then next year gift him with something better........

[Scribbles]

Why not one of those cheap Chineese pens and a bottle of ink.....

 

 

If he looses it... no problem......

 

If he keeps track of his pen (Hey.... that's how I learned..... I Don't lose lighters or pens....) Then next year gift him with something better........

I hadn't actually thought about the Chinese market pens. Thanks for the idea.

[Samovar]

I don't have kids, but I think a Pelikano is a great option. It's rock solid, always works fine and 4 colors to choose from.

 

For 20$ canadian, you can almost afford to loose it.

 

I love mine, gave one to a friend and she loves it.

 

I would also strongly recommend a Lamy Safari, imagine yourself writing with a cool Vista at 9!

[*david*]

Lamy Safari with a fine or extra-fine nib. Looks good, tough nib, ink window, (or even better view on the clear model), and no matter what I do I can't get mine to stop working. A pen that always works with no fuss is best for a kid. Plus it's easy to see how it works. I (at 9 years old) would have had much less inclination to take apart a Safari than I would one of the pens with mysterious-looking filling systems.

[Scribbles]

Lamy Safari with a fine or extra-fine nib. Looks good, tough nib, ink window, (or even better view on the clear model), and no matter what I do I can't get mine to stop working. A pen that always works with no fuss is best for a kid. Plus it's easy to see how it works. I (at 9 years old) would have had much less inclination to take apart a Safari than I would one of the pens with mysterious-looking filling systems.

I really like the look of the clear model. What are the MK and LH nib types? (LH is left handed maybe?) How do those types write?

 

I'd have to agree. I did not have a FP when I was young but I would have taken it apart if I did. Tough is good too. More the think about, thanks.

[mike1]

The Pelkano Jr. would be a good kid's pen. My wife and I thought about getting them for our four and six year old grandsons, but we will wait until they are alittle older. We are thinking a good time is when they start to learn cursive handwriting in school.

[lisa]

I second the Pelikano. It's my favorite pen at the moment. Just make sure you get his handedness right since these pens are ergonomicly made for right and lefthanders. At 9 yrs old, I think a Pelikano Jr. might look a bit too young for him soon.

 

No matter what pen you choose, get one that can be used with cartridges. In school it's just not practicle to use bottled ink.

[goodguy]

Parker Vector.

They cost 8$ and very rugged sp they will not fall apart so easily.

Oh and its a nice writer too.

[*david*]

LH is apparently an oblique cut that is preferred by some (not all) left-handers. MK stands for medium Kugel. (Kugel means ball, i.e. a very rounded point.) I haven't actually seen either of these in person.

Lamy's medium is pretty wide - I would go for something smaller than that. I have an extra-fine that feels just as good as a fine in terms of smoothness, but I don't know if they're all like that.

[corniche]

Greetings Scribbles,

 

I like David's idea of a transparent pen- especially for a boy- they're inquisitive by nature about how things work. I also think your idea for Parker Quink Washable Blue is the way to go and yes, that is what "Washable" means- its ability to be laundered from clothes; unlike the Permanent, which stains forever.

 

Best of luck,

 

Sean

 

[Russ]

A Lamy Safari with a 1.1 italic nib would be a great start. I just gave one to my daughter yesterday, on her 11th birthday. The italic nib hooked her right away.

 

The pen is durable enough to withstand accidents. It also has sufficient quality to gain her appreciation for FP's.

[Keldun]

I think a cartridge system is more appropriate for a kid most of them don't want to bother having to fill their pens at home and much less bringing their bottle at school.

And even if they do use this type of pen there is a big chance that while playing some accidents happens with the pen.

So I would definitely recommend a fountain pen that can use cartridge, maybe a metallic one because kids like stuff that looks cool .

[Judybug]

I just bought a Parker for my 9 year old grandson. It was $7.99 at Office Depot. I think it's a Parker Reflex. Darn! I've thrown the packaging away and the only mark on the pen itself is "Parker" and "made in UK." Anyway, it's a very smooth writer.

 

Judybug

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I would recommend the Pelikan M200.

 

The Lamy is another good choice. For Lamy, I would take the ABC and Safari.

 

Dillon

[johnr55]

The last line of Sheaffer School Pens is still available all over EBay, new, for a few bucks. These are terrific, derivative of the ones I used growing up. A great snap cap (wish we'd had them back then!), cartridge fill, extremely durable. I've bought several and can testify to their easy use and great appearance. Sheaffer cartridges are very easy to carry, or to refill if that's the object.

[Scribbles]

Thanks everyone so far for your input. I really appreciate all the feedback and advice.

 

I haven't made a purchase yet and I'll post when I make a final buy. Any other ideas are still welcome.

[*david*]

I don't think anybody has made a bad suggestion. (Though I would question the expense of a Pelikan 200 for a nine-year-old - not because he's irresponsible, but because all nine-year-olds have friends.) On the other hand, I guess it's not THAT much more than a Lamy Safari. It depends how you look at it and how much you want to spend.

[Scribbles]

I don't think anybody has made a bad suggestion. (Though I would question the expense of a Pelikan 200 for a nine-year-old - not because he's irresponsible, but because all nine-year-olds have friends.) On the other hand, I guess it's not THAT much more than a Lamy Safari. It depends how you look at it and how much you want to spend.

The M200 isn't too high on my list to give right now... mostly because I don't have one of my own yet :-( I don't have a Lamy Safari either but I could probably afford two in that case if I really want one.

 

His parents suggested getting him a really inexpensive first pen just until it looks like he will stay with it. I've seen some really inexpensive Parker Jotters around but I'm not sure how durable they are. And I still really like the idea of a clear demonstrator to teach how the thing works.

 

A less expensive pen also offers the advantage of getting an extra... if I can make a mistake so can he.

 

Anyone use the a Jotter? Is there a clear model?

[brh]

Haven't used a Jotter, but have used a Vector, and believe the two to be similar... Vector is pretty well made for the price, and although I was able to break the cap on one after a long while of being thrown in a bookbag, I think they're pretty tough. They are (or were, at least) available in transparent colors. I have a soft spot for these because it was the pen I carried through middle school...

 

-brian