Fountain pen for 9 year old

[*david*]

Jotter and Vector apparently have the same nib. His parents are probably right. Jotter should be reliable. I've heard complaints about the plastic on Reflex pens being weak, but not heard that about Jotters.

[DavidM1]

I've mainly been using a Parker Jotter for the last week or two and alternating it with a Parker 51. Mine has the brushed steel barrel and cap and feels very durable. It is an elegant design and, when posted, it feels balanced in my fairly large hands even though it is quite slender. It could also be a good size for a nine year old.

 

I like the medium nib; it has a very even flow, neither too wet nor too dry. I have just spent the morning writing exam reports with it and I've been using it for everything lately. Most of the time I use it as an envelope and signature pen as it is my only M nib.

 

I've owned it for about a year and it is just a no-fuss, neat little pen. 122mm capped and 138mm posted. Just a hair over 10mm diameter where the cap joins the barrel.

 

http://www.execugifts.com.au/UserFiles//products/WebImage_Large/S20021113.jpg

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

The Jotter is a fairly good pen as long as you get one with a good nib. I like mine a lot.

 

Dillon

[Benjamin McFerret]

My 10 year old likes his Esterbrook and his Chinese made pens with dragons on them (that he bought for $10 or less). His Pelikanos also work very well and if you can find one, a Shaeffer "Vintage" (a fancier No Nonsense) works well, and looks somewhat expensive for an $8 pen. I know from experience that Montblanc black and bordeaux clean out of fabric without even using soap.

Ben

[Scribbles]

My 10 year old likes his Esterbrook and his Chinese made pens with dragons on them (that he bought for $10 or less).  His Pelikanos also work very well and if you can find one, a Shaeffer "Vintage" (a fancier No Nonsense) works well, and looks somewhat expensive for an $8 pen.  I know from experience that Montblanc black and bordeaux clean out of fabric without even using soap.

Ben

Thats very valuable information about the ink. I had no idea there was a washable black. Thanks.

[Walter's daughter]

I would echo all those who recommend the Lamy Safari. It comes in such "cool" colours as well as the clear Vista. I've not met a child yet who didn't like the look and feel of them and I understand that schools have recommemded them too.

I also recently tried a new Lamy designed with youngsters in mind--it had a cap with movable icons (?). The one I tried was a medium and I've never written with a smoother nib!

[meanwhile]

My 10 year old likes his Esterbrook and his Chinese made pens with dragons on them (that he bought for $10 or less).  His Pelikanos also work very well and if you can find one, a Shaeffer "Vintage" (a fancier No Nonsense) works well, and looks somewhat expensive for an $8 pen.  I know from experience that Montblanc black and bordeaux clean out of fabric without even using soap.

Ben

Thats very valuable information about the ink. I had no idea there was a washable black. Thanks.

I thought all colours of Qunik were washable?

[Betty]

I would recommend the Lamy Safari with the piston converter. Not only does the pen look cool for a boy and in fun colors, the piston filling is also extremely fun when filling ink.

 

The Pelikano is also a good choice, but they are cartridge fill so the cartridge buying might get a bit expensive and it's not as fun as filling your own ink.

 

I have owned both and I prefer the Safari for looks, but I feel the Pelikano writes a bit better and less watercolorly.

[jsonewald]

Pilot Varsity? Not refillable, but pretty good and very dependable writers. A 3 pack with black. blue, and purple costs about the same at Staples, as a bottom end refillable.

[lisa]

I would recommend the Lamy Safari with the piston converter. Not only does the pen look cool for a boy and in fun colors, the piston filling is also extremely fun when filling ink.

 

The Pelikano is also a good choice, but they are cartridge fill so the cartridge buying might get a bit expensive and it's not as fun as filling your own ink.

 

I have owned both and I prefer the Safari for looks, but I feel the Pelikano writes a bit better and less watercolorly.

You can get a converter for the Pelikano too. I'm using mine with it. But I still think cartridges are better for schoolkids.

 

You can also get a clear model Pelikan future.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

The only washable Parker colour is the blue because washing the other colours out depends more on the detergent used.

 

Yes, the Pelikano pens and the new converters work well together.

 

We can only get the Future in green, yellow, red, blue, and silver here with fine, medium, and broad nibs.

 

The Pelikano comes in blue, green, yellow, and red with Starter nibs, Fine, KM, and Medium nibs.

Pelikano Juniors come in blue, red, green, and yellow, with medium and KM nibs.

The only washable colour is the Royal blue.

 

I do recommend piston-filled pens for starters since they are generally easier to use with a few pointers. The M150 is another pen I would consider, but generally, the M200 is what I recommend. If the points get broken, you can always replace them. When you fill the pen, you don't need to wait for it to start, just wipe the grip and write immediately.

 

I could also provide pricing information if you wish.

 

Dillon

[Benjamin McFerret]

Scratch what I said about Montblanc black ink being easily washable. I decided to test it on an old white t-shirt and it has not come completely clean (mostly clean but not completely). I guess it just faded enough to blend in with my clothes in the past. The bordeaux does, however, come out easily.

Ben

[Scribbles]

Scratch what I said about Montblanc black ink being easily washable.  I decided to test it on an old white t-shirt and it has not come completely clean (mostly clean but not completely).  I guess it just faded enough to blend in with my clothes in the past.  The bordeaux does, however, come out easily.

Ben

Thanks for the update.

 

The bordeaux ink is a color of Montblanc or a brand of ink? Sorry if this seems like a silly question.

[Benjamin McFerret]

It is a color of Montblanc ink. To my eyes, it looks like a cross between burgundy and sepia.

[Kalessin]

Scratch what I said about Montblanc black ink being easily washable.  I decided to test it on an old white t-shirt and it has not come completely clean (mostly clean but not completely).  I guess it just faded enough to blend in with my clothes in the past.  The bordeaux does, however, come out easily.

Ben

Thanks for the update.

 

The bordeaux ink is a color of Montblanc or a brand of ink? Sorry if this seems like a silly question.

The bordeaux mentioned here is Mont Blanc Bordeaux ink. Nice color, too...

[Scribbles]

I also recently tried a new Lamy designed with youngsters in mind--it had a cap with movable icons (?). The one I tried was a medium and I've never written with a smoother nib!

Do you have any idea what this FP was called? Is it a new model because I have not seen anything like it.

[Scribbles]

You can get a converter for the Pelikano too. I'm using mine with it. But I still think cartridges are better for schoolkids.

 

You can also get a clear model Pelikan future.

Is the Pelikano nib easily replaced if its broken? Just wondering if its interchangable like the M200.

 

It does appear that replacement nibs are available for the Safari pens.

 

Also.. for those who are familiar with the Safari, I see that there are left handed nibs. Does this mean that the standard nibs have an angle for right handers?

[Scribbles]

I've mainly been using a Parker Jotter for the last week or two and alternating it with a Parker 51.  Mine has the brushed steel barrel and cap and feels very durable.  It is an elegant design and, when posted, it feels balanced in my fairly large hands even though it is quite slender. It could also be a good size for a nine year old.

Where did you find the SS Jotter? It looks really nice and I have not been able to locate one yet. One of the things that the boy liked about the pen I let him try was the SS finish. I must confess that I really like SS FPs as well and wouldn't mind one for myself

[*david*]

I also recently tried a new Lamy designed with youngsters in mind--it had a cap with movable icons (?). The one I tried was a medium and I've never written with a smoother nib!

Do you have any idea what this FP was called? Is it a new model because I have not seen anything like it.

That is the Lamy ABC.

[The Legend]

Hi,

 

 

I would suggest a Lamy ABC. Designed for kids.

 

http://www.skripta-paris.com/img/articles/lamy/thumbnails/10.jpg

 

Or a lamy Smile where you can change your moods.

 

http://www.lamy.de/product_images/product/big/083_gross.jpg

 

You can use cartridges or converter.

 

Converter and a few colours of ink is nice if parent is also a FP addict (for help).

If not, give cartridges (guess they are not the standard ones).

 

The Legend