Best writer for < $50?

[TCN]

Aurora Style $70, on sale for $50-55. IMHO, the most elegant pen out there, and a great consistent writer at twice the price.

Edited December 1, 2006 by TCN

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Every single pen writes differently, even among the same model.

 

When tuned properly, most pens write superbly.

 

Pelikan M200 and Lamy Safari/Al-star/vista, Pelikan Pelikano, Pelikan M200 are my picks.

 

Dillon

[brucered]

just found this site and my interest of FP's is growing.

 

looking for a nice entry level FP for under $50 as well. looked on ebay for the Pelikan M200 and prices must have increased due to demand or inflation, as they are not under $50 any more.

 

any ideas as to where to look for one, or am i hooped on the price now?

[tonybelding]

I just got a new Hero 200A from isellpens.com for $30, and I'm rather impressed with it. It's a near-copy of the old Parker 75, but the Hero takes standard international cartridges and converters. It actually comes with a squeeze converter, but I swapped in a Schmidt K5 converter with no problem.

 

I've been looking for an inexpensive, good quality pen that takes international carts and converters, and this is one of the few that I've found.

 

Another example would be the Online Vision. I haven't had one of those yet, but isellpens.com has them on sale now for $40.

[brucered]

I just got a new Hero 200A from isellpens.com for $30, ....

 

they have some nice pens, but shipping to canada is $20+ according to the "shipping info"....

 

so a $20-25 pen, becomes a $50, which doesn't make the value worth it.

Edited October 8, 2011 by brucered

[Namo]

Philéas is an awsome writer! And the Pelikan 150 is a pen that does not receive enough credit.

[davidw]

for under $ 50 you can get a TWSBI . BUt with the new TWSBI 540 its $50 plus shipping

[mirosc]

one more for the Parker Frontier

[Clancy]

Philéas is an awsome writer!

 

+1 for the Phileas...for sure. I'd also ad the Reform 1745, Pilot G78 and the good ol' Sheaffer 'No Nonsense'.

[AtomicLeo]

The Pelikan m200s haven't been under $50 for a long time. I bought my new 3 years ago and it was $65. They now are $85 and IMO not worth it at that price point given the TWSBI holds more ink and is $55.

 

I own a Knight, too and I'm disappointed that Pilot is discontinuing the pen. Mine is soft almost flexy! Love it. Comparing to other pens under $50

 

Lamy Safari/Al star are a great value although the nibs are stiff compared to the Knight and the Lamys are bigger than the Knight.

 

PIlot Prera is almost the same size as the m200, a bit shorter and wider. Great Pilot pen.

 

Hero Jumbo 616 is a Parker 51 clone and one of my favorite knock about pens.

 

Ebay Parker 51 Special or Esterbrook. I've bought 4 Parker 51s on ebay, two needed restoration and 2 were functional as is. Didn't pay more than $45 for any of them. You'll see restored Esterbrooks for $50 all the time i ebay and they are great pens.

[The Royal Pen]

Pilot Preras are good little pens, with the same nibs as Pilot 78g. They do last a long time, but they're cartridge-converter filler, so that may be a turnoff.

 

Edit: There's no such thing as a Pilot 18g

Edited October 9, 2011 by The Royal Pen

[Spector]

Where would you find a rotring 600 fountain pen for 40 dollars? on ebay they are all up in the 100$ plus range

[penspouse]

One more for the Pilot Prera.

[ames2688]

I have a new Parker Frontier and so far I am quite pleased with it. Apart from the lack of a hooded nib it writes quite similarly to the P51. It is a lighter pen, not too expensive and it feels nice and smooth. Even though it has a medium nib, the ink flow is a little slower which is perfect for my left handed over writing style. I would definitely recommend trying one if you are looking for a nice, stylish writer at a reasonable price.

[deansellers]

Where would you find a rotring 600 fountain pen for 40 dollars? on ebay they are all up in the 100$ plus range

5 years of inflation plus demand will do it every time!

[sanyalsoumitra]

Here is an exhaustive list below $ 50 pens.

 

 

http://soumitrapencollections.blogspot.in/

[ac12]

From my first hand experience:

 

New pens:

• Pilot Metropolitan (approx $15)
• Baoer 388 (was less than $10)
• Parker IM (about $20 + shipping to Parker for a nib exchange. I exchanged the M nib for a F nib)

Used pens:

• Parker Classic (probably my favorite pen, was less than $50)
• Cross "original" Century (was less than $50)
• Parker 88 (was less than $20)
• Esterbrook LJ and SJ (was less than $20 ea, this depends very much on the nib in the pen)
• Eversharp Skyline (was less than $5 ea, they are "parts" pens)

[TheMadHatter]

All of my pens are under $50!

 

Pilot 78G (10)

 

Pilot Metro (15)

 

Jinhao ANP53 Golden Checked Dragon (5-10)

 

TWSBI 580 (37.50 on penplace.com if you use the coupon code newwebsite25%)

[Sasha Royale]

Product availability, shipping costs, and customs duties will affect final cost. Your actual location is relevant. Where are you ?

[Runnin_Ute]

Lamy Al Star

Waterman Phileas (this may be harder to find <$50 now)

Noodler's Konrad - at least mine is a great writer - not all are - I have done virtually nothing to it.

Esterbrook J