Which Fountain Pens Do You Suggest?

[YeOlCaptain]

Hello, I am going to buy a new fountain pen, and I would like to hear your suggestions. My budget is 100-130 dollars. Right now the two pens I have in mind are the Pelikan m200, or the Parker Sonnet. Please feel free to give me any suggestions or ideas on which pens I should buy. Thanks!

 

[The Good Captain]

Sorry, but there is no other option. Pelikan, all the way. I've had a Sonnet and actually sold it not long back.

[Biff]

I also recommend the Pelikan.

[YeOlCaptain]

Sorry, but there is no other option. Pelikan, all the way. I've had a Sonnet and actually sold it not long back.

Would you consider the pelikan m200 a good pen?

[YeOlCaptain]

I also recommend the Pelikan.

Thanks!

[YeOlCaptain]

Sorry, but there is no other option. Pelikan, all the way. I've had a Sonnet and actually sold it not long back.

Thanks!

[autopsy]

If you don't mind thin and small, the M200 is a fine choice. M1000 also has a better nib!

[Scribblesoften]

If you have to buy new, go with the M200. If you can deal with used, you can get a 400 or a 140 for that amount.

[calhoun tubbs]

The Pelikan m200 is a good choice. A TWSBI 540 is another good choice, around $60. If you're a beginner, it is always a good idea to do some research, if you haven't already. A Pelikan m1000, is not within your budget, and I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner due to its price. A Lami Safari is another common choice for a beginner because it is inexpensive (which is great if you find out you don't like fountain pens after all) and quite robust.

[YeOlCaptain]

The Pelikan m200 is a good choice. A TWSBI 540 is another good choice, around $60. If you're a beginner, it is always a good idea to do some research, if you haven't already. A Pelikan m1000, is not within your budget, and I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner due to its price. A Lami Safari is another common choice for a beginner because it is inexpensive (which is great if you find out you don't like fountain pens after all) and quite robust.

Thanks for your advice! I already have a fountain pen its a Pelikano, however i wanted to upgrade from that. I was originally looking at a pelikan m200, but I was doing some research and i may extend my budget to get a new Pelikan m400 (all the used ones I found were not at a great price). Is making the budget jump to the m400 a good idea, or is it not worth it?

[Scribblesoften]

There is a Pelikan 400 in the classifieds for $130 right now. It is an OB which might not be your thing, but they are out there.

[lahlahlaw]

Pelikan all the way. Now if you were asking about vintage Parker, then that's another story.

[Sasha Royale]

I am a Parker fan. I have dozens of Parker fountain pens. Of the two, I recommend the Pelikan.

[ebearius]

Get a Pelikan and don't look back.

[csacks]

Pelikans are very nice, but the 200 is, to my taste, too light. Try for the 400, which is thicker and heavier. If you are using a Pelikano, you will love the difference. Consider Lamy and TWSBI, both very good steel nib and good quality pens, and by far into what you consider to spend.

Good luck and tell us what have you done

[AnthonySv]

is there a benefit of the m200 over a TWSBI 540? They look pretty much the same except for the gold vs. steel nib. Or is that it?

If that is it, can you use a m200 nib in a TWSBI 540?

[savingbirds]

is there a benefit of the m200 over a TWSBI 540? They look pretty much the same except for the gold vs. steel nib. Or is that it?

If that is it, can you use a m200 nib in a TWSBI 540?

The M200 is significantly smaller than the 530/540/580. Both pens have a steel nib, but I believe the M200 is gold plated (IMO no real advantage aside from aesthetics).

TWSBI pens are very nice, but I have yet to buy a TWSBI that matches the quality of my M600 (whether it be EF, B, or 1.1 italic).

 

There is no harm in trying either, as they are both excellent pens; however, I must agree with most of the other posts in that you should go for the Pelikan.

[langere]

The Pelikan 200 at this point has been around for a long time and the company has figured out all of its basic problems, such as the plastic to use, etc. I love TWSBI as well, but the company has only been around a few years and a few issues with the plastics, etc. keep cropping up (though Speedy quickly takes this into account and improves the product).

 

That's why a Pel 200 is a better bet.

 

Erick

[SharkOnWheels456]

Pelikan 200. It's been on my "want" list for a fairly long time, and I've been close to buying it twice in the past

Good luck with your new pen! Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be a nice step up from the Pelikano.

[HDoug]

A lot of good responses here, but I wanted to mention the Pelikan M215. Same external dimensions as the M200 but double the weight because of a brass sleeve. It's not a heavy pen, but the added heft gives it quite a different feeling. They're a bit more expensive and the "5" at the end indicates chrome (or rhodium or whatever) furniture rather than gold color.

 

Doug