Fountain Pen Survivor: The Quest For The Perfect Every Day Carry Pens Under $100

[dooooooor]

I love Vacumatics, but I'm not sure you'd like any of the standard sized ones, since they're a bit thin. Definitely worth a buy just for looks alone. I have a 1st gen Vacumatic Junior that is small, but perfectly balanced when posted. It might be a bit light for you, and I do have to hold it near the barrel for a comfy grip. Vacs (like most vintage pens) are pretty light and the nib options are scarce too unless you look into re-tipping. I do have a strong affinity to cursive italics like you, but I actually like a fine nib if I have to use a round one.

 

Though all of my recent purchases have been vintage pens with round nibs, I've been saving up for a VP from Binder with an italifine nib because I'm itching to get another italic nib. I know how that feels.

[discopig]

The Pilot VP seems to be the perfect EDC pen, especially for note-taking or meetings.

[Betweenthelines]

Regarding the Vacumatic: Well I on a whim I won a fully restored Vacumatic (traditional brown/gold stripes in excellent condition) and it's on its way! Whoops! Looking forward to give this personal "grail" pen a try. @ dooooor - Interesting about the thinness. Will see if it works out for me. I'll post a little update review it here as well.

 

 

@BTL

On the Lamy, I'm curious about your choice of the 1.1 stub italic nib for an EDC.

I have a Lamy 1.1 nib on my Lamy pur, but I feel it too wide for EDC work. I use it for special letter and card writing, where the width of the vertical ink line is not so much of an issue.

 

Well, my 1.1 on my Safari is actually surprisingly fine on high quality paper (you can see it isn't writing very broadly in the photo above at the end of my post), and it is such a joy to use and improves my writing to such an extent that even on lesser paper I prefer using it. Additionally, I always have both the VP and Safari with me, and VP's nib was crafted from a medium so it offers a finer line.

 

But yeah, if the Safari was someone's only pen for EDC, I would say an EF nib is probably best for all around use, and would carry a 1.1 with me for longer writing sessions on better paper.

[wikeh2004]

Thanks for the positive feedback and input, folks.

 

 

 

 

I did but only briefly - upon second consideration, I agree that it seems the Vac 700 might suit me very well! Will have to check it out.

 

I was about to suggest the Vac 700 too. It is a fairly large pen and it holds a ton of ink. With an F or EF nib, it will last forever. Also, with the lockdown piston, you could seal it for safe carry just about anywhere. It took a while for my Vac 700 to write well, and after a nib update from TWSBI, it works well. Doesn't post well though. I use it without posting. Smooth with good ink flow. It is a good pen, but since it is large (for my smaller hands), I'm hoping they'll bring out their Vac Mini that's been long in development.

 

I think the TWSBI Diamond 580 is worth a look. It's not as big as the Vac 700, but fairly close. As a piston filler, it has a fairly large ink capacity too.

 

I ordered a Hero 100 via eBay to see if this Parker 51 lookalike is as good as they say. I have a bunch of Parker 51s which I love, and I used one in college many years ago as my EDC pen.

 

I would not recommend a Parker Vacumatic, even though I'm a huge fan of them. They look great, but for an EDC may be a little fragile and finicky. It takes longer to fill and flush than something like a Parker 51 or TWSBI Vac 700, and the vacumatic diaphragm will need more frequent replacement. I love them though, especially the chunkier 1st generation models.

 

I have a Dani Trio Cum Laude which is a big, light pen. No longer made, but widely available on eBay. Very nice looking pen.

 

The Pilot Custom 823 is a fairly large pen, and as a vacuum filler, holds a lot of ink. Works like the TWSBI Vac 700. Rather a bit beyond your $100 budget though.

 

Some of the Bexley pens might be worth a look. No particular recommendations at this time.

[wikeh2004]

Sadly, it's waaaaay too back heavy when posted. On the other hand, it's big enough that using it unposted works well even if you usually post your pens. I like mine just fine. Unposted.

 

I agree. The Vac 700 isn't really postable. But, it works well unposted.

[Blue_Moon]

Love my Pilot VP! It is #1 in my book, as well. The Lamy 2000 puzzles me. I've got one. Inked it once, and was never sure if I liked it or not. This was several months ago, and it hasn't been inked since. However, Lamy Safaris/Al-Stars frustrate me to no end. It's like gambling when I buy one. I've got five or six (counting my Vista) and half the time the nibs are perfect, and the other half, they have hard starts and skips. I never know what I'm getting. I've had no better success ordering nibs alone for those pens. I may order three, and one would work fine and the others would hard start and skip. But, I must say, when one works well, it writes like a dream.

[alexander_k]

Great review and wise conclusion / choice. The VP is a great pen on the go, except for the relatively small capacity of the converter. However, when I go home in the evening I have every opportunity to replenish the ink and if I'm travelling I can always take a 30 ml plastic Diamine bottle with me.

[overlander]

WOW! Great Post! This is going to help me sooo much as I start to dive into the fountain pen world.

BTW Awesome Pics

[PlasticFantastic]

I agree with all of your points

especially the Safari and the icky smell of the Noodler's pens (I myself through 2 away based on the smell)

 

My only suggestion: give the LAMY 2000 a try !

[Betweenthelines]

A little update - I have added the following to the mix (it never ends, does it?) and will update with mini-reviews here -

 

- Parker Vacumatic

- Pilot Bamboo

- Parker 51 a la Greg Minuskin

- Lamy 2000

- Lamy Al Star

 

And I'm looking at giving TWSBI another shot.

[georgeb]

Parker 25 is a good choice too

[maverink]

Kaweco al sport, pilot custom heritage 74,91,sheaffer No nonsense, faber castell basic,camlin elegante, 3776 century n sailor 1911 are on my edc rotation

[mateo44]

Great review!

 

I was going to chime in about adding the Lamy 2000, but I see you've already done that. I *always* have my Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari, Pilot VP, and (usually) my Pilot Metropolitan inked up.

[Blue_Moon]

One other that you didn't mention was the Italix Parson's Essential. That is a wonderful wonderful pen!

[okiwen]

Betweenthelines,

Thx for the time and updates. I am entering into the fountain pen world and have determined that I am also very thrifty when justifying money for a writing impliment. I own an Alstar and two Safaris one of which never worked well. The TWSBI 570 I do like but am afraid of breaking. I like the idea of the vanishing point but can't spend that much when a ball point works for mostly free.

 

So many pens out there I know nothing about.

[Algester]

Parker Vector Plastic.... its probably on the smaller side but sturdy enough given that it's plastic almost on par with the Metro

[Ceilidh]

Really informative and useful post. Thanks!

[maverink]

parker vector plastic not strong as metal metropolitian i will take the latter anyday

[TTAlex]

Thank you for doing this most appreciated!

[jebib]

Under $100: Jinhao 450 with a no. 6 jowo nib and a Schmidt converter. Fade to black, done.