$30-50 Pens

[Edgemcmuffins]

Recently, my parents have said that If I get straight a's, I will get $100 to spend on pens. Right now, my pre-prepared cart on goulet has a rhodia dotpad, a jinhao 159+ goulet nib, a faber-castell basic, and a twsbi eco. I was thinking of replacing one of the pens to buy some more ink, as all I have now is noodler's black and a set of black-cap winsor and newton inks that I don't trust. If I had to get rid of a pen, which should I get rid of?

[cleosmama]

The Faber Castell Basic could go, in my book.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

The Jinhao 159 can be a nice writer with a Goulet nib, and possibly even with the nib that it comes with. But it's fatter and heavier than I like, much fatter and heavier. And although plenty of people are satisfied with their Jinhao pens, I don't really trust their QC.

 

I've never used that particular TWSBI or any Faber Castell, so can't really give an opinion on those, but I'm sure others here can. Anyway, I hope the classes go well.

[Runnin_Ute]

If it were me, I would dump the 159. But I don't like heavy pens and it is at least 20 grams heavier than my top end. (it is 50+ grams; my top end is 30 grams, had one got rid of it - gave it away)

[shawndp]

I would dump the TWSBI - of the three pens, the FC packs the best nib. Acutally, FC makes some of the best steel nibs in the business today - they just come with some tragic pen choices. The Jinhao is a great pen for the money even in stock format, so I would keep that. If you want a realy good starter ink that will follow you through multiple situations, Waterman's Serenity Blue has been that ink for me.

[carlos.q]

I was thinking of replacing one of the pens to buy some more ink, as all I have now is noodler's black and a set of black-cap winsor and newton inks that I don't trust.

You are right in not trusting them. Winsor & Newton inks are not made for fountain pens. Please do not use them or you will damage your pens.

Edited February 14, 2016 by carlos.q

[ac12]

As you can see, we all have different opinions.

 

I would keep the TWSBI Eco. I have one with an EF nib, and I like it. I would get a F nib or wider. The EF nib likely needs to be tweaked to write well. Caution, don't stare too much at the ink sloshing inside the pen, it can be mesmerizing, and you won't do your homework.

 

I have no experience with the FC Basic.

 

I agree with Ute, I hate HEAVY pens, my best writers are down at about 15 grams. I can use a 20-30 gram pen for about a page, then it gets my hand tired. And I hard cut-off at 35 grams, above that it is TOO HEAVY. So I would not get the JH for a school pen that I had to write a LOT with. There are better school pens.

 

Additional pens to look for:

- Rossetta Explorer, about $15, medium nib only.

- Pilot Metropolitan, about $18, medium or fine nibs, the medium is about the same as a TWSBI Fine.

- Pilot 78G, from $13-25, F,M,B,BB nibs. The B and BB are really stub nibs, and IMHO too wide for use as a school pen.

 

gud luk

Edited February 14, 2016 by ac12

[Perdendosi]

My Eco (extra fine) isn't my favorite writer (it's kinda scratchy, and the body feels a little utilitarian) but it always, always writes. It has a huge reservoir for ink, and looks really cool watching the ink sloshing.

When I was looking to spend $100 I kept wondering why everyone suggested the Eco, but now I get it. It's definitely worth it.

[Edgemcmuffins]

Thanks for all the info. I'll probably get rid of the jinhao. The heaviness factor is a bit daunting. So then, any ink recommendations? I was thinking of some noodler's because of their value and reputation, but I don't really know. Small note, I've got the metro. It flows really nicely on a black n red.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks for all the info. I'll probably get rid of the jinhao. The heaviness factor is a bit daunting. So then, any ink recommendations? I was thinking of some noodler's because of their value and reputation, but I don't really know. Small note, I've got the metro. It flows really nicely on a black n red.

 

Why not try a pack of sample vials? The Goulet site offers a few different kinds, so you get to try lots of inks and decide which you like enough to buy a bottle.

 

For the record, I love my F-nib Eco.

[jabberwock11]

Rohrer & Klingner give you a good amount of ink for the price and they have a wide variety of excellent colors to choose from.

[keo]

Why not try a pack of sample vials? The Goulet site offers a few different kinds, so you get to try lots of inks and decide which you like enough to buy a bottle.

 

For the record, I love my F-nib Eco.

+1 on the sample vial idea. It's a low-cost way to explore and find out what brands / colors / properties you like. Here's a possible starting place, though no doubt more experienced members could do better for you:

 

Pelikan Brilliant Black - considered to be a dry ink

J Herbin Perle Noire - considered to be a wet ink

Noodler's Lexington Grey - "bulletproof" doesn't have to be black

Noodler's Rattler Red Eel - a lubricating ink

Pilot Iroshizuku Syo-ro - a "higher-end" ink - see if you have expensive tastes!

Waterman Serentity Blue - seems to be about as "standard" an ink as you can get

Stipula Musk Green - explore the world of "murky" greens

Rohrer & Klingner Scabiosa - an easy introduction to iron gall

Diamine Denim - do you like dark blue?

Diamine Pumpkin - how about bright orange?

Private Reserve Spearmint - another brand, another color family

 

Once you get a feel for what you like in an ink, and how quickly you go through it, you can better decide what bottle(s) if any to purchase.