In A Large Whirlwind Of Desire

[phillieskjk]

Hello! Ok, this is going to be a fairly long post (for me at least) with many words and several questions. If you can answer any of them, please do, any information is much appreciated. So, I was recently gifted a $50 Visa gift card for my birthday, and I have decided to use it on pens and inks. I don't want to spend more than fifty dollars total, and I'd like to ideally get more than just one item or pen. I have had my eye on a couple of potential options for a while. The first is a Lamy Safari in Dark Lilac, I think it looks amazing. My only concerns about the safari is that it would be too small, and that it is too much of a "beginner pen" and at this point I would be better off getting something that I can change to my liking, like a Noodler's Konrad. How large is the Lamy compared to a Jinhao 599 (The Knockoff)? Are they the same size? Also, is the Lamy still worth buying for someone who has passed the "beginner" stage of their fountain pen addiction? The next item that I am considering is a Noodler's Konrad. I have similar concerns about size, how big is it compared to a Pilot 78g? The final type of pen I'm considering (unless someone else has a tempting suggestion) is an handmade ebonite eyedropper from India. I already have a Ranga on order, and the one's from FPR seem marked up. I loooove matte black ebonite! What other Indian penmakers ship handmade pens to the US for reasonable prices?

In Conclusion:

Pens: Safari, Konrad, Eyedroppers

Inks: Iroshizuku and anything else you think I should try

 

If you have any information/thoughts on the pens I have listed above, please comment! I could ideally get 2 of the three, but I can't decide which!

[linearM]

Check out Peyton Street Pens for both vintage pens and Ranga pens. I've dealt with them and they are easy to work with. In order to get something a bit better you might want to put a bit of your own money with the gift card, $50 doesn't get you very far if you want a bit of quality.

[welcmhm]

Whenever I hear this price point, I immediately think of the TWSBI Eco. It's about $30 most places which should allow you to also try out a bottle of ink or two. I have two Ecos and really like them (both stubs, but I've heard their other nibs are very enjoyable).

 

Ive also heard good things about the Pilot Metropolitan, which is even less expensive, but I haven't tried it myself yet.

[FOUR X FOUR]

Don't think of the Safari as too much of a beginners pen. If you look around you might be able to get a dark lilac and and a bottle of Noodlers for 50 bucks

[ac12]

Nothing wrong with getting the Safari. I have a blue one. I also have the joy, which is a Safari with the tail of a desk pen. The Safari is good where you need a durable pen, like in some office environments.

 

IMHO I would forget the Konrad.

I bought 2 Noodler's pens, and both of them drooled. And I spent hours trying to fix them, and finally gave up on them.

You may get a good one, or you may get a dud, like I did.

 

There are a few new pens that will meet your $50 budget:

- Lamy Safari/Vista, about $30 + $5 for a converter

- Pilot, Metropolitan, about $18 (including converter)

- TWSBI, Eco, about $30

 

And a few vintage pens:

- Esterbrook J series. But you MUST get one that was recently restored, as the original ink sac would be over 60 years old, and if not hardened and turned to dust, it could fail next week. Though restored this pen would be about $40.

- Parker 45

- Sheaffer 330

Edited May 22, 2016 by ac12

[mike.jane]

Regarding your question about Indian eyedroppers -And I agree with their 'philosophy'; lots of pen, character, handmade, supporting people who honestly really still care about the craft, etc- so there's

 

- fountainpenrevolution which you already know

- asapens.in (ordered once, shop and maker with extra solid reputation)

- There are also small sellers here on FPN like Hari, who sell Indian EDs small scale: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/user/6237-hari317/ (The person seems quite the institution here on FPN, but I've never bought from him)

- There are other sellers like him too here on FPN.

- There's always ebay for Indian eyedroppers (enjoy at your own risk)

 

- Don't buy from retrodesk. com: I ordered a pen from them once and received nothing but my money back after quarreling with the paypal buyer protection tools for six weeks. Other's had experiences like this, too. (and there's a thread about it (started by yours truly) https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/298060-anyone-dealt-with-retrodeskcom-recently/ )

 

- Thinking back, I once bought an inexpensive ED from this ebay seller and that was an immaculate sale, so I'll plug them: http://www.ebay.com/usr/penshop

[Buzz_130]

If you are thinking about Iroshizuku ink, you are going to spend half your budget on one bottle. With $50 to spend and a desire to use your existing pens with some new colors, I'd recommend getting some samples of all the inks you'd like to try. Each sample will get you 2 or 3 fills in your current pens, and you can explore to your heart's content. Additionally, you can buy some good paper. Rhodia, Clairefountaine, and even a pack of Tomoe River will change your writing experience.

 

Buzz

[senzen]

If you are thinking about Iroshizuku ink, you are going to spend half your budget on one bottle. With $50 to spend and a desire to use your existing pens with some new colors, I'd recommend getting some samples of all the inks you'd like to try. Each sample will get you 2 or 3 fills in your current pens, and you can explore to your heart's content. Additionally, you can buy some good paper. Rhodia, Clairefountaine, and even a pack of Tomoe River will change your writing experience.

 

Buzz

 

Good idea, althouth Iroshizuku can be had for $20... But there are plenty of cool inks for instance from J Herbin, Diamine for say $13... Plus pen and converter... Plus a pad of very nice paper... Check out the Rhodia pad n. 8 if the form factor works for you, there are other of more normal proportions.

 

Once you feel that ink gliding on nice paper, that great shading, you'll get what it's all about.

[phillieskjk]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I got the Dark Lilac Safari on sale for $19.99 shipped. Now I have thirty dollars left. Should I go Konrad and a bottle of ink or another Indian Eyedropper? Thanks!

[mhguda]

IMO the Konrad is a - marked up! - Indian eyedropper. Now that it's easy to get those from dedicated sellers of Indian pens, I'd go straight to them. Both FPR and Asa provide stellar service and an excellent selection. And apart from eyedroppers, there are piston fillers as well for very attractive prices. No need to limit yourself!

[Ecriveur]

You could always get some Lamy Dark Lilac ink to go along with that Lamy Dark Lilac Safari.

 

As for Iroshizuku, their inks are excellent, but they're not cheap.

Edited May 22, 2016 by Ecriveur

[Runnin_Ute]

Agree that Konrad can be his or miss. Mine was a hit. After using for a while with stock "flex" nib, I exchanged it for a Broad from Goulet. So I am in it $35. Mine is a resin in Red Mesa Tortoise. Seems like Goulet dumped the $20 resin pens for ebonite and acrylic pens @$40 each.

 

With the B nib this pen is a gusher. TWSBI Eco is a go pen.

 

I also have a Al Star and a Jinhao 599. The AL Star has a bit more girth in the barrel, not sure how it compares to the Safari except for material.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I got the Dark Lilac Safari on sale for $19.99 shipped. Now I have thirty dollars left. Should I go Konrad and a bottle of ink or another Indian Eyedropper? Thanks!

 

Pilot Metropolitan, a box of Pilot carts, and some of Lamy's Dark Lilac ink. Anyone who hints the Safaris and Mets are strictly for beginners will have to go ten rounds with me.

[Runnin_Ute]

Pilot Metropolitan, a box of Pilot carts, and some of Lamy's Dark Lilac ink. Anyone who hints the Safaris and Mets are strictly for beginners will have to go ten rounds with me.

Very good suggestion. Or the dark lilac ink and some nice paper. You didn't say whether you got a converter with the pen.Most places seem to charge $5 ex tr a for it.

[phillieskjk]

Very good suggestion. Or the dark lilac ink and some nice paper. You didn't say whether you got a converter with the pen.Most places seem to charge $5 ex tr a for it.

I got a box of cartridges and I have ink syringes to refill them, so I should be ok without a converter.

[ac12]

 

Thanks for all the quick replies. I got the Dark Lilac Safari on sale for $19.99 shipped. Now I have thirty dollars left. Should I go Konrad and a bottle of ink or another Indian Eyedropper? Thanks!

 

 

Forget the Konrad, those pens are too hit or miss. Are you willing to gamble on getting a miss?

 

Get an ink converter. After a while you WILL get tired of using the ink syringe to refill the cartridge.

 

You have enough $$ left over to get a Pilot Metropolitan or ink, or both, depending on which ink you get.

 

The other thing, as Buzz said, get a bunch of samples, to narrow down the ink(s) that you want. Example, I had to get a bunch of different blue samples to narrow down to the blue that I wanted. Similarly for greens, I got a bunch of samples to find the greens that I wanted. Getting samples saves you from spending $$ on a bottle of ink that you end up not liking the color of. And I can tell you that the online ink samples on many sites do NOT look like the inks as it comes out from my pen. Some are close but still far enough away that it makes a difference.

[phillieskjk]

   

 

Forget the Konrad, those pens are too hit or miss. Are you willing to gamble on getting a miss?

 

Get an ink converter. After a while you WILL get tired of using the ink syringe to refill the cartridge.

 

You have enough $$ left over to get a Pilot Metropolitan or ink, or both, depending on which ink you get.

 

The other thing, as Buzz said, get a bunch of samples, to narrow down the ink(s) that you want. Example, I had to get a bunch of different blue samples to narrow down to the blue that I wanted. Similarly for greens, I got a bunch of samples to find the greens that I wanted. Getting samples saves you from spending $$ on a bottle of ink that you end up not liking the color of. And I can tell you that the online ink samples on many sites do NOT look like the inks as it comes out from my pen. Some are close but still far enough away that it makes a difference.

 

For the Konrad, even though so many have said that they're "hit and miss" in terms of quality, I think I would be able to get a miss. I have heat set a feed and tuned nibs with micromesh and mylar paper before, so I think even if I did get a "miss" I'd be able to make it a hit. For the ink samples, I have a boatload of them right now from the last spending spree I had, and I'm still working through those! I did find a bottle of Iroshizuku burnt orange that I like for $15 with prime shipping on Amazon that I might go for. My concern about getting a metropolitan is that I already have a Prera F, 78g M, Penmanship EF, and Plumix Stub, so would it really be different enough to justify getting? Thank you!

[ac12]

The Metro is a more business-like pen that does not look like a cheap student pen. Never mind that it is priced like a student pen, less than $20. The primary difference is the Metro is metal, and thus heavier than your plastic 78G. But the nib is essentially the same nib. Since you have the 78G, I would not get a Metro, unless you want a heavier pen than the 78G.

[Water Ouzel]

IMO the Konrad is a - marked up! - Indian eyedropper.

 

Indian, yes. Eyedropper, no, as it's a piston filler.

 

Still, unless you want to mess about with the pen to get it working the way you want, perhaps you'd be better off waiting a bit until you're really set on adjusting pens.

[Water Ouzel]

My concern about getting a metropolitan is that I already have a Prera F, 78g M, Penmanship EF, and Plumix Stub, so would it really be different enough to justify getting?

Each of the pens you list share nibs and feeds. The Metropolitan is closest to the 78g, but a bit heavier. Definitely more of a solid feel. Writingwise, there's not much to choose between them.

 

I've had one (or more) of each one, and ended up with the nib I use for writing most in the Met, the Plumix stub is in one of the 78g's, and my wife absconded with the Prera.