First Timer Entering The World Of Fountain Pens

[Vunter]

A few weeks ago Fountain Pens weren't on my radar until I got an email from Massdrop.com that was advertising a few pens which lead me to youtube to watch reviews and then that lead me to a few websites including this one to learn more about fountain pens. After all the research I have done I made the decision to become a fountain pen user. My only experience with fountain pens was a gift my brother gave me a few Christmas's ago from Walgreens. I think it was called JML classic or something along those lines. The gift set had like pencils, pens, cartridges etc... Well, I pulled it out of the drawer and started writing and that was made me want to get a better pen as opposed to gel and ballpoint.

There is a company by me called Paradise Pens that has a wide variety of pens so I went there to just see what it was like to write with some of the more upper-end pens and wow talk about smooth; I, however, don't want to start there as it's a bit too much price since I am a college student. I also don't think I would purchase from Paradise since their prices are more than other sites and retailers.

Getting to my question here, I plan on spending $70 and under for a pen and here were the choices I ended up narrowing it down to in no particular order.

TWSBI Eco
Lamy Safari/Al-Star/Vista
Jinhao 450 / 750
Platinum Preppy
Pilot Metropolitan
Pilot Prera
Monteverde Impressa
Noodlers Piston Filler
Parker IM/Urban/Sonnet
Faber-Castell Loom

I know that's a lot; let me assure you I have spent I don't know how many hours coming up with that list lol. Some of those pens are super cheap so if I don't get one of the higher priced ones I might end up buying a few different of the cheaper ones and may even pair them with Goulet nibs.

I would greatly appreciate thoughts and opinions on a good entry level pen; would any of those pens be a good foray into fountain pens? Feel free to chime in on any other pens too that I should consider. There are so many pens out there so I appreciate any help that can be offered.

Edited September 2, 2016 by Vunter

[NinthSphere]

The Jinhaos are a bit hefty (brass body), but you could do considerably worse for considerably more money. I'd add the 886 & 159 as solid choices as well. All can be had for around a few bucks each on ebay, so they won't set you back much.

 

I don't have any first hand experience with others on your list, but I've seen favorable reviews for all of them. The Loom is on my "grab this at some point" list.

 

I would put the Momento Islands from Goldspot (a rerelease of an old Libelle model) forth as a good pen, provided the styling works for you & you're looking for a fine or medium.

 

Really, it comes down to what you're looking for in a fountain pen. I started with vintage pens rather than modern because that's where my taste in styling led me.

[PaganArcher]

Of that list, my vote goes to the Eco hands down. I own quite a few of the others from that list and then some, but the Eco is a daily driver for me.

 

If you prefer a finer nib, the Metropolitan is always a sure thing.

 

I have 4 Al-Stars and while they're nice, that grip is certainly not for me. Thin and angular in the worst way possible.

 

Of course, your mileage may vary.

[mr2txaggie]

 

 

Vunter,

 

The Al-Star would be a good place to start, IMHO. That is if you don't mind designated placement for your grip.

 

I have several Al-Stars and really like them. Another plus is that for around $10.00 each you can get replacement nibs in a range from XF all the way to 1.9mm. That gives you a wide variety of nib sizes without having to buy another pen.

[Sailor Kenshin]

A few weeks ago Fountain Pens weren't on my radar until I got an email from Massdrop.com that was advertising a few pens which lead me to youtube to watch reviews and then that lead me to a few websites including this one to learn more about fountain pens. After all the research I have done I made the decision to become a fountain pen user. My only experience with fountain pens was a gift my brother gave me a few Christmas's ago from Walgreens. I think it was called JML classic or something along those lines. The gift set had like pencils, pens, cartridges etc... Well, I pulled it out of the drawer and started writing and that was made me want to get a better pen as opposed to gel and ballpoint.

There is a company by me called Paradise Pens that has a wide variety of pens so I went there to just see what it was like to write with some of the more upper-end pens and wow talk about smooth; I, however, don't want to start there as it's a bit too much price since I am a college student. I also don't think I would purchase from Paradise since their prices are more than other sites and retailers.

Getting to my question here, I plan on spending $70 and under for a pen and here were the choices I ended up narrowing it down to in no particular order.

TWSBI Eco

Lamy Safari/Al-Star/Vista

Jinhao 450 / 750

Platinum Preppy

Pilot Metropolitan

Pilot Prera

Monteverde Impressa

Noodlers Piston Filler

Parker IM/Urban/Sonnet

Faber-Castell Loom

I know that's a lot; let me assure you I have spent I don't know how many hours coming up with that list lol. Some of those pens are super cheap so if I don't get one of the higher priced ones I might end up buying a few different of the cheaper ones and may even pair them with Goulet nibs.

I would greatly appreciate thoughts and opinions on a good entry level pen; would any of those pens be a good foray into fountain pens? Feel free to chime in on any other pens too that I should consider. There are so many pens out there so I appreciate any help that can be offered.

 

 

The Preppy is dirt cheap and writes well, so go on and get one or more as backups.

 

My vote for the other pen would be the Met, Safari, or Eco. Owning all three, I'd say you could easily afford any two of them, with money left over for both carts and bottled ink.

 

My Eco has the Fine nib; the Mets both F and M; and I probably have every nib available for the Safari. Its section is shaped, so try one on before buying if you can. It bothers some people. Not me.

[Vunter]

Thanks for all the advice.

I decided I am going to get these:

TWSBI Eco
Pilot Met
Lamy Safari
A couple of Preppy's

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks for all the advice.

I decided I am going to get these:

TWSBI Eco

Pilot Met

Lamy Safari

A couple of Preppy's

Excellent choice, sir.

 

Let us know what colors and nibs!

[Vunter]

Excellent choice, sir.

 

Let us know what colors and nibs!

I am going to go with the stock nibs atm, but after I used them for a little while and get use to them I may get some Goulet nibs

 

Here are the inks I am getting:

 

Noodlers Black - Pilot Met

Noodlers EEL and Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo - Moonlight - TWSBI Eco

J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor - Lamy Safari

Blue, Black, and Red plat carts for the preppys

 

Massdrop is currently selling a 3-pack of J.Herbin 1670; but it's gold specked and don't want to play with those types of inks yet.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/j-herbin-1670-ink?referer=8TMXJ3

 

Edited September 2, 2016 by Vunter

[Sailor Kenshin]

I am going to go with the stock nibs atm, but after I used them for a little while and get use to them I may get some Goulet nibs

Here are the inks I am getting:

Noodlers Black - Pilot Met

Noodlers EEL and Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo - Moonlight - TWSBI Eco

J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor - Lamy Safari

Blue, Black, and Red plat carts for the preppys

Massdrop is currently selling a 3-pack of J.Herbin 1670; but it's gold specked and don't want to play with those types of inks yet. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/j-herbin-1670-ink?referer=8TMXJ3

 

Emerald of Chivor has gold flecks, too, but it is the most amazing ink I've ever seen. And the only one I can identify by sight alone.

[Jamerelbe]

@Vunter, I think you've chosen a great set of starter pens there - I have at least one of each! Just to warn you, though, none of these pens are compatible with Goulet nibs - they only sell a JoWo #6 with their own branding, no other size options.

 

That said, you can get a great #5 JoWo nib from fpnibs.com (in Spain) that's reasonably priced and a perfect fit.

Lamy sell replacement nibs for their pens for a reasonable price - you can also get those from fpnibs.com, or from the Goulets, Anderson Pens etc.

Pilot Metropolitan is also designed only to fit a Pilot nib - others may be compatible, but working that out involves trial and error. They're interchangeable, though, with a number of other Pilot pens - including the Plumix, Penmanship and Prera (though the latter is quite a bit more expensive). I bought a couple of Plumixes earlier this year, and swapped their italic nibs into my Metros.

 

All the best with your new purchases - oh, and if you want to try the Goulet nibs, maybe think about buying a Jinhao x450, x750 or 159 - the pens are cheaper than the replacement nib, but they work really well together!

[dylim1]

I'd definitely recommend Faber Castell. It's one of my best writing pens that I enjoy using daily.

[SpecTP]

I am going to go with the stock nibs atm, but after I used them for a little while and get use to them I may get some Goulet nibs

 

Here are the inks I am getting:

 

Noodlers Black - Pilot Met

Noodlers EEL and Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo - Moonlight - TWSBI Eco

J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor - Lamy Safari

Blue, Black, and Red plat carts for the preppys

 

Massdrop is currently selling a 3-pack of J.Herbin 1670; but it's gold specked and don't want to play with those types of inks yet.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/j-herbin-1670-ink?referer=8TMXJ3

 

 

The emerald of chivor is a gold speck ink.. but try it.. you might like it. Also try the Diamine inks too. MD has some of those options along with Bungubox. You can't go wrong with the JHerbin inks.

[SpecTP]

I'd definitely recommend Faber Castell. It's one of my best writing pens that I enjoy using daily.

 

absolutely, their nibs are excellent. one of my EDC.

[Vunter]

What are your opinions on monteverde ink? I only ask, because I I decided to buy the Pilot Met at my local staples since I want a pen to use now lol while I wait for my other pens to arrive lol. Im so inpatient lol. Anyways staples only caries a handful of brands.

[Kelly G]

As long as you buy fountain pen ink (as opposed to dip pen inks) you won't go too far wrong. Some ink is better than others, but that proves to be a matter of taste and combinations of pens, paper, and inks.

 

As for pens, I've only recently bought several Jinhao x450s and a 159. My other fps were of "higher quality". I've been pleasantly surprised by the Jinhaos. They are not perfect but for the price, they are a lot of pen. I've put three different Goulet nibs - two in x450s and one in a 159. I also exchanged the Jinhao converter for Schmidt International converters. the new nibs and converters make a difference in the reliability of the pens and they are great writers. These pens are perfect for situations where I don't want to carry my expensive pens. They are also great "loaner" pens.

 

Enjoy the obsession!!

[Vunter]

I have to say I love that this forum / site is so active. It makes entering the hobby such a pleasant experience. On a side-note me wanting to spend only $80 has kind of been blown passed lol. There are so many cool inks out there and I couldn't decide so I just bought all the ones I wanted lol. I also added the Faber-Castel and Jinhao x450 with a Goulet nib to my order.

You know I watched a whole bunch The Pen Habit, and Sbrebrown videos along with forums and blogs and everyone all says not to go too overboard with your first time fountain pen purchase / experience; I couldn't help myself lol. It's ok though I only went over my budget by about $150. My total purchase ended up being $232 lol.

Total Purchase:

Pens
Lamy Safari
TWSBI Eco
Faber-Castell Loom
Pilot Metropolitan
Jinhao x450
Goulet Two-Tone #6

Inks
Diamine Blue-Black
Noodlers Midnight Blue
Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo Moonlight
Monteverde Blue
Noodlers Black
Emerald of Chivor
Noodlers Dragon Catfish
Noodlers Dragons Napalm

I know what your all thinking; damn I think he went overboard lol.

[NinthSphere]

Only by $150. Looks like a good haul though.

[PaganArcher]

I have to say I love that this forum / site is so active. It makes entering the hobby such a pleasant experience. On a side-note me wanting to spend only $80 has kind of been blown passed lol. There are so many cool inks out there and I couldn't decide so I just bought all the ones I wanted lol. I also added the Faber-Castel and Jinhao x450 with a Goulet nib to my order.

 

You know I watched a whole bunch The Pen Habit, and Sbrebrown videos along with forums and blogs and everyone all says not to go too overboard with your first time fountain pen purchase / experience; I couldn't help myself lol. It's ok though I only went over my budget by about $150. My total purchase ended up being $232 lol.

 

Total Purchase:

Pens

Lamy Safari

TWSBI Eco

Faber-Castell Loom

Pilot Metropolitan

Jinhao x450

Goulet Two-Tone #6

 

Inks

Diamine Blue-Black

Noodlers Midnight Blue

Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo Moonlight

Monteverde Blue

Noodlers Black

Emerald of Chivor

Noodlers Dragon Catfish

Noodlers Dragons Napalm

 

I know what your all thinking; damn I think he went overboard lol.

 

If you haven't noticed, we're all terrible human beings wonderfully helpful enablers. As long you aren't going into debt, no such thing as overboard.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Wait until you get interested in paper.

[Vunter]

If you haven't noticed, we're all terrible human beings wonderfully helpful enablers. As long you aren't going into debt, no such thing as overboard.

I learned my lesson about money and debt a long time ago when I was 15, I'm now 32. I begged my parents to co-sign for a Canondale Mountain Bike I wanted; couldn't pay it off or the 20% interest and it took me about 12years to fix my credit. In those years I learned to only purchase things I have money for. This year is the first year I was able obtain a CC, but I have it setup to auto-pay as soon as the statement goes through. I also only make purchases if I have money in my checking account and if said purchases doesn't offset the minimum amount of money I allocate as a safety net / emergency purposes.

 

As I sit here and write; I just realized in a roundabout way I'm justifying blowing way over my budget; hahahaha.