Fountain Pen For College

[stephanos]

Your problem is that you have too many options!

 

You have a lot ot good suggestions already, notably the Pelikan 200 series (and they do a cartridge version), a TWSBI Eco or a vintage Parker.

Just to make your choice that much harder, here are two suggestions for pens that I have used, sticking only to the Japanese market that you've indicated you like.

* Pilot Kaküno: Excellent, lightweight, good writer, and inexpensive. Also, if memory serves, it takes the CON-70.

* Sailor ProColor: Pretty, but not too flashy, with excellent nibs and a good quality build

 

Honestly, you can't go too wrong with any of these. If you're having trouble choosing, pick a shortlist and roll some dice...

Good luck.

[lisadan]

Parker 25. Nothing wrong with any of the other suggestions (I am not familiar with most of them), but the P 25 is my favorite FP. Unique shape, stainless steel body and very strong stainless steel nib, which works well with carbon copies. Very reliable, sturdy, and light weight. Costs under $50 on eBay and uses Parker cartridges or converters, which are very easy to purchase.

[sirgilbert357]

If you are already using a VP, then a Decimo is the next most logical choice. Your current nib would even fit with zero modification if you could find a Decimo body for sale without a nib unit. I love my Decimo and use it with cartridges to get a little more ink capacity out of it.

 

Failing that: two Pilot 78g's would be my choice. And I'd use cartridges and just refill them with a syringe from an ink bottle. With a fine nib, if you burn through that much ink in one day, then you are probably going to need a TWSBI Vac Mini or something with a LOT more capacity...lol. I love my 78g!

 

Failing all of the above: I can vouch for the Parker 45, although I sold off the three I used to have. I found the Lamy Studio to offer most everything the Parker 45 did, and I like certain things about it better.

[basakadakara]

Thank you for all of the suggestions so far! Looks like there is a pretty comprehensive list of pens to try. Time narrow it down and see what I can find!

[woleizihan]

I would suggest leave that $100 pen at dorm and carry Pilot vpen/ Platinum Preppy with you. Something you won't feel to bad to loss. I had one of best my pens stolen in university library and the university police didn't give a s for that. I really really regret that.

[basakadakara]

Personally, a couple of Esterbrook J's with 9550 (extra fine) nibs got me through all of my college and university days. I made it a habit to carry two to classes just in case, but it was unnecessary. Get into the habit of refilling the pen you will carry tomorrow the night before. It won't always need it after just one day of writing, but it won't hurt it and you won't run out of ink.

 

An Esterbrook J with a 9450 or 9550 (both extra fine) nib will cost you a great deal less than $100. In fact, you might be able to get two of them for $100 and have some money left over for ink.

 

-David (Estie).

 

Thank you for the suggestion! I've decided to try out some Esterbrook J's with 9550 nib. Any particular ink recommendations?

[estie1948]

 

Thank you for the suggestion! I've decided to try out some Esterbrook J's with 9550 nib. Any particular ink recommendations?

I'm thrilled that you have elected to go with the Esterbrook J with a 9550 nib and I have every confidence that you will be, too. As to ink, one of the characteristics of the Esterbrook that you will come to treasure, as I have, is that it is not ink sensitive. I am guilty of using only black and some blue-black inks. While I have black inks that I prefer, I have yet to come across any brand of black ink that the Esterbrook cannot handle. From Parker Quink to Pelikan 4001 to Mont Blanc to Levengers to Carters to J.Herbin to Sheaffer's to Noodler's - you name it, all perform well in the trusty Esterbrook. I have no doubt that this will hold true for all colors. So just pick your favorite brand and favorite color and enjoy.

 

I will say that the inks I use the most by far are Noodler's Old Manhattan Black, Parker Quink Black, Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black, and Noodler's Legal Lapis (an antique blue-black).

 

-David (Estie).

[Fuzzy_Bear]

Shaffer school pens. Excellent writer, and usually less than $10 each. Carry a trio of you ate worried about running out of ink. Those carts hold about 1cc each which gives a LOT of writing.

 

Learned my lesson. Not jeans carry. Broke an all metal pen.