Recommendation for resistence

[Afonso Metello de Napoles]

From a new buyer,

Can you help me find a pen?

 

So Christmas is coming. Kinda. And then my birthday. Some months later.

And I am looking for something resistant to be carried around and (unfortunately) occasionally sometimes fall from the desk, light (I really like a light pen), with a small point (I like the size M I have been using) (are measures uniform around companies?) and the two most important aspects: cheap and rechargeable, instead of cartridges.  

 

To compare with what I have been using for the last 3 years:

Mostly use the cheapest plastic Parker fountain pen available(Jotter fountain pen), slightly cracked on the side, https://www.parkerpen.com/collections/essential/jotter/jotter-fountain-pen/SAP_2030947.html, https://www.worten.pt/produtos/caneta-de-aparo-parker-jotter-originals-tinta-preta-azul-mrkean-3026980964306?gclid=CjwKCAjwgsqoBhBNEiwAwe5w0ynTjEQUsu4jkmZa4LxeM1uPHLGBfatO--PJsEYRWwFX7oCW14zMRxoCbMYQAvD_BwE. No complains, I like how light and small it is and the size of the point (size M). Although I'd rather if it was slightly longer, my fingers are big. Occasionally, I use a (I think it is) knockoff pen that someone gave me. Bigger point, always discompensating on the nib and not being usable with temperature and pressure differences (even slight ones).

 

Thanks in advance for all the help!

[Ron Z]

For something that is tough and wears well,  I would look for a plastic or all metal pen - like stainless steel.  Lacquer finish pens scratch and wear, and can't be polished.  What is the price range you're thinking is appropriate? 

 

Line width is not consistent from manufacturer to manufacturer, though some are closer to the average than others.   It would be interested in seeing what the measured line is on the pen(s) you have right now give you.  That would help to know what to recommend.  If a medium Parker, it likely isn't all that thin.

 

For a good, inexpensive pen I  like the Wing Sung 3003.  It's a good starter pen, and converter fill, and cheap.  The Pelikan 200 pens get a lot of positive comments.  They're light, about the same size, steel nibs, but maybe not as tough as the 3003. 

[Penguincollector]

How about a Parker 45? Depending on where you are, they can still be found relatively easily and inexpensively, use the same cartridge as your Jotter, and are around the same width, but a bit longer. The used ones are usually in good condition, check your country’s Ebay site or local pen collector’s club. I also like the Wing Sung recommendation Ron made- I have 3, and they were super inexpensive and well made.  Check out your local papelaria, especially if it’s an old one that keeps things until they sell- they might have something you like.

[Surlyprof]

Not sure what you consider cheap.  I second the idea of a metal pen.  I carry a raw titanium pocket pen from Gravitas that really takes a beating.  It can be filled with an eyedropper.  I also have a delrin one with a titanium section that is very durable and also works as an eyedropper pen.  
 

I’ve also had good luck with a Lamy CP1 that is brass.  The coating may scratch but the pen is tough.  The Lamy Aion also fits that description.  I’ve heard of it denting but I think you’d be hard pressed to crack it (although aluminum is crackable with enough force).  Both pens work with a cartridge converter.  All of these are durable pens but I’m not sure if they qualify as cheap.  I think my CP1 was the cheapest at about $40.  

[txomsy]

I feel the Pelikan m200, being a great pen, may not qualify as sturdy.

 

As for line width, the only way is by trying it. As a general rule, an Eastern (Japan) nib is one degree thinner than its Western (EU/America) counterpart: a Japanese M would be like a German F. Chinese are a lottery, some are close to one standard, some to another. In any case, there is no such thing as a given point. All makers produce their nibs within an overlapping range of tolerances, so in the extremes, an M could be like a thick F or a thin B, while on average they'll be an M. So be ready for some variation.

 

With respect to recommendations, it all depends on what you like and price ranges. Maybe if you can produce some additional requirements we will be able to tune better our suggestions.

 

The Lamy Logo, for instance (which seems to be discontinued) was relatively cheap, steel, sturdy and light, but needs a special Lamy converter. There are many more options, both first and second hand. What do you fancy?

[Junebe]

  On 9/26/2023 at 4:26 PM, Afonso Metello de Napoles said:

and the two most important aspects: cheap and rechargeable, instead of cartridges.  

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A couple of questions so that people can help you better:

 

As Ron Z asked, what would be the maximum price you would consider cheap?

And, what do you mean by rechargeable? Do you mean it has to be something like a piston filler or would a converter be sufficient?

 

As another option, there is the stainless steel version of your Parker Jotter, and there are converters for your pen as well.

I would personally start with Penguincollector advice and check out the local brick and mortar stores first.

[Ron Z]

The OP is not in the USA, so finding a pen shop may be a bit more of a challenge.

[Sailor Kenshin]

  On 9/26/2023 at 5:55 PM, Penguincollector said:

How about a Parker 45? Depending on where you are, they can still be found relatively easily and inexpensively, use the same cartridge as your Jotter, and are around the same width, but a bit longer. The used ones are usually in good condition, check your country’s Ebay site or local pen collector’s club. I also like the Wing Sung recommendation Ron made- I have 3, and they were super inexpensive and well made.  Check out your local papelaria, especially if it’s an old one that keeps things until they sell- they might have something you like.

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Also the Moonman 80, inexpensive Parker 45 lookalike, if you can still find one. I think Parker cartridges fit, too.

[Penguincollector]

  On 9/26/2023 at 11:17 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 

Also the Moonman 80, inexpensive Parker 45 lookalike, if you can still find one. I think Parker cartridges fit, too.

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  There are definitely some on AliExpress, metal and plastic capped plus the mini.

[txomsy]

Assuming you are from Italy, I would venture to guess that cheap for you may be under 30-50 €. I further assume that by rechargeable you mean that it can take a converter.  And I will also assume that Napoles being a large European city, and a tourist-attracting one, there is no shortage of brick and mortar, physical places where you can find a pen and possibly try it. Mind you, I have not been to Napoles yet, but I've been to Rome, Bari, Venice, Firenze and some others, so I'd expect my assumptions to hold.

 

Now, under these, I -but that is me, YMMV- would first look for a Lamy Logo on a physical shop. It seems to be out of production, but there should still be pieces around. If not, a Lamy CP.1 is a good option too. Both are metal (I prefer the Logo because the grip is also metal, while the CP.1's grip is plastic, and the Logo is cheaper --about 30€ vs. 60€ when I got mine). With the Logo, the converter is not included (note that Lamy pens use special converters), so you'd have to add some 10-15€ to its price. Getting new nibs and swapping them is very easy with these pens, so you can change the nib if you want and experiment with other tips.

 

BTW, I just saw that Fontoplumo has the Lamy CP1 for 43€ VAT included (converter sold separately).

 

While you are at it, you may have a look at other pens they carry in the shops, for there may be others you find more attractive. I recommended the Lamy because these are good quality, well known, tested workhorses, but there are now many alternatives that you may like better. If I were you, I would have a walk around on a Saturday morning to visit a few shops. Casa della Penna, Machieve, Beauty of Paperwork, for instance, seem to be close to each other according to Google (remember I've never been to Naples, so don't trust me) but it seems (according to Google) that, like in almost all major European cities, you can find fountain pens sold in every quarter -and I would bet also in major supermarket chains with an stationary section).

 

There are also Parker Vectors in metal which should also be sturdy, but I got fed up with Parker some forty years ago, and since I got my MB Slimline (now discontinued), didn't get new Parker pens, so I refrain from commenting due to lack of experience with recent models.

 

If you like girthier (thicker) pens you might want to look into the Kaweco Sport lines, but these may be too short, use converters with very small capacity and likely are not what your want. The Kaweco Special is also all metal and full length, but I fear its price has gone too high for your stated goals. Probably Kaweco is not within your radar.

 

The Monteverde Invincia or the Monteverde Aldo Domani are also nice, and may be in your price range. They go for ~30-40€ in Amazon.it, and take international converters. If I remember well, these take Jowo nib units, which means you can also swap very easily nibs if you want to experiment in the future.

 

Anyway, there are many options, and if you can have a look at physical shops, that is likely the best way to make your selection. Specially if you can try them in the shop to see how they fit your hand and how do they write.

[Lithium466]

  On 9/26/2023 at 6:03 PM, txomsy said:

 

The Lamy Logo, for instance (which seems to be discontinued) was relatively cheap, steel, sturdy and light, but needs a special Lamy converter. There are many more options, both first and second hand. What do you fancy?

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My vote would have gone to the Logo for the metal section compared to the CP1, but how come it does need a special converter? I use the regular Z27 or 28 (black one without nubs) in mine.
Didn't know it was discontinued either, might need to grab another one for nostalgia reasons!

[txomsy]

I meant it does not use a universal international converter, one needs to buy a Lamy converter to use with it.

 

OTOH many pens which claim to take a universal converter don't quite because if differences in the nipple demanding different converter mouth gauges. Talk of standards.

 

[Penguincollector]

Looking at the link provided by OP, I’m pretty sure they are in Portugal. There’s definitely brick and mortar stationery shops. 

[Ron Z]

  On 9/27/2023 at 3:59 PM, Penguincollector said:

Looking at the link provided by OP, I’m pretty sure they are in Portugal. There’s definitely brick and mortar stationery shops. 

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They are.

[txomsy]

Well, Portugal should also have plenty of B&M shops around. But if the OP is in a small town the choices may be rather limited.

[jchch1950]

The Tswbi Swipe has a converter with a spring inside that makes refilling something easy, they are light pens, have multiple nibs to choose and their price is reasonable. My Swipe has lasted in good physical condition with medium care and the 1.1. nib is very expressive.

[Baka1969]

  On 9/28/2023 at 6:58 AM, jchch1950 said:

The Tswbi Swipe has a converter with a spring inside that makes refilling something easy, they are light pens, have multiple nibs to choose and their price is reasonable. My Swipe has lasted in good physical condition with medium care and the 1.1. nib is very expressive.

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I think a Lamy Safari or possibly the Lamy AL-Star are nice and tough. Also the Kaweco Sport series are another option. 

 

 

[Afonso Metello de Napoles]

Thank you thank you thank you

From what I understand, there is a general recommendation that I go to a store, so I will. Here in... drumroll... Portugal there are some stores selling expensive pens and a rare few specialized in pens (and El-corte Inglês). And yes, 30-50€ seems fine
Thank you for the special converter warning, I'll keep an eye on it
So, the Lamy ones aren't exactly my type, Kaweco I didn't find any round ones, TWSBI seems great! 
Looking here and there I figured what I like are either fancy classy pens or modernistic/space-like pens (not too creative, I know), and TWSBI kinda fits in the second category, It being transparent, I like it (for the price range anyway). Although the Monteverde Aldo Domani, uh lala. Just learned I like black nibs, apparently! Or maybe the Pilot Metropolitan, seems good enough.

I read that stub and oblique nibs are the best for notetaking and writing a lot. I didn't mention it previously, but you guys assumed it, and correctly. Do you have any recommendations on nibs? Btw I was looking at https://monteverdepens.com/monteverde-usa-aldo-domani-italia-fountain-pen-matte-chrome/ and was wondering "How do I even choose a nib size?".

What about used pens? Is it a no-no? Any recommendation? There are quite a few in OLX
Anyway, at this point it is more about stuff I'd like to know, because I'll be following your recommendation of going to a store and will probably buy their recommendation.
Thanks all and hope you'll answer my questions.

[Afonso Metello de Napoles]

Thanks everyone
bought a kaweco sports
didnt know a pocket pen was this usefull
and use the cover to fit in my hand. it is leaving a mark in the pen, though. don't know if there is a fix for it

[Baka1969]

  On 1/30/2024 at 5:15 PM, Afonso Metello de Napoles said:

Thanks everyone
bought a kaweco sports
didnt know a pocket pen was this usefull
and use the cover to fit in my hand. it is leaving a mark in the pen, though. don't know if there is a fix for it

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Good choice. Please let us see your pen and also the mark in the pen.