Pen for a college student?

[nkk]

As a fellow college student, I am going to recommend the following:

 

Save up for that Pelikan. It is a great pen. I have 1 M200, 1 M400, and 1 140. All are great workhorses.

 

Pilot 78G. $15 shipped from ebay, and a great pen.

 

reform 1745. Again, a great pen for a cheap price.

 

I have personally used all three, and own multiples of the last two. They make great knock around pens.

 

-Nkk

 

 

EDIT:

Take Julio up on his offer. My 9 year old sister just got a Pelikan 140 from him because she liked mine (he offered his of his only to beginners) but could not afford the going rate for one. His offer is genuine, and he is very generous. He even sent her an additional school pen so she did not risk the Pelikan in grade school.

 

^ is my unsolicited endorsement of a very generous man.

Edited September 7, 2010 by nkk

[Lyutsin21]

After the problems with my Lami Vista, I'm starting to think that it may not be the pen for me. It's also a bit on the long side when posted. My orange Pelikano wrote decently though, but it's a bit on the bright side.

 

I'm looking just a simple decent looking fountain pen with a extra fine nib for around or under $40 or so with shipping. I like the way the Pelikan M200 Demonstrator in Anthracite and the Vista looked. I'm thinking about getting the M200 body with an EF nib, but I don't think I'm ready to spend that much yet.

 

Thanks in advance!

-DL1

 

What was wrong with the Lamy Vista? I used to have a Lamy Vista, but for some reason it developed a crack going a little more than halfway around the base of the part of the frontpiece that the converter snaps into. Anyway it felt too lightweight, with a fine nib was too bold, and the grip section felt too fat compared to the wood pencils and cheapest bic disposable balpoint pens I learned to write with in grade school. And I only discovered fountain pens because I became aware that I was using way too much pressure when I wrote and I was looking for something that would write with no pressure. Not that I want to seem like I think I have to be writting all the time, although I am now in grad school and also write a short notes to myself most days about what I'm supposed to do in the near future.

 

Before the Lamy Vista I used up 2 pilot disposable fountain pens in the preceding 1/2 year with notes to myself. This pen was too bold with the medium nib, and definitely too lightweight.

 

In April 2010 I replaced the Lamy vista with a Lamy All Star alluminum fountain pen, fine nib, and converter, just under $49 including tax and converter. The Lamy black ink I use was $7.50 + tax online and I only picked it because it was the cheapest ink. I initially thought the All Star had the same 3 problems as the Lamy Vista, and I stil think it is too lightweight, although for all I know with a heavier pen my hand or arm would get tired taking notes. I guess I didn't want to spend any more money and I wanted something that would be a utilitarian, functional writing instrument requiring no pressure, and not something marketed as an expensive-looking status symbol. Ignoring weight, I now feel like a longer pen is more substantial or elegant compared to shorter ones; the all star is slightly over 6-5/8 inches long posted. Without the cap on the back it is too lightweight to use.

 

These are the only 3 fountain pens I ever used (pilot varsity disposable, Lamy vista and All star). I bought the all star at a paradise pen store in a mall, and I knew more about it than the saleswoman. As for the wality pen, it looks like there are screw threads above the grip section, as if you have to unscrew the cap. I like the fact that at least the cap of the All Star just pulls straight off and snaps back into place with no time wasted unscrewing it.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Lyutsin21

[Squi]

Wow, will this thread ever rest in peace? :roflmho:

[razr]

I recently sent my son (College Freshman) a Diamond 530 (made by TWSBI) and he loves it . He told me yesterday it's his "class pens" and he rough drafts all his papers w/this pen.

[Zenas]

Waterman Phileas.

[hobobaggins]

Epic necromancy on this thread. 06-11 with several re-innervations is astounding.

 

Anyhow, responding to the most recent inquiry about what is wrong with the vista: You mention quite a few flaws yourself. I feel that the pen is overpriced, and is outperformed by many other pens that cost a good deal less.

[Lyutsin21]

Epic necromancy on this thread. 06-11 with several re-innervations is astounding.

 

Anyhow, responding to the most recent inquiry about what is wrong with the vista: You mention quite a few flaws yourself. I feel that the pen is overpriced, and is outperformed by many other pens that cost a good deal less.

 

Which other pens do you like more than the Lamy Vista or Sefari, which cost less (or a little more?)?

 

Yeah, I thought my Lamy Vista had 3 problems (too lightweight, grip section too fat, fine nit too bold). The flaws are my opinions, not blatant mechanical problems. I used it for whatever writing I did and it still worked the last time I used it even after I noticed the crack in the stem the converter snaps into. I had been carrying it in my pocket at my grocery store job where I only have to write a few words on the restroom cleaning log, and one day, somehow, I don't know how, I retained the cap but lost the rest of the pen.

 

I'm not going to buy a new pen anytime soon. I bought my Lamy All Star as a replacement for the Vista, and it does the job for me for taking notes even if it does have the same 3 problems as the vista, although the line width varies a bit depending on the paper. Unlined white computer paper makes it write the most boldly. When I bought the all star, I was a little disturbed by the idea of spending more than $50 on a pen, especially given that my mother had gently reminded me that she uses cheap bic ball point pens when she needs to write. Even if I did buy a new pen, I'd have to somehow first sell my All Star so I wouldn't be disturbed by blowing so much money, and then what if I realize that the All star was just fine after all? I would like to try another pen but its not something I should care that much about.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Lyutsin21

[savingbirds]

Epic necromancy on this thread. 06-11 with several re-innervations is astounding.

 

Anyhow, responding to the most recent inquiry about what is wrong with the vista: You mention quite a few flaws yourself. I feel that the pen is overpriced, and is outperformed by many other pens that cost a good deal less.

 

Which other pens do you like more than the Lamy Vista or Sefari, which cost less (or a little more?)?

 

Yeah, I thought my Lamy Vista had 3 problems (too lightweight, grip section too fat, fine nit too bold). The flaws are my opinions, not blatant mechanical problems. I used it for whatever writing I did and it still worked the last time I used it even after I noticed the crack in the stem the converter snaps into. I had been carrying it in my pocket at my grocery store job where I only have to write a few words on the restroom cleaning log, and one day, somehow, I don't know how, I retained the cap but lost the rest of the pen.

 

I'm not going to buy a new pen anytime soon. I bought my Lamy All Star as a replacement for the Vista, and it does the job for me for taking notes even if it does have the same 3 problems as the vista, although the line width varies a bit depending on the paper. Unlined white computer paper makes it write the most boldly. When I bought the all star, I was a little disturbed by the idea of spending more than $50 on a pen, especially given that my mother had gently reminded me that she uses cheap bic ball point pens when she needs to write. Even if I did buy a new pen, I'd have to somehow first sell my All Star so I wouldn't be disturbed by blowing so much money, and then what if I realize that the All star was just fine after all? I would like to try another pen but its not something I should care that much about.

I prefer the Safari for a college student

[PenFan95]

I'd syggest the OP to take up one of the Pelikan offers. The price you are getting are real bargains...take my advice and snag them!

[oneill]

The XFountainPens X750 has treated me well. The feed can be a little bit inconsistent, but only with inks that dry up/clog when left in the pen (such as Aurora Black). It was around $15, I believe. I've been thinking of picking up a 78G from HisNibs, though.

 

No affiliation except for satisfied customer.

Hi there if you want an extra good deal on PILOT 78G'S then you cant do better than buy from this site which I spotted yesterday, as I was looking for exactly the same thing, they have lots of this pen for unbelievable prices.Click on this link. regards. Bryan. The wizard of OZ

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Pilot-red-78G-fountain-pen-medium-nib-free-cartridge-/360265107768?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e1794938