Best Fountain Pen for Children?

[Spy Car]

Greetings all. This is my first post, and I have been enjoying reading the back-posts on the forum.

 

My question is what pen would you recommend for a child?

 

There are 3 I'm contemplating, but am very open to other thoughts.

 

1) Lamy ABC pen. $25

 

http://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/abc/010

 

2) Greenfeild (Mercurius) Waldorf style pen $15

 

http://www.mercurius-international.com/pro...b4cd91a89f8f4e1

 

3) Pilot Varsity Disposable $2

 

The Lamy ABC would require some effort as they are not (to my knowledge) sold in the USA. I could "import" one via European friends (unless some knows an easier way?). And I worry about the availability of cartridges?

 

ETA: Fahrney's shows them on their website for $25. Are there other retailers?

 

http://www.fahrneyspens.com/Item--i-20058S

 

The Greenfeild pen can be purchased locally and takes Pelikan cartridges, and can be converted. It's in the same "style" as the Lamy ABC, would be "easier" to acquire, is it as good a pen?

 

The Pilot Varsity I have (and can purchase locally).

 

As my son progresses with his writing I'd like to learn with a real pen.

 

I appreciate any thoughts. This is your chance to start one young. My son William is 4.5.

 

Bill

Edited February 5, 2009 by Spy Car

[Shangas]

Hey Bill, and hello Bill Junior,

 

Regarding this line:

 

As my son progresses with his writing I'd like to learn with a real pen.

 

Pens don't get much more real than a fountain pen

 

As for what type of pen; for a child it should be tough, idiot-proof, easy to use, and colourful. Perhaps the Waterman Phileas, the Kultur, or (And you can find these pretty easily on eBay), the old Sheaffer school fountain pens. I grew up using them in the 1990s and they are dead easy to use and look after. If I could do it at the age of seven, your son can definitely look after them at the age of four and a half.

 

One thing to remember is that, unless William is an absolute angel, expect him to come up to you, anywhere from a week, to a month, to (hopefully) at least a year later, and hear him say: "Daddy, I lost my special pen".

 

So whatever you pick, make sure it's cheap. Because you will have to replace it at least once.

Edited February 5, 2009 by Shangas

[diplomat]

Ciao,

 

what do you think of the BIC Select? It's unexpensive (around 5/10$), sturdy (metal barrel), easy to grip (rubber section).

 

After reading the review on FPN I gave one to my child to introduce her to the FP world. Take a look to this picture:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...st&p=688783

 

But I agree that an ABC should be a wonderful first pen for a kid.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Andre

[Beechwood]

Pens that have illustrations from TV programs or Films are popular such as this BIC pen with Harry Potter

 

 

[FrankB]

My first response to anyone asking about FP's for children is to suggest a Lamy ABC, which is on your list, or a Pelikan Pelikano Junior. I can vouch for both from experience. They are very durable pens that write extremely well. And they are fun.

 

I am sorry but I have never heard of the Greenfield pens. From the pics (on the link you posted) they look like they might be made by Lamy.

[stevlight]

I use the Reform 1745 fountain pens sold in the classified section of this forum with my Pre-K class(4-5 yr olds) They have held up great. I got those for the piston fill aspect. They had seen me fill my pens and wanted the same. They are out everyday in the classroom and are great! They do not fill them theirselves--I do that part!

[Wolverine1]

Steve's recommendation of the Reform pens is a great one. And another FPN member I know well has a son the same age as William,and I think that little boy has a couple of Pelikano pens. Dad taught him to be careful with those pens, so, they have worked out very well.

[gregkoos]

I gave a friend's daughter a vintage no-name pixie. She is seven and it fits her hand well. She uses it for notes to her special friends and appreciates that it is old. Takes good care of it. Recently, because she is careful and growing I upgraded her to a small thin Sheaffer Balance.

[Robert Hughes]

The Jinhao/Bookworm "Shrimp" Pen!

 

My daughter asked me last night - "Daddy, can you get me another shrimp pen? I'm handing them out to my friends!"

Edited February 5, 2009 by Robert Hughes

[Ondina]

Pelikan Pelikano /Pelikano Junior

Lamy Safari / ABC / Vista

Waterman Kultur / Harley D.

Sheaffer school pens

 

I'm against disposable for some subconscious reason, but the mentioned Varsity, well, is practical.

[blackranger63]

Big fan of the Pelikano Jr, even more so than the future. The pen just keeps on going no matter what I do to it or put in it ;-) The Sheaffers are about the same.

 

Lucky kid!!!

 

Cheers,

 

Tony

[excarnate]

My question is what pen would you recommend for a child?

...

3) Pilot Varsity Disposable $2

...

My son William is 4.5.

My son is 6 and really isn't ready for a fountain pen. I believe in France you aren't allowed to use a fountain pen in school til you are a certain age, certainly older than 6. 8? 12?

 

Just saying.

 

Either the Varsity or the Office Depot Foray, a 3-pack for $2.99 (red, blue, black). Cheap, light, works, I believe the ink is washable.

 

As someone said, he'll likely lose it. My son isn't so likely to lose it but break it? Yes, likely (it has already happened).

 

Also, if you decide to get a refillable pen, make sure you use washable ink.

 

We got our son the Pelikano, way too big, rolls off surfaces, nib writes way way too wide. We'll probably have it made into a stub.

[grebmar]

My three kids started with Safaris--indestructible, inexpensive, colorful, good writers. They were 7,7, and 10 at the time. They love to write with them, in all different colors of ink (except bulletproof ).

[soapytwist]

Big fan of the Pelikano Jr

 

Me too - especially as they cater for lefties (I think Lamy do too but not sure). The Pelikano looks more 'grown-up' than the ABC does to my mind though, otherwise I'd go for the Lamy.

 

My first pen was a Parker Frontier (still got it 30 years later!) - I think that non-disposible would make much more of a mark on the psyche. When you really need them in the future (i.e. they're adults and you're infirm) they'll remember you gave them a proper pen and will look after you a little better!

[Robert Hughes]

I believe in France you aren't allowed to use a fountain pen in school til you are a certain age, certainly older than 6. 8? 12?

 

Yeah, but in France the kids drink wine when they're 6. Funny how different societies approach child-rearing.

Edited February 5, 2009 by Robert Hughes

[DKbRS]

I'd recommend a Sheaffer NoNonsense. This worked well for me and a 9 year old. They come in many different colors so you may be able to get one in the kid's favorite color and they're nice and light. The medium nibbed ones write great.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Greetings all. This is my first post, and I have been enjoying reading the back-posts on the forum.

 

My question is what pen would you recommend for a child?

 

There are 3 I'm contemplating, but am very open to other thoughts.

 

1) Lamy ABC pen. $25

 

http://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/abc/010

 

2) Greenfeild (Mercurius) Waldorf style pen $15

 

http://www.mercurius-international.com/pro...b4cd91a89f8f4e1

 

3) Pilot Varsity Disposable $2

 

The Lamy ABC would require some effort as they are not (to my knowledge) sold in the USA. I could "import" one via European friends (unless some knows an easier way?). And I worry about the availability of cartridges?

 

ETA: Fahrney's shows them on their website for $25. Are there other retailers?

 

http://www.fahrneyspens.com/Item--i-20058S

 

The Greenfeild pen can be purchased locally and takes Pelikan cartridges, and can be converted. It's in the same "style" as the Lamy ABC, would be "easier" to acquire, is it as good a pen?

 

The Pilot Varsity I have (and can purchase locally).

 

As my son progresses with his writing I'd like to learn with a real pen.

 

I appreciate any thoughts. This is your chance to start one young. My son William is 4.5.

 

Bill

 

 

The Pilot Varsity (as well as the Pilot Petit 1) is an EXCELLENT choice for young kids, especially that young. The Petit is refillable and at about $4, a little shorter and fatter than the Varsity. It's also translucent and comes in many cheerful colors, which I think will tickle a young man. ^^

[AndyH]

I use the Reform 1745 fountain pens sold in the classified section of this forum with my Pre-K class(4-5 yr olds) They have held up great. I got those for the piston fill aspect. They had seen me fill my pens and wanted the same. They are out everyday in the classroom and are great! They do not fill them theirselves--I do that part!

 

Just enjoying the image of a classroom of two dozen five-year-olds attempting to simultaneously fill those pens from two dozen inkwells!

 

Think "Little Rascals" or "Three Stooges"!

[Robert Hughes]

Think "washable ink"!

[AndyH]

Think "washable ink"!

 

And a garden hose...