Fountain Pen - Page 4

Stay away from the watches. I started with them and slowly got into fountain pens, which never really grew on me. Cars are also an interest but, for the moment, I cannot afford to develop on it.

Yes, these can be somewhat potentially additictive items.

Unless you're doing something weird with the fountain pen, it shouldn't leak. I carry a fountain pen in my suit pocket, most days. Been doing this for years. Haven't lost a suit yet.

Your fear is similar to the way many people assume shaving with a straight razor makes it virtually certain you'll slash your throat and bleed to death. Again, that's just not the reality of it.

Anyway, I agree with others that among vintage pens, a Parker 51 is tough to beat.

Among new pens, at under $50... well, there's the Waterman Phileas, I suppose. It's a good fountain pen, but uses a converter. And one could argue that a "real" fountain pen is filled from a bottle. But that would lead me to recommend a Pelikan M200, and they're priced above $50 (although available for under $100). Pelikans are wonderful pens, though.

If one really wants to go inexpensive, just to sort of test the waters, there's the Pilot Petit1 fountain pen. Runs about $5. Spare ink cartridges run maybe 69 cents each, and are available in a wide variety of colors.

The Platinum Preppy fountain pen is around the same price as the Pilot. Supposed to be a nice little essentially disposable fountain pen.

The Pilot and the Platinum could probably be found at a good office supply store or stationery store. Or online, of course.

And, of course, there's the Hero 616, which can sometimes be found, brand new, for even less than the Pilot or the Platinum. It's a Chinese pen, sort of kind of similar to a Parker 51. I bought a 10-pack of them, a while ago. Cost me under $20. They're great pens for the price, and pretty good pens, even when measured against competition costing many times their price. Available online, although I understand they can also be found at stores in some Chinatown neighborhoods, or presumably at some stores in China.

For someone looking to just try out a fountain pen, who doesn't want to blow much money on the experiment, I'd suggest dropping $5 on a Pilot Petit1 or a Platinum Preppy, complete with ink cartridges. They're not great pens, but they're probably good enough to permit one to decide whether to get more serious about fountain pens. And if the decision is "no," then all that's been wasted is $5.
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Michael

Leakage occurs most often on planes (difference in air pressure). That's why I never travel with one. I've had a Grand Meisterstuck and now have a Omas Ogiva Guilloche, which I love.
However I would still recommend a Mont Blanc fineliner anyday for standard use.

Don't bother with the Waterman fountain pens - I bought 2 and HATED them - never worked right - to the point I got rid of them...

I miss my Parker - a gold Parker fountain pen was gifted to me in 1971 and I used it everyday until a couple of years ago, when the whole inside workings wore out. Only had work done on it once in NYC and it continued to work, but finally gave up. I would have more work on it , but the man retired. I sent it to Parker and received a new pen back, as they were not able to fix my 'old' one.

After trying three different types including the Watermans, I gave up and found someone who now makes them for me. I have a tigerwood with gold nib and am awaiting one made from bubinga wood. Placed an order to give each of my staff one for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

T

Just a differing opinion, I find Waterman gold nibs to be generally great. Modern Parker pens I find quite stiff and lacking in feedback, and even skipping, though I have some specimens that are exceptions.

Cool....Can I work for you?



PS- I will require a fine nib with a piston filling system. I cannot be expected to do my job if I have to rely on a cartidge/converter system.
Also, make sure the nib is indeed 14 K gold at least...I cannot work with a low quality gold plated nib...I can tell the difference and will be checking.
I require the ink flow to be wet and generous...I cannot and will not work with a dry writing pen.
In terms of nib quality, I will need a smooth writing nib with just a hint of tooth.

I've never had a problem with a modern fountain pen leaking on a plane, and I've spent a lot of time on planes for both short and long flights. I usually travel with at least three at a time, but on occasion have as many as five.

The safest way to fly with a fountain pen is either full or empty. Partially full is the riskiest since the air in the cartridge/converter/piston filler will expand after takeoff. I've flown with several modern pens and never had a problem.

Twotone

Has anyone tried the Visconti Homo Sapiens? I am considering buying.

Quality-wise it is what you usually can expect from Visconti. The lava body is really distinct and provides a great grip. The feeding system is interesting, but time will prove how good it is. The palladium nib is soft, wet and quite wider than designated. I would say the extra-fine equals a western fine or japanese medium. It is also too heavy for me personally, at least when posted.

as mentioned above, waterman phileas, not the nicest pen but a very very good writing pen for the money, and cheap.

First stop: fountain pens, next stop: sex with strangers in bathrooms

Could you please elaborate? I have no expectations of Visconti.