Fountain Pen

[LabelKing]

I recently got a very early vintage Lamy 2000, which is quite nice.

The design is utterly '60s, but like any well-designed item from a particular decade, it has a certain timelessness to it.

The nib is 18kt gold and plated in what I believe is palladium. It has relative flex and is a smooth writer unlike say, some vintage American pens such as Wahl Eversharp, which has a slight tooth.

 

[Blackhood]

Originally Posted by holymadness

This is basically my opinion. I would never carry one in my jacket pocket.

+1

I've already lost a pair of Chinos to a leaky fountain pen placed thoughtlessly in a pocket

 

[Szeph el raton]

I'd second the Lamy Safari. Cheap as dirt, easy to use due to the cartridge filling system and nice flow of ink. I think you can't go wrong with one of these as a starter. It comes in multiple colors so there's the chance that at least one will float your boat. And if you decide that you upgrade to something different you could for example replace the Safaris nib with one of a Lamy Joy.

I use a Pelikan M250 and am absolutely satisfied with it but the filling with the little ink bottle always results in a little mess and it's simply too expensive if not used frequently so I wouldn't suggest it as a beginners pen (well, if you're loaded with money buy whatever you want).

 

[chobochobo]

Try one of these:

Seriously though, depending on your writing style - the Heroes are cheap and cheerful.

 

[Ich_Dien]

Lamy Safari +1.

 

[StopPolloition]

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint

Has no one ever had their fountain pen leak? I am terrified at even the thought of using one.

No, it shouldn't leak. The clip places it vertically in your jacket pocket where the ink drains down with gravity in the reservoir. If you are throwing it in your pocket tip down, then you may have a problem as the shaking or movement while walking may cause it to leak, although IMO a good quality fountain pen still should not actually drip in this position either.

 

[hamish5178]

If your pen is leaking, chances are you did something really stupid, or it's insanely cheap, or you went on an airplane with it full.

To the OP, I'd advise against getting something vintage as your first pen. There's no point in going through all of that hassle. The $20 one from Amazon would be fine for your first, and those will all be cartridge/converter. However for your second pen, I'd get something quality that doesn't use a converter (ie, skip that step altogether) they are messy and a pain.

I currently use a Pelikan m215 and highly reccomend it. It has a quality piston filling mechanism, and the fine nib writes perfectly smoothly. If you have messy handwriting I would not suggest going for a medium nib, that will only make things worse.

 

[Bill Smith]

Originally Posted by chobochobo

Try one of these:

Seriously though, depending on your writing style - the Heroes are cheap and cheerful.

Nice!!! I am a Parker Vacumatic/51/75 and Pelikan fan but these Wahls are gorgeous.

 

[Bill Smith]

Originally Posted by rich_202

I'd recommend finding a good used Parker 51. You can often find a decent one ebay for around $50.00.

I'd recommend learning about the subtle differences in production years, so that you know what to look for. The following sites are quite good:

http://www.parker51.com/
http://www.vintagepens.com/Parker_51.shtml

I have a Parker 51 from the 50's and it writes beautifully. It is easy to refill, not fussy, and the hooded nib makes it very reliable as it helping keep the ink from drying. It's my favourite workhorse pen.

As with many other hobbies or interests, don't cheap out. If you buy a crummy pen at the get-go, it will ruin your perception of all fountian pens.

Best of luck.

Another vote for the Parker 51 I have over 15 of them ranging from a black Vacumatic filler from 1942 to an early 1970s British MK III with a nice wet broad nib only the British Parker plant could do.

Another brand to consider is Pelikan, their Souveran line is piston fill like the Mont Blanc 146 and 149 and I consider them better quality than the White Snow cap brand.

Modern Pelikans

The Penguin
a great information and online site for Pelikan and Parker pens.

Have fun, fountain pens can be safer, not cheaper than drugs.

 

[Twotone]

"...or you went on an airplane with it full." Full is a safe way to travel on an airplane with a fountain pen (empty is good too) as there is little air in the cartridge/converter to expand as cabin pressure decreases forcing out the ink. Half-full is the worst. In all cases...keep your tips up! Back to the OP and question at hand. I recommend starting with a Waterman Phileas -- a very reasonably priced starter pen that writes as well as much higher priced pens. Looks more expensive than it is. I have much more expensive pens in rotation, but still keep coming back to the Phileas. Most of the times my fountain pens are in my briefcase. On the occasion I need to carry one in a suit pocket, I use a vinyl pocket protector (my MIT days are showing). It is, however, on an inside pocket where no one can see it. Never had a pen leak, but I'm prepared if one does. Twotone

Originally Posted by hamish5178

If your pen is leaking, chances are you did something really stupid, or it's insanely cheap, or you went on an airplane with it full. To the OP, I'd advise against getting something vintage as your first pen. There's no point in going through all of that hassle. The $20 one from Amazon would be fine for your first, and those will all be cartridge/converter. However for your second pen, I'd get something quality that doesn't use a converter (ie, skip that step altogether) they are messy and a pain. I currently use a Pelikan m215 and highly reccomend it. It has a quality piston filling mechanism, and the fine nib writes perfectly smoothly. If you have messy handwriting I would not suggest going for a medium nib, that will only make things worse.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint

Has no one ever had their fountain pen leak? I am terrified at even the thought of using one.
No, I've never had a problem with a modern fountain pen leaking, even on airplanes. The problems I have had have been of my own making. I'm a devoted fan of Pelikan pens, and I use them pretty much exclusively.

 

[Bentley]

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint

Has no one ever had their fountain pen leak? I am terrified at even the thought of using one.

Older fountain pens were known to have leaking problems. Pens manufactured after about 1940 don't tend to exhibit these same issues.

 

[bearsfan172]

Thanks for all the useful input. I'm going to try and take a look at the Waterman Phileus and the Lamy Safari and try and pick one of those up soon

 

[KlezmerBlues]

There is also an increased risk of leakage if you get a pen with converter, and fill it by removing it from the pen. If you fill it by dipping the nib, they should not be more messy than other filling mechanisms. They do not hold that much ink though, which is why I prefer piston, lever, button or snorkel mechanisms.

 

[caldervale]

+1 for Pelikan - can't be beaten in my book.