I’m on a quest to find a good fountain pen and I would like to know what everyone’s opinion is on what brand of fountain pen is the best? Plus, where can you buy one at a fairly low price (I know that the cheapest price for a good one is at least $34.00). I’ve had crappy pens for the past nine months. Cheapo Shaffer is good, but it leaks way too much. And my $6 Parker is nice, but the nib is stiff.
My ex-boyfriend gave me a beautiful fountain pen for Valentine’s. It’s either a Waterman or Waterford, but it’s in Austin and I’m in Houston for now so I can’t say which. It’s free to anyone willing to use a pen inscribed “Forever your’s, Sean.”
It’s interesting that you would even want one.
From whenever we started using pens,homework was due in ink, until about 6th grade I had to use a fountain pen. I was thrilled when I got my very first ball point. It skipped and wouldn’t write in cold weather but it was still better than that damned fountain pen.I’ve still got those old pens around here someplace.
This came up before:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=57467
My vote is for the Lamy fountain pens. They come with a variety of nibs, and are fairly inexpensive but not cheaply made. I particularly like the Lamy Safari, but it is rather big, which is OK for me because I have big hands. I also particularly like their calligraphy pen with a flat nib (sorry, can’t remember the name of this pen).
If money is no object, I’d go for a Mont Blanc pen. They are available in about any variation of point and stiffness (they even make nibs for lefties!) but they’ll set you back between $500 and $15,000.
Fountain pens are great - they’re all that I’ll write with, if I have any say in the matter. Consistent smoothocity, and no ugly blobs of ink when the nib changes direction.
I’ve used a Waterman every day for about 8 years now - it’s never leaked and is a joy to write with.
Tip - I wash the nib between refills (it has a reservoir with a screw-plunger), and I once washed it with hot water. It stopped working after that, and the pen guy at the shop told me that hot water distorts the channels in the plastic nib, preventing the capillary effect from working properly. Always wash in cold water! (Waterman replaced the nib for free).
I’m partial to the Parker Duofold. The body of the pen is drilled out of a solid piece of acrylic, as opposed to molded plastic for most other brands of pen. The nib on a Duofold is gold, so it won’t be stiff like your $6 Parker. Of course, the Duofold is pretty pricey, and I don’t know your price level.
As far as buying, there are a lot of places on the internet, such as Levenger’s. But before you buy, you should go to a store and try different pens. There are a lot of styles and sizes, so no one pen is good for everybody.
You’re right Zoff, fountain pens are something you MUST try before buying. Any good stationery store will let you test fountain pens, the one I use will let you dip the pen in an inkwell, which is good for a few strokes, then they’ll clean the pen and put it back in the display.
OH yeah… I forgot to mention my favorite thing about fountain pens. Nobody will swipe a fountain pen, people won’t even ask to borrow it. I’ve had a bazillion fancy pens swiped, but nobody has ever touched my fountain pens.
Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! See, I first used a fountain pen back in late August, early September at the start of the school year after one of my teachers gave his annual “Fountain Pen Speech” (basically he told us the benefits of fountain pens) and he convinced me to get one. I love them, especially since I write all the time and need something that doesn’t make my hand hurt, which my cheap Parker does now because the nib is so stiff. I had no problem with the Shaffer, but it leaked something awful.
Another vote for Waterman. The “Phileas” costs less than $30 and it’s a nice-looking pen and a good writer.
I have a couple Watermans (Watermen?) and I like 'em a lot.
I had a cheap Shaeffer, and eventually pitched it, because it leaked. I received a more upscale Shaeffer as a gift and it didn’t leak nearly as bad. It was all-aluminum, and had a nice heft to it! Lovely pen. Unfortunately, I’ve lost it. : (
Definitely try some pens out, though. Maybe Chas likes Safaris, but I found the “saddle” shape very uncomfortable to write with.
Ballybay, please tell me there isn’t really an apostrophe in the enscription on your pen!
Chas.E, I once handed a cheapo fountain pen to someone who was asking for a pen to write his name on a worksheet. He squinted at it, confused, then proceeded to write his name with the nib upside down. He handed it back, saying, “This pen sucks!” Philistine!
I used a Waterman for years. I stopped using it since I could never get the #$@!#@ thing to stop leaking. I sent it in for repairs several times, but it continually leaked. In college, I didn’t care much that my hands were always stained, but in the “real world” I cared more. Haven’t used it since.
I do like fountain pens, though. What models are you all using that don’t leak? Mine cost around $50 - does spending more make it less leaky?
I got a Sheaffer brushed stainless steel fountain pen from my grandmother when I graduated from high school (June 9, 1982 - also my 18th birthday). I’ve used it practically every day since then and its never leaked a bit. I’ve changed nibs a few times, but other than that I love it. I actually chased after a guy who walked out of my office with it. Now, I’m sorry, but no, you can’t borrow my pen.
I honestly don’t recall if there is or not. I never write with it, so it’s been sitting in its box for months now. I have a Cross fountain pen that suffices for everyday use. It’s served me well, though I need to clean the nib.
I am going to second the suggestions for both the Lamy Safari and the Waterman Phileas - both are inexpensive and easy to write with. I have another style of Waterman that was given to me as a Christmas gift a few years ago but I’m not home yet and can’t remember the name of it … I like that one, as well.
My favorite pens, however, are a plunger-type Schaffer given as a gift to gramma from grampa in 1948, and another one my sister had made for me out of box elder wood for Christmas last year. Both excellent pens, but one-of-a-kind and I’m afraid you can’t have them 
Hemisphere - that’s what I was looking for. They are a little pricer than what you’re looking for, but I have a pair of them and they’ve never given me any trouble.
I have a Schaffer White Dot. I looked at several in the store till I found one with a nib I liked. Works well, for 20+ years now. Nice heft, uses cartridges or included pump. I think I paid 12 bucks for it on sale at Service Merchandise.
I like a really fine nib, for which you have to have really fine stationary, otherwise the nib fouls somewhat easily. I have on occasion used fine technical pens, which are on a par (pricewise) with good fountain pens.
Good luck; do yourself a favor and buy a couple of clear pocket protectors and clip or sew them to the inside of your suit’s breast pocket- a little body heat can make ANY fountain pen bubble over in the right circumstances- I tended to keep mine less than 2/3 full for that very reason. It could be that I’m just a klutz and you’ll have no trouble.
b.
I use fountain pens ALL the time.
My favorite “everyday” pen is The Safari by Lamy. an excellent pen. available in a variety of nib sizes and body colors (my fav is aluminum) and about 30 bucks.
Koh-n-noor/Rotring (sp?) also make swell pens!
I get mine from the colorado pen company.
also…it is VERY important to get a good ink. Cheaper inks will clog your pen faster. (note: just because its made by an ‘elite’ company does not mean it’s great ink: i,e. mont blanc).
My favorite ink is a premier ink by Pelican. It’s about 10 bucks a bottle but it will last forever.(the thinner the nib, the longer your ink supply will last).
hope it helps
the website is http://www.coloradopen.com
I like my Parker (I think it cost around Cdn$120), but I love my Cross Townsend ($300).
My sister has a Mont Blanc ($100) that she’s really happy with. My husband has a sucky $25 pen that skips and leaks. You really do get what you pay for.
Buy the ink made by the company that made your pen. Both Parker and Cross recommend it, because of the thickness of the ink and the qualities of the nib. Truth or marketing? I don’t know, but I’ve never had leaks in 10 years of combined daily pen-use.