Pen Recommendations?

[dafuture]

After seeing the "your Rolex and your pen" thread, I've become interested in purchasing my first luxury pen. I've done some reading, but ultimately I still have no idea what would be a good first foray into this field. If anyone has any recommendations, they'd be much appreciated!

[stratguy]

Lamy 2000 fountain pen. I've been through many pens, and this is the only one that has stayed with me. Feels great, looks great, writes beautifully, and isn't that expensive.

https://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/2000

[NewEnthusiast]

Oooh this could get juicy.

There is a pen sub-forum on here with a lot of more knowledgeable advice than me but here goes;

First decide what kind of nib you want; fountain pen, ballpoint (standard biro) or ballpen (writes with a very wet ink like a fountain pen). Best way to do this is get a cheap example of each and try it out. I echo the above recommendation for Lamy. They are around the £20 price point so fairly cheap but very well made and a great writing experience.

Once you've decided on what to go for you can start looking at a high end piece. Personally I'm a fan of Mont Blanc. They have been likened to Rolex in a pen context in that they are the most well-known brand in the luxury pen market but no less brilliant because of it. The best way to decide is to go to a pen store and have a scribble with lots of different brands/models until you find one that feels right in your hand and you like the look of.

Personally I would highly recommend a fountain pen. They look spectacular and almost everyone who uses one will say that it forces them to take their time, write more carefully and gives a sense of weight to the writing. It's also fun to fill a pen from a bottle (don't get me started on choosing an ink, that's a whole different rabbit hole).

Let us know what you decide.

[1William]

I have owned a lot of the major brands and always come back to Mont Blanc. Classic looks and great performance. Like watches, if you buy right there is always a market to sell.

[jar]

I'm in the midst of making a list of which pens (fountain) to keep in rotation and which get put back in storage. Interestingly, none of my US or European pens made it on this active list; only pens from the East.

One or two Caran d'Ache pens may make this cut but none of the Montblancs or Pelikans.

The current list includes fountain pens from Pilot, Sailor, Platinum, Danitrio, Nakaya and Eboya; more from Sailor & Platinum than from the others.

AbE:

Plain simple pens:

Sailor:

1911S
1911L
Pro Gear
KoP
KoP ProGear

Pilot:

845
743

Eboya:

Middle and Small size Natsume

Nakaya:

Portable Writer
Piccolo Writer

Platinum:

Akatamenuri Izumo

Fancier pens:

Danitrio:

Hanryo Tongue Cut Sparrow
Takumi Mountain Bird
Takumi Tsugarunuri
Sho-Hakkaku Ancient Flowers

Platinum:

Sandalwood Sea of Clouds Izumo
Ascending Dragon #3776
Sansui #3776
Cranes Modern

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by jar

I'm in the midst of making a list of which pens (fountain) to keep in rotation and which get put back in storage. Interestingly, none of my US or European pens made it on this active list; only pens from the East.

One or two Caran d'Ache pens may make this cut but none of the Montblancs or Pelikans.

The current list includes fountain pens from Pilot, Sailor, Platinum, Danitrio, Nakaya and Eboya; more from Sailor & Platinum than from the others.

AbE:

Plain simple pens:

Sailor:

1911S
1911L
Pro Gear
KoP
KoP ProGear

Pilot:

845
743

Eboya:

Middle and Small size Natsume

Nakaya:

Portable Writer
Piccolo Writer

Platinum:

Akatamenuri Izumo

Fancier pens:

Danitrio:

Hanryo Tongue Cut Sparrow
Takumi Mountain Bird
Takumi Tsugarunuri
Sho-Hakkaku Ancient Flowers

Platinum:

Sandalwood Sea of Clouds Izumo
Ascending Dragon #3776
Sansui #3776
Cranes Modern

This is a super list - thank you for sharing. Lots of models to research.

For the OP - I have been delighted with my Caran D’Ache leman rollerball.

Depending on how you want to use the pen that will help determine the type of nib that will serve you best.

I have now broken 2 rollerball infills by dropping the pen on the nib, luckily they are only €5 to replace but this would have obviously been the end of the nib if it was a fountain pen.

I’m slowly background looking for a fountain pen to keep at my desk and only use when sitting down and can be careful, not one I take with me on work trips etc.

[dafuture]

I appreciate all the insight (I couldn't find this thread originally, as it had been moved to the pen section). I think right now I'm leaning towards the Lamy 2000, but I will definitely report back when I make a final decision

[Fredrik]

I you are looking into getting a fountain pen, I have some advice.

It might take a while getting used to it. Start with something reasonably good at a nice price. If getting a new pen, the Lamy Safari is nice, I have one on my desk at work. You could also look for a Sheaffer No Nonsense fountain pen, I have two I got at flee markets for $2 each.

I like thin nibs that are rather wet, this is my current collection that I use regularly(except the Sheaffers). Some I bought new, like the Montegrappas.

My favorite is the Mont Blanc 144, I tried new ones but they were different. I have gone through a few pens and the Parker 75 and Rotring 600 are really nice, and the two Montegrappa pens are nice, especially for being new.

From left to right: Sheaffer No Nonsense blue and black, Montegrappa Nero Uno, Montegrappa Parola, Mont Blanc early 50s 144, Parker 75 in sterling silver, Rotring 600.

Oh, I use MB midnight blue in the 144 and Pilot ink in the others with converters.

[Rafael M]

Originally Posted by dafuture

After seeing the "your Rolex and your pen" thread, I've become interested in purchasing my first luxury pen. I've done some reading, but ultimately I still have no idea what would be a good first foray into this field. If anyone has any recommendations, they'd be much appreciated!

If you the opportunity, attend a pen show. There you will be able to try true vintage pens against modern pens.
There is a real difference.

Miami Pen Show Jul 13 - 15, 2018
Washington DC Pen Show Aug 3 - 6, 2018
San Francisco Pen Show Aug 24 - 26, 2018
Dallas Pen Show Sep 28 - 29, 2018
Colorado Pen Show Oct 5 - 7, 2018
Commonwealth Pen Show Sep 16, 2018
The Ohio Pen Show Nov 1 - 4, 2018
Michigan Pen Show ..........?

Fountain pens are a sophisticated pleasure.
Good luck, and take your time.

[jar]

Originally Posted by dafuture

After seeing the "your Rolex and your pen" thread, I've become interested in purchasing my first luxury pen. I've done some reading, but ultimately I still have no idea what would be a good first foray into this field. If anyone has any recommendations, they'd be much appreciated!

There is a very active fountain pen club in NYC; Big Apple Pen Club IIRC.

They have monthly meetings and you can try lots of pens in a really low stress setting.

[Rafael M]

Hi,
Thank you. Actually I just joined two weeks ago. I plan to bring some of my vintage pens. I will report on how it was.
Rafael

[SG56]

I'm addition to Lamy as a starter, I would add Pilot Prera and Pilot metropolitan.

Both great bang for the buck.

[Bisquitlips]

It truly depends on a price point you would like to enter at.

If you are under $200.00 then I would recommend a highly recognized Montblanc 144 fountain pen. That price point will also cover many more makers / pens, but that is where I started 35 years ago and have never regretted it.

I have to say the Montblanc is not the only pen out there. In fact, there are many others that I think are better made, but they are all really lifetime pens. Pilot makes great pens.

From a less expensive point of view, Lamy fountain pens are wonderful. And very affordable.

The world of fountain pens is a large one! Do some reading, researching of reviews, and you will know which direction you need to go.