Help for picking fountain pens

[Hemingway Jones]

The Myth of Pens and Planes.

I took my Cross Apogee with me to Phoenix this weekend and I am happy to report that it didn't leak one bit. I wrote with it on the plane as well. There and back, and it didn't spill a drop.

 

[nerdator]

I can only agree. I have two Mont Blancs - one fountain pen (with cartridges), my wife gave it to me, it is definitely my everyday workhorse at work, very reliable, and one big Meisterstück ballpen I carry around in my jacket, snug in a black Mont Blanc leather case she gave to me, too...

 

[Nick D]

My every day, every use pen is a Cross Townsend with a medium nib. At some point I'll replace it with a fine nib, which fits my handwriting better. I have a Waterman, but it needs a new nib (I think it's in the laws of physics that fountain pens must land nib down ). I also have a vintage Shaeffer which has an excellent nib, but the resivior needs an overhaul.

Between the Waterman and the Cross, I prefer the Cross. I like the weight in my hand, and the balance.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

My every day, every use pen is a Cross Townsend with a medium nib. At some point I'll replace it with a fine nib, which fits my handwriting better. I have a Waterman, but it needs a new nib (I think it's in the laws of physics that fountain pens must land nib down ). I also have a vintage Shaeffer which has an excellent nib, but the resivior needs an overhaul.

Between the Waterman and the Cross, I prefer the Cross. I like the weight in my hand, and the balance.

Your Waterman can likely be repaired. I had one that was dropped and slid across a floor into a door frame nib first.

It was repaired quite perfectly for a modest price.

 

[Prairie Shade]

Pig Tails in the Ink

I can remember when we were required to use fountain pens in Elementary Scholl to write. Seems unusual now doesn't it? I have a black Waterman that I like very well. But, if I were wealthy, I'd want a Mont Blanc Diplomat. They are top of the line IMOP. Have fun!!!

 

[John in Covina]

The Mont Blancs are nice, the Diplomat is also known as the 149. For the money I still reccomend Pelikan as a better value.

 

[ilcatex]

Tornado

I have a couple of Retro 51 Tornados. For the price, haven't found their equal.

 

[nerdator]

these are my mont blancs (so far )

the silver fountain pen for work, I use it every day:

the black Meisterstück ballpen with the leather case, I carry it in my jacket every day, even if there is a day off:

 

[John in Covina]

The Montblanc company makes some classy looking pens. Did any one see that they are having Swiss watches made in the Montblanc brand?

 

[moustache]

I think Omas and Visconti provide the best value.IMHO.Italian pens,to me,are the best made for the dollar.Here are a few of mine.

Omas Paragon and Milord,one with fine pt and the other an italic.And also an Omas Extra 620.

My Visconti family of Van Gogh's.At a price of $135 to $220,i feel they are the best.A delightful nib!!!

My Stipula Etruria and Signum Nova.

Love those Italians!!

JD

 

[John in Covina]

Both my Italians, the Stipula Venti Due (22) & my Visconti Van Gogh were chronic dry line writers or actually non writers. Both needed adjustment after adjustment. Finally the Van Gogh is a good writer with a line wet enough to stay with me unless i go really fast. The Stipula took surgery, replaced the feed and nib but still is fairly dry, prone to skipping at speed.

Others have had better luck than I.

 

[moustache]

Both my Italians, the Stipula Venti Due (22) & my Visconti Van Gogh were chronic dry line writers or actually non writers. Both needed adjustment after adjustment. Finally the Van Gogh is a good writer with a line wet enough to stay with me unless i go really fast. The Stipula took surgery, replaced the feed and nib but still is fairly dry, prone to skipping at speed.

Others have had better luck than I.

A shame John,as i have never had an ounce of problems with any of my Italians bar a dry issue with a Visconti that was taken care of.Been good pens.
Maybe next time i hope.
The Stipula 22 was notorius for problems that we have discussed to the ends of the earth on the Fountain Pen Network.Stipula have since corrected that and now count their nibs as one of the best.

JD

 

[Xandros]

I've tried a lot of fountain pens over the years, and to me nothing compares to a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck. I've had mine for over 20 years and use it every day.

Regards.

 

[TarHeel1911]

I'm coming to this thread really late, but I've got to put in one more vote for the Waterman Phileas as a great "starter" fountain pen. I say "starter" because once you have one, you'll want more!!

For daily use, I carry the Phileas, or one of my Pelikan 600s. Pelikans are great pens, and I like the way you can get the same pen in different sizes.

Also have a family heirloom in the collection-it's a Shaeffer "Balance" lever-fill model which belonged to my great-uncle. I had it refurbished a few years ago for only $35.00! The nib is a little fine for my hand, but it writes very nicely. Mostly it's on display on my desk at home.

 

[Dagwood]

Just came back from Disneyland. Who knew it sold fountain pens? Got the pen below for only $15.00.

 

[panamag8or]

I don't think anyone will ever be able to convince me that a new pen is better than my old Parker 51, or my old Sheaffer.

 

[4drymartinis]

Ink Cartridge Suggestions?

Broke down and treated myself to the infamous Phileas Waterman today...in blue, since the red I was craving seems damn near impossible to purchase anywhere in person. I find myself liking the medium nib that came with it, but I absolutely LOATHE this so called "black" ink that is a watery, muddled, mess of gray even on the whitest of papers.

Is there a cartridge brand that's would work sans problem w/ this pen that is a TRUE "jet black" color?

 

[Ugarte]

Is there a cartridge brand that's would work sans problem w/ this pen that is a TRUE "jet black" color?

Get yourself some Noodlers Aircorp Blue-Black and load up the cartridge adapter.

Mark
.

 

[Spats McGee]

Is there a cartridge brand that's would work sans problem w/ this pen that is a TRUE "jet black" color?

Does Private Reserve come in cartridges? I have to admit that: (1) I usually use the converter for my Phileas; and (2) I don't use black ink very much. However, the Private Reserve inks that I use always have nice color to them. In the past, I have used standard cartridges in my Phileas without problem.

 

[John in Covina]

Waterman cartridges are propriatry in shape and size. However I have heard of people re-using them and bottle filling them with a syringe. A converter would be best.