The pleasure of fine things

[JoeSoap]

Speaking of fountain pens, I am interested in purchasing one. The goal would be a quality pen, something I could use for at least twenty years, if not a lifetime, but at a reasonable price point. No idea where to begin...

Concur with the value of experiences over possessions. Unless an item will receive daily use or may suffice for a lifetime (i.e. a high-quality wallet, belt, shoes, jacket), I'd rather have the photos.

Hi Whit,
A lot of what drives a pen up in price (besides name brand) is the nib. Steel nibs are much cheaper, then you start getting 14k gold, 18k gold, etc. The gold nibs are often very smooth and can break in nicely with time wearing down to align with someone’s writing style but to be honest I have steel nibs pens that write just as smooth and a steel nibs will last you last a lifetime. (There can be some exceptions if you use a corrosive ink, iron gall…). To be honest most fountain pens if you take care of them will last; i.e., dont drop it on the point. Bottom line, you don’t have to spend a lot for a pen that will last a long time. So suggest starting with a steel nib…and if you drop it, not so expense to replace.

I would point out you will want something whose cap seals well when the pen is closed else the ink dries which is annoying to get it going again when you just expect it to write. I have found my pelicans and pilot pens do well for sealing. My cheaper Twsbi pens ~$60 also do fine. One of my favorite pens is Fifty4T but those start getting a bit pricey > $200+. A great Utube channel to learn more is Doodlebud.

 

[Alistair]

Speaking of fountain pens, I am interested in purchasing one. The goal would be a quality pen, something I could use for at least twenty years, if not a lifetime, but at a reasonable price point. No idea where to begin...

Concur with the value of experiences over possessions. Unless an item will receive daily use or may suffice for a lifetime (i.e. a high-quality wallet, belt, shoes, jacket), I'd rather have the photos.

Depwnds what you mean by reasonable price point.

For the under $100 range i'd consider pilot, lamy, twsbi.

Safaris, 580s, steel nib pilot options. All really solid, all will last a lifetime. But, not fancy.

If reasonable price point means a mid-range $150-750 price point, then again, I'd look at Pilot.

Great writers, really really consistent, fantastic nibs. Slightly conservative and boring in their styling, but if you want a quality piece to use every day for the rest of your life, they cannot be beat.

Models to explore include the Vanishing Point, 823, 746, Falcon, 912, the E95, Justus, grance, etc. All are excellent, and I own most of them.

Other good options in that range would be the platinum models, sailor, lower end pelikan, the lamy 2000. Some Conklin stuff if you like the US brand idea.

If reasonable stretches up as high as $1000, then still Pilot, but also Sailor, Pelikan, Visconti.

Honestly though, if you want a really solid writing pen, the answer is always Pilot.

They're fantastic at every price point from $10 to $10,000+ and I always recommend them.

 

[Whit]

Gentlemen, appreciate all the recommendations. Sounds like I want a steel nib, and I'm not a man who is too keen on fancy styling nor gold, regardless. On a teacher's salary, I'd need to stay under $100... Lamy, Twsbi, and Pilot -- what model(s) in particular?

 

[Zinz]

Tube amps

I can hear the warm sound of those tube amps

Did someone say tube amps?

Nothing beats the tonal quality of tube amp… a single coil Strat thru that 1963 1/2 Fender Princeton (not a reissue) is like warm butter for smooth.

Ed Z

 

[Alistair]

Gentlemen, appreciate all the recommendations. Sounds like I want a steel nib, and I'm not a man who is too keen on fancy styling nor gold, regardless. On a teacher's salary, I'd need to stay under $100... Lamy, Twsbi, and Pilot -- what model(s) in particular?

This site allows you to search by price and brand. They also have excellent customer service and good ink and paper options. I recommend them highly, and they've had far too much of my money over the years:

https://www.gouletpens.com/collecti...ng&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=100

Specific models to explore:
Pilot Metropolitan - about $25, will last forever if cared for. Cartridge pens
Pilot Prera - about $60. Cartridge pens.
Lamy Safari or AL-star - maybe $30-60 based on materials. Cartridge pens.
TWSBI 580 / Vac700R / ECO / Precision - $20-100. Usually piston or vac fill, so bottled ink required.

For a first fountain pen, I'd maybe lean towards cartridge converters. A bit less maintenance, although less ink. Up to you though.

 

[mdwest]

This site allows you to search by price and brand. They also have excellent customer service and good ink and paper options. I recommend them highly, and they've had far too much of my money over the years:

https://www.gouletpens.com/collecti...ng&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=100

Specific models to explore:
Pilot Metropolitan - about $25, will last forever if cared for. Cartridge pens
Lamy Safari or AL-star - maybe $30-60 based on materials. Cartridge pens.
TWSBI 580 / Vac700R / ECO / Precision - $20-100. Usually piston or vac fill, so bottled ink required.

All of those are great pens at their price point... for ME, the Lamy Safari is the way to go.. they write great, are fairly indestructible, are super affordable, and the cartridges are super easy to deal with (and Lamy makes very nice, fast drying ink..)

 

[SaintPanzer]

Gentlemen, appreciate all the recommendations. Sounds like I want a steel nib, and I'm not a man who is too keen on fancy styling nor gold, regardless. On a teacher's salary, I'd need to stay under $100... Lamy, Twsbi, and Pilot -- what model(s) in particular?

Ben,

Have you used a fountain pen much before? In your shoes, start with the Lamy Safari, and if you enjoy it, go from there.

S/F
Z

 

[VertigoBE]

Despite that most of my work happens on my laptop, I still enjoy writing a lot, taking notes during meetings. So I picked up the below MontBlanc Starwalker Platinum Rollerball. I’m really enjoying the smooth writing on my Moleskin notebooks, just need to find a good way to carry both attached to each other:

 

[mdwest]

All of my Mont Blanc are meisterstruk or pix models… I’ve got ball points, roller balls, fountain pens, and mechanical pencils… I love the look and feel of the starwalker but haven’t bought one yet..

I’ve got a daughter graduating from LSU next month with a degree in journalism (she wants to do political journalism and is a conservative.. so she’s got a long road ahead of her im afraid lol)… I almost bought her a starwalker as a graduation gift, but ultimately decided to go with a pix as well as a Mont Blanc branded leather bound journal and a Mont Blanc leather pen case to protect her pen (all three of those things ended up costing about the same as the starwalker….

Beautiful pen!

 

[VertigoBE]

All of my Mont Blanc are meisterstruk or pix models… I’ve got ball points, roller balls, fountain pens, and mechanical pencils… I love the look and feel of the starwalker but haven’t bought one yet..

I’ve got a daughter graduating from LSU next month with a degree in journalism (she wants to do political journalism and is a conservative.. so she’s got a long road ahead of her im afraid lol)… I almost bought her a starwalker as a graduation gift, but ultimately decided to go with a pix as well as a Mont Blanc branded leather bound journal and a Mont Blanc leather pen case to protect her pen (all three of those things ended up costing about the same as the starwalker….

Beautiful pen!

For my information, the meisterstuck pieces, are the body's made from metal?
The Starwalker is made from Resin (basically plastic) so it is very light. For my purposes, taking it on business trips and everyday use, it does very well.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Damn, I wish I enjoyed writing more…

Then I could collect more than just magnetic bottle openers and stray dogs!

 

[Whit]

Ben,

Have you used a fountain pen much before? In your shoes, start with the Lamy Safari, and if you enjoy it, go from there.

S/F
Z

Don,

Not at all... well, I think Dad had a few, which means I doodled now and again during childhood. The advice to go Lamy Safari is one I will take... the name sold me.

SF
Ben

 

[Tanks]

One more thing for fine fountain pens. The store linked below will fulfil anyone's need from almost $10K to a tad over $100. I'd recommend them. They also sell other stuff writing related. Enjoy.

Fine Pens & Writing Instruments Store | The Pleasure of Writing

Discover the art of writing through our online store at The Pleasure of Writing. Explore our exquisite pens, fine writing instruments & luxury stationery today.

thepleasureofwriting.com

 

[Alistair]

For my information, the meisterstuck pieces, are the body's made from metal?
The Starwalker is made from Resin (basically plastic) so it is very light. For my purposes, taking it on business trips and everyday use, it does very well.

The fountain pen at least is 'precious resin' i.e plastic.

Seems durable enough and feels nice in the hand. Makes the pens light for their size, which is arguably a good thing.

 

[Scott4030]

I collect something pretty specific but very finely crafted; WWII era military issue Hamilton pocket watches. In my estimation some of the finest American made instruments ever made. A great example is this Hamilton 3992B, there were 2400 of them made between 1942 and 1945. 2000 went to the British government as their customary Swiss suppliers were unavailable. The remaining 400 went to the Canadians. They are incredibly rare. The movement is marked “US NAVY BU SHIPS” along with the British military’s “Broad Arrow” mark. A beautiful piece of engineering.

 

[275r7x57]

One more thing for fine fountain pens. The store linked below will fulfil anyone's need from almost $10K to a tad over $100. I'd recommend them. They also sell other stuff writing related. Enjoy.

100K for a pen. Not my thing but interesting.

20 years ago my uncle was at Mont Blanc and bought a couple of pens for $7,500.00. We all thought he was crazy, but he still uses them today.

I guess I am a tight wad, but I prefer the Paper Mate Inkjoy pens blue ink and the Fisher Matte Black Bullet Space Pen blue ink.

https://www.spacepen.com/shop-space-pens/style/bullet-pens/400b-matte-black-bullet-space-pen

 

[275r7x57]

Luxury handmade German pajamas.

Baturina Homewear® | Men's Luxury Robes And Pajamas

Men's dressing gown, smoking jacket and pajamas by Baturina Homewear. Vintage style quilted paisley silk robes. Gentlemans robe with monogram.

baturina-homewear.com

 

[275r7x57]

I have been using Darn Tough socks for 10 plus years, very pleased with no complaints and great warranty.

Darn Tough Vermont - Merino Wool Socks Guaranteed for Life

Guaranteed for life and made in the USA, Darn Tough socks are the best merino wool socks for hiking, running, work, and everyday wear.

darntough.com

 

[Datchew]

I'm quite fascinated by the surprisingly high involvement in quill or fountain pens. Never would have thought that was a thing.

Frankly, whenever I discover another niche, esoteric interest, I immensely enjoy digging into it and learning about it.

Unless it's k pop.

 

[Huvius]

It is an interesting exercise in contemplating the finer things in life - the highest of quality in all aspects of life.
A couple things that I hadn’t really thought about have been illuminated here in this thread.

Pens, for one.
My daughter won a national handwriting award and I didn’t even think that a quality pen was the logical award from us for the effort.
I should remedy that this Christmas.

As for time pieces, I must say that I have stopped wearing a watch - there seems to be a clock in every room I enter and of course everyone has an IPhone in their pocket…
Once my brother handed me a verge fusee pocket watch. A nice silver hunter cased key wind English watch.
He mentioned that, at the time of its making, it was the most scientifically advanced mechanical accomplishment of its time.
And you could carry it in your pocket!!
Watches such as this can easily be bought for well under $1K, even under $500

Then there are the very high end pocket watches that demand six figure prices but one can connect with their rather well-off ancestors (if there were any) for very little cash outlay.