Anyone here frequently use, or otherwise know a lot about fountain pens? I'm looking to buy my first one. It would be used exclusively for drawing and sketching.

I know Pelikan brand is more aimed at artists, but costs a fortune. Google search has frequently led me to the Pilot Prera, which is supposedly a great pen for the money.

Suggestions?

8/26/2012 7:44:44 PM

hehe

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

8/26/2012 8:03:30 PM

My step dad owns a gift & office supply store in Chapel Hill

He knows a ton about fountain pens. If you'd like more info, pm me. My family would appreciate your local business

8/26/2012 8:30:10 PM

I have an all 18k ST Dupont, that I've never used - - Make an offer?

8/26/2012 8:50:34 PM

Get a Lamy Safari to start with. It's rock solid and costs around $25. You should also get the converter with it that allows you to use a bottle of ink instead of getting a bunch of cartridges.

8/26/2012 9:08:25 PM

Thanks, Wolfy, I will keep than in mind.

QTPie, can you send me a link to the exact pen?

Sleepyhead, I've looked at those pens, too...i've also seen direct comparisons online between that and the prera. the prera is about 20 bucks more but includes a converter and seems to fit my needs a little better.

[Edited on August 26, 2012 at 9:32 PM. Reason : .]

8/26/2012 9:31:08 PM

Quote :

"the prera is about 20 bucks more but includes a converter and seems to fit my needs a little better."

What makes you think this? Everything I can find shows the converter as an option.

8/26/2012 10:21:55 PM

^you're right...i've been looking at a bunch of them and must have mixed something up.

8/26/2012 10:49:05 PM

Quote :

"My step dad owns a gift & office supply store in Chapel Hill He knows a ton about fountain pens. If you'd like more info, pm me. My family would appreciate your local business"

I would go this route. I tried a fountain pen a few years ago and found that's it's best to start with good advice.

8/26/2012 11:01:32 PM

My math teacher gave me a Parker in 5th grade for getting a perfect score, and I used for several years until the nib was worn out. I really cherished it and took good care of it. Still have it. I used some others before and after it, but the Parker was the best by far. In those days, many students used fountain pens, even from the very beginning at the age of 8 or so.

Get a Parker 5TH. It has a flexible nib which adapts to your style and pressure.

Make sure to get one from a known brand that has been making them for several decades, or even centuries.

Parker, Sheaffer, Cross, Caran d'Ache, Pelikan, Waterman are well known famous brands that make affordable fountain pens. If you have the money, go for the luxury brands such as Cartier, Montblanc, Montegrappa, ST Dupont, etc. Stick to US, UK, and Western European brands.

And read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_Pen

Brands: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templateen_template

Relevant to what I said earlier:

Quote :

"In some countries, fountain pens are usual in lower school grades, believed to teach children better control over writing as many common mistakes of people not used to handwriting (like too much pressure or incorrect hold) feel unnatural or are almost impossible when using traditional pen tips."

8/27/2012 7:58:08 AM