Fountain pens
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Requesting Recommendations: Want a "signature pen," so a stub with generous tipping material, or a BB with a hint of line variation.
I have some Amazon funny money from Father's Day, so per the title, I want something that writes big and easy. No calligraphy nibs that depend on perfect position to be smooth. Possibly delusional, but hoping for recs that orbit around either side of the $100 USD mark. Gold nib and impeccable fit&finish is not necessary, but I know I'm looking for a luxury nib at a daily-user price, so feel free to disabuse me of my hubris. If something is out there but not on Amazon in the US, I can buy toilet paper and air filters with that and get the pen elsewhere.
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r/fountainpens redditors-- my apologies
I used to sing the praises of the Hongdian 517s, a stainless steel pen that I liked so much I bought it with two nib widths. I still like using these pens, but the screw caps proved their undoing.
I would notice that sometimes the screw cap was loose so I would give it an extra twist. Eventually, I stripped the threads and now they won't seal tightly and so they dry out.
These pens had a lot going for them in my opinion. They had a concave section and thickness that I liked. They came with a piston converter. They had a tough, brushed stainless steel cigar-shaped body that was both austere and cool looking. They were dirt cheap at under $20, and they wrote well. I just wish they had a bushing or something that would prevent Mr. Ham Hands (me) from over tightening.
So, until the I stripped the threads, I used to suggest people try these pens. I apologize. My only consolation is that you're not out hundreds of dollars on a pen.
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When I discovered fountain pens, I wish someone told me…?
If only someone had mentioned that I would be starting a collection to work out what I like and don’t like!
And a couple of other things I’ve learned:
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Buy samples of inks before you buy a bottle! Not all inks feel good in all pens, and the colour you see online may not look like what you get in real life…
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Try and hold a pen before you buy, especially it is expensive or if there are mixed reviews about it (e.g. I didn’t really like the matte black Vanishing Point, until I held it and discovered that, for me at least, it was way more comfortable to hold than the non-matte models… also the clip placement on the VP is a thing for a lot of people, I don’t mind it for short notes, but not sure about longer writing sessions with it, even though it is definitely my fave nib)
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Fountain pen friendly paper is a thing, and it makes a HUGE difference
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Paying more doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like the pen more…
I’m sure there a few (or a 100) more things others can add :-)
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