Another fountain pen question

[bbshriver]

I'm getting married soon, and decided to get fountain pens for my groomsmen, as this is an accessory I don't think any man should be without.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good "starter" pen (as far as I know none of them have, or have used, a fountain pen before), for under $50, that still looks pretty decent. Here are some I'm considering.

The first one here
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/Index_Showcase.asp?BOD=/collections/collection.asp%3FMFG%3D23%26CK%3D1327%26REQ%3D..^gift_finder^gift_finder.asp%3FGMFG%3Dany~TYP%3Dfountain~PR%3D1_AND_50~PG%3D0-34~FD%3D

The 2nd to last one here
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/Index_Showcase.asp?BOD=/collections/collection.asp%3FMFG%3D24%26CK%3D1153%26REQ%3D..^gift_finder^gift_finder.asp%3FGMFG%3Dany~TYP%3Dfountain~PR%3D1_AND_50~PG%3D0-34~FD%3D

This is one I already have, and like, but it's pretty plain. I use it at work
http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Logo-Stainless-Steel-Fountain/dp/B001HTA14I/ref=pd_sbs_op_49

I have the green version of this (my first Fountain pen!)
http://www.amazon.com/Waterman-Phileas-Fountain-Pen-Blue/dp/B00022PUVU/ref=pd_sbs_op_2

Third to last here, these are supposed to be really good, but looks pretty boring
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/Index_Showcase.asp?BOD=/collections/collection.asp%3FMFG%3D22%26CK%3D790%26REQ%3D..^gift_finder^gift_finder.asp%3FGMFG%3Dany~TYP%3Dfountain~PR%3D1_AND_50~PG%3D0-34~FD%3D

http://www.amazon.com/Waterman-Hemisphere-Stainless-Medium-Fountain/dp/B000EC3JFW/ref=pd_sbs_op_33

 

[dragonaxe]

great idea!! I'd go with your first one. smart and crisp. Do you know how it writes?

 

[Tango Yankee]

Very cool idea... I hope they appreciate it! Too bad your budget can't go another $25 each. I've given the Wateman Phileas kits as gifts a few times. What I like about the kits is that they give the person a full intro to the experience: different ink colors in cartridges, plus a converter and a bottle of ink to introduce them to that side of fountain pens. http://www.goldspot.com/Waterman_pens/Phileas/99702WC.html

As to which one of the others, well, since I don't know anything about the pens other then what I'm seeing there I suppose it will come down to esthetics. Which one do you think will be most pleasing to the eye? I like the more traditional look of the Phileas, but your buddies might like the "modern" look of the stainless steel ones better---and judging by the selection you present, I'd say you're leaning that way.

By the way, if they're very good friends the pens will mean a lot. I still have the Cross ball-point pen that my buddy gave me as one of his groomsmen in 1986 and it means a lot to me. It doesn't get used a lot these days, but at the time I had a variety of different colored ink cartridges for it and swapped them out from time to time. I hope your groomsmen feel the same!

Good luck, and congratulations on your pending marriage!

Regards,
Tom

 

[Preacher Man]

Great idea, and congratulations! I'd have to agree with Tango Yankee, the Waterman Phileas kit is a great way to go; cartridge or a converter to use bottled ink as well. Another brand to consider is Libelle. I'm minister and have performed a few weddings in my time, I use fountain pens for every writing need, once I was given a Libelle fountain pen as an appreciation gift, it is a fantastic writer. Very smooth nib right out of the box. Good balance, well made and within the price range you mentioned. Fountain Pen Hospital sells them too. I'm sure your groomsmen will appreciate your thoughtfulness. May God bless you and your bride to be.

Preacher Man
Romans 10:9

 

[Riposte3]

I'll also recommend the Waterman Phileas - it's a great "introduction" fountain pen since it has a smooth nib and lets the person use either cartridges or bottled ink.

Might I also recommend adding a bottle of ink with each one? Noodler's inks are good quality, have a large color selection, and generally run about $12.50 a bottle. Letting them have some ink to go with the converter will make them more likely to try it.

 

[bbshriver]

great idea!! I'd go with your first one. smart and crisp. Do you know how it writes?

No idea. I have the Lamy Logo and Phileas, but no experience with the others. Of the ones I've seen this is the one I'd most like to get for myself though.

Very cool idea... I hope they appreciate it! Too bad your budget can't go another $25 each. I've given the Wateman Phileas kits as gifts a few times. What I like about the kits is that they give the person a full intro to the experience: different ink colors in cartridges, plus a converter and a bottle of ink to introduce them to that side of fountain pens. http://www.goldspot.com/Waterman_pens/Phileas/99702WC.html

As to which one of the others, well, since I don't know anything about the pens other then what I'm seeing there I suppose it will come down to esthetics. Which one do you think will be most pleasing to the eye? I like the more traditional look of the Phileas, but your buddies might like the "modern" look of the stainless steel ones better---and judging by the selection you present, I'd say you're leaning that way.

By the way, if they're very good friends the pens will mean a lot. I still have the Cross ball-point pen that my buddy gave me as one of his groomsmen in 1986 and it means a lot to me. It doesn't get used a lot these days, but at the time I had a variety of different colored ink cartridges for it and swapped them out from time to time. I hope your groomsmen feel the same!

Good luck, and congratulations on your pending marriage!

Regards,
Tom

My dad, for years, carried a Parker sterling silver ball point pen that my grandfather (his father in law) got him, I believe as a graduation gift. I know he carried that almost exclusively for ~40 years. Probably part of my draw towards that first Parker on my list.

Incidentally it never occurred to me that the steel offerings would be considered "more modern", though I can see where you're coming from. I've personally had a preference for things that aren't plastic, and I just like the feel of a good heavy pen. The other issue is durability. I have my Lamy Logo in my pocket every day, and it really shows no wear. I save my Phileas for "special occasions" or just when I know I'm going to be more gentle (church, etc). Knowing my friends I think the durability will be appreciated. Especially considering they are all engineers!

Unfortunately I don't have much room on the budget. I ended up going a bit higher than planned on the best man's (my brother's) gift, by almost double so gotta be more conservative for the rest!

 

[Subvet642]

You can't go wrong with any of them, but if it were me, I'd go with the Namiki; they have the best cartridge/converter to feed interface in the business. In other words, the mouth of their carts and converters have a wider mouth than any other, allowing for much better flow of ink to the feed.

 

[bbshriver]

Does anyone have experience with Swisher pens? They seem to have the Parker $12 cheaper than FP hospital
http://store.swisherpens.com/parker...814.aspx?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase

 

[Subvet642]

Does anyone have experience with Swisher pens? They seem to have the Parker $12 cheaper than FP hospital
http://store.swisherpens.com/parker...814.aspx?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase

Chuck Swisher absolutely rocks! He is the FIRST place I go to when buying a new pen. There is no better, period.

 

[Shangas]

The Waterman Phileas is relatively cheap, it can use bottled or cartridged inks, it's light and it's comfortable to use.

That is your present for your groomsmen.

Also, the Phileas is meant to be "Art Deco styled, reminiscent of the 1930s" (their words, not mine), perfect for the golden era!

 

[univibe88]

Chuck Swisher absolutely rocks! He is the FIRST place I go to when buying a new pen. There is no better, period.

I also personally vouch for Chuck Swisher.