Pelikan m200
Sheaffer Prelude
Rotring Freeway
Waterman Phileas
Parker Reflex
Parker Frontier
For most of us, writing is a means to an end, and this guide doesn't hope to change that. However, its general goal is to remind that, much as being alive is a means to the end of living, writing can be an experience as well as a function. In other words, you can write as a way of getting things done, but in the process why not have fun? This guide explains why fine writing instruments are enjoyable, and how to spend less than $50 to enhance the process of writing.
A pen of the fountain nature, by my definition. Some would include rollerballs and ballpoints in this definition, and I do, to a limited degree (see below) but my primary focus is the fountain pen. While some would consider degrees of fine, or expect certain aesthetic requirements from their fine writing instruments, my goal is to describe the basic fountain pen.
They're less wasteful and more fun to write with. If you buy one of the low-end but highly functional fountain pens mentioned here, and use it with bottled ink for a year, you will have avoided throwing out any number of plastic and metal disposable ballpoints, or ballpoint refills. The ink you are using is of a chemically simpler nature, and requires less industrial mess in its production. But that's only the first half of the answer.
In my view, fountain pens are the most fun to write with because they operate like an extension of the hand. A ballpoint requires you press down; it works like any number of industrial gadgets that require a simple force to get a linear response. There's one type of line available to you. With a fountain pen, the nib glides across the paper, and depending on how you hold the pen and how quickly you move it, different types of lines appear. You have greater control, and greater artistic range, should you desire such a thing.
Finally, using fountain pens promotes an enduring concept instead of a disposable one. A fountain pen nib adapts to your unique writing style, and you become accustomed to the greater weight and possibilities of the pen. If you treat it correctly, it will probably outlast you and can be passed on to whatever heirs you may have. Further, since it is not a disposable object, you're inclined to care for it, and to maintain it like any other tools. That's to my mind a lot healthier than throwing out plastic and buying more.
Most of the people I know who've either kept or generated wealth are very frugal. The reason for this is simple: to have wealth, you must think in terms of liquid assets instead of tangible but depreciating ones. Most of the people I know who earn more than a million dollars a year live in nice but not ostenatious houses, drive regular (Toyota or Chevrolet) type cars, and count their pennies. A penny saved is a penny invested is up to a quarter coming back quarterly.
The pens on this page won't bust your budget, and if you're like me, may in fact save you money. I found with ballpoints that the true cheapos (with one exception - the Pilot Better Ball Point Pen, a top-rated pick if you must use a ballpoint) did not work long for me, or had negative side effects like failure and leakage. So there I was, buying pens that cost more than $1 each, and doing it perhaps twice a month because someone would borrow, steal or destroy them like any number of other small cheap plastic objects in my life. I found myself drifting toward the $1.69-$5 price range, and at that point, knew I was spending money unnecessarily.
Another way to look at this is fast food. If you go into McDonald's or Wendy's or Whataburger (heh) and order a full meal, it will cost you $6. But, if you go to a nearby grocery store, you can buy $12 of food and have at least three meals come out of it. Takes more time, some patience, but in the end - unless your cooking is truly abysmal - you come out ahead. Cheap and disposable does NOT mean cheaper in the long term.
With any object, collectors exist in their own world. They'll find this page boring, because it's about everyday use of fine writing instruments, not any kind of categorical study or completion of diversity of ownership. That's a different world from mine and if it calls to you, I suggest scrolling down to the links section right away and skipping my more mundane writing.
In putting together this list, I tried to find the most likely choices based on price and availability, and to give them honest reviews. My goal is not to list the finest of the fine, or to cover every type of fountain pen and manufacturer out there. This is a practical list above all else, as a guide to the seemingly impractical world of fountain pen use.
| Pen | Image |
Pelikan m200 |
|
Sheaffer Prelude |
|
Rotring Freeway |
|
Waterman Phileas |
|
Parker Reflex |
|
Parker Frontier |
|
| Pen | Image |
Pilot Better Ball Point |
|
Pilot GX-300 |
|
Parker Jotter |
|
Papermate ComfortMate Grip |
|
Pentel R.S.V.P. Retractable |
|
Cross Classic Century |
|
http://www.pentrace.com/PenMarket.htm A great place to buy, sell and trade.
http://www.penlovers.com/bbframe.htm General discussion, including commerce.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/225159 Pen and writing instruments anything goes forum.
http://www.zoss.com/pens.htm Mailing list, mostly commerce but some discussion.
http://www.ramblingsnail.net/forums.html Nice general forum on pen use and care.
http://www.ramblingsnail.net/links.html More "fine writing" links.
http://www.billspens.com/billlink.htm Survey of the fountain pen community.
http://www.saintmarys.edu/~marschal/fountainpens.html I like this small but effective links page.
http://www.rickconner.net/penoply/index.html Some of the most useful links close at hand.
http://www.penhero.com/PenBookmarks.htm This guy's going for comprehensive.
Colorado Pen For that boutique experience.
Dromgooles If you're in Houston, a pen lover's store.
ISellPens.com Discounted and discontinued, inexpensively.
Jim Gaston Relaxed atmosphere for quality sales at good prices.
JOON New York Excellent selection, cosmpolitan prices.
Office Depot Surprisingly large selection and good prices.
Oscar Braun Pens For pen fanatics; excellent service and prices.
Paradise Pen Not cheap, but professional service and good locations.
Parkville Pen Low prices and honest dealing makes this a favorite.
Penspiration Relaxed Southern gentleman sells high performing pens.
Staples A good place for low-cost, functional fountain pens.
Perhaps you've read this entire thing without falling asleep in your chair. Really? Then maybe you'd want to learn more about Joe.
(c) 2004 Joe Intemann.
