What are the two best writing pens you have under 30 bucks ...

[cmg.sweet]

I like my Safari. However, my surprise best-writing pen was a Nemosine Singularity that Amazon sells for $15-20 depending on the model.

I gotta 2nd this. I got 1 of these and liked it so much I went back for 3 more. Now I'm using three of these for my at work pens and one to stay at home.

[klpeabody]

Lamy Safari
Hero 616

[etoyoc]

Kaweco Sport
Pilot 78G
Lamy Safari

(I know, not just 2)

[Ted A]

Just gotten an Ahab working really well.
I have a Picasso red lacquer that is really amazingly smooth

[melissa59]

You guys are a REALLY BAD INFLUENCE!
Now, I have to go post in the "What Pens are You Waiting For?" thread.

[jor412]

You guys are a REALLY BAD INFLUENCE!
Now, I have to go post in the "What Pens are You Waiting For?" thread.

The same thing happens to me when I go to that thread. There's no escaping this.

[jfsisler]

My Lamy Safari and a Sailor Clear Candy. My Esterbrook is a good pen, but the point is almost too fine and sometimes pokes right through the paper/

[Saintpaulia]

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[Saintpaulia]

Just gotten an Ahab working really well.
I have a Picasso red lacquer that is really amazingly smooth

Would it perchance be a Picasso 908?

[Okami]

Reform 1745 and the Lamy Safari

[MidnightShadow]

Pelikan P55 Future with medium nib...smoooth!

[Saintpaulia]

My Sheaffer Student cost about $25.00 on eBay auction. Good hard-working all-round pen.
And second my Pilot 78G. About the same price.

[WenV]

Kaweco Ice Sport (EF nib)
Pilot Prera (F nib)
Lamy Safari (EF nib)

[Saintpaulia]

Kaweco Ice Sport (EF nib)
Pilot Prera (F nib)
Lamy Safari (EF nib)

Prera under $30?! Preras are listed on Goulet Pens for $55....

[WenV]

Prera under $30?! Preras are listed on Goulet Pens for $55....

Yes, checkout Engeika - Japanese Pen Shop (online). I bought 2 different colors (ivory & apple green) and I think ivory was $30. Apple green was $35.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Even when you add in shipping?

[WenV]

Engeika had a special last month of free shipping worldwide for any fountain pen they sold. So, essentially only paid the pen price. Very pleased about it. They have a Facebook page and seem to have regular specials through the year. Found out about them through the FPN.

[writingrav]

Thanks for the tip. If it weren't for the $13 shipping I'd grab one. I'll check out their facebook page and keep my eyes open.

[caribbean_skye]

I just checked them out and the prera's are no longer under $30. I did save that seller though for future eBay purchasing, thanks WenV. Now if I can only stay away from eBay everything will be good.

[Zhivago]

Definitely a tough call. And I would certainly consider a number of the pens already mentioned. Unlike some, I've had good luck with the Noodler's Ahab. The standard Nib Creaper flex pens are another matter; I've replaced all mine with Knox nibs.

I'll go off the board with the Hero 389. It may or may not be the best Chinese pen I have, but it is my favorite one. I have two and while the nibs aren't as smooth as, say, the Jinhao 159, they are smooth enough. What has particularly endeared me to this pen is that I've yet to have any start-up issues at all with my first 389 (too early to say yet on the second one). I can't say that about any other Chinese made pen and about a number of non-Chinese pens, too. Starting up right away or very soon thereafter is something I really appreciate.

I'll also mention the Wing Sung 380. If you like that Sheaffer-style wrap around nib that so many Wing Sung pens have, you may want to consider getting one of these. I think they are the best made and best looking of the Wing Sung pens I've tried and have also proven to be consistent starters.