Hi!
I'm a complete newbie in this forum and to fountain pens, so if I'm breaking any rules or making any social faux-pas, sorry about that in advance.
I've bought and used several cheaper fountain pens (about $15), and wasn't really impressed about the performance (uneven ink and other technical issues). But then I've tried my dads old Montblanc 262, which I really liked. The thing is, I don't want to use it for work, because I'm afraid of losing it or breaking it (I don't know if it's worth a lot, but it has tremendous sentimental value). I wanted to buy a similar one, but found out they are really expensive (about $100?). And losing a $100+ pen now and then at work and replacing, isn't within my budget. So my questions are:
1) Is there a noticeable difference in performance between my cheap fountain pens and a Lamy safari or other pens, below $50.
2) If you are only looking for functionality is there any value buying a $100 fountain pen, except for "feel" and design.
EDIT:
Thanks for all your fast and insightful replies. I always find it fascinating when people share their personal experiences and perspectives.
I think I have to clarify some points. I want to use a fountain pen because:
* I like the "feel" when I write with it, everything from the scratching sound on the paper, the smell of the ink, how the ink soaks up into the paper etc.
* I like how fountain pen writing looks, I find that kind of text more expressive and interesting to look at.
So it's not a pure issue of "putting ink to paper", then a ballpoint or gel pen is perhaps a more obvious choice.
I should perhaps also mention I'm interested in calligraphy, but I'm going to get other pens for that, so that's another issue. What I'm looking for with this this thread is a "workhorse", where I still can enjoy the feel of the fountain pen, without to much hassle and not not to go overboard with the pricing of the pen. (I'm a teacher, pens have a way of disappearing around colleagues and students.)
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