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View Full Version : What are the two best writing pens you have under 30 bucks ...



goldiesdad
May 18th, 2012, 02:32 PM
For me it the Hero 616 ... smooth and starts up after sitting every time under 5 bucks. And lastly my Kaweco Sport writes like
a champ and is smooth and 27 bucks to boot.

Sailor Kenshin
May 18th, 2012, 04:04 PM
I just road-tested and blogged the Kaweco! Very smooth writer, so I'd say it's right up there with my Hero 1026 and the reliable, go-to 616s.

writingrav
May 18th, 2012, 04:28 PM
Jinhao x750 and Noodler Konrad and Kaweco Sport

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goldiesdad
May 18th, 2012, 05:31 PM
I never had a Noodler Konrad so I am looking 'em up ... Thanks

writingrav
May 18th, 2012, 08:10 PM
They are new. Just 20 bucks and while I found I had to adjust the nib on the feed, once done it writes great and is a flex nib.

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gwgtaylor
May 18th, 2012, 11:35 PM
For me I'd have to say waterman kultur and Parker vector. (frontier is nicer but can't remember if that was under 30)

PeppWaves03
May 19th, 2012, 04:52 AM
I would have to say my Vac 700 in a medium nib. It's an outstanding pen.

writingrav
May 19th, 2012, 06:42 AM
Its not under 30 bucks, inexpensive as it is, relatively speaking.

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goldiesdad
May 19th, 2012, 08:15 AM
I just got in the Boaer Sonett and it is one good looking pen for 8.88 ... Writing with it now ...

Sailor Kenshin
May 19th, 2012, 10:27 AM
Oh yeah.... another of my Black and Gold review pens that I really liked.

dannzeman
May 19th, 2012, 02:02 PM
Sheaffer VFM (http://fpgeeks.com/2011/12/sheaffer-vfm-fountain-pen-the-awesome-review/) or Noodlers Piston Fill Resin (http://fpgeeks.com/2011/11/noodlers-piston-fill-resin-awesome-review/).

goldiesdad
May 20th, 2012, 07:27 AM
I just ordered a couple Wing Sung 233's from the bay at $ 4 bucks each shipped if they write smoothly a great value .... and a cool looking nib to boot

manoeuver
May 20th, 2012, 07:36 PM
lamy safari...
hmmmmm.
another lamy safari.

Bogon07
May 20th, 2012, 09:45 PM
Lamy Safari when ordered from overseas. The AppleGreen with a LH nib, super smoooooooooooooth using Adventurine. Will have to try it with a Noodler's Eel ink to see if that makes any difference.

eriquito
May 20th, 2012, 11:06 PM
Noodler's Ahab Executive and Bamboo Dip Pen (if that counts).

Pinkys.Brain
May 21st, 2012, 01:09 AM
Geha Schulfüller (16€): Piston filler, small extra ink reserve (~1-2 additional page), really sturdy, semi-flex, but a bit of tooth

Kaweco Sport Classic (22€): Eyedropper, smooth EF nib, small, demonstrator.

John the Monkey
May 21st, 2012, 02:15 AM
Not sure I can count my Ahab, as they're £20ish in the uk (pen cost plus shipping), which puts them over this budget - super pen though, and the flex takes it out of the "workhorse" category, given the fun you can have with it.

Although it doesn't much like dry inks, fill it with Diamine Turquoise, or Imperial Purple, and the Schneider Base is a champ - £8 or thereabouts here, and a reliable writer with a smooth, if not hugely interesting, nib.

I'd agree with the Kultur suggestion too - the transparent one I picked up in Pont Audemer last year is a terrific pen for (as I remember) eleven euros.

Chi Town
May 22nd, 2012, 08:50 AM
Wow, I cannot limit it to just two pens! Well actually, there was a time when my Danitrio's were at the top of my list, My Mikado and Genkai, they just write sooo smooth. Then I came across that Nakaya Decapod Cigar aka- tamanuri and now I have to add that to the mix. Then last week I added a Yard-O-Led Viceroy Grand Lined c 1998 that writes so smooth and wet that ahhhh. And lastly, when I picked up that YOL, I also picked up, from the same seller, a Visconti Portofino L.E. # 26 of 150, c2001, that also has a smooth and wet line. I have really been blessed with some really good writers!

KrazyIvan
May 22nd, 2012, 09:03 AM
Wow, I cannot limit it to just two pens! Well actually, there was a time when my Danitrio's were at the top of my list, My Mikado and Genkai, they just write sooo smooth. Then I came across that Nakaya Decapod Cigar aka- tamanuri and now I have to add that to the mix. Then last week I added a Yard-O-Led Viceroy Grand Lined c 1998 that writes so smooth and wet that ahhhh. And lastly, when I picked up that YOL, I also picked up, from the same seller, a Visconti Portofino L.E. # 26 of 150, c2001, that also has a smooth and wet line. I have really been blessed with some really good writers!

Chi Town, I think it is supposed to be under $30.

I for one am having a really difficult time deciding.

Lt. Tom
May 22nd, 2012, 11:15 AM
I have to go with the Lamy Safari and the Kaweco Sport.

But it's so good for the money, I have to give an Honorable Mention to the Pelikano Junior........

lovemy51
May 22nd, 2012, 02:04 PM
i have a few... but the K Sport is really at the top. others are: Parker Frontier, Cross Solo, a bunch of chinese pens (Jinhao 159 at the topof the list), Waterman Phileas (cost me $24 when i got it, along with the solo)... etc!

goldiesdad
May 22nd, 2012, 02:18 PM
Lots of good selections for me to google and review ... Thanks all

Freddy
May 22nd, 2012, 08:20 PM
There are a few for me. My Kaweco Sport Classic (about $23.00), Sheaffer 100 (about $26.00 when I purchased it, may not be anymore), and, believe it or not, Pilot Petit 1 at a mere $3.30.

jor412
May 25th, 2012, 09:43 PM
+1 for Kaweco Sport & Lamy Safari.

Chi Town
May 26th, 2012, 12:41 PM
Chi Town, I think it is supposed to be under $30.

I for one am having a really difficult time deciding.

Schwoops.....Did not see that ....Sorry Folks!

jor412
May 27th, 2012, 05:31 AM
I forgot three others: Hero 442, Rotring Esprit Tour, & Waterman Kultur.

goldiesdad
May 27th, 2012, 08:53 AM
Lots to look up ... thanks for all your responses ... Keep them coming ...

gumwater
May 27th, 2012, 12:23 PM
My Ahab and Safari. Love these pens and use them daily.

writingrav
May 27th, 2012, 02:42 PM
Question : can an Ohto Rock be used as an eyedropper?

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KrazyIvan
May 27th, 2012, 03:17 PM
Question : can an Ohto Rock be used as an eyedropper?

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The barrel is metal, so I really doubt it. I have been contemplating coating some of these all metal pens in Plasti-Dip to convert them to an eye dropper but then I can't figure out the thread area and abandoned the idea.

writingrav
May 27th, 2012, 04:14 PM
Thanks. Guess I'll have to hand fill some cartridges if I win the ebay auction.

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ThirdeYe
May 30th, 2012, 08:28 PM
My Sheaffer 100 with a fine nib, and my Parker Vacumatic Major that I found at a book store for somewhere around $25. A very close runner-up to my Cross Solo with its fine nib as well.

danahn17
May 30th, 2012, 08:40 PM
I like my Safari. However, my surprise best-writing pen was a Nemosine Singularity that Amazon sells for $15-20 depending on the model.

goldiesdad
May 30th, 2012, 08:53 PM
I'll give it A WHIRL FOR 15 BUCKS ...

ianmedium
May 31st, 2012, 12:17 PM
Bookworm 675, smooth as butter and dead reliable. Also a NOS Hero 330 with very fine nib which has changed my opinion of very fine nibs as it writes beautifully! Both pens together cost me $16 including shipping!

jotterius
May 31st, 2012, 12:22 PM
Noodler's Ahab, Kaweco sport

januaryman
May 31st, 2012, 12:37 PM
Under 30 bucks??! Hmm... I guess the Noodler's Ahab and Pilot 78G...

Quillpen
May 31st, 2012, 01:37 PM
Pilot 78G and a no name pen I bought in China that's smooth but heavier than I like.

Hi from a refugee from FPN. Just learned about Pen Geeks. Yeah!

PSmith
May 31st, 2012, 02:11 PM
In this price bracket: probably the Lamy Safari and the -unfortunately discontinued- Parker Profile.

goldiesdad
May 31st, 2012, 02:28 PM
I just got a free pen for getting some Noodler's Nakita ... Great pen .... and it was free now I have an eyedropper ...

cmg.sweet
May 31st, 2012, 06:56 PM
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
May 31st, 2012, 08:26 PM
Lamy Safari
Hero 616

etoyoc
May 31st, 2012, 08:40 PM
Kaweco Sport
Pilot 78G
Lamy Safari

(I know, not just 2)

Ted A
May 31st, 2012, 09:33 PM
Just gotten an Ahab working really well.
I have a Picasso red lacquer that is really amazingly smooth

melissa59
June 1st, 2012, 11:53 AM
You guys are a REALLY BAD INFLUENCE!
Now, I have to go post in the "What Pens are You Waiting For?" thread.

jor412
June 2nd, 2012, 10:37 PM
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. :crazy_pilot:

jfsisler
June 10th, 2012, 08:02 PM
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
August 1st, 2012, 04:47 PM
deleted by poster

Saintpaulia
August 1st, 2012, 04:48 PM
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
August 3rd, 2012, 08:54 PM
Reform 1745 and the Lamy Safari

MidnightShadow
August 13th, 2012, 08:27 PM
Pelikan P55 Future with medium nib...smoooth!

Saintpaulia
August 13th, 2012, 08:37 PM
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
August 13th, 2012, 08:59 PM
Kaweco Ice Sport (EF nib)
Pilot Prera (F nib)
Lamy Safari (EF nib)

Saintpaulia
August 13th, 2012, 10:40 PM
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
August 13th, 2012, 11:33 PM
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
August 14th, 2012, 05:58 AM
Even when you add in shipping?

WenV
August 14th, 2012, 07:10 AM
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
August 14th, 2012, 07:34 AM
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
September 4th, 2012, 04:13 PM
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
September 5th, 2012, 01:51 PM
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.

markt
September 5th, 2012, 05:44 PM
Let's see: Pilot Vanishing Point (M) nib unit....it cost less than $30...oops, that's not a complete pen.

1. Kaweco Sport
2. Esterbrook J with 2668 nib ... purchased under $30 off the bay.

liapuyat
September 6th, 2012, 06:20 AM
Hmmm. I'd say... Pilot 78G and Rotring Initial. I like the Pilot 78G because I can totally take it apart and clean it, and the ones I have (I have 6) all write well. The Rotring Initial I got at a closing-out sale, for something like USD 5. I got an Inoxcrom converter for it, and I love the way it writes - has a precise line and has good flow.

manoeuver
September 6th, 2012, 01:49 PM
I may not have mentioned the Pilot Plumix before.

Pilot Plumix.

Saintpaulia
September 6th, 2012, 03:35 PM
I think it would be remiss if no one mentioned the Sheaffer VFM. They are common in the U.S. for $15.

southpaw52
September 6th, 2012, 04:05 PM
I primarily use vintage fountain pens.
1. Eversharp Skyline
2. Esterbrook J
3. Parker "45"
All three were purchased for under $30.

snedwos
September 7th, 2012, 04:32 AM
Let's see: Pilot Vanishing Point (M) nib unit....it cost less than $30...oops, that's not a complete pen.

You could almost use it as a complete pen...

The only fountain pen I have that I paid for (€0.99) is my worst writing one, I suppose I could say Waterman Perspective, but I don't think that counts. I would have to say Lamy Nexx M/Safari, which retails at €17.90 here.

dabrez
September 7th, 2012, 06:14 PM
I'll add additional votes for the Kaweco Sport, which I love, and the Sheaffer VFM. My VFM sits for days without use sometimes but it always seems to be ready to write.
You can also add Noodler's Konrad.

auto winder
September 17th, 2012, 03:29 AM
Another Kaweco Sport (classic, transparent, M), and Lamy Vista (F).

mleeson
September 17th, 2012, 07:35 AM
Baoer 388 (chinese pen) Fine nib and a Pilot 78G Medium Nib.

Steph
September 21st, 2012, 06:00 PM
Boaer 508 & Jinhao 11 - I am having a run of Chinese pen luck! Both under $10 with shipping.

Petergly
September 22nd, 2012, 06:45 AM
Jinhao 156, now with waterman brown, and Baoer U85 with Sheaffer Skrip in red. These are the first nibs I have tweaked, thankfully didn't need much to get right.

dgator
September 22nd, 2012, 07:51 AM
Another Pilot 78G with medium nib (I found the fine nib a little scratchy) and the Kaweco Sport with a fine nib.

mrgdr
October 18th, 2012, 08:45 AM
Noodler's Flex Nib - in Arizona yellow; a nice little writer for $17. I use it at work for signatures with Noodler's Tanager ink (the color is quite close to our logo color).

inky
October 18th, 2012, 09:29 AM
Mine would have to be Lamy Safari and Kaweco Sport. For me they just work. I'd throw in the Nib Creeper flex but I have to fiddle with them too much for them to edge out either the Safari or the Sport as best writer. They work well once they get set correctly though.