Mid-Range Pens

[southpaw52]

If you were to chose three pens in the 100-250 range, what pens would you chose and why?

[Liquid360]

I just bought two Delta DolceVita Oversized fountain pens on eBay for $175/each. There are crazy deals to be had there in the $250 under price bracket. I don't have other recommendations because this is all new to me, but eBay, assuming a reputable seller, allows you to buy above your price bracket. I wanted the Deltas because they're spectacular and I love the size.



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[RocketRyan]

Currently in that price range the cross peerless, the Visconti van Gogh, and the platinum president.

[ac12]

New:
- Lamy, 2000. Seems to be a favorite of a lot of people. But the pen is too FAT for my hand. To me it feels like an oversize Parker 45.
- Pelikan: M200, M400. I'm keeping an eye out for a M400.
- Platinum 3776. My wife has one and it it write well. I'm considering one for myself.
- Wahl/Eversharp, Skyline. Got one, NICE.

Vintage:
- Eversharp, Skyline (striated or gold cap)
- Parker: 51, 75, Duofold, Vacumatic. Got all of them, the Vac is my current favorite.
- Wahl, Doric

[fountainpenkid]

I struggle to find "mid-range" a relevant classification personally because I prefer vintage pens, whose price isn't indicative of their original place in the market. If the term is applied in an originalist sense, I have tried very few vintage "mid-range" pens, as many top-quality vintage models are well within the modern "mid-range" price bracket.

[amk]

All depends on your tastes. Pens in this range that I've found enjoyable to have are: Platinum 3776, Lamy 2000 and Accent Brilliant, Edison Collier, Bexley Corona.

Just above this level unless you get a very good deal, Pelikan 400 white tortoise. (Or indeed any other Pelikan.)

$100 or so will also get you a custom made Indian pen, to which you can add a gold Pelikan nib, for instance (available separately), and still have change out of $250. (I haven't done that myself, but I do know it's been done. My custom pens just have Jowo or Schmidt nibs.) Worth thinking about if you want to go the custom route.

[TheRealMikeDr]

I had to run through my pen database - of the 40 pens I own it turns out only a few fall in the 100 to 250 range. Of those the Lamy 2000 is the best of the bunch. The Edison Collier is a nice pen too.

[Scooby921]

I'm with the others. It's all relative. If we're talking NEW pens in that range we wind up with different results than talking USED pens in that bracket. There are some pens you simply can't find in used condition because people either collect them or they are simply so great that no one sells them. Otherwise I think the used market, like ebay and those Delta's Liquid360 picked up, is the best way to find a great pen in that price bracket. If you're looking at new pens in this price range I have to suggest Sailor. I owned a Pro Gear and bought a Full-Size for my fiancé. The 21k nib is really nice.

[southpaw52]

To further enhance my question, chose three new orthree vintage or both.

[KrazyIvan]

Im thinking a Delta. I can't remember the model but it sort of looks like the burnt orange Pelikan with the black cap and Dolce Vita lines.

[Scooby921]

To further enhance my question, chose three new orthree vintage or both.

In that case...

Sailor Professional Gear
Pelikan 400nn
Platinum 3776 Century

[Mister5]

Franklin Christoph 02 Smoke & Ice- love the fact I can swap the nibs, it looks beautiful as an eyedropper and the Medium stub is probably my favorite nib.

Aurora 88K - I'm a sucker for that style. While the Parker 51 is a totally great pen, I like the girth of the 88K (and I think the 88K has a slightly better piston mechanism than the original 88). The celluloid just feels solid. The ink view window is totally usable.

Pelikan M200/215 - I don't need a big honkin pen (not withstanding my other two suggestions). These are great every day writers, the steel nib is a little springy, fits nice in the pocket, and you can swap out the nibs. You could swap out an M400 nib for the M200 nib, but from what I've been reading the M200 nibs get more praise on the boards than even the gold M400 nibs, at least the modern M200 vs M400 nibs.

[Sammyo]

Hmmmm... That's a tough one...

Based purely on how I feel at this very moment...
1. Sailor 1911L - Naginata-Togi nib
Great pen, great size, great nib... say no more... at this price because I live in Japan
2. Pilot CH 912 - FA nib
Stylish pen with a nib that gives great flex and flow (after you wear it in a bit!).
3. Sailor 1911S - Music nib
Great pocket pen; easy to carry; looks classy and that nib! smooth, wet and ready to write!

If you ask me tomorrow I would probably give a different answer.

(note: My choices are based on pen prices in my location, with shipping included. You can add $30 to most purchases from abroad).

[penwash]

I can think of quite a few vintage pens in that price range that I'd want:

- Wahl Doric
- Parker 51 with fancier cap
- Conway Stewart Woodgrain Ebonite

Like Sam above, ask me again next week

[Pterodactylus]

If you are not searching explicit flex pens I would suggest vintage piston fillers from the 50ˋs from Pelikan or Montblanc

They are some of the best pens ever made, good for at least another lifetime no matter how young you are (and the nibs outperform with their semi-flex stubby character every currently available pen, no matter which price range).

It does not matter which specific model, choose a size/color/nib you prefer. E.g. Pelikan 400 or 100 (with or without Nˋs) or Montblanc 342 or 344.
You can't go wrong with them if you buy them in a good working condition.

[Pterodactylus]

For new pens I would suggest a Pelikan M200/M215 or a M400 (of course nib and color of your choice).
Also here because I consider them as some of the best and most reliable pens currently available in this price range.

[TheRealMikeDr]

Im thinking a Delta. I can't remember the model but it sort of looks like the burnt orange Pelikan with the black cap and Dolce Vita lines.

Ah - right. I got a Delta Dolcevita Federico Stantuffo for $239 which I like quite a bit.

Regarding Vintage - a nice Parker Vacumatic would fall in that range and is a wonderful pen.

[SIR]

Sailor Pro Gear with medium Naginata Togi nib (from Engeika.com ) because best all-round writing pen.
Platinum Century 3776 with music nib because great value quality pen with excellent broad italic nib.
A pre-1970s Montblanc 149, if you can find one at that price, because craftsmanship and example of the art.

[Woody]

Edison 1st - all of mine are absolute workhorses. Everyday I use mine. I can eye drop them, converter or cartridge. Just a solid pen whether production or signature
Sheaffer - inlaid nibs - Targas or Legacy. I just like the feel of them, and they've been my friends for years.
Pelikan - I have a couple of 200's that have served me well. Very dependable.

[stub]

Pilot 912
Platinum 3776
Lamy 2000

Sheaffer Balance Statesman or Premier
Parker Vacumatic
Aurora 88 or used MB 146 or Pelikan 400nn