Which pen?

[southpaw52]

If you had $150 to spend on a pen, would you be a custom made pen i.e Edison, Franklin Christoph etc. or a used pen?

[Kaputnik]

I have one Edison, a Hudson with a steel nib which cost me $146.50 from Goulet's some years ago (I think 2012). At that price range, I don't know that they exactly count as custom, since nothing in particular was done to my individual specification. In any case, it's a nice enough pen, but was a bit of a disappointment at the time, as it was no more of a pleasure to write with than a couple of less expensive pens I already had. Mind you, there was nothing specifically wrong with it that I could ask to have fixed; I was just underwhelmed.

Of course, Edison has many fans, and my experience is with a single pen.

For around $150, and down to around $90, my favorite modern pens have all been Pilots: Custom Heritage 92 and 91, Falcon, and Capless Decimo. If you don't have one of those, or a Custom 74, say, or an Elite, I'd at least be looking at them. But then, some people are underwhelmed by these pens.

But come to think of it, that bit about Pilots isn't what you asked.

As far as used pens go, I'd definitely look at some vintage-ey Montblancs and Pelikans. I'm not into luxury pens, but I love my late 1970s Montblanc Noblesse. Last I checked, you could probably find one for around $100 to $150.

[ambimom]

I'd buy any TWSBI or a Retro 51 Tornado in Lincoln Copper and with the rest of the money I've saved, I'd buy a good meal. The reason? Each of these is an excellent, reliable writer and the Tornado is among the most beautiful pens I've ever owned. However, I am partial to my Platinum 3776 Century Chartres Bleu which will set you back a bit over the $150. It never goes dry and writing with it is a true pleasurable experience.

Saying all this you have to realize that fountain pens are very subjective. I've spent hundreds of dollars on pens that are pretty to look at and don't write very well. I also own a $2 Chinese pen that writes like a dream.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Huh? You can get a Platinum 3776 for USD75 quite easily. Brand new.

As far as custom pens go, $150 will get you an off the peg "custom" pen. In other words, it's not really a custom pen at all, just the regular production line from the maker. For proper customisation expect to pay $200 and up.

[inklord]

... lots of nice Pilots or Platinums to be had at that price level (all gold nibbed) including some nice "soft" nibs; or the F-C pocket 66, or a LAMY 2000...or , yes, a gazillion used ones from the last 100 years or so of penmaking - it's really too broad a question!

[Medieval]

I would buy a Platinum 3776, a Sailor, or a Pilot with an FA nib. I'm a writer so I only care about how a pen writes, and those pens from those brands offer the best writing experience at any price point. I'm not sure what a custom pen is supposed to offer me more than those listed?

[Bold2013]

Probably a used pen with focus on getting a great nib (or having part of your budget set aside for professional nib work).

[Jon Szanto]

[FredRydr]

[image deleted]

So, this is where you'd spend your hard-earned $150?! Methinks you are hanging around those Halloween shops too much when you have cash in your pocket.

[FredRydr]

If you had $150 to spend on a pen, would you be a custom made pen i.e Edison, Franklin Christoph etc. or a used pen?

There are some very nice vintage EF flex writers out there for $150, so long as you're not insisting on more popular models. On the other hand, both those small-production brands have some real nice modern writers too, that you don't have to baby.

I suspect you already have/had both, and are just asking for the fun of it.

[ethernautrix]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!




Or however witches laugh phonetically.

[ethernautrix]

I'd buy a Pilot CH92... Or 74, witchever gives me a greater nib choice. Or maybe the 92, cos I like it a lot as it happens.

[Jon Szanto]

So, this is where you'd spend your hard-earned $150?! Methinks you are hanging around those Halloween shops too much when you have cash in your pocket.

Silly boy: $15 for the pens, $135 for some incredible single malt. No one need ever know.

[southpaw52]

Thank you for the suggestions, its good to think of other pens too.

[azkid]

So, this is where you'd spend your hard-earned $150?! Methinks you are hanging around those Halloween shops too much when you have cash in your pocket.

Silly boy: $15 for the pens, $135 for some incredible single malt. No one need ever know.

Now that's the right kind of potion to go with those witches!

I don't know what I'd advise because it depends on what op is looking for.

I have zero experience with those brands. I am contemplating a $150 purchase but looking in a totally different direction (Pilot Falcon). And for that matter I may not get a pen after all and save more and finally get a watchmakers lathe.

[Medieval]

Buy a witch instead of a pen.

[Runnin_Ute]

At that price point a Pelikan 140 from Rick Propas (thepenguinpen.com) would fill the bill nicely. He restores and warrantees them too. I bought mine from him in August 2017.

[Driften]

Lots of quality pens for the $100-$150 price range and like suggested some good Japanese pens with gold nibs for less then $100 if bought from a Japanese shop.
Franklin-Christoph and Edison are quality small manufactures. You can get Edison to custom make a pen but I think its going to run much more then $150. The standard C/C model Edison's are running $169. Actually most new Franklin-Christoph are more than $150. The Model 45 Long XLV is a really nice pocket pen and with a standard steel nib should run less then $150. Something like a Model 02 will be more $175.

I think you need to look more at what you want out of the pen then price. What looks good to you? Next week when I get paid I might spend ~$175 on a new F-C or Edison. I picked up a Diplomat Aero last week. Lots of nice used pens here in on this forum in your price range.

[Wuddus]

I wouldn't have a clue where to start, so I'd come here and ask questions. I'd get inundated with suggestions, and spend ages looking at everything that got mentioned. Eventually, I'd get totally confused and overwhelmed, lose interest, and spend it on something else instead.

Hope that helps

[carlos.q]

From what I have bought at that price or lower I can recommend:

New pens
Lamy 2000
Pelikan 200/205
Pilot Custom Heritage 91

Vintage pens
Parker 51
Parker 75
Pelikan 100N
Pelikan 400