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    Cool The "3" pens

    Hello Pen-Friends long time lurker, newly minted member.

    Getting into a hobby during a pandemic is torture. With many of our local shops closed, we newbies stare at images on screens for hours with no real way of window shopping or at least taking some models out there for a spin. I like to see items for purchase in the "flesh"..... so instead of ask for recommendations, I wanted to put a hypothetical question out there.

    You have the task of converting a friend or colleague into a fellow FPGeek, if you had to select only 3 pens for a newbie to try that would get them hooked on this hobby, which 3 would you choose?

    Best Regards,

    TBSDSpaniard

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    It would depend on many things about the individual person as well as what was readily available in their part of the world but on a general basis I would be happy to loan out a Lamy Safari, a TWSBI and a Pelikan 250 or 400 to someone who wanted to try out FP's for the first time.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Senior Member Jaguarish's Avatar
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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Well, I know what _I_ like but it's not for everyone. I used to like Platinum 3776 the most and I still think it's top value. However my heart now belongs to Pilot in various forms, as I love soft nibs. If possible that's the first thing to attempt is a pick of preferred nib experience: soft or firm? Glassy or with feedback? Vintage or new? Expressive or precise? I believe there are a few shops or individuals who can loan you pens (e.g. in Australia, LarryPost provides this option charging a nominal amount for a 2 week loan) so maybe you should try to find such a service.

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Pelikan 400 (vintage)
    Parker "51" /aerometric)
    LAMY 2000

    C.

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    The question invites many other questions, mainly revolving around cost and who is buying.

    If we forego that for a moment, and just pick three well loved pens that we could wish into existence for a "newbie"; mine would probably be:

    - Kaweco Sport. I love them for their practicality, and it's even better when it's a vintage piston filler with 14k nib (like a 12). I have way too many, and often gift the basic current version to people.
    - A Japanese "standard", like the Platinum 3776, Sailor 1911 or Pilot Heritage 91. Impeccable writers, and usually perfect "out of the box" ink flow.
    - Pelikan 600. Slightly bigger than the 200/400, the 600 is pretty much guaranteed to be comfortable for anyone.


    If cost is a factor, those change. The problem with some of the cheaper pens is that they can be troublesome, turning off a new user.
    "A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    You never learn to fish on a borrowed line.

    Establish their budget and style and show commitment.

    If they want to try something out, go for a Platinum Preppy or a Jinhao X450, maybe a Pelikano.

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Another somewhat incomprehensible hypothetical...
    If the object were to convince people that fountain pens can be objects of awe and that writing with them can change the way you write, I'd give them:
    -OMAS Extra Lucens (1930's) in tortoiseshell with flexible F/EF nib (nothing prettier, and those nibs!) (or a Soennecken 111 Superior)
    -Pelikan 400 (1950's) in black stripe with OM or OB nib--very reliable, easy to use, comfortable for long writing sessions, great stock obliques with useable flex
    -an urushi Nakaya? or Namiki Emperor?

    Oh, most importantly, allow them to be blissfully ignorant of their value--most would be afraid to use or appreciate them. (although some might be fascinated by the value itself)
    Last edited by fountainpenkid; February 1st, 2021 at 09:11 AM.
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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    TWSBI Micarta
    Pilot M90
    MB Ernest Hemingway

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    1. something unintimidating, not all that different from what they write with now: e.g., stiff hooded nib, cartridge/converter
    2. something fun: e.g., interesting filling system, demonstrator, retractable nib, etc.
    3. something wow: exotic/eye-catching materials, bling, impressive nib, vintage, unique/bespoke, etc.

    Any number of pens could fit these specs. It would depend on the friend.

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    The pens I’ve given to family and friends have been vintage Esterbrook with 2556 nibs, a couple of LAMY Safari, and Wing Sung 601.

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    As long as the purpose is to inspire awe and change the way they write/think about writing & fountain pens

    1. Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age (oversize) - probably F, in an ideal world with a bicolor 18kt nib (I'm fairly certain they don't make the new 18kt nib in bicolor, but this is a hypothetical, right?), super feeling, excellent size and weight, and the way their lava feels so soft and comfortable.

    2. Aurora Optima Flex in blue - flex flex

    3. Parker 51
    Visconti Metropolis Silver FPB
    Visconti Wall Street Red Celluloid FPM
    Visconti Homo Sapiens Elegance 2019 Convention FPM
    Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age Pencil
    Visconti Rembrandt White Ballpoint

    Parker Duofold Centennial International Blue Marble FPF
    Parker 51

    Check our Offering: https://www.vtlshop.gr/en-gb/penshop

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Quote Originally Posted by TBSDSpaniard View Post
    You have the task of converting a friend or colleague into a fellow FPGeek, if you had to select only 3 pens for a newbie to try that would get them hooked on this hobby, which 3 would you choose?

    Best Regards,

    TBSDSpaniard
    If you want to get your friends hooked into this hobby, you don't need to give them new pens.

    Simply send them beautiful photos of different pens. Do this for some time until they either: 1) tell you to stop because they are not interested, or 2) ask for more pictures or for the sources.

    If the latter happened, you know that this hobby has grown again by one member.
    - Will
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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Thank you all for all the interesting responses!

    If I had to convert someone, I was thinking of letting them handle;

    1. Sailor KOP with EF
    2. Pelican M1000 M
    3. MB 149 with OB

    My approach would be to have them handle some great writers, then have them go into the wild to find suitable replacements to match their budget if there were limitations.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    My recommendations are based on entry-level pens.

    Wing Sung 698 - Based on that I have had one constantly inked since 2018 without issues and have given them away and those friends did not have issues. To be fair I did double-check the pens and did some nib adjustments before giving them away so it might not be the best option if you do not know how to adjust nibs.

    Pilot Metropolitan - For the cost-conscious and a pen that will just work out of the box.

    Lamy Safari - For those that want to learn how to properly hold a pen. It is a pen with built-in training wheels (ie the triangular grip section).
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Quote Originally Posted by TBSDSpaniard View Post
    Thank you all for all the interesting responses!

    If I had to convert someone, I was thinking of letting them handle;

    1. Sailor KOP with EF
    2. Pelican M1000 M
    3. MB 149 with OB

    My approach would be to have them handle some great writers, then have them go into the wild to find suitable replacements to match their budget if there were limitations.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    .... not sure if a newbie will like any of these clunky heavy unicums.....

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    My recommendations for a newbie for a possible entry into the fountain pen world would be:

    - Parker Vector
    - Lamy Safari
    - Pelikan 20x (as entry to the world of quality piston filler)

    And as a nib width recommendation I would recommend a M or F size.

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Pterodactylus View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by TBSDSpaniard View Post
    Thank you all for all the interesting responses!

    If I had to convert someone, I was thinking of letting them handle;

    1. Sailor KOP with EF
    2. Pelican M1000 M
    3. MB 149 with OB

    My approach would be to have them handle some great writers, then have them go into the wild to find suitable replacements to match their budget if there were limitations.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    .... not sure if a newbie will like any of these clunky heavy unicums.....
    I was thinking more of something that would “grab them”. I tend to view FPs as luxury items that give a different experience to writing. Let’s face it, nobody needs a $1k pen to write. Love the different perspectives though, and the reason for the original post was to gather these different views in my own reasoning to collect.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Quote Originally Posted by TBSDSpaniard View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Pterodactylus View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by TBSDSpaniard View Post
    Thank you all for all the interesting responses!

    If I had to convert someone, I was thinking of letting them handle;

    1. Sailor KOP with EF
    2. Pelican M1000 M
    3. MB 149 with OB

    My approach would be to have them handle some great writers, then have them go into the wild to find suitable replacements to match their budget if there were limitations.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    .... not sure if a newbie will like any of these clunky heavy unicums.....
    I was thinking more of something that would “grab them”. I tend to view FPs as luxury items that give a different experience to writing. Let’s face it, nobody needs a $1k pen to write. Love the different perspectives though, and the reason for the original post was to gather these different views in my own reasoning to collect.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    I think we have to agree to disagree


    3 pens, a cheap one, a expensive one, a vintage entry level pen.

    All 3 provide an awesome writing experience, completely independent from their price tag.
    All 3 are a joy and pleasure to write with and I have fun using them.

    I can´t claim that the expensive one provide a better writing experience than the cheap one.
    The cheap one has poor materials and a crappy building quality, still it is an awesome writer.
    For sure the expensive one has a very good building quality and good materials and the packaging is for sure much nicer than the cheap one (but still I would not recommend such a big clunky pen to a newbie).
    The vintage one was an entry model at his time, good building quality and good materials, still for sure good for several life times.

    My point is, expensive pens are not necessarily "better" just because they are expensive.
    To thrill/convince a newbie for the fountain pen world should be focused on writing experience not on buying status symbols.

    Additionally you get the huge variety of endless choices of inks.




    (Serwex MB - flex EMF ..... Rohrer & Klingner Salix)
    (Montblanc 149 - Calligraphy ..... Montblanc Midnight Blue IG)
    (Pelikan Ibis 130 - EF ..... Rohrer & Klingner Lotte)
    Last edited by Pterodactylus; February 2nd, 2021 at 01:22 PM.

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Pterodactylus View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by TBSDSpaniard View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Pterodactylus View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by TBSDSpaniard View Post
    Thank you all for all the interesting responses!

    If I had to convert someone, I was thinking of letting them handle;

    1. Sailor KOP with EF
    2. Pelican M1000 M
    3. MB 149 with OB

    My approach would be to have them handle some great writers, then have them go into the wild to find suitable replacements to match their budget if there were limitations.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    .... not sure if a newbie will like any of these clunky heavy unicums.....
    I was thinking more of something that would “grab them”. I tend to view FPs as luxury items that give a different experience to writing. Let’s face it, nobody needs a $1k pen to write. Love the different perspectives though, and the reason for the original post was to gather these different views in my own reasoning to collect.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    I think we have to agree to disagree


    3 pens, a cheap one, a expensive one, a vintage entry level pen.

    All 3 provide an awesome writing experience, completely independent from their price tag.
    All 3 are a joy and pleasure to write with and I have fun using them.

    I can´t claim that the expensive one provide a better writing experience than the cheap one.
    The cheap one has poor materials and a crappy building quality, still it is an awesome writer.
    For sure the expensive one has a very good building quality and good materials and the packaging is for sure much nicer than the cheap one (but still I would not recommend such a big clunky pen to a newbie).
    The vintage one was an entry model at his time, good building qualtity and good materials, still for sure good for several life times.

    My point is, expensive pens are not necessarily "better" just because they are expensive.
    To thrill/convince a newbie for the fountain pen world should be focused on writing experience not on buying status symbols.

    Additionally you get the huge variety of endless choices of inks.




    (Serwex MB - flex EMF ..... Rohrer & Klingner Salix)
    (Montblanc 149 - Calligraphy ..... Montblanc Midnight Blue IG)
    (Pelikan Ibis 130 - EF ..... Rohrer & Klingner Lotte)
    I love this post. You just opened up my mind on my above strategy. Thank you.

    I too enjoy inexpensive pens. My beaten up kaweco sport that comes with me to every construction site can attest to that! I think I overthought my “flash” strategy, actually I didn’t think i thought it through enough.

    Just because it’s big and beautiful doesn’t give a better experience. It’s the enjoyment of pushing that tip across the page.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: The "3" pens

    Not a recommendation but if you got the coin in no particular order:

    1. Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2
    2. Sailor KOP Ebonite
    3. MB 149

    Cheers

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