Recommend me a pen
Discussion
Thought this was the best place to post for pen buying advice…
I am looking at picking up a nice pen of some sort. First thoughts went towards the Mont Blanc Miesterstuck Diamond Edition rollerball/ballpoint jobbie.
Just wandering what the alternatives are in this price bracket really. And where to go within west/central London to ‘try one on’? Are there any reputable pen companies/brands that I can consider instead of Mont Blanc?
Thanks in advance.
I am looking at picking up a nice pen of some sort. First thoughts went towards the Mont Blanc Miesterstuck Diamond Edition rollerball/ballpoint jobbie.
Just wandering what the alternatives are in this price bracket really. And where to go within west/central London to ‘try one on’? Are there any reputable pen companies/brands that I can consider instead of Mont Blanc?
Thanks in advance.
I'm not too sure on pens either, but you might be interested in some of the Porsche Design range, what with being a PH'er 
PD have some clever designs inspired by motorsport (See the 'braided hose' pens) with some interesting extend/retract methods for ballpoint pens ...
I have a Porsche Design P'3140 in carbon fibre coming this Xmas - You have to shake it to extend/retract the ballpoint
http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Porsche_Design.ht...
PD have some clever designs inspired by motorsport (See the 'braided hose' pens) with some interesting extend/retract methods for ballpoint pens ...I have a Porsche Design P'3140 in carbon fibre coming this Xmas - You have to shake it to extend/retract the ballpoint
http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Porsche_Design.ht...
I quite like Dunhill. They are silly money at RRP but there is an outlet in Bicester where they are normally 50% off. I have a couple of the Sidecar range (one roller, one fountain) and a Sentryman (ballpoint). Very hefty pens which I like the feel of (ooer)
Other ones to look at are Montegrappa, Parker and Waterman. The latter two tend to be more affordable although some of the limited models are still expensive.
I avoid Mont Blanc as every other herbert seems to have one
edit: this is pretty cool as well
http://www.namiki.com/limitedEditions/mu90.php
Other ones to look at are Montegrappa, Parker and Waterman. The latter two tend to be more affordable although some of the limited models are still expensive.
I avoid Mont Blanc as every other herbert seems to have one
edit: this is pretty cool as well
http://www.namiki.com/limitedEditions/mu90.php
Edited by hungry_hog on Thursday 16th December 22:27
I must admit to a bit of a fountian pen habit, so for what it's worth here are my thoughts
1. Pelikan make some lovely pens to write with. M800 is a big but well balanced pan. if oyu can still find one, they did a limited run of clear "demonstrator" pens where you can see all the internal workings - very cool. In my neck of the woods is USD 400 though
2. Montblanc 149 is the classic pen. Writes beautifully and good chunky size in the hand
3. Montblanc Boheme is very cool with a retractable nib, a so called "safety pen". It is cartridge only but is on my list for some point in the future
4. Other Pelikans, M600 is a nice size to use all day every day
5. As mentioned Porsche Design, I think is manfactured by Caran d'Ache. I have the flex design one. Nice solid pen, writes nicely but I do find the cap unscrews too easily
6. Pilot make some nice ones too. Under the Xmas tree is a Vanishing Point for me. This is a capless fountian pen that operates in the same way as a ballpoint, i.e. push button clicks out the writing nib. Pilot nibs have good recommendations. Not too pricey, mine was USD 130ish. Different in that you do not see many around unlike the Montblancs which are everywhere. Other Pilots to consider are the clear 74, another demonstrator type, or if you can find one an 823 which is a bit chunkier. This is a piston filler so ink bottle filling only but a lovely machine to write with.
7. Rotring also have a nice fountain.
8. Also think Vintage. There are some good vintage dealers in London. You could get a cracking old Parker Duofold refurbished which is a really substantial piece.
9. One of my favourites is an old Conway Stewart from one grandfather. 1950's fully refurished but writes beautifully with a lovely left oblique nib. Vintage is nice but the company was relaunched a while ago and does modern ones too. These are big expensive beasts but worth a look if you have deep pockets.
Team with a nice ink, say one of the new Pilot ones. I'm currently using a colour called "tsuyu-kusa" which is ancie light blue but I am also using their chestnut brown and dark purple inks. These flow nciely. Sometimes pen and ink combos can work well together and sometimes they just don't get along.
Cheers
Chris
1. Pelikan make some lovely pens to write with. M800 is a big but well balanced pan. if oyu can still find one, they did a limited run of clear "demonstrator" pens where you can see all the internal workings - very cool. In my neck of the woods is USD 400 though
2. Montblanc 149 is the classic pen. Writes beautifully and good chunky size in the hand
3. Montblanc Boheme is very cool with a retractable nib, a so called "safety pen". It is cartridge only but is on my list for some point in the future
4. Other Pelikans, M600 is a nice size to use all day every day
5. As mentioned Porsche Design, I think is manfactured by Caran d'Ache. I have the flex design one. Nice solid pen, writes nicely but I do find the cap unscrews too easily
6. Pilot make some nice ones too. Under the Xmas tree is a Vanishing Point for me. This is a capless fountian pen that operates in the same way as a ballpoint, i.e. push button clicks out the writing nib. Pilot nibs have good recommendations. Not too pricey, mine was USD 130ish. Different in that you do not see many around unlike the Montblancs which are everywhere. Other Pilots to consider are the clear 74, another demonstrator type, or if you can find one an 823 which is a bit chunkier. This is a piston filler so ink bottle filling only but a lovely machine to write with.
7. Rotring also have a nice fountain.
8. Also think Vintage. There are some good vintage dealers in London. You could get a cracking old Parker Duofold refurbished which is a really substantial piece.
9. One of my favourites is an old Conway Stewart from one grandfather. 1950's fully refurished but writes beautifully with a lovely left oblique nib. Vintage is nice but the company was relaunched a while ago and does modern ones too. These are big expensive beasts but worth a look if you have deep pockets.
Team with a nice ink, say one of the new Pilot ones. I'm currently using a colour called "tsuyu-kusa" which is ancie light blue but I am also using their chestnut brown and dark purple inks. These flow nciely. Sometimes pen and ink combos can work well together and sometimes they just don't get along.
Cheers
Chris
Surely if it's something you will be using day to day or at least occasionally you will want something that you feel comfortable writing with. Of all the pen's i've had, ever - i always favour the cross biro i got 5 years ago. Just a pen I find brilliant to write with. A decent shop would let you scribble on some paper before you made a decision on a pen.
andy_s said:
Always fancied a Vanishing Point - are they as trouble free as billed?
I hear really great things about them. Seems to be a very well executed design, especially with regards to the way the nib retracts. Lamy have the Dialog 3 now which is a similar concept but this twists to retract rather than uses a push button action. I handled both before settling on the VP and the VP just seems better balanced in the hand for writing but the Lamy does look quite modern and funky.I certianly hope mine is trouble free as I'm taking it travelling for 3 months and I need it to be faultless.
If the OP will also consider a cheap and cheerful pen before making the decision between pen or biro then I have also just laid my grubby little hands on a TWSBI Diamond from eBay. It's a clear demonstrator type pen but runs to the grand sum of $40 so if I lose it, it's not a hardship. So far after a few days writing I'm really happy with it. The nib is steel so not as flexy in the hand as a gold nib but still writes well and I do like seeing all the inner workings. It's likely I'll be able to find a replacement nib easily enough, some users report the Pelikans fit nicely.
If the decision is biro then as has already been pointed out Cross do some nice ones. I have a MB Starwalker blue that I got as a thank you for an acquisition deal I was part of which is very nicely balanced to write with and is a little different to a std Meisterstuck.
if you want to surf further try click here. Lots and lots of pen reviews but mainly a US based site
I have had my S T Dupont Montparnasse fountain pen (it's cartridge and/or bladder filler, I always use the former) for 15 years or so, used nearly every day (ball point, never!) and been well pleased with it. It's a good weight and very rare, in the UK at least.
I like the way a spare cartridge can be carried within the pen body and accessing it during a meeting always creates a diversion!
Never had any problems with the pen although finding cartridge suppliers can be an issue..Harrods are usually good for supplies and mail them too. University towns, for some reason, always have good pen shops for supplies too. Generally, if I see an unexpected pen shop I'll always have a nose around and if they have a box of cartridges I'll buy them and they will last me a year or so.
R.
I like the way a spare cartridge can be carried within the pen body and accessing it during a meeting always creates a diversion!
Never had any problems with the pen although finding cartridge suppliers can be an issue..Harrods are usually good for supplies and mail them too. University towns, for some reason, always have good pen shops for supplies too. Generally, if I see an unexpected pen shop I'll always have a nose around and if they have a box of cartridges I'll buy them and they will last me a year or so.
R.
Hi all. Thank you for all of your input. All definitely constructive.
Yesterday SWMBO and I went to Harrods to see some of the pens mentioned.
Tried on a few Cartier Diabolos, a couple of Dunhills and a Montegrappa, as well as the aforementioned MB Meisterstuck Diamond.
In the end, plumped for the MB. It just felt right to hold in my hand. Well weighted and balanced. Something that was missing from the Cartiers for some reason. Having the clip engraved tomorrow from MB store in Westfield (it's a little closer to home). Job done!
Thanks once again all.
Yesterday SWMBO and I went to Harrods to see some of the pens mentioned.
Tried on a few Cartier Diabolos, a couple of Dunhills and a Montegrappa, as well as the aforementioned MB Meisterstuck Diamond.
In the end, plumped for the MB. It just felt right to hold in my hand. Well weighted and balanced. Something that was missing from the Cartiers for some reason. Having the clip engraved tomorrow from MB store in Westfield (it's a little closer to home). Job done!
Thanks once again all.
Digger said:
Quite like the look of the Pelikan pens. Anyone aware if they are on sale in central London anywhere?
That Pilot 701 looks classy too!
They definately have Pelikans in the Pen Shop on Liverpool Street Station (of all places!)That Pilot 701 looks classy too!
You wont regret buying a Pelikan, i refgularly have Mont Blanc owners say how nice my Pelikan is.
I have a Mont Blanc which my wife bought me as a wedding present, and I use it every day. I've always written with a fountain pen, mainly because my first teacher at my (decidedly average, and state) secondary school insisted that we use them. They improve my handwriting and I enjoy the small ritual of having to refill it - I think it appeals to the same part of me which appreciates a hand wound watch when I know that a quartz is more accurate, cheaper and less hassle.
Anyway the point I wanted to make is that the nib of a good pen is something which will adapt to your hand over time. So when you try it, feel for the way it handles, but be aware that the nib will settle in. My Mont Blanc felt great on day one, but it now feels like putting on an old boot. To others' hands, it feels scratchy and useless.
Anyway the point I wanted to make is that the nib of a good pen is something which will adapt to your hand over time. So when you try it, feel for the way it handles, but be aware that the nib will settle in. My Mont Blanc felt great on day one, but it now feels like putting on an old boot. To others' hands, it feels scratchy and useless.
I have the usual Mont Blanc rollerball and pencil set (le grand i think), but my daily is a beautiful alfred dunhill cigar pen.
It's a limited edition Millenium ballpoint made out of carbon fibre with palladium accents. Will take a pic later if anyone wants to see. It draws comments as it's so different and not the usual Mont Blanc that everyone else normally has.
It's a limited edition Millenium ballpoint made out of carbon fibre with palladium accents. Will take a pic later if anyone wants to see. It draws comments as it's so different and not the usual Mont Blanc that everyone else normally has.
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