Fountain pens, a little guidance please

[wolfracesonic]

I'm looking to buy my God son a fountain pen for his 8th birthday. I was thinking of getting him a vintage Parker or similar: I presume you have to use bottled ink with these and not cartridges, so how messy are they to re-fill? I've also seen something called an ink converter but not sure what these do. Any pointers on the mechanics and decent models(£100.00 ish) would be appreciated.

[Exige77]

Ink converter let's a cartridge pen use bottled ink.

[CorbynForTheBin]

I have one of these beauties, very nice. The duofold has been in production for a while in many guises - plenty of vintage ones around.

Clicky

[CorbynForTheBin]

Ink converter:

[TooLateForAName]

I'd suggest that this would be totally inappropriate for an 8 yr old.

If you must then go for one of the fountain pens made for children.

https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/PK30367/pelikan-twist...

https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/LM09963/lamy-abc-foun...

https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/PK01174/pelikan-pelik...

https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/FC24900/faber-castell...

[somynameiswhat]

Highly recommend Lamy, premium fountain pens - plastic or metal

[CorbynForTheBin]

Oh I don't know about inappropriate, I was gifted mine when young - teaches you how to look after stuff.

[Don1]

CorbynForTheBin said:

Oh I don't know about inappropriate, I was gifted mine when young - teaches you how to look after stuff.

If you are that way inclined....

[wolfracesonic]

Thanks for the replies and links. I wondered if they might be a bit too much for an 8 year old but it was my Godson himself who expressed an interest in them so I think he does have an idea what's involved. If I do get a decent, vintage one and it does proves to be a passing fad/too complicated, he's always got it for when he's older. One to sleep on!

[Don1]

How about a cheapy to practice on, and a good one to put away for later?

[snotrag]

As long as the kid is not left handed. In which case, please please don't give them a fountain pen!

[vikingaero]

wolfracesonic said:

Thanks for the replies and links. I wondered if they might be a bit too much for an 8 year old but it was my Godson himself who expressed an interest in them so I think he does have an idea what's involved. If I do get a decent, vintage one and it does proves to be a passing fad/too complicated, he's always got it for when he's older. One to sleep on!

I think it's a good idea. With my first wage packet 20+ years ago I bought myself a Mont Blanc Fountain Pen and Biro. I think they cost £120 each back then. I still have them today, still looking new and have noticed that they cost around £400 each to buy now!

[marksx]

snotrag said:

As long as the kid is not left handed. In which case, please please don't give them a fountain pen!

I am left handed and used a fountain pen for years in school. Consequently I can't write with the paper vertical, but that's not the point!

[CorbynForTheBin]

marksx said:

snotrag said:

As long as the kid is not left handed. In which case, please please don't give them a fountain pen!

I am left handed and used a fountain pen for years in school. Consequently I can't write with the paper vertical, but that's not the point!

True, as a lefty you do develop a 'spacky' fountain pen writing method! No offence.

[Mr E]

CorbynForTheBin said:

True, as a lefty you do develop a 'spacky' fountain pen writing method! No offence.

My aunt writes in such a style. With a biro. She's not used a fountain pen for decades, yet the method remains.

[marksx]

CorbynForTheBin said:

True, as a lefty you do develop a 'spacky' fountain pen writing method! No offence.

Meh, tis true!

[TooLateForAName]

wolfracesonic said:

Thanks for the replies and links. I wondered if they might be a bit too much for an 8 year old but it was my Godson himself who expressed an interest in them so I think he does have an idea what's involved. If I do get a decent, vintage one and it does proves to be a passing fad/too complicated, he's always got it for when he's older. One to sleep on!

Don't get me wrong - I love fountain pens and I have loads.

However:
Vintage pens are priced quite highly anyway.
They are easily damaged hence destroying the value.
They are used so the nibs can be less than great.

If he is interested in fountain pens then there are plenty of very good reasonably priced modern pens that would be a better bet.

I'm not a great fan of lamy nibs but I think they're quite good for people new to fountain pens.

I have a very nice TWSBI display model which writes very well and has a clear body so you can see all the internals - might go down well?

Apparently today is 'fountain pen day' so there is 10% off at cult pens (I'm a customer no other connection).