Entry level fountain pens

Рет қаралды 61,254

12 жыл бұрын

In this video, I cover a number of 'entry level' fountain pens that are fairly cheap (ranging from about $3.30 to about $28.00) and that I consider to be good 'beginner's' pens. Clearly, some of these are a bit more high end than the others, and the fact that they're cheap does NOT mean they are bad pens!
For your convenience, I've put the pens with price indications and filling mechanisms down here, in the same order I discuss them in the video.
1. Pilot Petit1, $3.30, Pilot cartrdiges;
2. Platinum Preppy, $3.95, Platinum cartridges/converter [?]/eyedropper conversion;
3. Noodler's piston-filler, $14.00, piston-filler fills from bottled ink;
4. Ohto F-Spirit, $16.50, cartridges (I think international cartridges will fit)/converter;
5. Parker Vector, $24.00, Parker cartridges/converter;
6. Kaweco Sport Classic, $21.00, international cartridges/Monteverde mini converter/eyedropper conversion;
7. Lamy Nexx 88 M, $28.00 [price went up!], Lamy catridges/Lamy Z24 converter;
8. Noodler's Aerometric, $24.00, aerometric converter (supplied w/pen)/eyedropper conversion.
Something went wrong with the still photos at the end of the video. If you need high-resolution pictures of the writing, send me a message and I'll e-mail them!

Пікірлер: 125

@wufflemann 10 жыл бұрын

Glad I found your channel. I just ordered my first fountain pen and cannot wait to get started. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

@shasaki 9 жыл бұрын

i signed in to let you know that I loved this video and used it in conjuction with your other video on what to do when the pen skips to fall back in love with fountain pens. I have always loved fountain pens (perhaps we're born with it!), but the cheap pens I was using in school would always lead to pencil cases full of ink, or pens with lids that one dare not open! This video got me back into it, and now I am scribbling away, happy as a flower with some of these recommendations that I use regularly. My thanks, old bean. Keep up the great work.

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you're enjoying my videos - and welcome back to the world of fountain pens!

@willfall165 11 жыл бұрын

I've been using a Vector, Pilot for twenty five years or so...well four of five of them as life made them go away at times... some self ground and polished...as a jeweler we think we can do anything. thanks for all your videos, they have helped me finally broadening my FP collection...yes, now I'm collecting...partly your fault. Now, it's time to learn to repair/refurbish all my future pens corectly

@NicholasAarons 7 жыл бұрын

Fantastic Video Stephen. Keep up the great work. Nick.

@sriramkumar9577 8 жыл бұрын

sir, that's a great description on the entry level Fountain pen's. just now I ordered one keweco ice sport and placing another order for Noodlers Konrad pen's. thanks very much.

@sbrebrown 8 жыл бұрын

I'm glad this was useful!

@lestercantem7740 7 жыл бұрын

Very useful review of entry level pens. Thank you.

@sarkar009 10 жыл бұрын

Great video...Was inspired to use fountain pens again...i am a techer...now i have a parker IM as edc and cross century II as collectible; i it use at home

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

I'm glad this video inspired you!

@HermanvanCorbach 12 жыл бұрын

Great review. I own the Kaweco Sport Classic and love it. Gave the whole family one each for Christmas. I have bad experiences with Parker fountain pens and avoid them nowadays. You are quite busy with these reviews this week. Can't wait for the next one.

@redforrori 12 жыл бұрын

After today, I would totally add the Pilot 78G. Just got one in a B and it is FANTASTIC :D Platinum Preppy +1 Kaweco Sport Classic +1 Another great video--thx.

@96TAWhite 12 жыл бұрын

For my first pen I got a Sheaffer Agio (Black lacquer with gold trim) with a medium nib. A brilliant first pen, plus i got it for only £18!

@soulkens 11 жыл бұрын

This is a fine video man very well done thank you

@PwnforceFrank 12 жыл бұрын

Excellent list! My personal favorite entry pen is the Lamy Safari with an extra fine nib (great for doing math!).

@sajidhasan362 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking your time to help out fp newbies

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

You're welcome.

@JoelGeorge 10 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Very helpful. Think I'm going with the Kaweco Sport. Cheers!

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

I'm glad this was useful: the Sport is a great pen.

@wahabata 10 жыл бұрын

Could you please make a video saying what are some good places to buy fountain pens. I love your videos and you got a new subscriber :)

@CanItAlready 11 жыл бұрын

Glad someone else (mikethenascarfan) mentioned the Varsity. It's a good pen considering its price. You can toss it around some without having the cap fill with ink, it handles drops well (capped, anyway), and it's also easy to pull the nib and feed and refill it like an eyedropper filler. Plus, it's a decent writer.

@heynewgirl 12 жыл бұрын

I love the pilot petit1.

@MujibmmThe 5 жыл бұрын

I recently damaged my hand and couldnt put pressure on it...my friend told me to try a fountain pen and for some reason wouldn't let me try his. I knew I had one in my room somewhere a rather cheap one that I impulsively bought at some point and never used. I tried it and it was smoother than any other type of pen I used aside from gel pens but I liked the groves, the low pressure required. So I started looking around and I like very vintage looking designs but I am in the market for design and functionality over renowned names and prestige... Ive come across 'dryden luxury' pens on amazon it has good reviews but I can't seem to find any video reviews....it has 500 reviews (which is quite significant for a small company and fountain pens) but yes I guess in summary It might be good if you do a review on this dryden pen as it seems popular and very few videos on them....supply and demand i.e. untapped reservoir of views

@hamidalimohammadi7255 10 жыл бұрын

Useful video. I have a strange behaviour and mostly I use fountain pens and inks with same brands (for example Lamy pen with Lamy ink) I have had a Quink SOLV-X bottle of ink and I was looking for an inexpensive Parker pen for this blue/black ink! So this video helped me and I have just bought a Parker FP exactly similar to what you showed here (but with Medium nib). Considering what I have paid I am happy with this pen.

@aquariaaustin2077 7 жыл бұрын

Most likely, you will never have any heartbreak from using the same brand of ink as your pen. After all, most of the pen company inks are designed to work especially with their own pens. But at least two third-party brands make inks that are safe to use in any pen: J Herbin (the non-shimmer inks) and Diamine (the regular inks in the squarish 15/80ml bottles, not the specialty inks they make). You're missing out on some truly outstanding color choices if you ignore them. DeAtramentis, Robert Oster and Organics Studio are some other third-party brands that tend to work well with most fountain pens. The third-party inks that tend to cause the most problems are Private Reserve and Noodler's. This is because some of their inks have ridiculously high levels of saturation, so they tend to cause problems with certain pens. I would not put PR Tanzanite or Noodler's Baystate Blue in any demonstrator pen, any sac-filler pen, any expensive pen and never--ever--in a Pilot FP, no matter what the cost. If you want to play with BSB (and there's every reason to give it a go), I would put it in a throwaway pen like a Platinum Preppy or a cheap, opaque pen from China or India that uses a converter. If those inks stain or clog the pen, so what? It's no huge loss if you have to toss it. If you do decide to branch out to some of the other ink brands, doing even a little research on inks and any problems they cause for pens before proceeding will help steer you to more choices than you ever dreamed possible. Check out sites like FP network or FP geeks where other FP users get together and discuss inks and their effects on pens in depth.

@Harishumarji99 6 жыл бұрын

Well I got the Parker Vector, the exact same pen you're holding for $4.64 in India

@StephenBREBrown 10 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome! If you have any questions, you know where to find me :-).

@yoitzo 12 жыл бұрын

I actually own a couple of pilot petits. The pens are ok but the inks are GREAT. There's a particular pinkish magenta color that I love and can't find in any other boutique inks.

@GlennHigley 10 жыл бұрын

Loved this video. I see a Kaweco Sport in my future...

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

They're nice pens.

@azhairving 10 жыл бұрын

I would really like to see a review of the cheap J. Herbin pen.

@FanVidder72 11 жыл бұрын

I don't know if they are available in the Netherlands, but I actually have a Parker Vector calligraphy set - it came in a large tin/presentation with 3 italic nibs of varying widths; it was many years ago, so I don't know if they are still being made. I recently got myself a Parker IM - I saw your review on this; a nice pen.

@sandrawool5053 11 жыл бұрын

Love this price point concept. Do you have a or have you considered a $25 to say $100 price point? and your favs in the various prices?

@aware3218 12 жыл бұрын

Enjoy your videos. With regard to the Kaweco Sport, I recently purchased this pen and I am trying to determine if I am having feed issues or if the blue cartridge it came with really has a blue color that is this....anemic? Do you have any experience with the Kaweco blue?

@AAUBD12964 12 жыл бұрын

can you do a review of your favorite pens all at once. or of just your prettiest pens. That would be wonderful. Thanks

@joshzwar4899 12 жыл бұрын

Do you have a Parker 61 to review? I don't own one, but am thinking of getting one. I think they are a beautiful pen with a unique design.

@CanItAlready 11 жыл бұрын

One note, though: the Vector is not the cheapest fountain pen Parker makes. That would be the Reflex. And it's cheap in more ways than one. I have one and I've never liked it. *If* you can get it to write, it's smooth enough, but mine has been anything but consistent. It's been a bit better since trying some things recommended to me by someone on one of the boards, but it does still dry out even while capped.

@SuperJohnnywong 12 жыл бұрын

Highly recommend Parker 45

@MrEricd125 11 жыл бұрын

Hello there. First and foremost I enjoy watching your videos. I have two Lamy Safari fountain pens and I would like to know what fountain pen do you recommend I get next?

@BloodyBovine 11 жыл бұрын

This video was immensely helpful, I'll be purchasing an Ohto F-Spirit tonight :-). Thank you! I'm also interested in purchasing a rollerball pen that I can fill with bottle ink (instead of a cartridge). The only pens I have found that meets this criteria is the Kaweco Ice Sport (with converter) or the "Stipula Bon Voyage Crystal Speedball Rollerball Pen" (which is expensive and not to my aesthetic taste). Do you know of any others? I would greatly appreciate any help you can give me.

@fb8568 12 жыл бұрын

@sbrebrown Yup, in H.K Safari is seem to be cheaper than the Nexx

@civehohenst 11 жыл бұрын

Pilot Metro, Lamy Safari, Hero 616 (Parker 51 copy)

@Peacelover1212 9 жыл бұрын

my first pen was parker vector and it's pretty satisfying for starter like me :)

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

It's a reliable pen.

@Muzikman127 10 жыл бұрын

I'm very surprised you didn't include the faber castell basic after such universally positive review- I actually bought one based off of your recommendation and I think it is a fantastic pen (not that I own any really expensive pens)

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

I didn't have that pen when I made this video.

@Muzikman127 10 жыл бұрын

well then, that would make sense haha... Are there any other good low price pens that jump out at you that you've acquired subsequently to making this video?

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

The Lamy Safari is a good starter.

@aquariaaustin2077 7 жыл бұрын

At $40+ the Basic is skirting closer to the next level of FP than to inexpensive starter pens. Of course, the king of inexpensive starter pens nowadays is the Pilot Metropolitan, and it's not even close to having any competition in the sub-$20 price point.

@ArthurKanzler 10 жыл бұрын

Thoughts on the Pelicano as a starter fountain pen? Or is it too childish to be considered for adult use?

@noxcorvus 11 жыл бұрын

You should try Wing Sung pens by Hero.

@Th3wobbler 11 жыл бұрын

What about the safari and the Parker frontier

@ronniefromOR 11 жыл бұрын

Hey Stephen! Here's a good one for you to ponder: If you could only choose ONE (okay, maybe two) of your sub-$40 pens to keep, which one(s) would they be?

@islubio 9 жыл бұрын

Really love your videos! Looking to get a ohto F-lapa however my writings are quite small and wonder how fine the ohto are compared to the vector? Have never used a FP b4 and have always been using the signo dx 0.38, would the ohto be too broad?

@islubio 9 жыл бұрын

Alright guess I will give them a go too. Since they are very cheap where I m at ~$11.50 usd. Have also ordered a vector and a couple of Chinese pen. But just can't wait to start writing with a fp.

@YesNo-px3jq 10 жыл бұрын

Franklin christoph- I think I've heard of it.

@YesNo-px3jq 10 жыл бұрын

Is there such a thing as a 'factory outlet pen' where they sell pens that were rejected by the manufacturing company due to flaws or lower quality standards?

@alexhackmann 12 жыл бұрын

Doc Brown, I heard that FP get smoother with time. Is it true or just a myth?

@Redrane 11 жыл бұрын

Love your reviews, Stephen. Did you use the same ink for all pens (except the petit obviously)? I knew same ink can look different with different pens but never thought it can be THAT of a difference. Especially if you compare Noodler pens with for example the Vector. I am only getting acquainted with the world of fountain pens and it's amazing!

@MrEricd125 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you, just watched it :D

@BigBodyFitness 12 жыл бұрын

Hello. I have VERY large hands (I'm 6 foot 7 inches tall), and would very much like to know which beginner pens, if any, are suitable for larger hands. Also, what is the difference between waterproof and standard inks? Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Benjamin

@johnodonohue2436 6 жыл бұрын

I've found that the Noodler's Nib Creeper usually runs for a little over $16.

@YesNo-px3jq 10 жыл бұрын

But will a dealer sell these rejected pens, or does it have to be by the company itself selling these? As in will the company supply other dealers with rejected pens?

@walterwlodarski 12 жыл бұрын

How about the Lamy Safary and the half dozen Chinese brands with good reputation (Jinhao, Duke, Baoer) ?

@laxusfernandes4465 12 жыл бұрын

Thanks, however I plan on buying to Lamy 2000 with my own money because my dad didn't know how expensive it was XD.

@muskndusk 10 жыл бұрын

The Parker Frontier is a great starter pen, as are the better cheap Chinese pens.

@justinj2764 9 жыл бұрын

HELLO STEVEN MY FIRST PEN WAS SHEAFFER VFM AND THEN I BOUGHT A WATER MAN HEMISPHERE DELUXE SILKY BLACK

@yasinkhan4620 9 жыл бұрын

thanks for your detailed review, it has really helped me make decisions. Could you please give me a list of the best pens that i could use, around $20 or less. I am a high school student who is only 14 years old, so i have a relatively small hand compared to yours. Thankyou so much

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

I have a video on startup pens.

@simb0lic 10 жыл бұрын

A good and very cheap pen is Rotring Surf ;)

@rayyaanputin7701 9 жыл бұрын

Which one of these pens is the best for beginners the Pilot Metropolitan or the Parker Im Premium?

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

I'd say they're on par.

@laxusfernandes4465 12 жыл бұрын

Hey Sbrebrown youre a pro right? I need your help!!! My Dad said he would buy me a fountain pen for Christmas. The options are the Lamy Dialog 3, The Lamy 2000, and the Cross townsend. Can you help me decide? Thanks.

@darkruler528 11 жыл бұрын

im not sure about your vector since its old but my year old vector is actually decently smooth and its fine.

@sufiyansadiq9962 3 жыл бұрын

i dont even know why im putting a comment here on a video this old but i just wanted to ask someone about how long do you expect a vector fountain pen to last you, i have had one for over a year and have used that pen like CRAZY, ive written a LOT with it and ive been using it non stop. but now it beginning to show issues like the ink isnt making it to the tips, ive tried to make it more wet and ive cleaned it , done everything that i could but it just refuses to write. I just wanted to know whether it could have lasted longer or are they meant to be disposable kind?

@sbrebrown 3 жыл бұрын

They are not disposable, so I would expect them to last longer than a year

@sammatte8872 11 жыл бұрын

Do you do mechanical pencils at all?

@1009sandhurst707 10 жыл бұрын

What are your thoughts on Manuscript pens or the Hero 901?

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

I have used neither, so I can't speak from experience.

@Roflcopter4b 12 жыл бұрын

This is entirely not what I was thinking when I bought my first pen. I was afraid if I spent too little I wouldn't be trying out a "real" fountain pen, so instead I bought a Sheaffer Prelude, and after using that I'm never going back. But I suppose others might want to spend as little as possible for a first pen, I understand their worry.

@MR2Davjohn 10 жыл бұрын

I have a few inexpensive pens which serve me well. I'm looking at other brands. How do I find out which pens take converters, and which take only proprietary cartridges?

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

Most pens that take cartridges also take converters. Platinum, Sailor, Pilot, and Lamy take proprietary cartridges.

@MR2Davjohn 10 жыл бұрын

I saw a Platinum Carbon Desk Fountain Pen with a desk base that had "Sheaffer's Lifetime Desk Fountain Pen Set" printed on it. Are Platinum and Sheaffer related?

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

Rusty Knight Not that I know of, but the Carbon Desk Pen doesn'tcome with the base: perhaps they just put it in the Sheaffer base.

@sotiriskaraf.4334 9 жыл бұрын

A parker sonnet 18k nib vs visconti van gogh steel nib vs edison (any of them) with steel nib? I know you do not really like the sonnet but i have to ask because options are not much, on pens of this price range... it much more difficult than i thought to find one... :/

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

Those are radically different pens, so they're very hard to compare. All three write well, and I have reviewed all three of them.

@Derekuda2012 10 жыл бұрын

Surprised there were no Jinhaos mentioned.

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

Didn't have any at the time

@WirlWind494 10 жыл бұрын

Would you include the Jinhao 159 in this? Seemed to me you said it was pretty decent in the review and they're quite cheap.

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

I would: I just didn't have it when I made this video.

@WirlWind494 10 жыл бұрын

sbrebrown Awesome, cheers for the reply. Looks like I might have to head to ebay :P

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

Alexandre Rufato Sounds fascinating.

@fb8568 12 жыл бұрын

Why don't I get a Lamy Safari instead of Lamy Nexx with the same price($28USD)

@HJKelley47 9 жыл бұрын

Is it possible for you to do a video recommending pens in the price range of $90-$375. These would not be entry level pens, but pens for a pen enthusiast who operates within a limited budget. I don't know if you would call these mid-range pens (from low to higher price range)???

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

Possibly. I'll see what I can do.

@BloodyBovine 11 жыл бұрын

You are bad news bears for my finances. If you're interested, I was able to find one more with your information (which is greatly appreciated!). Monteverde Mega Ink Ball (Pricey though) And ten-odd discontinued models. It also appears the Herbin is no longer available in aluminum, which is unfortunate. I was hoping for one that conformed to 'fancy' pen standards, this is supposed to be one of those silly status symbols. I'll be going with the Noodler's Creaper though, thank you again!

@xwingrox 12 жыл бұрын

No love for the Lamy Safari?

@Somna7h 10 жыл бұрын

Pilot Petit & Platinum Preppy are cheap. Still want cheap ? Buy any Chinese one which cost Rs.50 ($1) in my country. :D

@I..cast..fireball 10 жыл бұрын

what about the metropolitan or the plumix?

@sbrebrown 10 жыл бұрын

Good pens for starters.

@Superblamblamman 12 жыл бұрын

ever heard of a pelikan pikanio

@user-qi5jw2hg1c 9 жыл бұрын

I'm wanting to buy my boyfriend a nice beginner's fountain pen, because he's intrigued about my obsession with them:) I'd like to spend maybe 90 euros tops on one, suitable for beginners, but a nice design from a good brand. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks:)

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

Something like the Sheaffer 300 or the new Visconti Classic comes to mind.

@user-qi5jw2hg1c 9 жыл бұрын

sbrebrown Thanks!

@pachystomiasmicrodon 12 жыл бұрын

You forgot tue Ahab, but then again, you already reviewed it.

@sammatte8872 11 жыл бұрын

If you have a lamy safari, why is it worth 35.00? it honestly feels pretty cheap,but thats just me, others seem better for less.

@laxusfernandes4465 12 жыл бұрын

Oh Yeah, I know you hate ball point pens but you should check out the Fisher INFINIUM space pen, It lasts forever =D

@hackersremix 11 жыл бұрын

On your entry level pens, I don't see a Chinese pen, original or imitation. Is there any reason?

@MarkPMus 11 жыл бұрын

The Noodler's Pens look nice but they are limited availability in the UK. I did find some at Pure Pens dot co dot uk (no spaces!) and the Konrad plus a bottle of black bulletproof ink are on my Christmas list! Thanks Stephen for replying to my OP regarding lefties by the way.

@AnmolSingh-qs5dd 9 жыл бұрын

No only parker vector is not cheapest pen parker made .Cheapest pen made parker is parker beta that is for RS 160/- or 2 or 4.thanks

@D3r3k3r3D 8 жыл бұрын

cool story bro. tell it again

@HeshamChybli 9 жыл бұрын

i am looking for a 150 dollar pen any suggestions

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

Lamy 2000.

@HeshamChybli 9 жыл бұрын

do you have a review you can link

@sbrebrown 9 жыл бұрын

Minecraft Gamer9812 You can find an index of all my reviews on sbrebrown.com.

@samsowden 12 жыл бұрын

I HATE the Vector. The only way to hold the pen at a reasonable distance form the nib means the edge of the barrel cuts into my fingers. grrr

@johnodonohue2436 6 жыл бұрын

Someone should just make knock-off Lamy converters and sell them for cheaper than Lamy does.

@samsowden 12 жыл бұрын

Also, Alumin*i*um. European pride, please.

@DaiReborn 11 жыл бұрын

I'm guessing the people that downvoted this comment don't realize that much orthodox christian chant is highly influenced by and also quite influential upon Muslim chant. But no let's react hatefully to an innocent question.