First time FP buyer/user

Hey there everyone.

I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought
I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor.
I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to
foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this
stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong
group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone
has any recommendations, that'd be great.

Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to
reply

Arms

On 18-Apr-2004, ArmsTom wrote:

Hey there everyone.

I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought
I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor.

I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to
foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this

stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong
group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone
has any recommendations, that'd be great.

Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to
reply

Arms

One of the finest writing pens I have ever had is a Sheafer Triumph
Imperial; currently being liquidated at Arcamax for $10. Take a look at:
http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/shop?...&offer=cs11418


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One of the finest writing pens I have ever had is a Sheafer Triumph
Imperial; currently being liquidated at Arcamax for $10. Take a look at:
http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/shop?...&offer=cs11418


x-- 100 Proof News - http://www.100ProofNews.com
x-- 3,500+ Binary NewsGroups, and over 90,000 other groups
x-- Access to over 1 Terabyte per Day - $8.95/Month
x-- UNLIMITED DOWNLOAD

Wait a sec. Did't think Sheaffer was making these anymore. A
Triumph?? Where are these coming from that ARCAMAX can sell them for
$10???

On 19-Apr-2004, (morten) wrote:

One of the finest writing pens I have ever had is a Sheafer Triumph
Imperial; currently being liquidated at Arcamax for $10. Take a look
at:
http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/shop?...&offer=cs11418

Wait a sec. Did't think Sheaffer was making these anymore. A
Triumph?? Where are these coming from that ARCAMAX can sell them for
$10???

They aren't being made anymore. Arcamax bought thousands of them from
Sheaffer some time ago and has been liquidating them ever since. They are
down to only one color, where they previously had a wide selection. I have
bought a dozen or so to give to people who want to try a fountain pen.

But, no worries; if you miss the $10 ones on Arcamax, they are frequently
offered on eBay, but a bit more than $10; maybe $20-25.

www.oscarbraunpens.com has a very good deal on Waterman Expert II's (only
$19.98). The usual price is about $50, and the list price is crazy high.
Also, check out the Pelikan 200 and Lamy Safari and Lamy Al-star.
Richard
"ArmsTom" wrote in message
...
Hey there everyone.

I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought
I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor.
I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to
foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this
stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong
group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone
has any recommendations, that'd be great.

Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to
reply

Arms

ArmsTom writes:

Hey there everyone.

I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and
thought I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so
cost is a factor. I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm
also a complete newbie to foutain pens, so I want something that is
relatively hassle free. At this stage, I'm not looking to be a
collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong group :-)), but just have a
desire to use something different. If anyone has any
recommendations, that'd be great.

Man, there are options and options for great writing pens under $50.
Check out:

http://www.swisherpens.com
http://www.oscarbraunpens.com (I think that's right)
http://www.fountainpenhospital.com

just for starters. We won't even mention the vintage options at this
point, but there are many excellent writing vintage pens that can be
had for under $50. OK, I mentioned them, so sue me! Consider a
Sheaffer Touchdown or an Eversharp Skyline for great cheap writers.
Nathan Tardif is a great source for these- I don't have the URL handy
right now but he's easy to find via Google. He's got a Web site
through AOL called "repairpens." Richard Binder's Web site
(http://www.richardspens.com) is a great source for information on
vintage pens.

"ArmsTom" wrote in message
...
Hey there everyone.

I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought
I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor.
I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to
foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this
stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong
group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone
has any recommendations, that'd be great.

Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to
reply

Arms

Hey, yourself -

I don't think you'd go wrong with a Waterman Phileas. It's a wonderfully
smooth pen and the kit (cartridges, bottle of ink, converter, etc.) costs
~$30-$35. Waterman also has a Harley Davidson Free Wheel that's available
for ~$20.

You might prefer a Cross ATX. It retails for $60 and $70 depending on finish
but can be found for $45.

The Parker Reflex isn't as smooth as either the Phileas or ATX, but at $7
(Wal-Mart, Staples) might serve well as a first pen for the wallet-minded. A
converter can be bought separately from various sources online if you can't
find one locally. I've got a couple of pens that cost more than $50 and $100
but still use the Reflex.

I bought a Sheaffer Javelin for $15 only yesterday so, it's too soon for me
to say how I like it. The converter is extra.

Lamy Safari is also good. The cost varies from $20 - $30 so shop around.
It's also available as the see-through Vista and aluminum Al-Star (though
I've heard that the Al-Star finish scratches more easily than the Safari).
The converter is sold separately.

If you want to sample the fountain pen experience w/o risking too much
capital, you might want to first try a Pilot disposable called Varsity that
costs only $3.

When you're ready to spend more than $50, please consider the push-button,
retractable-nibbed Pilot Vanishing Point or the Namiki Falcon (my favorite)
which has a flex nib.


--
~~Bluesea~~
Spam is great in musubi but not in email.
Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply.

On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 05:48:18 +0000, Bluesea wrote:

I bought a Sheaffer Javelin for $15 only yesterday so, it's too soon for me
to say how I like it. The converter is extra.



Once you've had a chance to decide about the Javelin, please post your
thoughts. I'm considering getting a Javelin or a Rotring Freeway.

Where did you find it for $15? I've mostly seen $20.

Thanks,
prashant.

"Prashant Singh" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 05:48:18 +0000, Bluesea wrote:

I bought a Sheaffer Javelin for $15 only yesterday so, it's too soon for
me
to say how I like it. The converter is extra.

Once you've had a chance to decide about the Javelin, please post your
thoughts. I'm considering getting a Javelin or a Rotring Freeway.

Will do. It will be awhile because I'm in the process of exchanging the
medium nib for a fine.

Where did you find it for $15? I've mostly seen $20.

Copelin's Office Center in Norman, OK. It's not on their website
(http://www.copelins.com), so you'd have to go there or call or fax:

Phone: 405-364-7011 Fax: 405-321-6476 Toll Free: 1-800-468-1017.

Thanks,
prashant.

You're welcome.

--
~~Bluesea~~
Spam is great in musubi but not in email.
Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply.

"Prashant Singh" wrote in message e.edu...
On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 05:48:18 +0000, Bluesea wrote:

I bought a Sheaffer Javelin for $15 only yesterday so, it's too soon for me
to say how I like it. The converter is extra.



Once you've had a chance to decide about the Javelin, please post your
thoughts. I'm considering getting a Javelin or a Rotring Freeway.

Where did you find it for $15? I've mostly seen $20.

Thanks,
prashant.

I have tried both the Sheaffer Javelin (which I own) and the Rotring
Freeway (have owned) and my choice would be the Javelin. Both are nice
pens, but the Rotring is a bit scratchy and not at all as smooth as
the Javelin, which is smoother than your average pen in this price
range. The only downside with the Javelin may be that the pen isn't
very comfy to hold and write with when the cap is posted. Maybe this
is just me, but i never write with my Javelin's cap posted. My Javelin
was the first fountain pen i bought and it's still one of my
favourites.

Hope this will help!

Best,
Fredrik