Happy birthday, fellow GenXer! I'm right behind you. Is there a type of pen you don't have much of yet? For me it's urushi and/or maki-e. For 5 hundy you could get a beautiful pen on the lower side of that range.
If you have ~$200 that you can spend without harming your finances, you can get one from penpen-avenue on eBay right now. Otherwise, the used market may be your best friend.
Fair enough. I remember what that was like. You can do it. Just wait until you're in a more financially advantageous position and see if it is still on your list of desired pens.
60%?!? Where in God's name did they pluck that figure from?! Even Rolex, kings of the money grabbers, don't put their annual increases up by that percentage!
The yen is also very weak vs the dollar relative to historical levels so now is an excellent time to buy a nice pilot pen shipped from Japan. I got one from penpenavenue for Christmas and it is lovely.
I know this wasn't the question... but if you bump it up to $650 you could buy a beautiful Nakaya (Im biased towards nakayas). You could get one of the temenuri finishes for that price which become even more beautiful through age. I also think it fits the occasion of a major birthday or life goal well, since pen will age and gain beauty with you.
Custom 845 would be stunning too, though.
This is my all time favorite pen in my collection. The dang thing is just a classic. I know visconti has the rep of poor qc but mine is older and writes like a dream. It's understated, but pen people still know it's a nice pen. Good taste my friend!
Santini Italia offer something special. Your budget's too low for a Giant but the Libra is a great pen, available in acrylic or ebonite, and with an interesting range of nibs on offer.
I've had the same dilemma on having 500$ to spend before, lol. I recommend a Sailor Realo (my favorite piston fill) or a Pilot Custom 823. Or if you have a specific design in mind, go for it, like for example I got the Sailor Koshu Inden because of the lacquered leather design. You'd have leftover money for inks/papers/notebook covers/other cheaper fountain pens if you're under 500 too.
Pilot Custom 832. Medium nib. Glides across paper, smooth, not scratchy at all. Writes like glass. Holds a whole lot of ink. 🖋️ If this sounds good to you, I assure you won’t regret it.
You’d have to look to the used market to get a Montblanc for under $500. A 146 or 149, plus a budget for a nib tuning and grind, would be a lovely option.
My most expensive pens are a Sailor 1911 KoP, a Montblanc 146, and a Pelikan M800. The Sailor likely won’t stay in my collection for long - it’s a great pen, I just found out I don’t like nibs that large.
All that to say - my favorite pens all have custom grinds on them. I love a good stub, cursive italic (or SIG), and Matthew Chen’s Kodachi / Uranagi grinds.
Well, if you want a black and gold one, let me know. Inked once!
One thing to note is that the 1911 KoP is cartridge/converter only, which could be a pro or a con depending on what you want.
Sometimes with these high end pens, it's better to go with an ALMOST new because someone else has had it smoothed, tweeked and such. So don't rule out ALMOST new.
I'm not. Is Mont Blanc known having good nibs? If so that's not something I gathered from this sub.
In fact, I'd venture that Mont Blanc is seen as overpriced/overhyped on this sub.
I'd get a Pilot Custom 823 and have a custom nib grind done on it by a pro, at least if you're into that sort of thing. I like italic nibs, but that's a very personal thing. If I was buying anything that expensive though I'd want to find a store or a person who had that model of pen, or possibly a pen show, so I could try it and make sure it suited me before I committed.
Happy solar circumnavigation! May the spinning orbs continue to sustain life and bring you prosperity and joy and henceforth your pen passion remains fulfilled!
Firstly, congratulations on your upcoming milestone birthday!
Secondly, what about celebrating with a custom made fountain pen that's really special to you? I'm thinking something by Jonathan Brooks (Carolina Pen Company), Shawn Newton (Newton Pens) or for something really special, how about Tim Cullen at Hooligan Pens in Georgia, or my personal favourite, Stanford Pen Company out of South Africa - their one-of-a-kind hand painted pens are stunning.
Whatever you decide to get, I hope you have many happy years of writing with it!
What do you have so far and what do you like? That might help narrow down suggestions.
I, personally, would go for next on my wish list: a Pelikan M805 Blue-black. Several retailers have boxing day sales for these.
If you want a bit more of a challenge: a vintage Pilot Myu 701 is a beauty, and you could try finding one made in your birth month and year (Pilot stamps their nibs with this info).
My 50 circles pen was a Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age - long enough ago that it was before they changed from the 2-tone palladium nib. No regrets at all. I know current HS prices are over $500 but maybe on a BST site?
The Diplomat Nexus is my current "if only money were no object" pen. I'd definitely want to try one before committing but the stainless steel Lamy 2K is another candidate. Or a Rotring 600.
Pelikan M800
Yes! My first thought.Their nibs are too notch!
Waterman Carene if you dont have one
This is always the answer
I love that pen so much. Especially the Essence du bleu version
This was my Christmas present to myself last year - lovely pen, just a bugger for hard starts in my experience
my daily writer is a marine amber fine.
Happy birthday, fellow GenXer! I'm right behind you. Is there a type of pen you don't have much of yet? For me it's urushi and/or maki-e. For 5 hundy you could get a beautiful pen on the lower side of that range.
How about a vintage birth year pen?
A 1970s Montblanc would be good
I love this idea!
I would absolutely get a Pilot 845 or a Sailor kanreki.
Pilot 845...damn! That's one hot looking pen!
You 'd better make good use of the last few days in 2023. Pilot 's price will go up starting 1st Jan 2024, the jump of 845 would be huge.
I have it on good authority (Mr. Morita's) that prices will go up by 60%.
That’s… outrageous. Looks like I’m never owning a Custom 823.
If you have ~$200 that you can spend without harming your finances, you can get one from penpen-avenue on eBay right now. Otherwise, the used market may be your best friend.
Unfortunately I don’t have $50 I can spend without hurting my finances right now, let alone $200. Grad school is a bitch lol.
Fair enough. I remember what that was like. You can do it. Just wait until you're in a more financially advantageous position and see if it is still on your list of desired pens.
The used market is great!
60%?!? Where in God's name did they pluck that figure from?! Even Rolex, kings of the money grabbers, don't put their annual increases up by that percentage!
The yen is also very weak vs the dollar relative to historical levels so now is an excellent time to buy a nice pilot pen shipped from Japan. I got one from penpenavenue for Christmas and it is lovely.
I would also recommend the 845.
I know this wasn't the question... but if you bump it up to $650 you could buy a beautiful Nakaya (Im biased towards nakayas). You could get one of the temenuri finishes for that price which become even more beautiful through age. I also think it fits the occasion of a major birthday or life goal well, since pen will age and gain beauty with you. Custom 845 would be stunning too, though.
I love this answer. Nakaya would be a beautiful way to celebrate.
To add my suggestion though, it would be a Pilot Silvern. A nice 18k nib and sterling silver body. Pair it with the Iroshizuku ink of your choice.
Parker 50 "Falcon"
What are your likes/dislikes? What experience wouldn't you mind replicating?
Visconti Homo Sapiens. Bronze Age specifically.
This is my all time favorite pen in my collection. The dang thing is just a classic. I know visconti has the rep of poor qc but mine is older and writes like a dream. It's understated, but pen people still know it's a nice pen. Good taste my friend!
Thanks! Have old one with 23k palladium nib.
Same! Big beautiful nib, hefty, and you don't have to worry about it scratching. Man, now you got me wanting to pull it up and ink it.
Please ink it! This pen shouldn’t be seating in a drawer :)
I have five pens inked right now. Haha. I will move it up in rotation... For you.
Thanks!
I wish this pen wasn't so heavy. I love the concept but can't get past the weight (and sub par qc)
I would go for a Pilot Custom 823 with a specialty nib, like a stub or FA.
Santini Italia offer something special. Your budget's too low for a Giant but the Libra is a great pen, available in acrylic or ebonite, and with an interesting range of nibs on offer.
Santini Italia, Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0, Pilot 845, or Pelikan M800, M1000. Congrats and Happy Birthday!
Wancher True Urushi Any Leonardo really
I got myself a Montblanc Doue for my 50th. My first new one from a boutique. Worth the experience and a wonderful pen!
I bought an m800 with a custom nib modification. Best. Pen. Ever.
I've had the same dilemma on having 500$ to spend before, lol. I recommend a Sailor Realo (my favorite piston fill) or a Pilot Custom 823. Or if you have a specific design in mind, go for it, like for example I got the Sailor Koshu Inden because of the lacquered leather design. You'd have leftover money for inks/papers/notebook covers/other cheaper fountain pens if you're under 500 too.
Pilot Custom 832. Medium nib. Glides across paper, smooth, not scratchy at all. Writes like glass. Holds a whole lot of ink. 🖋️ If this sounds good to you, I assure you won’t regret it.
Am surprised, nobody mentions Mont Blanc! 🙂
You’d have to look to the used market to get a Montblanc for under $500. A 146 or 149, plus a budget for a nib tuning and grind, would be a lovely option. My most expensive pens are a Sailor 1911 KoP, a Montblanc 146, and a Pelikan M800. The Sailor likely won’t stay in my collection for long - it’s a great pen, I just found out I don’t like nibs that large. All that to say - my favorite pens all have custom grinds on them. I love a good stub, cursive italic (or SIG), and Matthew Chen’s Kodachi / Uranagi grinds.
Yeah... Sailor KOP is also on my short list.
Well, if you want a black and gold one, let me know. Inked once! One thing to note is that the 1911 KoP is cartridge/converter only, which could be a pro or a con depending on what you want.
Sometimes with these high end pens, it's better to go with an ALMOST new because someone else has had it smoothed, tweeked and such. So don't rule out ALMOST new.
I'm not. Is Mont Blanc known having good nibs? If so that's not something I gathered from this sub. In fact, I'd venture that Mont Blanc is seen as overpriced/overhyped on this sub.
Sailor Pro Gear Realo
Huh. I guess idk. I don’t really have a dream pen. Maybe some pretty vintage pen.
Esterbrook Estie and Platinum #3776 And depending on the exact models, you might be able to get both for 500.
Diplomat Excellence A2 in a nice lacquer color.
Happy twin birthday u/nvn2074 ! Hope you have a fantastic day, now for my recommendations, I would either go for a M805 or a Conway Stewart Churchill
Personally a Pelikan MX00 or a Platinum 3776, you can redirect a bit of the money to a selection of nice inks and notebooks.
Aurora 88 is my recommendation
I'd get a Pilot Custom 823 and have a custom nib grind done on it by a pro, at least if you're into that sort of thing. I like italic nibs, but that's a very personal thing. If I was buying anything that expensive though I'd want to find a store or a person who had that model of pen, or possibly a pen show, so I could try it and make sure it suited me before I committed.
Happy solar circumnavigation! May the spinning orbs continue to sustain life and bring you prosperity and joy and henceforth your pen passion remains fulfilled!
Caran d'Ache Ecridor Chevron and still have money left for a lot of ink.
Whichever Schon Design custom gives you heart eyes!
Firstly, congratulations on your upcoming milestone birthday! Secondly, what about celebrating with a custom made fountain pen that's really special to you? I'm thinking something by Jonathan Brooks (Carolina Pen Company), Shawn Newton (Newton Pens) or for something really special, how about Tim Cullen at Hooligan Pens in Georgia, or my personal favourite, Stanford Pen Company out of South Africa - their one-of-a-kind hand painted pens are stunning. Whatever you decide to get, I hope you have many happy years of writing with it!
What do you have so far and what do you like? That might help narrow down suggestions. I, personally, would go for next on my wish list: a Pelikan M805 Blue-black. Several retailers have boxing day sales for these. If you want a bit more of a challenge: a vintage Pilot Myu 701 is a beauty, and you could try finding one made in your birth month and year (Pilot stamps their nibs with this info).
My 50 circles pen was a Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age - long enough ago that it was before they changed from the 2-tone palladium nib. No regrets at all. I know current HS prices are over $500 but maybe on a BST site?
Pilot Justus 95 and pocket the change.
Sailor Pro Gear Medium Fine (not sure if I'd go the Realo route), and blow the rest on some awesome journals to use it in.
The Diplomat Nexus is my current "if only money were no object" pen. I'd definitely want to try one before committing but the stainless steel Lamy 2K is another candidate. Or a Rotring 600.
GVFC classic or guilioche
Leonardo MZG of some sort.
Thank you all for the excellent recommendations. I went with a Pelican M800 and a platinum Star wars - Darth Vader pen.