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Pen-Fi (FPs, RBs, BPs, etc...) [56k Warning]
Jan 4, 2015 at 2:36 PM Post #2,641 of 2,804
pwn3r4life said:
  I'm with you. For $28 a bottle, a smaller bottle than the Noodler's, I can't justify it. At least not now with my student-sized budget.
 
Diamine Oxblood is such a great color. I'm definitely going to pick up a bottle when I get a second pen for colored inks.
 
 
 
Tangent. The feed on my Sheaffer 100 just clogged really badly. It was starting and stopped randomly and had a ton of feedback. Took the converter off, took a bulb syringe and shot water through the section but it didn't solve the problem. I yanked off the feed and nib, and held the nib up to the light. Little to my surprise, I couldn't see through the space between the tines at all. I poked around, squirted some water and air at the thing. After much time, I finally got the paper fragments out. I put it all back together and now it writes normally again. It was starting and stopping like crazy. Does this normally happen? I sure hope not, because it took me half an hour to fix it.
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I don't know where you live (okay, it says on your profile but you get what I mean) but iroshizuku ink doesn't cost $28 USD a bottle. Here in Vancouver the shops that carry bottled inks sell diamines or j herbin's for around $12 CAD and up. Add taxes and that's at least $13+ per bottle. Considering that I can get iro inks for $19 USD/bottle on ebay (price includes free shipping) or from engeika for USD $13.50/ bottle + shipping if order is over $100, it's a no-brainer that I only use iro. Buying from japanese sellers I have never had to pay customs duties because they use EMS instead of say Fedex or *gasp the horror* UPS. Once its all said and done its actually more economical for me to just use iro inks exclusively unless I want to go with a brand I don't trust such as noodlers.
 
TL;DR: buying 'good' inks locally= $0.45 CAD/mL; buying a set of 8 iro's from engeika and after the USD to CAD conversion= $0.32 CAD/mL.
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 3:18 PM Post #2,642 of 2,804
After some digging on eBay, I found some iro's for ~$20 USD with free shipping. Engeika seems like the way to go if I want some iro's though. But 8 bottles?! Wow, how long does that last you?
 
And I did some math of my own. Shipping costs and everything for buying 8 bottles at a time. (Nothing good local where I live.)
Noodler's Ink from Goulet Pens $.1226 / ml
Pilot Iroshizuku Ink at Engeika $.27 / ml
Diamine Ink from Goulet Pens $.1743 / ml
Pilot Irozhizuku Ink at GP.com $.5798 / ml
 
Granted, Iroshizuku ink your way is much cheaper than through Goulet Pen Company (I have a mild obsession), but it is still more than double the cost of the Noodler's inks.
 
I still wish to try out some Tsuki-yo when I am a wealthy man. But not until then.
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 8:41 PM Post #2,643 of 2,804

 

 
OK...
 
Waterman Expert vs. Parker Sonnet  (as shown)
 
Which would you by... or not.
Any other recommendations in the under-$200 category?
 
Cheers!
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 9:01 PM Post #2,644 of 2,804
shane55 said:
 
 

 
OK...
 
Waterman Expert vs. Parker Sonnet  (as shown)
 
Which would you by... or not.
Any other recommendations in the under-$200 category?
 
Cheers!
Click to expand...

What are you looking for in a pen? Weight/length? Gold or steel nib preference? Specialty nibs (stub/italic/flex/music)? C/C or piston filler?
For under $200 I wouldn't go with an european or american brand; most of their gold nib pens start at around $400.
 
At $200 or less some good choices are:
Pilot-Namiki Falcon
Pilot Vanishing point
Sailor Pro Gear
Sailor 1911S
Platinum 3776
All of the mid-range models and up of these lines come with gold nibs and are great writers.
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 9:17 PM Post #2,645 of 2,804
tangster said:
 
Happy New Year pen-fiers
 
Jeez, I'm outta practice though, my lettering is shaky as heck :frowning2:
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beerchug.gif

"Happy 2015!" to all of you as well.
 
 
dallan said:


Just picked up a Madori notebook. Simplistic and classic, with good paper for my fountain pens.
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Nice - anything that moves us to write...write-on dallan!
 
pwn3r4life said:
May I ask, what is the obsessions with Iroshizuku ink? I mean, Noodler's has so many kinds and colors of inks, 3 oz for $12.50 from Goulet Pen company. I only hear good things about the Noodler's inks. Do the Pilot inks perform that much better?
To me, the difference I see is that the Pilot inks ALWAYS look gorgeous. Every color. Whereas with like, the Noodler's inks, some inks are bad or just look ugly. But I'd like to have someone broaden my horizons.
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Obsessions? 
biggrin.gif
 As I see it, too many choices can lead to a lack of commitment. It's always nice to experience new inks, pens and paper, tho...
 
 
pudu said:
You've kind of answered your own question. Attractive colours (well some of them), nice bottle, and properties you can depend upon. If you can find the colour you like, you know what you are getting. Noodler's is so variable, it is often hit or miss.
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Had I not been several posts late...
rolleyes.gif
 but def thought the same as you expressed.
 
l0slobos said:
 
shane55 said:
 
 

 
OK...
 
Waterman Expert vs. Parker Sonnet  (as shown)
 
Which would you by... or not.
Any other recommendations in the under-$200 category?
 
Cheers!
Click to expand...

What are you looking for in a pen? Weight/length? Gold or steel nib preference? Specialty nibs (stub/italic/flex/music)? C/C or piston filler?
For under $200 I wouldn't go with an european or american brand; most of their gold nib pens start at around $400.
 
At $200 or less some good choices are:
Pilot-Namiki Falcon
Pilot Vanishing point
Sailor Pro Gear
Sailor 1911S
Platinum 3776
All of the mid-range models and up of these lines come with gold nibs and are great writers.
Click to expand...

Still waiting to experience the Sailor brand. I'd certainly put the Pilot Namiki Falcon in my shopping cart for the sub $200 cat.
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 9:21 PM Post #2,646 of 2,804
l0slobos said:
  What are you looking for in a pen? Weight/length? Gold or steel nib preference? Specialty nibs (stub/italic/flex/music)? C/C or piston filler?
For under $200 I wouldn't go with an european or american brand; most of their gold nib pens start at around $400.
 
At $200 or less some good choices are:
Pilot-Namiki Falcon
Pilot Vanishing point
Sailor Pro Gear
Sailor 1911S
Platinum 3776
All of the mid-range models and up of these lines come with gold nibs and are great writers.
Click to expand...

 
Pens for writing. Taking notes, jotting down ideas in a notebook.
I have the Pilot-Namiki Falcon as well as the Pelikan M215. Like them both very much (the Pilot is smoother and a finer tip). So looking for similar size and weight as these. The Pelikan is a little shorter than the Falcon, and that's fine.
Going for Extra Fine nib only.
Piston or cart. Doesn't really matter to me, though I do like the piston on the Pelikan.
No gold, anywhere.
 
I like the look of the two models I showed. You didn't say anything about them... what does that mean. Are you saying I should avoid them because they are American or European and under $200?
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 10:06 PM Post #2,647 of 2,804
Rather interesting on getting a Pilot Falcon with SF or SEF nib. Shame the price over in UK is simply what you can call a rip-off... $ != £...
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 10:22 PM Post #2,650 of 2,804
shane55 said:
   
Pens for writing. Taking notes, jotting down ideas in a notebook.
I have the Pilot-Namiki Falcon as well as the Pelikan M215. Like them both very much (the Pilot is smoother and a finer tip). So looking for similar size and weight as these. The Pelikan is a little shorter than the Falcon, and that's fine.
Going for Extra Fine nib only.
Piston or cart. Doesn't really matter to me, though I do like the piston on the Pelikan.
No gold, anywhere.
 
I like the look of the two models I showed. You didn't say anything about them... what does that mean. Are you saying I should avoid them because they are American or European and under $200?
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Hmm..I wouldn't pick those two since they are steel nibbed and I don't like their styling. My dad has a Parker duofold black and though its a nice pen and a decently smooth writer, I don't really like its style/looks. At higher prices I much prefer Graf von Faber-Castell or Pelikan LE pens; wouldn't buy any pens MB makes because you void warranty if you use ink other than their own.
 
Also just a heads up but Amazon.com is selling both of the pens you mentioned on the cheap right now.
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 11:05 PM Post #2,652 of 2,804
l0slobos said:
  Hmm..I wouldn't pick those two since they are steel nibbed and I don't like their styling. My dad has a Parker duofold black and though its a nice pen and a decently smooth writer, I don't really like its style/looks. At higher prices I much prefer Graf von Faber-Castell or Pelikan LE pens; wouldn't buy any pens MB makes because you void warranty if you use ink other than their own.
 
Also just a heads up but Amazon.com is selling both of the pens you mentioned on the cheap right now.
Click to expand...

 
Thanks. Not interested in MB anyway...
Ha... well, I have no issue with the two steel nibbed pens I have, so that's not really an issue for me. I do like the styling of the two I posted (though actually conflicted about the palladium plated cap... might just get plain black).
 
I saw Amazon's prices, and yes, very good... but I'm interested in Extra fine, which I can get from The Online Pen Company. (Reputable?)
 
Cheers
 
Jan 4, 2015 at 11:48 PM Post #2,653 of 2,804
shane55 said:
Thanks. Not interested in MB anyway...
Ha... well, I have no issue with the two steel nibbed pens I have, so that's not really an issue for me. I do like the styling of the two I posted (though actually conflicted about the palladium plated cap... might just get plain black).

I saw Amazon's prices, and yes, very good... but I'm interested in Extra fine, which I can get from The Online Pen Company. (Reputable?)

Cheers
Click to expand...

I got a chance to try a Parker Sonnet with a gold nib. Goodness. I didn't like how light it was (resin) but my oh my did that puppy write smooth. The nib had some flex to it. Not enough to be annoying, or even notice if you weren't looking for at it. But enough to give line variation and be very smooth no matter the angle. I'm not very expierenced with fountain pens, so take it with a grain of salt. But I've only heard great things about the Parker Sonnet.

I hear sailor pens write smoother than glass and have nibs hard as nails. Can anyone confirm this?

And as far as good places to buy pens. Goulet Pen Company. Holy moly, the service. If nothing else, use their gorgeous site to browse pens, inks, use their nib nook tool to double check you want extra fine. Gosh, you'd think I was a rep the way I talk about them. Just an extemely satisfied customer and I don't make recommendations often. The only thing is, prices aren't very competitive. But check.
 
Jan 5, 2015 at 12:37 AM Post #2,654 of 2,804


 
 
 
Sorry... this model of the Parker Sonnet does have the Solid 18k gold, rhodium plated nib.
 
They both come in extra fine.
 
But now...I'm looking at this as well. Handsome, though more modern.
 

 
 
Also Gold nib. But you knew that...
 
Jan 6, 2015 at 10:19 PM Post #2,655 of 2,804
shane55 said:
 

 
 
 
Sorry... this model of the Parker Sonnet does have the Solid 18k gold, rhodium plated nib.
 
They both come in extra fine.
 
But now...I'm looking at this as well. Handsome, though more modern.
 

 
 
Also Gold nib. But you knew that...
Click to expand...

 
I don't know about the other two, but the Sonnet is very easy to maintain (if that criteria is important to you). I have the cheaper version (aluminium body with gold trim), the nib and feed easily comes out with a pull. The nib is attached to the feed via a pair of tabs on each side of the feed. Once you have that disassembled, washing/cleaning/drying the pen is a breeze.
 
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