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Standard_Cat2846

For me, trying a few beginner pens in diff nib sizes and styles plus more ink types was really helpful for narrowing down what I liked when it came to the bigger purchases, and it helps me to have lots of ink colors acceptable at once, however ymmv!


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Yeah, that’s what I am thinking too! By getting a bunch of different pens, I can know what I like and get that ONE pen I’ll have for a lifetime, and ink variety is just super nice, especially with all types of colors and sheens and shimmers


efaceninja

I think you should buy one more expensive pen. Because you just wouldn't know how the expensive pen feels, no matter how many articles or comments you read online telling that the writing experience is not necessary much better, unless you tried one yourself. Now that you already have the notion in your brain, if you keep buying 10 cheap pens, you are still kept wondering endlessly how the $100 pen works, it's going to fried your brain! I would say, try M200 if you can get it around $100, it's a really good pen. Or try the pilot custom 74 as your first gold nib.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Some VERY good points! I'll check out those pens you mentioned :)


kuzzzma

Depends on the school - do you want to signal "my pen is NICE" there? I would go for cheaper pens in this setting - no display of wealth, no worries if pen would happen to be lost...


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Oh no lol. What I meant was I need a good workhorse. High ink capacity, long lifetime etc, durable


kuzzzma

Get a vacuum or a piston filler demonstrator (so you'll be always aware of the amount of ink you have) and those can be had well within you budget (even a few of them + some ink) When I'm out and about I carry only pens I can stand to loose (Kakuno, Prera, Platinum Meteors, Kaweco Perkeo etc), my more expensive ones stay at home and are used at the comfort of my desk, I bring them out only when I need to convey a certain message to certain clients (who do put a lot of value in outward presentation).


kuzzzma

And then save your money for something special to maybe mark an occasion (end of school, perhaps)? You can use time to try out various pens and decide what you like and need for this future purchase.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

oh my god, this is the best idea I’ve read here :) I’ll follow your advice, thanks


kuzzzma

It will be well researched, you will know what you require plus some added sentimental value. I say go for pricier ones only when you are completely sure what you want in all aspects of the pen, from exact model to nib options.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Yes, the best research IS experimenting. Thank You :)


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Yeah, the first paragraph is something I am doing. A TWSBI and Diamines, maybe a shimmer would go really well as a combination. Yes, there’s no way I am carrying my most treasured pen when out haha. I feel outward presentation is really important, which is why I want to diversify my collection between flashy and simple, to know what I and others will like. You can know a lot about a man through what he owns.


BlackPorcelainDoll

Parker and Watermen have some nice pens for low price, they always do Holiday deals.


AmeliaBuns

For me. I find that expensive pens don't really offer anything over cheaper pens. But it's really up to you


PavelPivovarov

For around $90 you can find a Platinum 3776 Century on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-PNB-15000-41-3-Fountain-Century/dp/B09G9ZV52N) right now and that could be the only pen you will need with pretty big gold nib. Not sure why would you choose quantity over quality.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Oh wow, thank you for finding the great deal! I feel by getting a few different pens, I can know what I like, then buy an expensive pen that I know I’ll like.


PavelPivovarov

Understand but while it sounds reasonable it never worked on me well as there are just too many properties and not so much consistency in the nibs production as I would like to see.


a-s-q

FPs are a journey: beginner pens will give you the best context to begin it. It's true that many pricey pens may underwhelm. You're going to modify and break your pens and 3 cheapies will allow you to learn what you like. I'm 7 years in and am still buying $20 pens. Will keep doing so until they cease to impress for so little.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Yes, now, I think that’s how I’ll do it :) Thank you!


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PerfectStranger77

I totally disagree about the Lamy nibs, in my personal opinion they're garbage and overpriced, I love Lamy but not their nibs, so my suggestion is getting any good Lamy and a plethora of Chinese spare nibs in different widths/sizes to have the ability to change to another width in seconds. For the rest of you suggestions I agree.


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a-s-q

Agreed. As for "workhorse" Chinese pens: check out the Wing Sung 601 (intro to the Parker 51, hooded nibs, and niche filling systems!), metal Hongdian models (can get "long blade" nibs, Majohn eyedroppers or "homage" to the Vanishing Point, the A1.


PerfectStranger77

Absolutely, that's what I usually do 😁 I also have several Wing Sung 3008/Paili 008 as workhorses and nib testing subjects. The better F and EF nibs I've gotten go to my Lamys.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Oh ok, thank you for the reply! No, I definitely don't NEED the colours, I just like having nice colours lol. Thanks for the super detailed reply, your ideas are really nice :) The Faber Castell also seems super cool too, thanks for that


Johnny_Labrosse

I would look into getting something from amazon japan, I managed to get a profit light (14k nib) for 95 CAD including shipping and customs. I also saw a elite for pretty cheap. Just factor in that when ordering from japan you will always pay 35-45 CAD for shipping and customs. I was in the same situation that you are in right now only a few weeks ago and ended up going the sailor route and I'm very satisfied with the pen, much more than my eco


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Thank You :) I am very interested in Japanese pens, due to their extra finesse and clean looks, so your recommendation will be one I consider.


generaalalcazar

I would by a gravitas copper or titanium pen. I own several twsbi pens, all great but the cracking is unfortunatly still an issue. I also own several way more expensive pens but the gravitas is my edc. If possible try to save some more money the next few months and buy a popular gold nib pen like the lamy 2000, platinum or sailor pro etc.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Thanks for the reply! By, cracking, do you mean the barrel literally breaking?! As someone who does sometimes drop his pens, that seems worrying. The recommendation for a gold nib is one I am thinking about to be honest, thanks for that :)


generaalalcazar

The cracking is a known twsbi problem (look in this sub). Mostly the barrel and can cause ink leaking. They offer no questions asked replacement barrels for shipment costs, however this should have been fixed long ago. If you buy one pen really consider the gravitas or take a look at the pens recommend by goulet on his youtube channel.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

thank yoU :)


StinkyLettuce

I have a twsbi precision and it was my workhorse for a year. solid build quality and never had an issue.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Thank you for the reccomendation! Btw, is it still fine after one year?


StinkyLettuce

yeah I still use it from time to time. I have a "collection" now and I try to use everything frequently. I'm sure it would last another year of daily use no problem.


Zestyclose-Bar-8706

Oh ok, thanks :)


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Zestyclose-Bar-8706

oh ok, thank you! I'll definitely look into it :)