Fountain pen

[jyl]

About 15 years ago, I was given a Waterman fountain pen. Not an expensive one, not a cheap one, just a middle of the road new Waterman. A month ago, it was stolen from my office . . . Probably the cleaners. So I want to replace it. I can get what looks like the same model pen for $50 on eBay. Unless it's a fake. Or I can spend $200 or $20, for either new ones or vintage ones. My question is, are some Watermans much better than others, and what should I look for?

I like simple, plain fountain pens that aren't fat, aren't status symbols, are simply good writing tools.

[Bill Douglas]

Leave a note for the cleaners - it worked for me.

[Tobra]

What Bill said, sort of an amnesty thing. Don't know which one took it, but it was one of them. Bring it back and that is the end of it.

[scottmandue]

I collected fountain pens for a short time, have 6-8 of them, some work some don't. All vintage to some degree, need to take some pics and post the whole collection on eBay for $30-50.
Sorry for the hijack.

They sell Waterman's at Staple's FWIW

[island911]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Leave a note for the cleaners - it worked for me.

Such a cruel taunt on the guy with no pen!

Seriously, I like the cheap plastic Waterman pens. (so light) And here's a fun fact; for the blue ink you can use one of the pen erasers (sometimes called eradicators). It's a felt-tip 'pen' of chemical that will 'bleach' the blue ink.

[KFC911]

Reward $$ for lost pen, no questions..

Can't hurt...

[Chocaholic]

For everyday use, I use a Pilot Metropolitan. It is pretty much what you describe. Available on Amazon under $20. Note that their nibs write fat. I went with extra-fine and love it. I bought the same pen for my son and he uses his daily also. Because I like to choose my own ink, I ordered a refillable insert that has been great as well.

No reason to break the bank for a cool fountain pen...unless you want to. And if it disappears, no big deal.

[javadog]

I have an older Waterman that I was going to sell on eBay. It's probably 15 years old, never really used it. If I remember correctly, I sent it off to get it cleaned a few years back and never used it again. Let me know if it might interest you.

JR

[Hugh R]

I have a 30 y/o Mont Blanc, it has the "click" style of closing and the plastic ring that allows it to "click" shut is junk, fails in a year of normal use. MB now uses a screw-type closure, which is much better.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by KC911

Reward $$ for lost pen, no questions..

Can't hurt...

It is probably only a $50 pen...

And what if the cleaners didn't take it?

They make be offended and super glue your stapler to the desk.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

It is probably only a $50 pen...

....[/COLOR]

So offer 25 or 2500...he drives a Porsche

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I have a 30 y/o Mont Blanc, it has the "click" style of closing and the plastic ring that allows it to "click" shut is junk, fails in a year of normal use. MB now uses a screw-type closure, which is much better.

I have a 35 y/o Mont Blanc pencil that needs a new plastic pusher piece on the end to advance the lead. I called Mont Blanc to see if they had the part and their response was to send it in and they would fix it if they had the part. The minimum price was $100. No, they won't look to see if they have the part, or sell it to me sparately. If I remember correctly, I was out the $100 whether they fixed it or not.

Needless to say I didn't send it in, nor will I ever buy one of their products again.

JR

[Hugh R]

Yep, $100 to fix the "click" closure thing. I agree I wouldn't buy one again. The only reason I have it is because I made partner in a now defunct consulting firm and the wifey bought it for me because I could sign contracts, a big deal for us 30 years ago when I was 32.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

And what if the cleaners didn't take it?

Just leave a generic note in the office...'someone may have borrowed my pen and forgotten to return it, it has sentimental value, return for a reward'.

[Deschodt]

Brings back memories... I used a waterman throughout school and I was in school for a bit...
Loved the feel of them, more bite on the paper so you can write better than with a ball pen, assuming your handwriting is not awful like mine is. And the blue ink could be erased with a special eraser pen.. The silver ones were el cheapo $5 fountain pens then, the fancier ones were a bit more but no more than $50... And I rarely handwrite anymore... Thanks for the memory and good luck ! gonna go find mine somewhere and see if I still got ink cartridges...

[jyl]

Originally Posted by javadog

I have an older Waterman that I was going to sell on eBay. It's probably 15 years old, never really used it. If I remember correctly, I sent it off to get it cleaned a few years back and never used it again. Let me know if it might interest you.

JR

Pm sent

[sc_rufctr]

Buy a Lamy. German made perfection!

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=lamy+fountain+pen&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=1028&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiXgeDV66HPAhWHkJQKHYFRDWMQ_AUIBygC

[Tishabet]

I use fountain pens almost exclusively, my daily driver is a lamy... simple, functional and highly recommended. My nice pen is a Pelikan, and I also use disposable "varsity" fountain pens which are the bic of the fountain pen world.

[jyl]

Well, I return to shamefacedly admit to finding my beloved fountain pen . . . buried at the bottom of a backpack that I don't remember putting it in. I'd apologize to the cleaners for suspecting them, but I've never seen them. It is nice to have my pen back.

And I have an exactly identical fountain pen, another Waterman, coming from an eBay seller in the UK. I guess I will now have my original and a spare. Sigh.

[javadog]

Well, you did get a great deal on the new one.