h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've bben striving to find the perfect fountain pen for along time. I have about four, none of which are particularly good. Can you reccommend a good one?

I think a gold nib is important. It is soft enough that it moulds to your hand, forming a surface to glide freely on the paper at just the angle you tend to hold it. Weight and balance and grip are also important, so try several and choose carefully. Consider aesthetics and security too: you want it to be visually appealing as well as sensuous in your grip, and you don't want to lose it so the fit of the cap and the hold and strength of the clip should be appropriately snug and substantial.
I have used the same Parker for over 30 years and still love it, but I have also, more recently fallen in love with a Cross that really suits me. Now I feel like a guy with two cars: one for work, and another that's like a sports car.
Yum!
Be happy in your work,
Nightowl

Have you tried a Rotring? Mine is Black, metal and beautifully balanced

I always write with a fountain pen when I can. Firstly its a pleasure to write with, and secondly, I have co-ordination difficulties which means that my handwriting is hard to read at the best of times, but is much better with a fountain pen than with any other kind (especially a cheap biro).

Due to the difficulties outlined above, I press very hard in order to control the pen. A gold nibbed pen would be useless to me because I would splay the tines and bend the nib within a few weeks so that it didn't work. I find that, having tried many fountain pens (mostly at the cheaper end of the scale due to being a student), I favour a fairly hard nib such as iridium.

My favourite pens at the moment are made by Lamy, a German Manufacturer. Their pens write with a smooth line because the ink flows well, they have a reasonably hard nib, and a good balance if you like a light pen (some people are better with heavier pens). They vary widely in price from £10 to over £100 (I think). Plus they do left handed nibs, although you will have to wait a week or so for this.

I don't really think that the make of the pen matters that much; different pens will suit different people. I would suggest going to a pen shop where they know what they are doing, and trying some out. Some points to consider would be: how well does the ink flow; how heavy do I like my pen; how wide do I want the line; which grip suits me best etc?

I hope this is helpful/interesting.

Celebearel

I also have a Lamy. It is see-thru and uses catridges. Very light. OK for taking to work as it was only $A25 so I wouldn't be too upset at losing it!

I have always loved fountain pens! I have tried a bunch and honestly price is not always the best indicator of what you will like. I like a little heavier pen. I also have the clear Lamy and not only is it nice to write with but cool to look at; of course people keep grabbing it and checking out at meetings sometimes while you are holding it. I have a fairly light touch so lots of nibs work well. I have a colibri, pelikan, couple of parkers, a cross, an old schaeffer, and 3 watermans. as a matter of fact my fave is a now 12 year old waterman laureate. It has a brass barrel so on the heavier side and along with the WM hemisphere these just write really well and less trouble with dry nibs than any of the others. That is my biggest frustration. Each of these is about $50US. I have a phineas as well but don't like it as well. BTW I also have a famed Mont Blanc and still pick up the WM first. If you can get a shop to let you try some great! sometimes people will let you use their's for moment or two... we won't let go of the cap though so you don't accidently slip it into your pocket. (if you have a heavy hand don't borrow others you can damage or change the nib action and ruin it)
peace to all