Small Fountain Pen?

[marcia]

For me one of the pleasures in having a paper-based system has been using my favorite fountain pen at my desk. Now I'm looking for a fountain pen for on the go. For notetaking, I have a small notebook (by Classic Diary) that has a pocket (like a wallet) where I keep a small ballpoint pen. I'd really like to have a fountain pen for it but it needs to be no longer than 4" with the cap on. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[MsftMan]

You want a fountain pen that is four inches in length with cap on. It is 4 3/4 with the cap "posted" (cap off ond on other end of pen while writing).


Here it is: http://www.swisherpens.com/catalog/d...untain-pen.htm
When you start getting specific like you are, (small size) then be ready for the price...

Hope this helps,

[ceehjay]

$200 plus for a 4" fountain pen? I'm nowhere near that "fine." I will seek my pleasures elsewhere.

Carolyn

[MsftMan]

$200 plus for a 4" fountain pen? I'm nowhere near that "fine." I will seek my pleasures elsewhere.

Carolyn

You'd be surprised, if you had the opportunity to have someone show you some good pens and write with them, then your opinion might change. A good fountain pen is an expression of yourself and your style. As much as I am a tech geek, I still love ol' world tools.

[Day Owl]

More short pens; less sticker shock:

http://www.pendemonium.com/pens_kaweco.htm

[Gameboy70]

$200 plus for a 4" fountain pen?

Guess what going on my Someday/Maybe list?

[ceehjay]

You'd be surprised, if you had the opportunity to have someone show you some good pens and write with them, then your opinion might change. A good fountain pen is an expression of yourself and your style. As much as I am a tech geek, I still love ol' world tools.

I express myself in other ways. I have had the opportunity to write with some quality pens. I'm happy with my Pilot V5 and a mechanical pencil. Pens have a way of disappearing where I work. People love my V5s.

Guess what going on my Someday/Maybe list?

Yeah, there are some $200 and up goodies on my Someday/Maybe list, too, but not a $200 pen.

Carolyn

[Gameboy70]

I'm happy with my Pilot V5 and a mechanical pencil. Pens have a way of disappearing where I work. People love my V5s.

I'm a V7 man myself. But I have to agree with the point being implied: these days, there very little correlation between the price of the pen and its quality (unlike shoes). Over $40, the value added is largely aesthetic.

[Mork]

I'm surprised that nothing has been mentioned of the venerable Space Pen. I suppose it's because they are a tip over 5" with the cap on but they are only about 3" with the cap off.

I love mine . . .and it's only $15.00 at Staples. Writes very nicely.

[kewms]

There are also Cartier and Montblanc fountain pens in the size range you're looking for. I especially like the Cartier because it is slim as well as short.

The price, however, is quite chunky. I'm admiring that one from afar for the time being.

There are lots of good ballpoint pens in that size range. I detest ballpoints, but discovered that there's a Parker gel refill in the same form factor as the Parker ballpoint. Not quite as nice as a fountain pen, but not bad.

It's funny that the same people who get bent out of shape over $200 pens think nothing of spending many times that on computers and other gadgets that will be obsolete in two years. I've written nearly a million words with one of my Watermans, dropped it more than once, and wrecked the nib. Got it back good as new under Waterman's lifetime guarantee, and am looking forward to the next million words.

For what it's worth, there are noticeable differences among fountain pens. Gold, platinum, and steel nibs all feel slightly different. If you use one for more than writing checks, the balance matters a lot, too. However, the superexpensive ones (say, over $400 or so) tend to make really lousy writing instruments. They've sacrificed balance and writing comfort in the interests of conspicuous display: someone who spends $400 or more on a pen wants everyone to know it. For serious writing, I like the plain lacquer finishes in the $50 to $150 range. I use a gold nib, but that's a matter of personal preference.

Katherine