Pen for a gift

M

mwerner

Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
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I know there are a lot of pen freaks on the board; we're looking for something in the 30-40 dollar range for a gift.
Amazon is showing a Mont Blanc model for 39.95.... Any other brands to look at?
 
I am quite fond of Cross pens. They have a nice selection. And when you order online, you can get free engraving too.
 
I think Arbutus has some of the most distinctive pens out there today. I have one of the woven steel fountain pens and it gets more comments than any other pen I have owned. They do make them in a roller ball as well and normally can be picked up for around $20.00.

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A Montblanc for $40? I'd be very leary, I doubt you could buy a used one on ebay for that price. There are probably more fake Montblancs out there than real ones. I took a quick look at Amazon and the cheapest one I found was $149.

Waterman pens are good value for the money.

Check out Joon and Swisher. They're both well known pen dealers and you can often find good deals in the closeout/clearance sections.
 
My dad gave me a new cross pen in 1963, to write home more when I was in the army. I still have that pen. Most of the chrome is worn off, leaving a dented and scarred, beat up brassy looking old thing. But it still writes and the mechanisim still works even if a bit notchy. I have a new one in the drawer, but I love my old companion. I guess I put a new filler in every 10 to 12 months. Long as it still works, I'm gonna keep carrying it.
 
Retro 51 makes really cool looking pens, and the rollers and balls write really really well.
You can also try Acme pens, they are known for wacky designs, some of their pens really look great. They don't write quite as well as the Retros, but they often look better.

And then of course there's Lamy. If you're looking for a fountain pen for example, you can't beat them for quality for the price. Only problem is that they are ugly ducklings that you either love or hate, and they don't usually look like a "gift" pen.

Here's a good place to plink around http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/

Oh, and a $40 Montblanc is almost guaranteed to be either a scam or grey market. Either way Montblanc will not honor the warranty. Montblancs are fine, super overpriced, but fine. Unless you're thinking of spending a lot more, just forget about Montblanc. If you were thinking of possibly spending more money I would strongly suggest looking at a more unique and reasonably priced brand like Visconti, who make really nice pens.
 
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Go with a Cross. You can beat the shit out of it and it will still perform.
They also have a great warranty. If the pen does not work for any reason they will replace it.
As an example. While crossing the street one day I found a gold filled Cross lying in the road. I picked it up and noticed that it was really flattened.
I sent the pen in telling them that I dropped it while crossing the street.
They sent me back a brand new one.
I've found others in better shape and did the same thing.
 
mwerner said:
I know there are a lot of pen freaks on the board; we're looking for something in the 30-40 dollar range for a gift.
Amazon is showing a Mont Blanc model for 39.95.... Any other brands to look at?
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What kind of pen are you looking for? My father carried a fountain pen for most of his life. That would be a bad choice if you fly or if you don't want to perform some minimal maintenance occasionally.

Rollerballs generally write smoother then a ballpoint but, the ink can dry out if you don't write with a rollerball too often. I really like the Pentel rollerball refills and Parker ballpoint refills.

I've had very good results with Swisher Pens but, Joon and Fountain Pen Hospital both come highly recommended from multiple sources. Swisher's web experience is a little primitive and amateurish but, the people behind it have always provided great customer service.
 
I think the Cross Pen is a classic. I collect pens and have many of those mentioned here but when it comes to a non pen person everyone knows the Cross Pen. To me they are just classy.
 
Stay away from Lamy!! I bought a Lamy last year and it literally broke in half, while pulling it out of my pocket. The worst part is the warranty; I have to pay shipping both ways. :mad:
 
Here's a vote for Parker pens. They come in all types, and in all cost ranges. Very durable. Well built. Great customer care and warranty. Can't go wrong with them.

AJ
 
As a balisong and Spyderco fan, I'd have to go with the Spyderco Baliyo, available from $24 at New Graham. It's not the most serious pen, but it's very fun to toy around with, especially if you're a fan of the two aforementioned niches. :)
 
It's not very pen - snobish, but i vote for a fisher space pen.
(but with replacement fine point refils)

I love the reliability and a bullet pen is in my pocket EDC.
It's small, handy.

There are other models to choose from also.
 
If you want Mont Blanc type quality but for less $$$, try Pelikan. Very fine German made pens like MB, but without the ridiculous price tag. They are tough, classy and write awesome. I have a model 215 fountain pen and it's my favorite pen.

I also agree with the positive comment about the Fisher Space Pens. Look at the AG-7 Astronaut pen. Very nice, very reasonable price and writes in any condition on any surface. It's in my pocket all the time. It's also a fine American company that makes a quality product. I feel good buying their products.
 
I love Lamy Pens. They are functional, inexpensive, and beautiful. Non traditional styling. I'd suggest a rollerball. All the flow of a fountain with the ease of a ballpoint.

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razcob said:
Stay away from Lamy!! I bought a Lamy last year and it literally broke in half, while pulling it out of my pocket. The worst part is the warranty; I have to pay shipping both ways. :mad:
Click to expand...

I own 6 Lamy fountain pens and use them every day. I work in a VA facility, so they get used a lot. Several of them are about 10 years old. I've never had any problems with any of them.
 
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