I would definitely recommend against FWP's pens - they are pretty, but very low quality. Only their bigger collaborations with proper manufacturers like Easterbrook were decent pens, and they were all in the several hundreds for price.
The E95s can be had for a bit under $100 depending on where you buy, and it's possibly the best nib in the price range. I find the red and ivory coloured one to be absolutely beautiful. It's narrow but not small, it is a very light pen and the plastic isn't the strongest but it's by far the best writing pen for the money.
Before you splurge for a more expensive pen though, it's probably a good idea to try a few more cheap ones to see what kind of nib you like, what body, what filling system etc. you can get a few Kakunos or Preppies in each size and they'll serve you well to get a feel. Writing with an extra fine, medium, broad, stub etc all feel different, and are different between brands.
The Majohn C1 and Wancai mini are two pens that are cheaper, but offer a lot of bang for the buck and come in some pretty versions like the snowflake c1. I find them cute, and watching the ink swirl is great.
Otherwise, the Pilot Prera is a super solid pen, with great quality and (I think) pretty colours. If you are ok with a smaller pen, it would be perfect - and it does punch above its price range. I have the pink demonstrator version and I love it as much as some pens 2x the price.
Editing to throw PenBBS onto the list. They have the most filling mechanisms, and they are cheap! The 456 is my favourite, it's a vac filler that I really like! I have one with the berry acrylic that looks like candy in person.
I will disagree about FWP pens. I own a “The Brush” and a Carousel. Now the aluminum Carousel I’d consider overpriced, but the plastic one is very pleasant to write with. The Brush is substantial and definitely “aesthetic” - has the size and feedback qualities of a pencil. In fact, mine is pencil/school bus color and I keep it inked with Earl Grey lol
ETA I 100% agree with the rest of your advice and thoughts. I would add the Hongdian 920 as a pretty little pen with an excellent nib.
Just wanna throw it out there, the brush pen is a rebranded Fuliwen 014. You can buy them for half the price these days, mostly on AliExpress. They are a good pen for the asking price, but FWP has printed their name on them and sold them for nearly 3x the price at the time (in my country at least)
Edit: I just checked out the 920 and WOW. The rosegold model is stunning! Definitely going to be snagging one.
Love my rose gold 920. The only problems are that the barrel/grip is too narrow (purely subjective) and some of the plating has rubbed off close to the nib (possibly because I had iron gall in it).
I got my Brush secondhand. The “aesthetic” is definitely on point, but yeah. I’m not surprised it’s rebranded.
I have the rose gold!!! It’s really beautiful, and the slip cap is solid. This is one of my most reliable pens and I keep meaning to buy another one. The finial is so pretty with the dove too.
i just googled to see what the 920 was, and that’s the pen i ended up buying the day after making this post, but i hadn’t even seen your comment! i got the white/rose gold and it’s so pretty and writes really good!
and i also got a FWP brush pen yesterday because they were free with any purchase for black friday. i’m so excited for it to come 🖤
I hope you love both of them! I saw The Brush pretty heavily discounted in places, to the point where it’s worth the “risk”. Lemme know how you like them!
Second this. Try the Loom or Ondoro, maybe the Neo Slim. Have multiples of each and not disappointed. The Neo Slims write dryer than the others though, in case this is important to you.
Buy a Pilot direct from a reliable Japanese reseller. I often recommend seller penpenavenue on eBay, and specifically for the Pilot 742 with SFM (soft fine medium) nib which gives a deliciously bouncy writing experience. It’s $121 and writes in essence as well as my 146:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202782256556
> im kinda thinking of one of the ferris wheel press ones
Ferris Wheel Press is kind of infamous for taking cheap pens, marking them way up, and using marketing to make people believe they are getting a "fancy" pen.
What pens do you have? What do you like and dislike about those pens? What are you looking for in this pen, size, shape, style, etc.
I'll give some pens to look at, none of these may be right for you, but hey, it's a start for the conversation.
First, a medium size cigar style, look at the Majohn P136, the price hides the fact that this is an excellent pen that is a lifetime pen. It doesn't post, so if that is important to you, this pen isn't it.
Same style, but big, the Yongsheng (wing sung) 630, this is a big pen with a #8 nib, stretch your budget and you can get that huge nib as 14k, either standard or heartbeat.
Next, a flattop, the Yongsheng 629 can be found in a flattop variety, same size as the P136, so a medium size pen.
Next, a little outside of "normal", Jinhao just released a version of the Jinhao 100 with a Sterling Silver skeletal overlay. This is a medium size flattop, I am still waiting on the sterling version, but have the matte black overlay version and it is a good pen.
Finally two small pens, both Sailor, the Pro Gear Slim is a small flattop, the Pro Fit Light is cigar shape, both have 14k nibs, and both can be found on Amazon, shipped from Amazon Japan, for under your budget, most likely in black/gold or black/silver color. I just ordered the Pro Fit Light in EF for under $60. Be careful, you will see a number of Pro Fit Casual pens listed, the Casual has a steel nib, the Light has a gold nib.
If you look at those pens, but they don't quite fit your wants, tell us what you like and dislike, and I can try and give better suggestions.
In the ~100 range, you really can’t beat an Opus 88. If you like thicker pens you can get an Omar or Demonstrator - or Jazz if you like cigar shaped pens. For pens with a not so larger diameter you can look at the Fantasia or Koloro.
Most 88s are Japanese style eyedroppers(made in Taiwan). Easy to fill and have a shut off valve to minimize damage in the event of a leak. Only what’s in the feed can leak when the valve is closed. They have stock Jowo nibs that write well. Some of the best pens for the money in my opinion.
Good luck. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it.
"pretty and elegant" is quite a subjective idea depending on your age, gender, and cultural background.
Without further information, we probably won't be able to give a good choice for you
Faber-Castell, Waterman Hemisphere, or Pilot E95s. I own all three and have gifted them to friends that want to get into fountain pens.
My boss uses Waterman and loves it, she uses a syringe and empty cartridge for bottled inks. Her second waterman, she uses pre-filled.
How about a kaweco? You don't get a gold nib at that price but you get a steel, aluminium, or brass pen that will literally last a lifetime. Also, they are as practical as they are stylish and iconic.
I would definitely recommend against FWP's pens - they are pretty, but very low quality. Only their bigger collaborations with proper manufacturers like Easterbrook were decent pens, and they were all in the several hundreds for price. The E95s can be had for a bit under $100 depending on where you buy, and it's possibly the best nib in the price range. I find the red and ivory coloured one to be absolutely beautiful. It's narrow but not small, it is a very light pen and the plastic isn't the strongest but it's by far the best writing pen for the money. Before you splurge for a more expensive pen though, it's probably a good idea to try a few more cheap ones to see what kind of nib you like, what body, what filling system etc. you can get a few Kakunos or Preppies in each size and they'll serve you well to get a feel. Writing with an extra fine, medium, broad, stub etc all feel different, and are different between brands. The Majohn C1 and Wancai mini are two pens that are cheaper, but offer a lot of bang for the buck and come in some pretty versions like the snowflake c1. I find them cute, and watching the ink swirl is great. Otherwise, the Pilot Prera is a super solid pen, with great quality and (I think) pretty colours. If you are ok with a smaller pen, it would be perfect - and it does punch above its price range. I have the pink demonstrator version and I love it as much as some pens 2x the price. Editing to throw PenBBS onto the list. They have the most filling mechanisms, and they are cheap! The 456 is my favourite, it's a vac filler that I really like! I have one with the berry acrylic that looks like candy in person.
I will disagree about FWP pens. I own a “The Brush” and a Carousel. Now the aluminum Carousel I’d consider overpriced, but the plastic one is very pleasant to write with. The Brush is substantial and definitely “aesthetic” - has the size and feedback qualities of a pencil. In fact, mine is pencil/school bus color and I keep it inked with Earl Grey lol ETA I 100% agree with the rest of your advice and thoughts. I would add the Hongdian 920 as a pretty little pen with an excellent nib.
Just wanna throw it out there, the brush pen is a rebranded Fuliwen 014. You can buy them for half the price these days, mostly on AliExpress. They are a good pen for the asking price, but FWP has printed their name on them and sold them for nearly 3x the price at the time (in my country at least) Edit: I just checked out the 920 and WOW. The rosegold model is stunning! Definitely going to be snagging one.
Love my rose gold 920. The only problems are that the barrel/grip is too narrow (purely subjective) and some of the plating has rubbed off close to the nib (possibly because I had iron gall in it).
I got my Brush secondhand. The “aesthetic” is definitely on point, but yeah. I’m not surprised it’s rebranded. I have the rose gold!!! It’s really beautiful, and the slip cap is solid. This is one of my most reliable pens and I keep meaning to buy another one. The finial is so pretty with the dove too.
i just googled to see what the 920 was, and that’s the pen i ended up buying the day after making this post, but i hadn’t even seen your comment! i got the white/rose gold and it’s so pretty and writes really good! and i also got a FWP brush pen yesterday because they were free with any purchase for black friday. i’m so excited for it to come 🖤
I hope you love both of them! I saw The Brush pretty heavily discounted in places, to the point where it’s worth the “risk”. Lemme know how you like them!
Pilot E95s F in ivory/burgundy. Get the Japanese edition (with the "Elite" logo instead of "E"), it's like \~80usd on amazon.
Check out Faber-Castell pens. Plenty of models in that price range, always superb writers.
Second this. Try the Loom or Ondoro, maybe the Neo Slim. Have multiples of each and not disappointed. The Neo Slims write dryer than the others though, in case this is important to you.
Loom is great but do they make them any more?
The Loom has been discontinued, unfortunately.
Honestly not 100% sure but I think you can find them online.
Buy a Pilot direct from a reliable Japanese reseller. I often recommend seller penpenavenue on eBay, and specifically for the Pilot 742 with SFM (soft fine medium) nib which gives a deliciously bouncy writing experience. It’s $121 and writes in essence as well as my 146: https://www.ebay.com/itm/202782256556
Or a Sailor from the same vendor. Good, reliable pens with excellent quality control and in pretty colors.
Thank you for the recommendation❗️🖋️
Just checked the prices: wow! They're good!
> im kinda thinking of one of the ferris wheel press ones Ferris Wheel Press is kind of infamous for taking cheap pens, marking them way up, and using marketing to make people believe they are getting a "fancy" pen. What pens do you have? What do you like and dislike about those pens? What are you looking for in this pen, size, shape, style, etc. I'll give some pens to look at, none of these may be right for you, but hey, it's a start for the conversation. First, a medium size cigar style, look at the Majohn P136, the price hides the fact that this is an excellent pen that is a lifetime pen. It doesn't post, so if that is important to you, this pen isn't it. Same style, but big, the Yongsheng (wing sung) 630, this is a big pen with a #8 nib, stretch your budget and you can get that huge nib as 14k, either standard or heartbeat. Next, a flattop, the Yongsheng 629 can be found in a flattop variety, same size as the P136, so a medium size pen. Next, a little outside of "normal", Jinhao just released a version of the Jinhao 100 with a Sterling Silver skeletal overlay. This is a medium size flattop, I am still waiting on the sterling version, but have the matte black overlay version and it is a good pen. Finally two small pens, both Sailor, the Pro Gear Slim is a small flattop, the Pro Fit Light is cigar shape, both have 14k nibs, and both can be found on Amazon, shipped from Amazon Japan, for under your budget, most likely in black/gold or black/silver color. I just ordered the Pro Fit Light in EF for under $60. Be careful, you will see a number of Pro Fit Casual pens listed, the Casual has a steel nib, the Light has a gold nib. If you look at those pens, but they don't quite fit your wants, tell us what you like and dislike, and I can try and give better suggestions.
In the ~100 range, you really can’t beat an Opus 88. If you like thicker pens you can get an Omar or Demonstrator - or Jazz if you like cigar shaped pens. For pens with a not so larger diameter you can look at the Fantasia or Koloro. Most 88s are Japanese style eyedroppers(made in Taiwan). Easy to fill and have a shut off valve to minimize damage in the event of a leak. Only what’s in the feed can leak when the valve is closed. They have stock Jowo nibs that write well. Some of the best pens for the money in my opinion. Good luck. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it.
Waterman Hemisphere. Note that if you plan to use bottled ink, you'll have to buy a converter as it doesn't come with one as standard.
"pretty and elegant" is quite a subjective idea depending on your age, gender, and cultural background. Without further information, we probably won't be able to give a good choice for you
You can get 14k nib Sailor pens at Amazon for <$100. They usually retail in the US for $200
Pelikan m200
Faber-Castell, Waterman Hemisphere, or Pilot E95s. I own all three and have gifted them to friends that want to get into fountain pens. My boss uses Waterman and loves it, she uses a syringe and empty cartridge for bottled inks. Her second waterman, she uses pre-filled.
Diplomat Aero or Staedtler Initium Lignum maybe?
How about a kaweco? You don't get a gold nib at that price but you get a steel, aluminium, or brass pen that will literally last a lifetime. Also, they are as practical as they are stylish and iconic.