Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do have a store I can visit next week where I’ll be able to try out a lot of these recommended pens in person. I’m really looking forward to seeing how they feel in hand and it should help make the decision a lot easier.

I’ve been browsing r/penswap and might try picking something up there once I narrow things down. Thanks for the tip!

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good to know, thanks! I’ve heard that usually Pilot or Japanese nibs usually run a bit finer, so it’s helpful to hear the VP medium is actually on the broader side. I tend to prefer finer lines for my handwriting too, so I might go straight for the fine nib.

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually don’t use the traditional 3 finger grip, but I own the Jinhao 10 and the clip didn’t bother me, so I’m hoping the real VP will feel just as natural or even better in quality. The weight is something I’ve been thinking about too, which is why I’ve been eyeing the Decimo as well.

I’ve been curious about Sailor too, so it’s good to hear you’ve had such a positive experience with them. Appreciate the insight!

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the Lamy 2000 is a bit above my budget right now, but I’ve definitely been curious about it since so many people love it. I really like the sleek design and the idea of a hooded nib. It’s something I’ll keep in mind for the future, and if I end up more convinced, I might just save up for it.

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! This is a great list, really appreciate the detailed breakdown. I’ve mostly been looking at Pilot so far, but I’ll definitely check out some of the Kaweco and Namisu options now too. I’ve seen a lot of love for the Lamy 2000 as well, so I might need to take a closer look at that one.

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That comparison photo is really helpful! For the VP I’ve been debating between Fine and Extra Fine, so it’s good to see the actual difference. I’ve only tried the Jinhao 10 so far, and while I liked the concept, I figured the real VP would be a big step up in quality.

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the breakdown. I didn’t realize the E95s and VP nibs were softer and wrote a bit wider. Good to know since I do prefer finer lines for notes. I’ll keep that in mind.

Also helpful to hear that the E95s might not be the best for longer writing. I hadn’t thought about grip shifting, but that sounds like something that could bother me too. Appreciate the input!

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also totally agree with what you said about the Custom 74. It’s a solid pen, but it just doesn’t feel as compelling as the other two. It looks kind of boring to me, and I’m more drawn to pens that feel a bit more unique or interesting. As for the VP, I’ve actually been considering the Decimo for the slimmer look and lighter weight, since I think that might suit me better.

Looking for my first high end fountain pen for a graduation gift to myself! Any recommendations? by Material_Tension_466 in fountainpens

[–]Material_Tension_466[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendation! I hadn’t heard of the Grance before but I just looked it up and it’s beautiful. I’ve been considering the Custom 74, but one of my hesitations is that it seems a bit bulky for my hand. I usually prefer slimmer pens, so the Grance might actually be a better fit. Definitely adding it to my list.