I’ve never owned or used a fountain pen before, but I saw that these are less than $6 a piece and refill cartridges look pretty cheap too.
Are these worth buying for a first timer or are they an invitation to a souring experience for a noob?
I’ve never owned or used a fountain pen before, but I saw that these are less than $6 a piece and refill cartridges look pretty cheap too.
Are these worth buying for a first timer or are they an invitation to a souring experience for a noob?
I think I will echo everyone else. A Platinum Preppy fine will be a great choice for a first time fountain pen user to decide whether a FP is right for them. $6 is not a big loss if it turns out you don’t like it. It seals incredibly well and the pen can last a long time if you aren’t too rough with it. It’s definitely not a pen you can throw at the bottom of a backpack then toss the bag around (compare to the Lamy Safari which can take a good bit more abuse.).
The fine might be a touch scratchier since a Japanese F is usually more like a western EF. If you using a lot of garbage paper, definitely go with the EF. If you’re working with paper that’s more liquid ink friendly, maybe consider M for a slightly smoother experience.
Definitely buy a bunch of samples and a blunt tipped needle to fill the cartridge that comes with it in that order. If you aren’t sure about 100% committing to FPs in that order, fill the rest of your cart for free shipping with stuff you could use otherwise. In terms of paper, I would say Rhodia and Clairefontaine are decent budget friendly paper. I am told Clairefontaine is dirt cheap in France. If you’re in the UK, I’m also told Optik paper from Oxford is widely available for a good price there. Maybe consider some pens or pencils if the retailer has them.
Thanks!