[rg111]

I have several higher end fountain pens that are my daily drivers. And I have zero incidents as well.

I own several Lamy, Pilot, and Platinum.

If you ever write with a Pilot Custom 823 on decent paper, you will never be able to go back.

(If you enjoy the friction in writing, you need to try Lamy Al-Star/Safari fine nib, or Pilot Metropolitan fine nib. Medium nibs are smooth and some people don't like that.)

And even as the prices are high, they do last literal lifetimes.

[molbioguy]

Any suggestions for good lower cost pens?

[iancmceachern]

Lamy safari Kweco sport Pilot metropolitan Those are all 20 bucks or so and are refillable

Platinum preppy's are not refillable but were my first fountain pen, can be had in many ink colors, and are about 5 bucks.

[molbioguy]

Thanks!

[rg111]

Start with either Lamy Safary [0] or Pilot Metropolitan [1].

If you like smooth, go with Medium nib, and if you like some feedback, go with Fine, as I said.

Writing on decent paper (not always the expensive one) with a decent medium nib pen is something everyone needs to try at least once.

[0]: https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Fountain-Charcoal-Medium-L17M/...

[1]: https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Metropolitan-Collection-Fountai...

[molbioguy]

Thank you!

[xhkkffbf]

I've gotten some cheap pens from China via Amazon and eBay. They're not as nice as the expensive pens, but for the price they're amazing. Some of the Lamy Safari knock offs are only a few dollars.

[molbioguy]

At that price, sampling becomes very reasonable. Sometimes knock offs can be perfectly usable, though I've had my share of disappointments when I didn't expect a fake.