Deals.Woot

Dearest moderators; please note that the "Challenge" format was first proposed by @snapster, and it seems still useful. Please leave this question as it is. It's not hurting anyone, and it doesn't have any "extra" amusing tags, either.

For those who want more details:

I'd prefer that the pen not have a cartridge. Failing that, it should at least be a cartridge that can be refilled (like the Waterman on Amazon I linked to above). Unless there's a brand out there that's new to me, I'd probably only consider Waterman or Parker as options. I habitually write on onionskin and other fragile paper, and am not interested in less expensive items.

I'd also prefer that the pen be around $100 or less. The Waterman link I posted is $75.

Consider the TWSBI Diamond 530, or the upcoming TWSBI Vac 700. Both designs were crowdsourced from FountainPenNetwork, and the resulting design is at least technically excellent (you may not like the transparent plastic the first pens were produced in, but there's more options now).

The Lamy 2000 is definitely over budget ($130 or so on eBay, minimum) but it's probably the nicest pen you've never heard of. Lamy (la-MEE) is a german firm who has been producing this pen unchanged since the 1960s, with no sign of stopping or changing anything.

Both pens are piston fillers, with no recourse to using ink cartridges; both hold a good amount of ink. The Vac 700 is a vacuum filler, which holds considerably more ink, incorporates a shutoff valve (prevents leaks, especially during air travel) and fills with one pump on the handle.

I have used a TWSBI since the public beta release, and I have to say that it's a great pen. The others I know by reputation only, however. Check FPN for more.

I've never ever liked Parkers (but I'm sure you know pens are as personal as cars, sexuality and operating systems so best to ya with your way of life). My pen of choice is a tiny Sailor, like this one here http://www.nibs.com/SailorSapporoMini.htm

I've never used that company so this is not an endorsement, they just have lots of pictures so you can see. With the cap on it's maybe as long as your index finger, and with the cap on the back of the pen it becomes full sized. Very easy to keep around at all times. They don't make a converter but you can use cartridges.

@chrontius: Interesting mention of Lamy. I'm not interested in a used pen, but since you say they're still being made, this makes them interesting. I admit that the monetary limit was mostly because I know what a new Waterman ought to cost, rather than what I'm actually willing to spend.

The other pen you mention sounds like an entertaining curiosity, but I hesitate (in this case) to be bleeding edge, which it seems to be.

@magic cave: They do have a range of pens (from Parker to Lamy, and Waterman to Waterford). I would be concerned about purchasing their ink, though. I know that Waterman and Parker both are very sensitive to off brand ink (although that knowledge may be for older pends, and not the new ones). Entertaining link, though. There were a couple of brands I'd never heard of, and have added to the list of possibilities.

Thanks.

@docflash: Thanks; this is the opposite of what I want, of course. You might look for a Parker 51, and try it. I cannot imagine that it would give you satisfaction in your daily office use, but it's extraordinarily pleasant to use when writing a journal, or for personal correspondence. You remember personal correspondence, right?

I saw your other post about being in private practice as a GP. You are a vanishing breed, unfortunately.