There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
I'm rather new to fountain pens so I probably shouldn't be speaking until I learn more but I can't help myself. LOL.
First, I've never considered the possibility of a Cross "giving out". But then so many are mass produced in China not that it's entirely possible. Sad what Cross has done to the brand.
Second, I REALLY like my Waterman Phileas for daily writing. VERY smooth but I think it has a medium nib. They can run from $35 to as much as you will fork over to some hustler for one. But if you are either unconcerned about the pens log(or lack there of) then the Harley Davidson edition of the Phileas can be had for $25.
For a fine nib with some awesome(and somewhat funky) flex, I am playing with a Noodler's Ahab. It cost me $23 on eBay delivered, smells ...odd(made of some kind of cellulose resin) but writes great. It makes you WANT to write more with it. If I had a bad thing to say it would be that it is about the cheapest feeling thing you can hold. Well, also when you post it the cap can sit wonky but snuggly. The flex nib is just very cool. It also has an oversized converter and the option of removing the converter altogether and filling the body with a massive amount of ink.
The heart of most pens, I am finding, is the ink. With my Waterman(the smoothest writing pen I have at present) using the Noodlers Bad Black Moccasin, the nib feels like it is riding over oiled glass. With the cheap Higgins Eternal Black I bought to try to save a but the same nib feels like a rusty nail dipped in battery acid. Spring for good ink. Noodler's offers some great "Bulletproof" ad water proof inks. Montblanc inks are superb. I had thought Diamine was a better name but I am a bit disappointed with the Matador red I bought.
My latest purchase has been two fountain pens and one ball point from Skilcraft. I always admired the fact that Skilcraft makes pens and other products to benefit the blind and the products are made BY the blind. So when I saw they had two different fountain pens I jumped on them. The fact that the burgundy fountain and ballpoint pen set was $11 and the nave blue fountain pen was $13 didn't hurt. I wondered why the blue pen was more by itself than the burgundy set until I got them. The blue pen is much better balanced and outstanding for writing posted. The burgundy is too short un-posted and badly top heavy posted. For a cheap fountain pen to throw in a pocket or console I love the skillcraft. It's all metal(brass I believe) body and smooth writing nib are awesome for the price.
Nibs and tongues can be changed. Aftermarket as well as OEN converters can be had for relatively reasonable prices and cheap pens can write as well as the most extravagant Cadillac ink shooter. The bottom line is THIS IS FUN!
I'm definitely checking out the Ahab at Flax Pen to Paper (if they have one). Also, I really like the idea of the Skilcraft. I always would rather support a good cause over some company when I need to buy something. I might just go ahead and nab one of those when I have the opportunity.
I like the advice you have on the ink. I'm really only getting into that part at this stage - so that's what I've found most daunting (especially once I saw the prices on some inks!) Thanks!
The Parker was a heck of a deal since it was the gift pack with pen, 4 cartridges and a bottle of black Quink. It was supposed to have a converter too but that was missing which is why I got it for about $21 rather than the average of about $50. It's a great looking pen and I really want to love it. It has a great heft, nice matte black finish with silver accents and a sexy, sleek body, But it is like holding on to an eel that is trying to swim out of your hand. Again, it FEELS great but the sexy curves make it hard to hang onto.
The Hero 901 is a work of art. It is slightly heavier than the Parker, a rich, glossy black with finely detailed gold accents and a gold colored, fluted cap and tail cap. There is diamond cut etching around one band and a radiant starburst on the cap top. The nib is two toned and stamped Genius Iridium. And how mush did this work of art set me back? All of $2.57 shipped.
I have at least a dozen more Hero, Jinhao and Baoer pens coming from China(slow boat apparently). I hope I am as thrilled about them as I am with this one. And I am sad to be disappointed with the Parker.
Oh, forgot to mention that the Hero also came with a converter.