I think the Faber-Castell Ambition Op Art's are even better contenders as that "step up" pen... Not quite so nice as my beloved GvFC Guilloche's but gets you on your way there at 30% the cost.
Looks decent for the price. I had a FC Essentio and a Hexo which were also excellent although a little more. The sub £20 price range is a tough one as I’d either pay less and get a preppy or pay a bit more and get a Twsbi eco!
The Faber Castel grip was one of my first fountain pens. I wanted to try a fountain pen and I spotted one at Michael's, an art store chain we here in the US and the only stationary store (sadly) near me. Found one in pastel blue and it is indeed a comfortable and reliable pen. Very enjoyable to write with!
@@PenFriends more comfortable than the LAMY, but a lot of hard starts, so I would go back to my ALstar. However, that was at the beginning of my fountain pen journey. Now that I'm much more aware of their care and keep, it might be a different experience.
Hi, you can get a wide variety of colored in Germany, Netherlands. Even JetPens in US has a wide range of colors. I agree this is overlooked but most users aren’t a fan of the triangular grip. The other popular inexpensive starter pens include Chinese brands like Jinhao 82.
In the uk the colour range is somewhat limited alas :( it certainly doesn’t compete with the vast array of colours that Lamy offer. Glad it gets more love in Germany! As it probably should!
I bought a coconut white version. I liked to write with it. But it was leaking. I think it was the plastic ask cracked in the production. It might just be the white version as has this problem. It looks like it removed from Amazon. Both Amazon and the producer’s solution was return it and refund me. Result is that I have not dared to buy it again, which is sad since I liked the pen.
Very good reminder of the things that are important: comfort in the hand, control on the page.
Thank you, I do hope people consider this more before buying pens
I think the Faber-Castell Ambition Op Art's are even better contenders as that "step up" pen... Not quite so nice as my beloved GvFC Guilloche's but gets you on your way there at 30% the cost.
Thank you! 🙏 ❤ I really like mine! 🙏❤️
Glad you like it! Keep on writing xxx
Looks decent for the price. I had a FC Essentio and a Hexo which were also excellent although a little more. The sub £20 price range is a tough one as I’d either pay less and get a preppy or pay a bit more and get a Twsbi eco!
The Faber Castel grip was one of my first fountain pens. I wanted to try a fountain pen and I spotted one at Michael's, an art store chain we here in the US and the only stationary store (sadly) near me. Found one in pastel blue and it is indeed a comfortable and reliable pen. Very enjoyable to write with!
Very glad you’re enjoying it, how would you rate it in comparison to other pens?
@@PenFriends more comfortable than the LAMY, but a lot of hard starts, so I would go back to my ALstar. However, that was at the beginning of my fountain pen journey. Now that I'm much more aware of their care and keep, it might be a different experience.
Platinum Plaisir also a good choice for Safari alternative 👍
Indeed it is! I had a lovely orange one for a while, they also have some great alternative colours
I agree it's an under-rated pen, and has a lot to offer. I purchased one last December and made video about it, but it isn't talked about too much.
It’s very strange that it doesn’t, the nib is absolutely superb and extremely comfortable. I’ll check your video out.
Hi, you can get a wide variety of colored in Germany, Netherlands. Even JetPens in US has a wide range of colors.
I agree this is overlooked but most users aren’t a fan of the triangular grip.
The other popular inexpensive starter pens include Chinese brands like Jinhao 82.
In the uk the colour range is somewhat limited alas :( it certainly doesn’t compete with the vast array of colours that Lamy offer.
Glad it gets more love in Germany! As it probably should!
I bought a coconut white version. I liked to write with it. But it was leaking. I think it was the plastic ask cracked in the production. It might just be the white version as has this problem. It looks like it removed from Amazon. Both Amazon and the producer’s solution was return it and refund me. Result is that I have not dared to buy it again, which is sad since I liked the pen.
It’s certainly worth looking into again!
Just switch to Japanese and skip the inferior European pens.
Both do great pens, but I do prefer Japanese pens in general