Hi V Barrett
I love fountain pens as well. I tried the rep game but was highly disappointed.
The reason why fountain pens are beautiful aside from the look is the way the pen glides on paper. This is primarily due to the NIB and compared to the rep MB that use a Iridium NIB, iits an absolute mess where it scratches and leaks. Imagine signing a very important contract with your rep pen and it ink splots over the contract...LOL.
More importantly, unlike the watches, the NIB is a dead giveaway, and so much easier to be called out on. This could be highly embarrassing since were not talking about a $20,000 Royal Oak, but a $200 fountain pen, which will really show your taste and knowledge.
I began with Watermans, and still have a few (Carene, and Edson). However, over time, I have found for the price of a decent Rep watch, you could own a very nice fountain pen or perhaps 2. This is a really important concept, a Rep Pen is much different than a Rep watch, since it contains a bomb of ink, and if it explodes / leaks, sure is going to ruin your Non-Rep Suit...
If I may be so bold, the Pelikan 400, 600 and 800 series are all phenomenal pens and competes right against the MBs of the world. IMHO, its a hands down vote, with a pitston filler instead of a converter, Pelikan is the pen of choice of the moment for many FIS (equivalent to our WIS) with the exception of the MB 149.
If you like heavier and bigger pens, review the 800 and 1000 series for Pelikans, otherwise sample a 400 or 600 which can compete against the MB 149.
FWIW, collecting fountain pens is one of those things that are highly addictive.
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