Best Mid-Range Fountain Pens: $100-300

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The following fountain pens are for people who want to graduate from a Pilot Metropolitan or Lamy Safari level to something a little more sophisticated and elegant.

Pilot Capless
Pilot Capless

1. Pilot Capless

Usually priced around $120-$150, it is an affordable pen with a design that is very unique. It came out in 1964 so it has some of the mid-century modern touch to it. It almost looks like a ballpoint pen because it has a retractable nib and so it’s very handy for people who have to take notes quickly and don’t have the time to remove or untwist the cap. Overall, the mechanics of the pen feel like quality, the design is well thought through, and the cap prevents the nib from drying out so you can just start writing once you hit that tip.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of the light weight, however, for people who have to write a lot and don’t want something heavy in their pocket, I think it’s an ideal companion. It can take cartridges or a converter. It comes with a converter that has three little metal balls inside and they’re supposed to help break the surface tension of the ink so you actually can write with a full tank of ink and you don’t waste anything that’s stuck at a point where it can’t get through the nib. The rather small 18 karat gold nib comes in fine, broad, and medium widths, you can see there’s some line vibration due to the fact that it’s a very slim nib but overall, it’s okay and it does the job.

To be honest, when I look at this pilot pen, it feels a little cheap because it has this lacquered finish, it almost looks like a bit of a metallic paint which is typically something I expect from a five-dollar pen not from $120 writing piece. Unlike with a ballpoint pen, the clip actually has to be on the side of the nib because you want to store it upwards, otherwise, you may leak ink onto your shirt or your jacket when you move quickly. Because of that, the clip is in the way when you write and you can always feel it and it’s not something I particularly enjoy.

Overall, the pilot capless is a smooth writer with steady ink flow, it is neither too wet nor too dry and it is perfect to take a lot of quick notes, you probably won’t write a long letter with it. It is made in Japan and three years guarantee against mechanical failures.

I think it’s a perfect pen for people who just want to upgrade from a ballpoint pen who are used to the convenience but want a slightly more unique look to the way they write but not sacrifice any of the practical aspects of a ballpoint pen. It’s also fantastic for people who are non-conformists and want a fountain pen that doesn’t look like anything else out there. I think it’s perfect for doctors or other people who have to take lots of notes quickly and have to move on and they don’t have the time to remove the cap or keep it and so that would come in very handy with a pilot capless.

2. Waterman Carene

The pen retails anywhere from $120 to $300 for the more all-metal versions. Waterman, as a brand, was very popular in the 1900s when vintage pens were very sought after. Lewis Edson Waterman invented the capillary feed fountain pen which is what most pens use today. Now generally, while modern Waterman fountain pens are not necessarily a great collector’s item, this one is usually quite popular.

First of all, it comes in a wide variety of designs in different colors and options. It features a pop-top cap and a hinged clip which both work quite well. I also really like to post the cap on the back of the fountain pen, it creates a nice balance and a solid weight. Compared to the Pilot Capless, it’s noticeably heavier. It takes standard cartridges or a converter and has an 18 karat gold nib that is part of the streamlined design that is very unique to this fountain pen. It has a good ink flow, though it runs a bit drier than other pens. The lines are quite smooth and simple. Sometimes, it may take a few strokes to warm up. I like the lacquered brass body which is not as cheap looking as the Pilot Capless and overall, it’s quite a bit heavier.

Made in France, the Waterman Carene comes with a three-year warranty that can be extended to five years if you register the fountain pen. So who is the Waterman Carene for? I think it’s a good choice for people who want a unique streamlined design and appreciate a slightly heavier pen. I think it’s great for modern-day businessmen who prefer slim fit suits and want something that is not as old and classic as the Montblanc Meisterstuck, for example, but it is something that’s a little more unique that also doesn’t break the bank.

Lamy 2000
Lamy 2000

3. Lamy 2000

The Lamy 2000 usually retails anywhere between $140-$170. To me, it looks like a durable understated mix between a Bauhaus mid-century modern design. It doesn’t come out as a surprise, it originally came out in 1966 and back then, it was celebrated as a simplistic piece of art. The construction is made out of stainless steel and polycarbonate which is the same material you probably know from your lightweight suitcases. The fountain pen has a matte texture which gives you a better grip and it also makes it less shiny and because it’s not metal or lacquer, it feels warmer when you write with it. That being said, the tip is stainless steel and it’s noticeably cooler. It has a nice pop-top cap that posts well on the back of the pen and stays on while you write. The fountain pen is comfortable to hold, it has a moderate weight and is rather well balanced. The semi-hooded hidden nib is made of 14-karat gold, to get the silver look, it’s platinum plated.

Personally, I am not a big fan of this kind of nib design but it was very popular in the 60s. While there are several nib widths and styles available, the look of it is rather limited. You can get it in a darker version, in a lighter version, and sometimes they have limited editions like champagne colored ones. The Lamy 2000 writes smoothly, maybe it’s a bit on the wet side. It can take a little while to find a sweet spot because if the nib is rotated slightly, it doesn’t write. Unlike the two other pens, the Lamy 2000 comes with a large piston filling mechanism which I prefer to the other mechanisms because I don’t have to untwist anything, it’s all contained within the pen. It also has a nice ink window so you can always see if you’re running out shortly. It also comes with a nice spring-loaded pivoting clip which makes it very easy to clip into your pocket or anything else for that matter. The tapered front section of the pen makes it comfortable to write no matter if you have smaller, medium, or larger hands.

Overall, the Lamy 2000 provides a very comfortable writing experience paired with an iconic design, it’s made in Germany by Lamy and comes with a 2-year warranty. So who’s the Lamy 2000 for? I think it works well for people who like simplistic things such as a Nomos Tangete, for example. It’s also great if you prefer medium to lightweight pens and not something that’s super heavy paired with a slightly grippier shaft. Personally, I don’t like the look and the design of the Lamy 2000 but I’m neither a big fan of the Capless or the Waterman Carene. That being said, all those three pens are great writing instruments if you just look at the writing aspect.

4. Sailor 1911

This pen looks very classic compared to the previous three. It comes in two different sizes and the large one is usually anywhere from $200 – $280. At first glance, it might look very timeless, classic, and understated to you, however, in the fountain pen world, it looks really like a knockoff Montblanc Meisterstuck. The screw on cap is tight and it posts well on the back of the pen.

Even though we got the large version, it’s considerably smaller than a Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 and about the size of Montblanc 146. You can get it in various resin colors and gold as well as the rhodium plated metal parts. It also comes in many nib sizes including the rather unusual zoom nib. While the standard size just has a 14-karat nib, the large one has a 21 karat nib which is rather unusual but the higher the gold content, usually the softer and smoother the nib.

The writing experience is very comfortable and smooth and the nib adds a little bit of bounce. Even though the back tip indicates this is a piston filler, it only works with cartridges or cartridge converters. It’s comfortable to use either posted or unposted and overall, it’s a very pleasant writing experience. I think the sailors have relatively fine nibs across all the sizes. So if you want something finer, that’s great. If you like something broader, maybe you want to size up. Its made in Japan, comes with a one-year warranty. So who’s it for? It’s ideal for people who want a classic understated cigar design in a nice size with a high-quality nib made out of 21 karat gold.

Pilot Custom Heritage 823
Pilot Custom Heritage 823

5. Pilot Custom Heritage 823

First, it retails at about $270- $290, comes in a big box often with an inkwell. It also has a classic cigar inspired style but it’s in general, a little slimmer. Also, the body is made out of a semi-transparent resin which means you can actually see the mechanics on the inside. This one comes in a smoky acrylic tone in Japan or at specialty retailers, you can also find different colors. Unlike all the other four contenders, this one has a vacuum filling mechanism which personally, I’m not a big fan of.

The 14 karat gold nib is large, smooth, and juicy. Possibly, it’s one of the smoothest writers out there and personally, I think the number one reason why you should buy this pen is the smooth nib and writing experience. While many pens in this price range offer more of an oversized grip, this one is more standard sized and better suited to small to medium hands. Of course, it’s also made in Japan by Pilot and I think it’s perfect for people who want a different design and a smooth writing experience. You really don’t have to mind the kind of design that is semi-transparent and you also have to be okay with a vacuum filling mechanism which personally I’m not a big fan of.

CONCLUSION

So in conclusion, if you’re ready to take the plunge and take your fountain pen game to the next level, all these five contenders will be a noticeable step up from a Lamy Safari or a Pilot Metropolitan. So which of these five pens should you choose? Frankly, if you like the more mid-century modern design, I think the Lamy 2000 is nice. If you are a doctor and you take quick notes, the Capless is best. If you want something business appropriate but unique, the Waterman Carene is hard to beat. For the best experience in terms of writing, I think the Pilot custom 823 is great and if you want something that looks more like a Montblanc Meisterstuck, you can go with a sailor 1911.

Reader Comments

  1. I think the Edison Collier should certainly be included. At $169, it is an absolute steal for how much pen you are getting for the money. Beautiful hand turned resin body, and the steel nib writes unbelievably smooth. Comfortable for long writing sessions, and a classic look. It is my favorite pen hands down.
    Also, a number of pens from Faber Castell could be here, and some priced under $100. They have very smooth nibs and are a pleasure to write with.

  2. An alternative to consider – find a reputable dealer who restores Parkers and pick up a genuine Parker 51, or better yet, a pen and pencil set. The 51 is the best writing instrument I’ve ever used, and I’ve used a lot of fountain pens. You can pick one up in great shape for $100-200. Plus, what could be better than pulling out a 60-70 year old pen to sign that big contract? Cheers!

    1. Parker 51 was the very pen that was coming to my mind as well, and I am sure that if Sven Raphael ever considers doing a video on vintage fountain pens it would feature there prominently. So we only have to wait and see for that video.

  3. Parker Duofold! Unfortunately, fountain pens also tend to exude ink on our dress shirts. But they still have the write stuff.

  4. Thanks a million Sven Raphael. I am proud to say that I use several of the pens you mentioned in this article, i.e. the Pilot Decimo Capless as my everyday shirt or jacket pocket companion, the Lamy 2000 for longer texts and the Sailor 1911 for marking test papers. Makes the job a little less strenuous at times.
    I can recommend all of them, and if you are a fine nib person, well, you really cannot do any better in the price range than with a Sailor in EF.

    If I may be so bold as to make a recommendation or two, I would love to see you taking a look at classic or vintage fountain pens like the Parker 51 or the Pelikan 400. Not the M400, that came later, the real 400.
    And I would love to read or see your verdict on inks and paper, not so much like ‘use Private Reserve’ or ‘you can’t go wrong with Sei-Boku’ – which isn’t quite your style anyway. I was rather thinking of you taking a look at gentlemanly colours and similar ideas. After all, a kind letter or postcard nicely written will just make people realize you really appreciate them and want to express the fact in a subtle, gentlemanly way, not imposing but showing your effort.

  5. I have been using my Parker Duofold which I purchased in Paris some 30 years ago along with the Parker Duofold cap activated ballpoint pen. I believe I paid $50.00 at that time but the price of these pens has increased dramatically since then. Both of these pens, however, have served me very well during my working years and continue to do so now that I am retired. I have not seen Parker listed among any of the pens you recommend and wondered if you had an opinion. Thank you for the thorough and entertaining video. Thank you. Michael P. Walker

  6. I recommend you check out Goulet Pens. Solid company. Be very careful ordering from Amazon. They won’t warranty a lot of Japanese pens or inks. A company you can count on is worth a few more dollars.

  7. Both the Sailor 1911M Burgundy and Platinum 3776 (Chartres Blu) are my two favorite every day carry pens. Both can be had for under $100 each with a 18k nib. Smooth as silk and nothing better for the price (or many times the price).

  8. What, no Cross?
    Got one as part of a 3 piece set as a graduation gift in ’66 and still writing along. Unfortunately, the ballpoint and pencil got stolen.

    1. In my limited experience with FP’s I’ve found that the modern Cross pens are far lesser quality.
      than their vintage predecessors.

  9. Thank you for the video Sven Raphael – I am sure it is much awaited for by many people who, having managed their first steps into the fountain pen world, now wish to upgrade but can’t justify the price of a high-end writing piece to themselves or their families yet.
    What that price range and any of those five pens mentioned sure will get you is a good everyday writer with a smooth writing experience every time you take it out. And it might whet your apetite for more… you have been warned.

    I would love to watch a video on vintage fountain pens, like the Parker 51 or the original Pelikan 400. Your thoughts on ‘gentlemanly’ inks, both in colours and in makers would also be nice and helpful… once again, black is overrated as colour choice here as well.

  10. Glad to see this topic taken up here. Of course, no selection of just five models from the hundreds of pens available in this price range is going to be satisfactory to every fountain pen user, but I am glad to see the Pilot Custom 823 included here. The Pilot capless and the Lamy 2000 seem to me rather specialized in their appeal—the first being, as you say, for people who want something that has the ease of use of a ball-point pen; the second for those who like the modernistic styling of Lamy (as I do not).

    I think that the Platinum Century 3776 belongs on the list. It now comes in numerous different materials, from the basic transparent colored resin to celluloid and lacquered finishes.

    Raphael, can you please break yourself of the habit of overusing the word “unique”? “Unique” means “one of a kind”: it does not mean “distinctive” or “unusual.” If a thing of such and such a kind is unique, that means that it is the *only* thing of that kind. So it is nonsense to say that it is “rather unique” or “more unique” than some other things of the same kind.

  11. Sven, it’s a good video and while there is definitely room for debate on what should make that list vs not, something to note is that the 5th pen on the list is the Pilot CUSTOM 823. It may be a bit pedantic, but there is no such pen called the ‘Custom Heritage 823’ as that label is reserved for the Custom Heritage 92 to indicate the internal piston filling mechanism and make it stand out in name a bit from the Pilot Custom 74, as they are otherwise the same pen. The pen in your video should only be referred to as the Pilot Custom 823.

  12. Perhaps it’s clarfied in the video, so forgive my comment if so. What Sven calls the Pilot “capless” is actually called the “Vanishing Point”. Besides the pens mentioned (of which I own the Carene), I would rather recommend looking at Platiunum 3776, Sailor Pro Gear [slim], and Pelikan M200 series. Honestly there are plenty of great pens in the $100-$300 level. Really, once you get to this level, it’s all about personal taste and can be pretty subjective. That being said, just because someone says gold bibs are better, they may be too springy for a hand that’s used to applying more pressure when writing. Many ballpoint users may need a good quality steel nib. One of my personal favorite US brands is Franklin-Christoph. It’s always good to visit a pen shop and try different models and nibs. Most online shops won’t let you return a pen that’s been inked up already.

  13. I am really surprised you did not put in a Pelikan into the mix. Without a doubt one of the best pens at any price point. Much better choice than the Waterman.

    1. Agreed, I also noticed the absence.
      Personally, I’d think that some of the Visconti options would have made the list as well.

      (also .. fancy meeting you here! LOL)

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