Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Vermillion Orange, Uncapped — The Platinum Prefounte fountain pen in Vermillion Orange.

Pen Review: Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen

July 20, 2024

Platinum rules the sub-$20 fountain pen space, at least among the larger, more mainstream pen brands. While Pilot and TWSBI have their own inexpensive “entry level” releases in the Kakuno and the Go, respectively, no company has as many different options at this price point as Platinum. Most fountain pen users are familiar with the Platinum Preppy and the Platinum Plaisir, but there’s yet another option that’s gaining some steam since its release a couple years ago: The Platinum Prefounte.

Priced to sit in-between the all-plastic Preppy fountain pen and the more upscale Plaisir, the Prefounte features a transparent plastic barrel in a new set of colors and with a more durable metal clip. While the Prefounte uses the same nib/feed/section as the Preppy (they are interchangeable), the barrel itself feels slightly more substantial than on the Preppy, and I enjoy not having to worry about the clip snapping off if I overextend it. All of Platinum’s pens are capable of taking both a cartridge and a converter (though they are proprietary and can only be used on Platinum pens), and I see nothing that would prevent you from eyedroppering the Prefounte by adding silicone grease and/or an o-ring to eyedropper the pen the same way you would modify a Preppy.

Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen Capped, Vermillion Orange

Who is this pen targeting? I would say those looking for an inexpensive everyday pen for the office or travel, as well as those experimenting with fountain pens for the first time but who don’t want something that looks as “disposable” as the standard $4 Preppy. At $11, the Prefounte also falls into what I think of as the zero-risk gift zone: a pen that you can easily gift to friends and family who you think might like fountain pens, without worrying about spending a lot of money on something they may or may not end up using.

Platinum Preppy, Prefounte, and Plaisir Side-by-Side — For the last minute trip I had to take this weekend (yes, two days before a shop move), I grabbed some travel-ready pens, including one of the new Platinum Preppy Wa limited editions, this Vermillion Orange Prefounte, and my yellow/green Plaisir with the desk pen nib installed. All of Platinum’s lower-priced pens use a version of the slip-and-seal cap system, which prevents the pen from drying out. Though I’ve never tested the “one-year” claim, it works very well.

I’ve personally been thinking a lot about entry-level fountain pens lately. As I build out inventory in advance of a physical shop opening, I want to have as broad a range of options to offer as possible, especially for those people curious about fountain pens who inevitably will want to come in and see them in person before committing. Being able to show someone a nice looking pen with a reliable nib, functional clip, multiple color options, and the ability to use cartridges or bottled ink, all for $11, makes the hobby much less intimidating for new users.

Platinum Prefounte Packaging in Three Colors

We currently have the Platinum Prefounte available in all five colors: Night Sea, Dark Emerald, Crimson Red, Graphite Blue, and Vermillion Orange. The colors are all on the darker side and look quite nice, especially the blues and the orange, which I picked out for my tester. Nib options are fine (03) and medium (05), and each pen ships with a Platinum Blue-Black Cartridge. Converters and other cartridge options are sold separately.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Platinum Prefounte and Plaisir Writing Sample — Platinum’s stainless steel nibs aren’t fancy, but they are consistently decent writers that lay down a standard fine or medium line.

Pilot Myu Fountain Pens Stainless Steel and Black Stripe

The Pilot Myu Fountain Pen: What Does It Take for Me to Seek Out a Rare, Somewhat Overhyped Vintage Pen?

June 29, 2024

I tend to not chase scarcity. My personal collection mainly consists of pens that I’ve purchased with the intent of using them for everyday writing. To the extent something remains in the collection, but doesn’t get used, it’s likely because the pen has become too fragile through age or overuse to withstand the normal wear of my workday. I seldom purchase something simply to say that I own an example, so if it’s in my pen case, I plan to write with it.

Pilot Myu Black Stripe Fountain Pen in-hand posted — The Pilot Myu Black Stripe, which adds a bit more texture to the pen in the form of the engraved vertical stripes.

I also rarely review so-called “unobtanium” (i.e. pens that get a lot of attention but you can’t actually find in the wild at a reasonable price). My goal for The Gentleman Stationer has always been to create a practical resource to help people learn about stationery and fine writing instruments. There’s not much practical value to writing about those vintage pens that are increasingly difficult to find, and when you do, they cost upwards of 10x the original price.

Pilot Myu Squeeze Converter — The vintage Myu typically comes with some version of the Pilot CON-20 squeeze converter, making it relatable to most modern Pilot users. The pens also accept modern Pilot cartridges (including the new Iroshizuku cartridges).

You might already have guessed that I’m going to make something of an exception today and talk about one of my favorite vintage pens, the Pilot Myu, which I love to write with but if I’m honest, may like them a bit too much to carry around everyday since I’m not sure I’d be able to replace these pens if something happened. I own two, which date to the early to mid 1970s, and are known for their integrated nibs. By “integrated nib,” I mean that the nib is not a separate unit: the entire pen - body, section, and nib - are machined from a single piece of metal (stainless steel). I can best describe the end result as something of a futuristic cross between a Pilot Vanishing Point and a Parker 51. The lack of any seams between the nib and the rest of the pen body give this pen gorgeous lines. Despite the stainless steel construction, the Myu is fabulously well-balanced, and the cap posts and closes securely.

What Makes the Pilot Myu Special, and Why Write About It?

First, there’s really nothing quite like the Myu currently on the market, and it’s so unique that I don’t begrudge anyone for shelling out the somewhat inflated secondary market prices for these pens. Integrated nib pens were a trend that emerged in the early 1970s, but due to manufacturing difficulties and the declining fountain pen market at the time, never completely took off. Despite the scarcity, I still feel that it’s fair to call the current price point “inflated” because even though they are somewhat rare, Pilot originally intended for them to serve as everyday workhorses at a lower-to-mid tier price point. Several years ago, the Myu received a lot of podcast/blogosphere hype as the “best pocket pen ever made” or something to that effect, and the prices seemingly shot up overnight into the $300-$500 range. I did a recent survey of eBay pricing and saw a few in the $250 range, which feels more realistic but still expensive.

Pilot Myu and Pentel Sharp Kerry Unposted — The Myu (right) next to the Pentel Sharp Kerry mechanical pencil.

Second, the Myu is an interesting piece of stationery history because you can still see certain similar design elements in other products that remain available. This week I wrote about the Pentel Sharp Kerry (which is visually similar but may actually predate the Myu), and you can also see bits of the Myu legacy in the monobody Schon Monoc nib, as well as the current Pilot Elite/E95S fountain pen. If you’re a fan of this style of stationery (as I am), it can be quite cool to own the original.

Finally, building a bit off of No. 1 above, the Myu offers a very distinct writing experience that’s much more tactile and “direct” than a typical fountain pen - it almost feels as though you are writing with a metal stylus or etching tool. The nib has zero give (very stiff), though at the same time the medium-fine shown here is a wet writer. Those who love a bit of tooth and a tactile feel to their nib often appreciate the Myu.

Pilot Myu Writing Sample Medium Fine Hypnotic Turquoise — Pilot Myu Medium-Fine Nib, Caran d’Ache Hypnotic Turquoise ink; Write Notepads Paper.

Takeaways and Should You Buy One?

The Myu remains one of the more unique fountain pens in my collection, and possibly one of the top five most iconic pieces of stationery, vintage or modern, that I own. While I have two of them, I bought them a year or two before the surge in popularity, and the current price point might be more than what many people find reasonable for a vintage pen that can be difficult to repair. Case in point: certain Myus (including the silver one shown here) have a tendency to leak around the clutch mechanism (“teeth”) at the bottom of the section. This issue can be fixed, but not many know how to do it. Years ago I was referred to someone via Fountain Pen Network who fixed my pen, and it writes well now, but if this problem were to arise again I’d likely have to hunt down a new repair person. Though an element of risk exists with any vintage pen purchase, less common pens like this one can feel riskier unless you know someone who can work on them.

Pilot Myu Kaweco Sport modern and vintage comparisons — Though longer and slimmer than a Kaweco Sport, I would still call the Myu a pocket pen, though given the age and relative value of this pen I have never used either of my Myu’s for actual pocket carry.

So should you buy one? It’s a hard question for me to answer, and I don’t feel comfortable “recommending” the Myu because it’s not as easily accessible in terms of both pricing and repair as something like a Parker 51 or even a vintage Kaweco Sport. But, if you’re a die-hard pocket pen fan and want to own an example of what many consider to be the best-ever iteration of the format, you will be very happy with this pen. Personally, I won’t be selling my two specimens anytime soon. :)

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you enjoy our content and articles such as this one, please consider supporting us directly.

Uni-ball One and Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage Gel Pens

Uni-Ball One or Zebra Sarasa Grand: A High-End Gel Pen Showdown?

June 19, 2024

If there's a category of stationery that I've somewhat neglected in my writing over the years, it's the gel pen. Why? Not because I dislike them as a writing instrument; rather, it's because I haven't noticed much innovation from major manufacturers since the late 2010s, with most of the attention in the community paid to third-party machined pen bodies designed to work with the standard refills from the "big pen" companies. Nothing released by Pilot, Uni, Zebra, etc. themselves has caught my eye, until recently.

Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage Gel Ink Writing Samples — The best of both worlds? Gel pens sit somewhere between a ballpoint and rollerball in terms of smoothness, but what sets them apart as a category are the nearly unlimited color possibilities. Shown here are few of Zebra’s “Vintage” ink colors. Three different options for sepia/brown-toned ink?

What Makes a Good Gel Pen?

Gel ink's core selling points are (1) smoothness; (2) paper versatility; and (3) vibrancy. In other words, you get the cleaner lines and feather-resistance of a ballpoint without the messy bleedthrough and smearing common with rollerballs, with the added ability to source refills in pretty much any color you can think of. Personally, I rarely use rollerballs anymore, and while the low-viscosity ballpoint remains my non-fountain pen workhorse of choice, I'll never turn down a good gel pen provided that it flows well and dries quickly.

Uni-ball One Gel Pen In-Hand — The Uni-ball One is a perfect length and diameter. It’s hard to find a gel pen I can comfortably use for longer writing sessions but this one checks most of my boxes.

Uni-ball One "F" Series: My Favorite of Uni's Current Gel Options

Despite the amount of attention Uni receives in the pen and stationery blogosphere, I've mainly used Pilot gel pens over the years, probably more out of habit than anything else because I've never had a Uni pen body that clicked with me. (Pun intended.) That's changed with the Uni-ball One Series F. I actually first tried these pens when my wife and daughter picked up a couple of them at Kinokuniya because they liked the look of the "Earth Texture" series. As it turns out, these are really good pens!

Uni-Ball One Earth Texture Gel Pen — A close up of the material from the “Earth Texture” pens. I love the mottled look.

The Uni-ball One serves as the vehicle for a "new" gel ink formulation that Uni released a few years ago, which they say contains a proprietary pigmented ink that uses larger particles of pigment to increase the darkness and/or vibrancy of the ink. The initial release had a few hiccups, with reports of skipping and other refill issues. Apparently Uni tweaked the ink formulation and recent manufacturing runs (including all the pens I personally have used) write much better. Personally, I can't tell much of a difference between the Uni-ball One and most other Uni gel ink pens, other than, yes, possibly darker blacks and brighter colors to some degree. What I really like about these pens is the pen body itself.

Uni-Ball One Clip and Barrel — A close-up of the clip on the Uni-ball One Series F. I’ve found this clip design to be functional, though I don’t personally use clips all that much anymore.

Uni has foregone a rubberized "cushion" grip in favor of a larger-diameter plastic barrel that I find very comfortable to hold. While there is some texture to the barrel, it's not over-pronounced but enough to keep the pen from slipping in your hand. The "F" series also adds a metal tip which gives the pen better balance than your typical plastic gel pen body, and all versions of the One feature a springy industrial-style clip. Best of all? Because there's no sticky rubber grip, the pen doesn't collect dust and gunk in your desk/bag/pen case like many inexpensive gel pens.

Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage: A "Professional" Option

Even though the Uni-ball One is a "nice" looking pen, it still has that "inexpensive plastic gel pen look" because, well, it's a relatively inexpensive plastic gel pen and you can't pretend it's something that it's not. As I alluded to above, a source of frustration over the years has been the seeming lack of "professional" first-party gel pen options that feature the same broad range of color options as the less expensive pens. Enter something like the Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage.

Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage Brown Grey Pen — When you start releasing pens in colors like “Brown-Grey”, you have my attention.

The Zebra Sarasa is a somewhat odd product line, spanning everything from extremely inexpensive office-supply gel pens to the higher-quality "Sarasa Clip" series to even higher-end pens like the Sarasa Grand and Sarasa Grand "Vintage" lines. The Sarasa Grand has a much different feel than something like the Uni-ball One or even the standard Zebra Sarasa - it's a slimmer pen with a metal (aluminum) barrel and a much more substantial feel in the hand. I've seen it described as "sleek," "slender," and "streamlined" - all of these hold true. Zebra recently redesiged this particular model, substituting aluminum for brass and reducing the length of the metal barrel component to make the pen lighter and better balanced. (You can see a comparison photo in yesterday's announcement post.) The barrel has a slightly matte/brushed texture to it, for added grip.

Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage Full Color Range — The full line of colors that we carry. .3mm options in the group on the left, .5mm options on the right. No I can’t name them all.

I've long admired the Sarasa Grand Vintage series from afar, but one thing that I couldn't tell from online advertisements (until I saw them in person and confirmed), was whether the color designation referred to the pen barrel or the ink or both. Turns out it's both! Not only do you have some wild vintage-style barrel colors - mostly muted shades of grey and black-infused tones - but the inks match, and you can purchase all of them in stand-alone refills in either .3mm or .5mm tip sizes. Currently, my favorites have been "Sepia Black," "Red Black" (of course), Blue-Black, and "Camel Yellow." The Sarasa JF refill dries quickly without smearing or smudging and I understand, anecdotally, that it may fit other Japanese gel pen barrels including the Uni-ball One, though I've also heard that they randomly won't fit perfectly from time-to-time and may require modification. YMMV and attempt any mods at your own risk.

Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage Gel Pen in hand — “Camel Yellow”: a gorgeous orange-gold with a matching ink tone.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

So which of these two "high-end" gel pens do I prefer? Honestly, for the complete overall writing experience, probably the Sarasa Grand Vintage. It's a more premium pen, and feels like it. I've been using one of the older models in my personal testing, and while I'm not sure that the redesign would justify replacing a pen you're already happy with, I can absolutely feel a difference with respect to the balance in the 2024 model. Plus, these colors just speak to me. For a lighter weight plastic pen, the Uni-ball One is a solid option that will likely replace the various Signo DX and Signo RT pens that I have in rotation simply because the barrel is that much more comfortable for me to use.

Uni-Ball One and Zebra Sarasa Precision Tips — Both pens have very precise tips, with a .38mm/.3mm size available.

We've carried certain select versions of the Uni-ball One F in our shop for a while, and as I mentioned yesterday, we now stock the Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage (new 2024 versions). Both of these are relatively inexpensive upgrades for those who want something a bit more “professional” than your standard clear plastic office supply closet gel pen. The Uni-ball One F series pens are priced at just under $5, while the Sarasa Grand Vintage is at $20. Refills for both pens are also available in our shop.

Update: Many of you have asked about our exclusive Sunderland mk1 collaboration, and whether it will be making a return. The answer is yes! I've spoken with Brad at Sunderland and things are underway. Look for an update on a third run later this summer! I'm glad this pen resonated with so many of you and I look forward to its return.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate your support.

Pen Review: Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper

May 29, 2024

Now that we're about four weeks removed from the 2024 Chicago Pen Show, I'm in a position to share my thoughts on the first of several pens I acquired at that show, including the one featured here: the Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper! Skogsy Pens is run by Zach and Amy Skogsberg, a husband-and-wife team where Zach is the primary maker and Amy can always be found handling the business end behind the table at pen shows! It’s been delightful to get to know them over the past couple of years, and what's amazing to me is that Zach has only been making pens since 2021, yet I've found his pens to be of consistently high quality with unique designs and material combinations. My favorites include Micarta and, as shown here, polished ebonite.

Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper Uncapped — The combination of polished acrylic and ebonite is gorgeous and immediately when I saw this pen at the Skogsy Pens table I knew that I would not leave the show without it.

So What is The “Low Volume Eyedropper” System

The Low Volume Eyedropper showcases Zach’s creativity and innovation, combining beige and black ebonite for the cap and section with a polished clear acrylic barrel, drilled out to function as an eyedropper. It’s a cool look. For the uninitiated, eyedropper pens can feel intimidating. They typically involve filling the barrel of the fountain pen directly with ink using a pipette or dropper, and sealing the barrel threads with silicone grease or an o-ring. Most eyedroppers hold a LOT of ink, which newer users often perceive as risky because it can cause a big mess if the pen leaks from the barrel or section or "burps" ink out the front of the nib due to changes in air pressure or temperature. The Skogsy "Low Volume" eyedropper is an experimental design that looks to mitigate some of the everyday complications inherent in eyedropper pens, and make them more user friendly.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Uncapped In-Hand — While this pen is on the shorter side for me, it’s proportionate enough in terms of diameter to maintain comfort.

The Low Volume Eyedropper - as the name implies - has been intentionally designed to hold a smaller volume of ink than your typical eyedropper in order to limit the amount of ink flowing to the feed and to allow for additional insulation of the ink chamber. (i.e., The smaller the ink chamber, the thicker the barrel, which means more material between the ink and your hand, which in turn limits temperature fluctuations that cause burping.) I understand that some additional modifications have also been made to the ebonite feed and the section to moderate the ink flow - something that can be particularly important with an eyedropper as most eyedroppers are wet writers to begin with and an ebonite feed will exacerbate that issue. I'm pleased to report that that system functions as intended: Even as I've emptied the pen, I've experienced no burping or excess flow as the eyedropper writes toward empty, and the ebonite feed maintains a steady stream of ink that's pretty much perfect for my preferences with a broad nib.

Skogsy Low Volume Capped Pen — The cap/barrel seam sits dead center. The cap is 2.75” long and the exposed portion of the barrel is the same length.

The Pen's Design: Relatively Short and Sweet with a no. 8 magna carta nib

Zach originally got into making fountain pens because he had a hard time finding a size and shape that appealed to him. As he points out in his introduction, compact pens with wider grip and barrel can be difficult to find, especially at an accessible price point. It can be even harder to find a pen with these proportions that features a larger nib - personally I feel that a No. 8 nib simply looks better on a pen of this size than a No. 6. Fortunately, lower-cost stainless steel No. 8 nibs have become more widely available as both JoWo and Magna Carta now supply them to penmakers, with Magna Carta currently the most popular. (Both the Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper and the Edison Jameson that I picked up in Chicago feature these Magna Carta nibs.)

Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper Nib Options — My pen came with two nib options. The Magna Carta has been installed since the Chicago Pen Show, but I also love that surfboard design on the JoWo No. 6! (Skogsy Pens is located in San Diego.)

I will note that the Magna Carta nibs can need some tuning, which may include not only smoothing but heat-setting the nib to the feed. This process is not terribly complicated for an experienced user to do by themselves, but if you're not comfortable performing minor work on your own nibs I would highly recommend purchasing your pen at a pen show where Zach can adjust your nib in person to fit your preferences.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper with Magna Carta Nib — The Magna Carta stainless steel nib features no branding. It’s a nice standard broad nib, but….

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Ebonite Feed — The ebonite feed is what makes the writing experience! Adding extra flow really does up the game here.

The finish on my pen is flawless. The clear acrylic barrel is polished to perfection without any noticeable tool marks, the threads are smooth, and the ebonite on the cap and section shines. And check out that swirl at the top of the cap....

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper showing swirled ebonite on top of the cap — Perfectly centered.

The Low Volume Eyedropper measures approximately 5.5 inches capped, 5 inches uncapped, and 6.5 inches posted. It's a very comfortable length for me to use either posted or unposted, though I think I prefer unposted as the pen feels more balanced. The gently concave, wider-diameter section offers a good grip area, and ebonite is one of my favorite materials to write with because it takes on a warm feeling in the hand. This pen practically begs to be used everyday, and offers an extremely pleasant writing experience over longer sessions at work or at home in my journal(s).

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Posted in-hand — The cap posts deeply and securely, though I think I prefer to use this one unposted.

What About the Ink and Paper Used in This Review?

In addition to test-driving the Low Volume Eyedropper, I used this review as an opportunity to try out a new ink and rediscover a favorite paper. I've always found brown/beige pens - and definitely clear-barreled eyedroppers - as excellent vehicles for showcasing red inks, so for this review I inked the pen up with Tom's Studio "Mulberry". Mulberry is a gorgeous deep burgundy that is what I consider a "solid color": without shading or sheen but it has a beautiful dark red hue with purple undertones.

Skogsy Low-Volume Eyedropper with Writing Sample of Tom's Studio Mulberry — What is it about brown/beige/grey pens and red inks?

As I mentioned above, the broad No. 8 Magna Carta Nib writes a bold wet line, and I had no issues with the Mulberry feathering or bleeding on the paper I've used here, which is the Blackwing "Illegal Pad". I've written before on my frustration with finding decent, reasonably priced legal-style pads capable of handling fountain pen ink, and I'm glad that Blackwing has now made these pads more widely available. Cool Note: The lined pads shown here feature a legal/steno layout, which is a lined pad with a center dividing line that we attorneys have traditionally used for various purposes such as organizing questions and corresponding answers at deposition or in court, as well as for checklists and research task management.

Skogsy Pens Low Volume eyedropper size comparison — The Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper (center), compared to two pens I’ve recently reviewed: the TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (right) and the Kaweco Sport Piston Filler (left).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

At the Chicago Pen Show, the Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper was priced at $340, which included a stainless steel Magna Carta No. 8 nib AND an extra Jowo No. 6 section and nib with the Skogsy surfboard design. I consider this excellent value given the craftsmanship and versatility. I have not yet tried out this pen with a No. 6 nib, and I’ll be interested to see whether it changes my perception of the balance or the writing experience.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Polished Ebonite Cap showing grain — The polished ebonite showcases a good bit of grain. Polished ebonite is one of my favorite fountain pen materials, and highly underrated.

As of the date of this post, Skogsy Pens does not have any Low Volume eyedroppers listed for sale on their website, as they are in the middle of Pen Show Season and stock needs to be reserved for shows (This is frequently the case with many smaller makers.) If you're interested in this particular pen, you have a few different options: Keep checking their online shop or contact them directly to place an order for a commission, follow Skogsy Pens on Instagram, or even better, visit them at a pen show! They list all upcoming shows online, and will be appearing at the Dutch Pen Show in June, the D.C. Pen Show at the beginning of August, and the San Francisco Pen Show at the end of August.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Writing Sample No. 2 — Another writing sample with the Mulberry ink, this time on Midori MD Cotton Paper.

The ink and paper featured in this review can be purchased in our own shop, as we carry the entire line of Tom's Studio Fountain Pen Inks, including Mulberry. You can read more about these inks ($16 for a 50ml bottle) and view swatches here. We also sell the Blackwing "Illegal Pads", which come in packs of two pads (priced at $20) and are available in blank, dot, and classic "legal pad lined" formats.

Did you enjoy our content? Consider supporting us directly by visiting the T.G.S. Curated Shop, or pledging via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate all our reader and customer support. I purchased the Skogsy pen shown here with my own funds, for review purposes, and was not compensated for this review.

My First Fountain Pen Revisited: The Waterman Laureat

May 25, 2024

I write a lot about recommendations for a "first fountain pen", and readers/customers frequently ask me for advice on which fountain pens they should they should buy based on various price points and other criteria. BUT, I realize I haven't written much at all on my own first "nice" fountain pen: the Waterman Laureat.

Waterman Laureat Cap Band — The Laureat features the classic Waterman clip and branding around the cap band.

Waterman made the Laureat during the mid-to-late 1990s, and possibly into the early 2000s. (I'm not a vintage expert - all I know is that it's no longer available and by the time I was back into the hobby in 2010, they had disappeared from store shelves.) I purchased this particular pen in London, in 1999, when I lived in Strasbourg, France and spent many a weekend visiting friends who were studying in London at the same time. As a slimmer pen, the Laureat made for a great introduction into the world of fountain pens because at the time it felt very similar to the "stick" ballpoints and rollerballs that I regularly used in school. It slotted easily into my Filofax pen loop, and the cap was designed to post easily onto the back of the barrel. Despite the lacquered brass construction, the slim barrel meant that the pen maintained a usable weight and decent balance.

Waterman Laureat Nib and Section Up Close — You can make out the ring of ink around the base of the nib. There is also some wear to the gold plating, which is to be expected after 25 years!

Nonetheless, like a few different 1990s-era Waterman pens, the Laureat had one glaring flaw: It is, by far, the messiest fountain pen I have ever used. The Laureat features a friction-fit cap and a ribbed grip that somehow interact to pull a drop of ink from the nib whenever you cap/uncap the pen. The result is a ring of ink around the end of the section, just below the nib, that's not enough to constitute a full-on leak, but is just enough to stain your fingers. You can avoid the issue somewhat by gripping the pen higher up on the section, but I've always accepted this as my "inevitably inky fingers" fountain pen and dealt with it. Waterman pens from this era feature some of the most consistently good stainless steel nibs available, and the gold nibs are among my all-time favorite. (I have at least five vintage or “near-vintage” Watermans that see regular use.)

Waterman Laureat In-Hand — The Waterman Laureat remains an incredibly comfortable fountain pen to use.

Is There a Modern Equivalent of the Waterman Laureat?

There are a couple different options, but in terms of pure feel, the Scriveiner fountain pen that I was recently sent to review (one of which we are giving away!) are close. Scriveiner uses the same lacquered brass barrel design, and while the color options don't feature quite as much depth as the Laureat, the pens don't suffer from the "inky section" issue. Scriveiner pens use Schmidt nibs, which are some of the most consistent steel nibs on the market, and the feel of the medium nib I've been testing actually comes pretty close to the Laureat.

Waterman Laureat with Two Scriveiner Fountain Pens

For those who don't like the weight of a brass barrel, another option would be the Pilot Explorer, which has a similarly slim shape, excellent steel nib and a much lighter feel in the hand. At $25, the Explorer is also much less expensive than the Laureat was (I believe I paid close to $200 for a matching fountain pen/rollerball set?)

Waterman Laureat compared to Scriveiner and Pilot Explorer — Waterman Laureat next to a Scriveiner fountain pen (center) and the Pilot Explorer.

Finally, the modern equivalent of the Laureat in the current Waterman lineup would probably be the Waterman Hemisphere. I haven't used one of these pens, so I have no first-hand experience, but I have not heard of any ink issues like the ones that plagued the Laureat. The Hemisphere appears to feature a similar grip/inner cap to the Waterman Expert, with which I've had no such problems.

Waterman Laureat Scriveiner Comparison — The Laureat next to the Scriveiner, uncapped.

What was your first "quality" fountain pen? Do you still use it? Does it still hold up? Or did you ink it up again after many years only think "What the heck did I ever see in this?" I love to hear these stories, so please drop a line in the comments over this long weekend!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Through Monday May 27, we are running a sale in the shop using the coupon code “SUMMERSALE” at checkout. If you enjoy our content, we greatly appreciate your support!