So recently, hubby and I have developed an interest in fountain pens. I got a relatively cheap Cross (Cross Aventura - $39 at Staples) and husband got a slightly more expensive Cross (Cross Townsend) from eBay.

The cheaper Cross is apparently a fine point nib, and the Townsend has a medium nib. Both are neat to write with, but I have to wonder about some of the really expensive fountain pens - and are they worth that money for the way they write, or are they just a status symbol.

Anyone have a favorite Fountain Pen?

I've used the Sanford Uniball Micro Blue or Black since high school. My dad used to bring them home from work; they've always been my favorites. Not too expensive, but I love them!

I'm a lefty, so fountain pens are out for me. The ink doesn't dry fast enough so I end up with a blue palm and smeared writing.

I used to love fountain pens, until one founted all over my favorite suit...

Well, this one is made from warthog tusk...

Actually, there's a decent crossover between watch collectors and pen collectors, so I've learned more about them than I ever wanted to know.

Like a poster wrote earlier, I also write left-handed, and can't use fountain pens at all. Even with gel pens, I need one with quick drying ink.

Wow, I had no idea there are websites solely selling pens!

I'm a lefty too - I've just learned to live with it.

I used to LOVE writing with fountain pens!

Wow! My uni-balls are like $9.99 for a dozen! $195.00 for a pen seems ridiculous to me.

But, yours are not made out of warthog tusk either!

A friend gave me an engraved Mont Blac pen...I had never heard of one before. Needless to say, I am horrible about losing pens, so when I found out how much they cost, I put it up, because I am so paranoid that I will lose it or one of our customers will accidently carry it off. So it has a special place in my desk drawer. I only use it when he comes in. Don't want to hurt his feelings that I am not using it all the time.

We had a local economist and business professor who was subsequently convicted of running a ponzi scheme and bilking millions of dollars from local citizenry. He apparently shuttled some of those millions into a fountain pen collection that included one diamond-studded Montblanc fountain pen that was reportedly worth $170,000. You can read about it and see a picture here: http://old.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/11/22/met_105439.shtml

I stopped using them because of being left handed and needing to run to the bathroom to run the darn thing under hot water to get the ink flowing again....

I use the Bic 10 pack, on sale now at Walgreens for $1

Did you grab a Snickers as well?

no I didn't, but we have vending machines on the first floor so I can get my fix later without having to venture outside and risk getting the bottom of my shoes damp

My husband also uses a Montblanc, but I don't think it cost $170,000. He's had it for years.

I wouldn't pay over $10,000 for anything I couldn't either drive or live in.

"I see people gettin up at 7:30 every mornin,
Goin to work at the drugstore, to sell Flair pens.
But the most amazing thing to me is...
I get paid for doin this!"

- Steve Martin

I use a Mont Blanc, as well as a couple of vintage Sheaffer pens that belonged to my grandfather (and I'm a lefty, though I don't write like a typical lefty, so smudging is not an issue for me). I like all three pens, but don't think I would pay the money for a MB (mine was a gift). If I were buying a new pen, I'd probably look at a new Sheaffer like this pen.

In fact, I might get one to carry for day-to-day use so I don't risk losing one of my older pens.

Happy writing.

As a side note, one of my vintage Sheaffer pens is a blue/silver Snorkel like the first one pictured here.

I own both a Mont Blanc and a Waterman. The Mont Blanc was inherited, and the Waterman was my college graduation present. I love writing with them both, but they never leave the house because I would be devastated to lose either one. There's nothing quite like writing longhand with a fountain pen.

Oh and for what it's worth, neither of my fountain pens cost anywhere near $10,000.00.

I have found I enjoy writing with the cheapie Cross that has the fine point nib. It is easier to write in a compact space with a fine point FP that it is with a FP ball point or roller ball.

FWIW - I would never pay $10,000 for a fountain pen - but then again, I don't see the point of Rolex watches either.

Never ever take a left handed person's fountain pen and write with it if you are right handed. You will ruin the nib!!! Just some advice to you righty's out there.

Love fountain pens but usually use my alternate left handed style so my hand doesn't cross over the writing. Ruined many white uniform blouses that way.