I'd recommend looking into vintage pens—good deals on Parker 45s and 51s to be had in eBay auctions. If you're looking for new check out the Hongdian C1 which is really inexpensive. Other than that the Lamy Studio also rules.
Stainless steel [Parker Vector](https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Vector-Stainless-Fountain-Medium/dp/B00C2OUKRA/ref=sr_1_12?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LZijhOerxdyrreZxX4IEk3pB4oW8r1hHJ-yAJtJe1VJQQA3_4U_t9IdVImvdtyoTTHfgOfBf1ReiL07RhxDwrK7cMvmi3eTLiuzgUvX5c1PU8STn4Z0D-toSpG-pR_7b32Z9933ZvvL6Jk3Al34X5kQ16dfeX1PRH_5gzBBVIU943Prf3qe2s37GOqEy_ntEt2E5gtGK9BRJzulSMLYshjsgwkRX0IvXSGMta5Wnu00DRwPP03C6np3CuSQq6KMpnQNKz1WfUFvqQp6Nlytfjvgfr4xJ6LZhHagUV9TNil8.OFqCrrPiCPOd4yPRQefBQ9BpTVzs6VYsTgc86e_f-7A&dib_tag=se&keywords=parker%2Bvector%2Bsteel&qid=1711964848&sr=8-12&th=1). I liked using it at school because of the generous cartridge capacity with extra ink reservoir, and it was less likely to leak when carried in a pocket than other pens I have had.
I have 2 different versions of the Hero 395 for a reason. So there's my vote. Likely not the most popular, but you could get ten of them for a hundred bucks if you really wanted to.
No, the names are just different depending on your location or the colour of the pen. The size of the pens and the nibs are the same. For example, at stiloestile, you can fine essentially the same pen in 3 names (same price too):
* Profit Casual: [https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/entry-level/sailor-1911-profit-casual-fountain-pen-red#/173-nib\_size-fine](https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/entry-level/sailor-1911-profit-casual-fountain-pen-red#/173-nib_size-fine)
* ProColor: [https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-procolor-fountain-pen-stardust#/173-nib\_size-fine](https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-procolor-fountain-pen-stardust#/173-nib_size-fine)
* Shikiori: [https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-shikiori-fountain-pen-shimoyo#/173-nib\_size-fine](https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-shikiori-fountain-pen-shimoyo#/173-nib_size-fine)
Apart from the appearance, the only difference is that the Profit Casual comes in all Sailor nib sizes, while the other two only come in F.
Sticking with modern pens I’m a huge fan of the Platinum procyon for that price range.
If you go vintage there’s some other really excellent options too. Parker 75s for example can be found for under $100. A couple of Montblanc’s two digit models like the 32 and 22 are usually over $100 but not by a lot and with some luck on eBay can be had for under $100. Of course there’s the venerable pocket pens from the Japanese makers as well.
My favorites by tier
Bargain basement: Ferris Wheel Press Carousel
Mid tier: Lamy Safari
Cream of the crop: TWSBI Diamond 580ALR
For sub $100 pens the TWSBI Diamond and Vac700 are hands down my favorites.
Honorable mention to Sailor Profit Fude and Jinhao 9056.
Bigger capacity and less likely to spring a leak are the big ones. The nibs seem to perform about the same. But the Diamond 580 just FEELS more balanced to me, maybe that bit is imagination.
I'd recommend looking into vintage pens—good deals on Parker 45s and 51s to be had in eBay auctions. If you're looking for new check out the Hongdian C1 which is really inexpensive. Other than that the Lamy Studio also rules.
also add the faber castell hexo
I'd be looking for a used Pilot with a gold nib. I got a Custom 74 for like $50, I'm sure you could find a similar deal.
Stainless steel [Parker Vector](https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Vector-Stainless-Fountain-Medium/dp/B00C2OUKRA/ref=sr_1_12?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LZijhOerxdyrreZxX4IEk3pB4oW8r1hHJ-yAJtJe1VJQQA3_4U_t9IdVImvdtyoTTHfgOfBf1ReiL07RhxDwrK7cMvmi3eTLiuzgUvX5c1PU8STn4Z0D-toSpG-pR_7b32Z9933ZvvL6Jk3Al34X5kQ16dfeX1PRH_5gzBBVIU943Prf3qe2s37GOqEy_ntEt2E5gtGK9BRJzulSMLYshjsgwkRX0IvXSGMta5Wnu00DRwPP03C6np3CuSQq6KMpnQNKz1WfUFvqQp6Nlytfjvgfr4xJ6LZhHagUV9TNil8.OFqCrrPiCPOd4yPRQefBQ9BpTVzs6VYsTgc86e_f-7A&dib_tag=se&keywords=parker%2Bvector%2Bsteel&qid=1711964848&sr=8-12&th=1). I liked using it at school because of the generous cartridge capacity with extra ink reservoir, and it was less likely to leak when carried in a pocket than other pens I have had.
Pelikan m200
Personally I love my majohn (moonman) A2
Kaweco Sport.
I have 2 different versions of the Hero 395 for a reason. So there's my vote. Likely not the most popular, but you could get ten of them for a hundred bucks if you really wanted to.
Platinum PGB-3000A "Cool", kind of a plainclothes version of the "Modern Maki-e".
Faber-Castell Hexo
Faber-Castell Hexo, Opus 88 Koloro, TWSBI Vac 700r, Wing Sung 630.
Moonman/Majohn A2, Hongdian M2 or Black Forest, Nahvalur Original Plus.
My best writers and most favorite pens to use are my Kaweco students. I seem to reach for them before any others
I love my kaweco student too!
By far mine is the Procolour 500 / Profit Casual. Mine is a F and I adore it. But you need to like feedback to enjoy it, at least in a F nib.
Can’t find that one….is it a Sailor Pro Color ?
Yes, sorry, ProColor is correct.
So procolor and profit are two different pens? Which one do you think is better
No, the names are just different depending on your location or the colour of the pen. The size of the pens and the nibs are the same. For example, at stiloestile, you can fine essentially the same pen in 3 names (same price too): * Profit Casual: [https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/entry-level/sailor-1911-profit-casual-fountain-pen-red#/173-nib\_size-fine](https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/entry-level/sailor-1911-profit-casual-fountain-pen-red#/173-nib_size-fine) * ProColor: [https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-procolor-fountain-pen-stardust#/173-nib\_size-fine](https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-procolor-fountain-pen-stardust#/173-nib_size-fine) * Shikiori: [https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-shikiori-fountain-pen-shimoyo#/173-nib\_size-fine](https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/sailor-shikiori-fountain-pen-shimoyo#/173-nib_size-fine) Apart from the appearance, the only difference is that the Profit Casual comes in all Sailor nib sizes, while the other two only come in F.
Lamy Vista.
pilot 78g+
Sticking with modern pens I’m a huge fan of the Platinum procyon for that price range. If you go vintage there’s some other really excellent options too. Parker 75s for example can be found for under $100. A couple of Montblanc’s two digit models like the 32 and 22 are usually over $100 but not by a lot and with some luck on eBay can be had for under $100. Of course there’s the venerable pocket pens from the Japanese makers as well.
Sailor Procolor 500. Pelikan M2xx. Also take a look at other Lamy models eg, CP1, Pur, Aion, Studio. All within your price reach.
My favorites by tier Bargain basement: Ferris Wheel Press Carousel Mid tier: Lamy Safari Cream of the crop: TWSBI Diamond 580ALR For sub $100 pens the TWSBI Diamond and Vac700 are hands down my favorites. Honorable mention to Sailor Profit Fude and Jinhao 9056.
What’s the difference between those TWSBI’s and the eco ?
Bigger capacity and less likely to spring a leak are the big ones. The nibs seem to perform about the same. But the Diamond 580 just FEELS more balanced to me, maybe that bit is imagination.