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Black n' Red Notebook, Durable Poly Cover, Premium Optik Paper, Scribzee App Compatible, Environmentally Friendly, Spiral Binding, 11" x 8-1/2", 70 Double-Sided Ruled Sheets, Secure Bungee Closure, 1 Count (K66652)?
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I'm a fountain pen enthusiast, and you're helping me procrastinate, don't worry!
Grab yourself a Metropolitan, it can write on any paper no problem. The Platinum Preppy runs a bit wet.
If you find yourself in want of a notebook that can handle any fountain pen at an affordable cost, grab yourself a black n' red from Amazon.
Amazon, typically, here's a full sized notebook for under 6 bucks: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFQG1I/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_RkW.xbH91REDQ Every once in a while, you'll catch Amazon having them for five bucks or under, I try to stock up when that happens.
That size rhodia is typically eleven or so bucks.
Black and red notebooks are pretty good and inexpensive, but only available in wide rule afaik.
Not sure if you live in an area with Target but I have had a lot of luck with Greenroom notebooks. I got a bunch on clearance for like $.69 a pop or something ridiculous. Check for paper that is smooth, but not too thin at local stores.
Heavily recommended Black N' Red Notebook on Amazon for about $7 a piece. Again, not sure how much paper you run through, but it's good cost per performance.
If you need a lotttt of paper try HP Laserjet Paper on Amazon. Redditors vouching for it. If you need lines/dots, place a lined sheet of paper behind the blank paper to guide yourself and then three hole punch it.
Graph paper composition notebook from Staples posted recently.
Another thing to keep in mind you haven't discussed is what ink you are going to use. Pelikan 4001 comes highly recommended for it's cost while still being a dry ink that works on poor paper.
[[Noodler's X-feather]] can be incredibly useful for writing on cheap paper. It will not spread on cheap paper with a fine/extra-fine nib. I don't know if you are using cartridges or converters yet, but switching to a bottle ink can give you some better performance potentially depending on what ink carts you are currently using.
Some other pens that would be good for you at Uni would be the Platinum Preppy a $3.00 pen that starts as cartridge based but can take a converter or be eyedropper converted (where you fill the whole barrel full of ink). They come in EF, F, M and in a variety of colors.
Wingsung 698 in EF is another great bargain option for high ink capacity, uses the same nib as the Pilot MR line (Metropolitan, Retro Pop, etc.), with good build quality for under $20.
Another big takeaway for beginner fountain pen users is higher cost doesn't mean better functionality. Benefits level off really fast when spending more money when it comes to functionality.
First, welcome to this sub-Reddit. Fountain pens are a blast! Be prepared for it to become a hobby. So many different color inks to play with that will vary in in different pens and nib sizes.
I'd agree with the recommendations of either a Pilot Metro ($15) or Twisbi Eco ($28.99 US). Does the Twisbi write $14 better? I don't think so but for me the Twisbi is less scratchy than the Pilot AND the Twisbi let's you see the color of your ink. The Twisbi does not look like a "normal" pen like the Pilot. For me, part of owning a pen is to be noticed writing with it. Twisbi does this easily. Also if you go With the Pilot, buy the Con-50 converter. This holds the ink a lot better and is easier to use than the supplied con-30 squeeze converter.
Notebooks - can't go wrong with Black & Red. $5.77 US as a addon item for Amazon. Great fountain pen paper that's perforated, so easy to tear out a clean sheet and turn in.
Ink - Noodler's X-feather is designed to not feather on cheap paper. I've never used it, but my go to black is Noodler's bad black moccasin. Never had a problem with it. If you want to experiment with different inks, Goulet Pens has a sampler of black inks. Why would want to experiment with inks? Because not all blacks are the same and because you can!
Other items you may want to add: 1. Bulb syringe - makes cleaning your FP a lot faster 2. Blunt tip syringe - filling ink into the FP is easier. You tube video showing bulb syringe https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ipwFvY0PUqs
Lastly, good luck on your RN!
ClaireFontaine, of course. And Rhodia.
https://www.jetpens.com/Maruman-Spiral-Note-Basic-Notebook-B5-Graph-80-Sheets/pd/20908
https://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Soft-Ring-Notebook-Semi-B5-Dotted-6-mm-Rule-Blue/pd/30261
https://www.jetpens.com/Maruman-Mnemosyne-N105-Special-Memo-Notebook-A5-Dot-Grid/pd/27112
https://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Soft-Ring-Notebook-Semi-B5-Graph-Silver/pd/21413
https://www.vickerey.com/paperie-shopbytype-journals.html
https://signaturestationers.com/product-category/notebook/clairefontaine/wirebound_open_side/
https://dev.classicofficeproducts.com/planners-notebooks/clairefontaine-notebooks-notepads.html
https://www.hamelin.store/collections/3-subject-college-ruled-8-5x11-180pgs
https://www.my-oxford.com/int-en/oxford-polypro-lagoon
https://www.jennibick.com/products/maruman-spiral-notebook-basic-b5
Amazon Black 'n Red.
Amazon Maruman N236, which is my choice for spiral, B5, 40 sheets (80 pages), (5) for $24.
You may prefer the Maruman N247ES, A5, 5mm Grid, 80 sheet, (5) for $27.
Also just found this killer deal for the larger size notebook! https://www.amazon.com/Black-Red-Notebook-Sheets-K66652/dp/B000EFQG1I
Black n' Red $6.48 for 8.5x11 - get two, it's a great deal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFQG1I/
They're not legal pad size, but the Black and Red notebooks from Amazon are crazy nice and not very expensive:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EFQG1I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
​
They may have legal size available also.
Also shoutout to these notebooks which are amazing for markers and fountain pen ink
I just realized you might not be in the US! Silly American assuming everyone else is from here... There are other retailers with equal prices and you won't have to pay for the silly overseas/border shipping. I actually don't know any of them because well, I'm in the US :P, but if you make another post with your country and ask I'm sure you'll get an answer pretty quickly. Here's some from the wiki though https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/wiki/index#wiki_vendors > I'll do it that way: purchase the Lamy Al-Star, some Lamy ink and proper paper, probably Leuchtturm1917, which is available at a local online retailer.
Looks good to me!
> What would be your recommendation in the $50-100 range? The Platinum 3776 seems to be a good pen, right?
No experience with the 3776 personally, but I see the name pop up a lot and haven't heard anything bad yet so that's a good sign! Personally I would see if you can find a Lamy 2000 (F) or (EF) on either /r/pen_swap, Amazon, or some local website for around 100. Retailers will be 160 USD, but you can find them brand new for 100 on Amazon for some reason. Or used for 80-100. I say (F) or (EF) because the Lamy2k always seems to run a bit wider than normal and it's a wet pen. If I could only have X amount of pens though, Lamy2K would always be in that list.
It's around 30usd, but a TWSBI Eco is nice for school. It has a massive capacity. Swirling around the ink when you're bored is nice too :P
For 60ish USD there's the TWSBI Diamond 580. Basically just a more expensive Eco from my understanding. I'll probably get crucified by someone for that comment, but oh well.
For 40 there is the Faber Castel Loom, I've never used this guy, but I keep hearing great things. > Which ink would you choose for university? I don't want to wait half an hour for it to dry, that's for sure.
Hmm I'm not sure tbh. All my classes atm are online until August so I'm not really racing to take notes like I would be in a classroom. None of my inks seem to take long to dry though. A major part of this is how thick does the pen write, and how wet. Like my Lamy2K is actually a (B) so If I wrote with that on my Rhodia pad and flipped pages immediatly after writing it would 100% smear. That's the pens and papers fault though. The reason we want to use 'good' paper is so that the ink will pool ontop of the paper and dry instead of soaking in instantly and going through to the next page (bleedthrough) or spreading on the same page and feathering.
For school I've been told to get Red n Black notebooks because they are cleaper and since they are a slightly 'worse' paper ink will absorb faster. I think this is it https://www.amazon.com/Black-Red-Notebook-Inches-C67009/dp/B000EFQG1I/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1496629691&sr=1-4&keywords=red%2Bn%2Bblack%2Bnotebook&th=1
If you want to use just generic notebooks for 99cents at walmart or whatever and are worried about feathering you can use an (EF) and/or use [Noodlers X-Feather] I don't use noodlers to try their random colors, but I would use this, If I had a need for it.
I did quick search for fast drying inks and here's some that popped up. Most of these are 'bulletproof' meaning they are waterproof or really resistent. Good if you think there's a chance you'll spill a drink on your notes :P I still use fun colors because these are all pretty much black, but bulletproof is hard to argue with.
Actually why am I typing out inks when I can just link the threads so you can read their reasoning...
https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/6b51ge/exam_ink/
https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/6b1szv/fast_drying_ink_but_inexpensive/
Last thing to note, about the Lamy2K (or any pen), If you decide to get one later you can get one with two nib sizes on the same pen!!! For example I have a (B) and you get get a nibmeister to reverse grind it so that it writes (B) one way, and (F) the other or whatever 2 grinds you want. You just have to buy the bigger size so they have something to work with.
Here's a thread about that https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/6d16ye/lamy_2000_with_cursive_italic_and_reverse_ef_grind/
> I just realized you might not be in the US! Silly American assuming everyone else is from here... There are other retailers with equal prices and you won't have to pay for the silly overseas/border shipping. I actually don't know any of them because well, I'm in the US :P, but if you make another post with your country and ask I'm sure you'll get an answer pretty quickly. Here's some from the wiki though https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/wiki/index#wiki_vendors
I haven't found an online retailer from Switzerland, or at least not a company with a bigger variety of different companies. We do have some stores, but they usually sell a few Caran d'Ache pens and the more expensive pens I'd say.
> No experience with the 3776 personally, but I see the name pop up a lot and haven't heard anything bad yet so that's a good sign! Personally I would see if you can find a Lamy 2000 (F) or (EF) on either /r/pen_swap, Amazon, or some local website for around 100. Retailers will be 160 USD, but you can find them brand new for 100 on Amazon for some reason. Or used for 80-100. I say (F) or (EF) because the Lamy2k always seems to run a bit wider than normal and it's a wet pen. If I could only have X amount of pens though, Lamy2K would always be in that list.
Lamy 2k for $100 on Amazon? That seems like an incredible deal to me. I haven't found anything though. Would you mind sending me a link?
> It's around 30usd, but a TWSBI Eco is nice for school. It has a massive capacity. Swirling around the ink when you're bored is nice too :P
Cool, I like the look a lot. I'll add it to my list and see which one I'd like to try. I can only assume that my next Gouletpens order is going to cost a lot. Do you know if there's any coupon or some sort of first purchase discount? :D
> For 60ish USD there's the TWSBI Diamond 580. Basically just a more expensive Eco from my understanding. I'll probably get crucified by someone for that comment, but oh well.
Haha, alright. Added to the list as well.
> For 40 there is the Faber Castel Loom, I've never used this guy, but I keep hearing great things.
Faber Castell seems to be much more readily available in Switzerand. Are the Faber Castell pens okay? I could also try these out.
> Hmm I'm not sure tbh. All my classes atm are online until August so I'm not really racing to take notes like I would be in a classroom. None of my inks seem to take long to dry though. A major part of this is how thick does the pen write, and how wet. Like my Lamy2K is actually a (B) so If I wrote with that on my Rhodia pad and flipped pages immediatly after writing it would 100% smear. That's the pens and papers fault though. The reason we want to use 'good' paper is so that the ink will pool ontop of the paper and dry instead of soaking in instantly and going through to the next page (bleedthrough) or spreading on the same page and feathering.
I think I just have to experience it myself to see what goes well for me and what not. Thanks for the input.
> For school I've been told to get Red n Black notebooks because they are cleaper and since they are a slightly 'worse' paper ink will absorb faster. I think this is it https://www.amazon.com/Black-Red-Notebook-Inches-C67009/dp/B000EFQG1I/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1496629691&sr=1-4&keywords=red%2Bn%2Bblack%2Bnotebook&th=1
I don't think it makes sense to import a cheap product to Switzerland, because shipping would probably cost more than the product itself. Maybe I can also find good paper in our local stores.
> I did quick search for fast drying inks and here's some that popped up. Most of these are 'bulletproof' meaning they are waterproof or really resistent. Good if you think there's a chance you'll spill a drink on your notes :P I still use fun colors because these are all pretty much black, but bulletproof is hard to argue with.
Not too sure if I like that or not. Honestly, the variety of different colours is what makes it a lot more interesting. Maybe I can try it out one day and see if I like it or not. Thanks for the suggestion!
> Last thing to note, about the Lamy2K (or any pen), If you decide to get one later you can get one with two nib sizes on the same pen!!! For example I have a (B) and you get get a nibmeister to reverse grind it so that it writes (B) one way, and (F) the other or whatever 2 grinds you want. You just have to buy the bigger size so they have something to work with.
Oh that's cool! Alternatively, I can also buy different nib sizes, right? But that sounds like a good option to go with.
What about these?
I'll put in another recommendation for Black N Red. You can get a full size notebook <$6 on Amazon.
Or if you want to go even cheaper, you can get a ream of 24lb HP Laserjet Paper for $10
Black 'n Red notebooks are very good, and are about $5.50 each: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFQG1I/
Otherwise you could also save your fountain pen for other uses and use conventional ballpoint or gel pen on your cheap notebooks.
OP, The paper you write on tends to make a huge difference, too. The cheapest "best" notebook paper for fountain pens are the Black n Red notebooks ($5.77), it's thicker 24lb paper. If you don't mind loose leaf paper, the HP Laserjet 24lb ream of 500 sheets works well and is even more budget-friendly.
As far as inks go, if you have to take notes on crappy paper, I'd recommend something that takes longer to dry like [[Noodler's X-feather]]. Sticking to the Japanese Fine nibs (equal to western Extra Fine) means less ink pooling on the page = less feathering.
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