Buyer’s Guide

Read our pen descriptions closely. We pride ourselves on the most accurate descriptions of vintage pens and modern pre-owned pens. We describe the flaws as best we can, as we don’t want to disappoint or mislead.

5 Things to Look For When Buying a Vintage Pen or Pre-Owned Modern Pen: 1.) Read the nib description closely while inspecting the photos. Are the tines aligned? Are the tines straight? Is the tipping missing? Are you okay with feedback and/or scratchy nibs? Are there any cracks in the nib near the breather hole or growing along the shank/tang of the nib coming out of the section? 2.) If buying in person, turn the cap over your thumbnail to find hidden hairline cracks. 3.) Make sure the pen has been fully restored and/or tested. 4.) Inspect for other damage such as brassing, cracks, discoloration or hazing. 5.) Research pricing for the makes and models you want to buy to have a good range of accepted prices for various states of condition for the pen you want.

Best 5 Pens for Beginners Interested in Vintage Pens: Hundreds of interesting makes and models of vintage pens fill our website. How do you choose the right vintage pen for you or a budding vintage pen collector in your life? Stick to smooth fine or medium nibs until you get the knack for vintage pens. Keep it simple in the early stages of collecting without falling down the rabbit hole of exotic models and flexi nib. The 5 most reliable and iconic vintage pens in the $100 range are going to be the Sheaffer Balance, Parker 51, the Waterman 52, an Esterbrook J-series pen and Parker Duofold Jr. Each of these pens is easily restored and easy to use. Most of them write better than most modern pens. Just make sure the description says it is fully restored and sports a smooth nib. Unless you or your budding collector likes scratchy nibs, avoid nibs with feedback until you are more familiar with them.

Best 5 Pens for Luxury Gifts: If you are giving a fancy pen as a gift, it is critical that you read closely for damage to a pen. You want as little wear as possible, and it is preferable if the pen you buy comes with its original box. The classic go-to luxury pens are the Montblanc Classique, Montblanc LeGrand and the Montblanc Diplomat (149). Montblanc is the most recognized luxury brand in the world…except for maybe Rolex watches. Montblanc pens will always be classy and classic gifts. HOWEVER, there are better-made and performing luxury pens! Personally, we would take a Pelikan Souveran M-series fountain pen any day over a Montblanc. The M600 and M800 are the two most popular sizes, with the 600 being slightly smaller. Great German pens with usually very smooth gold nibs and attractive colors for the barrels. If you want a great luxury pen that most people aren’t familiar with but it blows Montblancs and Pelikans out of the water, get an S.T. Dupont Olympio. These are very elegant pens from Paris with phenomenally smooth-writing nibs and caps that are so well engineered they feel as if they are being sucked into the closed position by a tractor beam.

Best 5 Pens for Everyday Writing: We are always biased toward fountain pens. They just flow well and write faster. We might be a bit jaded and snobby at times, but the truth is you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great, smooth, dependable pen. #1) If you don’t mind the ergonomical grips, your best bet for an all-purpose fountain pen is the Lamy Safari. They retail new for around $35, usually have great, smooth nibs, use generous proprietary cartridges or converters, leak-free and are quite durable. I won’t travel without one! #2) Parker 51 fountain pens from the early 1950s are another great option. Make sure to get one with a really good flowing fine or medium nib. The aerometric fillers are easy to use, and these were effectively the first leak-free vintage pens. #3) Pelikan Souverans are another modern classic that is ideal for everyday use. Sized from a 200/400 model, which is small to the progressively larger 600s, 800s and 1000s, you can find a pen that fits just about every hand-size comfortably. Plus, Pelikans hold a ton of ink and are usually remarkably smooth. #4) Sheaffer Lifetime Flattops or Balances. These classics from the 1920s and ‘30s are incredibly easy to use and dependable. I love the performance of their nibs, even if some people derisively call them nails. They are firm but flow well and are usually very smooth. As 100-year-old pens, some might develop drips, but they are easy to restore and fill. There’s also something very satisfying about writing with a real piece of history. #5) Parker Duofold. The vintage ones are great but can be a little more temperamental. The modern ones work perfectly and are very smooth writers with really attractive designs.*