Filling Mechanism: Cartridge/Converter

Stately luxury is the theme of this Cartier Gordon fountain pen. Plated in palladium and gold there is a dash of art deco design. A preowned pen, close inspection shows lots of light wear from use but no dents or deep scratches. You will write a nice, fine-medium line with its two-tone 18k gold nib. There is a hint of feedback, but it isn't bad. Our pen comes with a working standard international converter, but it isn't the original Cartier converter. A little heftier than most pens, it measures 14.2cm capped.

Germany is a tough market for luxury pens, and it is a shame that Faber-Castell often gets overlooked. This is their Graf von Faber Castell fountain pen. Sterling silver plates its cap, section and tail end. Pernambuco wood handsomely furnishes the barrel. Its two-tone 18k gold nib writes a smooth medium line. However, we think it will write even better after you've used it for a little while. On our brief testing, it had the occasional hard start and random hint of feedback. Yet, the longer we wrote with it, the more these ticks in its behavior went away. No dents or scratches. Includes a standard international converter. 13.7cm capped.

Splashing blue and violet flakes that capture the light at all angles against a black background, the Namiki Custom Impression fountain pen is a real looker. Namiki calls this the "Medley" design, and it certainly plays on our hearts. Our preowned pen is in like-new condition. Better yet, you will write a buttery smooth broad line with its remarkable 14k gold nib! Perhaps a hair more fine than standard American and European broad nibs, this beauty remains a juicy competitor for full broad status. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.5cm capped.

Cross Townsends have to be one of the most unfairly underrated luxury pens on the market today. Amazingly smooth and dependable--plus they have the classic look of a fountain pen. This Cross Townsend is especially special as a limited edition made with real jade. Although we do not have the original box and papers, it does not appear to have been inked. When we filled it with water to test it, the water was clean. Click the headline for close-ups. You will see its two-tone 18k gold nib is marked as a fine point. However, in case it is new old stock, we did not try writing with it. 15cm capped.

In the early 2000s, Sheaffer Intrigue fountain pens offered one last clever twist on filling mechanisms. Instead of doing a boring old "twist the section to open the pen" for replacing a cartridge or refill the converter, the Sheaffer Intrigue has a special back quarter of the pen that unscrews to slide out a little carriage that holds either a cartridge or a modified converter. Behind that is a little blind cap that can activate the converter while it is still hidden in the barrel. This pen comes with one of those unique converters and its original box. Only light wear can be seen on the cap or barrel. You will write a smooth fine line with its inlaid 14k gold nib. However, the nib is marked M for medium. It just doesn't seem to write that way. 13.7cm capped.

At one point in yesteryear, there was no transnational travel more glamorous than the train route known as the Orient Express. Royalty and celebrity hobnobbed on its cars from Paris to Istanbul over an approximately 3-day run. It was considered "The train of kings and the king of trains." Our S.T. Dupont Orient Express pays tribute to that great locomotive. In like-new condition, we think this pen has only been dipped once or twice. Not a mark appears to have blemished the glittering blue cap and barrel. You'll write a very smooth fine line with its rhodium-plated 18k gold nib. Comes complete with its original boxes and most of its papers. (Not sure if it had a large square booklet or not.) Click the headline for close-ups. 15.2cm capped.

One could argue that the Parker 75 was the last of the golden era fountain pens Parker made with the intention of it being a daily luxury pen. Our preowned pen is a later model that was made in France. No dents mar the sterling silver cap and body. The top and bottom element looks like a dinner plate. We fitted this pen with a more modern Parker converter. It also takes Parker cartridges. The cap has a tight closure. You will write a nice, fine line with a little feedback while engaging its 14k gold nib. 12.9cm capped.

Looking like it just danced out of the souvenir shop in Emerald City from "The Wizard of Oz" is this stunning Technicolor green Bexley Gemstone fountain pen. At least we think the model name is "Gemstone;" we aren't certain. Borrowing a bit from the Waterman 100-Year Pen in design, it is an absolute knock-out. It shows some light wear from past use, but it is generally pretty amazing. Better yet, you'll write a buttery smooth medium line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. Included is a standard international converter. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.9cm capped.