I've always wanted a classic fountain pen. New Parker Duofolds are just far more than I would ever spend though. Can a good vintage pen be had for under $100 that won't leak and doesn't need to be worked on? Any tips as to what to look for or avoid?

Eversharp.
The everyman's pen.

Hell, Lemme look around. I MAY have one to send you.

Oz- where in Se-Michigan are you at? I am in Ann Arbor, please email me, I might have something for you. My email is in my profile

I certainly appreciate the generous thoughts but I really would feel bad about accepting such a nice item.

I think the Eversharp Skyline maybe exactly what I was looking for. They seem to go for $50 on EBay in what is advertised as good condition. I like the idea of them being made in the 40s.

How hard is it to replace an ink sack? Any other likely issues?

I am about as Far East in the state as you can get, over in St Clair Co.

I hunted for one last night
It's here somewhere
No, when I find it,it's yours, SF sends me so many nice things
It's blue and Art Deco looking

^^^ Mama mia, what a place, this SigForum!

I'm still hunting for it!
When I find it I'll shoot you an e-mail.
I had it when we packed up and moved to the farm and I never used it after than.

plenty of good new fountain pens for under $100.

As a fountain pen enthusiast, let me recommend a nice NEW pen over a vintage piece.

Many vintage pens are slightly more complex than newer pens. They may have breather tubes that can rot, break, or clog. Many of them are not as easy to disassemble as new pens as well.

I have a vintage Parker 51 that cost me about $75. Then the breather tube broke, and I had to send it away for rebuild which cost me another $50.

I have several Monteverde pens that were brand new, trouble-free for $90-ish. They are really nice pens. They use a common cartridge or converter system to hold the ink, and are ridiculously easy to maintain.