Looking for gifts for two college students, a nice pen sounds like a good idea. Any recommendations? Nothing super expensive, maybe $100 or less?
Thanks in advance, I'm clueless about this topic...

I was given a couple Cross pen and pencil sets around that age. I never took to them. I just kept them because they were gifts. I would suggest a really nice rollerball over a Cross set like that. Something by Parker, Pelikan or Waterman unless they are left handed. Not a fountain pen for someone that age either.


EDIT some of those may be out of the budget. They are pricey these days.

The possibilities are endless. I've bought from all over the globe. My last Waterman cost only 5,100 rupees (India), or $71.50 USD. You have to go where the deals are.

I might suggest you check out The Fountain Pen Network. That is where my addiction started.

I also think a fountain pen may be a bit much, but when I buy a particular model of fountain pen, I buy the corresponding rollerball as well. Buying both is something to think about, as it makes a good presentation set.

H&K-Guy

The Parker Sonnet is a nice pen. I’ve been using this Parker lately and love it. This isn’t a high end pen which is probably good for college kids. I’ve ordered with Colorado Pen several times with good results.

I can’t speak to the Sonnet fountain pens or rollerballs. I’m left handed and pretty much have to stick to ballpoints and fast drying ink.

I have two Mountblancs. They are more expensive but worth it. They cost enough so that you do not lend them out to anyone. Cheapest is about two hundred bucks.

The Parker Sonnets are nice at that price. They have rollerball refills.

quote:

Originally posted by cheesegrits:
The Parker Sonnet is a nice pen. I’ve been using this Parker lately and love it. This isn’t a high end pen which is probably good for college kids. I’ve ordered with Colorado Pen several times with good results.

I can’t speak to the Sonnet fountain pens or rollerballs. I’m left handed and pretty much have to stick to ballpoints and fast drying ink.

My choice as well. Having them engraved would make a really nice gift. Good luck, Pickle Rick.

I would look at the Retro 51 tornado line. Way under your budget, but punch well above their price point. Refills they come with are really nice crisp rollerball, can also fill with Parker style ballpoint refills as well.

They have a ton of special edition designs that would fit many different personalities, depending on the kids you are buying for. For instance, I have the Declaration of Independence one which is a really nice copper tone exterior with all of the signers etched in. But that is just one of many examples.

Waterman rollerball.... Carene model is nice...

A high end "Lamy",made in Germany...

linkie...

https://www.lamy.com/en/lamy-safari/

Acme roller all’s are excellent

The Lamys are nice, but more of a professional kind of pen.

I'd be looking for:

Leonardo Officina Italiana
Pelican
Monteverde
Noodlers Ink
Conclin
Visconti
TWSBI
Waterman
Pilot
Parker
Sheaffer
Cross
Montblanc

I'd stay with the medium end of these choices. At least for gifts, anyway.

H&K-Guy

They’re ballpoint, but I have had a Surefire Pen 1 for about 7 years. It’s been stolen twice and back it comes.
Great pen, heavy AF, unique, and once you get used to using it, there is no equal.

"Ink pen" is a phrase I never understood.

In the world of marking instruments don't all pens contain ink?

Check these out...

https://www.sunderlandmw.com/

designed and manufactured by a mechanical engineer.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Which type of pen? Not sure a fountain pen is best for a college student, so I'd cross those off my list rather quickly. Then you need to determine if their preferred type of pen is a twist, click, or capped. From there ballpoint vs rollerball. Lots of choices under the $100 mark.

I recently made the decision to have a Fisher AG-7 Space pen engraved for a new Marine, though there are many fine pens out there. I will also say that Palm is spot on in his Retro 51 recommendation. They have something for everyone. I got my daughter a Dr. Gray for Christmas last year since she was going into a nursing program. So far, no complaints, though I'm not sure how often she actually uses it.

Whoa awesome! Great info guys, I really appreciate it. Looks like ive got a little research to do!

IMO, pens are wonderful gifts, especially since handwriting is becoming a lost art. In that range, I am another fan of the Parker Sonnet.

The Fisher Space Pens are kind of cool.

http://italixpens.com/index.html

While I have a good number of upscale pens (e.g. Pelikan M1000, Waterman LeMan 100 in various flavors, etc.), the Italix Churchman's Prescriptor ($60 + shipping) with the broadest oblique nib Mr. Ford provides has become a favorite (the big black one 2/3rd of the way down with the cap touching the right side of the display case). (I favor big thick pens )



A friend has the smaller more conventional sized Parson's Essential ($50+shipping) in amber with a broad nib and loves it.


If you check pen forums you'll find that Italix pens are well thought of and a great bang for the buck.


Also youtube reviews by sbrebrown of pens you may be considering are well worth watching.

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