Where do you recommend for pen purchases? In the past I've used Goulet but there was a post (maybe here?) awhile back about them that inclined me to not give them money any more.
Background : I teach a class about once a year and I like to gift my graduating students a pen because I find it unique and interesting - you don't see fountain pens much anymore. I usually go with a Lamy Safari (but am up for recommendations on similar starter pens; see bottom). In the past they (Lamy) sold a gift set that was the pen and 5 or so of the disposable cartridges in various colors (no Z28 included) and that was my go-to. They don't appear to sell that particular product anymore so I'd reverted to just the standalone Safari and including one extra disposable cartridge since I have quite a few but don't use them.
Preferably a US based distributor.
While we're at it, any suggestions for a good, comparable, starter pen besides the Lamy Safari? Around $30 USD is my max price range since some times I have up to 15 students and that gets... pricey : )
Main consideration is that it's a decent pen that won't frustrate new users but something nicer than a disposable (EG: Pilot Varsity).
@clif if you’re in the PNW/Oregon https://seasidepenshop.com/ — I’ve gotten some really fun stuff from them, including a bunch of rare Lamys, but in general the price of everything fountain pen has jumped up due to the tariffs.
I think Goulet/goldspot/vanness might be running dads and grads deals over Memorial Day weekend
Team “give them safaris” since they’re super easy to swap nibs on (and lamy also makes lefty friendly nibs)
I apparently have driven right past that location on the way from WA down to Cannon Beach - had no idea it was there. Though, it's been many, many years since I lived in that area.
Thanks for the info and the input on the Safari. I had no idea they made lefty nibs, luckily I'm not personally afflicted by the southpaw curse ; D
@clif Seaside Pens just got up and running in the last year, and she just opened her brick and mortar store this year, so you didn’t miss it; it was probably a knickknack shop at the time.
The various Safaris/Studios/Scalas from Lamy all use the same nib type, and have similar nib swap directions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i82pPFCkpGI — new nibs are mostly about $15 for steel
Found the drama on the goulets on a Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/1heveiu/the/_2024/_goulet/_goulet/_pen/_company/_drama/_all/_in/ — I’m not surprised
@clif I wish I could say I was surprised by the Goulet situation but since they defended the Noodlers guy (libertarian, fan of conspiracy theories, cultural appropriation with his ink names) it tracks.
🫠 ah well. I’ll have to find other places to buy obnoxious inks than Goulet