So I ordered my fourth fountain pen today.  (Actually, three of my students went in with me on a four-pack of these Sheaffer school pens which I have fallen for.  Nothing like sucking in others into your newest materialistic fetish.)  They stopped making them 10 years ago, but there are some new ones still floating around.  (It’s out of print <— super street cred.)   I have the red and will soon have a yellow as well. So in the interest is public accountability, here is the damage so far: Pelikan Pelikano - orange, medium lefty nib, loaded with purple - $18 (with shipping)  The line it makes is a bit too broad for my taste, but it is nice enough. Sheaffer school pen - red, fine nib, loaded with red - my favorite so far - $6 Sheaffer Touchdown Craftsman, 1950, ordered cheap on ebay, fine gold nib and gold trim, needs to be refurbished before it will hold ink properly - $6 Sheaffer school pen - yellow, fine nib, still in the mail, but soon to be loaded with gold ink - $8 The fountain pen so far has revitalized my interest in grading papers and journaling.  I hope to get these habits firmly reestablished in case the novelty runs thin.

So I ordered my fourth fountain pen today.  (Actually, three of my students went in with me on a four-pack of these Sheaffer school pens which I have fallen for.  Nothing like sucking in others into your newest materialistic fetish.)  They stopped making them 10 years ago, but there are some new ones still floating around.  (It’s out of print <— super street cred.)   I have the red and will soon have a yellow as well.

So in the interest is public accountability, here is the damage so far:

Pelikan Pelikano - orange, medium lefty nib, loaded with purple - $18 (with shipping)  The line it makes is a bit too broad for my taste, but it is nice enough.

Sheaffer school pen - red, fine nib, loaded with red - my favorite so far - $6

Sheaffer Touchdown Craftsman, 1950, ordered cheap on ebay, fine gold nib and gold trim, needs to be refurbished before it will hold ink properly - $6

Sheaffer school pen - yellow, fine nib, still in the mail, but soon to be loaded with gold ink - $8

The fountain pen so far has revitalized my interest in grading papers and journaling.  I hope to get these habits firmly reestablished in case the novelty runs thin.