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).

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[–] 5 points 5 months ago (3 children)

@clif if you’re in the PNW/Oregon 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 weekendTeam “give them safaris” since they’re super easy to swap nibs on (and lamy also makes lefty friendly nibs)

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 5 months ago (2 children)

    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

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  • [–] 2 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    @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 youtube.com/watch?v=i82pPFCkpGI — new nibs are mostly about $15 for steelFound the drama on the goulets on a Reddit thread: reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comm — I’m not surprised

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  • [–] 1 point 5 months ago

    @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

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