Fountain pens?

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
1
I searched some other threads and found that there are several people on the forum that use fountain pens but I didn't see where to buy them here.

My brother loves European fountain pens and I was thinking it'd be a nice Christmas gift to bring him one made in Switzerland.

As I have never used one, I have no idea where to start looking, how to pick a good one, etc. I will have around 100CHF to spend.

Any ideas?

2
I would hazard a guess that they're available in the same type of shops, as where you might buy them in you home country.

Not sure if they're made here, though; but possible.

https://www.google.ch/search?q=f%C3%...l=en-US&espv=1

3
I wouldn't know where to look there either. I'm hoping that some of the people that commented on the other threads that use them will see this question and provide some insight.

Thanks for the link.

4
Hope it's not a real hazard.

5
I've seen nice (posh) pens for sale in Jelmoli but you might not get much for CHF 100.-. They look pretty pricey, especially for a fountain pen.

6
The search term for all kinds of paperwork, writing and painting utensils would be "Papeterie", there's still a few of them around in Zurich... good luck!

(not sure if that is what you're looking for...)

7
I think I've seen some at the McPaper or whatever it is called in the Seedam center

8
My husband bought his most recent one in Manor. They have a whole range of styles and prices and I think you should be able to find something in the 100 chf range.

9
Hi

This blog can help you. I really enjoy the write ups. I love buying fountain Pens and find this quite a useful reference point.

http://penaddict.com/top-5-pens/

I recently bought a Pilot Fountain Pen (recommended by the blog) from Amazon Germany. Took a couple of weeks to get here but I could not be happier with the purchase.

All the best.

R

10
If you are close to Baden, check this out:

http://www.hoechli-ag.ch/hoechli-ag-baden

They have lots of them, and in different price ranges.

I got a Montblanc as a present a few years ago, and I couldn't be happier. They are quite pricey, though.

http://www.montblanc.com/en-us/shop/...ts/browse.aspx

11
Check out the local fairs. At the Comptoir Suisse in Lausanne, I came across quaint (and excellent) handmade fountain pens in the range of 40-120 CHF. Obviously, these are not brands like Cross or Mont Blanc, but are made by local artisans and uniqueness personified.

12
All good stationary shops (Papeterien) have them

13
If you want a Swiss Pen, then the most reputed Swiss brand is Carand'ache. They are a Swiss brand and make some nice pens. Here you go:

http://www.carandache.ch/en/

14
I got a Parker fountain pen for 18CHF from Migros at Lowenplatz

15
You will find lovely fountain pens in Manor and Globus.

Do try them out as to ensure that the nib of the pen can tilt and that the calligraphy may be both fine and thick.

There's nothing as elegant as a beautifully written note.

16
To kick things up a notch, try Landolt & Arbenz on Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich:

http://www.landolt-arbenz.ch/

It might overshoot the 100 fr. limit though. I always want to go in, but I hold off ́till I win the lottery.

17
I get mine at Papyrus, now named Waser, Freie Strasse in Basel. First floor. Bring your credit card.

18
Waser has a very good Papeterie in the Old Town of Zurich as well. I ́ve been there for other stuff, and they are mostly very knowledgable.A little further down the same pedestrian street (walking towards the Grossmünster), there is an even fancier Papeterie, sort of nordic design, they might also have better quality fountain pens.

19
I second this. Been using Mont Blanc for years. Fountains can be messy though, especially for a lefty ..

20
Ok, seriously guys: There is no way to get a Caran D'Ache or Mont Blanc for 100 CHF. Not even close. You will get either some fancy looking ones most likely made in Asia in the big shops like Manor or some less fancy but European looking standard issue school fountain pens.

There are also tons of pretentious looking pens carrying European sounding names but are made in China. It does not matter so much for a biro but especially a cheaply made fountain pen just does not work - it will either scratch or spill (or both).

Only exception I can think of is Faber Castell which makes decent looking fountain pens in the 75 EUR range.

An now the best URL an online shop ever picked: http://www.penisland.net/