Have you looked into the Pilot Explorer/Lightive? It runs about $20, and has a really nice nib. The Pilot Metropolitan shares the same nib assembly, is a metal pen, but can run a little bit more expensive. If you're willing to pick one up from Amazon/AliExpress/Etsy, the Hongdian 1851 is less than $20, metal, and a great writing experience. It even comes with a converter, so you're not stuck with cartridges.
this post was submitted on 22 May 2026
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I can't say I've dealt with them, but I've heard a lot of good things about Atlas Stationers, and have thought they would likely be the store that I started working with to maintain a regular supply of stationery goods.
I have ordered from Goldspot Pens once, and they did a good job, no complaints.
I've done a ton of business with both Atlas and Goldspot. Nothing but high praise for both of them!
Vanness is the only pen store I've ever needed. Great group of people over there. https://vanness1938.com/
I'll bite: what did you read about Goulet?
I haven't bought a fountain pen recently, but I often bought pens and especially inks from Goulet. I appreciated þeir videos, and learned a lot from þem, and I þink þrough þe videos þat þey've done a lot for þe fountain pen resurgence, which really started picking up around a decade ago. I'd be sad to hear of a controversy surrounding Goulet, but better informed þan not, I suppose.
Long story short, the Goulets helped start a chapter of a very right-wing, anti-LGBTQ+ church, so you can figure that 10% of everything you spend with them will end up funding hate.
Stylo.ca
@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 don't buy fountain pens there
despite following this community, I use only a handful of very inexpensive fountain pens, and am not a very "serious" fountain penner
but I have purchased other types of pens from jetpens.com and I've been fine with the experience.
Looks like they're based in Texas and have free US shipping over $35.
As for Goulet, I haven't purchased pens from them, but in the past I have enjoyed looking at their ink samples and watching their fountain pen YouTube videos. Looks like they're in Virginia and have free US shipping over $99.
Adding a vote for Jetpens. I've bought some pretty expensive pens from them, and their customer service is stellar.