Always wanted to indulge in the art of handwriting but did not know where to start? Levenger offers a fine selection of fountain pens to suit those with limited budgets who want to purchase a good quality writing instrument without breaking the bank. What's more, some Levenger pens come with interchangeable nibs so one can experiment and get a feel of what suits best.
Types of Levenger Fountain Pens
There are three main types of Levenger fountain pens: True Writer, Galaxy and L-Tech. Levenger are most known for their True Writers and there are several designs to choose from: Cafe au Lait, Classic, Signature, Kyoto, Obsidian, Golden Tortoise and Sea Glass. Galaxy pens have got two models: Aurora and Andromeda. There are also many Levenger pens models discontinued and can be found on vintage pen outlets or Ebay.
How to Chose a Levenger Pen
Apart from the price, there are several other issues to consider when choosing a fountain pen: Appearance and Finish; Size and Weight; Ink Filling System and Nib Design. It is best to handle a fountain pen before buying, so ideally one should visit a pen or stationery store and ask to try out different pen models. Colors can never be accurately reproduced online and if one is going to part with some money it is advisable to test how the actual pen feels like, its weight, its width and nib performance.
Appearance
Levenger True Writer pens come in different designs. Cafe au Lait for example is made of resin with swirls of ivory, white and mocha. Classic have acetate barrels and come in three colors featuring a marbled pattern. Sea Glass has got flecks of light blue and green beneath the clear resin. The Galaxy Aurora has been inspired by the colorful swirls of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
Weight
The Levenger website describes the True Writer Golden Tortoise as of "medium weight and diameter" which "makes it comfortable for most hands." However, it is advisable to try the pens before buying online. Do not hesitate to ask for the pen to be inked before trying it out. Some people preferred their pens to be on the lighter and slimmer side, while some would rather go for a heftier and heavier model.
Ink Filling System
All Levenger pens have a cartridge converter. The cartridge converter allows the user to use bottled ink instead of cartridges. Simply dip the open end of the converter in the ink and twist the top to draw the ink in. Then put converter into pen as you would a normal cartridge. If you would rather have a different ink filling system then Levenger pens are not for you. However, a cartridge converter allows the user to try different ink shades without being constrained to the usual blue/black option of commercial cartridges.
Nib Design
The nib design is again a matter of preference. If you do not know or are undecided of whether to use a broad, medium or fine nib, Levenger pens (the True Writer type) offer interchangeable nibs. Levenger pens come with steel or gold-plated nibs – iridium point, two-toned or plain. Try test writing your fountain pen before you buy to check on nib flexibility. Does the nib offer good line variation? Does writing feel natural or strained? Does the nib glide effortlessly or scratches the paper?
Fountain Pen on a Budget
As far as fountain pens go, Levenger pens are on the inexpensive side (below $100) and yet offer some of the features of more expensive writing instruments, namely quality appearance with a variety of marble patterns, reasonably sized barrels and good quality nibs. If you are looking for a fountain pen on a budget, Levenger pens are a good choice for both pen aficionados and fountain pen beginners.
For ideas for affordable fountain pens, see Cheap Fountain Pens for Under $10 and Cheap Fountain Pens for Under $20. If you are looking for kids pens, Pens for Children: Fountain Pens to Aid Kids Handwriting, may be of help.
Lito Apostolakou - Lito is a historian with an interest in digital archives and online historical resources. She is the author of blog Palimpsest.
