Pilot Custom 823 vs Platinum Prefounte

I Think a lot of people consider it to be a workhorse pen. We've even seen celebrities like Neil Gaiman are fans of using this pen on a regular basis ...

If you just want to try the FP life, I'd suggest a Platinum Prefounte. Will only set you back $11, looks pretty good and writes well (same nib as Preppy in a more grown-up body). Once you know you like FPs then you can look at the pens at the next level or two up.

This design is known as the plunger or vacuum filler, while Visconti refers to their design as the double reservoir power filler, it's the same thing ...

You can either get Platinum brand ink cartridges or get their converter to use bottled ink. Probably easier to start with the cartridges.

And here in the U.s. kind of. the going retail price for these is two hundred and eighty-eight dollars now

If you break down the cost/ml, bottled ink is more cost effective long-term. Based on my newbie mistakes, I'd like to suggest buying ink samples (2ml or 5ml), before committing to a larger bottle.