Thank you, Lukki.. if I don't buy something at levengers or amazon, I will definitely stop at B&N. I remember that they have a great selection.

I am most focused on finding the pen.

Did you see this site, Bourbin and Boots . com in your search? Looking at the description of the pen they sell it could be the something special you're looking for.

Bourbin and Boots

I did not.. but that will definitely go into the reserve for a gift idea. Not the right gift for this young man but I think it would be great for the right person!

I am leaning towards a waterman, a levenger true writer or a cross ATX. All get pretty high ratings and are handsome enough. I like the levenger tech 3.0 too and it is unique but there are more mixed reviews of it.

I thought that they were pretty cool.

I wish I could be more help, but just looking at the selection your considering the Waterman's are gorgeous.

Considering that handwriting is becoming a lost art, I think it's cool that he uses them. It's something I would love to learn how to do..

I lusted after a Waterman. I got one as a gift and it has been my I knmost disappointing pen ever. Beautiful, but scratchy. I should probably try to get a new nib for it -- I just wish I could tell you I loved it as much as I wanted to.

The True Writers are solid pens. The True Writer Checkmate is handsome if he might like something less ordinary looking. If you do a pen from Levenger, you could add a leather pen case. Their Memorial Day sale with a $50 gift card back on a $100 purchase ends tonight......

Your old world for a young man made me remember a site I bookmarked for future possibilities Bourbon and Boots I don't love all the pens, but they are all unusual and you might see something to consider there.

You might also look at Etsy for something handmade and unusual. Custom Made is another site for handmade options -- they tend to run on the pricier side, but there are some options in your range.

DH loves fountain pens and over the years has received several pricey ones like Mont Blanc and Montegrappa. He also uses some relatively inexpensive ones that he picked up at the pen show. He has wonderful penmanship and is a self-taught calligrapher. I asked him what to look for and he had 2 suggestions. The first was to match the pen to the hand - barrels can range from slender to fairly thick and having one that fits properly into your hand makes for a better writing experience. He also prefers a gold nib because it is more flexible than steel.

You could pair it with stationery. Crane has notecards with a fountain pen at the top.

http://www.crane.com/product/engraved-fountain-pen-correspondence-card/CC3507

Maire

Marie-cate, I ended the night looking at the Montegrappa Parola.. the lower end (but very handsome) Montegrappa pen. I am strongly leaning towards this one even though it is more than I'd planned to spend. I think it is very adult.. very handsome and it has all the guarantees.

My second pick is the Levenger true writer and while it appears to be a good solid, smooth writer by all reviews, it just isn't the same level of gift.

It's good to know about the sizing of the barrel. I think I knew that instinctively but it was good to have it confirmed.

Thank you so much lasc, maire-cat and lukki!

Try Moleskin

I ordered.. I went with the Montegrappa Parola in navy. Black is classic but I thought the navy was a little distinctive and collegiate. It is packaged so nicely that I am not going to include a journal, writing papers or such.

Thank you all again!!

I've used Cross pens for years but the regular ball point. Several years ago DH bought me a fountain pen (not Cross) because I've always admired the beauty of the ink. Unfortunately the brand that he got me was not up to par so it ended up in a drawer and never used. I finally pitched it. I went to the Cross site and they do have some very nice fountain pens. I may put a bug in DH's ear for one for my birthday.

Do take a look at the Cross Apogee. It is shown in a silver but is available in 6 finishes.

http://www.cross.com/apogee-limited-time-finish-medalist-fountain-pen.aspx

oh crud, sorry Funky I posted when you posted. The Montegrappa is a very nice looking pen.

Looks like a nice choice. I hope he enjoys it.

That navy with the silver is really sharp. Great idea to select a color other than black

Thank you! I like the combo too-- especially for someone who is young and classic but not an executive. I really liked the all stainless or chrome but they didn't feel right.

I got a great price-- but the truth is, I didn't really re-compare when I decided to increase the budget. I don't know if it was the best option in the price range but I do know the style is right for him and the reputation and packaging is in range for a the occasion. Also, "Parola" means "word" in Italian.. all the more perfect for a graduation.

My ONLY fear is that it is too small/slender.. but I think it's a good introduction to a fountain pen and it's certainly heftier than the pens, pencils and brushes he uses now.

I cannot suggest a pen but for packaging go to a cigar store and ask for a free or bought cigar box and pack the pen and ink in straw/filler.

It's a really handsome pen and it may be heftier than you expect. We got a pen for our son's graduation and it was great -- just a little on the hefty side. It's so hard to tell from photos and even measurements unless you know what you are comparing them to. Whatever it is, it will be the first pen in his collection (or an addition) and the next one can be thicker or thinner, different nib, etc. He will learn to appreciate their differences and having more than one.

I just received notice that the pen I chose is backordered (grrr).. I can wait for it or I can cancel and order another pen. Since I made the purchase without the same level of research for the lower budget, I thought I'd open up to suggestions to go up to 200 (the one above is 220.. so it doesn't have to be exact).

Which did you get for your son, Lascatx?

I wish I could remember the name of it -- it was from Levenger and in black (both of my sons are musicians and seem to have a thing for classic black -- they get and wear a lot of it, from T-shirts to tuxes). The pen is in PA now and I looked through my records and I don't have the name of it. It was very classic -- rather similar to the one you had selected, but black.

I really like the navy one, but if this is a high school graduation, my experience with two great and responsible guys would have me leaning towards sticking to your original budget. There is a reasonable chance that the pen will either stay at home in a drawer, or if he uses it, lost within a year or two. Even if he is better than the average young man and has better than average friends, acquaintances, roommates, etc., and still has the pen 5-10 years down the road, it sounds like this might be his first fountain pen and something of a learning experience for him in terms of what he liked in a pen and nib -- even the kind of filling mechanism or cartridge and the kind of ink. There is something to be said for nice, but modestly nice. If he loves it, go for the upgrade when he graduates from college.

If you go with a pen in a lower price range and want to give something with it, take a look at American Stationary. They sort gift ideas by recipient -- click on for him. You will see memo pads, note cards, note cubes, sticky note pads - even a leather notebook that can be monogrammed. One of the note pads or cubes might be good for reminders, leaving a note for a roommate, etc. I'm thinking of getting one of the sticky note cubes with their initial and name in their school colors for each of my sons (style 38 -- showed up on the last page of the for him list). Would one of those ideas work for your situation?

Funky, that pen is very nice. If you want that one would you look at other on-line sources for it?

I just checked Amazon and they have the Parola in navy in both fine point and medium point fountain. It is $225 though. The Cross fountain pen I mentioned has a white gold nib, the Parola is steel.

ETA: The Cross pen is stainless nib with 23k plating.

I have a Waterman fountain pen that I love. It uses cartridges rather than ink from a bottle.

For a journal, I would recommend looking at Gallery Leather. I have ordered journals, including a small leather travel journal, from them and have been very pleased.

Holly, yes, I could look elsewhere for the same pen (and did) but at this point, if I am going to stick with the same pen, I'll stick with the original purchase (I got 20% off the price). They've estimated that it will ship from CO 6/10.. (after my note of disappointment), they are going to see if they can have the manufacturer ship to me directly. That will save a little time and I appreciate the effort.

They did offer a few other options that they do have in stock but the only one I am considering is the same pen with a medium nib.

I did look at other pens, including levengers, the cross apogee and the waterman hemisphere. There are many good pens for less than $200 (with the 20% off, I actually got the Parola under 200) but the reviews weren't as consistently good.. not bad but not as consistent. I am really torn because so much of the rating is based on personal preference. The decider for me last week and even now to some degree was the packaging--which is really something special but doesn't have a thing to do with the pen itself. Another limiter is that there are a lot of finishes/colors that I nix outright as either too grown up or too fancy. This kid is classic and serious but also rugged. He is going into archeology, he plays rugby and hikes, etc. He's a mix of Old Navy, llbean, and Burberry! I am sticking with Navy or black with chrome/stainless details.

Lascatx, I hear you on the value of the pen for a young man. I bounced this around quite a bit also. I did the same with my own niece and jewelry, etc. He does take care of his valuables but at college, it's as much about the other kids as this kid. I expect that he will cherish the pen-- much like he does other valuables and it may or may not go to school with him. I am ok with that. I see this gift as a mark of transition from a boy to a scholar of the world... not necessarily an instrument for college.

I really like the idea of the notepads or custom stationary but at this point, they'd have additional delays to be personalized. If I still feel the need to include something additional, I think I'll go with moleskin which I can pick up at B&N.

All good -- the point is to raise questions. I thought about getting my nephew a pen (I hate always being told to just give cash or a gift card). DH felt it would be totally wasted on him (not a scholar and may or may not go to college -- anything he can't use his phone for can be done with a give-away pen). After I thought about it a bit, I agreed. LOL You know your audience. And I hear you on the personalization. I am thinking about summer birthdays or even Christmas for my guys. I have thought about making something and/or ordering a custom music stand for my son's master's graduation next spring -- need to plan ahead for those. It seems early, but if I knit an afghan, it won't be. Might be too late for me! LOL

You are making a thoughtful choice, and I really appreciate that. I am sure he will too.

I just found out that due to schedules, we won't be able to get together until the week after next! As such, I will stick with the original purchase. I hate such a long delay in giving the gift but we'll make an evening of it.