Ohto F-Lapa Fountain Pen - Fine Nib - Black Body

For the price, this pen is TOPS.

I actually picked this up locally from a San Francisco retailer but I thought I'd holler on Jetpens.com customers behalf, that they have a winner here.

Ergonomically, this could have a better grip, but its not a deal breaker nor do I find myself fatigued in its use. It looks much more expensive than its $ price tag suggests. The fit and finish is easily found on pens over twice as much.

Now for the writing - initially I hated this pen. HATED. It was finicky and wouldn't write on cheap paper. Sometimes it wouldn't write AT ALL. It skipped like a 5 yr old girl, etc.

After I PRIMED the pen however, it has been performing like a dream, laying down lines like Tony Montana. Smooth, dancing lines like a ballerina. This thing sings on my Moleskine, can't wait to try it on my Rhodias.

I'll be upgrading my fountain pen inventory soon, maybe a Sailor here, a Pelikan there....but I know right now this one will always be in heavy rotation. I picked up a converter from here, and will write a review after a few week's trial.

This pen is very nice! A little slippery to hold though, so not good for pen tricks, ha. My friend recommended it to me when I wanted to try out fountain pens for the first time. It's definitely beginner-friendly (as long as you're a responsible, sensible user) and ink cartridge installation is a breeze.

The ink itself flows pretty consistently, with very faint scratchiness if you write at extreme angles. Right now I'm using the original ink included in the pen (it comes with 2 cartridges in the body) and it's a nice solid black, though sometimes it comes out watery. But I think that's only because I dropped it once, and something came loose (it made a weird metal jingling noise whenever I shake it or tilt it now). Not to mention the nib became bent off-center so I had to gently use my fingers to maneuver it back into place. (It was surprisingly cooperative.) Before the fall, the ink flow was virtually perfect.

Though...funny thing is, I accidentally dropped it again a few days ago, and the jingling noise disappeared. Hopefully whatever it was fixed itself!

Overall, I'd rate this pen to be reliable, classy, and portable. I also like how it's a lot lighter than it looks, so my hand doesn't get tired when writing it. Treat it well (as in, better than I do) and it'll serve you faithfully.

Pretty good fountain pen for the price - body is a little slender for my tastes but thats really just my fault for not buying the Spirit (next purchase!). The Lapa actually has a FINE nib - almost Japanese FINE. So beware if you're used to European "fine" meaning Japanese "Medium"

I have this pen and love it. It is beautiful and makes an excellent every day writer. It is elegant enough for business and pleasure. I have the converter but have yet to use it. I have been writing with the Ohto ink cartridges and the pen writes every time. I will probably get another one to use with the converter.

I have 2 of these pens and have never had any trouble with them at all. I bought a converter and use Noodler's ink, and they write smoothly and steadily with no skips unless the ink level is very, very low. I can't comment on the ink that comes with the pens, as I didn't try it.