Fountain Pens

[Ozman712]

I don't know if you guys know much about fountain pens, but I just started learning about them. They are pretty cool (non-technological) gadgets. I would really recommend you guys trying them out.

I posted a blog about my new pen if you want to check it out. http://www.ozman712.blogspot.com/

[ZiggyPastorius]

I don't know if you guys know much about fountain pens, but I just started learning about them. They are pretty cool (non-technological) gadgets. I would really recommend you guys trying them out.

I posted a blog about my new pen if you want to check it out. http://www.ozman712.blogspot.com/

I love these! We used them in art quite a bit. They're really cool.

[Mavimao]

Students in France use them all the time. I still use mine here in the States. Unfortunately, my magical fountain pen eraser is all dried up... :(

[iShater]

I have a couple of Parkers that I use occasionally. They look dry when I checked them this week, need to clean them up. :(

[Ozman712]

I am really happy so far with this pen. The Noodlers ink is really awesome. I want another pen filled with different ink colors. This is like tech stuff, once you get a little bit you just want more.

Oz

[Dandaman]

Lefty here, so can't really use these fountain pens effectively when writing. I got one as a gift a while back, but it just didn't write smoothly. Something about lefties pushing vs. pulling when we write doesn't fit the design of these pens.

[rhsgolfer33]

I've always wanted a fountain pen, particularly a Mont Blanc. Right now I want this one: Super Expensive Pen (http://www.montblanc.com/products/precious_metals_diamonds_solitaire_royal_black_diamond.08081.php)

Oh well, I just see myself dropping that thing and going "oh siht where'd my $5000 pen go?!" Or I'd get mugged, someone would mug me for my fountain pen.

[thegilly]

There are people in the pen-collecting world who specialise in fitting nibs to hands--that is, finding (and often grinding) the shape of nib that will work best for the way a particular person writes. Left-handers are particularly interesting in how they use pens--left-handed writers use and angle their pens and paper in an immense variety of ways. There's an interesting article on the subject here (http://www.nibs.com/Left-hand%20writers.htm).

I collect fountain pens, mainly vintage Pelikans. It tends to be an expensive hobby, but it's also one where a knowledgeable person can make money too. I once bought an old pen on a local auction site for about a hundred dollars and sold it for more than a thousand dollars than a week later. That was luck, not skill, I only knew enough to know that if that pen was common I'd have seen pictures of it before, so I bought it, and I knew enough to know where the experts were to ask about it once I had it in my hot little hand. But knowledgeable people, especially if they're technically-minded enough to have an interest in repairing old pens, can easily make it a self-supporting hobby, where enough profit is made to pay for new additions to the ever-growing personal collection.

Fountain pens are great pens, there's nothing obsolete about the technology involved. For many people, fountain pens are easier to use and less likely to cause writer's cramp than ballpoints. They're not (with the exception of the Pilot Varsity) designed to be disposable, so they're better for the planet than the incredible quantity of Bic ballpoints the average person would go through in a lifetime. If you live in a country where bottled ink is fairly cheap (I don't, alas), even an expensive fountain pen can be very economical over the long term. The only major irritant for most people wishing to use fountain pens is in fact caused by the paper manufacturers: with the rapid rise of ballpoint pens in the last few decades, they've been able to get away with supplying cheaper and cheaper paper, paper with less rag content, and the result is that now you can't be sure when you buy a ream of copy paper or an expensive little stationery set whether fountain pen ink is going to feather and bleed through it. But that isn't the fault of the fountain pen or the ink (though you can often adjust those to compensate), it's all about the paper.

[JLatte]

That looks like a nice pen, and great ink. I'm a lefty and I've always wanted to purchase a decent (not expensive but normal priced, not cheap either) fountain pen. I had one back in high school but had severe issues with the smudging. I wouldn't mind giving it another shot, but not sure where to start now. I'm going to check out the same pen you bought, would you recommend it to someone that's beginning to write with a fountain pen?

[Abstract]

Off-topic, but in your blog, you say you got a water bottle that's BPA free. Aren't aluminium bottles, and all aluminium such as the stuff found in anti-perspirants (not deodorants) associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's? Nobody is 100% sure, and there's no evidence that aluminium bottles are a danger, but that could mean there isn't enough evidence.

[YS2003]

I am also into nice pens. I used to have a low end Mont Blanc fountain pen when I was in school. Does it leak if you put the fountain pen in the breast pocket of your dress shirt or suite? I am just concerned about the leakage.

[Berlepsch]

Lefty here, so can't really use these fountain pens effectively when writing. I got one as a gift a while back, but it just didn't write smoothly. Something about lefties pushing vs. pulling when we write doesn't fit the design of these pens.

You need to find the proper nib and pen. For some fountain pens, there are special left hander nibs available. I have been using fountain pens as a leftie since early school years, and for me they offer the best writing experience I know of. You just need to learn how to avoid smearing the wet ink, but this is the same problem as with pencils.

Ball pens, on the other hand, suck.

[mcnicks]

I am a lefty, and I started using fountain pens because my grip was terrible and I needed a way to loosen up. The "pushing into the page" thing happens with all pens. When lefties use ballpoints we are pushing the ball back into the pen, rather than allowing it to rotate as we pull the pen across the page. Fountain pens are basically a controlled leak so, as long as the nib doesn't catch on the paper, its a lot easier to actually get the ink on the page and move the pen across it.

Fountain pens take a bit of getting used to if you are a lefty. For me, I had to change my posture and the way I grip the pen in order to avoid streaking the ink, but that was a good thing. It straightened out my wrist and got rid of a lot of the stress / carpal stuff that was going on.

Although Lamy do left-handed nibs for the Safari, I always get Lamy Vistas (the clear plastic ones) because, for some reason, I always find that the nibs are smoother on them. Maybe they use a different metal to make the nib on the Vista?

[djellison]

"Use ink only, via a nib if possible"

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FiWJWLCoH2M

:)

Doug

[Ozman712]

Abstract,

The bottle is lined with an epoxy which doesn't make that a concern. The epoxy is actually where the worry about BPA comes in, obviously not in the aluminum. There are other aluminum bottle manufacturers, such as Sigg, which won't give the contents of their epoxy liners, so we don't know if it is BPA free.

The other option in metal bottles would be the 18/8 stainless steel bottles from Klean Kanteen, which do not have to have liners at all.

I'm glad you guys are finding fountain pens interesting. I really like the hobby so far. I already want another one so I can keep another color ink in it.

I never really thought about the problems with leftys. I'm right handed, so never gave it any thought. Interesting.

Oz

[mikeypizano]

I only have one thing to say:

Pelikan + Noodlers black

[Ozman712]

I only have one thing to say:

Pelikan + Noodlers black

Mikey, I was first looking at getting a Pelikan M200, but went with the Lamy because of the price (wanted to make sure I liked fountain pens before I invested that much $). What Pelikan do you have?

BTW, I am loving the Noodler's Ink. It works great on notebooks and cheap copy paper (the two main papers I find myself writing on). No bleed-through or feathering. I need to get some other colors now.

Oz

[mikeypizano]

Mikey, I was first looking at getting a Pelikan M200, but went with the Lamy because of the price (wanted to make sure I liked fountain pens before I invested that much $). What Pelikan do you have?

BTW, I am loving the Noodler's Ink. It works great on notebooks and cheap copy paper (the two main papers I find myself writing on). No bleed-through or feathering. I need to get some other colors now.

Oz

Cheap M150. The nib is a little scratchy now but still rights great. I like Noodlers for cost. Its like 10 bucks for a 3oz bottle.

[iJohnHenry]

Does no one know of the classic name in fountain pens?

Mont Blanc. (http://http://www.montblanc.com/products/26.php)

[iShater]

Does no one know of the classic name in fountain pens?

Mont Blanc. (http://http://www.montblanc.com/products/26.php)

Way beyond my budget. :p

[bigandy]

Does no one know of the classic name in fountain pens?

Mont Blanc. (http://http://www.montblanc.com/products/26.php)

Mattscotted! Already mentioned in the thread. :p


I've got a Mont Blanc somewhere, but have no idea where (won it in a competition in 1994). I love my LAMY pens, esp the rollerball.

Despite my leftyness, there's never been much a problem for me writing with fountain pens - all I've used except the Mont Blanc are generic righty-friendly pens.

[EricNau]

Tried that once. ...Managed to get ink everywhere. Never trying that again. :o

[iJohnHenry]

Mattscotted! Already mentioned in the thread. :p

Damn, must have mis-spelled my search.

Well, that's my story anyway, and I'm sticking to it. :p

[bigandy]

Well, that's my story anyway, and I'm sticking to it. :p

Yeah yeah. We all know the real story. :p

[Ozman712]

Mattscotted! Already mentioned in the thread. :p




Andy,

What the heck does Mattscotted mean? Never heard that one.

Oz

[Scepticalscribe]

I have used fountain pens for years and I love writing with them. Currently, I have a Caran d'Ache stainless steel one, which is a beautifully balanced pen. I have used Cross, and Parker (Mont Blanc is a bit beyond my current price range), but as with many other objects, try to find one that feels right - ie, balanced and comfortable - in your hand for you, rather than focussing just on the famous (justifiably so) brand names.

Thegilly is absolutely right about the relatively recent deterioration in the quality of paper as a consequence of the invention of the ballpoint pen (which have their uses, but I don't much care for them, they were invented to deal with the problems posed by freezing conditions in high-altitude bombing runs during WW2, when the crews were unable to mae logs using standard pens); bleeding and feathering are unpleasant experiences.

Paper in the former eastern Europe & former Soviet worlds, tends, still, to be of a very high quality and worth buying if anyone visits any of those countries, and is interested in pens.
Cheers

[sangosimo]

I use a charcoal lamy safari; it is probably the best pen I have ever had. It is also really cheap.

[Sly]

I sign off all my letters, cheques etc with a fountain pen. I always use Herbin dark tea coloured ink, have done for many years now, I think it gives my signature a certain individualism and style you just don't get with a biro.

[SactoGuy18]

I have an old Mont Blanc fountain pen that was restored to "like new" condition recently and it does work well. The person who restored the pen charged me a fortune, though. :(

I like to use black ink for this pen, mostly because I like the color of black ink. :)

[YS2003]

I am toying with an idea of buying a Montblanc Meisterstück 149. I see some posters said the paper quality play a big factor in your satisfaction writing with a fountain pen.

Is there ink which is suitable for normal paper?

[thegilly]

I am toying with an idea of buying a Montblanc Meisterstück 149. I see some posters said the paper quality play a big factor in your satisfaction writing with a fountain pen.

Is there ink which is suitable for normal paper?

You may get a better result asking this kind of question on PenTrace (http://www.pentrace.net/mboard.htm). That said, my two cents' worth:

The problem is not with fountain pens or the inks they use, but with the paper. Inks have been developed to combat the problems caused by cheap paper. Look at Noodler's inks, and Swisher's fast-drying inks (which are made by Noodler's) for inks which will feather less or not at all. Do, however, read the cautions about using dye-rich inks like Noodler's in valuable, antique, or transparent pens, and make your own mind up.

Generally, you should be able to get by on most paper with a fountain pen, at least if it has a reasonably fine, standard sort of nib. A very wide nib, or a very 'wet' nib, will lay down such a lot of ink that even excellent expensive paper may not cope well, and even if it does you may have to wait (or blot) before you can turn or fold the page you've written on. You will not be able to practice copperplate handwriting with a flexible-nibbed fountain pen on newsprint, for instance, the paper is just too absorbent for the amount of wet ink that nib will lay down when you flex it.

If you're not sure a fountain pen is for you, I'd recommend starting with something cheaper than a MB 149! The very cheapest fountain pens tend to be a bit rubbish, but there are many low-end ones (under US $50, say, even under US $30) that are very reliable, solid little things and will allow you an affordable test run (the Waterman Phileas and Kultur lines, for instance, or the Parker Frontier). Fountain pens aren't for everyone. I don't mean that not everyone can write with them, because I tend to believe that anyone who can write with a ballpoint or rollerball can learn to handle an appropriate fountain pen just fine. It's more that you may be the sort of person who can't reprogram yourself to think that pens matter. If you're used to buying Bic ballpoints by the box because you lose them so quickly, it may be that a fountain pen isn't something you want to risk. (There are disposeable fountain pens, though, if this is your main concern, or at least there is one: the Pilot Varsity.) One advantage of beginning with a 'decent' pen (which the 149 certainly is) may be that, if it doesn't work out for you, you should be able to get back a good proportion of what you paid for it in cash or trade by selling it secondhand (again, on PenTrace or the Zoss list would be my suggestion), provided you have kept it in reasonable nick.

If you're lucky enough to have one near you, a pen show (if in the States, google "pen show calendar") or an old-fashioned pen shop is a good way to try pens without buying them. At pen shows in particular, you'll meet people who are interested in connecting you with a pen--and, more particularly, nib--which will not only be a pleasure for you to use, but will actually magically improve the look of your handwriting.

[DoNoHarm]

i know the guy who owns this company. top notch guy:

http://orangepens.com/

[MOFS]

Off-topic, but in your blog, you say you got a water bottle that's BPA free. Aren't aluminium bottles, and all aluminium such as the stuff found in anti-perspirants (not deodorants) associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's? Nobody is 100% sure, and there's no evidence that aluminium bottles are a danger, but that could mean there isn't enough evidence.

I think no evidence has shown that Aluminium increases the risk of Alzheimer's ie it probably doesn't.[/off topic]

I always use a Parker fountain pen (blue ink) when writing up exam notes. As a left-hander I find the ink dries better, and my hand isn't even in a silly looking position.

[Domanic]

If I'm not using my macbook to dictate and take notes at college, I use a Rotring Core fountain pen:
http://www.komod.com.ua/images/goodsphoto/00001726/rotring-core-bl-wh_x550.jpg

[annk]

I've got a Waterman that I haven't used for years. Really nice, too, with gold plating on the clip etc. It was a gift. This thread makes me want to get it out and play with it again. I've got boxes of unopened ink cartridges - do they go bad? :confused:

I've got this one:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/217HpZuKNbL._SS500_.jpg

[instaxgirl]

The best one I ever had was a Parker, really nice pen to write with.

A bottle of tipex exploded on it :mad: Nowadays I only ever write in pencil and always keep a rubber nearby :o

[doubleohseven]

I LOVE using Fountain Pens! Unfortunately though, the ink smudges since I'm left handed. :o

[momo.786]

Fountain pens do ROCK:D Its the smoothest writing experience! It gives writing an "old school" feel, as this is how pens started out.

I inherited a Parker 61 fountain pen, made in the 1960's and still works! Had a few issues with the pen leaking, but I was told to use blue ink, which is supposed to be better.

Dont use it everyday...one of the main reasons is that a lot of people dont know how to hold and use a fountain pen, so when they ask me for pen, and i happen to have the fountain pen, it makes me cringe when they hold the pen any way and use any side of the nib to write:eek: Dont think its that hard to figure out how to hold a fountain pen, but some people still dont get it:( Its a fairly old pen, so the risk of leaks is there, so it stays at home mostly. Considering a newer one fountain pen...this one steals my heart http://www.montblanc.com/products/black_rubber_platinum_metal_rubber.08854.php

So i just use a Parker ball point for everyday use at work, and the fountain pen when i get home.

Paper quality is an issue, not so much with the fountain pen, but its terrible with roller balls! I have 2 Parker roller balls that I cannot use. It bleeds right through the paper, so I can only use 1 side of the paper. The blue Parker Quink ink seems fine; doesnt bleed through that much, and dries fairly quickly.

I'm a sucker for pens and watches...it's my weakness:o
Just another point...has anyone noticed that the quality of Parker products is not what is used to be? They used to be perfect, but these days its really shocking. Even the ball point refills seem to blot...and the lifetime warranty seems to be reduced to 2 years:confused:

[173080]

I use a Montblanc 114 (Mozart) with bordeaux ink as my daily writer.

Feathering is an problem when professors print their exams on really cheap paper though, so I just bring my own.

My 114:
http://www.intelsucks.net/450D/Montblanc.jpg

[thegilly]

I've got a Waterman that I haven't used for years. Really nice, too, with gold plating on the clip etc. It was a gift. This thread makes me want to get it out and play with it again. I've got boxes of unopened ink cartridges - do they go bad? :confused:


No, ink cartridges don't go bad, exactly, but the water content gradually evaporates through the plastic over time. So if you've got some around that are years old, they may look less full than brand new ones, and the ink will be thicker. Very old cartridges (say from the 1960s) will often have nothing but coloured dust in them--the dye. Supposedly if you want them to last years you should store them in water.

If you've had a pen sitting around for years, why not get it out? The worst that is likely to happen is that you'll forget about it again, the ink in it will dry up, and you'll have to rinse it under the tap before you can use it again. :-) Go on, live a little, have some luxury in your general household scribbles. Phone messages on sticky notes are so much more fun when you write 'em with a nice pen!

[YS2003]

I was reminded of this thread when I was in the Picture forum.

I am now fully in the fountain pen camp.:) Montblanc 146, Aurora Europa Edition, Pelikan 215, and Pelikan 800. I want to get one more nice high end fountain pen. I only go for a fountain pen with a piston system instead of a cartridge or a converter.

The tactile feel of using a fountain pen is immediate, I can tell you that. It's much easier to write with a fountain pen (a good one especially). I have many meetings with customers and take notes. My rationale for spending lots of money on my "writing instruments" is I want to feel good about writing regardless of what I am writing about.:) Even a mondane notes I scribble away during meetings become a little more fun. Better to have fun at doing what you do for work. That's my new philosophy.

I interact with corporate decision makers and when I whip out my fountain pen, many of them take notice as it gives out an impression I am serious about my work.

[YS2003]

I am thinking about adding Pilot's Decimo fountain pen and the 823 demonstrator fountain pen.

[joro]

Does no one know of the classic name in fountain pens?

Mont Blanc. (http://http://www.montblanc.com/products/26.php)

Some great pens though, even though they are costly. I carry the ballpoint version of Meisterstück line in my pocket to work everyday.

[YS2003]

Some great pens though, even though they are costly. I carry the ballpoint version of Meisterstück line in my pocket to work everyday.
But, you gotta admit MB makes fine writing instruments. My MB 146 with an M nib is so smooth. My other FPs are also smooth writers, I have some special attachment with MB.

[joro]

But, you gotta admit MB makes fine writing instruments. My MB 146 with an M nib is so smooth. My other FPs are also smooth writers, I have some special attachment with MB.

Absolutely, I’m a true believer in you get what you pay for and even though they are pricey, Mont Blanc – to me – has that classic, elegant look to them and of course everyone knows the infamous snow cap AKA edelweiss logo (see below for those that don't know what I'm talking about). ;)

[coolwater]

Not fountain pens, but I sure do like my Mont Blanc pens.

[Scepticalscribe]

Thanks for the tip about Noodler's ink; as someone who uses fountain pens almost all of the time (when I'm not at a keyboard), and who agrees about the lamentable quality of much of the paper that is used these days, it is very useful to know about it. I'll look out for it when I'm next back in western Europe.

Agree about Parker and Waterman pens, I have had both and they were very good but I have since become a huge fan of Caran d'Ache, a company which designs beautiful pens which are wonderful to write with.

Cheers and good luck