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What is your favorite pen type?
- Thread starter BigSky20
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Pentel R.S.V.P
Been using this make and brand for at least 10 years.
http://www.pentel.com/store/pentel-rsvp-ballpoint-pen-config
Been using this make and brand for at least 10 years.
http://www.pentel.com/store/pentel-rsvp-ballpoint-pen-config
Fountain and rollerball. I'm not a huge ballpoint type of guy, but even the cheapest Bic Cristal writes smoother than very expensive ballpoint pens at the risk of ink gunk. I do like their colorful inks in bold. Very much like gel pens without the cost. Gel pens are great, too. They will last forever if you don't write with them, but even about 20 years later after coming and becoming common in the US market, they're still terribly expensive.
Fountain pen.
I have written with fountain pens - and only fountain pens - since I was a teenager.
Actually, I used to write with pens made by Paper Mate, a few by Cross, Waterman, and later, Caran d'Ache. Parker pens were heavy and uncomfortable to hold, and I never liked them.
None come close to Mont Blanc - a small, black, Mont Blanc Meisterstuck - which is what I use now.
Anyway, I write with nothing else - unless the paper in question is the sort of shiny thing that requires a signature that cannot hold the ink that comes from a fountain pen; then, I use a Mont Blanc ballpoint, or roller ball.
I have written with fountain pens - and only fountain pens - since I was a teenager.
Actually, I used to write with pens made by Paper Mate, a few by Cross, Waterman, and later, Caran d'Ache. Parker pens were heavy and uncomfortable to hold, and I never liked them.
None come close to Mont Blanc - a small, black, Mont Blanc Meisterstuck - which is what I use now.
Anyway, I write with nothing else - unless the paper in question is the sort of shiny thing that requires a signature that cannot hold the ink that comes from a fountain pen; then, I use a Mont Blanc ballpoint, or roller ball.
Very, very nice. Was it one of the obscenely expensive ones or their more down to earth general line of fountain pens?
Stainless steel, one of their standard ones, with a zigzag - or sorry, chevron - pattern; later, I bought a slim, solid silver one by Caran d'Ache, which was very comfortable in my hand.
Anyway, I write with these things - that is, I write a lot; my pens get used - daily.
[doublepost=1504252003][/doublepost]I just checked their website, that is, the website of Caran d'Ache; my original - my first - of their pens, was a stainless steel pen from their 'Ecridor' range; the second, a smooth silver plated pen, is called the "Madison".
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Very nice. I'm surprised fountain pens were common when you were a child. We were given dip fountain pens in school during those days. It was enough to write a sentence or two, maybe three if you were light with the pressure. I do not have fond memories of those pens. They were messy and scratchy. Moving to the states, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw people using ballpoints and pencils for maths. I'd gotten so used to doing math by pen because you got it right the first time, not the second or third time. There's a few American companies that do very elegant stationery. As a kid, our very nice school purchased materials such as stationery. We used Clairefontaine in those days. Today's Clairefontaine looks nothing like the stuff then. I was disappointed to see the same stuff in Paris and Toulouse at the various. Though La or Le Muca was a nice store to visit there. I ended up purchasing stationery from an American company called Crane and Co. My knowledge on the company is iffy, but if I recall correctly, it's been around since 1760ish.
Very high quality but also very expensive. When I first bought it, they didn't cost as much today. I believe I paid somewhere around £310 for roughly 250 or 275 sheets. They have aged well and haven't yellowed since I bought them. The letter sheet I bought isn't made anymore, but the most expensive option costs $2.35 a sheet presuming you buy 1,000 sheets. A little under $10 for a sheet if you buy 25. It's disheartening.
I'd think it would be cheaper to find a professional printer who can offer a similar paper and have your letterhead printed or emblazoned onto the paper. I'd imagine it would cost a little more than the historic price I paid for, but for more sheets. You see, it isn't easy finding quality stationery in America as it is in Europe or Asia. It's all pretty here, in the sense a child would like it. Not the classy stuff we grew up with or what our elders wrote on. To find quality American stationery, you need to dig through old conversations or ask around various hobbyist groups.
They weren't common.
It was just that I liked them, and had been advised to try writing with them, as my writing was illegible.
So, from my mid teens, I have written with nothing else. My father also wrote with fountain pens, and he encouraged my preference to do so.
[doublepost=1504255822][/doublepost]
What American stationary companies do you recommend?
Agree that Clairefontaine are not as good as they were, though they are still better than most others.
I love writing on good quality paper, and how ink (I use Mont Blanc ink) and paper interact; the Colonel Littleton company (thank you @Shrink for the recommendation) produce excellent quality paper in the note-books and diaries they offer for sale.
Before I continue, I must apologize. My earlier post comes off as extremely ageist. That was not my intention. What I meant to say is that I'm surprised fountain pens were given out then because of the so-called dangerous expressed by our headmaster then. Who, and I'm going by memory here and it's rusty, that you could maim a fellow student and they were too messy to deal with. And because we were children then, we'd make the walls and desks a blue and black mess. Keep in mind we were given dip pens. Which are usually poorly constructed if meant for educational use. They were also difficult to "fill up," and could very well maim others if not yourself. My first fountain pen was glorious. It was dirt cheap, but as a kid, it was the best thing in the world. It was a white/creme twist off cap with green dots lining the outside. Very much in line with general design decor of the era.
Terrapin makes some... very interesting modern stationery. Few custom options, but they're rather trendy. They attract a younger crowd due to the new-ageness of their papers. My mother and mother-in-law enjoy what Rifle Co. offer. Beautiful floral and nature (flora/fauna) designs that will stand the test of time. Though you must be careful what you buy. Not everything is great in the long term. I think you would quite like Thornwillow's products. Not sure if it's still there, but there's some shop called Smytherson, IIRC, on Bond street that has very nice stuff available for sale and customization. I distinctly remember the store operator telling me something about HRH Victoria using their product in her dying years or George V. Anyway, he then went on about royal warrants, which at this point I'd tuned him out as I was browsing. From memory, they also had hand stitched/bound planners and journals. I'll probably order from them when I finish my supplies. I'm not too keen on American stationery makers. They incorporate too many plants or animals in black-white for design. Most quality American stationery companies will be in and around New York, or where the original 13 colonies resided.
I honestly can't vote even thought you have both my choices.
I use G2 pens every day, and I love them. Of the practical writing implements that I regularly use, the G2 is it.
But, my favorite type of pen for both feel, style, and quality is a bent-nib fountain pen.
I use G2 pens every day, and I love them. Of the practical writing implements that I regularly use, the G2 is it.
But, my favorite type of pen for both feel, style, and quality is a bent-nib fountain pen.
Fountain by a long way due to the ink choice and variety in nib sizes - though I'll always take a rollerball or gel over a Biro.
Pretty sure there's a fountain pen thread in this forum - come join us!
Edit: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/fountain-pen-users-rejoice.1951752/
Pretty sure there's a fountain pen thread in this forum - come join us!
Edit: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/fountain-pen-users-rejoice.1951752/
Oooooh, yes.
I do remember that particular thread......with an unusual degree of pure pleasure.
Pretty much I just use Pilot G2s and buy them by the 4-pack or the dozen to minimize effects of my thieving nextgen relatives. I just scatter the pens around the house and hope one will come to hand when needed. 
I have a couple nice Cross pens from the wayback, there was a time companies would give the gold ones as parting gifts or gifts accompanying a promotion (imagine that these days when a promotion may come without anything extra that's tangible short of maybe a better cubicle), but as I get older I prefer a fatter pen for better ergonomics.
I have a couple nice Cross pens from the wayback, there was a time companies would give the gold ones as parting gifts or gifts accompanying a promotion (imagine that these days when a promotion may come without anything extra that's tangible short of maybe a better cubicle), but as I get older I prefer a fatter pen for better ergonomics.
It's fat and easy to grip. Short of that, i dunno. I don't hand write a lot so I don't fall into the group that complains about their not lasting long.
I used to love the G2 but there are better options in my opinion like the new papermate ink joy. Smooth vivid ink and quicker dry time. I love the smoothness of a rollerball but I like the look of the gel ink better. The new signo 307 is pretty impressive (although the blue is not dark enough for me).
Fountain pens are great, but difficult for everyday use. I go back and forth on my favorite pen all the time.
I'm a big fountain pen guy.
My main daily writer is an older Mont Blanc 22, a slim pen with a semi-hooded nib. Since Mont Blanc removed the iron gall from the Midnight Blue and my bottle is running low, I've switched over to Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black. I had to buy it overseas(Japan in my case) but it's a decent enough substitute.
It took the place of my much beloved Pelikan 205, which developed a hairline crack in the cap screw threads that caused it to leak ink like a sieve. I keep meaning to send it in.
On special occasions, an old Oversize Sheaffer's Balance from the 1930s comes out. This is a family pen that nearly went in the trash at my grandmother's house, but my mom had the forsight to save it. It's really an attractive-and as it turns out-quite a valuable pen. This one only gets Waterman Blue.
I'm waiting for a former co-worker to bring me an older flexible nib Waterman for possible purchase. It will probably cost me a decent amount, but the flexible Watermans are truly something special.
I have a handful of others. I have several Lamys, but they don't really excite me. The 2000 is an interesting pen, but mine has been back to Lamy twice for a cracked section(thank goodness for their lifetime warranty-Pelikan and Mont Blanc could take a lesson) and I've been afraid to use it anymore. I had a Studio Palladium with an absolutely sublime 18K two-tone nib, but unfortunately it slid out of my pocket and I never found it(it's the only fountain pen I've ever lost).
I've mentioned a few inks, but I do tend to dedicate specific inks to specific pens. Waterman Blue is my go-to for older pens unless they're in continuous use(like my MB) as it's considered one of the most gentle inks. I've really come to like Pelikan Edelstein Sapphire as a general purpose blue. I like Noodler's Bay State Blue for an "in your face" ink, but I'm particular about which pen it gets used in. I've gone through a couple of different shades of green that I like-these days it's usually older Sheaffer's Washable Green(in an inkwell bottle) but I've also used Pelikan Green and Private Reserve Sherwood Green.
[doublepost=1504835197][/doublepost]
I think folks like @Scepticalscribe and I, who are fountain pen die-hards, would disagree with that.
My main daily writer is an older Mont Blanc 22, a slim pen with a semi-hooded nib. Since Mont Blanc removed the iron gall from the Midnight Blue and my bottle is running low, I've switched over to Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black. I had to buy it overseas(Japan in my case) but it's a decent enough substitute.
It took the place of my much beloved Pelikan 205, which developed a hairline crack in the cap screw threads that caused it to leak ink like a sieve. I keep meaning to send it in.
On special occasions, an old Oversize Sheaffer's Balance from the 1930s comes out. This is a family pen that nearly went in the trash at my grandmother's house, but my mom had the forsight to save it. It's really an attractive-and as it turns out-quite a valuable pen. This one only gets Waterman Blue.
I'm waiting for a former co-worker to bring me an older flexible nib Waterman for possible purchase. It will probably cost me a decent amount, but the flexible Watermans are truly something special.
I have a handful of others. I have several Lamys, but they don't really excite me. The 2000 is an interesting pen, but mine has been back to Lamy twice for a cracked section(thank goodness for their lifetime warranty-Pelikan and Mont Blanc could take a lesson) and I've been afraid to use it anymore. I had a Studio Palladium with an absolutely sublime 18K two-tone nib, but unfortunately it slid out of my pocket and I never found it(it's the only fountain pen I've ever lost).
I've mentioned a few inks, but I do tend to dedicate specific inks to specific pens. Waterman Blue is my go-to for older pens unless they're in continuous use(like my MB) as it's considered one of the most gentle inks. I've really come to like Pelikan Edelstein Sapphire as a general purpose blue. I like Noodler's Bay State Blue for an "in your face" ink, but I'm particular about which pen it gets used in. I've gone through a couple of different shades of green that I like-these days it's usually older Sheaffer's Washable Green(in an inkwell bottle) but I've also used Pelikan Green and Private Reserve Sherwood Green.
[doublepost=1504835197][/doublepost]
I think folks like @Scepticalscribe and I, who are fountain pen die-hards, would disagree with that.
Weird that I haven't thought about blue ink for a long time and didn't even realize they still had regular pens with blue ink in them except of course in the arrays of colored pens that artists buy. I always get black just out of habit. I'll have to try the papermate ink joy and see what I think of it. Excellent timing, this thread: I had planned to get a four-pack of pens tomorrow so I'll be in the right place to broaden my horizons a little.
They're gel pens. I'd rank them below the thick width BIC pens using traditional ink that come in various colors. Both blob out.
Buy the papermate ink joy and try them against any gel pen. They are hard to beat. They don't look the greatest but the ink and the flow are great and they dry faster than most other gel pens. Granted gel pens will not compete with a fountain, but they are great for everyday use.
I did. I mentioned them earlier in the year. They're alright, but they're not that great. I constantly find them globbing up, even when using high quality paper or stiff heavy paper like Bristol. I will admit they're good for drawing up plans for projects and the slightly thicker lay than the BICs make it easier to refer to plans through a legend.
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Great post.
A few years ago, when I worked in central Asia, my adored black Meisterstuck (a 144) Mont Blanc cracked and had to be sent to Switzerland for repair when I managed to get home on leave.
Now, I did have its twin, which I used, while it was being repaired - but, until then, I had never used a pen so often (this was used daily at meetings where I took notes and wrote up reports) that it actually cracked.
Yes, I had to pay for the repair - but, I loved - and still love - that pen.
Mont Blanc discontinued the 144 - I love it because my hands are small and it is the most comfortable pen I have ever written with; it doesn't tire my wrist, it feels like an extension of my hand, and it glides beautifully across the page. One can write and write with it. And I do. Daily.
Like @LizKat, I use black ink much of the time, but the humidity of where I am now seems to have the effect of turning blue ink a sort of turquoise colour on the page.
The 145 - yes, I have one or two - is less comfortable - while, personally, I find the 146 too big and heavy.
The second 144 I managed to buy - as a replacement or substitute for my adored pen - was essentially cannibalised by the place (an authorised Mont Blanc dealer) where I bought it, so that I could acquire a replacement for my splendid 144.
I also have a solid silver 144, - lovely to write with - (bought in Mayfair in a beautiful pen shop) - but this one is confined to Europe; not for travel in some of the places I find myself in, not just because it might be the subject of theft (though it might - they live in my briefcase sometimes, or, more usually, the inside pocket of my jacket), but because such a pen may also send an unfortunate message.
Before I got into fountain pens, my go-to was the Pilot V5, and I still think it delivers the most FP-like writing experience of any non-FP on the market. In any case, I always bought them in black(and still have a few black ones kicking around), and that translated into my preferences on most other pens.
When I first took an interest in fountain pens, I went toward black inks at first. Shortly after, though, I was introduced to the wonderful world of blue and blue-black inks, and blue black now go to either of those(although generally blue-black) for general purpose writing. I've given away most of the black inks I bought, and it's probably been a few years since I've touched the one or two bottles I have left.
I'm told that one reason for a more traditional preference toward blue or blue-black is that is that in a standard copy, an original signature is easily distinguished from a copy. With that said, high quality scans and color copies have made this a moot point.
Still, I like the fact that blue inks are still considered formal and proper for business correspondence but allow you to have a little bit of variety. There's also the fact that if I'm marking up or annotating a printed page, the blue sticks out from the black type. If I'm working with multiple people on the same document, I'll often be sure I pick something different enough that my markings can be identified.