Thread: Fountain Pens

Originally Posted by steve

This IS a fountain pen but.......

http://www.business-supply.com/dispo...ml?src=bizrate




doesn't it defeat the purpose of using a FP??

The way those all-plastic shavettes are a replacement for a real straight.

Originally Posted by Matthew Groves

How do these FPs work for lefties?

I use a FP almost exclusively and have had few problems - the most important issue is preventing smudging - a couple of things that I`ve learned about successfully using a FP if you`re a lefty:

A fine or medium nib generally works best as it puts down less ink than broader nibs;

Use an ink that is quick drying - most are fine, but some take a little longer to dry (and a second or two makes a huge difference) I like Waterman inks, but there are several brands that work great - I believe that Noodlers makes a quick drying ink that would likely be very good as well;

Use a good paper - necessary to prevent feathering/bleeding, but having a paper that`s more absorbant helps with drying and prevents smudging.

While you can have a nib custom ground to accomodate any particular issues associated with being left-handed, but I haven`t had any problems with the factory nibs on the pens I have.

When I was in high school, I had a very old-school (as well as very old) drafting teacher who once shared the following advice to the members of my all-male class: "Three things a gentleman never borrows from another gentleman are his razor, his fountain pen and his wife." Nos. 1 and 3 are probably pretty self-apparent to the readers of this forum, but for anyone who is mulling over the notion of taking up fountain pen use, I heartily vouch for the wisdom of No. 2. A fountain pen and its owner evolve to accommodate each other in somewhat the same way that a stiff new pair of new shoes can become the most comfortable pair in your closet with patience and time. As is the case with straight razors, a fountain pen that starts out as a scratchy, messy piece of s_ _t can become a thing of joy. But just like a pair of shoes, a fountain pen nib flexes and wears in specific response to the the manner in which it is used, and these things are unique to each pair of feet and each writer. Resist the urge to be polite when someone who is not familiar with fountain pens and who just needs to jot down a phone number wants to borrow yours. The best technique for writing with fountain pens is not intuitive - it must be learned. The borrower will almost certainly hold the pen at the wrong angle, press way too hard and scrape the point as they replace the cap. The pen will likely feel and write less well when you get it back. I try to always carry a cheap ballpoint stick pen for use in just these situations.

Regards,

Steve B

Originally Posted by Steve B

When I was in high school, I had a very old-school (as well as very old) drafting teacher who once shared the following advice to the members of my all-male class: "Three things a gentleman never borrows from another gentleman are his razor, his fountain pen and his wife." Nos. 1 and 3 are probably pretty self-apparent to the readers of this forum, but for anyone who is mulling over the notion of taking up fountain pen use, I heartily vouch for the wisdom of No. 2. A fountain pen and its owner evolve to accommodate each other in somewhat the same way that a stiff new pair of new shoes can become the most comfortable pair in your closet with patience and time. As is the case with straight razors, a fountain pen that starts out as a scratchy, messy piece of s_ _t can become a thing of joy. But just like a pair of shoes, a fountain pen nib flexes and wears in specific response to the the manner in which it is used, and these things are unique to each pair of feet and each writer. Resist the urge to be polite when someone who is not familiar with fountain pens and who just needs to jot down a phone number wants to borrow yours. The best technique for writing with fountain pens is not intuitive - it must be learned. The borrower will almost certainly hold the pen at the wrong angle, press way too hard and scrape the point as they replace the cap. The pen will likely feel and write less well when you get it back. I try to always carry a cheap ballpoint stick pen for use in just these situations.

Regards,

Steve B

Great advice Steve. I can remember letting someone use my fountain pen to sign something. He pressed so hard that it took quite a bit of readjusting to salvage the nib. I've never let anyone borrow my pen after that.

All this talk has me very interested.

I'd love to try a fountain pen.

Never thought I'd find my source here, but given the probable "collections" of FPs that are here, does someone want to sell me one or trade me one for a razor? I only have a few razors, but I'd be willing to swap for equal value FP, not that I'd have a clue as to the value, so I'm at your mercy. willingly.

Maybe some old dog of a pen that's ugly, but works for lefties and works well with noodler's ink?

Let me know.

Matthew

Nobody mentioned pentrace? I liked it quite a bit. good deals on the market, helpful people... of course, it's not perfect...

And yes, I really am not overly enthusiastic about giving my pen to anyone. My 9-y-o daughter is an exception - because I want her to know how to use one and to appreciate the difference. I let her borrow my vintage Montegrappa most often (it's a bit thin and better for her smaller hand than my others). She also uses a Montblanc pencil. Her teachers's eyes popped the first time she whipped out the Montegrappa and used it expertly to fill in a school doc a couple of years ago

My daughter graduates from college next month and I've been having trouble thinking of the right graduation gift for her. This thread inspired me to think that a nice FP, such as one of the Pelikan special editions, might be a good choice.

What do the rest of you think about that?

Originally Posted by DMS

My daughter graduates from college next month and I've been having trouble thinking of the right graduation gift for her. This thread inspired me to think that a nice FP, such as one of the Pelikan special editions, might be a good choice.

What do the rest of you think about that?

I can't speak specifically to the Pelikan since I've not used one, but I love the idea of giving her a quality fountain pen for her graduation. A fine quality FP can demonstrate success, elegance and professionalism.

Originally Posted by DMS

My daughter graduates from college next month and I've been having trouble thinking of the right graduation gift for her. This thread inspired me to think that a nice FP, such as one of the Pelikan special editions, might be a good choice.

What do the rest of you think about that?

Dave,

in my book this is a great gift - in general.

However, there are many things to consider - is a pen a good gift for her to begin with? Pens are very personal - would she like it? What model nib - flex, feel, what style / looks, shapes, weight and balance, comfort... She might appreciate it very much as a gift from her dad, even if she would not buy it herself... Is she into writing - this might be great for her then, yet I think kids these days are more and more migrating to laptop writing, etc.

Could you do some sneak scouting before you decide?

Good luck!
Ivo

Originally Posted by izlat

Dave,

in my book this is a great gift - in general.

However, there are many things to consider - is a pen a good gift for her to begin with? Pens are very personal - would she like it? What model nib - flex, feel, what style / looks, shapes, weight and balance, comfort... She might appreciate it very much as a gift from her dad, even if she would not buy it herself... Is she into writing - this might be great for her then, yet I think kids these days are more and more migrating to laptop writing, etc.

Could you do some sneak scouting before you decide?

Good luck!
Ivo

She has always had more inclination to write by hand than a lot of kids do these days, so I think there's a good fit in that regard.

As far as all the other pen-specific variables go, it's hard to know for sure. The one I'm looking at is a size that several of the women who post on FPN seem to like, and it has an 18K nib. I'll buy it with a fine nib, and Pelikan will swap it out in the first 30 days if she wants a different one. Beyond that I'll just have to count on her liking it because I picked it out for her. I thought about trying to get in touch with one of her roommates to find out more about what she's writing with these days, but unfortunately that's not very practical for me.

Thanks for the feedback on this, guys.