Thread: Fountain Pens?

I just got a brand new Waterman Hemisphere for Christmas. I started out using a cheapo Manuscript calligraphy pen from Micheal's. A few months ago I received a Waterman from my grandfather which I would alternate with the Manuscript. The manuscript had a fairly decent italic nib, so sometimes that's what I prefered. Here are some pictures of my Watermans
The red and black one was my Grandfather's, the gold and black is my new one.

Got my Delta Dolcevita Medium ...

I could not agree more, fountain pens really are the way to go when writing personal correspondences. To me they put in the personality of the writer. I used to hand write all of my letters with an antique Parker fountain pen. Sad to say though, I have very few family members to write to any longer and most of my friends would not care one way or another what I write with.

That's a nice lookin pen Earthdawn

I would dearly love to use a fountain pen! But I'm a city employee and as such, everything I write is on a triplicate form (notices of violations, inspection forms and citations) and I need a brute of a cheap ball point to do my work. Maybe once I retire and finally throw my computer and cell phone out the window, I'll get a nice fountain pen and stationary!
Ernest

I have a Pelikan M400 Blue/Black with a medium nib that is used as my desk pen, mainly for writing in my daily journal. Filled exclusively with Waterman Florida Blue ink. It writes beautifully and is comfortable in the hand. I also have a TWSBI 530 that I really only use on back pack and canoe trips in the back country, for my adventure journal. It is a rugged pen that I don't mind abusing as it cost far less than the Pelikan. The TWSBI a bit large for my hand but also writes wonderfully. It is usually inked with Noodlers Bulletproof Black but sometimes Noodlers Bad Blue Heron also. Yet another pen is my Lamy 2000 often carried in my shirt pocket around town. I usually have it inked with Waterman Florida Blue but sometimes rotate in Private Reserve Tanzanite.

Although these pens serve my every need I still would like to acquire a Pelikan M400 Tortoise but have yet to find one in my price range.

In keeping with the idea of Doug things the way our grandfathers(or fathers) did I want to try picking up the skill of writing with a fountain pen. Any tips for a first time fountain pen aka what to buy, technique etc.

Originally Posted by MGNero

In keeping with the idea of Doug things the way our grandfathers(or fathers) did I want to try picking up the skill of writing with a fountain pen. Any tips for a first time fountain pen aka what to buy, technique etc.

"The way our grandfathers..."

The interesting way to do it is to pick up a pen nib holder and
a selection of steel dip pen nibs at an art store. Not the strange
ones like the fancy ball nibs but the classic bank and school nibs.
Perhaps an italic nib...

Add one good bottle of ink and a good pad of paper.
With a dip pen you can start with old timey india ink
or any fountain pen ink.

A pocket pen with cap that you can carry is also easy.
Today good steel nibs are on a par with gold (up to a point)
and are more durable. Lamy and others make good starter
pens. I mention them because most of the big Lamy pens
have big grips with shape that keeps the nib lined up. They
also write well.

The think with fountain pens is that they like a light touch
the same as a razor.

Another family is the Pilot pen family.
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen are interesting.
I like the Pilot Vanishing Point retractable fountain pen
because the nib is very nice and inexpensive (even when
they are gold) to replace.

Another fine nib is the Pelikan: steel, gold plated steel
or gold. They are all good... Pelikan could be the best
signature pen out there.

There are hundreds of brands and models so beyond the
steel nib starter choices shop a lot.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

"The way our grandfathers..."

The interesting way to do it is to pick up a pen nib holder and
a selection of steel dip pen nibs at an art store. Not the strange
ones like the fancy ball nibs but the classic bank and school nibs.
Perhaps an italic nib...

Add one good bottle of ink and a good pad of paper.
With a dip pen you can start with old timey india ink
or any fountain pen ink.

A pocket pen with cap that you can carry is also easy.
Today good steel nibs are on a par with gold (up to a point)
and are more durable. Lamy and others make good starter
pens. I mention them because most of the big Lamy pens
have big grips with shape that keeps the nib lined up. They
also write well.

The think with fountain pens is that they like a light touch
the same as a razor.

Another family is the Pilot pen family.
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen are interesting.
I like the Pilot Vanishing Point retractable fountain pen
because the nib is very nice and inexpensive (even when
they are gold) to replace.

Another fine nib is the Pelikan: steel, gold plated steel
or gold. They are all good... Pelikan could be the best
signature pen out there.

There are hundreds of brands and models so beyond the
steel nib starter choices shop a lot.

You obviously know your pens, but I'm surprised you don't mention the excellent Mont Blanc!

Back in the day, they produced writing instruments exclusively, then started adding writing accessories in the 30's. The high-end Pelikan comes very close in look and feel (and it's obvious where their inspiration comes from), but for my money, the Montblanc "Meisterstueck" fountain pen is still "The One". I inherited one of the 1952 models from my dad, still regret losing that somewhere along the way :-(

Learning to write with nibs and holder is definitely interesting, but maybe a bit messy to begin with. Alternatively, I might start with an ink cartridge pen that won't break the bank. In Germany, we used to buy Pelikans for school, in the US, I think pens by Parker, Sheaffer, Cross and Waterman are more prevalent.

Originally Posted by HamburgO

You obviously know your pens, but I'm surprised you don't mention the excellent Mont Blanc!
.....

Like razors I do not have all of them..... yet.

I also am very pleased by the better Japanese pens.
They have very smooth and flexible nibs and can be the best of the lot
if you like em.

Start modest read and play... there are entire forums dedicated to
fountain pens... One reason for a fountain pen is calligraphy and
dip pens open that door.

Of all the things folk forget is paper. I am lucky and have a paper vendor
near by (Kelly Paper) and great paper can make an inexpensive pen
work very well. A good pad of engineering paper with the grid on the
reverse side is a lot of fun. High rag and cotton papers are often a lot better
than clay finished copy paper. Inkjet papers are fun to try.

Some drafting papers take ink well. Keep your eyes open...