Thread: Fountain Pens?

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, rearviewmirror:

How good of you to write about fountain pens. I grew with fountain pens, and have always loved writing with them. When I was a boy and living in Tehran, Iran, a German representative of the Pelikan Fountain Pen Company lived on our block. I still think the Pelikan is the finest fountain made. Anyway, this man used to pass out Pelikan ink blots to all the kids. He also made the most exquisite cookies I've ever had. Of course, the poor guy had to put up the mischief all the kids caused.

Years later I bought a Pelikan, in the green and black combination, which I think is class all the way. My modest collection currently includes Waterman (pictured in my SRP ad), Mont Blanc, two Parkers. and the Pelian. I had several others through the years, but no longer do so. By the way, the Mont Blanc is a lovely pen, but I have found it mediocre mechanically.

I use Parker ink, black, from the bottle for all the pens — a gentleman would not think of sticking cartridges in his fountain pen. I have seen letters from executive signed in blue ink. For heaven's sake. A gentleman always uses black ink.

I still use my pens, rotating them as I would my straight razors. When working on fiction, I always write the first draft with fountain pen and switch to the laptop for the subsequent drafts. Magazine and newspaper article, especially on tight deadlines, always go on the laptop from the start. When writing on the laptop, if I have a problem with a paragraph or a line, I work it out with the fountain pen. I think better with the fountain pen.

Ball point pens I avoid like boring people. I do have one Parker roller ball and I use it on assignments, or wherever and whenever I need to work fast. Finally, under no circumstances do I allow anyone to use my fountain pens or the roller ball. Most people couldn't tell a fountain pen from a screwdriver.

Ah, yes, there's no better writing instrument than a beautiful fountain pen.

Regards,

Obie

Obie,
I can't help but wonder if you have seen the magnificent "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" limited edition Pelikan put out... it tips the scales at over $4k, if I remember correctly, but is a lovely pen and seems like something you would very much appreciate...

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Obie,
I can't help but wonder if you have seen the magnificent "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" limited edition Pelikan put out... it tips the scales at over $4k, if I remember correctly, but is a lovely pen and seems like something you would very much appreciate...

Hello, Ben:

Yes, yes, I have seen the Pelikan model "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" and shed a few symbolic tears over it. What a gorgeous pen. If I were wealthy instead of a poor writer, I would have made myself a gift of the pen — birthday, Christmas, 4th of July, no matter the holiday, and if one did not exist, I would have made one up as long I could celebrate it with my Pelikan.

The pen has even a greater significance for me because of the historic association in the name. I am a full-blooded Assyrian, as you know — my avatar is the picture of Alaha Ashur (the god Ashur), who is the symbol of the Assyrian nation. Anyway, the "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" were built by the Assyrian King Nebuchadnesser II for his wife (one of them, anyway) Amytis. The name of the Assyrian Queen Semiramis (in the Assyrian language Shamiram) is also associated with the "Hanging Gardens of Babylon."

This is ancient stuff, my good friend. Maybe I'll come into a fortune and buy my Pelikan.

A few years back I also wanted the Pelikan 600 Series, at the time close to $400, but instead I spent the money on the Filarmonica 13.

Did I make the right decision?

I should have bought the pen — where's the handkerchief?

Stay well,

Obie

I've been writing with a fountain pen for years. Mainly a Cross Townsend and a Parker Flighter. Recently I've had an urge to upgrade and get something a little more classy. I didn't want something too big, I wanted a converter / cartridge ink system and I wanted a fine nib. After wading through some fountain pen forums I decided that the Delta Dolce Vita Oro fitted the bill. Anyway, with the help of a sniper, I was able to pick this up on ebay for a great price. It's a bit blingy for my usual conservative style but I thought that the colour was amazing.

Nice! Really, really nice!

johnmrson ... That is one of the pens I REALLY want... but I prefer the version with the black cap. The Delta Dolce Vita.

I have a few pens but nothing extraordinary. I do enjoy writting with them and practice my terrible handwritting with them mostly. Its annoying when your handwritting is not much better then you kids! Makes you suddenly want to improve it lol.

For those who do know FP's I have a TWSBI 540, Rosetta Coronado, Sheaffer golden pearl striped & Waterman Lady Anastasia

I have to agree with Obie, I have a Pelikan M200 in the green and black. Not only is it a gorgeous pen, but writes wonderfully. I love writing with a fountain pen again. I have several Parkers (51, 21 and Rialto), a few Esterbrooks, a Platinum and of course the Pelikan.

My daily ink slinger...




Usually inked with Private Reserve "Midnight Blues"
My best pen ever!

I like vintage FP's with a flexible nib.... oh how nice they are!!!

After the recent purchase of the Delta fountain pen, I decided that I wanted a rollerball as well. Sometimes at work when you need to scribble notes really fast, a rollerball is a better option than a fountain pen. So, having a browse through eBay I come across a very nice looking Montegrappa rollerball with sterling silver accents at an excellent price so I'm now the proud owner of this.
The colour is pretty similar to the Delta fountain pen as well which I think will look great in the two pen pouch.

I carry a Lamy Vista daily. I also have a vintage Parker 45, and a Platinum Plaisir. I really love my Lamy though. Writes like a pen that cost's 4x as much!