Thread: Fountain Pens?

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...

Originally Posted by HamburgO

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.

Check out the Noodlers fountain pen. I love mine and at ~$15 its an amazing pen for the price. It is piston fill though.

Originally Posted by Devilpup

Check out the Noodlers fountain pen. I love mine and at ~$15 its an amazing pen for the price. It is piston fill though.

Thanks! I really like piston fill - it's kinda like shaving w. a straight instead of cartridges - but I've also seen some expensive shirts get seriously ruined when the seal fails and all the inky goodness leaks out...

Originally Posted by HamburgO

Thanks! I really like piston fill - it's kinda like shaving w. a straight instead of cartridges - but I've also seen some expensive shirts get seriously ruined when the seal fails and all the inky goodness leaks out...

I've never had a problem with mine. I did take a razor blade to the nib to open it up a little but aside from that its stock and writes like a dream. Do I like nicer pens? Yea. Will I eventually get something a bit nicer. Yea but for the time being I couldnt be happier with it.

I have a few of the new noodlers ahab pens that I use daily for work.

Amazing pens for a small price tags.

I did not write much with piston pens ,but i like these . These are cool as a gift .