Thread: Fountain Pens?

Originally Posted by basil

Tragedy struck for me today.

I put my pen on the desk to get something and my pen rolled off and landed right on the nib cracking it pretty much in half.

Noodler Ahab flex pen loaded with bulletproof black. Also have another one loaded with noolders fox I'll have to use that for now.

I dropped mine a few weeks ago but was luck to only have bent it, so I was able to straighten it with a set of needle nose pliers. I think noodlers will send you a new nib for a small fee.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

I like the idea of a fountain pen, but being left handed I don't think it is an option for me.

I think all I would wind up with is a big smear.

There are nibs specifically designed for lefties, or you could try some super fast dry ink instead.

I didn't know there was such a thing. Does it makes the pen more prone to clog, or is that even a problem?

Old razors, wet shaving, Old Spice, old pens, next I am going to start wearing suspenders and long underwear.

Your pen will only clog if you don't use it for a very long time (think weeks) - even then, it should re-flow itself in under 10 seconds if you start writing with it. I'm running mont blanc blue black in all of my pens, and find it relatively quick drying at 5-8 seconds at the most; Drying times are also heavily influenced by your paper.

Originally Posted by eple

Drying times are also heavily influenced by your paper.

big +1 some paper will take a lot longer than others. I think Noodlers has several inks made for south paws, that are designed to dry faster.

Originally Posted by eple

There are nibs specifically designed for lefties, or you could try some super fast dry ink instead.

I looked at Noodlers. I saw lefty ink, but nothing about lefty nibs.

I had to transcribe some music last night, which was printed on standard printer paper - drying time was instant with my Montblanc ink (1 second at most).


Anyways, left handed nibs do exist but they're uncommon. I only deal with vintage pens, and at that mostly Parker models (no rational reason why - just like they way they sit in my hand). However, a really good introductory pen, that can be almost anything you desire is the Esterbrook J. There are literally hundreds of them on the bay, they're cheap as a chips, just as indestructible as the Parker 51, and they're quite pretty. But get this, the most redeeming part is their nib-exchange system - every nib screws into the section (the part you hold on to) for ultra quick replacement. You can change it from a low end fine (1000s), to a broad oblique (9000s) in under 10 seconds flat. Not to mention, there are still boat loads of NOS nibs available!

For example:
ESTERBROOK DOUBLE JEWELED FOUNTAIN PEN--GREAT NIB-WORKING ! | eBay


Left handed Nib:
LEFT HAND Osmiroid Italic M Nib NOS for Esterbrook fountain pens Calligraphy | eBay

Other options:
NIB Esterbrook Renew Point Solid Durachrome Firm Medium #2668 Fountain Pen Nib | eBay
Esterbrook Fountain Pen Nibs-9555 Master Series | eBay
new esterbrook,master series nib, #9668, iridium tipped,wet medium writer,MINT | eBay



General Info:
RichardsPens.com • Fountain Pens by Richard Binder


As an introductory pen, these are beyond phenomenal.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

I looked at Noodlers. I saw lefty ink, but nothing about lefty nibs.

Most pen nibs are polished equally and with use will personalize themselves.
This will then be a left or right pen because the user is....

Fast drying ink or a blotter is a good thing for some.

If you find that an inexpensive nib is scratchy to the point of catching on the
paper it is possible to sign your name in clear water on a razor stone (barber hone
for example) and get enough of the polish back.

I half sprung a nice pen trying it on multi layer paper (carbon) and had to do
this... it worked so well that I did it on some new steel nib pens and found
that they turned into deluxe writers. Like a razor ultra light touch and much
less than you think knowing you can go back for more as needed.

A while back I picked up a Lamy with a Bold nib and have really been liking the fat line of ink quite a bit My 1940's Sheaffer balance is still in the shop getting a repair, no clue when it will be done as he has to attempt to re weld the nib crack. It's a bold nib and they are rather uncommon so I asked if he could attempt to repair it. If not he has several in the med/fine range that can replace it but not the bold... Oh well...

I still find myself aquiring more inks that I can ever use lol but now that my daughter is looking into FP's I at least have someone to unload all my blue ink onto

Well, you guys talked my into trying it. I bought an Ahab and some Bulletproof ink. I should have them Tuesday.

That was a funny dig on Bernanke on the Noodler's web site. Apparently they don't like the Fed chairman's policies.