Any Fountain Pen Users?

Oy!

Wouldn't you know it, after about a months worth of use, I dropped my M1000 from about 4 feet without the cap on.
And just to verify Murphy's law, it landed on the tip....

Ah well, it was just to bite the bullet and order a replacement nib, already tuned and ready to go in.
It arrived today and I'm back to writing with my fav pen again.

Long story, but in the end I ended up buying the pen from a company in the UK.
They shipped me the replacement nib in just a few days.
Very happy with their service and responsiveness!

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Originally Posted by Birnando

Wouldn't you know it, after about a months worth of use, I dropped my M1000 from about 4 feet without the cap on. And just to verify Murphy's law, it landed on the tip....

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OUCH! That must have hurt quite a bit! If you had only dropped a cheaper one...

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Originally Posted by Birnando

Ah well, it was just to bite the bullet and order a replacement nib, already tuned and ready to go in. It arrived today and I'm back to writing with my fav pen again.

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The M1000 nib is quite expensive. Any nibmeister out there to work on your nib and repair it? Specially if tipping is still there repair shouldn't be nearly as expensive as a new nib... and you get yours hand-adjusted.

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Originally Posted by MT4

OUCH! That must have hurt quite a bit! If you had only dropped a cheaper one...



The M1000 nib is quite expensive. Any nibmeister out there to work on your nib and repair it? Specially if tipping is still there repair shouldn't be nearly as expensive as a new nib... and you get yours hand-adjusted.

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Absolutely.
I will send it out to get fixed.
The damage wasn't all that bad, but enough to warrant a repair.
It skipped a bit, and drew lines a bit fatter after i bent the one side that got hit back to it's place. Ish.

But yeah, I'm sending it out, and this way I'll always have a spare should anything happen to the new one;)

The blue stains on my white wooden floorboards is another matter entirely.
According to the Mrs. ;)

OY! is right, Birnando. What a heartbreak. Years ago, that happened to my M600 Pelikan and broke my heart. The nib had to be replaced. Now I am extra cautious with my pens. My rule is: even if I must step away from the desk for a moment, the pen is capped. By the way, how do you like the size of the M1000? I love my new M800; it fits perfectly in my hand. Also, I ordered several different bottles of black ink. Ordinarily I use Parker. The new lineup also includes Aurora, Pelikan Edelstein and Pilot Namiki Iroshizuku.

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Originally Posted by Obie

OY! is right, Birnando. What a heartbreak. Years ago, that happened to my M600 Pelikan and broke my heart. The nib had to be replaced. Now I am extra cautious with my pens. My rule is: even if I must step away from the desk for a moment, the pen is capped. By the way, how do you like the size of the M1000? I love my new M800; it fits perfectly in my hand. Also, I ordered several different bottles of black ink. Ordinarily I use Parker. The new lineup also includes Aurora, Pelikan Edelstein and Pilot Namiki Iroshizuku.

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You know, that M1000 is a perfect match for me.
After decades of roller-balls and ball-points I'm thoroughly enjoying the light touch and the beautiful line-variation that responds so immediate and so delicately.

As to the size, I'm loving the fact that I can comfortably write both with the pen capped and not.
While I don't have much experience with fountain pens, I'd say it it is gonna be something very special to knock this one down from the top of the podium.

That said, I cannot settle for just this one, so I'll be reading up a bit and when ready, make my choice and get one or two more :)

My favorite ink this far is the Pelikan Edelstein.
The perfect blue;)

Good show, Birnando. I knew you'd love the M1000; it's a majestic pen. I have never tried the Pelikan Edelstein (black) ink and am looking forward to giving it a spin in the pen.

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Originally Posted by Birnando

After decades of roller-balls and ball-points I'm thoroughly enjoying the light touch and the beautiful line-variation that responds so immediate and so delicately.

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Me, OTOH, though I've had access to high quality BPs and RBs, never got used to them. I have worked with cheap BPs, for example, in the carbon paper days (UGH! This might sound even older than shaving with a STR8 razor...). Good for the job, but never comfortable for writing.

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Originally Posted by Birnando

As to the size, I'm loving the fact that I can comfortably write both with the pen capped and not.

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Indeed. Even the M800 is big enough for that. M400 & M600 are barely there, at least for my hand size. In old times, when people used to write for hours, big pens were kept just for signatures, as they are supposed to cause fatigue in your wrist. I have never reached that point, though.

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Originally Posted by Birnando

While I don't have much experience with fountain pens, I'd say it it is gonna be something very special to knock this one down from the top of the podium.

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Absolutely! You might get some kind of pen that is nicer to look at, but the technical issue is probably the best possible around. Piston operation is smooth, ink capacity is huge, pen is not as heavy as it size suggests, nib is very smooth indeed, finishing is high-quality. Nothing else to ask for in these aspects.

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Originally Posted by Birnando

That said, I cannot settle for just this one, so I'll be reading up a bit and when ready, make my choice and get one or two more :)

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Your budget is way over mine's...

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Originally Posted by Birnando

Absolutely. I will send it out to get fixed. (...) But yeah, I'm sending it out, and this way I'll always have a spare should anything happen to the new one;)

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Just MHO: Don't get two identical nibs. Get the one you are going to repair something different. If your nibs are for example B, get the one to be repaired to a stub, or an M. You could get some variety for the same price.

I've just stumbled across this thread, and whilst a lot of the conversation seems to be more in depth than I could manage, I do write with a fountain pen all the time, whether it be a quick not or in uni lectures - the exception being when I'm writing in Arabic. I've owned, and lost, a couple of cheaper Parker pens for school use in the past, the last one meeting its end when I dropped it nib first on tarmac...

I currently own a Lamy pen, which is with me at uni for afore mentioned lectures. I also have a Sheaffer Classic back at home, as I would be devastated to lose it - it being the first proper fountain pen I was given, for my 12 birthday, 7 years ago. I started using fountain pens when I was in 10, as my school insisted that if we use pens we use a fountain pen (I only used a dirt cheap, unbranded one at this point though), and since then haven't looked back.

Dropping a pen is like dropping a piece of buttered bread, it always ends up buttered side down.:(

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Originally Posted by 32t

Dropping a pen is like dropping a piece of buttered bread, it always ends up buttered side down.:(

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And no matter how cheap the pen, it's always a painful moment!

I made a new oblique penholder. It's made of all danish wood. The brown wood are Thuja root while the light wood is a kind of hard pine. I made the flange myself and the nib is a Nikko G with is awesome for writing Spencerian script and copperplate.

And a writing test... The ink is Blots Iron Gall ink. Great ink for dip pens.

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Originally Posted by Kristian

I made a new oblique penholder. It's made of all danish wood. The brown wood are Thuja root while the light wood is a kind of hard pine. I made the flange myself and the nib is a Nikko G with is awesome for writing Spencerian script and copperplate.

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So you use a normal nib, but make it oblique by offsetting the flange(nib holder?)? is the flange made from flat brass sheet or something? You made a nice job of it anyhow.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

So you use a normal nib, but make it oblique by offsetting the flange(nib holder?)? is the flange made from flat brass sheet or something? You made a nice job of it anyhow.

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Yes to all the questions :-)

The flange most be offset by 55 degrees that gives the best writing position. I have experienced with smaller angles thou sometimes giving great results.

Anyway, the first pen takes a very long time to make, while the next ones are made easier. It's the same thing about the flanges.

Gentlemen,

Sometimes when I need to get away from my home office to work on the novel, the local bookstore is the ideal place to go. Since I am working on the first draft of the third novel, and since I always write the first draft with a fountain pen, I take along two pens filled with black ink. Rather than taking them in their original boxes, which are a wee bit clunky, I transport them in my briefcase in Thiers-Issard straight razor leather cases. The cases sat around the shave den unused.

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A 'new' ink pot from the garage sale of my son's girlfriend's father...

Already filled with Schaefer Brown and stopped with a trimmed wine bottle cork...

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Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

Sometimes when I need to get away from my home office to work on the novel, the local bookstore is the ideal place to go. Since I am working on the first draft of the third novel, and since I always write the first draft with a fountain pen, I take along two pens filled with black ink. Rather than taking them in their original boxes, which are a wee bit clunky, I transport them in my briefcase in Thiers-Issard straight razor leather cases. The cases sat around the shave den unused.

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Nice and varied selection between the Parker, Montblanc, and Pelikans. Varied or uniform nib sizes? I tend to prefer the extremes from extra fine to stub...

I have a Parker duo fold, a Waterman and a Cross. The first two have bold italic nibs in gold. The duo fold is the most comfortable in the hand, being fat like a classic Mont Blanc, but the Waterman is the best for writing with.

I always use Pelikan Brilliant Green ink.

Part of my birthday haul was a new Parker, I am not sure of the model, and the refills were part of the present. I will probably take the converter out of my other Parker which isn't so comfortable to use when I have run the cartridges out.
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I just got a few more myself. Probably the best is a 2004 mont blanc meisterstuck 149. Massive nib, writes quite nicely as well.

James

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Originally Posted by stevekolt

Nice and varied selection between the Parker, Montblanc, and Pelikans. Varied or uniform nib sizes? I tend to prefer the extremes from extra fine to stub...

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Steve,

I prefer the medium point for all my fountain pens. My Sheaffer was a fine point and I couldn't stand it. Then I tried to flatten the point just a bit and . . . went a wee bit overboard — disaster. The pen is somewhere in my home office.

On the other hand, whether writing in Aramaic, Farsi or English, my handwriting is still lousy. Then again, one of life's greatest pleasures, aside from straight razor shaving, is to hold a beautiful fountain pen in hand and create beautiful words on paper.

A fine nib is very nice on a dip pen given the right paper. I suppose generally one commits to taking the time with a dip pen so expects the put in more effort and patience. It certainly slows you up so writing becomes very focussed. Lately, I've really enjoyed focussing; climbing (especially free solo and even solo top roping and bouldering) practices one's focus. I think anything where you're fully focussed on a narrow field is very good for the mind.

Yes I definitely a fountain pen user got some Twisby's and some cross gold nips.

Roger

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

I just got a few more myself. Probably the best is a 2004 mont blanc meisterstuck 149. Massive nib, writes quite nicely as well.

James

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I would expect better than "quite nicely" for Mont Blanc money.

Agreed! I personally prefer the Pelikans over the MBs, but this doesn't mean that they are not good pieces. In this particular case, the Pelikan closest to the MB 149 would be the M1000, which I never owned, but my M800 is great, very smooth indeed, no skipping, and wonderful balanced.

Rgds.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

I would expect better than "quite nicely" for Mont Blanc money.

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I was being understated. :p

James.

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

A fine nib is very nice on a dip pen given the right paper. I suppose generally one commits to taking the time with a dip pen so expects the put in more effort and patience. It certainly slows you up so writing becomes very focussed. Lately, I've really enjoyed focussing; climbing (especially free solo and even solo top roping and bouldering) practices one's focus. I think anything where you're fully focussed on a narrow field is very good for the mind.

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Carl,

This must be the post about FOCUS!:) [Inside joke for the rest of you.]

Here is the pen I am working on. You get the first letter!

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Originally Posted by 32t

Carl,

This must be the post about FOCUS!:) [Inside joke for the rest of you.]

Here is the pen I am working on. You get the first letter!

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Yeah, Tim, that makes sense (re focus). True though. And I was thinking about that again JUST the other day funnily enough. Thinking how climbing at heights (i.e. generally not bouldering although some boulder problems can also generate intense focus) forces the focus. A lot to do with fear, actually; or at least a respect of risk. I guess fixing pens generates focus, although arguably the risk is minimal.

I certainly should get in to letter writing again too. A new bundle of old books will need to lose their fly leaves for that. I think writing letters on old fly leaves is really cool; even if a little vandalsticnatious...

Carl

I could either focus the paper or the pen. Oh well.....

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Originally Posted by 32t

I could either focus the paper or the pen. Oh well.....

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That's cool. Is that a Waterman? Oh what's that over there... What was I saying again?

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

That's cool. Is that a Waterman? Oh what's that over there... What was I saying again?

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I have no idea what brand. The only markings I can see is WARRANTE 14K on the nib.

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Originally Posted by 32t

I have no idea what brand. The only markings I can see is WARRANTE 14K on the nib.

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There is a wide variety on "14k warranted" nibs. Even the numbering is not under any standard, so a #3 nib might be quite different from other #3 one. Nibs can be changed easily, so this might be a Waterman pen without the original nib. It usually says "Waterman" somewhere in the body, though, and has a model number on the top. If it doesn't it is probably because of excess wear or polishing (most probably not your case, as it's wavy pattern is clear) or because it is not a Waterman.

I would have to do much more research but I don't think it is a Waterman and I wouldn't be surprised if it is from the 1930's.

I was in Berlin some time ago, was in a shopping mall and saw a pen of Caran d'ache for about 18,600 dollar :dropjaw:

I have found my absolute favorite nib. Previously, I preferred extra fine/fine, or a broad stub nib. I have since bought a couple Franklin Christoph pens (Models 3, 19, and 20) 2 with medium stub nibs, 1 with a broad stub, all ground by Mike Masuyama. FOR ME, the medium stub is absolutely perfect. Check out their website, really great products and prices. I also have their two pen and six pen leather cases.

I have a kit, but haven't learned the calligraphy yet. I wish I had more time to learn before the ink goes dry.

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Originally Posted by stevekolt

I have found my absolute favorite nib. Previously, I preferred extra fine/fine, or a broad stub nib. I have since bought a couple Franklin Christoph pens (Models 3, 19, and 20) 2 with medium stub nibs, 1 with a broad stub, all ground by Mike Masuyama. FOR ME, the medium stub is absolutely perfect. Check out their website, really great products and prices. I also have their two pen and six pen leather cases.

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I just have the a Franklin Christoph 03 with a medium italic Masuyama nib and I love that pen. I was also a fine nib guy previously.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...bfd3e9522b.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...4be6906696.jpg

Just wanted to show you this fine vintage Big Ben Pen. I started out testing this new Diamine Raw Sienna Ink. It's pretty awesome!

Been using it a couple of hours and there's still no cloaking in the ink feed. That's often a big problem with Sepia ink.

Anyway just wanted to show you. I gave almost nothing for the pen. It's not a big name and it needed restoration. I did it myself. New ink sac was all it needed.

It even got the original case and certificate [emoji6]http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...ee77c9dc93.jpg

It says 30 years guarantee.

They really made them to last in the old days.

What size nib did you use for that beautiful script you wrote? Always nice to own well known names but I have learned over the years that lesser and unknown brands often are their equal and/or better.

It's a standard fine flexible medium hard nib. It says 4/585 14 K gold. It's really a great pen.