Thread: Any Fountain Pen Users?

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Perhaps a pencil quiver would be in order then. I find short pencils unsatisfactory to hold, but I am not a drawist by a long stretch.

Nor I, but it's something that doesn't bother me one way or t'other. I got used to carrying a short pencil in the boy scouts attached to my notebook with my two bob stuck to the inside of the cover for emergency 'phone calls.


mick

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Nice story. I like the idea of refilling cartridges, but why not a converter? I always found mechanical pencils fiddly, though, again, nice engineering (I had a nice Rotary). I actually like 'normal' pencils if I can't use an FP and I favour a soft lead; even a 3B or 4B; even a 5B. In my camping kit I have a little bundle of pencils cut in half. Sharpening a pencil is also a nicely fulfilling thing to do...

Get a 'Palomino Blackwing' - best wooden pencil around!

Originally Posted by MickR

Nor I, but it's something that doesn't bother me one way or t'other. I got used to carrying a short pencil in the boy scouts attached to my notebook with my two bob stuck to the inside of the cover for emergency 'phone calls.


mick

my daughter thinks i am ok at art, but better at craft. I keep emergency 5 buckses tucked away in various spots too, well unless I have used them and not replaced them.
I am a bit of a Rolf Harris when it comes to drawing, except you can rarely tell what it is yet, even at the end.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Nice story. I like the idea of refilling cartridges, but why not a converter? I always found mechanical pencils fiddly, though, again, nice engineering (I had a nice Rotary). I actually like 'normal' pencils if I can't use an FP and I favour a soft lead; even a 3B or 4B; even a 5B. In my camping kit I have a little bundle of pencils cut in half. Sharpening a pencil is also a nicely fulfilling thing to do...

I think converters are nicer overall but this pen is a cheap Sheaffer from the 1970's. It cost me a dollar. It uses relatively little ink and I usually keep an eye on the level.

A problem with mechanical pencils is you don't know how much lead is left in them easily. With a standard pencil it is obvious as it gets shorter!

I break thinner lead to easily. My everyday mechanical pencil uses 1.15 mm lead. It is also stainless steel. You would need a hammer to break it I think.

Its amazing to me, everything I've learned and discovered from these forums- I've always had a soft spot for the flair and class of the older, traditional ways of doing things (as someone said, straight razors and fountain pens are very much related), and I've discovered just how much I enjoy some of the finer things by reading these threads. As such, I bought a Noodler's Ahab for $20 and I'm hooked. I've been looking at different inks and higher quality notebooks for notetaking, both personal and professional, and I'm not sure I would have if I hadn't read these forums. So thanks Gents!

A serious question- My Noodler's seems to seep a bit of ink from where the nib/feed meet the body of the pen... its not excessive and doesn't drip, but it leaves the nib with small smears of ink, and the feed is...saturated? if that makes sense. Is this normal? do I need to adjust it in some way? Thanks!

Ryan

Originally Posted by RMarsh

...A serious question- My Noodler's seems to seep a bit of ink from where the nib/feed meet the body of the pen... its not excessive and doesn't drip, but it leaves the nib with small smears of ink, and the feed is...saturated? if that makes sense. Is this normal? do I need to adjust it in some way? Thanks!

Ryan

I don't have the pen you have but some of my vintage pens had really wet feeds that leaved into the cap if I took it out of my pocket too quickly. Now I've swapped to a Lamy I find it much more suitable for work. I wouldn't adjust it if it doesn't actually leak.

I read that you can adjust the feed by heating it (hot water) and then pushing it with the thumb towards the nib from underneath. I tried this with an older pen of mine and it did help a little.

I learnt that if you have a pen with a wet nib you need to treat it more gently than otherwise.

I've been mucking around a bit today with writing using the 'Tegwar' alphabet for English (soon to be followed by the one for Welsh). It's one of the LoTR writing systems I believe. Either way, it looks pretty .


Mick

Originally Posted by RMarsh

A serious question- My Noodler's seems to seep a bit of ink from where the nib/feed meet the body of the pen... its not excessive and doesn't drip, but it leaves the nib with small smears of ink, and the feed is...saturated? if that makes sense. Is this normal? do I need to adjust it in some way? Thanks!

Ryan

I believe the Ahab was meant to be tinkered with. I do not think you need to heat it up to adjust the nib or feed. It will take some practice to get it perfect. check out gouletpens.com I think Brian has a video about adjusting the Ahab.

Originally Posted by RMarsh

A serious question- My Noodler's seems to seep a bit of ink from where the nib/feed meet the body of the pen... its not excessive and doesn't drip, but it leaves the nib with small smears of ink, and the feed is...saturated? if that makes sense. Is this normal? do I need to adjust it in some way? Thanks!

Ryan

Another thing you could do is put one of the Goulet nibs in the pen. It might make it less fussy.

Ink Nouveau: Goulet Two-Tone Nibs

I agree with Carl. A little ink on the nib is OK even normal for the Ahabs I have had. They are very easy to play with and adjust. So I also agree with coach. If you decide to play with them prepare for inky fingers! I have cut the feed to get one to flow with thicker ink. I speak from experience when I say if you remove the nib make sure you seat it deep enough to clear the cap when you replace it.