Thread: Any Fountain Pen Users?

Originally Posted by mannye

Another vote for Lamy although I haven't tried those Chinese ones. I have been using a Lamy for about a year now and I love the way it writes and the way I can take it anywhere with me! It's not that expensive that I will have stroke of I lose it (30 bucks...I'll have a minor seizure but no stroke). Less than 10 bucks all in however, and it writes well?

Yes!

For a bit of context, these are the FPs that I use on something like a regular basis:
Waterman (bought about 25 years ago, still hands-down the best writing instrument I have ever used)
Lamy Safari
Noodler's nib creeper flex pen
Disposable Bic FPs that I use at work
The two Jinhaos
Another Chinese FP: "Picasso" brand
Cheap Chinese Mont Blanc copy bought for a laugh

As mentioned, the Waterman is in a class all its own, but considering its price, it should be. Similarly I think the noodler should be in a class all its own because it's a flex nib pen and so quite a different beast from the others. It's probably the one I reach for most often because I'm still getting a kick out of the flex nib thing. So much so, I just ordered a Noodler's Ahab... (Someone make this stop!!)

Of the others, given the price, the Bics are surprisingly good. Some quality issues with the caps (which I've had split in the past, leading to the cap shooting across the table in meetings which is always fun...) but it writes very nicely. I just don't like disposable things though, so I'll probably be bringing one of my Jinhaos to work soon once they run out/fall apart.

The Lamy is justifiably recognized for being a well-balanced, reliable smooth writer. I would actually group my two Jinhaos in with the Lamy. They are very different in feel (round barrel without the grippy things for your fingers, metal/wood vs. plastic construction) but the Jinhaos are also very smooth with reliable flow like the Lamy. The Mont Blanc knock-off is a piece of crap that I have kept mostly to mess with any pretentious friends/colleagues/acquaintances who may be momentarily impressed with it. It really is a terrible pen-shaped-object though. The Picasso is also a very good writer but I have had some issues with it drying and being hard to get started. But once it's going, it's a good little pen.

So that's the looong answer. The short one is yes - a $10 pen can actually be worth buying! Please bar in mind that's as it stands right now. I have no idea how long it will take for the finish to wear/chip off, etc. But right now, they're just fine.

Now, on a related note - is anyone else here on a quest to find the perfect notebook? I used to love Moleskines but stopped buying them when they had some build quality issues a number of years back, and their paper tends not to be too FP-friendly at times. Since then, I've tried Ecosystem, Baron Fig, Quo Vadis, but I think I may finally have settled on Leuchtturm.

I've really only just started using notebooks myself recently. So I dont'really know. So far I've been using the ones that my employer company branded and they're ok.

What's the real difference between a nice notebook and a cheap one? (I'm sure there are differences I just have no experience with em.)

Inked up my latest Jinhao (x750 in Ivory colour) with Parker black Quink and it's doign pretty nice. It requires a little more pressure than my custom turned pen and my nice Parker. But other than that it's a pretty nice pen. Looks a lot more expensive than it is really.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Yes!


Now, on a related note - is anyone else here on a quest to find the perfect notebook? I used to love Moleskines but stopped buying them when they had some build quality issues a number of years back, and their paper tends not to be too FP-friendly at times. Since then, I've tried Ecosystem, Baron Fig, Quo Vadis, but I think I may finally have settled on Leuchtturm.

I like Leed's paper but the whole "rubber binder loose hipster thing" annoys me. I can't complain too much because I got 9 of them for free. Leed's is a corporate premium "put your logo on it" type of place, but they really hit the nail on the head with the paper they use in these things...no bleed through at all and very smooth with (for me) just the perfect amount of resistance as the nib writes.

The other favorite if you've never tried them are the Kokuyo Campus notebooks. They are on amazon now and much easier to get. I love the paper. Cheap enough that you won't hate it if you don't. I think now you can buy loose leaf for a lot less to try out the paper.

I use Rhodia notepads. Employ a variety of sizes and styles for various activities (blank, dot grid, lined, bound, stapled etc)

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

What's the real difference between a nice notebook and a cheap one? (I'm sure there are differences I just have no experience with em.)

For me it's really a combination of practicality and aesthetics.

Practicality because if I am going to use a fountain pen, I want a notebook to have paper that will accept the liquid ink without feathering and bleeding through.

And aesthetics because I just appreciate good design. I just find notebooks with stitched binding to be much more user-friendly than other options. Ring or spiral bound notebooks have rings/spirals that can get in the way, and other binding types tend not to lie so flat. And I just like the look and feel of a well-made book - whether it's a notebook, novel, monograph, whatever... I also like the option of a blank notebook with no lined, grid, dots, or what have you.

Quality comes into the construction of the things. As I mentioned I used to use Moleskine notebooks, starting back when I was in grad school. But unfortunately their quality took a bit of a nosedive there for a while (I hear they are better again now) to the point that pages were falling out of a couple of my notebooks. That's why I started searching out other brands made in a similar style. Ecosystem were great for a while until I had one where the bookmark ribbon thingy just fell off three pages in. I noted it was only attached with cheap double-sided tape, and so started a search for better quality ones again. I should say I think the Quo Vadis is *really* nice, but the size is just a bit too big for my liking. Which brought me to the Lauchtturm 1917 which is my current favourite.

I also agree with mannye about the hipster style ones. Some people love them, but I want a bookish book, thank you very much.

Well I did get a very nice Blue Carbonesque Pilot Vanishing Point for my birthday. The missus has great taste :-)

It writes like a champ. I'm currently using a cartridge in it because I'm also waiting for an order of Noodlers Ink. And I'm looking forward to trying some of their Bulletproof Black.

But the Vanishing Point is an amazing pen. Nice thin lines (Mine's a Medium and currently the finest "nice" fountain pen I own) and smooth like a smooth thing. I'm REALLY impressed. Currently my FP collection is made up out of

1 Parker '75
1 Pilot Vanishing Point
1 Hero Pailong 388
1 Jinhao X750 in ivory.
1 Custom turned fountain pen.

But I think in due time I'll have to get at least 1 replacement for that Pailong 388. And maybe get some nib work done on my custom turned pen. Make em all a little smoother and maybe thinner.

Finally got my new new Lamy after loosing my last one. This time I decided (after about 1/2 an hour) on a RED one. The white was very nice too, as was the yellow. Not a good photo...

I've been looking at those myself...Or a Parker. I can't decide. The parker I can get locally. The Lamy...The lamy I want...I would have to order online. Cost is about $10 difference between the two, with the parker being cheapest.


Mick

I've had one of the cheaper parkers. They're not half bad. You can't really go wrong with a Parker. Never used a Lamy though so I can't compare.

Prefer the look of parkers though.

Originally Posted by MickR

I've been looking at those myself...Or a Parker. I can't decide. The parker I can get locally. The Lamy...The lamy I want...I would have to order online. Cost is about $10 difference between the two, with the parker being cheapest.


Mick

One thing to be aware of with the Lamy is the shaped grip (I have no idea what the technical term is - the bit where your fingers/thumb grip the pen). Some apparently love it, others apparently hate it. I'm honestly not bothered either way. But is does feel a bit odd at first when one is used to a round pen/pencil.

It sure writes nicely though.