Thread: Any Fountain Pen Users?

Well on the recommendation of y'all here I've got a Jinhao on order from eBay. This will be my first FP so I'll let y'all know what I think after I get it and use it for a bit.

HO US Prime Black and Silver Lacquered Broad Fountain Pen | eBay

Well if nothing else JB it looks nice. I was looking at one in that brand to try as well. Might still get one. I'm interested in what you might have to say about yours when it arrives and you give it a try out.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Well if nothing else JB it looks nice. I was looking at one in that brand to try as well. Might still get one. I'm interested in what you might have to say about yours when it arrives and you give it a try out.


Mick

I wanted to try one out as I've never used a FP before but didn't want to invest too much before I know if I like it or not.

Anyone got any tips for a left handed fountain pen born again virgin?

I used fountain pens decades ago, and it was quite messy, being a left handed 10 yr old i dont think i made the best candidate for their use. I am now a mid 30's lefty.
I have read about left handed nibs and such, but itis a bit late for that as i have already ordered a cheap jinhao x450.
So other than "always carry good soap" can anyone give me some useful advice.

I have also ordered some toucan ink, in black and purple.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Anyone got any tips for a left handed fountain pen born again virgin?

..Ask Leonardo...

Originally Posted by MickR

I reckon just drawing a picture of young James on the envelope would almost see it to his door .

On a more serious note, Ed, perhaps having a spare sheet of paper under your writing hand may save you some ink stains. I remember reading of such a technique somewhere, though I can't remember just how that spare sheet should be positioned to prevent the smudging of the already written work. I'm fairly certain that was it's main reason of use all the same.


Mick

I can only think you would hold it between your fingers and move it along as you write, like a blotter, if it becomes an issue i will try it out.
I thought a bit more about the results of blending my inks, i could just use a paintbrush and paint stripes of the mix as i vary the ratios, and when i have that nailed i will be able to fill the pen.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

..Ask Leonardo...

pretty sure he used a quill or something similar, and besides he is dead, assuming you mean da-vinci. I seem to recall that he wrote from right to left, but i could be wrong.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

...pretty sure he used a quill or something similar, and besides he is dead, assuming you mean da-vinci. I seem to recall that he wrote from right to left, but i could be wrong...

We're not very helpful, are we? Yes, Da Vinci, he wrote from right to left...

JB,

I've heard good things about Jinhao fountain pens, but don't own one. The one you just ordered on eBay looks nice.

I own two Noodler's Ahabs, three TWSBI's and a Platinum.

I got most of them here: Fountain Pens, Fountain Pen Ink, Fountain Pen Paper | GouletPens.com

BTW...Goulet Pens also has lots of videos on their website and on YouTube to help new owners and users of fountain pens.

Thanks I'll check them out!

Alright, so I've put a mile or two on my new Parker IM, and thought I would submit my subjective review of this pen as requested by Carl.

Parker IM fountain pen (but of course Mick. You've already told us this.) A$34.95
Medium nib (supplied).
Parker blue ink cartridge (supplied).
Parker converter (untested, separate purchase, prices vary).
Date code: U (2011).

This pen, in medium nib, writes smoothly, and without feeling scratchy. It seems to write a little on the wet side, but not in a bad way. It has a nice weight to it and sits balanced in the hand, posted or un-posted. The grip area of the pen is satin finished and this seems to provide just the right amount of texture for the fingers. The external finish of the pen is excellent. The cap is a push on style and closes firmly with a slight click, and as stated earlier, can be posted. Either lack of actual writing practice (far too much typing done these days), and I believe this to be the real cause, or size of the pen at the grip I did experience some mild discomfort, but not enough to say it would be a problem. And as I said, I think it was more me, than the pen, anyway. The pen writes freely with just it's own weight bearing down on the paper and is aiding to train me to using a lighter touch when writing. The nib has a little flex but would still be called stiff. You can get a little line variation if you try. I did experience a little skipping, but I put this down to user error as well, and not the pen.
The one and only issue I have experienced, and the perceived cause, being the one and only thing I would fault. I had the body of the pen come unscrewed from the nib section while clipped on the inside neck of my T-shirt (Yes, I know I should wear more button fronted shirts with proper pen pockets, or pockets of any kind, but I just can't seem to find any I like. They're either designed for younger blokes or business men, of which I am neither). As such I had the body of the pen drop down to my belt line, leaving me to very carefully extract it while trying not to separate the ink cartridge from the nib section ( I was wondering what had happened, and was working one handed to get the pen parts out). The cause of this appears to be a lack of quality in the thread, and would be the only part that could have better quality control measures put in place at the factory. It might pay to check the fitting occasionally throughout the day. Besides that. the fit and finish of all parts look, if not, are excellent.
My overall opinion of this pen is very good and is great value for a low price. Having said that I still would have thought that at this price-point a converter would have been supplied with the pen, but it is a separate purchase. I don't think Parker supply these at any price point, but I could well be wrong. Maybe they also sell sets that contain a converter in it.





Mick