Thread: Any Fountain Pen Users?

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.....

Originally Posted by 32t

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

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