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Fountain pen users, rejoice!
- Thread starter sk1wbw
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Enjoy, and the colour is gorgeous.
Delighted to learn that the lacquer is comfortable.
I used to have (and write with) a steel CdA pen, - the one with the chevron design - and found that those sharp edges were less than comfortable if writing for any length of time.
The thing is, I find that I remember the material far better when writing out something by hand (an act that is far more pleasant when writing with a fountain pen that fits comfortably in your hand), than when writing a piece on a computer screen.In case you attend meetings: taking notes and writing down tasks
In case you're a programmer: writing down ideas perhaps combined with schemes, mind maps
In case there are no circumstances within your daily job, and you'd like to use a pen: writing a journal, taking notes on your reading
Of course, all of the above are merely suggestions - coming from someone who's always looking for ways to use his fountain pens
At meetings, seminars, lectures, I always take hand written notes, and, when preparing to give a talk, my first draft - or, initial notes - will always be in the form of a page of hand-written notes; and I find the simple act of writing something down extraordinarily agreeable
One does not need to spend hundreds of dollars on a good (ie pleasant to use, reliable, functional) fountain pen.
Some brands and models to look at that all come out of China and don't look like Mont Blanc knock offs --
Some brands and models to look at that all come out of China and don't look like Mont Blanc knock offs --
- Jinhao - 9016 and 9019 in clear, translucent or coloured
- PenBBS - any of them
- Wing Sung - 630 and 699 in translucent or coloured
Sorry to hear, but understandable.
Mine is the Retro design. For me personally, the edges are smooth enough.
It all comes down to personal preference.
In moment of recent weakness, I got a Zebra disposable fountain pen. "Disposable fountain pen" does seem to go against the spirit of fountain pens... Although I've heard some positive commentary on-line about the Zebra.
I am not wild about the Zebra. It's not the worst pen I've ever used, but I don't like it enough that I think I'd get another.
I got my pen at a local store, but this link to Jet Pens shows what I got:
www.jetpens.com
I am not wild about the Zebra. It's not the worst pen I've ever used, but I don't like it enough that I think I'd get another.
I got my pen at a local store, but this link to Jet Pens shows what I got:
JetPens.com - Zebra Zensations Fountain Pen - Turquoise - 0.6 mm
The Zebra Zensations captures the fun of writing with a fountain pen in a convenient, modern form. It comes in vibrant colors that add flair to journal entries, study notes, and art, and is very easy to use. Its efficient ink-dispensing system makes it smooth to write with and lets you use every...
www.jetpens.com
In moment of recent weakness, I got a Zebra disposable fountain pen. "Disposable fountain pen" does seem to go against the spirit of fountain pens... Although I've heard some positive commentary on-line about the Zebra.
I am not wild about the Zebra. It's not the worst pen I've ever used, but I don't like it enough that I think I'd get another.
I got my pen at a local store, but this link to Jet Pens shows what I got:
JetPens.com - Zebra Zensations Fountain Pen - Turquoise - 0.6 mm
The Zebra Zensations captures the fun of writing with a fountain pen in a convenient, modern form. It comes in vibrant colors that add flair to journal entries, study notes, and art, and is very easy to use. Its efficient ink-dispensing system makes it smooth to write with and lets you use every...
You can re-fill it. Carefully (using cloth wrapped around the nib/feed and a pair of pliers) remove the nib/feed assembly and re-fill it with the ink of your choice.
However, the Platinum Preppy is the same sort of pen, but designed to be refilled.
OTOH, for the same sort of money you can get a Jinhao 82
I have one. It is delightful, if you want a smallish, light pen that you won't cry over if you lose it.
That was one thought I had when I got the Zebra. I wasn't sure it could be done, but I was thinking it would be interesting to try refilling.
I mentioned that at the store where I got it, and the clerk seemed a bit horrified by the idea. There was too much risk of a potential mess. And, of course, it would be so much easier to just come in and buy a new Zebra disposable fountain pen than try to refill the one that just ran dry!
My Mont Blanc Chopin (must be well over 15 years old) fell on the floor nib first and although I've aligned back one half of the nib which had moved in the hit the pen still isn't 100% right. It's useable and Mont Blanc quoted me £195 for a nib replacement which will take over 2 months! I think I'll live with it for a bit and see if it rights itself. Love using a Fountain Pen.
The best of luck; I do love Mont Blanc pens, but must concede that they are expensive to repair.
I had something similar happen with my Parker 100, modelled on the Parker 51, but on steroids.
The nib is tiny, based on the Parker 75, but solid 18k gold, therefore not as robust as the 51 nib.
It took me a couple of years (having another go every few months) to get the nib back to where it wrote properly again.
I was using my Wing Sung 630 (second from bottom, in the picture above.
I was getting ink on my fingers and thumb, in places where it normally doesn't go (left edge of the thumb pad).
I wipe off the ink in the pen, and there is more ink!!.
Words were said.
There was a crack in the barrel, above the ink window, going through the ink window, onto the cap threads.
After several attempts, I was able to fix it by tightly binding some sticky tape (Scotch Magic) onto the barrel, above the cap threads. This closed the crack, stopping any more ink from coming through. This will suffice for now.
A new one, in transparent (translucent?) black is on the way. I never really liked the teal/green colour anyway.
I also have a Jinhao Dadao 9013, baby sibling of the 9016 and 9019, on the way. Piccies will eventuate when they arrive.
Love this…so understated. Cracked me up. Thanks for the morning coffee chuckle!
Including that most foul of curses used by fountain pen users? "Oh, ballpoint pen!"
My state just had the primary, and I used my Cross fountain pen, which I thought fitting--some of the choices on the ballot made me feel pretty cross!
Heaven forfend!!! These are words that would never cross my lips.
Retro me, satanas!!
No matter how much I love fountain pens, sometimes they're just not the best tool for the job.
And for those occasions, I've added a Caran d'Ache roller to my collection ;-)
Heavier than I expected it to be, and thicker than the fix pencil, but what a comfortable and smooth writer indeed.
And for those occasions, I've added a Caran d'Ache roller to my collection ;-)
Heavier than I expected it to be, and thicker than the fix pencil, but what a comfortable and smooth writer indeed.
In the background, WriteNow is loudly humming to himself to drown out the sound of crazy talk about how fountain pens are sometimes not the best pen choice.
LOL
LOL
They look gorgeous; delighted to learn that they are comfortable to use, as well.
I acquired a couple of rollerball pens in 2023 to play with. Both were cheap disposable mass market pens (a new Pilot V5 and a used Uni-ball with purple ink that wasn't quite what I'd normally choose, but could be overlooked for ten cents at the thrift store.) I've been impressed by both, particularly given the price. Ten cents for the Uni-ball in particular was attractively cheap for a tightwad like me. LOL That said...I still find myself preferring fountain pens. I am not sure about the history, but from what I've read, I have a feeling these types of pens were probably around when I was in high school. I wish I'd had them for school use--there was no way I'd have taken a nice fountain pen to school. A cheap rollerball, though, would have been cheap enough so I wouldn't worry, but would have made my life more pleasant each day as I did the busywork of the day at school.
Today, I've seen one argument on-line that perhaps a good modern ballpoint is a better secondary pen. I can't remember the arguments, but it seems reasonable to think this would be more usable on really terrible paper than anything with water based ink, plus ink that is waterproof.
One idea I've toyed with is getting some waterproof--or at least highly water resistant ink--for one of my fountain pens. If I had that, I probably could get by with a fountain pen pretty much 100% of the time.
Today, I've seen one argument on-line that perhaps a good modern ballpoint is a better secondary pen. I can't remember the arguments, but it seems reasonable to think this would be more usable on really terrible paper than anything with water based ink, plus ink that is waterproof.
One idea I've toyed with is getting some waterproof--or at least highly water resistant ink--for one of my fountain pens. If I had that, I probably could get by with a fountain pen pretty much 100% of the time.
Noodler's (Bulletproof) Black, Kung Te Chung.
Pilot Blue, Pilot Black
Koh-i-noor Document Blue or Black
Just some for starters
Been thinking about Rohrer & Klingner SketchINK myself.
Past ideas above, I've been half contemplating one of the waterproof inks from Platinum. Maybe Carbon Black--I don't like black, but I'm curious about this, given how many people love the stuff. I think one dealer sells samples of it, and it's available in cartridges for Platinum pens. I am actually thinking I might make the Platinum Preppy I have my water proof ink pen.
Noodler got mentioned above. Jet Pens says Baystate Blue is water resistant. I have been curious about this ink. The blue is said to be quite catching. But...it's notorious for being hard to live with--particularly staining things.
Then, iron gall would be interesting--it would be interesting watching the color change as the ink dries.
Noodler got mentioned above. Jet Pens says Baystate Blue is water resistant. I have been curious about this ink. The blue is said to be quite catching. But...it's notorious for being hard to live with--particularly staining things.
Then, iron gall would be interesting--it would be interesting watching the color change as the ink dries.