Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Fountain pen users, rejoice!
- Thread starter sk1wbw
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
@adn rcd dly:
It seems to me that it is a Felt tip Marker Pen, black ink, medium Paper Mate, Staedler, Pilot or similar make.
It seems to me that it is a Felt tip Marker Pen, black ink, medium Paper Mate, Staedler, Pilot or similar make.
One being the fact that I didn't say such a thing. I only said that humans are the ones that give it a certain symbolism and it greatly depends on the audience too. There are audiences where certain objects hold no value.
And that same example can be used to show the exact opposite as there are many people who shy away from all that. Some are against consumerism, some are Muslim, some are Hindu, others have a different religion and some simply have no concept of money. It depends on the audience. Amongst pen aficionados pens can still have a status symbol, maybe even amongst certain professions such as lawyers but most people will not see a pen as a status symbol.
But again you are also missing the point: it was about an object being specifically designed as such where they aren't because we humans tag something as a status symbol or not and as I explained, this depends greatly on the audience and the biggest audience doesn't care about pens. This has been discussed many times on fpgeeks.com and fountainpennetwork.com and hardly anyone there agrees with you (read the many negative remarks people have gotten concerning their pens). Pens have lost their magic for the majority of people and are no longer a status symbol. The people who still think they are, are living in the past. That's the sad reality of 2016 (or as a colleague once put it: "isn't it time you upgrade to something more of this day and age?"). Any pen company still designing their pens to be a status symbol is going to go out of business rather quickly as the pen business isn't doing that well at the moment (OMAS and Visconti don't seem to be doing well and Montblanc isn't even focusing on pens any more, watches are their main focus now).
Now, three points occur to me, that I wish to make at this stage.
Firstly, in general, I will not argue - and have not attempted to argue - that fountain pens have been designed as status symbols. I accept that they have not. Primarily, they have been designed as writing instruments, and have come to have been perceived as items of value, and thus, of respect in some quarters.
Respectfully, however, - and this brings me to my second point - I suggest that there might have been a number of reasons for why such values have been accorded to pens: Fountain pens acquired symbolic value in societies which respected reading, writing and the ability to craft the written word. Societies and cultures which valued literacy, are ones which will accord and afford respect to the instruments which are used to write, perhaps taking pride in crafting beautiful writing instruments.
This also includes societies where literacy is in the hands of a small clerical elite, or, where illiteracy is widespread, (I have worked in such countries, and yes, expensive fountain pens and expensive watches are used as status symbols in some of these countries by powerful, wealthy male elites).
The third point - and what flows from it - is so obvious that people tend to overlook it. Historically, men have wielded political, social, cultural and economic power, and traditionally, - especially in recent centuries, in the western world, and in countries influenced by, and ruled by, western imperial powers, men - even powerful men - have been restricted in what adornments, or jewellery was considered appropriate for them to wear. Charges of effeminacy would have been levelled at a man who sought to cover himself with precious stones.
However, a richly adorned, and beautifully designed fountain pen was considered an acceptable accessory for a man to carry; yes, he carried it to write, but he also carried it to advertise his status, power and wealth. Thus, the linkage of pens with powerful males - especially in poverty stricken uneducated societies - and the linkage of education (and literacy and numeracy) with possible social mobility - all conferred an unintended social status on pens, those who owned them and those who wielded them, and possession of a good pen - an expensive and well made pen - was something that a powerful, wealthy man cold have carried quite happily until the middle of the twentieth century.
My final two points are intended to address the 'sad reality of 2016' argument, the 'isn't it time to upgrade to something more modern' argument you have made:
Firstly, there is no incompatibility is using old and new simultaneously; I use Apple computers and write with fountain pens. I Skype, yet still get some of my news from the radio (a better and more thoughtful medium for current affairs than much of what is broadcast on TV) - so the introduction of one form of communication does not necessarily render others obsolete.
Secondly, technological advances do not roll out across the world automatically; the fact that Alexander Graham Bell invented - or patented - the telephone in 1876 does not mean that the world was instantly awash with telephone exchanges - it took a few decades for this invention to find its way into the advanced world as a tool used on a daily basis, and parts of the first world - rural parts, certainly - were only linked up to automatic exchanges as late as the 1970s - a full century later. So, making the argument that something "is so 2016" (which implies that something else is not) misses the point that the extent and influence of technological breakthroughs tend to be pretty uneven.
Last edited by a moderator:
Interesting. I've been watching Korean dramas lately and funny enough they all use fountain pens...
Yes. Fountain pen use is not unknown in Asia, - I've seen them used quite a bit in parts of that continent - particularly in educated, elite, powerful, or upper class circles.
This serves to bring me back to my earlier point of societies which value literacy affording respect to tools which are used to express literacy.
Moreover, societies which have evolved a very sophisticated and beautiful way of expressing literacy - such as calligraphic scripts - are very likely to have a reverence and veneration for the tools which one uses to write these scripts; thus, the field of craftsmanship behind pen manufacture would have been highly respected and the pens themselves objects of beauty, a fusion of form and function.
Indeed, it should come as small surprise that there is a thriving fountain pen culture in Japan, and that some pen makers in that country craft some exquisite fountain pens.
Last edited:
@Scepticalscribe:
Shodō (書道) has its influence on the culture of writing instruments in Japan.
Shodō (書道) has its influence on the culture of writing instruments in Japan.
My current one:
I have the same pen. Mine; however, is blue rather than chrome. I find that it is quite a lovely instrument to write with. It has a great flow and sits easily in the hand as it is well balanced.
While I understand the sentiment and your points I don't think they are realistic. Take a look at the amount of pen shops worldwide, the kind of pens people use, what tools they use for writing, the fact that prior to this topic there wasn't anything about pens on this forum, the fact that this topic is very slow moving and only a few people here post in it, the fact that this applies to many other forums and the fact that there aren't that many pen forums around. Pens matter to us enthusiasts and collectors but it doesn't to the average person. They are "just pens". If I'm honest that's just fine because in the end the only thing that matters is what you do with them, the content you create.
Exactly. Old and new go together just fine. Pen and paper still has a use now and in the future although not many will see it that way. I rather like the fact that Apple has now joined Microsoft in creating a digital version of pen and paper. Should make it more appealing to a lot of people and also bring back some love for the analog version. Smartwatches seem to be doing something similar.
Like I said many times before: It depends on the audience. That audience could be a continent, a country or even a group of people on some website.
Besides it being just film (aka it is not real) it is cool to see fountain pens still being used. Japan and China have quite a lot of companies that make pens and paper as well as brushes (there is still a lot of calligraphy there which traditionally uses brushes, not pens). India too btw (fountain pens are ordinary writing tools there). Fountain pen network has a separate forum for Asian pens so if you want to check some out...
Btw, a more down to earth approach to why people collect fountain pens is this, a poll:
Why do you "collect" pens ? And this one discussing how often they see someone use a fountain pen is a nice read too (posters have a flag to show where they are from).
Last edited:
I have a small collection of Parkers. All but one are Sonnets, all upgraded with 18k nibs. I love the way they look and write, but ink dries up in them too fast and they just get used as dip pens.
My favourites of the lot are the sterling cisele, deco limited edition, and pearl rose gold.
My daily pen is a Lamy 2000. It's nib is stiffer than I prefer, but it is built like a tank.
My favourites of the lot are the sterling cisele, deco limited edition, and pearl rose gold.
My daily pen is a Lamy 2000. It's nib is stiffer than I prefer, but it is built like a tank.
I know this was a month or so ago, but I've only just seen it and I'd like to just say that those Sonnets look beautiful! I've owned two, currently I have one Red Lacquer Sonnet and it's probably my favourite pen. The only thing is the medium nib is so juicy I only get a few sides of A4 for one converter's worth of ink.I have a small collection of Parkers. All but one are Sonnets, all upgraded with 18k nibs. I love the way they look and write, but ink dries up in them too fast and they just get used as dip pens.
My favourites of the lot are the sterling cisele, deco limited edition, and pearl rose gold.
My daily pen is a Lamy 2000. It's nib is stiffer than I prefer, but it is built like a tank.
Lamy 2K is also on my wish list, maybe next year.
Wonderful pen! I had a relatively long period in my life when I used (and collected) only Cross pens. Love them! They are stylish and good to write with. Still have all of them.
Well, today I picked up one of my Mont Blanc (144) Classique Meisterstuck pens, that I had dropped in ages ago to a specialist store to have the nib attended to - the ink flow was excessive and I prefer fine to medium nibs.
Pen restored to me, and writing beautifully I am delighted to report.
S, have they replaced the nib?
(Last time one of my Meisterstücks cracked just above the nib. No drops, "no nothing". I had to send it to Mont Blanc for repair.)
Yes, they will do that - my pens have been sent for repair (I cracked the resin casing of my favourite pen a few years ago when I was working abroad, and it had to be sent to Switzerland for repair).
However, the shop inn question is an ancient store, and is an authorised Mont Blanc dealer - it is like the sort of place one could imagine reading about in a book by Charles Dickens, and they have spare parts, and can do some relatively low level repairs.
They suggested tweaking and treating the nib (which seems to have worked for now) as a first step, to curtail the ink flow a little; if that doesn't work, the pen - my favourite - may have to be sent to Mont Blanc for further repair, and perhaps, a new nib. That will take both time and money, but I'll happily pay it of nothing else works.
Once a pen sits easily - and fits easily - in your hand, nothing else will do..
@Scepticalscribe
I hear you!
(If they replace the nib, you will have the joy of "breaking (it) in"
).
I hear you!
(If they replace the nib, you will have the joy of "breaking (it) in"
).
Last edited:
@Scepticalscribe
I hear you!
(If they replace the nib, you will have the joy of "breaking (it) in"
Indeed I will, and on some of my other Mont Blancs, I will haver to investigate further whether I can get the nibs replaced, or tweaked.
Is it a special StarWars edition? Where did you get it? I want one!
Now, this is my most recent acquisition. It is a "smaller than usual" pen for me, slimmer and somewhat more fragile-looking, with a retro vibe. It is a beauty! It is a special edition for the 110 anniversary of the original Noir et Rogue pen fabricated by what would become Montblanc. Actually, the 110 anniversary is Montblanc's, the original pen started manufacture on 1909.
I know the serpent clip design has nothing to do with the staff of Asclepius, but it is remarkable similar as far as I'm concerned, so it kind of fits my work.
Gorgeous pen.
As you know, I have a few Mont Blanc pens but they are all Meisterstuck Classiques. I tried writing with one of the anniversary editions recently, and found that my hand preferred the feel of the Meisterstuck pens to the other, more 'edgy' ones.
How do you find writing with it? Enjoy it and enjoy writing with it.
Thanks, it is indeed beautiful. This time I asked for a fine nib (all the rest of my pens are medium, and in the kind of paper I use most of the time, they leave a really broad trace) and I'm finding myself trying to improve my calligraphy because it is enjoyable to write with this pen.
I'm currently using a corn poppy red ink, it is different to what I'm used to, but looks darker on yellow tinted paper.
Personally, I prefer fine nibs when writing with a fountain pen, so I am rather interested to learn how you like writing with yours.
My go-to, every day, extension of my right hand pen is a Pelikan 105. I've had it about 5 years now and haven't always been kind to it, but it keeps on trucking and just feels "right." Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of it.
For probably the last four years, I've kept it filled with nothing but Mont Blanc Midnight Blue(old formula). When I started running low about a year ago, I went to order another bottle only to find that Mont Blanc had "reformulated" the bottled ink to remove the iron gall content(one of the main reasons I tried it) and in the process destroyed one of the smoothest, most beautiful, wettest iron gall blue-black inks in history. I've been diligently watching Ebay for another bottle, as my current one is getting uncomfortably low.
Aside from that, the "shoe" bottle does look great on my desk next to the(entirely too expensive and never used) Pelikan Edelstein bottle.
I rotate through a variety of pens and inks for other purposes including document mark-up and grading. I have a couple of Lamy Safaris, a 2000, an older Studio Palladium with a gold nib, and some other assorted pens. The 2000s get used a lot for grading, and lately I've been using vintage Shaeffer Washable Green in the ink well bottle. When I use a red, I usually grab Pelikan Red. It's nice, safe, and boring but also is a unique enough color that I doubt any student would be able to replicate it
This beauty nearly went into the trashcan when my grandmother passed away, but my mom saved it for me knowing my interest in fountain pens. It really just needed an ink sack replacement, which I probably could have done myself, but elected to give it the full treatment by sending it to Ron Zorn. He came highly recommended on the Fountain Pen Network as the "go to" guy for old Sheaffer's pens. It truly looked brand new after it came back from him.
This one gets used rarely, and is only ever filled with Waterman Blue-an ink that's considered one of the most "gentle" available. The name engraved in gold was a great-great uncle of mine.
[doublepost=1461541104][/doublepost]
I started out with a strong preference for fine nibs, but as my I've written more my tastes have shifted to nibs that are somewhere between the larger side of fine and the smaller side of medium. I've come to appreciate how much more forgiving many are with regard to angle they are than a true fine, as well as the extra lubricity provided by the greater flow of ink.
Of course, to each his(or her) own and nibs are a VERY personal preference. My Pelikan I mentioned above is a fine and has a very small "sweet spot" but I've written with it enough that I have no trouble finding it. Although most don't regard Pelikan steel nibs as being very flexible, I've also found that mine responds kindly to SMALL amounts of pressure to give my writing(and line width variation) with that pen a certain character that I can't replicate with any other pen.
For probably the last four years, I've kept it filled with nothing but Mont Blanc Midnight Blue(old formula). When I started running low about a year ago, I went to order another bottle only to find that Mont Blanc had "reformulated" the bottled ink to remove the iron gall content(one of the main reasons I tried it) and in the process destroyed one of the smoothest, most beautiful, wettest iron gall blue-black inks in history. I've been diligently watching Ebay for another bottle, as my current one is getting uncomfortably low.
Aside from that, the "shoe" bottle does look great on my desk next to the(entirely too expensive and never used) Pelikan Edelstein bottle.
I rotate through a variety of pens and inks for other purposes including document mark-up and grading. I have a couple of Lamy Safaris, a 2000, an older Studio Palladium with a gold nib, and some other assorted pens. The 2000s get used a lot for grading, and lately I've been using vintage Shaeffer Washable Green in the ink well bottle. When I use a red, I usually grab Pelikan Red. It's nice, safe, and boring but also is a unique enough color that I doubt any student would be able to replicate it
This beauty nearly went into the trashcan when my grandmother passed away, but my mom saved it for me knowing my interest in fountain pens. It really just needed an ink sack replacement, which I probably could have done myself, but elected to give it the full treatment by sending it to Ron Zorn. He came highly recommended on the Fountain Pen Network as the "go to" guy for old Sheaffer's pens. It truly looked brand new after it came back from him.
This one gets used rarely, and is only ever filled with Waterman Blue-an ink that's considered one of the most "gentle" available. The name engraved in gold was a great-great uncle of mine.
[doublepost=1461541104][/doublepost]
I started out with a strong preference for fine nibs, but as my I've written more my tastes have shifted to nibs that are somewhere between the larger side of fine and the smaller side of medium. I've come to appreciate how much more forgiving many are with regard to angle they are than a true fine, as well as the extra lubricity provided by the greater flow of ink.
Of course, to each his(or her) own and nibs are a VERY personal preference. My Pelikan I mentioned above is a fine and has a very small "sweet spot" but I've written with it enough that I have no trouble finding it. Although most don't regard Pelikan steel nibs as being very flexible, I've also found that mine responds kindly to SMALL amounts of pressure to give my writing(and line width variation) with that pen a certain character that I can't replicate with any other pen.