Fountain pen users, rejoice!

[bunnspecial]

I've found that a couple of my hard-starting pens were due to 'baby's-bottom' problem, where the nib has been over-smoothed so that a small gap is present where the tines should be flat with the paper. Due to the surface tension of the ink, this leads to them not starting on the first stroke. You can usually see it through a loupe.

Weirdly this seems to happen more often on more expensive pens - a Visconti I tried, an Omas I tried and my Parker Sonnet all had these issues. The Sonnet ended up needed minor adjustment by someone more experienced than me.

Of course, it can also be due to a lack of ink flow, but I've found that if it still occurs whilst fully inked, it's likely to be a nib problem. Just one of those idiosyncrasies which make FPs fun...

Yes indeed-nib flaws can cause all sorts of problems.

I've braved some work on inexpensive nibs and can usually straighten them out, but won't(for obvious reasons) work on more expensive nibs. Generally, I use fine grit sandpaper(2000 or higher) and "draw" figure 8s on it. If you do this while holding the pen as you normally would when writing, you have the advantage of the nib also somewhat breaking it in to your personal writing style. When doing any kind of abrasive nib work, however, it's ESSENTIAL that you do not place any pressure on the nib. Putting pressure on it can spread the tines and make a baby bottom worse or even introduce one where it didn't exist before.

Funny enough, I've mentioned and pictured here before my favorite, cheap Pelikan 105. When I first got the pen, it was a reluctant starter with poor ink flow although I trudged on with it. A few months after buying it, I had it clipped to the inside collar of my sweatshirt. I was outside walking one day and heard a faint "ping." I habitually reached up to feel for the pen, and only found the cap. Looking back found the pen, which of course had landed nib down and had one tine severely bent.

I'd already planned on ordering a replacement nib(it was $30 at the time, and on Pelikans the nib/feed assembly just unscrews from the pen body), but figured I had nothing to lose by trying to fix it myself. I went to my watch bench and carefully worked the nib back into shape then smoothed out the tip under magnification.

Much to my surprise, the repaired nib was FANTASTIC. It now starts easily, has a very forgiving sweet spot, flows well, and has just enough "spring" to give beautiful line width variation for someone like me who knows the nib well.

That was a VERY lucky accident, but also turned a $100 steel nib Pelikan into a wonderful pen. I don't suggest this course of action, and of course quit carrying pens that way

That reminds me that I need to send my Lamy 2000 back in for its second section repair. It lasted almost no time after the first repair. I'm probably either going to request a nib swap or a flow adjustment on this repair also, as I've been unhappy with the flow since the pen was new and would hope they could at least make it right on what is now a $200 pen(although I didn't pay that much). I could do it myself, but given my other experience it's hard to access the nib without at least inflicting some damage on the section(esp. since the entire feed is hidden, and one of the best ways to adjust flow is adjust nib-to-feed distance). One would think that they would have figured all of this out after 40+ years of making this pen. I also know that $200 is inexpensive compared to Mont Blanc and the like, but you still have to admit that it's not cheap for a pen.

 

[cdcastillo]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before but I was just wondering what you all use your lovely fountain pens for? ...

I use mine for writing notes on my patients paper files, for signing on printed procedure's reports and occasionally, to write checks. Most of my writing nowadays is done digitally.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I use mine for writing notes on my patients paper files, for signing on printed procedure's reports and occasionally, to write checks. Most of my writing nowadays is done digitally.

Ah, yes. Agreed.

Is there a nicer feeling (when writing) than writing a cheque with a - really good - fountain pen?

And yes, I use my Mont Blanc to sign anything - especially anything of importance.

 

[cdcastillo]

Ah, yes. Agreed.

Is there a nicer feeling (when writing) than writing a cheque with a - really good - fountain pen?

And yes, I use my Mont Blanc to sign anything - especially anything of importance.

Then again, I once had one of my checks rejected at the bank because I wrote it in MontBlanc's Corn Poppy Red ink, the bank apparently only likes them written in blue or black.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Then again, I once had one of my checks rejected at the bank because I wrote it in MontBlanc's Corn Poppy Red ink, the bank apparently only likes them written in blue or black.

Ah, well, red ink? Corn Poppy Red Ink? Now, what did you expect? From banks? I'm surprised that they didn't call the police.....

As a kid, I used to hate it when teachers corrected your work with violent red ink, and, this meant, that, in turn, when I became a teacher, my students received their term papers, and essays, (and exams), corrected, graded, and commented on, in either blue, blue/black or black ink.

 

[bunnspecial]

violent red ink, and, this meant, that, in turn, when I became a teacher, my students received their term papers, and essays, (and exams), corrected, graded, and commented on, in either blue, blue/black or black ink.

If I'm going to use a non-red color for grading purposes, I generally use green. It's less "glaring" than red but is also easy to differentiate from the students' blue or black ink. If I do use red, I tend toward more of a burgundy color of my own concoction.

If I'm going to use blue for grading, I tend toward Noodler's Bay State Blue, which is a very vibrant blue that stands out from anything except blue Sharpie. In fact, a frequent description of it is that it looks like Sharpie ink made for a fountain pen. This IS an ink that requires good pen hygiene, however, especially if you want to avoid staining ink converters and windows.

Overall, though, my go-to green recently has been old Shaeffers' washable green.

Due to past problems with students changing markings on papers, I try to make sure whatever ink I use is reasonably obscure so that I can recognize alterations. Before anyone accuses me of being paranoid, it's not paranoia if you've adopted policies as a result of "catching" someone. In any case, despite it being a rather glaring red, one advantage of Pelikan of standard cheap Pelikan red is that it has a very distinctive color.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, to be honest, when I started teaching, I had promised myself that I would not be that person decorating student papers in psychedelic colours, and red and green struck me as hideous. However, I can see the motivation and reasoning behind using them, as per your post; it is just that it is not what I would choose to do myself.

As I am rather partial to pen and paper, though, I always kept (separate and independent) records, (as back-up) and obviously, furnished whichever Department I was with, - depending on where I taught, either History or Politics - with the record of the grades

I do sympathise. While I have never had a case of anyone attempting to change a grade, there were a few cases of plagiarism, and copying, and sundry other attempts to bypass the system.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I'm really loving writing with my Mont Blanc and in addition to my journal am also writing in a cheap A4 pad. What I'd like to get next is something a little nicer to write on. Any recommendations for some nice paper? And preferably a link to where I can buy?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm really loving writing with my Mont Blanc and in addition to my journal am also writing in a cheap A4 pad. What I'd like to get next is something a little nicer to write on. Any recommendations for some nice paper? And preferably a link to where I can buy?

Are there any old style stationary supplies stores in your area, the sort who supply proper quality paper for writing on - as opposed to printing on?

That is where I buy most of mine.

Also - and it was a strange paradox - but I have worked a lot in the former communist world, the former Eastern Europe, the former Yugoslavia, the former USSR - and the quality of the stationary paper in some of those countries tended to be of an excellent quality.

This was possibly because it may have been manufactured using old-fashioned methods. However, even children's school copy-books and note-books came with a type of paper that was extremely good quality, and took ink beautifully, somewhat to my surprise. Indeed, just because many things were so shoddily made during the communist era, one tended to forget that not everything was, and that some were actually very good indeed.

More recently, I have used Moleskin; they used to be excellent but are now merely good.

However, some of the French brands - such as Rhodia, and Clarefontaine - both of which I have used and still use (but which can be difficult to lay hands on) - are very good indeed.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm about 15 miles north of Liverpool. I'm sure there'll be some good stationary stores there. I actually work in Liverpool, only 10 minutes drive from the centre, but as with a lot of people who live near cities, rarely venture in. It always seems too much hassle, parking costs, time (always what to get back home after work) etc etc...

Anyway, will have a look online or make the effort to travel into the city. Thanks.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Found this website; http://www.jetpens.com/blog/fountain-pen-paper-recommendations/pt/730

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm about 15 miles north of Liverpool. I'm sure there'll be some good stationary stores there. I actually work in Liverpool, only 10 minutes drive from the centre, but as with a lot of people who live near cities, rarely venture in. It always seems too much hassle, parking costs, time (always what to get back home after work) etc etc...

Anyway, will have a look online or make the effort to travel into the city. Thanks.

Take a long lunch break one day, or leave work early, or go in on a Saturday. In other words, take the time to get into Liverpool city centre and browse the pen and stationary/paper shops.

Stationary shopping is not a form of shopping to be rushed; give yourself plenty of time to savour, sample and appreciate the various types of stationary you will see. Take the time to enjoy this experience.

Indeed, take the pen with you; you might get a chance to try out one or two examples of certain types of paper.

Feel free to ask plenty of questions. Take the time to talk, and think, and put questions. Don't feel that any question is too idiotic.

The sort of people in those shops, especially if the shop is an old family business, tend to be enthusiasts, full of information and lore and sound advice. Listen to them. They will love chatting about this stuff, while you will - more than likely - learn a lot.

 

[cambookpro]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm about 15 miles north of Liverpool. I'm sure there'll be some good stationary stores there. I actually work in Liverpool, only 10 minutes drive from the centre, but as with a lot of people who live near cities, rarely venture in. It always seems too much hassle, parking costs, time (always what to get back home after work) etc etc...

Anyway, will have a look online or make the effort to travel into the city. Thanks.

Red n' Black is reading available in the UK and is very nice, but also not too expensive.

People seem to go on about Rhodia but I've never found it to be all that great, a lot more showthrough and it can feather with the wettest nibs, unlike the Black n' Red. (The Optik paper in their notebooks can also be found in Oxford Campus pads, though they're a bit less subtle.)

If you really want to splash out, Tomoe River is some of the most unique paper I've used: it's very light (~50 gsm, compared to ~90 gsm for other high quality paper), but is absolutely brilliant for fountain pens. Never feathers and behaves very well. Only downside is showthrough due to the thickness (thinness?!) of the paper and long drying times. Oh and the cost, as it's imported from Japan it goes for upwards of £20 for 100 loose sheets, £30 for a pad of 100 sheets...

I have a Moleskine notebook and whilst it's fine for fine nibs, it isn't the best, especially considering the cost. Brilliant for ballpoint and pencil though, and it's the nicest feeling notebook I have. I mainly use it for pencil notes and quick sketches.

 

[bunnspecial]

For general use, office supply stores can actually supply some surprisingly good papers and they won't break the bank. You typically won't find fine stationary, but you can find some surprisingly good papers that are pleasant to write on and take ink well. At the end of the day I'm happy with a paper if it looks nice and meets those two criteria regardless of the name and how expensive or cheap it is. I've noticed a general increase in paper quality over the last couple of years-the high recycle content copy paper that my work buys in bulk was virtually unuseable as a writing paper a few years ago. The stuff they buy now is good-it's not the best I've ever used, but is nice enough that I don't think twice about jotting down a note or grabbing a couple of sheets when I'm working one-on-one with students.

Our bulk purchase legal pads are also quite good, although the steno pads are terrible. I prefer to match the steno pads(which I use a lot for quick, convenient notes) with another classic writing tool-a Blackwing 602 .

The folks on The Fountain Pen Network were raving about Staples brand(US office supply store) sugarcane paper spiral notebooks a few years back. I bought a handful and they are indeed great with the caveat that the paper is somewhat translucent and only really useable on one side. Bleed through is non-existent, though.

Our department chair was nice enough to print some letterhead on cotton rag bond paper for me a while back, and I use it pretty heavily for official correspondence both in hand written notes and typed/signed letters. I don't recall the brand offhand-I sampled a variety of bond papers for the job that met the criteria of not costing too much but also being fountain pen friendly and, again, looking nice. I stocked up when I found some.

Paper is-of course-one of the other important parts of writing with fountain pens. It's also something where I've found little correlation between name/cost and quality. I've bought expensive papers that were wonderful, and bought expensive ones that I wanted to throw away(I have a co-worker who is heavily into pencils, and we often swap papers because poor FP papers are often excellent pencil papers and vice-versa). Similarly, I've had cheap paper that was unuseable with a fountain pen and cheap paper that was beautiful.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm really loving writing with my Mont Blanc and in addition to my journal am also writing in a cheap A4 pad. What I'd like to get next is something a little nicer to write on. Any recommendations for some nice paper? And preferably a link to where I can buy?

Red n' Black is reading available in the UK and is very nice, but also not too expensive.

People seem to go on about Rhodia but I've never found it to be all that great, a lot more showthrough and it can feather with the wettest nibs, unlike the Black n' Red. (The Optik paper in their notebooks can also be found in Oxford Campus pads, though they're a bit less subtle.)

If you really want to splash out, Tomoe River is some of the most unique paper I've used: it's very light (~50 gsm, compared to ~90 gsm for other high quality paper), but is absolutely brilliant for fountain pens. Never feathers and behaves very well. Only downside is showthrough due to the thickness (thinness?!) of the paper and long drying times. Oh and the cost, as it's imported from Japan it goes for upwards of £20 for 100 loose sheets, £30 for a pad of 100 sheets...

I have a Moleskine notebook and whilst it's fine for fine nibs, it isn't the best, especially considering the cost. Brilliant for ballpoint and pencil though, and it's the nicest feeling notebook I have. I mainly use it for pencil notes and quick sketches.

Yes, I have heard that Tomoe River is supposed to be excellent, - it has been highly recommended by people whose judgment I respect and trust - though I have yet to sample that myself. I must order some.

Three years ago, I ordered a leather bound notebooks - and several spares - from the Colonel Littleton (leather bag) company in the US and found the quality of the paper extraordinarily good. For over a year, that was what I used at meetings when I last worked abroad.

 

[cdcastillo]

I've just been introduced to Oister grey ink, and I can say I'm enjoying writing with it. It is kind of understated but eye-catching at the same time.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I bought an A4 "Black n' Red" notebook. Someone recommend the "Optik" paper here somewhere. Bought off Amazon for £5. Earlier and before I got home this evening I was in my local Home Bargains where the very same notebooks were on sale for £1.49! I've not even bothered to open the Amazon one.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

I usually use Maruman Report Pads (Made in Japan).

 

[AVBeatMan]

Saw a colleague at work today using a "Duke" fountain pen. Had a quick go and it seemed very nice. Not heard of them before, American I believe?

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Saw a colleague at work today using a "Duke" fountain pen. Had a quick go and it seemed very nice. Not heard of them before, American I believe?

"Duke" is a relatively new brand. The production is in Shanghai (China). The "Duke" line of pens was introduced by Shanghai G. Crown Fountain Pen Co., Ltd. Registered in Europe as German Duke Lux Pen GmbH., and drawing heavily upon its R&D sub-branch located in Germany, the "Duke" brand uses advanced German (allegedly Staedtler) and European pen-making technology, and employs it to bring traditional Chinese motifs to mid-range and high-end pens and limited editions.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Take a look at this guys, the Mont Blanc Heritage Rouge et Noir Fountain Pen. Lovely!

 

[Ollé]

I think there was a poster a little earlier in this thread who had purchased a Rogue et Noir - bloody beautiful pen. I'm partial to the serpent cuff links too that Mont Blanc offer as well.

 

[cdcastillo]

Take a look at this guys, the Mont Blanc Heritage Rouge et Noir Fountain Pen. Lovely!

It is beautiful indeed. I enjoyed the video as well.

 

[kellen]

My collection, plus some unpictured Lami Safaris. I like the platinum finish more than the gold.
They are all 146's (Le Grands) except for the last one is my first Montblanc, the Boheme in BB. Silver color is medium nib, Gold colored one is a document marker, which is why I chose gold as it lets me know its the highlight. Then a rollerball and extra fine nib. Work I carry the 146 rollerball and Fine nib. Days off I carry the Boheme and home office is the metal version.

Next purchase is a 149 in platinum, extra fine nib.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

It is a wonderful collection!
I usually carry with me a Montblanc Noblesse Silver Hair Line 2 color Ballpoint Pen (very rare nowdays, see below), a Montblanc Meisterstück 163 Roller Ball Pen and a Montblanc Meisterstück 144 Classique in a Montblanc Pen Case (see below).