tankerjohn
A little poofier than I prefer
Oh, I don't know. I might chalk it up to the fact sometimes pen people can get a little snobby as far as their preferences and what should be her preferences. She bought a cheap Amazon pen and that's just not good enough! On the one hand, I kind of get it because the great fear is that some unsuspecting newbie buys a cheap China pen and then it leaks, and is scratchy, and is just an all around bad writing experience. And then our intrepid newbie declares, "wow, ALL fountain pens must suck because this cheapo pen I got online for $10 sucks." To which our well-meaning snob feels the need to preemptively suggest that maybe they should get a Lamy or a Pilot or a [fill in the blank reputable pen brand] instead of the cheap pen so that they too can experience the exhilaration of the epiphany one gets putting a well-tuned nib to paper for the first time. People must be properly penabled! But on the otherhand, if she is enjoying her Amazon pen - she's enjoying her pen! Mission accomplished! I hope the new pen has inspired her to write many letters and thank you notes and journal entries and doodles. I have come around to the conclusion that most important aspect of a fountain pen, more important than the make and model or its specs or color or filling system or nib or any of that, is the joy it enables you to put into the world.I don't disagree with you, but why is everyone trying to get her to buy another pen? She's bought it and loves it. The Hong Dian will eventually dry out if not used, but not quickly since it is thick metal and remains cold; this means the water in the ink is slow to evaporate.
She needs to learn how to use a convertor and simply enjoy her pen.