Fountain Pen - How does it work?

[Luc]

Right, I'm thinking of getting a nice fountain pen. I always liked nice pens but never bought any. I usualy use a BIC, cheap and reliable but I rather have a more professional looking pen.

I started looking at them and the choice is... mmm... overwhelming...

Now, I did some basic researchs but I'm still unsure on how or where to start. Wikipedia isn't very explicit on how it works for refills.

I might be thinking it's a bit thing and maybe it's not.

Wiki was explaining that I can get an international refill but it can be long or short. If not, there's a converter, from what I saw, some pens had the converter built-in.

I was thinking of getting a Waterman as I would prefer have a known pen instead of some obscure brand that I won't be able to find any refills...

I am looking for some advices on how the refill works. I like the look of the Waterman and usualy prefer heavier pens. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I don't think that I will get into the $300 price-range as I'm not sure on how I will like this vs a regular pen.

[JCee]

I have also just ventured in to fountain pens. Following advice on B&B, I bought a Lamy Al-Star with the fine nib. It wasn't terribly expensive ( I think around 30 bucks), and came with a cartridge and a converter. I'd go with either that or the Lamy Safari. They are good quality and write well. If you decide it's not for you, you'll be able to sell it rather easily.

[WhosYerBob]

You may want to stroll over to the Fountain Pen Network (http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/) and see what sort of advice can be had there. Lots of different starter pens, inks, papers, etc.

[Awoisme]

I have 2 Watermans (about $100AUD from David Jones) and a Lamy Safari, and the funny thing is that I WAY prefer the $30 Lamy over the expensive pens anyday!

I'd strongly recommend getting the Lamy- the good thing about it is if you subsequently don't like fountain pens (reasonably unlikely!) you aren't in the hole for much cash. It's also well worth spending the $3 or so to get the converter so that you can refill it from a bottle.

If you just want to give fountain pens a try, go to a stationer, and you can get disposable ones for about 5 bucks.

[mmack66]

Fountain Pens these days usually work with a cartridge or a converter. A cartridge is a pre-filled tube of ink that snaps into the pen and provides the ink. With a converter, you dip the nip of the pen in a bottle of ink and twist the knob and a plunger mechanism draws the ink in, sort of like a syringe. The older fountain pens usually had some mechanism to draw ink into a rubber sac in the barrel. Cartridges for fountain pens are usually frowned upon much like cartridges razors are here.

[Dennis]

The benefit of using a converter is you can use any ink you like. If you want to use cartridges, you are stuck with the ink they come with and finding/ordering the cartridges to begin with. It is easier to just have a bottle of ink and to refill it. If you have never used a fountain pen before, stop at Staples/Office Max and pick up the Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pens. They come in a 3 pack for $5. If you like how it writes (those nibs are OK, not great) then you can move onto something else. I like the Lamy pens, but my everyday writer is a vintage Parker 51.

[tg16]

The Lamy is a good deal and you can also go to http://www.isellpens.com I found this site after going to the Fountain Pen Network mentioned earlier in this thread.

Like wetshaving, the pens and ink can be fascinating and addicting. I just got a Lamy Safari last week, my first fountain pen since I was a kid, and find myself writing instead of using email.

[lamina]

As a first pen buy a nice Lamy Safari!!To see if it suits you...later some Duofolds are still available!!:biggrin:

[Luc]

Thanks for the advices Gents, I will have a look at the forum and a Lamy!

[Obsessed]

I'm thinking of getting a Lamy Safari myself, so I hope the OP won't mind me adding a question to the thread, namely, how does one determine the right nib (fine, medium, etc.) to get?

[brianw]

Lot's better pens out there then the Lamy and at as good a price...as with razors, the vintage ones cant be beat

[brianw]

Ask Isaacrn, he went through this quandry not too long ago

[David R]

I recently decided to try a fountain pen for day to use in the office. I found an old pen that my grandfather had that you have to draw the ink out of an ink well or bottle. Whilst it was a novelty for the week or so, I found that the nib was very scratchy on cheap paper or writing pads and the ink took a long time to dry.
I ditched the fountain pen a few weeks ago for a Cross roller ball.

[brianw]

May I ask the model

[brianw]

Most of the time the scratchiness (feedback) is caused by misaligned tines and can be rectified easily. Wetness can also be controlled by the spread of the tines and a feed adjustment

[kwk285]

I have been wanting to try a fountain pen for a while. I decided to get a Lamy Safari. The price wasn't to out of line so if I didn't like it I wouldn't be out too much money.

I try to buy most of my stuff through B&M stores. When I was in Portland Oregon recently for work, I found a store called Paradise Pens. The man behind the counter was able to answer my questions. When it cam to the nib size, he pulled out two pens. One with a fine nib and one with a medium nib. He dipped them in ink and let me try them both. I found I liked the medium nib better.

It is because of the type of service that I received from the saleman that I try to buy from stores.

[JonDC]

I'm thinking of getting a Lamy Safari myself, so I hope the OP won't mind me adding a question to the thread, namely, how does one determine the right nib (fine, medium, etc.) to get?

Like with razors and creams, you really have to try it to find the right nib, as it's a matter of personal preference with line thickness and writing "feel." Nibs vary by manufacturer and material. I like medium steel nibs, as they feel like they're scratching the paper if they're any narrower, but with gold nibs, I like fine, or in some brands, extra fine.

If you have a good pen store near you, go in and test the pen you're thinking about. Most will let you dip one to see how it writes.

If you're buying online or you can't test the pen, I'd start with a medium nib. Depending on the pen, you may be able to switch the nib out later if you hate it. But if you haven't spent much money on the pen, trying a different nib can give you an excuse to buy another one. :wink2:

[brianw]

I happen to like a Cursive Italic, but for a round nib, I have yet to find a finer writer then a Parker "51" or "21". Most can be had for the for under 70 bucks

[withoutink]

Hmm... Great another thing to spend my money on lol!

[LeverTime]

Another advantage to the converter is that it can save money. A bottle of ink will be substantially cheaper than the number of cartridges it would take to equal the same amount of ink.

[BEAR DEN]

I started with a Waterman Phileas (probably $30-50 range). Be warned however...it is a slippery slope..FPAD!!! :biggrin:

[Drubbing]

Lot's better pens out there then the Lamy and at as good a price...as with razors, the vintage ones cant be beat

+1. Luc, check out www.vintagepens.com.au

they're in your town.

I've dealt with this guy a number of times, he's reliable, knows his stuff and his prices are good. You can get some mint vintage for less $$ than a new 'quality' one.

Having said that, if new is what you're looking at, try Pelikan - regarded as one of the best made today. Come with a huge piston filler, where you can see the quantity of ink on board. Not see through, just a shadow moving down the barrel as it slowly empties. Lasts a long time between fills and write superbly. I have an M400, but like Mont Blancs (which scream 'power jewellery' anyway), they get a bit too big after that.

In vintage, the Parker 51 is an absolute belter of a pen; it's the SS/Slim of the pen world. Superbly made and millions still around at great prices and top condition. Also the vintage duofolds are top line pens that are very affordable. The link I gave you, they send all out pens fully cleaned and restored, ready to go.

[Obsessed]

I started with a Waterman Phileas (probably $30-50 range). Be warned however...it is a slippery slope..FPAD!!! :biggrin:

That's an interesting option. It looks like you can buy a set containing the pen, a bottle of ink, some ink cartridges, and a converter.

[David R]

May I ask the model

The only marking on the pen or cap is a "W" on the nib. The pen itself is all steel with a dark purple enamel finish and a gold nib.

[brianw]

The only marking on the pen or cap is a "W" on the nib. The pen itself is all steel with a dark purple enamel finish and a gold nib.

Sounds somewhat like a third tier pen. Alot of those write great, sounds like the tines are out of adjustment. If you have a magnifying glass check to see if they are aligned when you look from the side. The only other reason would be that the tip ( the little ball on the end) is shot or it is a crisp Italic grind

[Cmaster03]

Good luck, if you think razors are a slippery slope...:eek:

I got into fountain pens a few months ago. I use two vintage Parker 51s every day...look into them on Fountain Pen Newtwork...they're not too expensive. :biggrin:

[brianw]

Good luck, if you think razors are a slippery slope...:eek:

I got into fountain pens a few months ago. I use two vintage Parker 51s every day...look into them on Fountain Pen Newtwork...they're not too expensive. :biggrin:

How right you are, I have over 30 of these little beasties, some more expensive then others, all of them great writers and at least 2 constantly inked

[greenbackcut]

I just recently returned to fountain pens after a 30 year detour and glad I did. I went to Isellpens.com for my first purchases and have been pleased with the prices and service. The pens I selected were an inexpensive Hero hooded nib in a fine point, a Duke 1853 medium, a Jinhao 450 with a medium nib and most recently a Pilot 78G. I also obtained some Noodler's ink. The pens ranged in price from $5 to $18 and I enjoy writing with them all. The Jinhao is beautiful but the nib lays down a little too wide line for my liking for regular writing but is a great pen for red ink correcting. The Duke and the Pilot are very nice ans smooth and have a medium-fine line. Even the $5 Hero writes very well and smooth.

Much the same way that DE shaving brought joy back to shaving, fountain pens have brought joy back to writing...so much so that I am starting to write more and email less.

[Luc]

+1. Luc, check out www.vintagepens.com.au

they're in your town.

I've dealt with this guy a number of times, he's reliable, knows his stuff and his prices are good. You can get some mint vintage for less $$ than a new 'quality' one.

Having said that, if new is what you're looking at, try Pelikan - regarded as one of the best made today. Come with a huge piston filler, where you can see the quantity of ink on board. Not see through, just a shadow moving down the barrel as it slowly empties. Lasts a long time between fills and write superbly. I have an M400, but like Mont Blancs (which scream 'power jewellery' anyway), they get a bit too big after that.

In vintage, the Parker 51 is an absolute belter of a pen; it's the SS/Slim of the pen world. Superbly made and millions still around at great prices and top condition. Also the vintage duofolds are top line pens that are very affordable. The link I gave you, they send all out pens fully cleaned and restored, ready to go.

I'm on the website right now, thanks!