Fountain Pen Information

[nailhat]

So I'm looking at dipping my toe in the waters of fountain pens. I looked through a couple threads here and browsed the internet a bit, but I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good starting point.

Is there a website that will give me an introduction to the basics? i.e.: what to look for, what to avoid, general care, places to buy, etc.

If anyone has any tips I'd love to hear them. It's such a luxury to have so many knowledgeable gents here at BandB. Thanks in advance.

[SmoovD]

Give fountainpennetwork a shot. It is like B&B for fountain pens.

[danek]

Agree. www.fountainpennetwork.com But, be warned; that can be a very expensive hobby you're fiddling with - fantastically pleasurable, but expensive.

[nailhat]

It is like B&B for fountain pens.

I almost used that exact phrasing in my post! Thanks for the tip.

[SmoovD]

Agree. www.fountainpennetwork.com But, be warned; that can be a very expensive hobby you're fiddling with - fantastically pleasurable, but expensive.

+1

However, I stay strictly on the "cost effective" side of the pen spectrum. The most I have paid for a FP is $30 and I have a mess of them that cost me $2-$5 each. I use them at work and I could hardly be too upset if a cheap Wing Sung walks away.

[Shabubu]

Fountainpennetwork is the place to start. Also look at David isaacsons site (vacumania) for vintage Parkers, richard binder sells new pens but tweaks and regrinds nibs and opera doc (on eBay) sells a lot of high end maki e pens. Just beware fountain pena get very very expensive. I have 3-4 pens worth 900 usd each, and I wasn't even that into it in my heyday.

[Bill Smith]

+1on http://fountainpennetwork.com and I will warn you fountain pens could be safer, not cheaper than drugs.

[andrew98]

I'm into relatively inexpensive ($10 to $50), modern fountain pens. There are a lot of great value pens out there. I'd say try a Parker Frontier ($15) and/or a Waterman Phileas ($35 or so) to start with, unless you can find a Waterman Laureat (mine cost me $30, and it's my favorite pen). Those are iconic brands and wonderful starter examples from each company. Make sure to pick up some quality paper, too. I like Rhodia. Enjoy!

-Andy

[Benthic]

I've gotten some fairly inexpensive fountain pens, that have held up well to daily use from Levenger (HTTP://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/NAVIGATION/Products.asp?Params=category=8|level=2|pageid=151) . Look carefully though because not everything they carry is a fountain pen. They have rollerballs too.

Brian

[BEAR DEN]

+1 on the Waterman Phileas.

[Uncle Erik]

Fountain Pen Network is a good resource. However, check to see if there is a dealer or repairman nearby. You could get a chance to handle and try a pen before you buy, which is a good idea. You might even turn up a nearby show, and those are a great place to swing a deal and handle a lot of different pens to find out what you like.

[andrew98]

+1 on the Waterman Phileas.

Click on the Super Specials tab and there's a Phileas on the last page for $40. That's a good price, imo.

-Andy

[Philosophy Student]

I agree

As a fountain pen user, it is not the pens that really hit the pocket. It is the paper that you want to use that takes fountain pen ink well. I am pretty much ruined paper wise, even with cheap gel rollers as they tend to feather and bleed on any paper. Something i wish never happened because now im using expensive rhodia paper.... ah jeeze. At least I only have very little of it and a couple dollars invested. I think it will get more expensive if i dont tame the desire.

Pelikan fountain pens are my favorites by far.

[Menhir]

I use fountain pens exclusively but I'm not a collector by any stretch of the imagination. My Waterman Phileas is still my favorite. Decent price (going higher all the time, though.) and a great, consistent, performer.

As long as we're on the subject (not to hijack the thread), I've been using the same Phileas daily for years with Parker Quink in the converter. A couple of months ago I switched to Noodler's Blue Eel and the converter began leaking all over the place. Anyone else have the same experience with this ink? I'm using up the little plastic ink cartridges I've had sitting around for years until I order a new converter. :blushing:

[SmoovD]

I use fountain pens exclusively but I'm not a collector by any stretch of the imagination. My Waterman Phileas is still my favorite. Decent price (going higher all the time, though.) and a great, consistent, performer.

As long as we're on the subject (not to hijack the thread), I've been using the same Phileas daily for years with Parker Quink in the converter. A couple of months ago I switched to Noodler's Blue Eel and the converter began leaking all over the place. Anyone else have the same experience with this ink? I'm using up the little plastic ink cartridges I've had sitting around for years until I order a new converter. :blushing:


Not that particular problem with Noodler's inks but I have not had great success with the few Noodler's I have tried. They have some awesome colors, I will grant that. Just yesterday I toying with the idea of giving them another shot.

[Razor&Pens]

Go to a pen show.

[Menhir]

Not that particular problem with Noodler's inks but I have not had great success with the few Noodler's I have tried. They have some awesome colors, I will grant that. Just yesterday I toying with the idea of giving them another shot.

I like the ink and I'm reluctant to stop using it, but I don't like leaking converters. I checked the fountain pen forums but there is no help there: Some people say some Noodler's Inks can cause problems, others refusing to believe it and demanding scientific research to prove it or die. :angry: A lot of useless vitriol and I'm staying out of it.

In any case, I've decided to chuck the converter (no point in getting another one if I end up with the same problem) and get a syringe to fill one of the empty plastic cartridges directly from the bottle. Problem solved. :thumbup1:

To the OP: Sorry about the side discussion. :blushing:
Get thee a Waterman Phileas...a great pen.

[craig87c]

I checked the fountain pen forums but there is no help there: Some people say some Noodler's Inks can cause problems, others refusing to believe it and demanding scientific research to prove it or die. :angry: A lot of useless vitriol and I'm staying out of it.

Noodler's = Tabac! :thumbup:

[jzono1]

What am I doing wrong when my fountain pen dries up quickly? It's a cheap Hero, and it's dry almost every time I need it.

Do I just need to write more often, or something like that?

Do better pens stay wet longer?

[wade.bryce.jones]

Ive got a Lamy Safari, with a medium nib. I love it

[superbleu]

What am I doing wrong when my fountain pen dries up quickly? It's a cheap Hero, and it's dry almost every time I need it.

Do I just need to write more often, or something like that?

Do better pens stay wet longer?
Which hero pen is it? If it's one of the parker 51 clones those are notorious for being difficult to fill completely. Look on fpn for tips on gettin completely filled.

[bigstick]

What am I doing wrong when my fountain pen dries up quickly? It's a cheap Hero, and it's dry almost every time I need it.

Do I just need to write more often, or something like that?

Do better pens stay wet longer?

Fountain pens are designed to write daily. They don't care to sit around for a month unused. Get thee to FPN!

[SmoovD]

What am I doing wrong when my fountain pen dries up quickly? It's a cheap Hero, and it's dry almost every time I need it.

Do I just need to write more often, or something like that?

Do better pens stay wet longer?

Is it new? If so, did you give it a good flush before filling?

[jzono1]

http://cgi.ebay.com/10-X-PIECES-HERO-266-SILVER-METAL-FOUNTAIN-PEN-H20-/350216153068?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item518a8267ec <- 10 of these, just with different colors.

I don't have much use for pens at the moment. It's only been used for signing package delivery notes, and a college application.

I'm drooling over this one: http://www.pensandleather.com/monteverde-invincia-titanium-fountain-pen.aspx - but I have to be carefull about my spending now, since I bought a new car a couple of weeks ago. ('02 Opel Astra Bertone Edition 1.8i)

[Geo Dude]

Does anyone have tips on fountain pen 'essentials' for a starter getting their first pen? Aside from ink and the pen, what would be necessary to start out?

[Uncle Erik]

Does anyone have tips on fountain pen 'essentials' for a starter getting their first pen? Aside from ink and the pen, what would be necessary to start out?

That's pretty much all you need. You'll also need a glass with water in it to flush the pen now and then, but I have a feeling you already have access to that. You might also want to pick up some ammonia (no soap, no scent) from the market to help flush out a pen with dried ink in it.

[Leang]

Does anyone have tips on fountain pen 'essentials' for a starter getting their first pen? Aside from ink and the pen, what would be necessary to start out?

Actually, there's one basic thing I'd like to point out. Keep in mind that you have the choice between cartridges or refillable converters. Some people like the convenience of cartridges, but I would suggest you get a converter that fits whatever pen you choose, as well as a good bottle of ink. A bottle of ink will last you nearly forever, and there's something to be said for filling your pen manually. I think of it as double edge vs disposable razor :).

If I may, a medium nibbed Lamy safari is an excellent starting fountain pen. Broad is too wet and will need excellent paper to prevent bleeding, and Fine is scratchy and not as pleasurable to write with. Italic nib will give your writing a lot of character with it's thick and thin strokes. Good news is, Lamy Safari nibs are interchangeable.

Lamy Safari Charcoal Medium Nib (http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-Charcoal-Fountain-Pen/dp/B00133X1V8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1273992039&sr=8-2)
Converter (http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-Converter-Z24/dp/B0019W4EIW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1273992039&sr=8-4)
Noodler's Ottoman Azure (http://www.amazon.com/Noodlers-Fountain-Pen-Ink-Ottoman/dp/B000WP324O/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1273992224&sr=1-10) (as you write, some parts of your writing will 'pool' with more ink, and a non-black color will have beautiful color variation)

Haha, my post ended up being longer than I intended.

[Isaac]

Well Pen and Ink pretty much have you covered. Other than that...something that is overlooked to writing enjoyment is paper. I would recommend a paper like Rhodia or Clairefontaine. Once you begin writing on quality paper, you will notice not only your pen, but your inks will behave differently over the cheap stuff.

[bigstick]

Yes, nice paper makes a world of difference, but if you can't find Clairefontaine or Rhodia near you, any bond with 25% rag content or more works well, and even HP laser paper in 28 or 32 lb weights work nicely for many people. Don't get coated inkjet paper or the standard 20lb stock.

[pauls51]

I never realised how much of a difference paper would make when writing with a fountain pen..

At work I use just a standard A4 ruled exercise book...When I received my moleskin I could not believe the difference it made to writing with my Lamy FP!!!!...

[Ferengi]

My local Barnes & Nobles sells Moleskin products.

I bought a Waterman Phileas from Levenger many years ago and I like it alot. However, the Parker 51 with fine point nib has suplanted it as my favorite.

[Isaac]

You should really check out Fountainpennetwork.com THey are to pens what B&B is to almost everything else. Just good to lurk and learn. THey have a great number of members who have shops as well, so you can get paper/pen/ink/envelopes all that good stuff.

[shyrlock]

I have found that using a small hypodermic style syringe with a pretty large needle (doesn't not have to be sharp) to refill emty cartridges from an ink bottle is a very good way to go.
It is less messy and more reliable than a converter. You can use an empty cartidge many times if you are reasonable careful about inserting and removing it from the pen.
Of course, if you are changing colors, you will need to clean the cartridge out.
I have a Waterman Expert, medium nib. I love the way it writes with Waterman's Florida Blue ink.
Have fun,
Mike

[Ferengi]

I have a bottle of Waterman's Florida Blue on my desk as I write this. It's about 3/4 full.

[Legion]

Noodler's = Tabac! :thumbup:

Noodlers smells like a grandma? :huh:

[Legion]

Be very very careful if you get into fountain pens. The AD's make wet shaving look positively cheap!

I like vintage pens but it is a bit of a minefield for the new, and you will probably make a few mistake purchases when you are starting out. My usual recommendation is the famous Parker 51, the later one with the aerometic fill system. They are sort of the 40's Gillette SS of the pen world. Relatively inexpensive, works well, bullet proof and easy to get hold of. Quite frankly, if you never bought another fountain pen, this one will serve you so well you are not missing anything. But that wont stop you from spending a fortune to find it out for yourself...

[mouscacha]

I like Pelican as a starter pen, but to each his own.

When I was a kid I had always wanted a mont blanc, so within the past few years, I've been getting a few pens off fountainpennetwork. Definitely a place to buy instead of going directly to the store!

I agree with everyone that this is an expensive hobby! But hey, we only live once =P