Need some advice

[Malakas1981]

Good evening gents hope everyone had a great weekend . So I've been spending a lot of time in the Nib section reading up on FP's. Im a complete newb and been thinking I want in. I have been looking around the goulet web site and have a few things in mind. Id like to know if this stuff is good for a newb like me . The pen I had in mind is the lamy al-star graphite with some lamy ink . So should I stay with the lamy ink or is their a better ink for that pen or all together. They also had some sweet looking note pads/sketch pads. So what do you guys think of these products for a beginner . Or should I wait for something to come up on BST? Thank you all for taking the time to read and hope you understand my mess above .

[eastomjac]

im not sure about the pen/ink your talking about but fp's are great for practicing the dying art of HANDwriting.i personaly have started with a cheapo set of dip nibs and a calligraphy course on line;http://www.studioarts.net/calligraphy/
i would encourage you to practice your hand writing and get the pen ink that you would enjoy the most.there is surley more sage advice about pen/ink combo's forthcoming soon,happy writing:}

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I just got a Noodler's Ebonite and it will be a regular writer for me. It will have a proud spot in my chef coat. It writes like an everyday use pen. I love it!

(I like the Five O'clock shadow from West Coast also!!!)

If you are looking for a FP for other uses, someone else will comment and set you straight. :)

[DunEdinRanger]

I would check out the Noodler's Inks, and get the converter for the Lamy.

[Doc4]

The pen I had in mind is the lamy al-star graphite with some lamy ink . So should I stay with the lamy ink or is their a better ink for that pen or all together.

I don't have a Lamy, but it seems to have a good rep. Be sure to get the converter, as suggested (if this pen doesn't come with one as standard issue) so you can use whatever ink you like rather than be limited to expensive cartridges.

For ink ... either order a bottle of a basic colour (black, blue, blue-black) from Nooder's or someone, or else order a whole bucket of samples ... or trust to fate and sign up for the ink drop. (Ordering a sample of Noodler's black with your Lamy will certainly hold you until the first Drop drops into your lap.)

[MrsGouletPens]

The Lamy Safari and Lamy Al-Star are wonderful starter fountain pens! (They're basically the same pen, but the Safari is plastic and the Al-Star is aluminum). They have a grip that helps you hold the pen correctly, and the nibs are interchangeable, so it's a great way to figure out what type of nib you like (i.e. fine versus broad) rather than having to get several different pens and learn the hard way. I too would recommend getting the Z24 converter with it so that you can use bottled ink (Noodler's is wonderful - my fave, but there are many other great brands too). Or, if you just want to get the hang of using a fountain pen first, you could just start out with some Lamy ink cartridges - they just pop right into place. Hope that helps!

[JCinPA]

I'm a noob, too, but I have the Lami Safari and the converter, and it is a great starter pen, no doubt. Mrs. Goulet, of course is the expert, but as a fellow beginner, I have it and can tell you I would agree with her advice. I gotta order an F nib and some ink from them and compare the M with the F. It has improved my writing immensely.

[bassopotamus]

I would check out the Noodler's Inks, and get the converter for the Lamy.

+1. I don't care for Lamy Ink. Noodler's bulletproof black is also foolproof.

[The Nid Hog]

I got a Safari for my daughter a month or so ago, and she uses the heck out of it. After a couple of weeks of cycling through cartridges, I sent her a converter and some ink and she likes it even more now. I don't think you'll be disappointed with a nice Lamy and some good ink.

[Malakas1981]

Ok gents I took your advice I ordered the lamy al-star w/converter and 2 bottles noodlers bernake ink . I can't wait for it to get here