Help will a fontain pen work for me

[crankymoose]

I know by reading the postings here we have a few fountain pen fans, maybe someone can give me some advice here. I currently have a Waterman Laureat Blue Marble with a medium point (gold nib) it is similar to the phileas pens in blue marble only a more thinner pen, it is a cartridge refill pen. My problem is sometimes I will go maybe 4-5 days without using it as I don't use a pen too much at all but when I do I would prefer it be something nice but what is happening is the ink is constantly drying out and the pen is hard to restart sometimes down right impossible. I have tried different Waterman cartridges and even flushing the pen with water neither of which seems to be a permanent solution.

So finally getting to it my question is this, since I write so little is that causing the problem and would I have the same problem with any style fountain pen and therefore they most likely won't work for me or could it be due to old ink cartridges. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Randy]

Are you leaving the nib exposed to air by any chance? Also, how does the pen rest when it is idle (i.e. upright or flat)? I have a Parker fountain pen that sits for weeks at a time when I'm busy which lays flat on my writing desk with it's cap in place and I have never had problems with the ink drying out. It could be the ink, but with cartridges you don't have a lot of choice these days. I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love fountain pens (and I once may have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express...)

- R

[merwtje]

You´re not bounded by cartridges. I have a bottle of ink and refill the cartridge with a injection needle. Much cheaper as well.

[Pudu]

You´re not bounded by cartridges. I have a bottle of ink and refill the cartridge with a injection needle. Much cheaper as well.

Well said. Get a refillable cartridge and you can then refill your pen as needed from a nice glass inkwell.

As to drying out, it varies from pen to pen and also depends on what ink you are using. The nice thing about an inkwell, is that you can dip a dry nib into the ink and you're off to the races. My Rotring dries out if I don't use it for a couple of weeks. But a quick 'dip' is all it takes to get writing once more.

I would say that, if after 4 days a flush of hot water is insufficient to get your ink following again, you have a problem and should dry another source of ink, especially if under frequent use the pen works fine.

[jazzman]

I'm not familiar with the Laureat, but pens with screw-on caps tend to have less of a problem with this, as opposed to Phileas-type snap-ons (although my Rotring, which snaps on, makes a tight seal and it does not have this problem).

[crankymoose]

Thanks for the replies.

It is a snap on cap seals very tight and I always have it capped, I do have a tendency of carrying it in my shirt pocket that would be of course with the nib up, perhaps I need to lay it flat when not in use more often, after flushing and with a new cartridge in, it does write good and keeps writing if I keep using it but as I said above sometimes I won't have the need to use any pen for a few days, I do think I will look into an ink well and I guess a converter as it is a nice pen and I hate not to be able to use it.

[TromboneGuy]

A piston-fill pen with bottled ink might work better. I have a Montblanc Meisterstucke and it has no problems going over a week between uses sometimes.

[vcardona]

I have a Waterman Phileas, and I carry it around in my shirt pocket. I use it on average every couple of days. I have not had any problem with ink drying. At most, the first letter will have to be retouched, because the ink wasn't flowing. One thing you might try is laying the pen on its side when you are not using it. That might improve flow a little.

[Suzuki]

FPs should be stored with the tip up (or higher than the ink) when not in use - even a couple of degrees of tilt will do.

A properly working FP should start up just fine (possibly with a few taps of the nib on the paper) after being stored capped for 4 days (regardless of whether it is a screw or clip cap - I have Lamy Safaris that start up just fine after weeks or more of inactivity).

You mentioned that you were using cartridges - what type? I find that the ink in the bottles works better than the cartridges. Rather than they syringe technique, any decent pen shop can sell you a cartridge converter for your pen - Waterman makes a very good one. This will allow you to draw ink from the bottle into the converter through the nib. Not only does a converter allow you to use whatever ink you want, the action of drawing the ink through the nib helps clear/flush the nib/feed system in a way that doesn't happen with a cartridge.

Hope this helps.

[Pierce]

I have a lovely marito picazo (spelling, its a lake in italy)

http://lh6.google.com/marcus.joyce/Ruq24XkK2RI/AAAAAAAABHw/KG9TWl93coI/s800/DSC05445.JPG

ultimately i would love a mont blanc but at $690.. its a bit out of my price range (pen above was.. $75 or so)

As for ink drying yes it will dry in a pen, and you need to tap it or shake it a bit to get it going again, but no more than that.

Pierce

[crankymoose]

am using waterman cartridges only both blue and black same problem, I am going to look around for a waterman converter as your guys suggested and thanks!

[Pudu]

...Rather than they syringe technique, any decent pen shop can sell you a cartridge converter for your pen ... Not only does a converter allow you to use whatever ink you want, the action of drawing the ink through the nib helps clear/flush the nib/feed system in a way that doesn't happen with a cartridge...

Exactly.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01TC5OrphdL._AA155_.jpg

This is the kind of thing I have in all my fountain pens and I would never go back to disposables.

Check out http://www.amazon.com/WAT56010-CONVERTER-STD-PEN-FTN/dp/B00021PGFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1204133457&sr=8-1 for the Waterman converter Amazon lists. $6

[Suzuki]

I have a lovely marito picazo (spelling, its a lake in italy)

ultimately i would love a mont blanc but at $690.. its a bit out of my price range (pen above was.. $75 or so)

As for ink drying yes it will dry in a pen, and you need to tap it or shake it a bit to get it going again, but no more than that.

Pierce

If you want a piece of overpriced bling that you can write with, get a MB, if you want a pen that writes great get a Pelikan 800 ($300), if you want a pen that represents great price/value, get a Lamy 2000 ($125). These are all personal views, but the Pelikan is generally the benchmark against which all quality FPs are judged in terms of writing qualities and the Lamy 2000 gets consistently good reviews as a great pen for the buck. I have an 800 and a 2000 and both are fantastic pens.

The MBs are some of the most over-rated fountain pens and I've seen very few favourable reviews of MBs from people who actually do a lot of writing with them.

Just my $0.02.

[Randy]

The MBs are some of the most over-rated fountain pens and I've seen very few favourable reviews of MBs from people who actually do a lot of writing with them.

I tried a couple of different models out on a few occasions and I tend to agree with your assessment. I found them over priced for what you get, and I've never found a model that I liked more my Parker...

- R

[Pierce]

If you want a piece of overpriced bling that you can write with, get a MB, if you want a pen that writes great get a Pelikan 800 ($300), if you want a pen that represents great price/value, get a Lamy 2000 ($125). These are all personal views, but the Pelikan is generally the benchmark against which all quality FPs are judged in terms of writing qualities and the Lamy 2000 gets consistently good reviews as a great pen for the buck. I have an 800 and a 2000 and both are fantastic pens.

The MBs are some of the most over-rated fountain pens and I've seen very few favourable reviews of MBs from people who actually do a lot of writing with them.

Just my $0.02.

I will agree with you about the mont blanc, i have read that they are too delicate and flimsy to write with on a day to day basis and cannot take a hammering.

Ive even heard a parker 45 rated above a mont blanc in terms of day to day usage.

Pierce

P.S the pen above is a: Campo Marzio

[-bp-]

Parkers are built like tanks. they're what the President uses to sign legislation. If you've ever noticed, they use about 6 separate pens, which they then give away/donate to the Smithsonian/steal.

BTW, fountain pen noobs...NEVER EVER take a loaded fountain pen on an airplane or your pocket will transform into a Rorschack Inkblot Test (i.e., they leak).

[Suzuki]

Parkers are built like tanks. they're what the President uses to sign legislation. If you've ever noticed, they use about 6 separate pens, which they then give away/donate to the Smithsonian/steal.

BTW, fountain pen noobs...NEVER EVER take a loaded fountain pen on an airplane or your pocket will transform into a Rorschack Inkblot Test (i.e., they leak).

Parkers are another brand that represents good value - some of the vintage models are terrific.

As for the FP on the airplane, there are a couple of makes that will make the trip, but for the vast majority, its a no-no!

[Suzuki]

A piston-fill pen with bottled ink might work better. I have a Montblanc Meisterstucke and it has no problems going over a week between uses sometimes.

While I've made my views on the MB pens known, I agree that piston fill is the way to go - my Pelikan and Lamy hold massive amounts of ink.

[loueedacat]

I use a Parker sonnet with a gold nib (about $100) and don't use it for a couple weeks sometimes and it doesn't dry up. I have a more expensive Parker Duofold and go months without using it and again it doesn't dry up, but if it's been long enough I usually soak the components in cold water.

I use a converter with bottled ink. But you should soak your pen components in water (NOT HOT WATER - I warped a really nice Omas celluloid pen once doing that - cold water works just as well and won't mess up your parts) every now and then overnight to keep it clean.

It could be the ink isn't very good too. Feel free to use different brands of bottled ink when you buy the converter - you absolutely do NOT need to use the same brand of ink as the pen.

[Suzuki]

PS: If anyone ever gets a chance to buy a Pelikan GO/M75 for a reasonable price, do not pass up the opportunity.

The GO was a "school" pen made by Pelican in the 1980's/90's. Its got a steel nib and is made of metal and plastic - nothing fancy, but it has a very good piston fill. They're getting harder to find, but I bought one (NOS) on e-bay for about $15 shipped from the EC several years ago and its an amazing value - truly impressive to see a company put out a mass-market FP that works so well at such a reasonable price.

[Randy]

Parkers are built like tanks.

Quite so. Mine is over 20 years old and still in great shape. Never needed any repairs.


BTW, fountain pen noobs...NEVER EVER take a loaded fountain pen on an airplane or your pocket will transform into a Rorschack Inkblot Test (i.e., they leak).

The voice of experience ?

-R

[gugi]

I'm very new to fountain pens and my choice was the highly deemed parker 51.
It's only been weeks, but I have not experienced any leakage or dryness problems. Starts immediately every time even if I haven't used it in few days. And I've sometimes carried around it in my jacket's pocket.

You won't call it 'pretty' but certainly has a vintage look that I like quite a bit.

[Rollxnut]

The MontBlanc Solitaire Carbon Steel LaGrand Fountain Pen is my pen of choice. The Steel and Carbon Fiber make a strong statement. It's also a great conversation starter.

http://www.stylofinepens.com/lib/uploads/products/phpdx99JY.jpg
Image "borrowed" from www.stylofinepens.com

[-bp-]

Randy asked:
The voice of experience ?

Guilty :blushing:

But it was 1984. What the hell did I know? I was on the flight because of a girl. :001_rolle
My hormones were screaming so loud I'm surprised the Japanese fellow next to me could hear the in-flight movie (which was "Romancing the Stone", BTW).

Did I get the girl despite my fountain pen faux pas?

I can hear her breathing in the next room as I type this...

[Roman414]

I have a Pelikan M200 some guy in Germany was selling on EBay for something like $65 Buy-It-Now. A great little pen. Holds a massive amount of ink. Light as a feather, you can write for hours with it without your hand cramping. I have many pens, but the little Pelikan has become my daily user.

[Stauff]

Pelikan, Lamy are great recommendations. I'm mostly a Caran d'Ache man, myself. Their Ecridor line is tgorgeous and top quality, their (steel) nibs perform better than many gold ones. Fairly affordable as well.

[crankymoose]

This is probably a stupid question but I found a waterman converter at colorado pens, do I need more then 1 for each color ink I buy? Has anyone purchased from colorado pen as they have a nice selection of the Pelikan, Lamy and other pens some of you were referring to.

[loueedacat]

do I need more then 1 for each color ink I buy?

No, absolutely not. You may want to rinse the converter when you go from one color to another so you don't accidentally blend the old ink into the new one when you reload, but I don't worry about that even because I like my black to be a little red and I like my red to be a lot black. Best when loading a converter to fill it and unfill it two or three time, all the time while it is submerged in the ink, to get rid of air bubbles.

I actually took a half empty par bottle of black ink and mixed it with a half empty bottle of parker red ink and got a great dark red mix [and a mess on my desk, but that's another story]. So you can tell I don't mind blending. But just rinse when you swithch from color to color and you'll be fine.

[Suzuki]

This is probably a stupid question but I found a waterman converter at colorado pens, do I need more then 1 for each color ink I buy? Has anyone purchased from colorado pen as they have a nice selection of the Pelikan, Lamy and other pens some of you were referring to.

Its more of an issue when switching between different brands of ink - as they may not mix that well.

However, I'm lazy and tend to use just a few brands of ink that I can mix and match without problems.

FWIW, the Waterman ink is very good - works well in all my pens and has good writing characteristics - its also very reasonably priced. I've yet to try the Noodlers ink that lots of folks seem to rave about, but its on my list.

WRT the point about steel vs. gold nibs, I agree with Stauff that a good steel nib can write every bit as well as a gold nib. In fact, I have steel nibbed pens that write better than some of my less expensive gold-nibbed pens. Also, while the gold nibs used on vintage pens had a lot of flex to them, most modern gold nibs are relatively stiff, so there's less of a difference between gold and steel nibs from a flex perspective than was the case historically.

However, I always suggest a steel nib for a first FP - one, why spend the $ if you're not sure you're going to like using an FP. Also, newbie FP users tend to bear down on their FPs a fair bit at first (especially if they're used to using a ball point) and can ruin a gold nib.

[Austin]

Its more of an issue when switching between different brands of ink - as they may not mix that well.

However, I'm lazy and tend to use just a few brands of ink that I can mix and match without problems.

FWIW, the Waterman ink is very good - works well in all my pens and has good writing characteristics - its also very reasonably priced. I've yet to try the Noodlers ink that lots of folks seem to rave about, but its on my list.

WRT the point about steel vs. gold nibs, I agree with Stauff that a good steel nib can write every bit as well as a gold nib. In fact, I have steel nibbed pens that write better than some of my less expensive gold-nibbed pens. Also, while the gold nibs used on vintage pens had a lot of flex to them, most modern gold nibs are relatively stiff, so there's less of a difference between gold and steel nibs from a flex perspective than was the case historically.

However, I always suggest a steel nib for a first FP - one, why spend the $ if you're not sure you're going to like using an FP. Also, newbie FP users tend to bear down on their FPs a fair bit at first (especially if they're used to using a ball point) and can ruin a gold nib.


Excellent advice.

[loueedacat]

I've yet to try the Noodlers ink that lots of folks seem to rave about, but its on my list.



I have Noodlers Burgundy and Midnight Blue, and have used them in a Parker Sonnet and Parker Duofold. Honestly, I don't know what the fuss is all about. The ink quality is fine, but I find the flow not to be nearly as smooth [maybe it's quality impairs its performance] as Parker ink, so I honestly don't use the Noodlers very often.

The guy at my pen store said he thinks Noodlers is only popular because they have such variety of color, not because it's any better than any other good ink. I think there is more to it than that - their "bulletproof" line is unique and I think the ink is high quality, though since I favor extra fine nibs that quality may be impairing the flow, at least with Parker nibs, for me.

Of course, not only YMMV, but YPMV (your pen may vary - different inks are better in different pens I hear).

[Austin]

Noodlers ink is nice but I also like Private Reserve. It's cheaper and they have a good variety of colors.

[AsciiSimon]

I give a second vote for the Lamy 2000. I use mine every day at work and at home for writing letters (yes, real pen on paper letters)! It is a nice pen but very understated unlike some of the flashier pens about. Personally I prefer it's stark simplicity and look. I use Waterman ink and never have issues with it drying up. It always works perfectly. Not cheap but not over the top expensive like some of them.

I am actually on my third one. The first I lost one drunken night out. The second one lasted about 5 years or so then suddenly the filler mechanism broke. Since they supposedly have a lifetime guarantee I decided to test that out.

The shop I bought it from had closed down but I discovered they now sold pens online. I contacted them and they said I could drop it off at their residential address which was handily walking distance from work. They would then deliver it to the local importer to have them check it out. I had to pay the local courier costs only - about $5).

Anyway, they sent it off and couldn't fix it so they had to send it back home to Germany. Apparently they couldn't fix it either since they sent back a brand new pen. No charges. No questions asked. Absolutely brilliant service.

When they say lifetime guarantee I think they mean it!

Simon

[Bluestaco]

I have a Waterman Laureat and it came with a converter. I like it a lot, and I think you'll get along with it well, too. Suzuki's words apply to the converter, too: no hot water! I found that out the hard way.

[TromboneGuy]

While I've made my views on the MB pens known, I agree that piston fill is the way to go - my Pelikan and Lamy hold massive amounts of ink.

Heh. I only use the MB because I got it cheap. I, er, "borrowed" it from my dad. Works pretty well, though it's a medium nib, and I'd really prefer a fine nib. I'll probably wind up buying a Pelikan before too long.

[crankymoose]

To follow up and resurrect an old thread, the Waterman I had I tried everything except a new nib which I probably should have especially when the nib broke and not thinking I threw the pen out :a52:

Based on recommendations here on B&B I got a Lamy Safari, my main reason for never picking up a Lamy before was looks. I figured I would take a chance on the Safari before getting the 2000 that way for only $24 if I didn't like it I wouldn't be out much.

Comparing the Lamy to the Waterman, I saw a comparison that fits it is like comparing an old Jaguar to a modern Honda, when it was working the Waterman wrote and looked very nice however that when it was working was few and far between, the Lamy on the other hand just keeps working flawlessly and it feels great to grip and write with as well.

[ccrowder]

BTW, fountain pen noobs...NEVER EVER take a loaded fountain pen on an airplane or your pocket will transform into a Rorschack Inkblot Test (i.e., they leak).

I am curious about this. I recently flew to New Orleans and had my loaded Lamy Safari pen in my carry on messenger bag and it made the trip just fine. It was the cartridge that came with the pen. Do they leak less then say a converter?

[superfly]

I have the Phileas from Waterman, and numerous other pens. I have constantly inked 3-4 of them, and the Phileas is the quickest to dry.

That is because of the cap opening behind the clip, which you can check when you fill the cap with water, it will leak quickly from there.

One fix I tried on a Parker Frontier with the same opening [but at top of the cap], is that I rubbed bees wax on the top of the cap, and melted it with hairdryer. It helped, and the Parker stayed "wet" for over a week, where the Phileas would dry in a day.

If you want inexpensive user pen, with great quality, and with excellent "staying" ability [mine doesen't dry in over a month!], try the Lamy Safari, for around 25 USD...


cheers,
Nenad

P.S. oops, just saw you already got the Safari :) nice pen, excellent user...