Alright, I got my 1st fountain pen.....now what do I write?

[VonMises1881]

I've quickly become fascinated with the world of fountain pens and got a nice starter pen, a Waterman Phileas. The thing is, in my zeal to buy the pen I didn't really think through how often I would put it to use. And honestly, I'm having trouble finding ways to use it. I don't write letters (even though I work at the Post Office and we're fully engaged in our death spiral) , although I did write my Congressman and skipped the email for a traditional letter, which by the way, I think makes more of an impression than an email but that's another thread.
I can't see making out a shopping list with a fountain pen, I can't use it at work because I'm afraid I'll lose/break it and there's a bit of a pretentiousness factor that the guys I work with would be quick to point out.

Basically, this may be a simplistic question but what do you fountainheads use your pens for and how often.

Follow up as a fountain newbie. What's the way to go with ink color wise? I assumed black but the pen came with a Florida blue that just blew me away. Thanks.

[Noebie]

either a moleskine or some other acid-free paper - you can probably pick one up a your local bookstore or maybe at amazon for 10 bucks

and then just set aside time every day to write whatever crosses your mind - what's happening in your life - little sketches of fiction - maybe even little drawings - don't worry about making literature or art - give yourself permission to suck and to write about things that are absolutely not important or consequential

but stick with it - make yourself a promise not to show it to anybody - it's your own private little world of words - no need to be pretty or use proper grammar

write down memories from childhood if you want - your favorite birthday present ever - or whatever

my advice, for what it's worth - you'll be surprised at how pleasant the journal keeping habit can be - just to set aside a little time for yourself and your thoughts every day or so

you'll also be surprised when you read back over it after a year or so how much cool stuff you wrote

have fun!

by the way - the phileas was my first decent fountain pen - i have two of them now and really, really enjoy writing with them

[Noebie]

i almost forgot

that's one of the most fun things about fountain pens - the variety of inks

i keep one pen for black - one has a nice green - one has havana brown - one tanzanite - etc.

you might even find a color that will eventually be "your trademark" for letters, signatures, etc.

some people actually carry a fountain pen with a little broader nib and some distinctive ink especially for signatures

and you thought shaving acquisition disorders were bad - pens, ink, stationary, seals, sealing wax, blank books - oy

[stobes21]

The great American novel.

[DunEdinRanger]

Checks.

Payable to me.

And remember, you spell ten with two zeros - 100

[Mr Peat]

I wished I had something like a fountain pen when I went to Russia. I wrote so much there that I went through 6 gel pens for my languge classes. On top of it, I wrote a long journal by hand about my experiences of each day. In the life of a college student studying Russian at the Moscow State University.

So I would probably write something that I care about on paper. Wheither its in a book form or just loose leaf paper...I would write till I couldn't know more for the night.

[Noebie]

part of the deal with fountain pens is getting over the notion that they should only be used for writing things of significance

i used mine every day at work in my last job, and only occasionally got ribbed about it

and nuts to them anyway

:^)

[VonMises1881]

The great American novel.

It's funny you mention that because I've started writing the great American novel about six times now. STARTED.

[texcattlerancher]

Von Mises? Not another proponent of the Austrian theory of economics? I suppose you could write letters back and forth with Congressman Paul and discuss economic theory, the abolishment of the Fed, etc.

Enjoy your new fountain pen. Write anything. Keeping a journal is a great idea. Plus, such a thing would be great to pass down to your descendants some day, a century or so from now.

[tsmba]

I use them for all my writing tasks: letters, checks, accounting. Computers can't do it all, bet we tend to let them.

[Yushiro]

ho ho...I was at the exact place where you were. I kept the expensive FP at home and now go to work with a Pelikan Pelikano Jr (blue-black ink), A Rotring Core Coridium (Blue-black as well) [both in the laptop bag] and a Sheaffer No Nonsense Vintage (Black) in the pocket whenever I'm at work. I've slowly replaced all my ball points and have began a journal (its actually a sketch pad but works like a million bucks)

I've began doodling on any piece of paper that comes my way when I have a spare moment and comment on the quality, bleedthrough etc. (boy I'm in for a round of therapy)

Best of all, it got me to do this

So, get some cheap pens that won't make you feel so upset if anything happened to them and go wild! I'm really into blue-black and "burple" (blue+violet) so go find a color that you like :)

[Parataxis]

part of the deal with fountain pens is getting over the notion that they should only be used for writing things of significance

i used mine every day at work in my last job, and only occasionally got ribbed about it

and nuts to them anyway

:^)

+1

Also, I'd add that if you don't write letters, now's a perfect time to start!

[**Bingo_Bob**]

part of the deal with fountain pens is getting over the notion that they should only be used for writing things of significance

i used mine every day at work in my last job, and only occasionally got ribbed about it

and nuts to them anyway

:^)

couldn't agree more... Its not like we pull out the old fashion razors on sundays and use the mach3s every other day.

[Joker]

The journal is a good idea. My Grandfather did one in 1953 and it was cool to read it all these years later.

I also vote for everyday use.

[jrhudgins]

Consider getting something like a Lamy Safari FP (or several of them if they fit your hand well, each with a different nib and ink), then use it all the time, for anything you would use a pen for, and don't worry about it getting lost, damaged and the like. Eventually, you won't ever pick up a ballpoint, using a gel pen instead when you really have to. Then you will feel more comfortable carrying your new Waterman when you can.
You will find that most paper now is cheap and doesn't handle FP ink flawlessly, so for your personal writing, start investigating paper and notebooks. Richard's Pens sells excellent pads, and there are numerous journals and note books such as Clairfontaine, Rhodia, Black n' Red, and Levenger among others available out there.
Check out www.fountainpennetwork.com, but beware the development of a new AD!

[Steve Kubien]

First of all, let me thank you for allowing me to be part of your online community. Always nice to meet new folks, especially ones that appreciate some of life's finer things.

Ok, fountain pens... This is a topic dear to my heart. I started using one about 3 years ago and absolutely love it! At first, it was only taken out for correspondence with customers (nothing says, I care, like a handwritten note). Now, I use a fountain pen for everything. Grocery lists. Doodling. Making notes and, yes, letters. Lots of people will say to save it for special occasions. I say, it is a tool that is meant to be used so use it.

Enjoy,

P.S. There is a very basic article on caring for and using a FP on my website. Not definitive by any means but a decent primer.

[Thebigspendur]

Well that's the issue. Most who collect fountain pens collect them like others collect things they don't use. I had several, several years ago and while I was working always carried one. The problem is in our world just about everything is done on a computer and there is almost no written correspondence. I don't even write many checks most of my bill paying is done on the computer too. yea when I had to sign something I'd use it but honestly that was a 2 or 3 times a week event so I stopped carrying them.

[Ceezer]

I've always been a bit of a hobby writer, and because of that I was always looking for neat/nice pens and notebooks. Even when I found one, I was already looking for the next. In recent years, however, it seems that good pens are getting harder and harder to find.

When I started to notice threads for fountain pens popping up more frequently I passed over them at first because the image they conjured up was a big well of ink and constantly dipping the pen in to reload. I know there were some styles of fountain pens that were filled with a lever mechanism. I just assumed the enthusiasm for them here was a sort of nod back to yesteryear, much like our preference in shaving.

Reading over this thread, though, it appears that they're not at all like that anymore; or at least not all like that. So am I correct in my understanding that modern fountain pens use cartridges? And that some will accomodate either cartridges or fillers for changing ink color? If the latter is true, is it an involved/messy process in changing over? Are nibs still swapped in and out for various styles, or are they pretty standardized now?

[Thebigspendur]

They have been selling fountain pens with cartridges for at least 40 or more years and they are the most popular. Changing the cartridges are a snap to do. They also sell pens with kind of hybrid cartridges that can use replaceble ink cartridges and kind of an adapter thing that will fill the old fashioned way. True old fastioned type fountain pens use a couple of ways to fill but they only fill from an ink bottle. I had one with a snorkel that went into the ink and had a twist end that you turned to draw the ink up. Pelikan makes a fountain pen that has an ink station with a high tech fill routine.

I don't think the nibs are designed for routine or easy changeout on most pens anyway. Its kind of a permanent thing though service people can do it for you.

[Steve Kubien]

Yes Ceezer, cartridges are available for many of today's fountain pens. Most of my clients use the Waterman's which ought to be available office supply places and of course, fine writing stores. Also, the pens I sell also have a pump which allows one to draw ink from a bottle/well. Lots of people have inks they prefer though most of my clients do not bother.

Cheers,