I'm feeling a bit flumped with my pens today, so I thought I'd cast my thoughts into the web and see who else is in or has been in similar boats.
Why so down? Well, I've been chasing that perfect pen for what a year now? I don't know.
Anyway, I wanted something super smooth. I thought I'd found that in a recently acquired Parker 51. That wasn't my intention - I just wanted a 51. Acquired on eBay, I'd factored in the cost of a light repair bill, but when it turned up it felt very smooth in most directions. Could I have found that perfect pen by accident?
So I sent her off to be repaired and it arrived back today. Gutted, cleaned, aligned, tweaked etc. It's just the same, still slightly rough in one direction and runs too wide anyway, though it's supposed to be a fine nib.
So a close shave with a pen I dream of. But all the time I feel as though I'm upping the ante to get closer to what I want and missing repeatedly. My last attempt was an Italix Parsons essential. Beautiful to behold and reportedly very smooth. Well, yes if you get the angle right and after trying out lots of inks - I shouldn't have opted for a CI nib. But the darn thing leaks into the barrel constantly. It's been back for repair and had new converters and sections and still leaks. I've given up on it, beautiful though it is.
The 51 is the same - if the pro's can't get it better, I give up.
Then my TWSBI - I love it but it's too rough and has too much feedback, despite my smoothing efforts.
Maybe that super smooth pen is out there, but now I feel like I' defeating the point of fountain pens. God I love them, but I always wanted a collection of pens I loved, not a collection of ones that fell short along the way. I guess that after so long and having sunk maybe £250 on various pens I hoped I'd have something just right.
Bah, rant over
Why so down? Well, I've been chasing that perfect pen for what a year now? I don't know.
Anyway, I wanted something super smooth. I thought I'd found that in a recently acquired Parker 51. That wasn't my intention - I just wanted a 51. Acquired on eBay, I'd factored in the cost of a light repair bill, but when it turned up it felt very smooth in most directions. Could I have found that perfect pen by accident?
So I sent her off to be repaired and it arrived back today. Gutted, cleaned, aligned, tweaked etc. It's just the same, still slightly rough in one direction and runs too wide anyway, though it's supposed to be a fine nib.
So a close shave with a pen I dream of. But all the time I feel as though I'm upping the ante to get closer to what I want and missing repeatedly. My last attempt was an Italix Parsons essential. Beautiful to behold and reportedly very smooth. Well, yes if you get the angle right and after trying out lots of inks - I shouldn't have opted for a CI nib. But the darn thing leaks into the barrel constantly. It's been back for repair and had new converters and sections and still leaks. I've given up on it, beautiful though it is.
The 51 is the same - if the pro's can't get it better, I give up.
Then my TWSBI - I love it but it's too rough and has too much feedback, despite my smoothing efforts.
Maybe that super smooth pen is out there, but now I feel like I' defeating the point of fountain pens. God I love them, but I always wanted a collection of pens I loved, not a collection of ones that fell short along the way. I guess that after so long and having sunk maybe £250 on various pens I hoped I'd have something just right.
Bah, rant over