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Ink question from Michigan


Bourgeoisie

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Hello, I'm new to the world of fountain pens - I just ordered my first safari a few days ago and CAN'T wait for it to arrive. I have dabbled with dip pens before so I have some ink, but I'm not sure if I should trust it in a fp. Its Speedball "Superblack India Ink". I know you can't use india ink with fp's, but this one claims to be "non-clogging"". Should I trust it?

 

My real question is about a pen shop. I'm a college kid in the Grand Rapids (MI) area; does anyone know of a good place to get fp supplies? I need a go-to shop because shipping kills. So as long as it writes well, the cheaper the better.

 

Many thanks,

 

bourgeoisie

 

 

 

PS - I am getting a converter for my safari, so I will be needing bottled ink, not cartridges.

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I'm sure others will chime in; I have only a little more experience than you do. But I would be very wary of that ink, regardless of its label's claims.

 

Someone local to you will have to help you with shops...

 

Best of luck!

Happiness is an Indian ED!
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Hello, I'm new to the world of fountain pens - I just ordered my first safari a few days ago and CAN'T wait for it to arrive. I have dabbled with dip pens before so I have some ink, but I'm not sure if I should trust it in a fp. Its Speedball "Superblack India Ink". I know you can't use india ink with fp's, but this one claims to be "non-clogging"". Should I trust it?

 

My real question is about a pen shop. I'm a college kid in the Grand Rapids (MI) area; does anyone know of a good place to get fp supplies? I need a go-to shop because shipping kills. So as long as it writes well, the cheaper the better.

 

Many thanks,

 

bourgeoisie

 

PS - I am getting a converter for my safari, so I will be needing bottled ink, not cartridges.

 

A resounding NO! Speedball's inks are meant for dip pens and brushes only, and the potential for ruining your new pen is very high. Please stick with *writing* inks made specifically for fountain pens to protect your pens. That said, I've used a couple of questionable inks successfuly in extremely cheap throwaway pens that I didn't mind losing, but there are so many very good fountain pen inks readily available on-line that I wouldn't have done so if I hadn't already had those inks on hand.

Mike Hungerford

Model Zips - Google Drive

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Yes, that is what I was thinking. I still have my dip pens to use it with.

Thanks for the fast replies.

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From past threads, will state that (per volume) Noodler inks are the least expensive. Followed by Private Reserve. As far as shipping costs go, Swisher Inks, Jet Pens, and isellpens.com all seem to have reasonable shipping costs. If you combine items for purchase and shop around, you should be able to get your fountain pen products for a reasonable price. Unless you truly become addicted and buy like most of us here on the Network. In which case, resign yourself to spending your money on new pens, inks, papers, etc. Your loved ones may understand, with a lot of help and therapy.

 

Enjoy,

Yours,
Randal

From a person's actions, we may infer attitudes, beliefs, --- and values. We do not know these characteristics outright. The human dichotomies of trust and distrust, honor and duplicity, love and hate --- all depend on internal states we cannot directly experience. Isn't this what adds zest to our life?

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If you are up for a road trip, try Pear Tree Pens in Ann Arbor. He also sells the most amazing ink samplers (or so I have read here; haven't purchased them myself because I have PLENTY of ink already!). www.peartreepens.com

 

Sharon in Indiana

"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." Earnest Hemingway

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Hello, I'm new to the world of fountain pens - I just ordered my first safari a few days ago and CAN'T wait for it to arrive. I have dabbled with dip pens before so I have some ink, but I'm not sure if I should trust it in a fp. Its Speedball "Superblack India Ink". I know you can't use india ink with fp's, but this one claims to be "non-clogging"". Should I trust it?

 

My real question is about a pen shop. I'm a college kid in the Grand Rapids (MI) area; does anyone know of a good place to get fp supplies? I need a go-to shop because shipping kills. So as long as it writes well, the cheaper the better.

 

Many thanks,

 

bourgeoisie

 

 

 

PS - I am getting a converter for my safari, so I will be needing bottled ink, not cartridges.

 

 

GVSU?

Have Camera....Will Travel....Wire SigSauerFan AT Hotmail DOT com

Inveterate trader. Send me a note for my list of pens, watches, knives and other fun things for sale or trade....

The Danitrio Fellowship

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GVSU?

 

 

Yes indeed :)

 

@ Sharonspens - I may have to go there some time. Ann Arbor is kinda on my way home.

@ Chthulhu - Amazon sounds great. Any idea how long a bottle of noodlers will last taking notes? I write fairly small, and the nib will be fine.

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There's a place in Grand Rapids that's called Bartrand's Shaver & Pen Center and is located at 152 E. Fulton

 

Edited to add...

 

Try this link, the information is here...

http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/review2b2.html

 

Edited by LedZepGirl

I'd rather spend my money on pens instead of shoes and handbags.

 

>>> My Blog <<<

 

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Hi..know Nothing about this shop..see link.

http://www.penandshaver.com/index.html

but it is in Grand Rapids..which will save you postage

See Waterman bottled ink, which is good..

Lamy ink will work well in your pen..

There are many brands of ink that will serve you well, at least a close local source will get you started.

flush out your pen every once in a while.. use an infants ear bulb-inexpensive at local stores.

do you have a Staples store nearby? check out Eco-Friendly bagasse paper..very fountainpen/ink friendly, and inexpensive.

 

I was in this store about 10 years ago. And even though I grew up just north of Grand Rapids and am back there a lot, I haven't ever gone back. It wasn't very impressive at the time, but I would love to hear if anyone has been there recently. Maybe I will try to stop in on my next trip to visit my mom.

 

Other than that, I would agree that some of the office supply stores might have something.

God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind, I will never die.

-Bill Waterson

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I am entirely unfamiliar with the GR area, but most college book stores have some fountain pen stuff, whether in art supplies or stationery. Usually I can find a bottle of Waterman or Shaeffer or Quink, so for a quick fix, you might luck out. Of course, some Staples/Office Max, etc. carry bottled ink. You could probably also find Varsities there, which can be refilled with some pliers and determination.

 

More on the East side, Oscar Braun as noted, Pear Tree pens (but Pear Tree is mail order. No brick and mortar storefront I thought...), there's a Paradise Pen in the Somerset Mall in Troy (and a Mont Blanc store). And as noted, there are mail orders that offer free shipping. I have become enamored with Jet Pens with their $25 minimum for free shipping. No affiliation with any of them.

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Thanks again to all of you. It looks like I will be using places with free shipping until I get back home.

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Mary A-----------I have been in Bartrands in GR on and off over the years. I think they have fewer pens now than they did ten years ago. They also sell pretty much at list price.

 

The man I have spoken with each time I have gone in is very nice and helpful. He let me try a VP and a Sheaffer Balance and an Aurora. I do not know if they will let you dip a MB. :)

 

They also had private reserve ink as well as the usual sheaffer, aurora and mb, though I did not see any paper type supplies.

 

It is a nice little shop but I suspect they are having a tough time economically. As I said, I was there a year or so ago and they had fewer items in the pen area than they did the previous times I had been there.

 

Selling fountain pens would be a tough business in a mid-downtown store front in GR, MI.

 

 

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Are there any art supply places in Grand Rapids? Many art supply places have fountain pen ink. You'd be surprised. I picked up a bottle of J. Herbin in an out of the way corner of Calgary once.

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