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I'm Frustrated With Fountain Pens


WilsonCQB1911

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I don't think I'm asking for that much - a fountain pen that works and writes as it should. At the higher end, I also expect a very refined writing experience. I've been through dozens upon dozens of pens and it seems like the rate of lemons to gems is higher than it should be, even among the same manufacturer and model. Consistency seems rather poor, and I've found it to be a very frustrating experience.

 

A reliable pen seems to be a true gem, and a reliable pen that writes with that special something is a diamond in the rough.

 

It's truly, at this point, enough to make me not want to purchase any more pens. I figure that the likelihood that it'll work flawlessly (no skips, hard starts, or other issues) isn't incredibly high, and the likelihood that it'll have that special quality in its writing that makes me want to keep it even if it does write flawlessly is amazingly low.

 

Sorry for the rant.

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I got a lamy safari. Gold EF and B nibs (B is a stub now) NEVER had issues from day one. No hard starts no skipping. Nothing. EF is a little broader than expected but that's well known. The stub is self ground but the B nib was perfectly writing before too. Both very smooth. I've polished them up to glassy smooth but that's more a personal taste.

 

The only issues I had are with my TWSBI. But not with the default setup. That writes great, just a little too dry for my taste. The modification with the dip nib is the only thing that is not always a unscrew the cap and write thingy.

 

I've got 4 lamy safari feed units. Consistent quality. Also got the pilot parallel series. That will write with everything even egg white for gold leaf glueing.

 

So I'm not quite sure where your issues have been. Is it a special brand that just doesn't build for quality or have you got special requirements for that writing experience?

Edited by bardiir

My Pens/Nibs (inked/active): Lamy Studio/Vista/Joy (XXF slight-flex custom | 14k EF | EF | F | 14k M | M | B | 14k 1.1 custom | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.9), TWSBI Diamond 580 (F | Pendleton BadBoy | Zebra G | F.P.R. semi-flex), Pilot Falcon EF, Penkala Vintage 14k semi-flex, Pilot Parallel (2.4 | 3.8 | 6.0)

http://www.fp-ink.info/img/button.pngI'm still looking for help/data/supporters/sponsors for my Ink Database - It already contains over 900 Inks but is still low on data about the inks except on the Inks I got myself or where I found nice data sheets. So Im looking for these: InkSamples mailed to me, Permissions to use InkReviews - preferable by people who have a lot of InkReviews online, InkReviews mailed to me so I can scan them, Sponsors that will help me to finance InkSamples, People willing to trade InkSamples (list of available Inks from me is available via PM request - please include available Inks)

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Allow me to tell you about a fountain pen that will not disappoint or frustrate you. The Esterbrook J series. Esterbrook pens were well made of quality materials in large enough quantities to keep the purchase price low. The Esterbrook J, SJ, and LJ were made for the common person and they were made to work. If you are looking for glamor and glitz, look elsewhere. If you plan to keep a pen specialist or two on staff, look elsewhere. Even changing nibs in the Esterbrook is easy. If you want a dependable pen that is going to keep working for you for the next several decades, well . . . that's the Esterbrook J series. My favorite is the Esterbrook J with a 9550 nib. You should be able to pick up one that has been restored to working condition for $50 or less.

 

-David.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it will still be stationery. -Anon.

A backward poet writes inverse. -Anon.

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I don't buy many new pens, but I've purchase quite a few vintage in the last couple of years. Even taking into account bad nibs, damage over the years, and all that, I'm still surprised how many pens are great writing instruments. Sure, from time to time I put into practice some of the nib tweaks I've learned on the forums and from watching other people, but there are quite a few models and brands that, more often than not, make it happen.

 

I've even been pleased with a few recent new purchases, both low and mid-high end pens.

 

So I am not sure what is up with the OP. Either unrealistic expectations, or very bad luck in purchases. If I was that interested in pens and continued to have problems, I'd make it a point to buy all my pens in person, trying them first to have an idea of their worthiness.

"When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick; and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

~ Benjamin Franklin

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The winter here in Australia (Melbourne) is not severe. We have cold mornings of 5 to 9 deg C, and at this temperatures my Aurora Optimas run dry after 3 days of inking. During the warmer months, I have good ink flow. I have three of them and they all have the same problem.

 

I love these pens because they fit perfectly in my hand, but they are so frustrating when it comes to bad ink flow during cold days.

Edited by aawhite

I only have two pens - an Aurora Optima and others.

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The winter here in Australia (Melbourne) is not severe. We have cold mornings of 5 to 9 deg C, and at this temperatures my Aurora Optimas run dry after 3 days of inking. During the warmer months, I have good ink flow. I have three of them and they all have the same problem.

 

I love these pens because they fit perfectly in my hand, but they are so frustrating when it comes to bad ink flow during cold days.

Try Noodler's Polar ink maybe?

My Pens/Nibs (inked/active): Lamy Studio/Vista/Joy (XXF slight-flex custom | 14k EF | EF | F | 14k M | M | B | 14k 1.1 custom | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.9), TWSBI Diamond 580 (F | Pendleton BadBoy | Zebra G | F.P.R. semi-flex), Pilot Falcon EF, Penkala Vintage 14k semi-flex, Pilot Parallel (2.4 | 3.8 | 6.0)

http://www.fp-ink.info/img/button.pngI'm still looking for help/data/supporters/sponsors for my Ink Database - It already contains over 900 Inks but is still low on data about the inks except on the Inks I got myself or where I found nice data sheets. So Im looking for these: InkSamples mailed to me, Permissions to use InkReviews - preferable by people who have a lot of InkReviews online, InkReviews mailed to me so I can scan them, Sponsors that will help me to finance InkSamples, People willing to trade InkSamples (list of available Inks from me is available via PM request - please include available Inks)

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Try Noodler's Polar ink maybe?

 

Thank you very much for the suggestion. It has come to a point now that I am willing to try other inks outside my usual Waterman and Diamine inks.

Edited by aawhite

I only have two pens - an Aurora Optima and others.

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Are you holding the fountain pen behind the big knuckle.

If all fountain pens give you some sort of troubles, that you did not go into detail on, that could be it. Holding a fountain pen like a ball point before the big knuckle can cause lots of problems like skipping.

Or do you only use super thin nibs...which are often scratchy.

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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What pens were up to snuff and what ones weren't?

 

I don't want to turn this into a brand war, so I'm not going to say what isn't working for me. My pen collection is now whittled down to these keepers: MB149 EF, and F, Conway Stewart Churchill M, and 1928 Parker Duofold Senior M.

 

As one poster above pointed out, maybe I am being too critical. I don't mind as much the pens that worked fine but just didn't do it for me. What gets me is spending serious $$ on a pen and getting a pen that won't write reliably. I think I need to step away from the pen acquiring for a bit and relax. I also have a newborn in the house in addition to a toddler, so I'm finding that my patience and tolerance are low, and my grumpiness is high. I think this has a lot to do with my sour mood.

 

 

Are you holding the fountain pen behind the big knuckle.

If all fountain pens give you some sort of troubles, that you did not go into detail on, that could be it. Holding a fountain pen like a ball point before the big knuckle can cause lots of problems like skipping.

Or do you only use super thin nibs...which are often scratchy.

 

I think I'm holding it correctly. It's certainly not all fountain pens that give me trouble. Oddly, I find that it's the thinner nibs that work well for me. I haven't found a broad nib yet (admittedly, I've only tried a few) that gets along with me, and even finding a medium that writes reliably for me can be a bit of a challenge. I've tended to gravitate more towards fine nibs, so it could be just that I haven't sampled enough of the Ms and Bs though.

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If bigger nibs do not work reliable but finer will, you're maybe holding the pen at an angle on the paper thus creating an air gap between the slit of the nib point and the paper. With bigger points that airgap will be bigger at the same angle obviously.

 

Try using a very broad 1.5 or 1.9 calligraphy stub for example and you might be able to tell if your angle is wrong as the nib is standing on it's side basically then if you're holding it off-center.

Edited by bardiir

My Pens/Nibs (inked/active): Lamy Studio/Vista/Joy (XXF slight-flex custom | 14k EF | EF | F | 14k M | M | B | 14k 1.1 custom | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.9), TWSBI Diamond 580 (F | Pendleton BadBoy | Zebra G | F.P.R. semi-flex), Pilot Falcon EF, Penkala Vintage 14k semi-flex, Pilot Parallel (2.4 | 3.8 | 6.0)

http://www.fp-ink.info/img/button.pngI'm still looking for help/data/supporters/sponsors for my Ink Database - It already contains over 900 Inks but is still low on data about the inks except on the Inks I got myself or where I found nice data sheets. So Im looking for these: InkSamples mailed to me, Permissions to use InkReviews - preferable by people who have a lot of InkReviews online, InkReviews mailed to me so I can scan them, Sponsors that will help me to finance InkSamples, People willing to trade InkSamples (list of available Inks from me is available via PM request - please include available Inks)

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If bigger nibs do not work reliable but finer will, you're maybe holding the pen at an angle on the paper thus creating an air gap between the slit of the nib point and the paper. With bigger points that airgap will be bigger at the same angle obviously.

 

Try using a very broad 1.5 or 1.9 calligraphy stub for example and you might be able to tell if your angle is wrong as the nib is standing on it's side basically then if you're holding it off-center.

 

I'm thinking of having a pen ground with a left oblique, which I'm told may alleviate any such issues, if they exist. What do you think?

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I'm thinking of having a pen ground with a left oblique, which I'm told may alleviate any such issues, if they exist. What do you think?

Depending on the rotation it can even make things worse. There are right and left obliques, depending on the rotation you're holding the pen. So you'll need the fitting one.

 

Aside from that an oblique writes like an italic, If you don't want that you might want to try getting an asymmetrical grind of a round tipped nib that has the writing surface flattened on one side so the ink channel is centered again when writing in your rotational position.

 

 

Or try using a stub nib for a while to correct the positioning. Because then you can just use pens out of the box and they will work.

If that's the issue at least.

Edited by bardiir

My Pens/Nibs (inked/active): Lamy Studio/Vista/Joy (XXF slight-flex custom | 14k EF | EF | F | 14k M | M | B | 14k 1.1 custom | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.9), TWSBI Diamond 580 (F | Pendleton BadBoy | Zebra G | F.P.R. semi-flex), Pilot Falcon EF, Penkala Vintage 14k semi-flex, Pilot Parallel (2.4 | 3.8 | 6.0)

http://www.fp-ink.info/img/button.pngI'm still looking for help/data/supporters/sponsors for my Ink Database - It already contains over 900 Inks but is still low on data about the inks except on the Inks I got myself or where I found nice data sheets. So Im looking for these: InkSamples mailed to me, Permissions to use InkReviews - preferable by people who have a lot of InkReviews online, InkReviews mailed to me so I can scan them, Sponsors that will help me to finance InkSamples, People willing to trade InkSamples (list of available Inks from me is available via PM request - please include available Inks)

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You know, it could just be that you've had bad luck with nibs. A lot of nibs come from the factory with tines misaligned, or flow mal-adjusted, or rough tipping, or baby bottom. That's what keeps someone like Richard Binder in business. That's what warranties are for, too.

 

The cost of the pen matters little. There's every likelihood that the nib in an expensive pen and a nib in a cheap pen came from the same factory. (As an example, the common Jowo steel nibs that you can get for $15 have been pretty good.)

 

The last pen I got was $280, which by my standards is one of the more costly. It sometimes skips on the first stroke when it touches paper -- not terribly often, but I have many other pens that never ever do this, and I know it's not right. I contacted the manufacturer, and they are sending me a new nib. If the replacement nib turns out to not work well, I'll ring them up again.

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Hello Wilson,

 

Your current experiences is what prompted me to quit fountain pens the last time I was using them - I had Parkers, (including a 51), Sheaffer Imperials, Targas, and Balances; Edisons, etc., etc.

 

So far, with ALL the pens I've used; years ago and today, being back into them, the best pens I've experienced are Esterbrook J's and Lamy pens - and even those have their shortcomings. The Esterbrooks are reliable; however, when you use and hold one, the pen's economy lineage shows through - these were $2-3 pens; compared to Parker 51s that sold for $13 and Sheaffer Balances that sold for $10-12. And the problems with Lamy's is their looks, (except for maybe the Studio and 2000 Series if you like minimalist styling).

 

But I do not buy pens for looks anymore, I buy them for performance and the Lamy's have proven to be the best in my experience - and even some of them have had problems - particularly with the Z-50 nibs being a little scratchy. I've also had a couple that wouldn't write, but when I replaced them with another nib, the pen wrote like a dream. This is just a sign of the times though, QC in almost everything is down from what it had been and since fp's are a niche market at best, their QC is probably on an even lower plateau in most corporate POVs. I'm going to have to buy a loupe so I can adjust the tines - I think that is why a couple of them are scratchy. That said, I have six Lamys and they've all performed well - except for a couple of dud nibs.

 

One more thing I want to mention is it could be the inks you're using. Have you ever tried giving your pens a good flushing out and then using only Waterman inks? Try this and see if their performance improves. :)

 

Just my 3 cents. :D

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

Edited by LamyOne

- He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me; and I in him. (JN 6:57)

- "A woman clothed in the sun," (REV 12.1); The Sun Danced at Fatima, Portugal; October 13, 1917.

- Thank you Blessed Mother and St. Jude for Graces and Blessings obtained from Our Lord.

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I don't think I'm asking for that much - a fountain pen that works and writes as it should. At the higher end, I also expect a very refined writing experience. I've been through dozens upon dozens of pens and it seems like the rate of lemons to gems is higher than it should be, even among the same manufacturer and model. Consistency seems rather poor, and I've found it to be a very frustrating experience.

 

A reliable pen seems to be a true gem, and a reliable pen that writes with that special something is a diamond in the rough.

 

It's truly, at this point, enough to make me not want to purchase any more pens. I figure that the likelihood that it'll work flawlessly (no skips, hard starts, or other issues) isn't incredibly high, and the likelihood that it'll have that special quality in its writing that makes me want to keep it even if it does write flawlessly is amazingly low.

 

Sorry for the rant.

 

I can relate. Regarding FPs, nothing frustrates me more either. However, I've never had any problems with Italix pens or Pilots. I'd first recommend an Italix, though - specifically a Parson's Essential, Churchman's Prescriptor, or the Captain's Commission. The Italix pens just simply do what they were designed to do, and do it well.

 

Sorry you've had such a difficult time. I know the more the pen cost, the more frustrating it is when it doesn't write properly.

Franklin-Christoph, Italix, and Pilot pens are the best!
Iroshizuku, Diamine, and Waterman inks are my favorites!

Apica, Rhodia, and Clairefontaine make great paper!

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Since quality control is an issue with many new pens both high end and less expensive ones, why not buy from someone who is a nibmeister who will see that your pen is tuned and working properly before it's sent to you?

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I bought a Jinhao 450 on ebay for about $10 (free shipping) because it had a horse on it. This pen writes much better than my MB Slimline. It writes on the wet side, which I like, can sit for days and start right up and the nib is smooth like butter.

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Hello Wilson,

 

Your current experiences is what prompted me to quit fountain pens the last time I was using them - I had Parkers, (including a 51), Sheaffer Imperials, Targas, and Balances; Edisons, etc., etc.

 

So far, with ALL the pens I've used; years ago and today, being back into them, the best pens I've experienced are Esterbrook J's and Lamy pens - and even those have their shortcomings. The Esterbrooks are reliable; however, when you use and hold one, the pen's economy lineage shows through - these were $2-3 pens; compared to Parker 51s that sold for $13 and Sheaffer Balances that sold for $10-12. And the problems with Lamy's is their looks, (except for maybe the Studio and 2000 Series if you like minimalist styling).

 

But I do not buy pens for looks anymore, I buy them for performance and the Lamy's have proven to be the best in my experience - and even some of them have had problems - particularly with the Z-50 nibs being a little scratchy. I've also had a couple that wouldn't write, but when I replaced them with another nib, the pen wrote like a dream. This is just a sign of the times though, QC in almost everything is down from what it had been and since fp's are a niche market at best, their QC is probably on an even lower plateau in most corporate POVs. I'm going to have to buy a loupe so I can adjust the tines - I think that is why a couple of them are scratchy. That said, I have six Lamys and they've all performed well - except for a couple of dud nibs.

 

One more thing I want to mention is it could be the inks you're using. Have you ever tried giving your pens a good flushing out and then using only Waterman inks? Try this and see if their performance improves. :)

 

Just my 3 cents. :D

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

 

I'm glad I'm not crazy, or at least, that I have company in my insanity. Thanks for the reply. I have tried a variety of inks. The real wet flowing inks can help, but I feel like all that's doing is masking the issue, and then I'm stuck using only a few inks, or maybe only that one ink that doesn't give me problems. No, I'm not going to beg a pen to write for me.

 

 

 

I can relate. Regarding FPs, nothing frustrates me more either. However, I've never had any problems with Italix pens or Pilots. I'd first recommend an Italix, though - specifically a Parson's Essential, Churchman's Prescriptor, or the Captain's Commission. The Italix pens just simply do what they were designed to do, and do it well.

 

Sorry you've had such a difficult time. I know the more the pen cost, the more frustrating it is when it doesn't write properly.

 

You know, I agree with you on the Pilot pens (never tried an Italix). I have owned several Pilots and never had any real issues with them. The closest to a problem I had was with an 823 medium that wrote a bit drier than I would have liked. I haven't kept any Pilot pens though, despite owning almost a dozen only because none of them really grabbed me. There's something more to an amazing pen than just whether it will write. The Pilots didn't have the "soul" that I was looking for. I hold no grudge against them though, as they worked flawlessly, and did everything I could ask for. That doesn't frustrate me.

 

The greater the price tag, at least for me, the greater the expectation. However, even if a pen that costs a lot doesn't grab me, I won't be upset so long as it writes reliably. As others have noted, price tag seems to have no relation to reliability.

 

 

Since quality control is an issue with many new pens both high end and less expensive ones, why not buy from someone who is a nibmeister who will see that your pen is tuned and working properly before it's sent to you?

 

Ha! I've done this on a few occasions, thinking the same thing. I've had mixed experiences with that. I even had one that skipped and hard started like crazy. The others wrote well enough, but didn't trip my trigger.

 

I'm ruthless about what pens get kept in my stable. Only the pens that are truly something special for me. I don't mind the pens that just didn't do it for me but that write well. I do find expensive pens with poor QC to be maddening though.

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You know, I agree with you on the Pilot pens (never tried an Italix). I have owned several Pilots and never had any real issues with them. The closest to a problem I had was with an 823 medium that wrote a bit drier than I would have liked. I haven't kept any Pilot pens though, despite owning almost a dozen only because none of them really grabbed me. There's something more to an amazing pen than just whether it will write. The Pilots didn't have the "soul" that I was looking for. I hold no grudge against them though, as they worked flawlessly, and did everything I could ask for. That doesn't frustrate me.

 

 

After I wrote that, I remembered that I did have one problem with a Pilot Prera. However, I sent it to Pilot to be adjusted. I agree with you to a degree. They don't really have their own personality. However, there's something about them that attracts me. Not sure what, but I just got one last week, and still have three on my wish list.

 

I'd strongly recommend that you try an Italix. It's a great writing experience. They are only sold by MrPen (Mr. Ford is his real name). They've just come out with two new pens in the Italix brand, but the Parson's Essential is Italix's flagship pen (and personally my favorite). Actually, Mr. Ford is the creator of the Italix brand. They are amazingly inexpensive for the quality. http://www.mrpen.co.uk/

Franklin-Christoph, Italix, and Pilot pens are the best!
Iroshizuku, Diamine, and Waterman inks are my favorites!

Apica, Rhodia, and Clairefontaine make great paper!

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