Hello Everyone

Until I found this website I thought that I was the only one with a pen/stationery/writing addiction. I tried to keep it to myself as I noticed a look of alarm and disbelief on the faces of friends and family when watching the news or a film I'd shout out, 'I'm sure that was a Parker'.

I love looking a beautiful pens. I am particularly drawn to green marbling, but it has to be a lush, forest green. I own a little green Waterman which I think was called a Chief something or other, perhaps not, and a black Parker Duofold which was generously given to me.

I love the appearance of the Waterman and the writing of the Duofold. At first I thought it was a 'man's pen' and I had to practise writing with it, but now I love it.

I'm in the enviable position of approaching an '0' birthday and I rather like the Waterman Carene in Amber Marine. It's really heavy and glossy. any thoughts?

Welcome! You'll find the Carene a heavy pen and depending on how old that Duofold is, you'll probably find the Carene nib rather firm, too. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it's best you know.

Ray

Hi & welcome.

Carene is a bit on the heavy side, but I really like mine.
As Ray said comparison depends on the Duofold - some of the UK models are very light, up to the CP5 which is a handful (but pure MAGIC !).

Have a read up on Parker "51"s if you want to check out real pens. You can pick up a decent user quite reasonably & you're going to get one at some stage anyway - ask Old Griz - he thought he was a Sheaffer nut, didn't you Tom

Edit - CP% to CP5 - Andreas didn't produce a CP%

Thanks for the advice. I do like a weighty pen but it also has to be very beautiful.
Badge

Hi and welcome to the FPNuthouse! You're among friends/fellow addicts/fellow pen nuts - and we're just as nutty about paper and inks and . . .

Glad you're here and hope to see you around.

Welcome, Badger!

I've only been here a couple of months. It has been great to find other fountain pen fanatics. Enjoy!

Judybug
P. S. There are Badgers in my geneology - from North Carolina

Welcome to FPN. We all seem a little strange to our relatives. My kids think I've gone over the edge. They tell me they just don't get it. Well that's thier loss, isn't it?

Hahahahaha! I do the same regarding Japanese swords (and, more commonly, obvious fakes). I see the "51" crowd has already made its presence known. I advise paying strict attention. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, waste your time and interest on Parker pearl ring celluloid Vacumatics! NOT worth your attention at all. Nothing to see here, move along, move along. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Note: In a fit of consumo-frustration, I just overpaid on a BIN Fleabay auction for a blue one, so the competition is already too intense as it is.) Go for the 51s (and stick it to Ruaidhri and Old Griz!).



I would imagine you have already looked at the current Waterman Phileas. As I have said before, a very pretty pen, if a bit tarted up. I had to have a blue one, which seems to go for a bit of a premium. The green is somewhat more affordable. If in case you haven't looked at this model, you must do so. Affordable, pretty, and, best of all, they are excellent writers. What's not to like? In any event, welcome to FPN (though you should have better introduced yourself as, "Hi, my name is Badger, and I'm a fountain penaholic.").

Hi,

Good to see that I am not the only one!

Dillon

I go into stationary and office-supply shops and blissfully look at all the pens

Hey Badger! Welcome to the world of fountain pens. I'm relatively new to fountain pens myself. In the past four months I have gone from owning one pen to owning 20. From no inks to 6 inks. I expect my pen acquisitions may taper off for a while, but the ink acquisitions will ramp up with another 6 to 12 inks by the end of the year. The next symptom of this addiction that will manifest is probably the purchase of different papers that are more friendly to fountain pens. I try to justify my collecting by telling my wife that I am supporting the pen, ink and paper industries. Those poor people would loose their jobs if not for me. I don't think she buys it. I hope your pens bring you lots of enjoyment.

Oh, did you choose the name Badger because you are from Wisconsin?

Ken

Hi Ken,

I chose the name Badger because I love badgers and British wildlife. I also have two very beautiful Royal Crown Derby badgers that sit in pride of place on my writing desk. You may have gathered that I'm English and live in Staffordshire, known as 'The Potteries.'

Love

Badge.

Hi Badger,

Welcome to the club!

By the way, I concur on what has been said about the "51"'s. I own a Carene, too.

Just one word of warning: the nib has been attached so that, when you write your fingers close to the nib, you get ink on you index and middle fingers quite easily... But I suppose that a matter of technique...

Best regards!

Hello Badger

Welcome to the club!

We share your addiction, and our friends think we are odd too. but we aren't, are we? Its all perfectly normal

Welcome to FPN, Badger.

Neil

Welcome! Prepare to become even more addicted....