Just wanted to check in and say hello. As the title says, I’m from Massachusetts, a few miles north of Boston. I’ve been lurking here for a few weeks because for some strange reason, I’ve picked up an interest in fountain pens. Right now, the only FP I own is a Waterman Carene limited edition, which I got because I think it’s an attractive looking pen. I also have a Waterman Le Man Opera ballpoint and a Montblanc rollerball.

I hope to learn a lot here and although I can’t contribute to the community right now, I’m going to be having a lot of questions, some pretty basic. From what I’ve read so far, I know you folks are willing to help the newbies along. That was a big reason why I joined, that and the camaraderie showed here among the forum members.

I’m getting ready to look into buying my first quality FP soon. I’ll be in and out asking what you think of my choices and looking for guidance. I'm sure that will lead to another, and another, and............

Take care everyone.

For learning about pens, this is the place. The members here are very friendly and helpful. Welcome to FPN.

Welcome aboard.

As for contributing - pop along to Chatter & wade in

Please.... ask even the most basic questions. That's how we learn what we should have learned earlier in our hobby. No matter if it is months or years earlier!

It is even helpful if new users try to answer questions. It provides all sorts of useful insights even if the info is dead wrong and kills pens. Let us know what you tried, what worked and what didn't, and how you enjoyed the process.

As far as asking for advice about what FP you should get next, there is nothing you could ask that will generate more suggestions. We LOVE helping others spend their money on pens!

Enjoy your time here!

Andy

Hi and welcome aboard! As others have already said, feel free to ask questions no matter how mundane you may think them to be. You can also use the handy "search" feature - top right of the page - to help you find items. Just remember to specify "all forums" and to set the date part to include all posts if you're not sure where or when it may have been addressed (typically what I do too). Hope to see you around.

Hi, I'm also in the Boston area, and also new here (see "pen loving woman in Mass)-I've used FPs all my life, but its great to connect with like-handed people, and this is a wonderful place to learn and talk about all kinds of things. The "marketplace" is a temptation and I have already bough t one pen here and now check it daily! But my overwhelming advice is that you handle as many pens as possible before deciding what works for you, in terms of brands, shapes, nibs, etc!-local resources for doing that include Bob Slade's in Cambridge and Bromfields pen shop in downtown Boston.
Pier Gustafson, pen artist and expert, lives in Somerville and has a nice web site-he also sells some vintage pens. Maybe someday we can get him to teach a class in the Boston area, or we can identify enough interested people to start a pen club..Have fun!
Wildblueroan

Hi. Actually, a pen club has recently been started/restarted in the Boston area. The next meeting is 10/15/06. You can contact Krysta <paintbrushzahir@gmail.com> to receive emails.

Dave

Welcome, Greencobra!

I've only been here for about two months and have learned a lot - maybe too much. I've purchsed four new pens since I joined. But after all, I have to widen my experience - expand my horizons - don't I? Don't ALL pen people?

Judybug

Thanks for the welcome. My head spins with the choices regarding getting my first FP, then selecting an ink. Looking forward to it though.

Hi greencobra,

Welcome to the FPN! This is a great place to learn about fountain pens, inks, paper, handwriting, etc.

I very much enjoyed this This article from the Hi-Lo Pen Museum when I was looking to aquire a pen other than the modern Parker 45 that I started with.

Some pens I buy just because they are pretty, but I'm learning that how they write is even more important. Trying to strike up a conversation with the average non-fountain pen person about pens is next to impossible; I always end up feeling like a terrible bore when I attempt it, so this is the place to be!

See you around,

Ringtop (Vida)

Hi GreenCobra,

Welcome! Hope you'll enjoy the forum. Nice pens, Carenes....

Best regards!

Welcome, GreenCobra. You've come to exactly the right place.

Neil

Hi Greencobra...welcome!