I decided to do mine on the subject of Filling and Using Fountain Pens.
I started with a bit of background on what fountain pens actually are, and why some people still use them. Then, I went on to a quick overview of their construction and how they work, and a bit about different filling mechanisms. Then, I gave people a bit of overview on how to use FPs, and some warnings on what not to do (twiddling bits without knowing what they do and ending up with a lap full of ink, for example).
Once the talky bits were out of the way, I had prepared ten pens, and had them all in numbered envelopes, emptied and flushed out. The middle of the table was laid out with bottles of Quink Blue and toilet rolls.
I got people to pick a number, passed them that envelope, then told people a bit about the pen as they opened it up and looked at it, I then gave them a bit of guidance on filling the pens, trying to make sure nobody squirted ink on anybody with the Snorkel
This is the list I put together in a handout (given after people had had their play) of the ten pens we tried...
1. Parker Frontier - Cartridge or Converter (choice). A reasonably priced modern Parker, but these write very well, as long as you don't mind a reasonably broad line. This one is an unusual finish, and the cap is a bit worn - doesn't snap as well as it should.
2. Parker 51 Vacumatic. The first type of filler used on the Parker 51, which is considered by many to be the best fountain pen ever made. Holds a lot of ink, but difficult to empty out to change colours, and needs servicing occasionally.
3. Lamy AL-(well, you know what it's called - for some reason, as soon as I put the full name in, I can't preview the post any more - I don't have permission to access index.php if I mention that pen - conspiracy against Lamy?) - Cartridge/Converter filler, using the piston converter. The metal-cased version of the Safari, a very good and hard-wearing pen. Converters are not included with them.
4. Dux 612 - Copy of Parker 51 - Aerometric-style pump bar filler. Parker don't make 51s any more, but Dux are making them in India, and Hero are making them in China. Writes well, but the finish is definitely cheap.
5. Pelikan Go! - Piston filler. Fairly recent, but not made any more. A decent reliable pen, similar in size to the much more expensive Souveran M600.
6. Parker 51 Aerometric. The later filler type for the Parker 51, and usually more reliable. This one does appear to have had its ink sac replaced, as it should be clear, not black.
7. Sheaffer Tip-Dip Touchdown. A later model touchdown filler, where only the end part of the nib and feed need to be dipped in ink, saving you the hassle of wiping the grip area off before you start writing again.
8. Pilot Capless Decimo - Cartridge/Converter, using the piston converter. The only retractable fountain pen. The Decimo has only just arrived in the UK, and this one was part of Pilot's first shipment. Convenient to use, but a bit fiddly to fill, and the very thin feed gives it a couple of problems.
9. Sheaffer Saratoga Snorkel - Snorkel filler. This pen was the first pen I repaired myself, which was a bit of a steep learning curve, because the Snorkel is the most complex filling system ever used. Sheaffer really didn't like the idea of having to dip the nib in ink and wipe it off.
10. Pilot Parallel Pen - Cartridge filler (will take Pilot converter). Not interesting for its filling mechanism, but for its nib - made of two parallel metal plates that the ink flows between. Can write very thick lines, or turn the nib sideways for thin lines. Not much use for day-to-day writing, but can make some wonderful effects for calligraphy or art.
The handout also had a few links for more information (including pointing people here), and a few tips for anyone who was tempted to get their own fountain pen.
Either people enjoyed it, or they were good at being polite about it, but people did seem surprised by how much difference there was between some of the pens, and many people seemed to settle on favourites quickly.
The Pelikan Go! was surprisingly popular - a couple of people really prefered it's fairly dry line (though I gather they're not usually such dry writers), and people seemed impressed with the 51 Aero. The 51 Vac was one I'd put together out of parts from a very kind member here, and nobody seemed too impressed with my workmanship
I was quite surprised how many people seemed impressed by the Capless Decimo. The retractable mechanism seems impressive to those of us who use FPs regularly, but I thought people who were only used to ballpoints would take if for granted. In fact, everybody was impressed that such a thing existed, and it ended up being some peoples' favourites.
We gave away some of our less treasured pens, and managed to lose one of them somewhere along the line (the Sheaffer Tip-Dip Touchdown - nice, but not a favourite).
In the end, though, it was a success for my assignment, and introduced a few new people to some interesting types of pen.
Oh, and I didn't manage to keep to the half-hour limit - it went on for 45 minutes
