T here.

Just decided, this month, that the time had come for me to quit frittering about and finally get my hand round a fountain pen. After getting a feel for the fp style of writiing with a grocery store Parker (Vector, I think?), I've just bought a chrome Namiki Vanishing Point (I do love all things silver) and am awaiting its arrival in the post.

How excited am I? Very.

It's ridiculous, how much I love writing. Letters to people, journal entries, short stories; doesn't matter to me, so long as I've got pen to paper (she says typing this on a computer...). I recently started writing all of my personal correspondence on Crane's stationery, so the next logical move seemed to be ditching the Bic in favor of a smooth, elegant fountain pen.

But can I just say...DAMN, fountain pens don't half cost a pretty penny!

Right, I've got a question about ink, so I'm going to pop over to the appropriate forum and post away.

Glad to have found this community!

t!

Hi T.

Welcome to our little funny farm.

Well, the nice thing is that you can get some very good FPs for very reasonable prices. And unlike some folks, to me, $200 isn't reasonable. I'm talking $10-$20 for some good pens. Are they stunning to look at? nahhh.. But many are cute. And they're all functional. So keep an eye out here for mention of some of our favorite "cheapies."

The VP is one of my favorite pens. Took me a long time to buy one because I was sure I wouldn't like the grip or the weight. I'm a Pelikan M200 addict and they are lightweight smallish pens. I was surprised at how comfy my VP is and love the fine nib (which is very fine). Also sturdy, convenient, etc.

I know what you mean about writing. There is an almost spiritual connection sometimes when you feel that nib glide across the paper. I'm as addicted to the inks and papers as to the pens. Which means my "sewing" room is turning into an ink and paper stockpiling area.

I can pretty much guarantee your VP won't be your last FP.

Welcome again and look forward to reading more from you.

K

Hi T,

Well, if you stay around here, I'll lay heavy odds that you won't stop with one! Reading the goings on here and being exposed to the degree of lunacy considered normal here, no telling how large your holdings will be in 6 months. I'm a month and a half into my apprenticeship, and it seems as if it has been a lifelong pursuit! Mind you, I'm not complaining.

Have fun!

Hi T, welcome to the fountain pen insanity house. If you get a chance, you can always visit pen shows and pickup some good deal on new and vintage pens. Moreover, a professionally restored fine writing instrument will last you for ages with a little loving care. However, I must warn you these pens can be very addictive and don't be surprised if you don't have several of them in a few months.

You know what? I think I'm gonna like it here.

t!

Greetings and welcome aboard from another NCer. If I may inquire, where in NC? I'm in northern Duplin County (about half way between Raleigh and Wilmington, just a little bit north of I-40). Glad to have you here and, yes, you probably will like it here. The folks here are wonderful, helpful, funny, & full of it.
(SHAME on you for thinking that! I meant fountain pen passion!) Again, welcome to the FPNuthouse .

I'm currently "enjoying" a laid back lifestyle in Stoneville. Nope, I've no idea where that is in relation to anything. I think I'd go completely stir crazy here, what with the lack of a social scene (read: pubs), entertainment (read: pubs), or multi-cultural interaction (yep, pubs again) if it weren't for my writing. Ok, and raising a newborn (hang on a minute, she's a toddler now...jeeze, the wings of time, eh?). Yeah, that kind of keeps me occupied as well.

t!

I can just about guarantee that Southpaw did indeed mean what you thought he meant!

K

Hi t!

Welcome aboard ! You have no idea what you just stepped into, but has KCat said there are many affordable fountain pens that are almost as exciting than more expensive ones.

Make yourself at home.

Denis.

Hi T--

Aren't computer great for bringing the world to you when you feel you're stuck in the middle of nowhere? Welcome! Glad you found us.

If you're looking for more pens that won't leave you broke, keep your eye on the Marketplace Forum--I'll be posting some really inexpensive pens soon.

Now I'm going to go read your ink question--sounds like you got the hang of using this site right away!

Best regards,
Ann

That's about 30 miles north of Greensboro, NC. I too am in a very rural area, but I actually do enjoy this lifestyle!

Welcome t! I'm from NC too! Whoops, make that NyC. Close, but no cigar.

There are many nice pens out there that don't cost lots of $$. Steel-nibbed pens can be smooth as silk, and dependable as your best friend. One of my $15 rOtring Cores writes as well as pens that cost 20 times as much. Go figure! I also like $2 Pilot Varsities.

No need to own a whole lot of pens (though that can be fun too). Just enjoy the pens you own. Express yourself with pen, ink and paper, and join the festivities. Yes, youll like it here.

Hi T,

Welcome to FPN, the nutty PENhouse, where this week's covergirl and centrefold model seems to be KCat's Sheaffer Cobalt Glow (formerly known as AntoniosZ's Sheaffer Cobalt Glow).

There are lots of parents floating around here too. I'm a relatively new one, my only one so far is a girl of 13 months who's now running all over the place!! Good exercise for me, I guess.

We're actually off to London next week - lots of pubs there!

I'm sure you'll enjoy it here at FPN. I know I am.

Hey grasshopper! Mine will be 13 months in just over a week. Made the flight with her from London to the States when she was a month old. I've read your post about flying with your daughter next week, and I'd be interested in hearing how she handles the flight (I'll be taking notes for future reference, innit?).

Pubs... Mmmmm, cider... I can't wait 'til little Sasha is weaned so a sistah can have a DRINK! I truly look forward to enjoying my "first" martini, again. And a fag! I haven't had a smoke since I found out I was "in the club"! A vodka martini in one hand and a Benson & Hedges 100s deLuxe Ultra Light Non-menthol in the other. Ahhhhhhhh...

If you find yourself in W1, feel free to pop into the George & Dragon pub on Cleveland Street (used to be my local) and say Hey to the lads for me.

Or, if you're in E2, try The Birdcage on Columbia.

Hmmmm, of course, you're prolly not too likely to haul the baby through pubs, huh? Ah, well. Neh'mind mate..

--------------------------------

viseguy, that NC/NyC prank was cruel man, just plain cruel. Lol!

--------------------------------

southpaw, I guess the quiet, relaxed life is nice (and the sense of community and security can't be beat), but I'm just a city girl at heart. I need to be able to see the air I breath (lol!). We'll be relocating to Philly in a year or two and I'm deffo looking forward to the move.

--------------------------------

And, in other news, last night I dreamt I'd received my Namiki and was writing away with it. Now, if I can't find anything better to dream about than FPs...how sad is THAT?

t!

Hi TNT ,

An explosive entry onto the scenes of the asylum !
From nothing to fountain pens, that's quite a jump, in that short a period of time. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as we all do over here. Yes, and some of these babies can be pretty, and pretty expensive , but there are good deals to be had for sure.

An expensive fountain pen doesn't necessarily equate to a better writing experience, especially as some seem to be designed as jewelry rather than writing instruments anyway.

OTOH, changing inks in a fountain pen may make the difference too, so go ahead, ask away, and make our day(s)!

Warm regards, Wim

What a coincidence. My second is 13 months in 6 day!





And I'm the official 'Write Stuff' guy so take a look over there to se the list of other people who like to use their pens ( letters and the like). IF you really want to snail with other people there are lots willing to do that here! I've about 20 people I correspond with and do about 250 letters a year/