I would like to introduce myself,

My name is Robert Bijl. I am 24 years old and live in a city near Amsterdam. (Holland)
I work at an Architectural office at the centre of Amsterdam. I Found this forum whem searching for some information about the Montblanc Meisterstück 145 Chopin fountain pen.
From my early years I wrote with a pelikan fountain pen. However since I lost my pen during a fire at school I mainly used a ball pen of fine liner to write and draw.
Since I have to draw a lot at my work, using lots of throw away fine liner, I got the Rotring Art pen fountain pens in medium and fine from my boss to draw with. Since then I fell in love again with the fountain pen.
My granddad used to collect pens so I already have some.

Pens I have now: (pictures from the internet)

- Rotring Art pen in fine and medium


- Waterman Expert in medium


- Pelikan m405 in fine


- Pelikan m400 in brown (also the pencil)


- Cross classic century 10 ball pen and pencil


And Some Scheaffers and parkers like this parker 50 brown:


You see, I no fan of one brand. However the Pelikans are my favorite pens. Unfortanaly the m400 brown is at the shop for a new tip since the old tip has been split and broken.
Besides these I am planning to buy a Montblanc Meisterstück 145 Chopin soon. Trying to look for one when I am in Germany next week.
I hope to find lots of information on this forum and (later) wants to share lots of information.

Thanks for reading,
Robert

Hi Rob,

I like the Rotring & the Waterman. They look cool. The nib on that Rotring looks interesting, though. I've never seen one like that before.

Hi Shangas,

This nib is made for Calligraphy. I instead have normal one's for drawing.
I like your sign (Anne Frank)

Oh it's a caligraphy pen!! Riiiiiiiiight. I see now.

Aaah yes, you are correct. Anne Frank. From her diary entry titled: "Ode to my Fountain Pen, in Memorium".

It recounts how she recieved her first fountain pen from her grandmother, and how she used it throughout school and how it came with her to the secret annexe, and how it was...sadly...melted in a fire.

Nice pens! I like that Pelikan M405 in particular...

Welcome to FPN. There are a number of others here from your neck nof the woods. I like the Parker you have. It looks like something I'd get for my wife. She does like Parkers.

Hi Robert
Welcome from one architect to another. I'm in Texas and barely remember being 24, I've been doing this 38 years.
I too draw with my pens. It's fun to see the reactions on peoples faces when you're in a meeting and pull an old vintage pen to beging sketching an idea.
I hope you learn a lot here.
Robert

Thanks, also like it the most. It is certainly the best writer I own.




Thank you, I find the parker a bit thin for myself. Nice pen for a woman through. Certainly a nice present





Hi Robert,
Nice to hear from a colleague from the other site of the world. However I'm no architect yet, going for my master degree though at the Academic of Architecture in Amsterdam. It is a part time education and you have to work at an architectural office at the same time so I can already taste from the architects work. And loves it off course
You are absolutely wright about the reactions. It almost looks like it gives your drawing more value.

Hi Robert, and welcome aboard the FPN! That Pelikan 405 looks VERY nice! I almost purchased the silver capped edition of that pen at one time.

Thank you. The pelikan with the silver cap (m425) looks really nice. Maybe some day

...And I'm one of them! Hartelijk welkom hier! This is the best place on the Internet to learn everything about pens.
You've got a great collection to start with! But beware! Before you know you'll find yourself spending all your money on more pens, more ink, more paper, more notebooks....

By the way, it's really fascinating you architects use fountain pens for your drawings at the office!

Hi Robert:
Good luck with the master's degree.
When will you finish?
I'm curious, in the states, after receiving a degree there is a waiting period before you can take the professional exam, normally about 3 years, depending on the states and prior experience. Once you pass it you can use the title architect.
What are the procedures in your country?
Robert

Dank je wel



In Holland there are two schools where you can become an architect. First one is a full time study at an University. Normally this takes 5 years. 3 years bachelor and 2 year master. When you finish you can use the title of architect.
Another way is getting the title at the academic of building technology. This is a part time school, you will have to work at an architectural agency the same time. This one can be finished in 4 years.
You will have to have a bachelor degree to be accepted at the academic.

I got my bachelor degree in a "Hogeschool" (university for bachelor degree only) in 2005 and started my master degree at another university in Delft. This would take 2 years to finish.
However, last year I decided to switch to the academic of building technology in Amsterdam when I got a job at an architectural agency.
The University would only take another 1,5 years from now to pass, however the academic gives you a better background because you are working at the same time and having a technical background (bachelor degree), The other way of working (more artistic way against a more technical way from the university), the money and me missing Amsterdam are some arguments to

I will start in September so will have to do 4 years from now.
Quite some time, however I'n looking forward to it.

Hi Robert:
It's interesting that there are only two schools of architecture in Holland. I don't have a clue how many we have in the States, but we have 8 in Texas.
Interesting that you can use the title "architect" after you finish school. So, there is no professioanl examination after a period of working in an office.

Good luck with your studies.
Robert