I am a Scot living in Wales and working in Somerset, where hopefully I shall me moving to soon. I teach Biology at Bath Spa University half time and work as an ecological consultant the other half of my time.

Nothing very exotic about my pens, for several years I have been usng a Tombow green brushed aluminium pen with Waterman brown ink (given to me as a present), and more recently a Lamy Safari, with a lamy black cartridge. I also have six (yes six!) Hero pens on their way from Bombay care of ebay.

I was brought up only a few miles away from the Onoto factory in Scotland, with a small overlap between me being born and it closing. I am currently bidding on ebay for an Onoto pen, that is about the same age as I am, an idea that appeals to me for some reason. I would rather like to find out a bit more about these pens, and of course I would like one of the new ones, but that is well above my budget.

I would like to have a Parker 51 so I can have some sort of baseline to compare other pens to, and a Vanishing Point. I can't say I like the style of the VP, but I do like the idea of not having a pen top to lose.

My handwriting is apalling and one of the spin off from this sudden deeper interest in fountain pens is to try and improve my hand writing.

Well, I suspect I have said more than enough.

Cheers,

Graham

Welcome to the network, Graham. I'm sure you'll find plenty here to entertain you.

I have three 51s and they are among my favourites.

Ray

Welcome to FPN, Graham.

ooooh.. a biologist. My chosen field but have since "retired"

Can't go wrong with a Safari, IMO. Great little pens. I've heard good about the Tombows but they're not very easy to find here in the US (in FP form, that is.)

I think, at least when I slow down, that my handwriting has improved overall with the use of FPs. I can still rush through something and it will look as messy as it ever was. I also think that a stub or cursive italic or oblique helps make my handwriting more legible. still, lately I haven't put much effort into it. Ann and Corien have been so kind as to provide lessons in the Penmanship forum on Calligraphy and Copperplate handwriting. I've done some practice of both (as I said, not enough lately) and I think those too have helped considerably.

so... have fun on FPN. Lots of info and lots of great folks.

best,
K

From one appalling hand to another, Graham, welcome.

Like many, I too promised myself that I would improve my hand when I became interested in FPs. Like KCat, when I slow down some and think about what I'm doing, it can be a bit better...but it's so hard to slow down. Have to make a conscious effort to put the brakes on.

But, since I ain't dead yet, Ive some more time to fulfill my promise!

Ray,

Thanks for the welcome, I certainly intend adding a 51. However, as I seem to have just won my ebay bid, and now await my Onoto pen and pencil set to arrive, I may need to put off the 51 for a bit.

Graham

Yes the safari is often mentioned, I am pleased with it, but with little to compare it with.

As for handwriting, it does seem that even just using a fountain pen seems to improve things. Possibly because you are forced to write more slowly. I am however actively trying to improve it.

Graham

Yes, I think slowing down is probably a lot to do with it, but like you, I find that difficult.

Graham

Welcome myotis! I too have bad handwriting, but, IMHO, FPs do make it better. I've actually found that, depending upon the FP, I can write as fast or faster with them than a BP or RB. A good, smooth, firm nib will simply fly across the page. Welcome aboard and enjoy - great folks here (very welcoming to us newbies!).

well, i think there are several factors. Not the least of which is that with an FP, you don't have to press down. Having to apply pressure to a BP or the like just makes my handwriting that much uglier. But i think a variety of things help. There's a few threads around here about various books and websites for improving your handwriting. it does take practice and you do need to sit at least a few minutes a day just taking your time. But that can be an enjoyable distraction. I find it a bit therapeutic actually. You can't really fret about much when you're focused on something like that.

And speaking of fretting - worry not about not having much to compare it to - i'm sure in no time we will have enabled uh.. encouraged you to try a number of great pens and you'll wonder what the heck happened and why you suddenly need a larger pen case and more ink.

The lightness of pressure is very obvious and the Safari needs less pressure than the Tombow. So I seem to drawing the letters rather than scratching them.

And yes I am intending devoting some time to practice. And yes again, I fear that I will soon end up with rather more pens than I intended to, with or without the help of the good folks here.

Graham

Hi Graham (myotis)

Welcome to FPN

I visited Bath in 1993 when I travelled across England on my Eurail pass....Gorgeous town My husband and I lived in Norwich, the new location of the Onoto pen company. There is a nice article on it here: http://www.stylophilesonline.com/03-05/03onoto.htm

Good luck on the Onoto pen you are bidding on Ebay! (did you win it?)

Maja,

Thanks for the welcome and the link.

Yes Bath is an attractive city.

I've never been to Norwich, and I rather less interested in the English made ONOTO pens, not that I could afford one anyway.


I did win my ONOTO pen and pencil set on ebay, but so far heard nothing from the vendor.

The Hero pens are also taking a long time to get to me, and if they aren't here today, the vendor is going to assume they have gone missing.

So things are going a little slowly for me.

Graham

Well the Hero pens have now arrived, so I seem to have 3 Hero 329s, 3 Hero 616s and a Hero 343.

I am certainly in a good position to try out different inks now.

Graham

Hello Graham and welcome to the FPN! One of the best places to find a good deal on a Parker 51 is at a pen show. If you have the chance, please checkout one that is close to your area and you might find some great deals on other pens and inks.

Thanks, I am slowly piscking up on these things.

Graham

Great, another potential Parker 51 convert!!

You are just down the road from me at Swindon, so I will let you into a little secret. The antique shops at the top of Bath do sell vintage FPs, but the prices are magic! There is an Antique Fair at the Oasis in Swindon about three times a year and a bigger one out at the Science Museum at Wroughton airfield about twice a year. You can often get a good bargain there.

Regards,

Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the pointers, I shall keep an eye on this.

Graham