I have been lurking here for a while and occasionally posting on Pentrace. I am leery of posting any more on Pentrace because I have noticed a marked increase in spam as a result.

I have been using fountain pens on and off ever since I got an old Sheaffer's Balance with a flexible nib from my grandparents in high school. I gave my groom's men some Waterman fountain pens (I forget the model. it was a while ago) for their assistance at my wedding.

About 6 months ago I decided I wanted to improve something about myself, and that was my penmanship. It started with roller balls but naturally I returned to the fountain pen. I have adopted the italic hand and it has done wonders for the clarity of my penmanship. I have thoroughly enjoyed James Pickering's web site as well as his contributions to this board.

Regards

Hi Oso and welcome to FPN

Wow, a Sheaffer Balance with a flexible nib...That is rather unusual! I love Sheaffers myself, but my Balances, though lovely, have nibs that are rather nail-like in their flexibilty!

Nice to have you onboard!

~Maja

P.S. What part of the world do you hail from? (if you don't mind me asking)

Welcome!

I wouldn't worry about posting on Pentrace. When I started posting there I used a different email address used exclusively for that purpose. After six months there was no spam.

Welcome aboard! You simply must post pictures and a writing sample of your flex nibbed Balance.

Regarding PT and spam, I've noticed a recent increase and just started posting there. Might be just a coincidence, but then again . . . I'm going to stick to FPN - much better atmosphere here anyhow, as I'm sure you've noticed in your lurking.

See ya around!

Thanks for the welcome.
I am from Washington State.
My rekindled interest in fountain pens prompted me to send the Balance in for re-sacking. I now know what a rarity it is after I found out the nib was cracked in an out of sight area under the section. It is still out of commission, but just sent away again to get the cracks fixed.
It spent years in the back of a drawer rolling around with ballpoints and paperclips. :doh: Before I knew anything about flexible nibs I knew that pen wrote differently than the others, and I liked it. It will have its own slot in a drawer after some careful restoration. I will get some photos up when I get it back.
Regards

Hi,

Yes, I got lots of spam from Pentrace.

I do not post my email address there anymore.

Oso, have fun, absorb as much information as you can.

Dillon

Hello Oso and welcome to the FPN! I have a Sheaffer Balance and love it, but the nib is really stiff. Was your nib customised by someone?

No, it is as I got it from my grandparents. I don't know who bought it (my grandfather is probably the one and he is no longer with us), but it was laying around their house for years. I did not know that it was that unusual until recently. It was not something that they would have had customized. Maybe special ordered, but not customized given the times.