I have been lurking for a few weeks, and thought it would be great to join and polite to introduce myself.
I started my addiction to writing instruments when I was 7 or 8. In fact, I had a fountain pen for school back then. I don't recall the brand or type, other than it leaked frequently. I enjoyed inky fingers and playing with all the different shades I could create. I carried a blotter around with me for school and then we moved from India to the great land of America where they had fantastic ball point pens and mechanical pencils! I also may be unusual (ALTHOUGH MAYBE NOT ON THIS BOARD) in that the largest portion of my allowance was spent on writing related nonessential (in my parent's eyes) implements and ephemera.
I have always been finicky about the width of the lines I wrote and started with the 0.9 mm pencils which were so common. I moved on to the 0.7mm, and then the 0.5 mm pencils. I have always enjoyed the 0.5mm a lot ever since they were introduced. Then around 12 or so, I switched to fountain pens ( cheap Sheaffer school pens filled with Peacock blue-my favorite color back then), in white, yellow, and then black bodies, with fine nibs which were scratchy, unless there was a lot of ink flow. They laid down fantastically thin lines. But, after many mishaps, ruined clothing and bookbags, I was forbidden to have fountain pens or ink by my mother. I now switched to ball points, finding them too tough to write with, longing for inkpens, and then I discovered Paper Mate PowerPoint refills. I used them for several years, and then they became hard to find, and switched to Parker Jotters. But, I still missed the feel of writing with liquid ink, until I discovered Parker Vector rollerballs. I loved them and used them all through college. After college, my father gave me his English Sheaffer (sterling silver from 1970-1973), which I still use today in rotation. (I tried to track the origins of this pen down, and even spent time in London pen shops in the 1990's trying to track it down, in vain.)
I was now fully back in fountain pen heaven- what with the different shades possible and the colors available. I lived in a small town in Michigan, and so exotic FPs were not available. (All we had were brick and mortar stores back then). Interestingly, the only local pen shop was an office supoply place which happened to be a Cross dealer. So my next purchase was a Cross Century matte black FP, which after deciding that the M was too thick for me, exchanged for an EF. I love this pen and realized that my answer for really fine lines and ink were finally answered. (I learned later that these were Pelikan made nibs) I next purchased a Cross 18K FP, and was off on my loony journey. I started with Extra Fines and moved all through to Obliques and now am ready for my first Music nib.(Interestingly, I just looked again at the instructions with the Cross FP. I chuckled upon reading that "In the US, a medium nib is standard for men, a fine nib is standard for women." Also another tidbit about only using cartridges, "We suggest that you use your converter only as a cleaning tool." Am I glad I didn't listen to them !)
The next step on my journey involved my Sheaffer leaking on a business trip while on a flight. I ruined my shirt and lining of my jacket, and had to keep my coat on through the entire meeting. So, I resolved I would not fly with FP's ever again. I also heard my mother's voice in the background chiding me for playing with inkpens! I started searching for a rollerball again, since my Vector (chrome with golden clip) was lost or swiped by someone. I researched again and found Tombow rollerballs, and bought a beautiful chrome and gold (still have it- and today, they feel the smoothest and write the finest inmy experience, except for one small problem). Interestingly, the plastic rolerball housing leaked on a plane and after more research, I switched to Pelikan rollerball refills. I bought a Pelikan rollerball in black and silver barleycorn and then a Waterman Charleston rollerball ( I made a special, risky journey in Paris to Les Galleries Lafayette to get this black and gold model ! Almost missed my flight.) and used those for travel while using FPs for my office time.
In August 2007, I changed jobs. After 10 years of a heavy flying schedule (typically 2-3 days a week) , now my job has me travel just maybe a trip each quarter. So I am using FP's exclusively. However, I always carry a nice ball point also. a insurance. I run the risk of looking like a nerd, but am used to it. (I was the only 7th and 8th grader with a FP and teased mercilessly for it !) Many people come up to me and ask to borrow my pen for a minute, hoping I will hand them my FP. That is the real reasoin I carry a ball point, and for the odd instance when I have to write on something hard or write through multiple copies.
My FP's in order of acquisition are: Sheaffer sterling silver M & B nibs, Cross Century black matte EF then 18k EF, Waterman Exclusive F, Mont Blanc 144 Burgundy OB, Parker Silver Fougere EF, Parker Duofold Jade M, Parker Silver Fougere IM, Waterman Liaison Black Resin OB, Waterman Expert F&M, Pelikan Athens F, Pelikan 400 Blue F, Waterman Carene Vermeil Prussian Blue OB, and Visconti Van Gogh Sandal Brown F. CAN'T DECIDE ON A FAVORITE (which is why I am an addict)!
My inks are: Waterman Havana Brown, Purple, South Seas Blue, Green. Mont Blanc Green, Blue, Blue-Black. Private Reserve Orange Crush. Pelikan Red. J. Herbin Poussiere de Lune and Rose Cyclamen. Sheaffer Blue. Parker Black. Visconti Black. ALL TIME FAVORITE INK - Poussiere de Lune (I love the old, washed out look to this ink).
Thanks for indulging me and I am looking forward to being a part of this community!
Raj
