Hello:
I used fountain pens in school as a little kid. Now, after a hiatus of more than 40 years, I'm rekindling my interest in them. I've joined this forum to educate myself about the vast array of available choices, in the hope that I'll learn enough to narrow the field. At this point, all I know is that I want something that writes as smoothly as possible (alas, rollerball gel pens have spoiled me), and has a nib that will give me variable stroke width. I think that's called an "italic" nib, but I'm still learning.
Anyway, I'll be relying on the expertise and experience of anyone who knows more than I do...which is probably just about everyone.
fizzicist
Full Version: Newbie From Southern California
Welcome to FPN,Fizzicist!
You'll find tons of information on just about any vintage or recent pen made,and more than enough folks
to help out with whatever you're interested in.
Go ahead and look around--but it comes with a warning.........getting involved in fountain pens will be addictive!
John
You'll find tons of information on just about any vintage or recent pen made,and more than enough folks
to help out with whatever you're interested in.
Go ahead and look around--but it comes with a warning.........getting involved in fountain pens will be addictive!
John
Hello Fizzicist! Welcome to FPN!
The addiction isn't a problem unless you start sniffing ink!
The addiction isn't a problem unless you start sniffing ink!
Welcome.
Hi there and welcome too.
For a good starter pen you might want to look at a Waterman Charleston or a Pelikan M4xx.
They have a range of oblique nibs. Try one on for size. With ink, of course.
Lots o' luck!
Mike
For a good starter pen you might want to look at a Waterman Charleston or a Pelikan M4xx.
They have a range of oblique nibs. Try one on for size. With ink, of course.
Lots o' luck!
Mike
QUOTE (fizzicist @ Aug 14 2008, 11:14 PM) 
Hello:
I used fountain pens in school as a little kid. Now, after a hiatus of more than 40 years, I'm rekindling my interest in them. I've joined this forum to educate myself about the vast array of available choices, in the hope that I'll learn enough to narrow the field. At this point, all I know is that I want something that writes as smoothly as possible (alas, rollerball gel pens have spoiled me), and has a nib that will give me variable stroke width. I think that's called an "italic" nib, but I'm still learning.
Anyway, I'll be relying on the expertise and experience of anyone who knows more than I do...which is probably just about everyone.
fizzicist
I used fountain pens in school as a little kid. Now, after a hiatus of more than 40 years, I'm rekindling my interest in them. I've joined this forum to educate myself about the vast array of available choices, in the hope that I'll learn enough to narrow the field. At this point, all I know is that I want something that writes as smoothly as possible (alas, rollerball gel pens have spoiled me), and has a nib that will give me variable stroke width. I think that's called an "italic" nib, but I'm still learning.
Anyway, I'll be relying on the expertise and experience of anyone who knows more than I do...which is probably just about everyone.
fizzicist
Welcome!
Depends what you want to spend on a first pen. Variable stroke width can come with either a flex nib or an italic. If you're talking CHEAP, Sheaffer makes a great italic pen kit---pens with flex nibs are a little more expensive.
BTW, iz u rly a fizzicist???
A good place to start in LA is at the Fountain Pen Shop in Monrovia. It's worth the drive; Fred is very generous with his time and letting you try pens and see what works best for you. And I think they're in the middle of a sale...
Here's a link to an article about the shyop, with address and phone info:
http://www.tmgp.com/cgi-bin/nph-tame/penshop/about.htm
Welcome aboard!
Here's a link to an article about the shyop, with address and phone info:
http://www.tmgp.com/cgi-bin/nph-tame/penshop/about.htm
Welcome aboard!
Welcome to FPN! Check out Pelikan pens. They are all great writers and have nibs that can be interchanged. Be careful though, not all sizes fit all pens. There are specific sets of nibs for specific sizes. I have many Pelikans and each and every one of them is a delight! 
Reminds me of my grad school Electricity and Magnetism teacher, who was fresh off the boat from Korea. He kept saying a word that sounded like "Fizzzzzzzz...." and it took me a few days before I figured out that he was trying to say "Physicists".
Hahahahaha...fizzzzzzzzz....!! Oh that made my day...
Aaaanyway.
Hi, Fizzy, and welcome to the "FPN".
Fountain pens are generally very smooth, so I'm sure you'll find one you like. A nib which gives varying stroke-widths is what I think most people might call a flexible nib. The nib bends and flexes when you write with it, depending on the amount of pressure you put on the pen. This gives you the chance to alter the thickness of your lines.
Flex nibs aren't for everyone, though, so don't dive right into them. Take your time.
Aaaanyway.
Hi, Fizzy, and welcome to the "FPN".
Fountain pens are generally very smooth, so I'm sure you'll find one you like. A nib which gives varying stroke-widths is what I think most people might call a flexible nib. The nib bends and flexes when you write with it, depending on the amount of pressure you put on the pen. This gives you the chance to alter the thickness of your lines.
Flex nibs aren't for everyone, though, so don't dive right into them. Take your time.
Hello and welcome to FPN.
Welcome! 
PMS
PMS
Well to FPN.
(My daughter graduated from Cal Poly with a fizzix degree. )
Italic pens are great. I just got my first Binder Pelikan 200 italic cursive pen from 0.9. Great nib.
I am having him regrind a Waterman nib to a 0.7 italic nib. The 0.9 is definitely a generous medium one.
It is way worth buying quality like a Binder Pelikan.
Cheapie Sheaffer calligraphy pens which are ok, but nothing spectacular.
The LAMY Joy 1.1 is also a medium cursive italic pen, but my Binder nib has a much a better edge to it. And, it is not even his "crisp italic!"
The Pelikan nib (the steel one) has a bit of spring to it which is nice.
FPN will feed your addictions and give you way too much information.
Enjoy.
Wanda
(My daughter graduated from Cal Poly with a fizzix degree. )
Italic pens are great. I just got my first Binder Pelikan 200 italic cursive pen from 0.9. Great nib.
I am having him regrind a Waterman nib to a 0.7 italic nib. The 0.9 is definitely a generous medium one.
It is way worth buying quality like a Binder Pelikan.
Cheapie Sheaffer calligraphy pens which are ok, but nothing spectacular.
The LAMY Joy 1.1 is also a medium cursive italic pen, but my Binder nib has a much a better edge to it. And, it is not even his "crisp italic!"
The Pelikan nib (the steel one) has a bit of spring to it which is nice.
FPN will feed your addictions and give you way too much information.
Enjoy.
Wanda
Welcome to FPN.
Welcome!
I just wrote an article for people new (or returning) to fountain pens. Take a look: http://biffybeans.blogspot.com/2008/08/why-fountain-pen.html
I just wrote an article for people new (or returning) to fountain pens. Take a look: http://biffybeans.blogspot.com/2008/08/why-fountain-pen.html
Hello and welcome to FPN. Kick off your shoes and have a stroll around the grounds. There is lots of good information as well as people willing to share information. Heck you might even pick up a pen or two at the Marketplace.
Once again welcome.
Kurt
Once again welcome.
Kurt
Thanks to all for your warm welcome and helpful recommendations. I'm definitely taking my time. There are so many options to investigate, it's almost overwhelming...but just almost. It's fun actually—a whole new trip!
So far, the Pelikan M200 Calligraphy Fountain Pen looks tempting. I found one with a 1.0mm OBB nib. I read somewhere that the Pelikan M200 Tradition Series allows the user to easy change nibs, but it's not clear to me whether that applies to the calligraphy pen. I presume the vendor will know.
An acquaintance recommended Romet pens, saying that they're a great value. He especially praised the Schmidt nibs on the Europa and Emperor models. I haven't seen any with italic nibs, but that's not an absolute requirement if I'm otherwise smitten by the pen.
Yes...it's one of my two great passions (I mean, besides my family)...the other being music.
Oh...and I visited your Grand Otaku of Squee page..."squee" being a pillar in my own idiosyncratic vocabulary, I was immediately curious about it. Your anime-style artwork is awesome! I've been exposed to that genre via my daughters, who are very much into writing fan fiction, and have sucked me into watching anime with them on the tube. In fact my youngest daughter is a budding anime artist herself.
Best regards!
So far, the Pelikan M200 Calligraphy Fountain Pen looks tempting. I found one with a 1.0mm OBB nib. I read somewhere that the Pelikan M200 Tradition Series allows the user to easy change nibs, but it's not clear to me whether that applies to the calligraphy pen. I presume the vendor will know.
An acquaintance recommended Romet pens, saying that they're a great value. He especially praised the Schmidt nibs on the Europa and Emperor models. I haven't seen any with italic nibs, but that's not an absolute requirement if I'm otherwise smitten by the pen.
QUOTE (Sailor Kenshin @ Aug 15 2008, 08:08 AM)
BTW, iz u rly a fizzicist???
Yes...it's one of my two great passions (I mean, besides my family)...the other being music.
Oh...and I visited your Grand Otaku of Squee page..."squee" being a pillar in my own idiosyncratic vocabulary, I was immediately curious about it. Your anime-style artwork is awesome! I've been exposed to that genre via my daughters, who are very much into writing fan fiction, and have sucked me into watching anime with them on the tube. In fact my youngest daughter is a budding anime artist herself.
Best regards!
QUOTE (fizzicist @ Oct 7 2008, 07:09 AM)
QUOTE (Sailor Kenshin @ Aug 15 2008, 08:08 AM)
BTW, iz u rly a fizzicist???
Yes...it's one of my two great passions (I mean, besides my family)...the other being music.
Oh...and I visited your Grand Otaku of Squee page..."squee" being a pillar in my own idiosyncratic vocabulary, I was immediately curious about it. Your anime-style artwork is awesome! I've been exposed to that genre via my daughters, who are very much into writing fan fiction, and have sucked me into watching anime with them on the tube. In fact my youngest daughter is a budding anime artist herself.
Best regards!
Why, thanks! What does she like to draw? Currently I have been hooked into watching Dragonball Z. I understand there are close to 300 episodes.
Yuu Yuu Hakusho featured a scene with a 'snake pen' that was supposed to be one of a kind. Oh, well---it's fiction after all.
Welcome!
QUOTE (Sailor Kenshin @ Oct 7 2008, 12:22 PM)
Why, thanks! What does she like to draw? Currently I have been hooked into watching Dragonball Z. I understand there are close to 300 episodes.
Yuu Yuu Hakusho featured a scene with a 'snake pen' that was supposed to be one of a kind. Oh, well---it's fiction after all.
Yuu Yuu Hakusho featured a scene with a 'snake pen' that was supposed to be one of a kind. Oh, well---it's fiction after all.
She mostly draws her own characters—stuff for her own stories. In the past, she has drawn characters from "The Yuyu Haka Show" (my name for it), Fruba (Kiyo, Yuki, etc.), FMA, and Bleach. She works principally in pencil or marker in hard media. Otherwise she'll do an outline in pencil or black ink, scan it, and then detail it in Photoshop or Manga Studio. I have a feeling that the first time she notices me using a fountain pen, I'm in trouble. "Hey Dad, what's that...?" (Uh-oh...)
Heh---you can buy your budding artist one of her very own!
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