For the past 20 years most of my writing (except the occasional shopping list) has been on a keyboard and in front of a computer. Recently, however, working on a research degree, I've begun to depend more and more upon written note-cards and paper for keeping track of things and thinking problems through. Decided to buy a new pen and eventually found my way to FPN. Very useful info and helpful community offering an excellent intro into the whole subject. In the end decided to go for a Pelikan M200, which I have enjoyed for a few weeks now. Also just ordered one of Richard Binder's 0.6 stub cursive nibs and am looking forward to that arriving in the next few days.

Part of what I do involves translation work, for which I'd like to have different coloured inks, so I'm thinking of getting a couple of Lamy Safaris to go with the Pelikan.

So now I'm finding the ink reviews very useful as well.

Great site. Thanks!

John

The Safaris will be great choices and you can find affordable and reliable italic nibs for it too. Actually, a member here, twdpens is the owner of one of the best pen companies UK based http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/ and has spares and all you may want for them. Diamine, an English ink brand has one, if not the most ample range of colors in high quality, saturated inks that are problem free in general. You can't go wrong with them and they are easily available over there. So, you have it easy compared to others . They are even British nibmeisters whose work may be less known but as good as other more renowned ones here.
I've done some translations myself many years back. Is an exhausting job, but I always used a pc for it.

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you here.

Welcome to FPN! Enjoy your Pelikan. I love mine.

Welcome to FPN!

Hello and welcome to FPN. Take a look around there's lots to see.

Kurt

Welcome John.

Hi and welcome. Glad to hear that you started off your collection/collecting with a decent Pelikan. Which one is next?
M320, M450, M800, a "city" pen, Northern Lights?

Hmm?

Welcome aboard.

Once you get into ink colors there is no hope.

Welcome to FPN!!!

Welcome to the forums.

Thanks for the kind welcomes!

Visited a few pens shops up in London yesterday. Picked up two Safaris with fine nibs. While in the shop handled an M600 and, to answer your question, lapis, I think that's probably what I will hope to aspire to one day. What a beautiful pen!

Thanks for the heads up on the Diamine inks, Ondina, and the tip re thewritingdesk. Will look into that. I picked up a bottle of MB Racing Green and Waterman Red yesterday to add to the Waterman Havana Brown I already had. (Sailor Kenshin's probably right...)

For the time being, however, all this will have to do. I think now I probably need to get back to work!

Thanks again!

Hi John and welcome! Don't aspire...aspiring is for others...acquire!

welcome to FPN

Welcome to FPN!

You'll love the Safaris when you try them.

I'm very late posting, but welcome! I am also a lover of the Lamy Safari.

Quick update. Picked up two Safaris and the Binderised nib has arrived and is now in place on my M200. All working well - very happy! This site has proved invaluable in introducing me, as a newbie, to the wonderful world of fountain pens. MB Racing Green is now my ink of choice and I'm still familiarising myself with 0.6 stub italic which I really enjoy. Now to sort out my sore writing arm!

My next pen will probably be a Sailor Sapporo. I'm planning to try one out at the London Pen Show in October.

Thanks all!