I spent a while searching for a good ballpoint pen and finally decided none of the ones locally available flow quite the way I like. I then tried searching online for something better and stumbled across this site. Since I wasn't set on ballpoint pens I've set my sights on finding a good pen in general, and I have high hopes for fountain pens to fill my need for a good writing utensil.

Also my handwriting is terrible. Just thought I should put that out there.

Hey welcome! Chicago is one of my favourite cities in the world! been there like 6 times!

Follow your temptation, writing with an FP is like going around with a Ferrari!

Ciao,

Welcome to FPN!!!! Check out Century Pens in Chicago- it is a good place to actually see a lot of fountain pens , hold them etc. Located at 231 LaSalle St, inside the Bank of America Center in downtown Chicago.

Thanks for the recommendation Wolverine1, I'll have to stop in sometime on Monday. You wouldn't happen to know of a good place to get ink downtown, would you?

Welcome.

Hi and welcome. I think anybody here can say this in general, but all you need to do is try out a BP and a FP at the same time (yes, both as a wet run) and the decision will then be clear what's best.

Mike

Odie- I would think that Century Pen would have a good selection of inks. However, if you want to try out a wide variety of inks, check out the Pear Tree Pen Company. He offers an "Ink Sampler" program- he sends out small vials of the inks you request, for a nominal fee. Then you dont have to buy a whole bottle at full price and be stuck with it if you dont like it. Plus, if you buy ink from him, I think he gives you credit for the money you spent in ordering the samplers. He is in Ann Arbor, Mi, so, I think you will get the vials in a day or two, since you are Chicago.

Usual disclaimer- I am not affiliated with the Pear Tree Pen Co. Just am a satisfied customer

Pear Tree Pen Co.

Odie,

Welcome to FPN. I have siblings who live in Chicagoland, some in Midlothian, some in Whiting IN. Never spent much time there myself, as I grew up way down south just north of Cairo, and just south of Carbondale in a tiny farming town.

Donnie

And I would recommend visiting the suburb mall as well: both Woodfield Mall and the Oakbrook Mall have stores with constant sale sections. No great ink selection though: just PR, Waterman, Montblanc. No Noodlers that I was chasing.

Cheers,

I found 3 old fountain pens. Two say Sheaffer on the clip and are cartridge fountain pens and the other has a lever and says Sheaffer Lifetime 14k on the nib. The lever one still has ink in it but it's very scratchy to write with and the tip is bent a bit. The other two have broken combs. How do I go about cleaning them out?

Welcome. I'm from Chicago also so it's nice to know there is a hometown collector out there.

I just checked this morning, It's 231 S La Salle St. There is also a 231 N Lasalle St, at least on google maps.

Almost went to the wrong place :S

Sorry about the mistake, Odie. I took the address from an article about Century Pens that was posted on Pentrace a few days back. It was an article about the store written by a friend from Pentrace- and he is not a Chicago native, and probably got the address wrong.
But, I am glad that you found the correct address.
BTW, take your vintage Sheaffer and th e other pens t the shop- they could tell you how to clean them up and get them ready to write. Also, the nib on your Sheaffer might need tweaking if it is a bit bent.

I would second the recmenadtion to the Woodfield mall in Schaumburg, the Executive Essentials store there has a large selection, and very competetive prices. Paradise Pen in Oakbrook is priced much higher, and I would not suggest the trip.

Good Luck,
Dan

Hello and welcome aboard the FPN!

Welcome to FPN, put both hands on your paypal account and stay out of the Marketplace!

Welcome odie5533!

Stay out of the marketplace? Wuh?

The Marketplace sub-forum on FPN. Folks are busy selling, buying and trading pens and inks and accessories with each other!!! Check t out!!!!

If you want to by ink in downtown Chicago, also try Gilbertson Clybourn on the south side of Chicago Avenue between Rush and Wabash. They stock a good supply of Private Reserve inks.