I'm new to fountain pens. So far I have been enjoying a couple of Pilot Vanishing Points and an old Pelikan 750 Jubilee. The writing is great, until I stretch my arm up to the top of the page, over everything I've written in the past couple of minutes, and get ink all over the place!

Is this normal?

All three of my pens have the same issue. I wonder if I am just pressing too hard. Or maybe I need to have the nibs adjusted? Two of them are medium nibs (the Pelikan and one Vanishing point), and the other is a broad nib.

Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom!

Chris

I think you are using same ink for your 3 pens, and you might need to change ink.

Depending on the ink I use (some dries faster than others), sometimes I do need blotting paper to keep my writing from smearing. It's just part of the fountain pen experience, IMHO.

It is, as said above, the ink. Note that some inks are described as "wet" because they write wetly though your pen and nib due to the ink's having a good lubrication property. But various inks also have varying "wetnesses" in regard to their evaporation once they are out of your pen.

As if that isn't enough, the paper is also very important here. Some papers absorb a lot of ink, and thus dry quickly once the ink lands on the paper. Newspaper would be a good example, or several types of inexpensive "copy" paper for copying machines, ink printers and/or laser printers. That is, ink (from your FP here) may feather somewhat on the paper. Many laser paper types -- especially the more expensive offers -- are so smooth and glossy that there is less feathering here. But whatever type of FP ink you use, that type of paper (and/or your own hand and fingers) will more likely be thankful to your quick use of a blotter.

Mike

Would I be in the minority if I said I have never had the need to use a blotter or blotting paper? Typically, all my ink dries within a couple of seconds of hitting the paper... and even until then I don't see how I could smudge it.

Oh well, each to their own!

You may need either blotter paper or patience. Some inks dry slowly on some papers. When fountain pens were common, the back page of a check register was always made of blotter paper to blot the check so the check wouldn't smear. If it is a major issue, you may be able to avoid it by carefully choosing ink and paper. Some of us prefer to blot if we can't give it time to dry so as to have a larger choice of ink and paper. Usually, it is only the last third or quarter of a page that may nned blotting before you turn the page. A partial sheet of blotting paper is a good tool to have with you, tucked in the note book.

When I use my Noodlers Le Coleur Royale -- I need something to blot with.
I don't carry blotting paper, I find if you grab one of those folded paper handtowels you often get in public restrooms -- it does the trick nicely.
I actually always have one on my desk. Just in case.

My biggest problem is finding a shop that stocks blotting paper!

Frankly I think you just need to be a bit more careful with your arm while the ink is still wet.

You're right, I'm using Noodler's lubricating ink for all three. What do you recommend? Thank you!

Mike - I can tell you are an expert at this. Can you point me to a specific ink that you recommend for my predicament? I have been using Noodler's lubricating ink -- probably exactly what I don't want.

Thank you!

Chris

Hi Chris!
Well, that's somewhat hard to answer perfectly (sorry ) but here goes....
I haven't even tried out any Noodlers, only because it isn't offered here so easily, but it has often been reported as having a good lubrication. So now we're hitting the dust....
Try out any of the Waterman's, Herbin's, Sheaffer's Skrip inks. At least Waterman's blue-black (somewhat greenish), and Florida Blue (a real classic). Herbin's Eclat de saphir and Bleu nuit are beautiful (IMO). Skrip blue-black and red are excellent. All of these at least run nicely through your pen but don't take all that time to dry on paper. Parker's inks have at least a moderate drying time. MB's inks can take a bit longer, but their Racing Green seems to be an exception. Finally, Pelikan inks are known to be rather "dry" inks, but, in my own estimation less so on paper than on their "run" through the pen.

Long story short: I'm afraid that you'll have to try out 2-4-6 inks (all with different pens) and all on different papers until you can say:

"And the winner is....".

All the best
Mike

Thank you, I will take that challenge! Have a good weekend, Chris

I would also add the Sailor Jentle series to this list, just for some flavor. In my experience, they are fast drying.

Alas, this problem has plagued me, too, with Noodler's black. My solution was ordering an ink sampler from Pear tree Pens (no affiliation), as it is a good way to try different inks without any real commitment to the ink. It is more expensive per mL than a bottle, but over time money is saved (unless, of course, you buy a bottle of every ink you sample) becuase you do not have to invest in a whole bottle to try an ink.

-Nkk

EDIT: Jentle, not Jently

Noodler!! It Is wet indeed. Not exactly wet but chubby(?) or juicy(?) maybe?
When I am using my noodler I mix it with plenty of water. almost 1:1 It still has good black color but water makes it dries faster.
and also ink is doubled by that.

If you need blotting-paper, you can easily substitute some paper-towel for it. Anything that's soft and papery and which has enough absorbency will do for blotting-paper. A single piece of blotting-paper can last for a surprisingly long time. I'm running short on actual blotting-paper so I'm trying to get the most out of each piece that I can. The one I have at the moment I haven't changed in about two months and I use it every day. Works fine.

Blotting-paper is needed more for dip-pens than fountain pens, but many FP users still use it. I do. Whether you need it is really up to you. If your ink is feathering or bleeding or if you're just impatient and a drier ink just won't work for you - find some absorbent paper and blot away.

Yep, that's me - impatient, and dry ink doesn't work for me. I use a blotter (or a paper towel, in the days when I didn't have blotter paper) with almost every letter I write - it's kind of a fun part of the process of writing and watching the ink dry. I actually found paper towels to be more absorbent than some blotter paper, but the blotter paper on a rocker blotter is just faster and easier to use.

Some merchants send you their own blotter paper with your orders - for example, every time I order from Pear Tree Pens (which is probably far too often), they include a blotter. And yes, the sheet of blotter paper does last quite a long time.

While some inks might be quicker drying, the paper does play a huge role. Seems as though that some of the better "shinier" papers such as Clairefontaine, take longer to absorb the ink.

Since I've been experimenting with all of these various journals, I've found some paper to be much more absorbent than others.

If I use Noodler's Red-Black in my M Sapporo, it takes forever to dry on most papers - but I did find one that's highly absorbent and sucks it up like a dry sponge. (With little to no feathering or bleeding.)