Clip Or Not Clip In Modern Fountain Pen

[legume]

For me the most frequent use of a clip is as a roll stopper. I can't remember the last time I actually clipped a pen onto something, even my gel pens, but the clip will prevent a pen from rolling off the table every time. However when I contemplate my hypothetical Nakaya (which costs too much for me to seriously consider buying), I spend way too much time trying to decide whether I would install a clip, roll stopper, or keep the pen streamlined.

[Horseknitter]

I rarely find the clip useful because, as a female, I secure my pens other than in a shirt pocket.

 

And, aesthetically, I only find the rare pen that is enhanced by the clip.

YMMV

[Fabius]

I carry one or two FPs daily. Usually the shirt I wear has a pocket so that is where they go and the clip comes into use. When my pens are off duty they are stoted in a mini cedar chest or the one or two lucky ones sit on a tray that's part of antique ink well set. I like when the pen's maker has their one design on the clip such as the Parker arrow.

[i4sgeorgiev]

I like the clips. They are useful for putting pens in shirt pockets and for keeping the pen from rooling. And the pen without clip is somehow incomplete...

[shumanfu]

either either ... depends on the pen and the situation.

 

I have a pen pillow I made with my niece from FIMO and it stops the clipless one rolling off the table. Rather inexpensive and also doubles as my ipad pillow too.

[penmanila]

heck, i wouldn't carry my pens around without a clip, especially considering that each one costs more than a few bics here's a "selfie" i took of two of my favorite pens in my shirt pocket. the clips keep them safe, and let me know that they're where they're supposed to be:

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/12214124125_92ed150aae_z.jpg

[ISW_Kaputnik]

It's inconvenient not to have the choice of clipping a pen to a shirt pocket, which is my preferred method of carrying one. The clip keeps the pen from rolling off a table, too.

 

Still, I've got a couple Conklin Crescents from before 1920 with no clips. Actually, they both came to me with removable after-market clips, but I only use them at home, and the crescents keep them from rolling, so I removed the clips. A little Kaweco Liliput came without one, but I can put it in a pencil case (I don't use it that often anyway). And I actually had the clips removed from two Pilot Vanishing Points, where the clip is on the grip end. Being able to write comfortably with them was more important to me than the convenience of a pocket clip. They travel in a two-pen case.

Edited March 3, 2014 by ISW_Kaputnik

[Moondrop]

I believe the clip it's more practical than the ornamental "stop", not only for shirts, but also for pen loops on planners (Like those Filofax). Besides, I keep mine posted just in case I need to put it on a table. Learned that the hard way when one Parker rolled from the desk and landed nib-down. I was able to service the pen correctly and it's now a Fine, instead of a Medium (which works great for me, because of my rather little handwriting).

 

Ditto. I wouldn't trust a pen to stay in the pen loop of my padfolio without a clip.

Plus, I tend to turn whatever is the pen I want to have most accessible into what might be considered the modern version of a ringtop, by wearing it on a cord around my neck. I wouldn't be able to do that without a clip.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Moondrop

[av8r172]

I would say the clip in today's world serves more as an ornamental piece than a practical one. The iconic Parker arrow is an example of this. My Kaweco Liliput has no clip, which would be annoying (it would roll around the desk) if not for the threads that allow the cap to be screwed onto the barrel (in fact you must do this to make the pen long enough to write). I don't mind the absence of a clip, provided that measures are available to secure the cap in some way.

[nakiana]

I prefer to have a clip for those times I want to carry the pen in my pocket.

[warblerick]

I would not buy any FP without a clip. In fact I would go so far as to say the design of the clip is a very important factor in whether or not I buy a pen. Certain pens, to me, just have odd-looking clips, and I would not purchase them (I'm not gonna name names here). Others have what I consider very beautifully made or nice looking clips, that enhance the overall design of the pen (I'm thinking of my Aurora 88 and Optima's here). While some clips are just functional (modern Conklins) they aren't really very attractive (IMO), others look elegant, especially when clipped to a pocket (Parkers, Conway Stewarts, some Stipulas). So I put a lot of thought into the clip when I look at buying a new pen. I'm sure others feel the same.

[hoppes no9]

I never use the clip as it's intended (pocket carry) but nevertheless I couldn't get by without the clip:

 

- roll stopper

- clipping to the top sheet(s) of my notepad as I go to/from meetings.