Hi there!
I am Moniek - Aceymo - 25 y/o and I am from Almere (next to Amsterdam) in The Netherlands. I was told about this forum by a Fountain pen retailer from the Netherlands.
I have used fountain pens before in primary school at the age of 5. It was a pain really, all the ink all over my hands and clothes. Not even being a lefty!
When allowed to use ballpoints in high school I was overjoyed. Thinking about that makes me laugh now.
I actually came into contact again with the fountain pen a few months ago via the Bullet Journaling community. A lot of people trying to improve their handwriting using fine liners and a technique called faux calligraphy, but also some using actual fountain pens. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! People actually using those awful things from primary school???
I did some research and honestly... fell in love after 2 hours! I dug up my old pen, and after watching some of Brian Goulets' videos on fountain pen maintenance, wrote with it for the first time in 18 years!
It was not great... huge let down from all the enthusiasm building inside me. So the next week I bought a Lamy Safari (only one available in the entire city) and started writing in my Bullet Journal.
Now after 2/3 months I have found other pens (Parker and one without the brandname visible) from back in the day, cleaned them, added a TWSBI Eco, lots of ink samples (not sure which to get a full bottle of yet) and I have watched numerous youtube videos. Eager to learn more every day.
I am also alone in my group of friends and colleagues in using fountain pens. I could really use new insights, more information, other reviews and new friends really to share my passion for this newly discovered world to me.
(also never used a forum before, so quite a noobie!)
I'd love to chat with all of you!
Goodnight!