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Hello and thanks in advance for your expert advice. I love fountain pens but am very new to this rich new landscape. Someone who recently bought four of my small drawings wants to pay me by exchange with a David Oscarson (think the name is right) pen. I have done Goggle research and Oscarson seems well regarded but I would very much appreciate any advice from fountain pen pros. The cost of my four drawings is $2,000.00. .

I'm hoping to travel to Florence later in the year or early next year from the UK, I plan on taking pens and drawing equipment with me but I'm unsure about what pens to take as my luggage will be carry on only. My regular drawing kit is an A5 conference folder with a small tin with 6 watercolour pans, a couple of water brushes, 2 pastel pencils, paper, a pencil sharpener and a couple of fountain pens. I vary the pens I use but normally include a Kaweco Lilliput as it's very small and takes cartridges which means I can always carry a few spare cartridges with me, my concern with taking the Lillput is that it's made entirely of aluminium, I can't see how anyone would say it was dangerous or a risk to carry but I've not traveled abroad for 10+ years and I know travel restrictions are very different now. I was also thinking of taking one or two cheaper pens like a Pilot 78g and a Pilot Elite but both are converter fillers so I'd need to take a small bottle of ink, I'd probably use a plastic 30ml Diamine bottle with 15-20ml of ink. My concern about the bottle is the liquid restrictions and also potential leaking, I was thinking of putting the bottle in a couple of zip lock bags in case it did leak. Are my plans ok or can anyone offer any advice please? Also does anyone know of any good art or pen shops in Florence in case I need to pick anything up while I'm there? Thanks

So I had a 149 years ago and didn't like the weight with the brass piston threads. Most of the plastic piston threads that would go up for sale were F or EF. Finally a 70s 18c with a B nib was available at a fair price and I took it. The problem is when I received the pen, I noticed that I could easily see the 149 stamp at the bottom of the nib. I tried to pull it with just my hands and it didn't budge. I have not tried nib pliers yet. I figured I would get advice first. Specifics Have not filled it yet Nib and feed are aligned so both sticking out presumably Feed is solid ebonite style Collar is screwed in further then end of pen What advice can any give me to try and fix this or should I just try to fill and write? Thanks, Erick

I am newbie about using fountain pen. I have Montegrappa NeroUno Linea M nib and it is wet pen. And I am using it for three years. Now I am looking to buy new pen and I saw Sailor Professional Gear 21k B nib and I like it a lot. I am thinking to buy that pen and I read a lot of good thing about its butter smooth nib. But I really like wet writing pens SO - What do you think is Sailor Professional Gear good choice for wet and smooth writing pen? - Do you have any advice for me for wet and gold nib pen for 300 - 600 USD price range?

Hi. I hope I'm not doing anything wrong by posting a question in this forum. I'm sure you are used to people asking "best pen that has everything I want under 100 bucks" . This is another such topic. So I've attached one of my custom "pens" to this post. It's digital, obviously. It's one of my favorite digital brushes. 50% elliptical, flexing ( even in upstrokes ), can be held at an angle. I want to have something close in a fountain pen format ( not dip pen ) if possible. Apparently flex is hard to come by in modern pens, so vintage is totally fine. I don't mind brands. Just a dependable fountain pen with a good nib. What kind of nib? I'm not sure. I probably won't be using it a lot for note taking and such, and it doesn't have to have super fine in its range. HALP!

Ok, I am looking to spend some time finally improving my handwriting and penmanship. I have attached 2 photos of some notes for a Men's bible study i am in that shows the pitiful state of my writing (and possibly spelling). I recently purchased a Cross Aventura to try my hand at using a fountain pen to be a bit more deliberate in my writing. The photos attached were written with than pen. Am am two issues with this pen Issue the first. I feels a bit to light for me. I have had come cheep Meisterstück roller ball knockoffs that i loved the weight and balance of. i am also a huge fan-boy of the pentell sharp Kerry pencils. what i would like is a pen that falls somewhere between the two of these. and as always I am not looking to spend bunch of money on this so the Chinese pens are fully open to me as an option. Issue the Second. I tend to have a heavy had and firm grip with the bone pump to prove this on my left had. because of this combination i have found the nib on the aventura to be a bit broad for me and i would need something that is narrower and will stand up to the presser of my writing. I would also like a second smaller pen that would fit nicely with any of the standard size "field notebooks" this defenitly needs to be as cheep as possible as it will be used for urban outreach and this pen might get lost. pen, and nib advice are greatly appreciated and i do thank you in advance for you time.

Ok so I didn't listen. I was rash. I spent $50 on a lot of pens on Ebay and got 9 pretty crappy pens. Mostly lever-filled and not a working pen in the bunch. And if that's not bad enough, I looked at Richard's and most of these pens are less than stellar to begin with. Pushing the "bid now" button was so much fun...winning was fun, so was getting the package and then reality set in. I just wanted to be cool like you guys! Did I just pay $50 to learn a newbie lesson or is there something to be salvaged here? Maybe next time I should stick to getting a boatload of Chinese or Indian pens for my $50! Here's the list of losers (left to right): Group #1 Unmarked Medford Ambassador Wearever (black w/ a red plastic cap) Group #2 Wearever (Navy w/a silver cap)Kreko Writefine Unmarked mostly... except for AG #6 under the clip Fineline (Sheaffer) I realize the image doesn't show much, but I was not about to invest a lot of time on this unless someone told me to. I can shoot details of individual pens or nibs.. as the post says, Now what!?

As my fountain pen addiction spirals further out of control I've been pondering my next purchase, I thought about the Cult Pens fountain pen because I like small pens but as I have a few Kawecos and the nibs are the same I don't really see the point, I looked at the Bexley Jitterbug but can't get the colour I want in the UK, then the Pelikan M150 and M200 really caught my eye The questions I have are does anyone use their Pelikian to draw with and if so how are they? I prefer extra fine nibs and really like my Platinum #3776 SF and Namiki Falcon SF does anyone know how the Pelikan EF nib compares to them? Thanks

Hey gang, I have recently got the itch to add to my small fountain pen collection. I am thinking the new addition will be a Vacumatic since I have wanted one for so long. Is there a model that is suggested for first time Vac owners or are they all variations on the same theme? From my cursory research, major differences between types would be size, filling system and clip. I plan on using this pen often and while wanting it to be in good shape and functional, don't need or expect it to be in mint condition. I want a pen to love and enjoy without feeling like I need to store it behind museum glass. At this time I would prefer a 30's Standard model based mostly on size, but also clip design. What can I expect to pay for a functioning Vac in respectable condition from this time period? Or for any Vac in working order and fair shape? Thanks for all the help as I move closer to owning for first Parker Vacumatic! Alex

Hi all, I'm interested in looking into stub nibs. I'd love to be able to try them out before buying any, but I live in Australia, which does not have a wide range of choice in FPs... and what is available is sold is 3x the price of buying a pen online. So given that trying stub nibs out in an actual store is unlikely to happen, I'd love to be able to buy a stub online and test it out before deciding to commit to a more expensive pen with a stub nib. So... where can I most cheaply source a pen with a stub nib? Bonus points if you can tell me where to find a range of cheap stubs - from M to BB so I can see what nibs I like best. Thanks!

Hi, hello, everybody I've decided to come out of lurking to ask for advice about purchasing my first pen, I've selected a few candidates, however I'd like to know if there is anything I may have overlooked. I joined almost a year ago while I was looking for information on the Montblanc Noblesse Oblige and the Chopin, but I decided to sit on it for a little while longer. If there's anybody who would like to help me make the best decision for my lifestyle, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm looking for a pen that I would be happy to grow with, a companion for other tools that I cherish, namely a Leica M2; I'd like a pen that comes close to embodying what the M2 represents to me i.e. a classic design in its simplest form -- perhaps designed to outlast its owner. It's a very early M2, as far as Ms go it is stripped of everything: it lacks a traditional shot count, light meter, self-timer, modern loading system, modern rewind, hot shoe etc. What this means to those who are unacquainted, it is sometimes very difficult love in light of more modern, albeit still archaic, Leica cameras. I'd like to spend $300, however I will extend the budget for the right pen. If it helps, I'm in a somewhat fortunate position to be a university student earning money, whilst still living at home, so I don't pay rent, utilities, or anything other than my own transport and phone bill; being an extra five hundred dollars out of pocket merely means I might not be able to buy nice shoes. I'd also like to add that the M2 was my first film camera, a year later I bought an M6--has an inbuilt meter--from a limited production. It has all the fancy modern additions, but I don't quite like it--it doesn't speak to me and I've considered selling it. I'm currently looking at a gold trimmed midnight blue Noblesse Oblige, it feels like it fits the bill: classic, slender design. However I worry for its longevity and its build quality as I have read that its barrel is made of plastic as it belongs to Montblanc's pseudo-budget line of sorts; I believe it is also priced quite high ($300) for such a pen, as I might be able to buy another Montblanc with the same amount of money.One of the reasons why I do not like the M6 is that it is made of a lighter magnesium alloy, which feels cheap compared to the chromed brass of the M2. I'm the type of person who enjoys fine things at my own pace, this means that I might enjoy the must have thing from the last century and dress like your grandad... I suppose. I've been fixated on the Noblesse Oblige for about a year, and I do not want that to steer me in the wrong direction. Could I have possibly overlooked other pens? Thoughts, and or opinions would be appreciated. I would be eternally grateful if somebody would care to help me out in anyway possible.

Hello FPN, I'm posting on here because I really have no idea where to start - some of you are SO knowledgeable I'm hoping you can help! Perhaps this post can also be a reference for other people like me who are just getting started. The Background: I'm currently completing an internship / studying abroad in the United Kingdom, and will most likely be in Germany next summer for another internship. Being here has provided me with access to materials related to FPs that I have never experienced before. With that being said I'm originally from the North-eastern part of the United States, which is where I'm attending University studying Financial Economics with the intention to study medicine for my post-graduate studies. I received my first FP as a gift from my German friends when I was no older than 12 - at that time my FP hardly received any use at all. I always knew that I had it, but never used it because I was afraid kids at school would steal it, and I would be ridiculed for being different (both of those being highly likely). Coupled with my inability to easily procure ink cartridges in the U.S. and my complete lack of knowledge about converters, I also didn't want to "waste" my meagre ink cartridge supply. Regarding penmanship, I think I'm the only one of my friends that learned to write in cursive before learning to print! The first school I attended didn't teach "print" until the fifth grade. Naturally, as that was the first way I learned to write, and I find it quicker, I have always tended to write in cursive. My cursive however is dreadful, and it's something I've wanted to improve. Fast forward a few years to my recent past: After spending time in Germany last summer, the introduction to converters and, resulting from long hours during the school year, the means to procure what I wish - I'm now on a mission to expand my palate and understanding of the FP world. What I have: Pens - currently all of the pens I have are LAMY, because frankly I think (in my obviously biased opinion) that they are decent pens and if they happened to get lost I would not be worse for the wear. I have a LAMY: Studio, Al-star F, Al-Star 1,5, Safari B, My least favorite pen is the studio, for some reason I've never really liked it besides the day I bought it, and my favorite pen which I use constantly is the Blue Al-Star with an F nib Penmanship - a 5 book set off of Amazon that is supposed to teach me Spenserian. Paper Goods: only moleskin and basic writing paper. Ink - LAMY Black well ink, Noodler's Bulletproof ink What I'm looking for: Someone to point me in the right direction (hence the title). I would really like to improve my handwriting, and learn new fonts. I've read enough posts to understand that this is not a timeless task, and is probably something I will spend the rest of my life learning - which I'm fine with. To me it is something that is invaluable, especially in this digital world. With that being said, where does one start? Is it better to try and attend a class (are there even such things??) to learn the basics? Are there exercises people do? I'm also looking for someone to point me in the right direction for pens - I love my LAMY Al-star, but I think I'm ready to branch away from LAMY (or get a new one...) and begin understanding more about fountain pens. Clearly there are many old pens, new pens, weird, old pen makers and everyone on this network seems to have a ridiculously passionate opinion about everything they prefer about their pens. Nibs. Flexible nibs? Are certain nibs for certain papers? inks? pens? Are there nib guidelines? Do certain fonts require certain nibs? Are there nib-makers in this world? I'm not even sure what to ask for here because the extent of my knowledge about nibs is that they write differently and I like my LAMY F better than my LAMY B - and my LAMY 1,5 writes "cool". Inks - clearly my parents failed to educate me because until I started reading posts on here I thought there were ballpoint inks, gel pen inks, and the ink I had in my cartridges. Whoops. Does ink matter? Are there preferred inks for different things? How does one know what ink they like? I've noticed that all papers are not created equally. I will also admit that I was somewhat shocked when I learned that Moleskin had a horrible reputation amongst FP users. I now understand why (many of the reasons people seem to dislike their product are reasons I too have encountered - and ignorantly dismissed) people have definite opinions, but I frankly had no exposure to various types of paper where I lived in the States. What paper does one use for different things? Is there a standard weight that below which I should not ever buy? What about daily diaries, in both the European and American sense of the word? I've read things about Clairefontane (spelling?), are they the gold standard? So, if people would be willing to comment and tell me/show me where to find what I'm after I would be much obliged. I know that I have much to learn but I haven't found a thread yet that seems to address my questions and I'm tired of looking around and only getting a titbit here and a tad there. One last thing - I love getting letters, and that is where most of my time writing is spent. I often joke with my friends and family that I'm unloved if I check my mailbox and I don't have letters or that I am loved by so-and-so if they have sent me a letter. I'm not sure if that will help people answer my questions in a way that is more directed to me, but it might provide a little insight into my young mind.

Hello I have a question I am making a Franken pen using a vintage nib Section 1 Sheaffer 33 or 3-25 nib. I need idea on minimum size for my cap section of pen. I have spoken to a person in Florida who makes Sterling Silver pen parts. I need to know diameter of the cap so I can order band for the cap my pen. Also artistically what would be a good band thickness? A thin band or thicker band. Any help appreciated. Your Farhan(London England)

Hello I have a question I am making a Franken pen using a vintage nib Section 1 Waterman’s Ideal #2 nib. I need idea on minimum size for my cap section of pens. I have spoken to a person in Florida who makes Sterling Silver pen parts. I need to know diameter of the cap so I can order a band for the cap of my pen as I don't want to get wrong sized band. Also artistically what would be a good band thickness? A thin band or thicker band. Any help appreciated. Yours Farhan(London England)

Dear FPN, Hi everyone, I've always had split up or not joint handwriting and I only very recently started writing in curive due to my interest for the world of fountain pens and calligraphy. I've been learning mostly from Youtube actually but have added my own character to my handwriting. A Copperplate book that I have ordered is on its way and a Copperplate-like style is what I'm aiming for but obviously, I'm far from it. It really would be great if anyone could give me a little advice and even things like "your A's are messed up" is fine. Lastly, just want to say, this is my everyday functional handwriting written using a Waterman Hemisphere and Noodlers Black ink. Hoper it is'nt too difficult to read and thanks in advance! Sincerely, Jonathan Also I'm just wondering for a flex or italic nib, are you meant to hold the pen so the downstrokes or flattest part of the nib are perpendicular to the lines on the page for example? Not the best quality picture sorry.

Hi all! I have been using fountain pens for a while and found a very annoying problem. Not like ballpoints or rollers, it seems all fountain pen nibs dry out after a while. I don't see this as a problem while continues writing such as copying large documents or writing completed thoughts out in paper, but I more generally use FP to write notes and do homework. One example is doing math, I read a problem, write, recheck on calc, write, read, write, etc. And during all those little time gaps my pen will dry out unless capped, this becomes really annoying when you have to do this dozens of times in a row, and it even becomes more annoying when the nib dries and I have to scribble to get it writing again. Recently this has become such a big issue that I resorted to keeping a water bottle cap with a shallow amount of ink inside to dip before continuing writing. So is there any other alternative than pulling the cap off and then putting it back on again every 30 seconds? I am open to suggestions about fixing or getting another FP. Thanks to you all for reading!

Hello I am making blow filing wooden fountain pens . I was thinking of using Mahogany for the pen. Do the member of the forum think Mahogany is good wood or is something else better to make an elegant pen. I look forward to the discussion on wood choices for my pens. Yours Farhan

Hey Guys, I am new on fountain pen fourums. I recently got into fountain pens. I have a noodlers konrad flex pen. Here are samples of my writing: As you see, it's not the best handwriting. I'm interested in learning a new font this summer. I would like to learn a font that looks professional and I should be able to write fairly quickly with it. I am open to any criticism. I would not like to learn italic because it wouldn't fit my personality. Thanks, Dino

Hello I am making two Franken pens using 2 vintage nibs 1 Watermans Ideal #2 and 1 Sheaffer 33 or 3-25 nib and building rest of pen out of mahogany . I am looking for a good kit to use. I want a posh, elegant kit , which look like Montblanc style. If there is no kit to work wioth my nibs, which looks like Montblanc how do, you suggest I make a Montblanc style pens. Where would I get the bits to make Montblanc style pens. Furthermore, how would I combine the kits to my nib stubs. I got my nib stubs. I am making 1 pen as birthday gift. Any help appreciated Yours Farhan(London England)

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could give any advice for beginners. My handwriting is quite poor, and not at all consistent. Are there any specific styles that are recommended to start with? Eventually I would like to learn more intricate writing styles as well, but at the moment I am not really sure how to even begin. Thank you!

Greetings. I’m interested in picking up and becoming proficient with both a form of cursive and non-cursive. While my goals are largely aesthetic, I want to avoid sacrificing speed and efficiency in the long term, though I understand their loss is unavoidable during the initial training phase. At the moment, I have my heart set out on J. Pickering’s Practical Book Hand, but am unsure as to which style of cursive I would like to pursue; Spencerian and Business Hand, which are so frequently recommended, are unfortunately not to my taste. If I had to pick right now, I’d likely go with a form of Simple Modern italic cursive. Now that that’s out of the way, I’m interested in finding out what training approach is most widely recommended and why. I understand that aesthetically pleasing writing comes from consistent letterforms and consistent spacing between and around both individual letters and whole words. However, I figure there are four ways to train: 1) trace over the letter forms from a suitable exemplar of the hand; 2) practice reproducing the letterforms while occasionally regarding the exemplar, perhaps using paper with guidelines of some sort until you get used to the size and potential slant of each letter; 3) practice producing lines, circles, and ovals of correct slant and proportion relative to the hand of interest, before moving on to one of the other approaches; and 4) writing complete words and sentences in the hand, while aiming for the aforementioned consistency. I imagine approach 4 would not be recommended as a starting point, which leaves me with the first three. If using approach 2 or 3, which I know is often recommend at least at some stage of development, I figure I’d need sheets with guidelines on them specific to my hand. While several of the more popular styles have them premade, I don’t believe Practical Book Hand does. What approach would one take in generating these sheets as someone who has never studied penmanship with any seriousness before? Apologies for the size of the post, but thanks in advance for any responses.