Search the Community

I am retired and have 2 higher end pens to sell that I will post shortly.

Hello – Just a quick note of introduction. I've been a lifelong fan/user of fountain pens (partly because when I was young, that's what we wrote with!) and while I have a few extra-lovely pens (Viscontis, Auroras, Montegrappas) I don't consider myself a "collector" because I really try to write with all of them and see them as my writing instruments, not objects I covet. Slightly off-topic: Though I've practiced italic calligraphy for years, I have only recently forayed into copperplate/Spencerian penmanship. It's a challenging beast, but incredibly fun. Happy to be here. Looking forward to learning from all the more experienced uses/members on here. firefrorefiddle

Hi I am Andrew and I live in Sheffield (a one-time centre of steelmaking) in England. Whilst I have been accumulating fountain pens over the years, I've decided to step it up a level and not only to start collecting properly but also to have a go at some repairs. So initially, I'm intending to concentrate on the cheaper pens. Please bear with me as I shall inevitably ask some pretty basic questions. I believe that fountain pens are for using, no just admiring (but when I get a very expensive, unused, very rare Mont Blanc, I may change my mind!) Andrew

Greetings! I am here for a few reasons. First off, I am a fan of fountain pens, mainly because I have always been a fan of journaling. I used felt tip pens early on because I don't like writing ( and pressing) for long periods with ball pen ink. I started having an interest in Fountain pens when I chanced upon a Levenger catalog some 20 years ago or so. I bought a few here and there as they went on sale. Sadly I missed out on some good ones due to just not being able to afford it over the years. I have filled the gap at work and at home with Gel ink pens. For quick and dirty stuff I am currently enjoying Pilot Precise V7 with a click top. But to the heart of my matter, I have a couple of Watermans, A LevengerTrue Writer and some cheapies I bought. Oddly enough the best writing pen I have is a green clear plastic Retro 51 I got from Book of the Month Club. It couldn't have been more than $40 at the time. It leaks a bit. It only takes cartridges, but they are the international short ones which are easy to find. My current dilemma are the Waterman Pens. I want to find a better choice of colors, but I want cartridges and they are a longer style and I can only find them in black, blue-black, and blue. Also the one I have has a fine nib and its rather 'scratchy'. I'd like to find a medium for it. Also the True Writer I cannot seem to find cartridges for outside of Levenger. I am not sure what they take the last ones with their labeling that they sent me did not work. it seems the bubble that you pierce over the nib is too small for the stem thing in there to reach it to pierce it. If that makes any sense at all. If I am in the "write" place to discuss these things, I am glad to be here. I can provide pictures of the pens if needed. Gina

Hi, I've just come back to using fountain pens after over ten years of using gel. Today I received my Parker Sonnet Cisele for use at home and a Noodlers Ahab Fountain Pen Lapis Inferno for when I'm out and about. I intend to work my way up to the Montblanc Meisterstück Classique Platinum Plated which I have a huge crush on. Sorry there is no picture or signature but the site tells me that I'm not authorised to change those things. Cheers, Anthony

Hi to All, I have started using fountain pens over the last couple of years. I greatly enjoy this new hobby. Strangely, using a fountain pen has improved my handwriting and, perhaps, it's quality of content; probably as I tend to think more before scrawling. There is so much excellent information on this website, which I have regularly used before making purchases. So thanks to all contributors. Best Wishes, Mike

I have been enjoying this wonderful forum for a few months and I finally joined. My first fountain pen, aside from the cartridge pens I used in elementary school, was a Parker 75 Cicele. My in-laws gave it to me for Christmas 1972. I still have the pen. I started working as a prosecutor in Tampa in 1975. I walked downtown quite a bit and I passed by a little but wonderful pen store. Bill, the manager, was great. Unfortunately,he was also a great enabler. I bought a Duofold Centennial and an Estrbrook as well as a few other pens from him. My mother gave me a striped green Shaeffer fountain pen that she gave to my dad in 1949 as a wedding gift. I took the pen to Bill for a tuneup. Bill sent the pen to a shop in New York. The pen was back in my hands a few weeks later, as good as new. My Shaeffer, my Esterbtook, and a few other pens were stolen. I was angry and heartbroken. I put my Parkers and a few other pens away and did not touch them till the end of last year. I read another pen blog and then this one. The pen and ink addiction returned. I have bought many pens and inks. So many that I am embarrassed to tell anyone how many. Thanks again for providing a forum for fountain pen lovers.

I've been poking around this forum on and off for quite awhile. I've finally decided it was time to actually engage some pen folk via the Internet. I'm in my early thirties and I've always been somewhat facinated by fountain pens, which has been a persistant thing despite my father's dislike of them (he had to use them growing up). When I first went to college, I bought one of those cheap shaffer cartige pens at Staples. It wasn't the best of experiences, but this was the early 2000's, where lots of niche things were popping up on the Internet. I read several sites and bought a Waterman Phileas, which was a workhorse. That pen, plus a few Lamy Safari's and a Pelikan M200 got me thorough graduate school. Sadly, the Pelikan was lost on the mean streets of Chicago. After that, I fell out of the habit of having to actually write things with pen and paper. Then I was gifted a Montblanc Classique and the interest was renewed. My collection is rounded out with a Pelikan M400, 2 Platinum Centuries, and an Omas Ogiva Alba. Anyway, it's nice to meet all of you!

My name is Jacob (Jake). Just joined the FPN on the suggestion of the Vancouver Pen club president. I am looking for any information on a North-Rite fountain pen. It seems this pen shouldn't exist. The identifier on the barrel says "North-Rite." It is a piston filler with four viewing windows as it draws in the ink. The nib is gold coloured and says, "Artus iridium point 93s The pen is 5 inches closed and 4 1/2 inches open. colour is black. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Greetings pen lovers! I'm a longtime fountain pen lover who only recently decided to delve more formally into the hobby by tapping the great resources in the WWW. I hope to learn a lot here, especially about fountain pen repair. Regards,

Hello Everyone, I've been a very long time lurker but decided to finally join and participate in conversations. I am by no means an expert in pens, ink, or calligraphy but I have a fascination and usually that is enough to get me started. I live in Northern Ohio with a my 3 year old daughter and spend most of my time with my head in a book or ink stained fingers from one medium or another. I'm not sure what else I should add. My favorite pen is my Visconti Van Gogh Starrry Night pen. I adore it. I am also a fan of pointed pens which I have been learning to use this year. My favorite ink is actually loaded watercolor on a pointed pen (so far). My favorite inky pen related blog is The Postman's Knock. In addition to fountain pens I also have a love of typewriters and books. Please feel free to ask me any questions that might strike you. I look forward to being a part of this community. M

Great to be here. I am new to fountain pens in regards to using them. I did have one a long time ago but I never really took to it. So now I am really interested in FPs. Must be the right time for me. I just bought an inexpensive FP by Shaffer. I wanted to play and practice with an FP that I did not have to worry about if I made a mistake. In the future, I will be getting a better pen after I save up some money. Also, using a top spiral writing pad due to already having it. I realize these are not the best tools, but it gets my feets wet, so to speak. Am an underwriter, left-handed person which I am happy with. FP writing helps my fine motor skills since I use a computer keyboard mainly. Looking forward to learning and making new friends here. Am on the FPN group in FB also. All the Best.

Perhaps it was inevitable. Both my mother and grandmother are/were not merely fountain-pen users but also fanciers. I guess it's a genetic trait, and I therefore cannot be held accountable for accumulating lovely and functional dispensers of ink. I read about the FPN on one of the Discussion lists for the annual Month of Letters (http://lettermo.com) challenge. It's taken me a while to join for reasons I can't explain — I couldnt get the sign-up form to work until recently — but I'm happy to have finally figured out how to open the gate. Below is the old Sheaffer I used to write all my undergraduate papers. Eventually I graduated from college and to other pens, but none have I ever loved more than this first one. And here, from left to right, are some of my other pens: First, an old, cheap, plastic A&W Sizzlestix whose provenance I do not recall even vaguely but which still works unfailingly. Next, two Schaeffers nicer than the one I used in college, also many years' writing companions.The black pen is a Platinum with a music nib, just in case someday I am struck by Euterpe and need to start writing orchestral scores of Gregorian chants. The red Romea and Juliet pen (a gift from my mother) has a fusion nib. The top unscrews to reveal a pair of hearts. I keep meaning to replace them with an emergency anti-histamine — not as romantic, but for my purposes, much more practical. Mom gave it to me to take to conferences on Medieval Literature. After the Pelikan are a Sailor, a Pilot Prera (one of my least favourite pens; it has an unresponsive, slightly scratchy nib), and a Lamy Vista. The Lamy works beautifully and I love the way I can change the nibs when I want a different line. The last pen is the newest. Its a TWISBI that fills from the inkwell on the far left. I haven't used it yet. Our local pen store has stopped carrying the TWSIBIs because they got so many complaints about how they wrote. Does anyone here use one and have any advice about how to get the best out of mine? Ruth

I'm from the SF Bay Area, born and raised, but had the opportunity to live in Austin for several years. Loved it! I've been using fountain pens off and on for more than 25 years but have only started to pay attention to the finer details of fountain pen use and care thanks to some great Instagram feeds, YouTube videos, and a couple of podcasts over the last couple of years. Goulet Pens recommended that I come here with my questions about my old Cross fountain pen, which I guess I should address in another forum. Anyway, excited to join.

Hi I am a regular user of fountain pens for daily use at work. Till recently I actually didn't know much about them and only while searching for some advice on how to get my Lamy 2000 and fixed I came upon a new world. So as a newbie I am looking for advice, recommendations and your experiences with FPs and widen my knowledge and build a suitable collection to use regularly.

Hello All, Probably standard story ... wanting to start using cursive handwriting more in my daily work life, (and home life as well). I program and process High Performance Computing simulation data in a graphics lab. I have a great opportunity to mix in artistic talent. (I like drawing portraits in chalks, dabble with iPad art programs such as Art Studio, and Brushes, and play with Photography shoot RAW digital photos with heavy photo processing in Adobe Photoshop and iPhoto). I also love calligraphy. Art was a big deal for me in high school - all four years. I have a part of my life dedicated to the Navy where I served onboard submarines as a sonar operator back in the late 80's and early 90's. I'm a big Apple guy ( please do not hold that against me - I do not push it on others. :-) ) ... and have loved writing on iPad with mesh stylus ... but this is not what I was really looking for; so I upgraded to a NeoLabs smart pen, the N3. And I do really like that. But still not there. I've ordered my first starter fountain pen - it's a Pilot Metropolitan flavor - actually the MR Silver with Python band. It should arrive tomorrow. I've also ordered all the Spencerian books and am stressing proper techniques of holding the pen and going meticulously through the exercises. Looking forward to interacting with the community and learning ... thanks to whomever dedicates valuable time to maintaining the site ... great resource !!! - richard

Hi guys, nice to meet you all! Greetings from Lisbon, Portugal. My fountain pen "story" is a bit boring but here it goes. I'm still in my early twenties but I've used fountain pens since I was a young child. My father loves pens and has been a MB fan forever so I got to play with ink and nice pens from an early age. In that time I had a few cheap Parkers to keep myself busy, i.e, bending nibs and getting ink all over the walls but always remembering to be extra careful with "daddy's pens". Anyways, fast forward around 10 years to the time when I was given a green Pelikan M200 and a new bottle of black Quink. I fell in love with it and it became my daily carry for 7 years and I was just fine with it. My local stationary store had plenty of black and blue Quink so I was always happy. That is, until I decided to get a different ink colour and another pen to go with it. Long story short: the internet is a dangerous place and an even worse rabbit-hole . I'm not really a collector but I have a few Parkers, Pelikans and a Kaweco. The reason I got here: I recently got a Parker Vacumatic and naively thought I could easily replace the diaphragm without research or proper tools. Result: . Anyways, I'm happy to be here and ready to learn lots of new stuff!

Hello network! My name is James. I work for Pen Boutique LTD, and I am an admirer of fine fountain pens! Look forward to gaining and providing as much knowledge as possible!!

Greeting, FPN users! (The few reading this, at any rate) I'm uh, Julian, of Poland. Not to worry, I speak (Hopefully) Flawless English - Or at least what is required to speak with the many of you. I'm not much of a fountain pen fanatic. In fact, I only own two pens, a converter, and some bottled Parker Quink. However, I sincerely appreciate the style and simplicity of fountain pens. Hands down, my favourite writing instrument. I wish that fountain pens were the go- to solution for writing once more, and not a novelty used by "Crazed scribes". The vast majority of fountain pen users are rather aged, which I find funny since it is a very easy tool to use. Myself, I'm rather young. Noone expects fountain pens to appear anywhere where I live. One particularly dull classmate believed it was a blade. People. Anywho, this concludes my pointless introduction. I doubt my 15 minute work will make it far without many (Or any) Reading such posts. Best regards, and thanks for your time. Just an afterthought, I sure do like to use brackets, don't I?

Hello guys/girls I am a university student studying at university of Waterloo. I am currently staying over at my parents' house in Brampton but live in Waterloo during the academic year. I had a sudden passion to use fountain pens in Canada (I had used them during my childhood in India) and fell absolutely in love with them. I tend to like inks more than pens however. I thought I'd join this forum and see how it goes. Thanks Forgiven

Good morning from Ottawa! I have lurked on the site for quite awhile now and have even posted a couple of times, I decided it was high time I introduced myself in a more formal manner. I am a researcher in photonics/optics and originally was draw to fountain pens for the access to bottled ink as I was using preloaded ballpoints/gel pens at an alarming rate. I picked up a Lamy Safari demonstrator as a test and a bottle of blue waterman ink and then I suppose like most of us on here the bug bit and I have not really stopped. While I started with Lamy I quickly branched out and have not really settled on one brand, my only real trend is towards fine nibs as I use them extensively for equations and derivations. While I "collect" pens I do not see myself as a collector per say as all of my pens are in the regular inking rotation and I try to make a point of using everything I have and only buying something I want to use. With this being said in addition to one of my Safaris my Faber-Castell Mondoro, Mont Blanc UNICEF Le Grand, Kaweco Sport and Esterbrook do seem to be inked more often than others. In the interest of completeness below you will find my current collection of pens/inks. I look forward to being part of the community and seeing what everyone has to say. Pens Cerruti 1881 - Unidentified Esterbrook: - Black J Double Jewels (9460 Nib (Rigid Medium / Manifold Medium), 9555 Nib (Gregg Shorthand - F), 2314 B Nib (Relief Broad Stub))Faber-Castell - Mondoro (Orange) -EFFaber-Castell - e-motion (Black Parquet) - MKaweco - Sport (Black) - EFKaweco - Sport (Maroon) - FLamy Nibs including M, F, 1.1 ItalicLamy - Accent MatteLamy - Al-star (Blue)Lamy - Al-star (Copper/Orange)Lamy - Nexx (grey/Green)Lamy - Safari (Demonstrator)Lamy - Safari (Black)Noodler Ahab (Green)Rotring - Core (Grey/Orange - Awaiting arrival)Schaeffer - Taranis - FSchaeffer - 300 (Red Iridescent) - MScaheffer - Unidentified - MWaterman - Kultur (Blue Demonstrator) - MWaterman - Phileas (Purple/Blue Marble) - FWaterman - Hemisphere (All metal) - MInk J. Herbin - Eclat de SaphirJ. Herbin - Orange IndienJ. Herbin - Perle NoireJ. Herbin - Rouge OperaLamy - Copper OrangeMont Blanc - Oyster GreyMont Blanc - Lavender /PurpleNoodlers - Bulletproof BlackPilot Iroshizuku - Kiri-samePrivate Reserve - AvacadoPrivate Reserve - Black CherrySailor - Blue/BLackWaterman - Intense Black

Hello! My name is Elisabeth and I currently live in Google's hometown in California but I grew up in a small town in Iowa before heading to Boston for college and Chicago for grad school and finally the Bay Area. I've been lurking as a non-member off and on for awhile now and thought I would come out of hiding and become a member (I'm an introvert, it takes me awhile before I can get up the nerve to join a conversation). Currently, I'm a half-crazed stay at home mom of a 3 year old but I'm hoping to become a completely-crazed science teacher in the near future. My obsession with office and stationery supplies began when I was a kid when I would spend an absurd amount of time ogling pens and notebooks at the dime store in my tiny hometown. I have amassed a small collection of inexpensive notebooks half-full of journal entries, shopping lists, and doodles. I have (not much) hope that one day I will be able to fill one up before getting distracted by a shiny new notebook. Recently, I bought my first Clairfontaine notebook and its higher price point has made me determined to fill it before I abandon it, no matter how many shiny things come my way. I also have a Rhodia tablet that I like to use for practicing italic calligraphy. For pens, I have two Lamy Safari fountain pens for everyday (one has a fine nib, one has a medium nib). I have a Manuscript fountain pen with several screw on italic nibs for practicing italic hand. I also have a Schaeffer fountain pen with an italic nib around here somewhere for which I do not care as much. Finally, I have a dip pen and italic nibs of various sizes and brands that I've been trying out. For regular writing, I prefer blue ink, and have been using Lamy cartridges in my Safaris (I tried a converter but I haven't found an ink I like for it, yet) but for calligraphy, I prefer black ink (Manuscript cartridges for my Manuscript fountain pen and Winsor Newton Calligraphy ink is my preferred ink for the dip pen). I have been teaching myself Chancery Italic from a variety of sources (mostly books and handouts) for about a year. However, I have also been learning/teaching a style of calligraphy based on basic italic to children (ages 7-9) in my catechism (Sunday school) class with occasional advice from a local art store employee. The kids love to hear about scribes and look at images of illuminated Bible pages and that feeds their interest into calligraphy. Several of them have become quite good at it and I'm hearing from parents that the kids want them to buy calligraphy supplies for them which makes me absolutely thrilled. I guess that's almost everything about me! I'm excited to be a member here and start contributing to conversations.

hi all! i'm a south florida resident, newly reacquainted with calligraphy and potted inks. waaay back in high school i had fiddled around with calligraphy. at Uni, a course on Illustration introduced me to the joys of ink and nibs. i've dabbled off and on with drawing in inks but never with actual fountain pens. which might become a new love. i'm on the verge! lol PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---currently own: 1. one lonely Sheaffer med nib FP. *(silver cap, acrylic body in what i like to refer to as "blacklight purple", thin body, small, requires posting). it writes like an absolute champ. tho the ink tends to feather a bit on cheap paper, it is too bold for everyday writing. i have NO clue what the model is, though i would like to. it was purchased back in.... ugh... 1997??? maybe? (i have vague hopes of finding a converter for it and making it a drawing pen. or just using pale, colored inks) ---soon to be in my collection: 1. Pilot Prera, solid, yellow, F nib 2. Pilot Kakuno, pale blue and white, F nib 3. *Pilot Prera Iro-Ai, demonstrator, Calligraphy/Italics nib 4. *Noodler Ahab, flex nib so i went on a spending (and researching) rampage. lol!! i started with just looking at nibs to add to my collection but then the FPs became a small obsession. the Iro-Ai and the Ahab i haven't officially ordered yet. i'm very interested in inks as well. colors, shaded inks, etc. so far i have a Noodlers waterproof black on the way. artwise, i need something that can stand up to watercolor, dontcha know. i seem to be showing a bias for Pilot but that isn't really true... was just looking for a pen that fit the needs, didn't break the bank, and that LOOKED NICE. looks aren't everything, but pen that writes beautifully is even better if you like the design. i read/watched reviews and the ones i chose seemed to be good bets. PEN SHOW!!!! i'm wondering if i should wait until the Miami pen show......... or if i should go ahead and pull the trigger, so to speak, and order up the last 2. i'm super interested in refurbed vintage pens, though i'm not sure if any are in the affordable range or if they are all hundreds of dollars. MISC i'm really interested in meeting new people from all over. and those that are interested in calligraphy and art uses of FPs. also, if anyone likes to do old school snail mail with their mad callig skillz (haha. or their non-skills. whichever. lol!), i think that could be a fun way to practice! NICE TO MEET YA!

Hey everybody,I'm Vic,a 18-year-old boy from China.I'm very gold that I can found a wonderful community. Actually,I am a high school student.My interest in fountain pen started in 2010.I was graduated from primary school that year.And my father gave me a pen.It's PARKER SONNET.(I knew its name later)It's my first time to get close to fountain pen and I was attracted by it soon.After I got the pen,I took it with me all the time.And I almost wrote everything with it.It's the one which changed my mind to fountain pen completely.(Before this,I never thought about writing with a fountain pen.It seemed that all the fountain pen was outdated and inconvenient.) Unluckily,my PARKER dropped on the ground and could work well once I was writing schoolwork.It's terrible but it's also a beginning.After that I started diving into some communities.Finally,I fell in love with fp. My collection now includes: parker sonnet parker 51 sheaffer snorkel sentinel lamy 2000 lamy al-star pelikan m405 montblanc 149 and many pens that I don't know their names... I feel very luck to join you!

Buneos tacos! I'm (obviously) new to FPN so I decided to introduce and post a handwriting sample. Noodler's Ahab Flex Pen with Noodler's Apache Sunset I'm looking forward to diving in and learning. Hasta guacamole!