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Showing results for tags 'newbie'.
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Hello everyone! Just joined the forums. Still very new to nice pens and writing with them. I'm really enjoying it, struggling to find things worthy of being written. I started with a set of Pilot Metropolitans a few years ago, I think it was an impulse buy mostly, upon seeing them on amazon. I bought a medium nib black metro and a medium nib silver metro. (not sure why i bought the same nib) A bottle of parker quink to fill them and I was all set. I must have only used them a few times as I never realized even how to properly use them (writing angles, storage, refilling). They were sitting in my a drawer for the past few years and i just recently pulled them out to give them a go. Still working perfectly. You'll laugh, but until a few weeks ago i didn't understand how the converter works. The included con-20 is the one I have been using. I hadn't realized you dipped the nib and squeezed the converter. I had been removing the converter, filling it outside of the pen by dipping and squeezing it. Obviously this made a huge mess when the converter was installed back onto the body. It took a few weeks of regular use for me to figure it out! About a month ago i looked for a broad nib i could purchase and found the 78g. I'm a fan of the weight of the metro but having no broad nib available for it and also having two identical nib's i purchased the 78g solely to swap the broad nib onto the metro. It's worked out well and i thoroughly enjoy the embellished style brought on by the broad nib. Just forayed into the pilot con-40 and it has only been installed for a few hours, but it seems to work well, the rattling of the agitators aren't a concern to me. Happened upon the pilot vanishing point series and now have my first $150 pen on its way in an extra fine nib. Very excited to use it in the coming years. I'll be going to college and I plan on it being used in daily classroom writing. The various inks available are tempting but as I still have a half jar of black parker ink and an almost full jar of the red parker, it just wouldn't be practical (but then again, when talking about fountain pens, is any of this really about practicality?). The Pilot Iroshuzuku series of inks are so beautiful, but a full bottle isn't what I need right now, so I settled with a sampler of a few of the colors. Really excited to continue using these pens and collect more in the future. Didn't mean this introduction to turn into a memoire, but it saved me the effort of telling this story over and over slowly as i talk to others here. Not really even sure why I joined the forums, haven't been a part of a forum before so it shall be interesting. I look forward to talking with you all! -Daniel Heckman
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Monteverde Invincia - Is It Good For A Newbie?
D_Walker posted a topic in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop
So, at this moment I have a cheap, no-name fountain pen with a scratchy "iridium point Germany" nib, but I still love it and want to upgrade to something serious. I`m looking for a stylish, a bit luxury and good writing pen. For several reasons I want to buy it from local store, and thus I`m limited to Monteverde, Lamy, Cross and Conklin, and most of them are available only with medium nibs. I`ve fell in love with the design of Monteverde Invincia Deluxe Rose Gold, however I didn`t get an opportunity to try how it writes. I`ve read several reviews of it, and it seems like I`m going to like this pen, but I`ve also found several topics on this forum about people having issues with Monteverde. So, now I`m struggling to decide: is there any reason for not buying this pen? Should I really be afraid of getting problems with this one? Maybe You would recommend something better from these 4 brands with similar price? -
Newbie Questions.. In Need Of Rad Pocket Notebook.
karlene posted a topic in Paper and Pen Paraphernalia
Henlo!!!! I'm new here. I was wondering if any could point me towards some affordable pocket notebooks to write in that work well with fountain pen. I've heard of feild notes but I heard some of ya'll don't really like them.. also, bare with me, I don't really know how a forum works... Thanks! -
Long-time lurker. Dropped by after viewing a pre-loved (possible) 146 in a local shop. It's up for sale for £150, but subject to offers. It comes in a nice square box with a bottle of black ink (dated 2013, use by?). The inside of the box is somewhat stained by different colours of ink in the pen storage and bottle storage areas, as though the ink bottle has been replaced when the bottle was wet or the pen put away or taken out by inky fingers. There is a GERMANY mark on the cap ring, a blue/grey non-slatted ink window and MONTBLANC MEISTERSTUCK 146 on the barrel, but I have yet to get the pen to 'glow red' when a torch is used, and I think it could be of a pre-pix and serial number vintage. The nib is full gold, marked 4810 (M) 14C and non-magnetic. A demonstration shows it will expel and draw ink when the mechanism is unscrewed/screwed revealing a black, plastic thread under the gold ring. General wisdom on here says that the piston fillers are too complicated/expensive to reproduce, and the better option is for cartridge/converter pens to be made instead, but is that still the case? I may go back for a second look later today and provide pictures (if permitted) to help confirm or debunk its authenticity. Any advice would be welcome, I may then go onto how to get my Parker Falcon to write consistently.... Thanks.
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Hi Im Martyn based. In. Uk. I use a Parker 65 Cumulus and a Parker 61 daily and am just Acquiring a Parker 75. Love the 65 and the 61.
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I am oh so very excited to be here!! I've been into fountain pens for a couple months now and and only own like 8 and i love them! I have a bunch and questions and stuff to learn so please be nice!! Also,introduce yourselves if you want to!
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Hi all, I'm new here, and newish to fountain pens. That is to say, any years ago I dabbled and was disappointed. Now I'm back and more knowledgable and know why it didn't go well back when. And disappointment is no longer my circumstance. Well, except for my wish for more time and money so I can learn and purchase and write and write and write. So very happy to be here! -gabaroo
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Hello everyone, I hope you are having a pleasant day, this is my first post so it's possible that what I'll ask may seem puerile and possibly amounting to faux pas, please pardon my ignorance if any of that happens. Who I am ? I am student from India, who has a very important exam coming up in 6 months. I own 2 lamy safari's and 2 pilot metropolitan's. Why am I here ? Where I live and where I grew up we barely have anyone who uses fountain pens. I started with them not as a show of elegance but because I had a tendency to right softly and ball point pens require certain pressure which made me uncomfortable. So for me it's necessity, I cannot write with anything else. What do I want? Im looking for buying a new fountain pen. I'm not rich by any account but I saved enough money over my the years to afford a pen upto price of lamy 2000. The only consideration for me is that it should be able to write for a really long sessions and I guess that necessitates certain degree of smoothness. My question to you respected readers !! What would be the one pen you would buy if you were in my position that being you can afford only one pen upto price of lamy 2000 and you have to write with it maybe the whole day and looks don't matter at all maybe the feels does to a certain degree, but just one pen which you could buy, for the most important exam of your lives ? ( please note that ink capacity is not to trump over writing experience in this scenario, just the writability is the first and foremost concern rest are secondary and I like lamy safari's they do the job but I feel I could do better) (Also kindly note I'm not pressing for lamy 2000 but it's the only pen whose price I know in the ocean of other availabilities, so it's price is for reference) I'm not sure if any of you will find time to answer this, but I thank all of you in anticipation. Regards,
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Hi, Just got up and running on this site and I'm new to collecting/using FP's. Looks like a great site with a wealth of knowledge to be had. -Robby
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Decent Capacity First Gold Nib Fountain Pen?
PranitSingh posted a topic in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop
Hey there, I am using a Lamy Safari Medium and a Pilot Metropolitan Fine as my daily pens in my high school and am looking for a next level pen for myself that I particularly want to be in Gold nib (I have talked about why I need a gold nib in my introduction topic https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/326436-help-for-next-level-fountain-pen-in-gold-nib/?do=findComment&comment=3904231). Now I want the pen to have a huge ink capacity as I want to start writing with Fountain Pens in my mid term and final examinations as well. Right Now I am considering Lamy 2000 for $185 (INR.12000) and Pelikan M600 for $295 (INR.19000) as these are some of the few piston filled options that I have which I can buy from my local pen store in New Delhi. Others are used Vintage pens like Sheaffer Imperial V Triumph Lifetime for $178 (INR.11550). -
Help For Next Level Fountain Pen In Gold Nib!
PranitSingh posted a topic in India & Subcontinent (Asia)
Hey there, this is my first post on The Fountain Pen Network and I'm a 16 year old high school student from New Delhi, India. I'm a beginner in the Fountain Pen world and I only own a Dark Lilac Lamy Safari (Medium Nib) and a Pilot Metropolitan (Fine Nib). I use Sheaffer Skrip Blue for my Lamy and Pilot Black Ink for my Metropolitan to write on my school notebooks with bad quality paper. Now considering that we in India, have a low supply of foreign fountain pen brands and what's available to me either online on Amazon India or in a local pen shop williampenn.net costs a great deal than what folks in the US pay, for instance my question is, which gold nib fountain pen would be a good option for me under or in the ballpark of $200-$250 (about INR.5000 to INR. 15000). I definately want it to be a gold nib as i want to feel the experience of writing with one getting some feedback with it maybe. Also, I feel that my Lamy Medium nib is a tad bit too thick for me and my Fine Metropolitan nib is way too thin for my liking. I feel that a European Fine or a Japanese Medium would do (As I am considering to buy a Lamy 2000 or a Platinum 3776). One last thing is that we don't get a lot of inks here in India, but I have managed to find Edelstein, Waterman, Private Reserve and Diamine Inks either online or in William Penn and I want a good Bright blue (I am considering Diamine Oxford Blue for INR. 800/$13) so which color would be a good option for an everyday blue? P.S, if anyone could find me cheaper priced gold nib pens like the Lamy 2000 with cheap international shipping online, or somewhere in Delhi, I would be very thankful. Thank You for your time! -
Pelikan M215 Or Diplomat Excellence A?
PranitSingh posted a topic in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop
Hey there, I'm going to buy a Lamy 2000 most probably (https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/326594-decent-capacity-first-gold-nib-fountain-pen/page-2?do=findComment&comment=3906816) and I have some extra money remaining with me. So I was wondering which pen should I get, the Pelikan M215 lozenge or the Diplomat Excellence A (steel nib). Both of them are used pens and both are in Medium nib. I am getting M215 for $61 (INR.4000) and Diplomat for $38 (INR.2500). Which one of them would have a smoother writing experience for everyday use? -
Hey there, this is my first post on The Fountain Pen Network and I'm a 16 year old high school student from New Delhi, India. I'm a beginner in the Fountain Pen world and I only own a Dark Lilac Lamy Safari (Medium Nib) and a Pilot Metropolitan (Fine Nib). I use Sheaffer Skrip Blue for my Lamy and Pilot Black Ink for my Metropolitan to write on my school notebooks with bad quality paper. Now considering that we in India, have a low supply of foreign fountain pen brands and what's available to me either online on Amazon India or in a local pen shop williampenn.net costs a great deal than what folks in the US pay, for instance my question is, which gold nib fountain pen would be a good option for me under or in the ballpark of $200-$250 (about INR.5000 to INR. 15000). I definately want it to be a gold nib as i want to feel the experience of writing with one getting some feedback with it maybe. Also, I feel that my Lamy Medium nib is a tad bit too thick for me and my Fine Metropolitan nib is way too thin for my liking. I feel that a European Fine or a Japanese Medium would do (As I am considering to buy a Lamy 2000 or a Platinum 3776). One last thing is that we don't get a lot of inks here in India, but I have managed to find Edelstein, Waterman, Private Reserve and Diamine Inks either online or in William Penn and I want a good Bright blue (I am considering Diamine Oxford Blue for INR. 800/$13) so which color would be a good option for an everyday blue? P.S, if anyone could find me cheaper priced gold nib pens like the Lamy 2000 with cheap international shipping online, or somewhere in Delhi, I would be very thankful. Thank You for your time!
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I've long focused my collection on Pelikans, which I love, but have discovered that after starting off with larger pens (m800/m1000) I've come to love smaller pens. I favor piston fillers and gold nibs. Well, I'm now absolutely enthralled with Auroras and can't wait to purchase one. I'm pretty set on the Optima since I prefer flat tops. The value seems so good (maybe even better than Pelikan's contemporary offerings.) You get a wider selection of nibs, ebonite feeds, piston fillers, in celluloid (but not the kind that decays! LOL) Seems like a terrific deal to me. But where to start? I love the Nera Perla, but the Emerald is nice and that demonstrator with the red accents!! Where do I start?
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I own a Waterman L'Etalon ballpoint, which I love. And I want to complement it with the fountain pen: I love the elegant, sophisticated yet simple look of it and I love its solid weight. However, looking around the internet, they don't come cheap - to my standards. I am a fountain pen noob, so before spending an inordinate amount of money on a pen, I would like to experience somehow if I like the fountain pen experience in the first place. Can you guys give me a hint as to where to start? Does a supermarket pen provide a similar writing experience as does a luxury pen? Are there any others ways to help me avoid this being an expensive gamble? I know of no place in my neighbourhood where I can test a pen, especially not a vintage pen. Thanks a lot for your input!
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I was gifted a Waterman expert. After a thorough cleaning, with pen flush, I was finally able to test it out with some Waterman Intense Black. It has trouble starting, consistent trouble, but once it gets going it's fine. I understand that baby's bottom might be the cause, but sometimes the same thing happens even when I'm bearing down with a fair amount of pressure. If something is wrong with the pen, how do I go about fixing it?
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Hello! I'm sorry to come in here knowing no one and immediately ask a question, but I'm stuck. I am very, very new to fountain pens. I have had one good one in my life, which was the TWSBI diamond 580. Unfortunately I am fairly sure it's been stolen by one of my more troubled students and I don't think I'll ever see it again. My TWSBI diamond wrote beautifully, but if I'm buying a new pen I'd like it to be exciting and new! But still as smooth as my twsbi. I'm on a budget of under £100, (probably closer to £50 unless something incredibly compelling comes up). I'm in the UK if that makes a difference. And I'd like a piston or vacuum filler rather than cartridge or converter. Does anyone have any recommendations? Am I asking too much for my budget? I really need some help; I'm so overwhelmed! Thanks.
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First of all: hello. Newb here. Please be gentle with me. (but not too gentle ) So I got hypnotized by the Stipula Etruria Rainbow Prisma. i clicked "BUY" before I knew what I was in for. Fortunately it's a lovely pen so far and I do like it quite a bit, but what would make me love it is a Stub nib. Does anyone have any experience changing nibs in an Etruria Rainbow? Anything I should know? I am hesitant to do anything without some idea of what I'm doing. Any tips or advice?
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Any Good Inks That Have A Fast Dry Time, Little To No Feathering, And No Bleed Through?
Shamalama posted a topic in Inky Thoughts
I'm looking for an ink (I am a newbie) and I plan on using this in school, so I need a ink that is either blue or black (preferable black) that has a fast dry time and handles various types of paper. P.S. I am planning on buying a Lamy Safari as my first fountain pen. -
Hello fellow pen enthusiasts! I'm very new to fountain pens, but am having a great time researching and buying a few pens, both new and vintage. The Goulet Pen Company has been very helpful regarding the modern pens and ink I've bought, and the internet has been helpful as I learn about vintage pens. To date, I have two Pilot Metropolitans and a glass dip pen in the modern category. In the vintage category, I have a Waterman's, an unbranded fountain pen/pencil combo, a dainty lady's dip pen, and an Esterbrook desk pen and base. The Waterman's and the pen/pencil combo pens will soon go for restoration of the filling mechanism. I really want these pens to be functional! I'll be reading a lot of posts from everyone here to start my pen education. So, see you in the funny papers.
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Hi everyone, I'm a newbie in the fountain pen world, right now I only have a Pilot Metropolitan in fine point because that pen always shows up in many different sites as the best starter pen followed by the Lamy Safari, I have to say I'm enjoying a lot writing with my fountain pen, it replaced my Waterman Expert III Rollerball as my daily writer, even when that pen is more beautiful and comforftable to me, but watching how the ink deposits on the paper and dries as the pen glides gently onto it is just great (an even more because it's inked with Waterman Absolut Brown, standing out from the crowd) . Tomorrow I will receive my Lamy Safari in fine point and I then I will be able to compare, I know it will be a broader and wetter line. I'm waiting also for a Jinhao X750 too, it comes from China so maybe 15 or more days to arrive with a couple of black and blue cartridges and spare nibs (in case I get a bad one installed). I only have three Waterman inks: Absolute brown, and tomorrow I will receive Harmonious green and Mysterious blue of the same brand. I've read a lot during the last three months about fountain pens and this site is just wonderful, I'm sure there are a lot of experience in every subject I know and the many more I don't know still. As a starter in this matter it's impossible to read about srtarters without wondering how it would be to write when the more expensive pens because everyone says it's delightful. I couldn't resist teh tempattion and actually ordered a second hand Sailor 1911 from Japan (ebay). It was an auction an got it for 60 USD + 15 for shipping: . I know it shuld be only my inroduction , but I want to ask what you think about it, that pen is a "vintage" . Would it be the same as a newer one? I noted the ebgraved pattern on the nib is different from the newer ones, is it bad? From the photos and reputation if the seller I suppose that was a good buy but I would like to know your opinion about that. Thank you very much and sorry if my english is not perfect.
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Hi! I'm a university student, currently finishing off my Physics masters in London. I've used FPs since I was 7, but only recently have I dived down the rabbit hole of the hobby! I've posted a few times on the /r/fountainpens subreddit as 'staberinde', but I thought I'd come join the community here! For the 10 years of primary and secondary school, I used a trusty Lamy Safari (which is still my lucky charm in exams!). For a short time I had a cheap plastic Parker (I can't remember what it was called, but it wasn't a Vector), but that got destroyed by a tank... My grandfather bought me a Pilot Capless when I got into my secondary school of choice, which I've treasured since. In the last 6 months or so, my interest in higher-end FPs has increased massively, and I've been collecting (some would say irresponsibly) some wonderful pens - which has in fact raised my friends' awareness of FPs at university to the point that some have also now started collecting! My primary interest is in German brands, and here are some of the more interesting pens I've accumulated over the last half-year: Soennecken (my absolute favourite): - 222 Green [x3] - 444 - 112 - 116 - 304 - 504 Montblanc: - Meisterstuck 149 (modern) - Meisterstuck 146 (modern) [x3] - Boheme - 256 Pelikan: - 100 [x2] - 400N Lamy: - Persona - 2000 Makrolon Sheaffer: - Snorkel [x5] Visconti: - Homo Sapiens Midi I've begun dabbling with repairing pens, and I can now confidently re-sac as well as replate brassed parts. I want to learn how to recork pistons, but that looks difficult so I might have to wait a bit... Anyway, enough about me - I can't wait to get involved in this community! (Additionally, if anyone could tell me how to disassemble a Soennecken 222, or who in the UK/EU I should send it off to, it would be very greatly appreciated!)
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Hi , guys this is Dr.soumya Mukherjee , I had been reading this forum for quite a few days now .. I have always liked fountain pens but never really took seriously . But in the last six months I have grown fond of fountain pens .. As a new user I would like to know with which pens I start my writing .. My budget is initially 500 as I am starting to check the waters .. I have camlin inks and I ordered 5 colored inks from KRISHNA INKS which sells via eBay .. I mainly use branded flair ,montex and camlin mini pens as for now .. But I would like to get some suggestions about my first good pen and ink for some better experience.. I am from Kolkata and work in Medical college so very near to college street .. Some good shops for suggestion would be welcomed as well .. Thank you all in advance for the help ..
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Help! I Need A Good Beginner Fountain Pen.
Shamalama posted a topic in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop
Currently, I am being overwhelmed with the many fountain pen options. I am looking to buy two inexpensive ($10-$30) fountain pens that I could start with. -
Lamy Al-Star (Ef) Struggles And Pilot Metropolitan (F) Surprise Story!
mpennxr posted a topic in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop
Hey there community! For all you newer folks out there wondering about how Noodler's Ink's Bad Blue Heron works in a Pilot Metropolitan (F) and Lamy Al-Star (EF). Here's the story. YMMV. A while ago I made a posting asking about how to pair Noodler's Ink's Bad Blue Heron successfully with my Lamy Al-Stars (EF) and what nib replacement I should use. I was running into major flow and start issues at the time with the EF nibs; Bad Blue Heron would often dry on the nib and cause the pen to fail to start immediately upon touching paper, and the overall flow through the pen after I got it to write was intermittent at best. I was not amused. After asking this great community for advice and searching the forums I learned several things: 1. Bad Blue Heron is not a well behaved ink, and what I experienced was a common thing for some other people. It's a hit or miss when inking up pens with this ink. 2. The Jinhao X750 is a sufficiently cheap beater pen that can come completely apart for cleaning and replacing the nibs, and so is a perfect candidate for testing inks in. It comes in a #6 M nib (to my knowledge), so you can replace the nib to any other sizing (e.g. F) so long as it remains a #6 nib. 3. Noodler's Ink's Bulletproof Black seems to be well behaved in many pens. So what I did was flushed out my Lamy Al-Star using Bad Blue Heron and inked it up with Bulletproof Black and never looked back. Problems on the Lamy front solved. But as far as the Bad Blue Heron was concerned I didn't want to waste the bottle of ink so I contemplated ordering the Jinhao X750 to test it out in. However, with a perfectly good Pilot Metropolitan (F) lying around and my impatience getting the better of me, I inked up the Pilot Metropoitan (F) with Bad Blue Heron instead. I rolled the dice and I was rewarded (YMMV and do not try with expensive pens). It so happens that Noodler's Ink's Bad Blue Heron works very well in my Pilot Metropolitan (F)! Bad Blue Heron's behavior in the Pilot Metropolitan was akin to the proprietary Pilot inks that I initially bought with the pen. I've been using my Pilot Metropolitan (F) with Bad Blue Heron for the last three weeks and the ink's behavior is consistent and predictable. When I touch pen to paper (whether the paper is cheap and absorbant or glossy and smooth) the ink flows immediately. The line layed down by this pen and ink combination is crisp and well approximated in the less absorbant papers, and on very cheap absorbant paper (writing pads from Costco) it fuzzies up just a tad (but not enough to ruin your writing). And throughout your writing session, there is no discernable flow issues as you write page to page. As a caveat however I must admit that if you leave the pen uncapped for a good while, the ink will characteristically dry a bit on the nib. But even after purposely doing this, my Pilot Metropolitan (F) still began to write almost immediately after touching paper. Also, you will experience the same nib creep that you get in other pens with this particular set up as well. Otherwise, the Pilot Metropolitan (F) and Bad Blue Heron pairing has been a stable workhorse of mine now and will continue to stay that way into the foreseeable future. Let me know what your experiences are with this and other Noodler's Inks. And feel free to add any information you think pertinent. - Thanks for reading, MPenn TL; DR = The Pilot Metropolitan (F) and Bad Blue Heron combo works well and writes great! YMMV
