Do you really use your Fountain Pens ?

[HLeopold]

Anything that can be written on with a fountain pen is. The only thing I use a ballpoint for these days is signing the back of membership/credit cards.

 

Yuki

 

I even used a fountain pen, (Parker 51 Flighter) to sign the back of my credit card, Noodler's Le Reine Mauve, after more then a year of nearly daily handling plus daily carry in my wallet in my back pocket it is still holding up. The only time I use ballpoints is with some receipts that absolutely will not take fountain pen ink.

 

I am a printer, I use my fountain pens all the time at work, mostly the Flighter, but I have used most of my pens at least a few times. I just happen to prefer the Flighter because it seems to be able to write on nearly anything even the lousy paper my reports are printed on. In spite of the inks, blanket cleaners, alcohol, petroleum distillates, etc. that we use I have not suffered any damage to my pens, but the Flighter does tend to be a better choice over all.

 

I really do need to send my other 51 in to have the cap removed, I was using it the other week, not at work, and it was so cold that day that my hands were still and numb and I dropped it a few inches to the counter, I can't get the darned thing off now. This is one of my favorite pens and I really hate not being able to use it.

Edited February 28, 2010 by HLeopold

[adichew]

I use my f/p for almost everything, even when it might not be appropriate. (e.g. when i dont have a flat surface to write) I admit that when I still took Sciences, some lab exercises werent really f/p friendly, as they were somewhat messy and I dont use noodler's. Even then, I still remember useing an f/p as far as possible.

 

If an f/p cant stand up to this kind of use then it doesnt even deserve to be called a "pen".

[jjdeal]

Yes, I use all of my pens...well, those that work, anyway! I am not a collector quite yet, but more of an accumulator! I love writing with FPs and do so almost exclusively.

[HLeopold]

Anything that can be written on with a fountain pen is. The only thing I use a ballpoint for these days is signing the back of membership/credit cards.

 

Yuki

 

I even used a fountain pen, (Parker 51 Flighter) to sign the back of my credit card, Noodler's Le Reine Mauve, after more then a year of nearly daily handling plus daily carry in my wallet in my back pocket it is still holding up. The only time I use ballpoints is with some receipts that absolutely will not take fountain pen ink.

 

I am a printer, I use my fountain pens all the time at work, mostly the Flighter, but I have used most of my pens at least a few times. I just happen to prefer the Flighter because it seems to be able to write on nearly anything even the lousy paper my reports are printed on. In spite of the inks, blanket cleaners, alcohol, petroleum distillates, etc. that we use I have not suffered any damage to my pens, but the Flighter does tend to be a better choice over all.

 

I really do need to send my other 51 in to have the cap removed, I was using it the other week, not at work, and it was so cold that day that my hands were still and numb and I dropped it a few inches to the counter, I can't get the darned thing off now. This is one of my favorite pens and I really hate not being able to use it.

 

I fixed it! After posting the above I tried to wiggle the cap loose again and it worked this time! Whoopy. I tried to get it apart at least 30 times since this happened, this time it came apart quite easily. I have no idea why but who cares, it is usable now.

[Velma]

I don't buy pens I wouldn't carry with me. I have pen cases for their protection in my bag, but I am a believer in using my pens. (This is why I am culling my collection -- I feel guilty about having pens that haven't been used in a year.)

[View from the Loft]

Oh yes, I use my pens every day. They were made to be used, and just get better with use as we get used to each other. If I don't get on with it, I will pass it on to someone who wants the pen.

[skybird]

The only ball pen I use is to fill in my logbook. So it is a user and not a display item. (I do, however, admit to having another identical one on display)

The Aviation Authorities years ago got shirty about fountain pens despite my comments that logbooks had been written up in ink since they were first used.

All of a sudden now everything has to be in black ink with these guys, dunno if their photocopiers are from the ark.

My excuse for using the ball pen tho, is that it is a Concord Cross pen - which today with the demise of the aircraft, must be something of a collectors' item :-)

[grahamf72]

I use my FP's every day at work - I have 3 Parker 45's that are the main ones I use - one with black, one with blue & one with red. I generally carry a BP pen with me (Parker Urban Stainless Steel with chrome trim), although I only use it when an FP will be unsuitable, eg carbon copies, things that I know will get wet, (Potty Mouth) paper that FP ink doesn't go well on, or if someone wants to borrow a pen. The 45's are my regular use pens, but I do use all of my pens fairly regularly to make sure they don't have ink dry up etc.

[jeff9]

Yes, daily.

[NABodie]

What else would one write with?

[dogpoet]

I have used all of mine. A few I've stopped writing with (because they were (Potty Mouth): the only Parker out of that lot was a vector) and the rest I rotate as and when I can be bothered or when I find a use for them.

As NAB says: if you're still using fountain pens in this day and age, it's because you like them, and that means you'd much rather use a fountain pen to anything else, doesn't it?

[skybird]

I have used all of mine. A few I've stopped writing with (because they were (Potty Mouth): the only Parker out of that lot was a vector) and the rest I rotate as and when I can be bothered or when I find a use for them.

As NAB says: if you're still using fountain pens in this day and age, it's because you like them, and that means you'd much rather use a fountain pen to anything else, doesn't it?

 

No, it means that you write better than most. The only person I know who can write as well with a BP as an FP is my wife who has far more patience than most when it comes to precise writing.

[Silvermink]

What else would one write with?

 

An excellent question!

[BillDD]

I'd have a hard time using all of my pens.

Many are unused and lots are in their boxes.

I'd hate to use a Pregnant or a #45 or #15 or even attempt to try a RHR #16 ;-)

My modern Dous are all MIB and I'm looking for banded models now.

 

Users are my Big Red 28, Kullock vacu demo, '46 grey 51, and my trusty Burgundy 61.

Also use a no name Jasper Red given to me by Rita Carbon and have an old black spare 51 aero.

That's enough to go on.

My mate in the office has bought plenty of the new Duo range and uses them all except his Rockwell.

 

Mate says - Actually, haven't used the Burgundy 2000 LE either but there may come a time. Use some of the 100 yr old stuff occasionaly but not as a daily driver.

[Glenn-SC]

Do I use them, Yup!

[Pippin60]

I only write with FPs, but don't have any LEs or really expensive ones. Everything I have I use. The only time I don't use a FP, I'm using one of my mechanical pencils.

[jgrasty]

I've inked every pen I have purchased (except the ones that need new sacs, just learning to do repairs). I use 2 or 3 pens daily.

[Mille]

What else would you do with them?

[angio]

For me, if I have a pen that is capable of writing, then I think it a shame not to use it. One of the most wonderful things about vintage fountain pens is that a pen that is 50, 70 or 100 years old has the potential to not only work still but also beat all of its modern day counterparts hands down.

 

Perhaps there are some pens that should remain unused such as those too fragile or un-inked. If a pen has some extra special significance such as an heirloom or a treasured gift maybe you would rather limit its use to your home, but to not use it at all would reduce it's meaning to little more than a fancy trinket.

 

Pens are for using. And if the unthinkable should happen, most damage can be repaired in one way or another.

[Mille]

I agree. Pens are for using. I accept that some belong to a museum, even at home, although I find it unfortunate. None of pens have paid the ultimate price, although injures have happened and one is lost in action.