What Are Fountain Pens All About

[robeck]

I lk em suz dat i dun have to txt or spk bllcks lk diz. Der G8!!!!!

 

 

 

 

[Hennypenny]

Being present to the experience of writing. HP

[EdwardMarlowe]

Fountain pens are about murdering with a knife rather than with a gun - in a word, appreciation.

 

A rapier, not a bludgeon!

 

 

It's an anachronism: an old, mature technology that still has a future, simple yet a sophisticated tool.

 

I consider myself to be, in very large part, a DieselPunk (like a steampunk, but with a 1930s/40s aesthetic as opposed to Victorian); the fountain pen is, now I think about it, a logical outworking of that mindset.

[mannyr27]

Classic instrument -

fountain pen gliding smoothly,

transcribing my thoughts.

[Biber]

Don't need a full sentence, a single word will do -

 

Hedonism

[jniforat]

Fountain pens are an homage to the days when the written word, and the act of writing in itself, really meant something.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Biber]

Fountain pens are an homage to the days when the written word, and the act of writing in itself, really meant something.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

HEAR HEAR!!

[Trooper]

As the ink flows freely to the paper, we are reminded that we are as the ink connects with the paper, moving continuously in life and yet still remain connected to our legacy and our past.

 

Sorry - I'm watching "A River Runs Through It" Maclean was such a writer...to quote:

 

Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.

I am haunted by waters.

 

Hey, that is my river! I carry a stone that I plucked from the bed of the Big Blackfoot. Too bad they could not capture the actual river in the movie version.

 

But as for fountain pens in a single sentence, can't do it. One work: ink.

 

 

[Silvermink]

Sweet, delicious awesomeness*.

 

 

 

* not guaranteed to be an entirely-serious response

Edited October 26, 2010 by Silvermink

[Writer2b]

...

Glad to know this lovely place exists.

 

Mary

 

Hi Mary,

 

Now you've found us,

 

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...

 

JohnE

 

Thanks for the welcome, Fuddlestack! Can't leave now, already doodling!

[nxn96]

There's the old phrase in the lumber/woodworking trade- measure twice, cut once.

 

That's how it is with ink in general- once it's on paper, changing your mind isn't easy. It's a good mental discipline. Even with the simplest of tasks- the daily Sudoku or Crossword, or grocery list- with a pen you think about what you put down because changing your mind is messy.

 

After that, you've got options, and which option you choose is a matter of preference. I've done fountain, ballpoint, rollerball, felt & marker tips and gel pens. With the exception of felt/markers, of which I think have their only purpose in marking stuff so the kids don't lose it on the opening day of the school year, every ink style has a place and purpose. If I have a choice, it will be a fountain pen, because I prefer the smooth flow and the feel of the pen in the hand (I use a "51"). However, a good ballpoint or gelpen doesn't offend me, if that's what at hand to write something down. Rollerballs, I find less interesting since the introduction of gels to the market. Overall, there's a difference between the pen you use to write a letter versus the pen you pick up to write down a phone number or take a message. They all have their purpose.

 

That being said, I also keep a good mechanical pencil (i.e., an Autopoint) in my desk drawer or coat pocket for when I need to use a pencil.

 

All good writing instruments have their place

[Halden]

Very inspirational thoughts everyone.

[aawhite]

A fountain pen is writing the way the universe demands.

[ethernautrix]

I think writing still means something... or is still meaningful....

[shuuemura]

Writing with fountain pens is so enjoyable, it makes me look forward to going to class to use them.

[IWantThat]

For me, fountain pens are about the mind-body connection. My brain and hand work in unison when I'm using a good pen, and the ink flow mirrors my thoughts. That's a feeling that just can't be beat It's like meditation, living fully in the moment. There aren't many things in life that give that feeling nowadays.

 

 

Oops, not a one-sentence answer, but my answer stands

Edited October 27, 2010 by IWantThat

[Markk]

Personally I enjoy fountain pens because:

1. They are unique. And that's cool.

2. They are actually fun to right with. Some more than others of course.

3. They require a bit more car than the average pen and I like that at times. The whole uniqueness thing applies here.

 

But of course there are the times where I simply must go with the cheapest ballpoint in order to free myself, to go worry-free

[Webs]

To me, fountain pens infuse the process of transmitting thoughts to the written word with such beautiful drama-in a way that is so aesthetically pleasing!*

 

*Assuming of course that you don't have a scratchy pen!

 

Webs

[Juan in Andalucia]

The ultimate writing tool.

 

Juan