Gifting Pens

[terminal]

I bought three Ahabs for birthday gifts and I had them sent to me so that I could prep them before giving them.

 

Then I got them and felt bad unboxing them because it kinda spoils it as a gift...

 

So I have two questions:

 

1. Should I prep them or just risk sending

2. If I should prep them, what should I do? Test them with water... test them with ink?

 

How do you prep pens that are gifts?

How about Ahabs in particular?

[tmcneil82]

Good question. I think if another "pen person" was gifting me a pen, and took the time to make sure it was right before giving it to me, i would be pretty happy about it. It wouldnt bother me at all if they used ink for this too.

 

On that note as well, if I were a non pen person, and a pen person made sure I would have no problems with a new pen, that would be pretty astounding too.

[USMCMom]

I would definitely flush/clean it, make sure it writes smoothly, clean it again and let it dry before wrapping it up as a gift. Will a bottle of ink be given as part of the gift? If so and the recipient is a new FP user, it would be a great time to show them how to fill it and talk with them about pen hygiene. If this gift is being hand delivered, you could have it filled and ready to write.

[kestrel]

I always make sure it works before sending it along. I have done that with a couple of Esties, two Ahabs and some vintage pens given to family members. Clean and, if necessary, tweak the nib for smoothness and flow. Most of these have gone to people not familiar with using fountain pens so I want to avoid any writing problems that might discourage the new recipients.

[guilhermejf]

I think I'm going to get a fountain pen as graduation present to my friend. I was just thinking about it.

And I guess I would rinse the pen and test it, and then dry and clean, so that he does not notice.

[Laura N]

I have given one pen. I did ink and test the nib, then flush and dry it before replacing it in the box just as it was. I wouldn't have wanted my son to have been disappointed on Christmas morning. Either by the pen not working or by it looking like I had used it first.

[wollollo]

Since the Ahab has a reputation of needing a bit tweaking, I'd definitely test it first, and adjust if necessary -- unless you know the recipient is happy to do that bit themselves. Wash and dry the pen before sending it off, of course.

[terminal]

I would definitely flush/clean it, make sure it writes smoothly, clean it again and let it dry before wrapping it up as a gift. Will a bottle of ink be given as part of the gift? If so and the recipient is a new FP user, it would be a great time to show them how to fill it and talk with them about pen hygiene. If this gift is being hand delivered, you could have it filled and ready to write.

 

Oh yes, I have matched inks for all three (I love FPN because I can say that and not sound totally OCD). The Ahabs come with a little information, which is good... although I may print out my own sheet that I made up too.

 

Unfortunately, none will be hand delivered.

[rockydoggy]

Ditto to all of the above. I just discovered that a colleague has gotten into fountain pens and I've been putting together a package of inexpensive pens, ink, and misc. supplies (eg, a blunt-tip syringe) for her. What's taken the most time is testing nearly all of the pens I'm enclosing, esp. a couple of used Sheaffer school pens and the several cheaper Chinese models that I've found to be uneven performers out of the box. After all, I want to encourage her interest in fps, not stifle it.

[terminal]

Ok, I'll be testing them. The risk is always leaving a little bit of residual ink, but I'll just wash them carefully afterwards. I'll probably mention that I tested it too...

 

 

Thanks for the feedback, I totally agree and I'm glad I had them mailed to myself instead of directly.

 

 

 

Ok, how about this question?

 

How would it be to write a note with the matching ink and pen?

[terminal]

After all, I want to encourage her interest in fps, not stifle it.

 

x - act - a -mundo !!

[professionaldilettante]

If they were a nut like us, I'd leave it as is. If it's a novice, I'd test and clean it first, as so to minimize frustrations on their end.

[USMCMom]

As for a note written with one of the pens and ink ... I can only speak for myself, but I would think it wonderful that you wanted to do that, just to make sure the pen was perfect and that you took the time to do it just for me.

[HandLikeAFist]

Come on, please, people: "gift" is the noun, "give" is the verb. You give someone something called a gift. "Gifting" is an ugly neologism. There. Rant over.

[ravantra]

I would prep and test. Whenever I give a gift that requires batteries I always include them installed in the device. If it a child's toy I will put it together, think tricycle or bike. Just my 2 cents.

[hiredgun]

I think it is fantastic that you want to give as birthday gifts fountain pens to some people you know. Since you already purchased them I can't really advise against the Ahab so I will say because of the finicky nature of the Ahab you are doing the right thing by testing them first. Also, are the recipients first time users of fountain pens? If so, make sure those Ahabs are working well. If the recipients are experienced, then the Ahab can be an adventure. Good luck!

[Brian K]

I recently bought my 17 year old niece her first fountain pen and ink (purple Lamy AlStar with Noodler's Purple Heart). I flushed and cleaned it to make sure there were no manufacturing oils and such in the feed, nib and converter. When I gave it to her I showed her how to fill it. She loves it.

 

Her mother, my darling baby sister, thought I spent too much money on, so I did the obvious thing - I bought her a pen of her own (Waterman Harley Davidson with DeAtramentis Pine Green ink) and prepared it similarly and sent it home with my niece who taught her mother the basics she had already learned herself. My sister said I shouldn't have spent money on her, but she hasn't returned the pen.

 

I have the variety pack of Pilot Varsitys to give out to people who express an interest in fountain pens, I gave my niece the same set for the same reason. She gave the pink one to her best friend. Her father appropriated the black one. I may have to buy my brother-in-law a gift also...

 

I have seven siblings. Perhaps I can convert the whole family one household at a time. It might not always be easy - my niece tells me her older brother wouldn't care if all he had to write with was a sharpened stick.

[terminal]

Wow, not one person saying, "leave it untouched" very conclusive.

 

Ok, today's project will be opening all three and getting them working... should be fun!!

[alexander_k]

As with all gifts that may require some skill or understanding, I believe you have to make certain that they work properly and sometimes that they are properly set up (e.g. with digital cameras and mobile phones I give to elderly relatives - one of my specializations ;-). I try to be as discrete and unobtrusive as possible so as not to spoil the magic of a new acquisition. In most cases it works and they never consider who has set up the date in the camera or the favourite numbers on the mobile phone. With fountain pens it's even easier. I've even had cases when they thought that the pen came inked from the factory.

[Bullwinkle]

lot's of luck getting three Ahab's that work without a lot of screwing around. not a gift for a novice.