What do you do with your fountain pens?

[MYU]

I write and draw with my pens but this summer I am going to build a dartboard and use one dart: my Stipula 22 titanium nib...

:roflmho: :roflmho: don't break that nib!!

[inkysmudges]

Chalk me up as a writer/sketcher FP user. Haven't touched a BP in years, I leave those for the folks that have velcro fastenings on their shoes: nasty things! I have A LOT of FPs but that's because of my perpetual quest to find good pens for sketching and drawing, not because I'm into the collector thing.

 

Given what I do and how I do it I'm more likely to pull out the wallet for a sleek new disposable from Pilot, for example, than a respected vintage offering. Primary reason: I prefer "art" inks to the standard FP "safe" inks. Many of my favourite inks are considered FP death hereabouts, but they often work great in some of the cheapies and disposables so that tends to be the way I go.

 

As far as ink is concerned, if it ain't waterproof I'm not interested. Quink and the rest of the FP "brand" inks are less than worthless to me, they're a liability.

[penwala]

As far as ink is concerned, if it ain't waterproof I'm not interested. Quink and the rest of the FP "brand" inks are less than worthless to me, they're a liability.

Why do you think Quink is less than worthless? Why do you think of waterproof inks so highly?

[inkysmudges]

It's not my intent to offend anyone but IMHO non-waterproof inks are good for children (who tend to be piggy), pen manufacturers (who tend to be lazy), or folks who think of ink as an accessory to their blingy pens and leather-bound designer diaries, folks who don't want to get their hands dirty giving their pens a good scrub every one in a while. As far as I can tell non-waterproof inks are designed for ease and convenience, ink for the non-committal you might say. I tend more toward thinking that if what you're doing matters, do it with an ink that's going to last, not some watery concoction that's going to turn into a bloby puddle at the first drop of rain, coffee, or sweat.

 

A lot of folks look at their pens and say "Oh my god, I'd never use a waterproof ink in it because it might ruin my pen." I say get a better pen, one that'll handle the trickier inks without trouble or complaint. They DO exist, they just might not be the most popular or blingy pens around.

 

But for me it's mostly the drawing and sketching thing. I live in a fairly moist climate and do a lot of my sketching out of doors. A few wee drops of rain on a sketch that's taken the better part of an hour is no problem at all if the ink is waterproof or at least highly water resistant. If it's not the result can be heartbreaking. It's happened to me enough times that I've resolved to banish the woosy inks from my life, more or less.

 

Another related issue is the ink wash technique I'm pursuing at the moment. Non-waterproof inks are generally a non-starter for this and again, out with the unworthy. There are exceptions of course, times when you actually want parts of your sketch to be water soluble, in which case you pick a good one and load up a pen with it for that express purpose.

 

Having moved in waterproof direction for my sketching I discovered that I wanted those inks in my regular writing pens too, and so that's how I choose my pens now, not the other way around.

 

I've still got Quink and Pelikan 4001 kicking around in my ink box but I never use them. Not when there's far more interesting, attractive and, yes Virginia it's true, waterproof inks to be used.

 

edit: clarifications

Edited June 28, 2007 by inkysmudges

[DrPJM1]

I love fountain pens and write with them exclusively. I was taught handwriting with them, as a child in Spain.

I choose pens for their excellent nibs and writing experience, followed by a beautiful material and shape second.

As far as inks, I usually go for Aurora and Pelikan Brilliant and Noodler's black, wish Noodler's made a brilliant dark

blue like Private Reserve's, finally Waterman Havana brown and FPN's own Galileo brown.

[aztac]

I love fountain pens but I need to learn how to write properly with them coz I have been using ball points for too long and I tend to use more force as a matter of habit to write. Any pointers on how to smoothen the transition?

[andru]

Any pointers on how to smoothen the transition?

 

aztac, you could get a "wet noodle" -- instant feedback when you press too hard, in the form of a line perhaps ten times the width of the line when the nib just rests on the paper. I'm not entirely sure if this is sound advice, as I've never owned a such a flexy pen yet. But I do have a vintage flexy pen and, between the fact that I know it's old, a bit pricey, and flexy nib, it does have a noticeable mellowing effect on my usual heavy hand.

 

Of course, you probably don't want a dry writer or a very fine nib, or (shudder) a pen that "skips" (lays no ink on some strokes), or if you're like me this will cause you to press harder.

Edited July 31, 2007 by andru

[Bruce-YVR]

People have fountain pens for various reasons, such as aesthetics, writing quality, history, heritage, etc. I thought it might be interesting to see how folks tend to use their fountain pens.

 

I do a lot of writing with them, almost exclusively!!

 

I am in the land development business so I use my FP 99.9% for my meetings/ notes/ comments/ signing etc. Lamy 2000 is a workhorse for me... it is so unassuming among all the so called "show pieces" - you know what I mean!! That's the best part :-)

 

[aztac]

Of course, you probably don't want a dry writer or a very fine nib, or (shudder) a pen that "skips" (lays no ink on some strokes), or if you're like me this will cause you to press harder.

 

 

Hi Andru, thanks for the advice. I think its more my writing style and not the nib which is the problem. I tried broad nibs too thinking it might lessen the force I use when writing but it still produces a "skipping" action. Too many years using a ballpoint pen causes this I think, as different speeds and strenght is needed when writing using BP. I think I will write abit more to get accustomed to using a FP now. As to whether I am a Collector or Writer? I am both. :roflmho: but I collect more than I write since l use laptops during work but will use FP or BP when I do proposals or write notes while thinking.

[aztac]

People have fountain pens for various reasons, such as aesthetics, writing quality, history, heritage, etc. I thought it might be interesting to see how folks tend to use their fountain pens.

 

I do a lot of writing with them, almost exclusively!!

 

I am in the land development business so I use my FP 99.9% for my meetings/ notes/ comments/ signing etc. Lamy 2000 is a workhorse for me... it is so unassuming among all the so called "show pieces" - you know what I mean!! That's the best part :-)

 

 

Actually in my opinion, people write best when using FPs as their handwriting becomes a work of art instead of mere writing. Have you compared your own handwriting when using FP and BP? The BP one will suck big time :ltcapd:

[fountainpenjunkie]

I shouldn't be surprised to see FPN used as a resource:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_pen

 

"Despite the perceived heightened prices in the modern niche, good quality steel and gold pens are available inexpensively today, particularly in Europe and China, and there are even some "disposable" fountain pens available. There are many fountain pen users around the world, even today. The main reasons people seek fountain pens in recent times are for effortless writing and comfort (some sufferers of arthritis are unable to use ballpoint pens, but can use fountain pens), expressive penmanship and calligraphy, longevity (fountain pens are known to last several lifetimes, whereas ballpoints are disposable), professional art/design, their wider range of available ink colours, recreational collecting (history and heritage), and academic benefits[4]. Many users also mention that fountain pens retain a sense of timeless elegance, personalization and sentimentality[5] that computers and ballpoint pens seem to lack [6], and often state that once they start using fountain pens, ballpoints become awkward to use due to the extra motor effort needed and lack of expressiveness.

 

Fountain pens have also always been prized as works of art. Ornate pens are sometimes made of precious metals and jewels with cloisonné designs; others are inlaid with lacquer designs in a process known as maki-e. An avid community of pen enthusiasts collect and use antique and modern pens and also collect and exchange information about old and modern inks, ink bottles, and inkwells. Collectors often tend to prize being able to actually use the antiques, instead of merely placing them under glass for show."

 

In fact, this very poll:

^ Poll: What do you do with your fountain pens?, Are you more of a collector or writer?. fountainpennetwork.com. Retrieved on January 28, 2007.

[RandyE]

I only have user pens - I no longer grow new collections of anything, and have eliminated most of my older collections by whittling them down to user items only. I appreciate that there are some nice pens out there, but I only have 5 fountains (1 is queued for repair, the other 4 are users) and I don't plan on getting any more unless I find that these don't meet all my writing needs. The only time I don't use a fountain pen is when I've forgotten to bring one along, or I've no good way to carry one without risking harming it (i.e. I'm wearing shorts and a tee shirt).

 

- R

[Shangas]

I shouldn't be surprised to see FPN used as a resource:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_pen

 

"Despite the perceived heightened prices in the modern niche, good quality steel and gold pens are available inexpensively today, particularly in Europe and China, and there are even some "disposable" fountain pens available. There are many fountain pen users around the world, even today. The main reasons people seek fountain pens in recent times are for effortless writing and comfort (some sufferers of arthritis are unable to use ballpoint pens, but can use fountain pens), expressive penmanship and calligraphy, longevity (fountain pens are known to last several lifetimes, whereas ballpoints are disposable), professional art/design, their wider range of available ink colours, recreational collecting (history and heritage), and academic benefits[4]. Many users also mention that fountain pens retain a sense of timeless elegance, personalization and sentimentality[5] that computers and ballpoint pens seem to lack [6], and often state that once they start using fountain pens, ballpoints become awkward to use due to the extra motor effort needed and lack of expressiveness.

 

Fountain pens have also always been prized as works of art. Ornate pens are sometimes made of precious metals and jewels with cloisonné designs; others are inlaid with lacquer designs in a process known as maki-e. An avid community of pen enthusiasts collect and use antique and modern pens and also collect and exchange information about old and modern inks, ink bottles, and inkwells. Collectors often tend to prize being able to actually use the antiques, instead of merely placing them under glass for show."

 

In fact, this very poll:

^ Poll: What do you do with your fountain pens?, Are you more of a collector or writer?. fountainpennetwork.com. Retrieved on January 28, 2007.

 

That link was exactly what led me to here.

[lak611]

I picked the first option, as it is the closest to describing my use of fountain pens. I actually use fountain pens exclusively for all of my writing. I never use any other writing instruments.

[Titivillus]

For me the few pens that I now own are writers.

The aestetics might have gotten me to purchase them but if they do not write well they are sold.

This is how I have been able to go a few years with only minimal additions of cash- for unless one is sold then none are bought.

As well it helps me decide if I really like a particular pen since almost all are possibly 'on the block'

 

I like to think that a pen is made to write with not just to be a counter equal to an amount of money or something that is just beautiful.

When you can use a pen it transcendes these two other categories.

 

K

[zerobuttons]

People have fountain pens for various reasons, such as aesthetics, writing quality, history, heritage, etc. I thought it might be interesting to see how folks tend to use their fountain pens.

I chose 1, because I have succeeed in getting to the point where I´m using only my fountain pens for writing at home. At work, I´m tied to what is called "document pens" in our work instructions - pens that some person somewhere in the company has decided are good enough for writing in log books and fill out papers following a production batch. I don´t let that count here.

 

My few pens so far are all always filled with ink. I use them for different purposes, and they are mostly filled with different inks. I believe that every pen I ever buy will always become a "user". I was actually surprised to find out recently that there are apparently users here that take no interest whatsoever in paper and such, because they only collect fountain pens. I see the two issues - the writing tool and the surface you use that tool on - as equally interesting and important.

 

I only fear that as I acquire more nice pens over time, I will run out of purposes I can dedicate them to. By then I may have to take some out of rotation - but which? :hmm1:

 

[Pippin60]

For me its all about using them. I only have 2 LE pens and I use them as well. They may not leave the house but I use them. A pen is a tool. I just happen to like using fountain pens. I use all my pens regardless of value. If I collected cars it would be the same. I could never have a "garage queen" the fun is in driving, pens are the same.

[susibilia]

I have three fountain pens, and while I am at home, I use them exclusively. Unfortunately, at school, where about half of my writing takes place, I generally use RBs, usually Pilot G2-07s or Uniball signos. I don't trust the people at my school with expensive things. If I could, I would use FPs all the time, but because I can't, I chose the second option.

Edited February 8, 2009 by susibilia

[Hilmar]

I have seven and I use them all. I have no need for a pen that is not to be used.

[stevlight]

I DRAW with mine AND use all 18 of them--just not all on the same drawing. 3-4 are inked at a time for a particular project--when that drawing/project is done i switch and use others for the next. Theuy all draw differently and i match the way they draw to the personality of the project.