Fountain Pen To Write Checks?

[Chris]

All very funny.

 

But I separate some old English spellings and even grammar which the Americans have retained in their language whilst English evolved in its home country from those ugly new 'Americanizations' that sadly appear to be adopted by many other countries who believe they are part of the English language. The first are understandable but the second are an anethema.

 

So, it is cheque and while I'm there is a word in English - alternative - that can be useful and means something quite different to alternate, unless you take it in turns; oh, and don't forget that if your stewardess says your aeroplane (not airplane) will be landing momentarily, you had better be quick or you might not have time to alight

 

And in spite of all this witty banter, if you are wondering how I am, I'm very well, thank you, not good; you asked how I am, not what I am

 

Cheers, fellow pensters

[Sailor Kenshin]

A noob here (only 3 fountain pens), and I was wondering how everyone use their fountain pen to write checks or write receipts that have carbon copies? I ask because many people have commented that they uses strictly fountain pens (or rather, thats what I gathered), and when I tried to write checks or receipts with fountain pen, it doesn't went down on the carbon copy at all... Am I doing it wrong? Or I should just stick with ballpoint/gel-ink/rollerball for those tasks?

I don't do carbons with a fp, but do write checks exclusively with a Hero 329 and Noodler's Bad Green Gator, the only truly waterproof ink I have.

[mercurius]

Don't know about FPs for writing cheques, but invisible ink does it for me everytime...

[owend]

Thanks Chris for supporting my pedantry! I think it goes with using a fountain pen to write with - FP writers have time to consider what's going down on paper and to make the language better. I'd like to say more elegant, accurate, readable etc; I'm not sure I can meet that target but I try!

 

There are many cases in English where accurate spelling is essential to the meaning because words are pronounced almost identically, eg where/wear/ware, and where similar words have a very different meaning eg affect/effect, and my pet hate its/it's.

 

Rant over. And to echo Chris, I feel good even if I'm not good!

[Blue_Moon]

I'm amazed at people who insist on using a fountain pen at all times without exception. That's perfectly fine if a fountain pen is the best instrument that meets their needs all the time. However, I don't want to try to write on something that requires added pressure, like a carbon copy or two, with a fountain pen because I'm too fearful of springing the nib. Some are suggesting certain Parkers, Sheaffers, Esterbrooks, etc. or holding your pen at a different angle. Why take the risk...unless you've got plenty of money and can replace them like buying a new pair of socks? Contrary to the popular belief of a few, your hand isn't going to fall off if you use a writing instrument other than a fountain pen. Do people really have extra time in their day that they'd rather spend time duplicating the information on the carbon copy, rather than to just use a different pen and press hard? Not in my world.

 

My perception is that fountain pens are tools, and I enjoy using them. They get the job done in a pleasurable way. Also, I use them just for the pleasure itself. However, when another tool is needed, that's what I use. A hammer is used to drive a nail. Now, you can use a wrench to drive a nail as well, but it's not designed for that purpose. It will take longer and you may bend the nail.

[OcalaFlGuy]

For 3 part carbon I'll usually use a custom made BP that was gifted to me. Carbonless recepts, I'll use whatever FP I have with me.

 

For the few checks I write each month, almost always This pen.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

[OcalaFlGuy]

However, I don't want to try to write on something that requires added pressure, like a carbon copy or two, with a fountain pen because I'm too fearful of springing the nib. Some are suggesting certain Parkers, Sheaffers, Esterbrooks, etc. or holding your pen at a different angle. Why take the risk...unless you've got plenty of money and can replace them like buying a new pair of socks?

 

My perception is that fountain pens are tools, and I enjoy using them. They get the job done in a pleasurable way. Also, I use them just for the pleasure itself. However, when another tool is needed, that's what I use. A hammer is used to drive a nail. Now, you can use a wrench to drive a nail as well, but it's not designed for that purpose. It will take longer and you may bend the nail.

 

As has been mentioned. nibs marked Manifold nibs WERE Specifically made for multi-part carbons. They ARE the Correct tool for that.

 

If you'll turn say a 9461 Estie nib over and compare it to say a 9668 Medium, you'll immediately notice how much Stouter the Manifold nib is. I think Manifold nibs also are Great Choices for newer pen users who are still used to having to press down when writing.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[WirsPlm]

I just use M or larger and press a bit harder (I don't have any expensive pens ), which works OK. If I needed to do a heavier form with more than one carbon layer I'd just use a ballpoint or rollerball (different tools for different purposes and all that).

[85AKbN]

g-2 works.

[Lisya72]

I write so few checks that by looking at the amount, I can tell you who I wrote the check to. So, I just take an extra second and write the amount on the NCR copy while the cashier is running the check through the MICR reader.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I routinely face a three-layer form at work, and a lot of pens handle it well enough; if you know what your pen will tolerate and are willing to write a little more slowly than you might prefer, the copies come through clear enough. When I'm carrying something that won't do the job, I rotate Parker "51" and Sheaffer triumph-pointed desk pens to step in at form time. Yesterday I used a Sheaffer 8C flat-top with one of the older Lifetime points without hesitation. Today's Parker 75 I might leave aside for the "51"....

[Vendome]

Writing cheques has gone the way of the dodo over here in Blighty, a lot of shops and supermarkets have stopped accepting them. However, I always use a Sheaffer 100 fountain pen with Waterman black ink when completing paying-in slips.

[fpenluver]

If you need permanent ink. Private reserve invincible black is permanent. However, it is hard ink, and not all fountain pens will accept it nicely. However, just recently, I found out that it is working allright with platinum preppy, and it just cost about $6 for the preppy. Something that you may want to consider.

[fpenluver]

Correction, platinum preppy is not allright with private reserve invincible black. It was allright for 2 days and on the fouth day (after i wrote the above post), it dries on the nib. May be it is ok if you use it everyday?

[Sasha Royale]

I write checks with a fountain pen. I also sign recipes. if a signature is desired on the undersheet, I sign the undersheet, as well. So far, nobody objects.

 

I'm never going back.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Sasha Royale

[inkstainedruth]

I had carbon/duplicate checks for a while and did what Sasha did (my old bank got bought out and the new company sent them as freebies). Then, when I went to order the next batch I asked for regular ones. But when we bought a new vehicle a few months ago, some of the forms that we had to fill out and sign at the dealership were those types. I used a BP (albeit somewhat under protest) and joked that I really need to get a manifold nib for one of the Esties. As an aside, for those who have them -- do you prefer the F or M manifold nibs?

For check-writing I trust Noodler's Kung Te Cheng and El Lawrence.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Blue_Moon]

 

As has been mentioned. nibs marked Manifold nibs WERE Specifically made for multi-part carbons. They ARE the Correct tool for that.

 

If you'll turn say a 9461 Estie nib over and compare it to say a 9668 Medium, you'll immediately notice how much Stouter the Manifold nib is. I think Manifold nibs also are Great Choices for newer pen users who are still used to having to press down when writing.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Apologies if I was unclear. For those who have a Manifold nib, they are using the correct tool. However, I would venture to guess that the majority of fountain pen owners do not have said nib. Thus, my post.

[85AKbN]

I know there's the Noodler's refillable rollerball. But you know what would be the coolest thing for signing checks / cheques, contracts? A G-2 with Noodler's Black, or 54th Massachusetts. Now that is something I would stock up on and have with me at all times!

[CS388]

Just as a point of interest: Made with FPs in mind? Cheque books in the UK used to have a first page made of blotting paper. It was common to see someone write a cheque, close the book, tamp it down, then rip out and present the cheque.

I think this ended (with my banks) in the late 1980s/early 1990s. I distinctly remember being disappointed when my new cheque book didn't have the blotting paper - and I had to use my own.

I think this form of payment is all but obsolete in the UK now?

 

(Cheques/checks - doesn't matter in an international community, such as FPN. We all know what each other means)

[Tom Aquinas]

 

.

(Cheques/checks - doesn't matter in an international community, such as FPN. We all know what each other means)

Quite so , and I love receiving them, whether they are "checks" or "cheques" ( and I don't care how they are written as long as they don't bounce).

Edited November 29, 2013 by Tom Aquinas