Hello from Nebraska!

[Katolin]

Hello!

 

I picked up fountain pens about 5-6 years ago with the hopes of improving my handwriting and finding a reason to love writing again.  I wouldn't say I've made huge strides in improving my handwriting, but I'm at least writing more! (Writing pages of pangrams in different inks counts as writing, right?)

 

I love collecting and trying out all types fountain pens, much to my wallet's dismay. I find something to love about almost any pen, and therefore have collected quite a few pens across the spectrum of price ranges. Most of my pens are modern, with only a few vintage ones in the mix.  I'm hard pressed to choose a ride-or-die favorite as I have quite a few that I love, but my Visconti Homo Sapiens is usually at the top of the list.  However, I usually also have a few cheap Chinese pens inked up alongside the fancier pens. I just find that I love pens of all types!

 

I started out using almost exclusively Fine nibs, but lately I've been branching out and find myself grabbing more Broad and Medium (and the occasional stub/architect/naginata) and really having fun with exciting inks.

 

My fountain pen spreadsheet has evolved into a personal pen and ink Notion database where I track multiple pen stats for fun times comparing them, or sorting by color to find the perfect pen-and-ink matchup for the day. It may be silly, but I find it oddly fun and satisfying.

 

With a lack of fountain pen stores in a reasonable driving distance, it's a challenge to find a place to share my thoughts other than online. It doesn't help that I'm an introvert and prefer to chill at home rather than driving for hours. In an attempt to start my own discourse about pens, I've started trying to blog about my thoughts but I'm not sure that I have enough novel opinions to make it worthwhile. So I figured I would join this lovely community and find some fun like-minded people!

 

 

[OCArt]

[CasmiUK]

Welcome to FPN - it's a lovely place to be!

[Frodo]

Hello from your neighbor 'down south' here in Kansas. I've also recently joined FPN. Welcome!

[RedPie]

Welcome to a wonderful place, all you need, right here!

[Wahl]

[Katolin]

Thank you all so very much for the warm welcome! I'm excited to peruse the forums and meet everyone!

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! So glad to have you as a member!!

[Bisquitlips]

[Mechanical]

@Katolin, well with a bunch of pens, a comparison spreadsheet, and a love of inks, I’d say you’ve come to the right place. Welcome!

 

For writing, I will scribble as needed.  My list of the days tasks can be quite a mess.  But when I want to write nicely, I slow down and take my time.  Often that does the trick for me.  And the thing that has made the most difference over the years?  For me, it’s been regular spacing of letters.  Of course a “w” or an “m” take up more room than an “n” or an “a” — but I strive for regularity.  

[Katolin]

@Mechanical Thank you!  And those are some great tips. The concept of slowing down definitely explains why my cursive has improved so much more than my print writing. I think when writing in print my brain just gets impatient for the words to get on the page, and it doesn't help that I have habits of dragging one letter into the next. I will have to pick up some graph paper and work on spacing!

 

Also, it is possible that the newest iteration of my collection database is a bit too detailed, but it's fun and I like sorting by different criteria for purty gallery views so it keeps getting more ridiculous. Here's how I track my pens and my inks:

     

[Mechanical]

2 hours ago, Katolin said:

Also, it is possible that the newest iteration of my collection database is a bit too detailed,

Well, I'm looking forward to everything you'll be postng about. As for hyperdetail in your database... I say, flaunt it!