Hi everyone

[baladier]

I’m Baladier, a fountain pen and mechanical pencil enthusiast. Lately I’ve been on the hunt for my perfect ink, especially blue tones that work well for a left-handed writer like me. I truly enjoy trying out new pen–ink–paper combinations and improving my handwriting.

I joined the forum to learn, share experiences, and enjoy this hobby with other passionate people. Happy to be here!

 

[AkitaMom]

Aloha and welcome Baladier to our Happy Fountain Pen Place.  

[inkstainedruth]

@baladier Greetings from Pittsburgh, PA!  Welcome to FPN!

I generally suggest that new folks here click on the "New Content" button when they log in (you can adjust how much/often it refreshes).  And to check out the Ink Review Forum (even though a lot of old images were lost in the "Great Photobucket Hijack" from a few years ago -- although there have been some people trying to resurrect them) because I'm convinced we live in the Golden Age of Ink (new companies seem to keep popping up all over the globe).  You're sure to find your "ideal" blue.  Although you may discover (as I did) there is likely to be more than one... (my husband keeps telling people that the pen stash I've acquired since finding my way here was just the "gateway" to the REAL collection... ).

But I also warn new people that they have found themselves in a den of enablers, who will be More Than Happy to help them spend their discretionary funds on pens, inks, paper, desk accessories, repair tools, pen shows and ephemera....  

So what pen(s) are you currently using?  Because I've found over the years that some pens do better with some inks than other ones -- and of course, paper is also a factor (some paper is very slick but other types tend to absorb ink into them, so you might have feathering and/or bleed through).  I thought one ink I had was a complete mistake when I put it into what turned out to be a really dry writing pen.  But after putting an ink that was too wet into my first Pelikan (a 1990s era M400) turned that pen into a fire hose?  I tried that other ink and it SAVED the ink from being dumped down the drain in frustration....

Also remember -- the only dumb questions are the ones which don't get asked (even if some had asked a similar question in the past, sometimes it's hard to navigate the system).  And I'm constantly amazed and humbled by the depth and breadth of knowledge to be found here -- and the generosity of the people on here sharing that information (and not just pen related at that).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[OCArt]

[PAKMAN]

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

[Wahl]

[Mark from Yorkshire]

from Yorkshire 

[baladier]

On 12/1/2025 at 6:54 PM, inkstainedruth said:

So what pen(s) are you currently using?

Hi, inkstainedruth;

Thank you so much for the warm welcome—I truly appreciate it!
I already tried the “New Content” button (great tip!), and I’ve been browsing the Ink Review section a lot lately. You’re absolutely right… it does feel like we’re living in a golden age of inks. I’m currently on the hunt for my “ideal” blue, although I’m starting to suspect I’ll end up with more than one.

Right now I’m mainly using a Montblanc Meisterstück 146 with a medium nib. I’m still experimenting with different papers and inks because I’ve noticed the same thing you mentioned: some combinations behave completely differently depending on the flow of the pen.

And don’t worry—I'm already prepared for the ‘den of enablers’ part. 😄
Thanks again for the kind words and for making newcomers feel at home.

—Baladier