Ebay ink.

[JD77]

I was curious about fountain pens, and decided to buy a fountain pen when I saw one for $15 which was pretty cool. I bought a Ohto Tasche pen on penwish.com.

 

After using it for a couple of days I noticed some skipping and that it was actually really annoying and I kinda thought that ballpoins/gel pens where better. Still, I decided to give it another try and decided to get more fountain pen and thought that maybe it would stop skipping. I wen't to ebay and bought some ink.

 

LINK

 

When the ink arrived I was really exited and flushed the pen and added the new ink. I went to school to test it out and... It takes about 2 minutes to dry! I'm left handed and its kinda impossible to write with it. What should I do!?

 

I was thinking on adding water or alcohol but... I'm not sure since I'm really new with this.

 

[graceaj]

You probably do not want to add alcohol. Adding a little water should help the drying time without diluting the colour too much. Personally I've found Quink to be a pretty quick dryer. And there's a whole thread of people with their recommendations for fast-drying ink here.

[JD77]

Well I forgot to add that I'm waiting to use all those ink cartridges because I payed 10 dollars for it! I'm 17 years old and I actually don't work.

[freznow]

Hmm I don't think there's much you can do considering they're cartridges. You could keep a cup of water around and dip it in that, but that won't be very viable while you're at school...

 

You're better off just ordering a bottle of ink, though, and either refilling your cartridges or using a converter. Sure, it's another $15... but I really can't think of anything else to help you. Sorry.

[JD77]

Thanks frez and grace! I'm going to add water and if it doesn't get any better I'll just buy a ink bottle.

 

 

Thx!

[JD77]

I added water and it was better, but I added too much and it looks like gray XD.

 

I'm thinking on continue using Gel pens because I can't write fast enough fountain pen... It feels harder to write fast. Is it me or should I continue investigating fountain pens?

[OnPoint]

Give your fountain pen a chance. If you press down hard on paper when using ballpoints or rollerballs, you probably do with the fountain pen as well. Fountain pens work best when skimming the paper, so you have to loosen up on your grip, and relax your arm all the way up to the shoulder. Perhaps just practicing nonsense words would help you find the rhythm at which that pen works well.

 

As to the skipping you experienced, did you flush the pen before using it, in case there were still manufacturing oils inside the pen? I think too much writing pressure can also cause skipping, but others may feel differently.

[JJBlanche]

Buy a better pen, like a used Pelikan or a Reform 1745. I wouldn't judge all fountain pens based upon experience with one $15 special.