Fountain that writes like a ball point

[jvangun]

I'll just come right out and say it..... I like the idea of writing with a fountain pen So, what I would like to know is what type of fountain pen writes similar to that of a ball point or rollerball. I have a MB 146 and a Starwalker and would like to add a MB fountain pen to the collection for every day use. I have relatively sloppy handwritting and am wondering if a fountain pen is even an option for me. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Shangas]

I'd say the chances of finding such a fountain pen are slim. Fountain pens and ballpoint pens work completely differently from each other.

[xmattxyzx]

Why would you want something like that?

[PrawnBoy]

I can't see a reason why you would want a FP to write like a BP!

 

I suggest you buy a cheap FP (Lamy Safari, Waterman Phileas or the like) and try one out. That way you will know if you would like to use more.

 

I started with a $16 Parker Reflex and then moved onto a Lamy Al-Star which I carry with me all the time. I also have 2 "nicer" pens as well (Pelikan M400 and Parker "51").

 

I hope you try a FP out and fall in love with them as I have.

 

Good luck!

[jvangun]

Like I said, I like the idea of writing with a fountain pen. I'm just wondering if there is a particular style that would be an easier transition from a ball point to a fountain than others.

[jdboucher]

Like I said, I like the idea of writing with a fountain pen. I'm just wondering if there is a particular style that would be an easier transition from a ball point to a fountain than others.

 

There's really no easy transition. You could buy a Pilot Varsity. They are $3 throw away fountain pens (although there is a way you can refill them). Try that. See if you like it. Staples has them. I, like you, don't have great handwriting. A fountain pen improves my handwriting. I find myself writing slower and neater (unless I'm taking notes in class).

[Shangas]

In a nutshell...not really.

 

As I said before, fountain pens and ballpoint pens write very VERY different from each other, and neither will feel like the other. If you write the way you do with a ballpoint (press hard, dig into the paper etc), and you do that with a fountain pen, you'll break the nib. Fountain pens require MINIMAL PRESSURE. Hell, I might even say NO pressure. The weight of your hand and the pen should be all the push you need to get the pen going.

 

If you think that you're going to be jamming the nib into the paper anyway, then what you'll need is a fountain pen with a very stiff, strong nib. I would personally suggest a Waterman Phileas for that, their nibs are tough as nails. Only by throwing mine onto the floor did I actually manage to bend it...I bent it right back afterwards, though, and the pen's fine now...

[JJBlanche]

Fountain pens are more than an aesthetic. Sorry, you won't find one that writes like a ballpoint.

[Daosus]

Well, if you're looking for a pen that can take a lot of pressure, most modern and later vintage Sheaffers and Parkers are pretty stiff. In general, a fountain pen requires no pressure -- and can actually scratch the paper surface if you use too much. I second the suggestion of other posters to pick up a cheap pen to see if you even like it. Good contenders are:

 

Parker Vector (my first)

Lame Safari

Pilot Varsity

Waterman Phileas

 

I'm sure more people are going to chime in, too.

[James P]

Jvangun,

 

I'm thrilled you'd like to try writing with a fountain pen. It's a very enjoyable experience. I remember when I was in your shoes and making the transition from ballpoints and rollerballs to fountain pens. I discovered that fountain pens come in a wide variety of types - some require little or no pressure to write, others can withstand considerable abuse, and some are better for novices than others. For instance, I wouldn't worry about breaking the nib on some of the steel-nibbed pens, such as a Waterman Phileas, Rotring Core (ugly as sin, but a great write), Lamy Safari or similar, or even a Visconti Van Gogh Midi. In fact, some stiff gold-nibbed pens I've used, like Marlens, should be more than up to the task.

 

But when you say you'd like to find a pen that writes more like a ballpoint, I'm not sure what characteristic of a ballpoint you're trying to emulate. Is it the quick-drying ink, or something else? If you could offer up some more information about what you're trying to accomplish, I'm sure that the good folks of this forum would be able to offer you all sorts of relevant and helpful advice.

 

If you'd like to actually have a conversation about your interests, feel free to give me a call at my store tomorrow - I have a toll-free number and I'll answer your questions to the best of my ability with no sales pitch. There's a lot to love about fountain pens, but you've got to find the one that's right for you.

 

James

[jdboucher]

Jvangun,

 

I'm thrilled you'd like to try writing with a fountain pen. It's a very enjoyable experience. I remember when I was in your shoes and making the transition from ballpoints and rollerballs to fountain pens. I discovered that fountain pens come in a wide variety of types - some require little or no pressure to write, others can withstand considerable abuse, and some are better for novices than others. For instance, I wouldn't worry about breaking the nib on some of the steel-nibbed pens, such as a Waterman Phileas, Rotring Core (ugly as sin, but a great write), Lamy Safari or similar, or even a Visconti Van Gogh Midi. In fact, some stiff gold-nibbed pens I've used, like Marlens, should be more than up to the task.

 

But when you say you'd like to find a pen that writes more like a ballpoint, I'm not sure what characteristic of a ballpoint you're trying to emulate. Is it the quick-drying ink, or something else? If you could offer up some more information about what you're trying to accomplish, I'm sure that the good folks of this forum would be able to offer you all sorts of relevant and helpful advice.

 

If you'd like to actually have a conversation about your interests, feel free to give me a call at my store tomorrow - I have a toll-free number and I'll answer your questions to the best of my ability with no sales pitch. There's a lot to love about fountain pens, but you've got to find the one that's right for you.

 

James

 

James,

 

I have to say thats a really nice thing your doing.

 

To the OP, James raises a good question. What characteristics of a ballpoint are you trying to emulate?

 

[kiavonne]

Like I said, I like the idea of writing with a fountain pen. I'm just wondering if there is a particular style that would be an easier transition from a ball point to a fountain than others.

 

 

First, I'd definitely take James up on his offer to talk with you, and toll-free! Talking with the pen guys one on one is a valuable experience.

 

Maybe what you will be looking for is an ink that writes a little drier to start. I used to use rollerballs all the time, but i got frustrated with how quickly they would dry out and need to be discarded. When I went to fountain pens, I originally wanted a line something like the rollerball, but then I found that a nice smooth and slightly wetter line was much more to my liking as well as much more fun to achieve! One thing I've had to overcome in the transition is my death grip on pens. I used to have to press very hard for ballpoints and even rollerballs to write "right," and now I find that the fountain pen does all the work for me and my hands don't ache as much. A fine nib will achieve the fine line of a rollerball without the pressure and scratchiness. And a nicely wet, lightly written line will be a great transition over the pressed ink line of a ballpoint.

 

The nib and ink you start with might be the consideration you need first, over any pen style. There are so many styles to choose from, and it's fun to look for the pen that just jumps out at you, but if the nib isn't good, the writing experience will not be good, no matter what the pen itself looks like.

 

[jonro]

Perhaps what you are looking for is a fountain pen with a rounded nib that writes well at many angles and writes very smoothly (without feedback). I think that the better Pelikans give you that type of experience. I hope you find a good pen to start with.

[QM2]

...

making the transition from ballpoints and rollerballs to fountain pens

...

 

This is a key phrase. Consider using rollerballs / gel pens for a couple of weeks before you start using fountain pens; that should make the transition less drastic.

 

But when you say you'd like to find a pen that writes more like a ballpoint, I'm not sure what characteristic of a ballpoint you're trying to emulate.

 

I am just guessing of course, but usually when people say this, they mean the texture and shape of the tip, as well as the writing pressure. I think that a nice Lamy Safari or Parker Vector, with a Fine or Medium nib, is the way to go. Lamy Safari nib tips have a cushy, rounded feel to them, which I think are particularly welcoming for ballpoint users.

 

So my suggestion would be to order a Lamy Safari with a Fine or Medium nib from a good seller who will test the pen for you. Use it with cartridges first, so that you do not get overwhelmed by the bottle-filling method. The cartridges are very easy and non-messy; you can replace them on the go just like ballpoint refills. Then if you like the pen and become curious, you can move on to bottled ink later.

 

Hope this helps,

 

QM2

 

 

Edited August 16, 2008 by QM2

[FrankB]

First, take James up on his offer.

 

To me, it sounds as if you might require a hooded stiff nib FP. The Parker 51 or even a 21 might be the starter pen you are looking for. These pens have small, rigid nibs that have a consistent flow and no flex or spring. For these pens the flow of the ink is the key. They are not like a roller or ball point in that they have a marvelous liquid ink flow. That flow is your introduction to fountain pen writing where the weight of the pen alone allows the pen to write.

Edited August 16, 2008 by FrankB

[jvangun]

James, first let me say thank you for your offer and I belive that I will take you up on it. I should have been a little more clear in my original posting. I am looking for a pen where the ink doesn't come out too fast and draws a thin line. In additon, I think that I want a cartridge filler as it seems easier to just swap out an empty one than to carry ink bottles. Thanks in advance.

[grimakis]

James, first let me say thank you for your offer and I belive that I will take you up on it. I should have been a little more clear in my original posting. I am looking for a pen where the ink doesn't come out too fast and draws a thin line. In additon, I think that I want a cartridge filler as it seems easier to just swap out an empty one than to carry ink bottles. Thanks in advance.

 

Just so you know Cartridges are fairly expensive, and with a pen that fills from the bottle you should have enough ink to last you a week, and when it runs out than you can fill it at home. There is no need to carry ink bottles around with you.

[hardyb]

Consider this:

 

http://www.hisnibs.com/mega.htm

 

 

[Con]

Consider this:

 

http://www.hisnibs.com/mega.htm

 

They do look very nice.

 

These are more in my budget, if I wanted

to try something like that:

 

Kaweco Sport Ink Roller Pen

 

http://www.pendemonium.com/pens_kaweco.htm

 

Perhaps I will someday.

[Shangas]

There is one big problem with cartridges that most people (including myself), find - and that is the cost.

 

A bottle of fountain pen ink is anywhere between 30-60ml, or even more. One bottle might cost you about 5-15 or $20, depending on the size. That might sound like a lot of money for a bottle of ink, but once you buy it - that bottle will last you anywhere between 1-3 or even 4 years. It takes a LOT of writing to empty a bottle of ink. Once you fill your fountain pen, it should last plenty long before you have to fill it again (Grimakis mentions a week, some pens I've used would probably last for a month or more on a full converter of ink).

 

Cartridges hold less ink and cost comparatively more, you'd be going to the store to buy new ones every few months, and that can rack up quite an ink-bill.

 

If I were you, I'd stick with bottled ink.