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Thank you for this wonderful and informative post!
I have been a fountain pen collector since the mid-1990’s when I got a big promotion and my boss said, ‘get yourself a fountain pen!’ I did — it was a Cross Townsend. I have gone through many phases in the intervening years, Pelikan, vintage, Montblanc, plus inks and related leather goods. Today, my collection is dominated by Montblanc but also includes Nakaya, Waterman, Namiki, Delta, Montegrappa, Pelikan, Aurora, and Yard-O-Led.
I use fountain pens exclusively for journaling, note-taking, crossword puzzles, and more. I love the feel of flowing ink onto paper!
Fountain Pens 101: A Thorough Introduction to Fountain Pens
Moderator Patrick_y gives a thorough introduction to Fountain Pens in this informative article about pens and how luxury pens are seeing an increase in interest around the globe. Fountain pen photo by Montblanc. This is Montblanc's special fountain pen, k...
Thanks for this
I own a few but really know nothing about them. I just buy ones that look cool to me.
You're welcome!
Which cool pens do you have in your collection? I've got a lot! But some are duplicates. For instance, I have two Peter the Great fountain pens. ...
let's see
1) Visconti Pininfarina carbon graphite blue 2) Visconti Opera Crystal Demonstrator 3) Pelikan Demonstrator pen 4) 2 Graf Von Fabell Castell 5) A Cross and a Montblanc can't remember what they are nothing special The sad part is they are all unused. I jus...
Very very nice!
I'd say open one of them and start using them! Nothing is too precious to be used! 1. That Viscontin Pininfarina CarbonGraphite Icon85 pen is very cool. 2. Do you like skeleton watches? I find people who like demonstrator pens like skeleton watches. 3. An...
Thank You
I'm trying out the Faber Castell as we speak. You're right time to try one. I like some skeleton watches but nothing in particular. No I don't have that Samurai pen but that looks cool. When it comes to FP I know nothing-I just purchase because it looks n...
Those Otto Hut pens look amazing!
I tried the 8 and it seemed a bit too big and heavy for me. But other than that, I really liked the design. Would match well with the Bulgari Octo Finissimo watch! Tell us more about the Graf Von Faber Castell you're using. Enjoying it so far?
yes thank you
it's a smooth writer not that I would really know but it feels nice when I write. I can see why many watch collectors also purchase fountain pens as they go hand in hand (no pun intended). What is your favourite pen or grail pen Patrick?
Grail pen....
Hmmm... Honestly. I think I'm happy with my pen collection. I'm currently exploring the Japanese side of fountain pens. I've got my grail pens already - pens being much more affordable than watches, so it's not too difficult. My favorite pen is the Peter ...
I remember you have some really cool and modern pens.
Visconti skeleton fountain pen in titanium? Am I right?
You're very welcome Ajas!
We will have more fountain pen posts in the future! I'm doing a 360 back to my pen phase! Do you use a fountain pen regularly?
Dig out your old pens!
Dig them out! Clean them if necessary. Fill them up with ink and see if the ink will hold! Sometimes pens do leak after years of inactivity. Your pen is an old friend! Time to rekindle that old relationship!
Perhaps a stupid question ...
what do you gentlemen write with fountain pens? I'm fountain pen fan and have used many when I was in school/college. However, in recent times, most of my writings (mainly work-related) are on computer, either typed or using some kind of stylus. I bought ...
Not a stoopid question at all!
I mainly write letters and memos to friends, contractors, etc. with it. I'm not signing any big important papers nor contracts. I'm not doing any big mergers nor acquisitions of companies with them. The fountain pens get some use during the holiday season...
My fountain pens for every day
Cross and Omas. Have some more Italien fountain pens at home. ...
Very nice! Do children in Europe still use a fountain pen at school?
In America, children haven't even seen fountain pens before. I know Americans older than I am who have never even heard of the term.
My son learns it at the moment with a very simple Pelikan made of wood and a steel nib.
Although he will get a notebook in a few weeks
Interesting!
Yes, in America, kids have no fountain pens at all. They have a ballpoint and pencils. Many children have never even seen a fountain pen in their lives. It's a completely foreign thing to them. If you gave them one, they wouldn't even know how to use it -...
My 40 year old niece
Last year I gave my niece, a Harvard grad a nice roller ball pen. Her response was "Thanks, I don't use them" Life changes and moves on. NICE IS NICE TO EACH GENERATION
Sad but true!
She's not going to use that pen very much! It's hard to give stuff to young people these days... I have no idea what they'll use myself! There seems to be little if anything that's "permanent" in one's life anymore. Apple iPhones are changed every year or...
Fascinating post.
Personally I have a conflicting history with fountain pens. In short, I love when people use them, I love reading and learning about them... but I cannot use them. I'm left handed and like many of us southpaws I really have an awful handwriting. Moreover,...
*Gulp*
Yes, being left handed is a challenge to use a fountain pen. Now, if you lived in China or Japan, it works to your advantage, because sometimes they write from right to left! We could find you an ink that dries quickly - those do exist. But you still have...
At least you're writing!
I find writing with any pen seems to be a rarity these days. Sometimes I can go the entire day without lifting a pen!
yes, I am left handed and steer towards wet, broad nibs on FP
that being said, I also taught myself how to write with my right hand to better enjoy fountain pens… took several years of practice, but it can be done!
Wow! That's some commitment!
What a great story. Thank you for sharing this with us! I have an acquaintance who was born left handed and his parents forced him to do everything with his right hand. Must have been very difficult. He says he's mostly right handed now and slightly ambid...
I have a similar story in my family.
My late uncle was born left handed and was forced by my grandparents to write with his right hand ("The devil uses the left hand!"). Despite this unfortunate event, when his son (my cousin) was born also left handed (!) he did the same and forced him to w...
I see!
Ugh! Difficult parenting! But hopefully it worked out for your uncle in the long run!
I did that too!
When I broke my left shoulder I needed a surgery and lost the possibility to use my left arm for about two months. I learned to write with my right hand at the time but I lost that ability immediately after resuming writing with my left hand (unfortunatel...
well written educative post!
As a very long term collector of Montblanc fountain pens I also admire the craftsmanship that can be applied to a pen. Very similar to high end watches in terms of finishing and use of different materials. Attached a Kepler LE39 to give an impression - an...
Now that's a very mighty and special pen...
I have to admit, I don't have a single Patron of Arts that I've ever inked nor any of the ultra special limited editions. I don't have thing as limited as 39 pieces. Very special pens you've got and I'm glad to see that you use them! I admire mine, but I'...
Hmm…
All pens are made to be used. My permanent is the Axis Mundi 101, I am sure you have seen it already.
That is one cool architectural pen!
Very skeletonized looking too! Do you like skeleton watches too?
I've seen some "Aquarium" watches
and that's not a pretty sight! The movement was all rusted. Ironically, I've seen two times they were Nautilus watches.
Your passion shines through
My weapon of choice was a black and gold Sheaffer Fashion, I consumed several of them going through high school & uni, I loved the matte black slender body and the sharp nib, very much like a good katana and a great match for my writing style.
En garde! That's a nice weapon of choice!
Time to dig out that Sheaffer and put it back to use! Have you used it recently?
Thanks so much Patrick
I often see a great similarity between watch and pen collectors I too used to collect pens I have some but don’t collect anymore I do use some in my daily routine and love the way they feel and write Current useage include MB 149 Parker - x 2 not sure of ...
That sounds like a great working collection of nice pens!
I have a Parker somewhere. Glad that you're still using them on a regular basis! I've only got two pens inked currently (will go to three, I've never had more than four pens inked simultaneously).
I REMEMBER THE PARKER "21' and THE PARKER '51"
I owned them both somewhere along the decades....
This post has been a long time coming and needed, thank you.🙏🏽
And the intro is perfect.
Thank you for commenting!
Remember to start digging out your fountain pen. It's probably been forgotten in a dark drawer somewhere! Clean it out, put in some ink, and give an old friend some new life! And if you're already using it, GREAT JOB! Don't stop using your good loyal frie...
Actually, I’m trying to figure out what/if there is an “optimal” ink that should be purchased.
I have a Waterman and a Montblanc that I’d love to use, but am afraid to mess it up. And you’re part of the post where you comment on inks validated the fact that I can indeed damage it if ink dries in there, or I don’t clean it correctly. I was thinking ...
Generally Montblanc's ink is safest!
Montblanc ink has a "Super Cleaner 21" detergent inside that is actually a fairly good ink. Color saturation isn't the best (the blue isn't the bluest, the black isn't the blackest), but overall use, it's pretty good. The main thing is not the ink though,...
This is extremely helpful, thank you!
It’s also very interesting. The same applies to your points about paper. I do miss the days when I would write everything out, including edits, revisions, etc. and then finally type up a final product after the “creative process” was done. The pen and pap...
I agree...
The computer may save overall time, but the thoughts don't flow freely and all the hiccups on the computer really ruins the experience. In the end, due to all the interruptions and interruption to flow of thoughts, I think I'd probably be best with a pen ...
Thank you very much for this very interesting and thorough article on fountain pens !
I personnally use a Montblanc Meisterstück but I have used many different ones (Schaeffer, Waterman, Parker...), particularly as a pupil, as it was compulsory in the French schools back in the days (at least in mine). One point though, on your section 2 a...
That Nib Width Portion is a bit confusing...
So the Nib 4mm/6mm/9mm is the diameter of the plastic feed (the finned plastic section underneath the gold nib). Not referring to the tip itself. So a Nib#9 would have a huge 9mm feed, but the tip could be Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Bold, and so on. Genera...
Ahh! You started out on a flagship pen!
The writing experience doesn't get any better than this supposedly! If you look at the photo below, realize all three nibs have the exact same job. And they're written by the exact same user (me). The nibs are kind of flexible (very slightly flexible) and...
Thank you for this wonderful and informative post!
I have been a fountain pen collector since the mid-1990’s when I got a big promotion and my boss said, ‘get yourself a fountain pen!’ I did — it was a Cross Townsend. I have gone through many phases in the intervening years, Pelikan, vintage, Montblanc, p...
Sounds like you've got quite a collection!
I do like Yard-O-Led pencils. I don't own any fountain pens from Yard O Led though. My collection is mostly dominated by Montblanc too, although I'm starting to approach the Japanese pens now - starting kind of late in some ways. Crossword puzzles? I do m...
Thanks for the post Patrick!
The writing experience with a nice fountain pen is so much better than a ballpoint or rollerball, all be it a bit messier (in my case) when refilling ink from a bottle. All the best, Jon
Thank you for reading!
A purist would normally recommend filling from a bottle, but I have to say, I do think using cartridges is no problem at all! They're definitely cleaner. And if that bottle is still very full of ink, well, we can't let that go to waste. We will just have ...
Mostly an MB149 but with the flex nib and a Namiki Yukari Royale…
…both with Iroshizuku ink - from a bottle! All the best, Jon ...
Oh my! Two flagship pens from two very different countries!
So. I'm somewhat familiar with the 149. I actually own one - although I don't really write with it. I do use my 146 on a regular basis, which isn't too different from the 149 (nib on the 146 is much smaller and might feel slightly stiffer). I do not own t...
i still have a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck
When in Hong Kong in 1968 I bought a 14k AT Cross pen and pencil set for my father. He never used them because he didn't want to lose them. They are in the safe, brand new. Over the years I have accumulated some pens and custom shaving brushes.
Ahh! Shaving brushes!
Those badger hair brushes sure do look very nice! The ritual of shaving is definitely a very special thing! And you generally don't lose shaving brushes! Do you still use your Montblanc Meisterstuck? If not, please dig it out from the drawer, fill it up w...
I think that its with the Dupont and Dunhill lighters.
I will "talk" to those extinct tools----I still write notes occasionally on nice personal stationary... The brushes and DE razors, and accompaniments are still in full play.!!!! Bye the way, A very enjoyable read...
I like the S.T. Dupont lighters and the Dunhill lighters...
I don't smoke, but even I still appreciate the beautiful lighters. Nice stationary is a must. I've been using a lot of hotel stationary these days. Some hotels have good stationary, some don't. Thank you for the kind words! I still don't own anything made...
Yes, a Pelikan Concerto from years back with 18c M nib. 'Ode to Joy' is one of my faves 🎉
Plus the deep blue body and broad music in gold appeal to my life / style. Partnered with some 'fun' ink colors (❁´◡`❁)
Am sure you know more than i....
Many years ago was at a friend's home who at that time was a VERY avid collector of fountain pens. As i recall, he had a few red Dragons of some kind, all sorts of incredible pieces... and was in the middle of collecting a Chess Set of fountain pens (stil...
That's a beautiful pen!
Those notes are handcrafted on the silver barrel. It's quite a work of art!
I learned a lot from
reading this and will for sure go back and study it again. I have heard someone say that you should never let somebody else write with your fountain pen because the nib has adjusted itself after your way of writing. When others write with it this is damag...
That's partially true! Although not as big of a deal as people make it out to be.
Short term writing won't revert your nib. So if someone wants to borrow it for a small amount of writing, it's not a big deal. But yes, the nib does adjust slightly to the primary owner's writing style. It's important to note, the tip of the nib is coated...
Thanks for the review! I noticed you omitted shock, water and magnetic resistance … 😎
Here are my pens and a couple matching pencil & rollerballs. Nowadays when I don’t sign contracts and rarely write letter longhand, they only get used writing to relatives or signing cards (a bit like pocket watches; rarely in use). Honestly, I never noti...
Totally agree!
Totally agree with everything you said! And yes! Pen loaning is a big risk if your friend drops it! Your pen stand looks magnificent all shined up! Mechanical pencils? Two words... Rotring 600. Full stop. No better mechanical pencil in the "drafting" styl...
Many thanks
for your reply - crisp and clear as always. On the topic of letting others use your pen I picked up a pretty good advice when I bought a Visconti rollerball in Italy. If somebody asks you if he/she can barrow your pen you feel a little stupid to say no I ...
Exactly! Hold onto the cap!
Yup, that's the trick! Fortunately, I don't have any weird people who would do that to me. And even more fortunately, hardly anybody ever asks to borrow a pen anymore. Maybe on the airplane when we're all filling out that little landing card? But nowadays...
Great stuff, Patrick!
Here are a few (with a couple watches). The one I use most is the red Aurora. Just a wonderful pen. ...
Look at that! All good stuff!
Nice lamp! Nice B&O Speaker, and so on, AND WHAT NICE PENS! The Hemingway has a super-large nib and feed! Awesome pen! Glad to see your pens are getting some use! You've got four very nice pens there! And I see that you like pens that fill from a bott...
Oh wow! Nice ink pot!
I don't have any nice ink pots. I wanted a nice crystal one, but never got around to finding one I liked. I like your design, it doesn't take up too much space on the desk. The one I liked was by Lalique for Montblanc but it took up a huge amount of space...
A "big foot" is a good idea. Imagine the mess if it falls over.
My ink pot is made of silver which I like a lot. It is not old, from the 1997. Comes from Birmingham. Found it in the www some month ago. Will have a look at the Lalique.
Hello Patrick and thank you for this wonderful post, it was very informative
Here are my two pens I like to carry around a pen and a note pad in my pocket for taking notes when I fancy, for this first I bought my self a Mont Blanc rouge et noir bebe, the pen is very small so one has to use it posted, it only takes one small cartri...
Hello Orahu
Thanks for the question and thanks for looking. The MB Baby is not for people who like big and thick pens. Unposted it is not usable. Its cap is not screwed, it comes off with a nice twang, however for posting there is a platinum coated part on the upper ...
Thanks for asking
I didn’t know of Boheme, I read some reviews about it now it’s such a nice pen. Yes smaller sizes are very easy to travel, also for air travel I just take the cartridge out and put a new one in after landing. No headaches.
Yeah! I really miss my Boheme! It was a good pen!
Being cartridge only had some disadvantages. But worse case scenario, find a syringe and fill it up an empty cartridge with your favorite ink color! Why not!
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