Am I A Fountain Pen Person

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Wheaties

Wheaties

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I think fountain pens are pretty cool, but I've never used one. I was considering making one for myself, but I don't know if I would like the way it writes. I've read all the "behind the nib" stuff and I know there are different stiffness's when it comes to the nibs. I like using rollerball's and am not a "push-through-the-paper" kind of writer, but I am also a block letter (all caps) writer. Not a fancy cursive writer, which is what I have in my mind what fountain pens are for.

So with that said, would a fountain pen be for me, or should I stick with rollerball's?
 
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I have the absolute worst handwriting in the world and i still swear by a fountain pen. My dad writes in all caps and it works great for him. A big part of what i have noticed about converting to a fountain pen is a much thicker writing line. Things are much more bold and for me at least, are easier to read. I used to gauge my college papers by how long i write till my hand gets sore and i stop at about 2 or 3 pages. Now that i have a fountain pen that is smoother than a cloud, i can write more than 8 pages in a sitting (assuming my mind is connecting to my hand). If i were you, i would convert to a fountain pen then convert everyone you know!
 
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Zach, You start using a fountain pen, you will be hooked. My 2cents is put one of Lou's flex nibs on it. They are not expensive and make a big difference over the Chinese kit nibs. A good bottled ink helps a lot over the cartridge that comes with the kits also, imho.
 
The easiest way to get a fountain pen would be to get a fountain pen section and some good ink cartridges for your existing rollerball pen. They will usually just thread right in replacing the rb refill and section. If you order one from Lou with one of his sf nibs, he might even be nice enough to tune it up for you to ensure you get the best initial fountain pen experience. There is good ink available in in cartridges, but don't bother with "generic" or the junk that comes with the fountain pen kits. Get a good name brand like private reserve or waterman.

After that, I agree, you will be hooked.

You can either pm Lou (dcbluesman) on here, or order from his website at www.heritagepens.com


James
 
Ok, I think you convinced me.

One thing though, I wouldn't be using the pen EVERY day. Would that give me problems with it drying out? I won't always have access to a faucet to run some water through it.
 
I think the drying time on most inks is about 2 weeks, and they say you are supposed to store the pen upside down to let the ink run out of the nib. I easily use the pen at least one every two weeks, and the only time it went longer, it just took a bit of the oh so familiar rubbing on the paper in random circles...

Wheaties said:
Ok, I think you convinced me.

One thing though, I wouldn't be using the pen EVERY day. Would that give me problems with it drying out? I won't always have access to a faucet to run some water through it.
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I was one of those ink is ink guys. then I picked up some Waterman cartridges....It was like night and day...I've got a box of Private Reserve to try next....Give it a try...all melse fails, clean the nib and feed and retail the pen...Don't think you will though!
 
I've just started using fountain pens. I've noticed two things that are very different from rollerball ink. First, the ink cartridges do not last very long. A rollerball refill might last me 2 or 3 months, but an ink cartridge only lasts me about 3 weeks. Second, there is relatively more maintenance involved with a FP. The ink sometimes pools on the nib and has to be cleaned. Any time that you change the ink cartridge, you'll want to disassemble the nib and clean everything. Likewise if you want to change colors. Neither of these is a big deal, but something to be aware of.
 
Once you "try" one, you will never go back to the "other" side (ballpoint). :tongue: FP work just as well on block lettering, printing, cursive or any other style of writing. I've enjoyed using one dating back when I was "young" and not-so foolish in writing with a FP. Get "twice" the enjoyment, now that I can make them.
 
Who knows, writing with a fountain pen may even make your writing better, you tend to slow down your normal hand and concentrate more on what you are doing with the nib! Try it and see!
 
wood-of-1kind said:
Once you "try" one, you will never go back to the "other" side (ballpoint). :tongue: FP work just as well on block lettering, printing, cursive or any other style of writing. I've enjoyed using one dating back when I was "young" and not-so foolish in writing with a FP. Get "twice" the enjoyment, now that I can make them.
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I'll even take that one step further.....Once you "try" and get used to a flex dip pen and start pulling some old style cursives.....you will find yourself lost in the world of fabulous 18th century style writing. You'll actually start looking forward to writing Christmas cards.....:biggrin:
 
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