Fountain pens

Kerguelen

Amongst others I tried the Faber e-motion, very pretty but didn't like the balance when posted (cap on the top of the pen, for you normal people), and with the cap off it's a bit too short, like a TWSBI Mini. Finally settled on a Pelikan Souveran M800 in green.



Don't ask me how much it cost.

I've only just stopped crying.

PedalPedant

Some of the Montblanc skeleton pens are quite pretty:

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/32796188@N02/popular-interesting/

I suspect they're not cheap though.

PP

Tricycleboy

PedalPedant wrote:

Some of the Montblanc skeleton pens are quite pretty:

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/32796188@N02/popular-interesting/

I suspect they're not cheap though.

PP

What do you mean 'not cheap'. This one is a snip at a mere £20,000
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MONTBLANC-ATELIERS-PRIVES-TEXAS-SKELETON-FP-1-10-/200570869400#vi-content

and only £120 postage from the states.

Should really pop it in the Bargains thread.

walkingbootweather

In case anyone is remotely interested I ended up getting one of these

Lamy Studio


To be honest it was really hard to find a high street retailer of quality pens and it the end my decision was based largely on good reviews. The basic Studio is reasonably affordable (£30-£40 at most places) but I got a deal on the more expensive special edition anthracite model with supposedly a better nib

I have been quite impressed by the weight and quality of the pen though and after a week of practice think my handwriting is starting to improve.

Bought blue, black and brown ink to try. The brown was a mistake.

DrLex

Nice one!

walkingbootweather wrote:

[...] The brown was a mistake.

At least it wasn't an expensive one.

Subaqua

I have a couple of namiki pens... keep one in the office and one at home.... they aren't the £2500 grand ones, but they are a refreshing change from the european luxury brand efforts. You do save a bit buying them from the US too

twist83

Asprilla wrote:

Try a pen first. Mrs A and I have a Cross, a Parker 51 and a Mont Blanc between us. Mrs A prefers the Cross and I prefer holding the Parker. I never use it though as I write cack handed and I'd just get covered in ink.

Not sure the Mont Blanc has ever been used; another great present for Mrs A from me.....

I thought I was the only person that did this!!! Rejoice alas I am not

I have tried the fountain pen but like Asprilla I end up smearing what I am writing. I would however like a decent ball point pen. The other problem I have is losing pens.....

twist83

Peat wrote:

Oh how i yearn to be able to use a fountain pen.

But, that dream was abandoned during school.... You see, i hold my pens a bit wonky and end up dragging the knuckle of my pinky over the line i have just written.

Im stuck with ball-points.

Another that makes 3 of us!! Lets start a club!!!!!!

walkingbootweather

twist83 wrote:

Peat wrote:

Oh how i yearn to be able to use a fountain pen.

But, that dream was abandoned during school.... You see, i hold my pens a bit wonky and end up dragging the knuckle of my pinky over the line i have just written.

Im stuck with ball-points.

Another that makes 3 of us!! Lets start a club!!!!!!

Yeah - you could call it Can't Write Club. But there will be rules...

1st RULE: You do not talk about CAN'T WRITE CLUB.
2nd RULE: You DO NOT talk about CAN'T WRITE CLUB.
3rd RULE: If someone says "stop" or your wrist goes limp, the write is over.

Anonymous

I received the Cross Century Classic (I or II, not sure) and really like it.

The review here sums it up quite nicely.

http://www.cross.com/en/GB/century-ii-c ... n-pen.aspx

UndercoverElephant

I just don't write enough to warrant using the fountain pens I have any more. I can go most of the week without writing anything much, so if I use a fountain pen, they seem to dry up due to neglect.

On the other hand, I used to turn fountain pens for gifts - most of the pens I made are deeply cherished and used daily.

prawny

Damn you lot.

You always make me want to buy things I can't afford. Going to browse the window of the pen shop in town at lunch. I'm sure a nice fountain pen could help cure my overly fast scrawl that years of biro used have created.

DonDaddyD

mudcow007 wrote:

i thought i had seen it all....

i didnt know you could have pen snobs!!

whats wrong with a good old fashioned



personally i use a parker jotter

Pah, a lid such a snob!

Monkeypump

mudcow007 wrote:

i thought i had seen it all....

i didnt know you could have pen snobs!!

You don't have to be a snob to use a fountain pen. The disposable Pilot V-Pens come in a few colours and are lovely to write with (if a little light, but they are plastic). They got me back into fountain pens a few years ago, and led to me buying a few nicer 'proper' fountain pens.

mpdouglas

Another fountain pen user.

My tool of choice is a Yard-O-Led Grand Viceroy. Made in England from solid Sterling Silver. They were the original company to develop the propelling pencil - 12 x3" bits of lead, hence the "Yard-O-Led" brand name. Now onwned by Filofax I believe.

It weighs a bit but feels right for a fountain pen - and writes beautifully. Expensive but at least it has some intrinsic value in the Silver.

prawny

Just bought a hero 616 of eBay in true commuter style of buying a cheap but we'll regarded copy of something good from China

I'm hoping for. Something decent for fathers day. Either a trip to the pen shop or a merkur futur fingers crossed.

bigmonka

My handwriting is really bad, but I'd love to be able to write in something other than an unattractive scrawl! Can anyone give me any guidance on learning to write nicely? Has anyone ever changed their handwriting since leaving school?!

essex-commuter

It's been said I have really nice handwriting, I even dabble in calligraphy now and then.

My preferred weapon at work however is a 4 colour Asda jobbie, it's made of clear perspex and you can see the 4 springs inside...very cool!

Bekki2308

didnt expect a thread on fountain pens on a bike forum but hey ho.

I have many pens and my favourite is an old parker lady 17 I got on ebay for 99p, it belonged to the sellers grandma who seems to have written exactly like I do so it just fits me its in pristine condition even the ink sack was fine though it had dried up black ink in that took an age to get out. Other than that I have many pens from various brands but my lady 17 remains my favourite without a doubt. Sadly I dont get much opportunity to write with them. As for inks I have a vast array of diamine inks.

walkingbootweather

Have now been using a fountain pen daily since early January. When I'm not in too much of a rush my handwriting has most certainly improved. Have now upgraded my Lamy Studio to a Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Anello which is a joy to use.

prawny

Fcuckin hell that's a bit of an upgrade! Nice!

I'm still trying to scrape enough cash together for a Lamy Safari :oops:

BUR70N

Have you thought about a Dunhill? Lovely pens!!

I have a Sidecar Revolette which I don't use (should really sell it) and its a lovely pen, Red, Black and a Pencil all in one! Writes so nicely!