7 ms·

I've almost exclusively used fountain pens for about 5 years now, and it's been amazing. Modern fountain pens don't generally leak much, and they are SO much be

by kctess5 11y ago

I've almost exclusively used fountain pens for about 5 years now, and it's been amazing. Modern fountain pens don't generally leak much, and they are SO much better to write with than a basic Bic/generic ballpoint. The primary difference is that you don't have to push down at all which saves your hand from a huge amount of stress after a long writing session. I really don't understand why more people don't use them these days. Another bonus is that you can choose from a very wide variety of inks, so you can change it up whenever you feel like it. My daily driver is currently a Monteverde Invincia Deluxe Stainless Steel ($65), which looks fantastic and is a great performer. I highly recommend to that anyone with large hands, because it's definitely not small. I also recommend the Pilot Metropolitan (~$12) [1] and the Waterman Phileas (~$50) all of which I have used extensively for class notes. If I don't have one of my FPs for whatever reason, then I have been known to go for smooth "roller ball" pens as well - they use more lubricated ink than standard ball points and require less pressure, so they generally feel like mediocre fountain pens. [1] https://www.massdrop.com/buy/pilot-mr-fountain-pen https://www.massdrop.com/buy/pilot-mr-fountain-pen

ghaff 11y ago
I tend to prefer roller ball pens but I'm pretty much a lost cause when it comes to writing at this point anyway. Handwriting was never one of my better subjects in grade school under the best of circumstances but looking through old notebooks as they progress over the years apparently reveals a general descent into total loss of right hand muscular control. :-)
- Glide 11y ago
  I bought a copy of Write Now! and it improved my handwriting considerably. After going through it (it's essentially a workbook) I was kind of pissed at the absurdity that was the cursive that I learned in grade school.
  - ryanmac 11y ago
    Which "Write Now!"? There appears to be several by different authors on Amazon.
    - Glide 11y ago
      I ordered http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876781180?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876781180?psc=1&redirect=t... a long time ago. This: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Now-Complete-Self-teaching-Handwriting/dp/0876780893 http://www.amazon.com/Write-Now-Complete-Self-teaching-Handw... seems to be updated.
Frondo 11y ago
Just a heads-up, Japanese import stores sell these for about 4 bucks: http://www.gouletpens.com/Platinum-Preppy-Fountain-Pen/c/280 http://www.gouletpens.com/Platinum-Preppy-Fountain-Pen/c/280 It's a great fountain pen for four bucks, I use them exclusively now (and don't worry too much about losing them, because four bucks!!).
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
- LyndsySimon 11y ago
  The Pilot Kakuno is about the same price.
sandGorgon 11y ago
how would you compare them with Gel Rollerballs ? [1] I am partial to the Parker rollerball refills - I use a Parker Chinese Laque Ambre - but do not want the inconvenience of a fountain pen. I believe a rollerball is like the Nespresso to the fountain pen's espresso. Slightly worse - but much better than ball point pens. But the best part that I like about rollerballs is how you can get an expensive experience in a cheap pen. For example Mont Blanc refills can be hacked to fit a cheap G2 [2] [1] http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/241755-which-pen-company-makes-the-best-rollerball-refills/ http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/241755-which-p... [2] http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-$200-in-2-minutes-and-have-the-worlds-best-wr/ http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-$200-in-2-minutes-and-h...
- kctess5 11y ago
  I think your analogy is pretty good. I usually have a few loose g2s with me in case I run out of fountain pen ink in class. I find that gel pens sometimes make globs of ink, and that the lines aren't as nice as my FPs, but the writing experience is similar. I do like the solid weight and feel of my fountain pens though, which is often lacking in rollerballs. The weight of the pen is the only thing that holds it against the paper the way I write, so light pens can be annoying.
  - sandGorgon 11y ago
    Ur right about the weight. And I believe that is what a lot of people complain about in a rollerball. Which is why I use my Parker Sonnet. A good heavier rollerball is the cool looking Retro 51 (which uses Parker refills).
- gknoy 11y ago
  I miss writing with fountain pens, and use gel rollerballs exclusively now (cheap, waterproof, I don't cry if I lose it, and the office has boxes of them). I like them well enough, and my writing is more legible ... but I really miss the experience of writing w/ a fountain pen. The feel is very different. If you're curious, one of the cheaper ($3-$4) disposable fountain pens (I think it was Pilot?) were a great introduction. When I first used one (on nice paper that didn't suck up all the ink into ugliness), it was amazing, even though I know there are better ones out there.
LyndsySimon 11y ago
I'm a year into the fountain pen habit, and have an absurd collection at this point. My daily carry is a Pilot Vanishing Point (EF or a custom-ground 0.6mm italic) and a Sailor Sapporo Mini (hard fine). Those are about $175 and $200 retail, respectively. Note that I didn't pay anywhere near that, as I've been buying, trading, repairing, and selling pens since shortly after I started. In total, I'm slightly in the black at the moment. I recommend Reddit's /r/fountainpens - there is an IRC server listed in the sidebar, and it's surprisingly active.
stewbrew 11y ago
I used to use fountain pens for a long time but returned to Bic Cristal ballpoints a few years ago. They just work and they are available everywhere.
bambax 11y ago
I too love fountain pens and write very fast using one. The only problem is that, in business meetings people tend to assume you're trying to make some kind of hipster statement. Everywhere I go I'm usually the only one using a foutain pen; what a shame.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]

by kctess5 11y ago

ghaff 11y ago

I tend to prefer roller ball pens but I'm pretty much a lost cause when it comes to writing at this point anyway. Handwriting was never one of my better subjects in grade school under the best of circumstances but looking through old notebooks as they progress over the years apparently reveals a general descent into total loss of right hand muscular control. :-)

Glide 11y ago
I bought a copy of Write Now! and it improved my handwriting considerably. After going through it (it's essentially a workbook) I was kind of pissed at the absurdity that was the cursive that I learned in grade school.
- ryanmac 11y ago
  Which "Write Now!"? There appears to be several by different authors on Amazon.
  - Glide 11y ago
    I ordered http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876781180?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876781180?psc=1&redirect=t... a long time ago. This: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Now-Complete-Self-teaching-Handwriting/dp/0876780893 http://www.amazon.com/Write-Now-Complete-Self-teaching-Handw... seems to be updated.

Frondo 11y ago

Just a heads-up, Japanese import stores sell these for about 4 bucks: http://www.gouletpens.com/Platinum-Preppy-Fountain-Pen/c/280 http://www.gouletpens.com/Platinum-Preppy-Fountain-Pen/c/280 It's a great fountain pen for four bucks, I use them exclusively now (and don't worry too much about losing them, because four bucks!!).

deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
LyndsySimon 11y ago
The Pilot Kakuno is about the same price.

sandGorgon 11y ago

how would you compare them with Gel Rollerballs ? [1] I am partial to the Parker rollerball refills - I use a Parker Chinese Laque Ambre - but do not want the inconvenience of a fountain pen. I believe a rollerball is like the Nespresso to the fountain pen's espresso. Slightly worse - but much better than ball point pens. But the best part that I like about rollerballs is how you can get an expensive experience in a cheap pen. For example Mont Blanc refills can be hacked to fit a cheap G2 [2] [1] http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/241755-which-pen-company-makes-the-best-rollerball-refills/ http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/241755-which-p... [2] http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-$200-in-2-minutes-and-have-the-worlds-best-wr/ http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-$200-in-2-minutes-and-h...

kctess5 11y ago
I think your analogy is pretty good. I usually have a few loose g2s with me in case I run out of fountain pen ink in class. I find that gel pens sometimes make globs of ink, and that the lines aren't as nice as my FPs, but the writing experience is similar. I do like the solid weight and feel of my fountain pens though, which is often lacking in rollerballs. The weight of the pen is the only thing that holds it against the paper the way I write, so light pens can be annoying.
- sandGorgon 11y ago
  Ur right about the weight. And I believe that is what a lot of people complain about in a rollerball. Which is why I use my Parker Sonnet. A good heavier rollerball is the cool looking Retro 51 (which uses Parker refills).
gknoy 11y ago
I miss writing with fountain pens, and use gel rollerballs exclusively now (cheap, waterproof, I don't cry if I lose it, and the office has boxes of them). I like them well enough, and my writing is more legible ... but I really miss the experience of writing w/ a fountain pen. The feel is very different. If you're curious, one of the cheaper ($3-$4) disposable fountain pens (I think it was Pilot?) were a great introduction. When I first used one (on nice paper that didn't suck up all the ink into ugliness), it was amazing, even though I know there are better ones out there.

LyndsySimon 11y ago

I'm a year into the fountain pen habit, and have an absurd collection at this point. My daily carry is a Pilot Vanishing Point (EF or a custom-ground 0.6mm italic) and a Sailor Sapporo Mini (hard fine). Those are about $175 and $200 retail, respectively. Note that I didn't pay anywhere near that, as I've been buying, trading, repairing, and selling pens since shortly after I started. In total, I'm slightly in the black at the moment. I recommend Reddit's /r/fountainpens - there is an IRC server listed in the sidebar, and it's surprisingly active.

stewbrew 11y ago

I used to use fountain pens for a long time but returned to Bic Cristal ballpoints a few years ago. They just work and they are available everywhere.

bambax 11y ago

I too love fountain pens and write very fast using one. The only problem is that, in business meetings people tend to assume you're trying to make some kind of hipster statement. Everywhere I go I'm usually the only one using a foutain pen; what a shame.

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]