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Slightly off topic, but I want to share this. I've recently started using fountain pens again, after a... long break (secondary school, I think). The way they
by gattilorenz 8y ago
Slightly off topic, but I want to share this.
I've recently started using fountain pens again, after a... long break (secondary school, I think).
The way they glide on the paper and the pleasure of holding such a beautiful (well, arguably, but I love both how nibs look and how they work) device made me improve my handwriting, and I started to take more notes just to use the pens.
I highly recommend the experience, if you're not familiar with them. Some good modern ones are also pretty cheap.
Like with vinyl records, there is a certain satisfaction in taking care of the pen, cleaning it when switching to ink or a different color, and so on; and it's a mechanical object that helps me detach from the digital world. Unlike vinyl, it is actually a practical thing to use everyday :)
- beizhia 8y agoYou can get a Pilot Varsity or a Platinum Preppy for just a couple bucks, and they write pretty dang good. It's a great entry point in to fountain pens. Having nice pens makes me want to use them more, and writing more has helped me organize my thoughts better, especially when writing code. I'd highly recommend it to everyone.
- henryackerman 8y agoAnyone looking into this should consider the TWSBI ECO and Pilot MR as well. They're more expensive than the varsity or preppy but still very affordable.
- cf 8y agoI will second this as someone who really likes these two pens and was disappointed in the Preppy.
- aussiegeek 8y agoThe TWSBI Eco is an excellent introduction pen. Nice and smooth, the triangle grip means you hold it correct without thinking. Only downside is no cartridges (not that I find this a downside)
- dcl 8y agoThey glide on the paper? I have a Lamy 2000, Pilot Vanishing Point and some other highly recommended pen (can't remember the name, it was a few years ago) and they are all scratchy as hell. Absolutely not as nice as even a cheap ball point...
- aerique 8y agoAre you left- or right-handed?
- gattilorenz 8y agoSorry to hear that, it's horribly frustrating! I know it can happen, I had the same experience with my first pen. It did improve after I re-bent the two halves of the nib and used the bottom of a ceramic mug to smooth the tip of the nib. But getting a new pen was the only solution that really worked. If you're sure you're holding them correctly, so the problem is not the posture, try to buy either pens with a guarantee from the manufacturer (so you can get it fixed), or a pen in a shop that will let you try it first. Not all nibs are manufactured equal... A good pen should glide much better than a gel ballpoint.
- nextos 8y agoThat depends a lot on the nib, plus how it has been finished. And perhaps more importantly, and easier to change, paper and ink. My vintage 146 M nib is incredibly smooth on some heavy papers with Iroshizuku Konpeki ink. So smooth I was tempted to look into details. It turns out Konpeki ink has tons of lubricants. Even different ink colors from the same manufacturer make a difference. And some alternatives make the setup not smooth at all, quite scratchy indeed. Try changing inks and paper. Worst case, you might need to send your nibs for adjustment if you want different behavior. If they are small, particularly the VP, you may not be able to get a really smooth experience.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- Zigurd 8y agoThat depends on the nib and ink. I use a KaWeCo pocket fountain pen with an extra fine nib, and Montblanc ink, and it writes as well or better than the nicest Japanese ball pens I have tried. I also like the pocket-pen format. I seldom lose a pen since it lives with my keys and wallet. That pen, plus a thin crosshatch notebook I keep in my back pocket means I can take notes much faster than on my smartphone. Then I photograph my notes. Google Lens is getting scary-good at recognizing my idiosyncratic writing.
- billfruit 8y agoAnd some of the Chinese manufacturers like Boaer and Jin Hao has been turning out solidly build fountain pens at a fraction of the price of western prestige brands.
- criddell 8y agoWhere do you buy them and are there any models in particular that you would recommend?
- billfruit 8y agoJin Hao 159 and X450 seems good choice.
- hungrynerd 8y agoYou'll find these on ebay or etsy a lot. Aliexpress too. I would recommend also Wingsung 601 (for the parker 51 vacumatic experience), the Wingsung 698 with a gold nib for a nice piston, Hero 100 for an aerometric parker 51... or if you want more modern designs, look for Moonman, Penbbs, Live In You brands.
- criddell 8y agoI have a Pilot Metropolitan and it's okay. Are these Chinese pens significantly better?
- hungrynerd 8y agoCheck out penbbs!! (https://www.etsy.com/shop/PENBBSOfficialStore https://www.etsy.com/shop/PENBBSOfficialStore) they've been coming out with really nice materials and all sorts of filling systems.
- hungrynerd 8y agoAlso, a plug for Wingsung! They'll look very similar to twsbi or parker 51 at times, but imo they've added some little touches that improve on the twsbi.
- naravara 8y ago>Like with vinyl records, there is a certain satisfaction in taking care of the pen, cleaning it when switching to ink or a different color, and so on; and it's a mechanical object that helps me detach from the digital world. Unlike vinyl, it is actually a practical thing to use everyday :) Not to mention that carrying around piles of splotchy papers and notebooks and having perpetually ink-stained hands really helps to sell the "eccentric professor" aesthetic I have going. Which is key to making my lack of charisma seem charming and idiosyncratic rather than lame and boring.