Then something is wrong with your pen, or you're trying to write on paper towels or something. If you look into fountain pen communities you'll find the VP in

Then something is wrong with your pen, or you're trying to write on paper towels or something. If you look into fountain pen communities you'll find the VP in particular is popular because of its quality at an approachable price point. It's the equal of many more expensive pens in my collection -- and nobody would confuse any of them with the experience of using a disposable ball-fed pen.