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Conversely, I can recommend those generic lab books* with gridded pages. You can find them at any grocery store. They're $3 max, and more durable that recent Mo
by runjake 13y ago
Conversely, I can recommend those generic lab books* with gridded pages. You can find them at any grocery store. They're $3 max, and more durable that recent Moleskines. I also recommend Pilot pens that are <$3 a pop, because they just work, and you'll end up losing it anyway. And they won't leak on you.
I'm not sure what kind of signal it sends to other people, though. I can't find myself to care about that when it comes to what pens and paper I use.
* http://www.phy.ohiou.edu/~rieth/lab_book/cover.jpg http://www.phy.ohiou.edu/~rieth/lab_book/cover.jpg
- ryanobjc 13y agoModern fountain pens don't leak anymore. Plus it adds a bit of fun and drama to writing. Personally I found that it encouraged me to write more.
- brewdad 13y agoCan a lefty safely use a modern fountain pen? I've always stuck to the higher end "mass-market" pens since I end up wearing/smearing the ink of better pens.
- bane 13y agoYou can, but you have to write in that weird lefty trying to be a righty technique like President Obama does. http://centerforplainlanguage.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Obama-signs-Act1.jpeg http://centerforplainlanguage.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10...
- keithpeter 13y ago"Can a lefty safely use a modern fountain pen?" The Lamy Safari is pretty Social Democratic. A few of my students actually buy them. I prefer Uniball Signo 0.7mm myself, can be bought in most high street stationary shops in the UK.
- mbrock 13y ago"The Lamy Safari is pretty Social Democratic." Beautiful, man.
- carterschonwald 13y agoI'm a lefty who uses a lamy safari. I'm pretty darn happy with it and use it every day. Also use noodlers heart of darkness ink which is both a lovely vibrant black, and also adheres to the paper but not my hand!
- y2bd 13y agoTo add to what the others have said, besides writing overhand (so your hand doesn't drag across what you just wrote), look for smaller nibs, drier inks, as well as more absorbent paper. Anything that will make the ink set faster instead of staying on top of the paper.
- neonkiwi 13y agoTry a quick-drying ink from Noodler's, such as Bernake Blue or Bernake Black. I'm a big fan of the Platinum Preppy with an o-ring to seal the whole body allowing you to fill it with ink—it's dirt cheap and writes very well. I recently picked up a Pilot Metropolitan, slightly more money but again, impressive value and it comes with a converter (which is like a cartridge that lets you refill with your own ink).
- leviathan 13y agoI'm not sure what the exact problem is with writing left-handed. I have been switching between writing right-handed arabic and english all my life with every kind of pen available, it has never been a problem. I never even noticed there's a difference.
- tjr 13y agoCould you recommend a particular fountain pen?
- gtani 13y agocan you go to a stationary store or art supplies that deals in Waterman, Cross, Mont Blanc etc and try a bunch. Mostly they have gold nibs which make the ink flow really nicely, but they all balance and fit your hand differently, and after a while, the nib softens to how you write
- canthonytucci 13y agojetpens.com, pick up a lamy safari and a couple different nibs of different thicknesses to see what you like best.
- gknoy 13y agoThere are whole networks of fountain pen afficionatos with reviews, writing samples, etc for pens, paper, and inks. It's amazing. However, if you're starting out, I recommend getting a cheap pen and then move up if you feel the need. The cheap Pilot Varsity disposable ones are a fantastic starter FP, as they cost about $3, a tenth (or less) of the price of a Good Fountain Pen. Ink isn't changeable, but the leaking is minimal. (They aren't waterproof, though.) The advantage is, if you decide you don't like it, you aren't stuck with it, and if you lose it or loan it out, no big deal. I also like that Staples tends to sell them in a pack of three colors. I've also used the Bic one [1]. It's also OK, and is partially waterproof, but its cap drives me bonkers. It's been a long time since I used one, though, as the pads at current employer bleed a bit when I used my fountain pens. I liked writing on the sugarcane spiral bound pads from Staples because they were so smooth. 1: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/206440-bic-disposable-fountain-pen-a-picture-review/ http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/2064...
- canthonytucci 13y agohttp://5by5.tv/penaddict http://5by5.tv/penaddict has a few episodes discussing this. highly recommended if you like to hear people talk about pens for 40 minutes at a time.
- zeckalpha 13y agoPilot pens don't leak, except when you go on airplanes. Be careful.
- derekp7 13y agoIf you fill a fountain pen completely before air travel, it shouldn't leak (no air inside to act as a pressure differential). Also keep the pen pointing tip up.
- ryanobjc 13y agoYup this, I havent ever had a fountain pen leak during air travel.
- manku_timma 13y agoI've had this happen to me with a parker fountain pen. It never ever leaks under any circumstance other than air travel.
- zeckalpha 13y agoI'm talking about Pilot brand pens. http://www.staples.com/Pilot-Precise-V5-Needle-Rollerball-Pen-Extra-Fine-Point-Black-Dozen/product_205112?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:205112&KPID=205112 http://www.staples.com/Pilot-Precise-V5-Needle-Rollerball-Pe...
- jonesetc 13y agoI've spent the past 8 years (just finished 6 years at university), trying to convince others to hop on grided paper. Probably the single most important part of my note taking strategy. Still can't get myself to move to pens though.
- toomuchtodo 13y agoWhich Pilot pens would you recommend? I find the gel pens bleed across the paper unless I blow on my writing for a few minutes on Moleskin paper.
- wnewman 13y agoI like the Pilot "Precise V5" rollerball pens, and I use them a lot, and they hardly ever leak --- except they do seem to leak with significant probability if I carry them on an airplane. Possibly that's the source of your disagreement about leaks.
- elehack 13y agoI'm not a fan of the lab books — they don't lie flat enough for me — but I do like my gridded notebook (high-quality company swag notebook courtesy of ipHouse). When that notebook fills, I'm not sure what I'll use to replace it. I also really like Zebra F-301 (and compatible) pens. Inexpensive enough to justify easily buying (and buying again when I lose them), good enough to be worth buying refills for. I keep at least a black one, and often blue, everywhere I am likely to need a pen (home desk, work desk, bag). And the F-301 Compact is often in my pocket when I don't have my bag with me.