I occasionally use cartridges in my Sheaffer, just because it came with some and I occasionally need black - a color I don't usually have loaded up.
Pipes and fountain pens
- Thread starter gordebak
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
I have little interest in following this thread to where it seems to be heading, so before it goes completely to Hell I have a couple of parting comments.
@gordebak: Thanx for the tip on Rhodia notebooks. I've not heard of them or Clairefontaine paper, so I'll have to look into them. Surprisingly, I was using Staples marbled notebooks until they apparently switched suppliers and the replacements are awful. I then tried a Black n' Red notebook: really nice paper, but fountain pen ink stays mostly on the surface and takes forever to dry. The only issue I ever had with my White Dot was the fact that the end cap kept falling off. I finally lost it and have been using the pen for years without it.
@papipeguy: I had the same experience as you in Catholic school. We all used the cheap Sheaffer pens with the chrome caps and clear plastic barrels. And yes, a couple of my white shirts had battle scars.
@shutterbugg: I guess some people use certain things for the sake of nostalgia, but nostalgia alone can satisfy one for only so long. In my own case, nostalgia provides the initial attraction, but then practicality wins out. In other words, nostalgia makes me want to enter a room, but practicality helps me decide whether I want to stay there.
@warren: My Sheaffer came with a traditional bladder than can be removed and replaced with a cartridge. Trust me, I'm not nearly graceful enough to be trusted with a bottle of ink!
@gordebak: Thanx for the tip on Rhodia notebooks. I've not heard of them or Clairefontaine paper, so I'll have to look into them. Surprisingly, I was using Staples marbled notebooks until they apparently switched suppliers and the replacements are awful. I then tried a Black n' Red notebook: really nice paper, but fountain pen ink stays mostly on the surface and takes forever to dry. The only issue I ever had with my White Dot was the fact that the end cap kept falling off. I finally lost it and have been using the pen for years without it.
@papipeguy: I had the same experience as you in Catholic school. We all used the cheap Sheaffer pens with the chrome caps and clear plastic barrels. And yes, a couple of my white shirts had battle scars.
@shutterbugg: I guess some people use certain things for the sake of nostalgia, but nostalgia alone can satisfy one for only so long. In my own case, nostalgia provides the initial attraction, but then practicality wins out. In other words, nostalgia makes me want to enter a room, but practicality helps me decide whether I want to stay there.
@warren: My Sheaffer came with a traditional bladder than can be removed and replaced with a cartridge. Trust me, I'm not nearly graceful enough to be trusted with a bottle of ink!
Gordebak, if you haven't tried the TWSBI yet, you should give it a shot. Great piston-fill demonstrators. For a $45 pen, it's been surprisingly flawless. You also get a little tool to completely disassemble it to clean it and lube the piston gasket.
Actually just like pipes, really good writers can be bought at steal prices. I slowed down a lot on collecting though, because I don't feel the need as much as I did.
My Holy Grail pen was a Parker 51, but funnily enough, my ideal pen was already in my collection. It's my granpa's pen from the 70s. A Turkish brand called Scrikss, and I think it was made in 70s. It has everything I looked for in a pen.
A piston filler, with hooded F nib and a plain, elegant look. And it's a very good writer too. Some people might find it a bit on the dry side, but I like it that way, because I write very small and feathering makes my letters illegible.
Edit: Actually I wrote my last three books with that pen. And I feel like I share a bond with grandpa when I write with it. Although, I usually don't use the one belonged to him, I bought another of this pen, I try to not harm grandpa's pen.
My Holy Grail pen was a Parker 51, but funnily enough, my ideal pen was already in my collection. It's my granpa's pen from the 70s. A Turkish brand called Scrikss, and I think it was made in 70s. It has everything I looked for in a pen.
A piston filler, with hooded F nib and a plain, elegant look. And it's a very good writer too. Some people might find it a bit on the dry side, but I like it that way, because I write very small and feathering makes my letters illegible.
Edit: Actually I wrote my last three books with that pen. And I feel like I share a bond with grandpa when I write with it. Although, I usually don't use the one belonged to him, I bought another of this pen, I try to not harm grandpa's pen.
I will admit to having used cartridges now and then. I simply prefer the bladder.
For those that feel fountain pens to be archaic, point me in the direction of another pen with a wide nib and the flow, flair and feel of a fountain pen. Ball points,soft tips and roller balls are not an improvement so much as a different, perhaps more convenient, type of writing implement.
Comparing pipes to cigarettes is odd as they are distinctively different experiences. The same with fountain pens and other writing implements. Two entirely different experiences as far as I am concerned. Neither is better nor worse than the other, simply different.
For those that feel fountain pens to be archaic, point me in the direction of another pen with a wide nib and the flow, flair and feel of a fountain pen. Ball points,soft tips and roller balls are not an improvement so much as a different, perhaps more convenient, type of writing implement.
Comparing pipes to cigarettes is odd as they are distinctively different experiences. The same with fountain pens and other writing implements. Two entirely different experiences as far as I am concerned. Neither is better nor worse than the other, simply different.
I totally agree warren, I was just trying to explain why I like fountain pens as much as I like pipes. They are different in nearly every way, except that they are writing utensils. I like my stuff more personal, more economical. And not to say that fountain pens and pipes have much smaller ecological footprints.
Yeah, I care about that too.
Edit: But I see the other point of view though. Of course I used all types of writing utensils, but I now exclusively use fountain pens. That's the way I am.
Yeah, I care about that too.
Edit: But I see the other point of view though. Of course I used all types of writing utensils, but I now exclusively use fountain pens. That's the way I am.
I use dip pens to catalogue inks. At least I used to before I got lazy about it. I just got too many and it got away from me.
I agree that ballpoints and rollers aren't a linear improvement so much as a lateral move. Just different ways to get something written on paper. I still stand firm in that I think fountain pens are superior, but that's an opinion of course. Every time I have to write with a ballpoint, it annoys me.
No offense taken, especially given the analogy isn't even close to being logical :D I smoke a pipe because I like the taste, not simply to deliver nicotene to my system; otherwise I would probably vape. OTOH to me a pen is simply a means to deliver ink to paper, so I prefer the most reliable and fuss-free way of doing that. At one time I used a fountain pen, later a ballpoint, now a roller. It's not merely the fuss and propensity to leak (including a drop or two inside the cap which invariably stained my fingers) of a fountain pen I don't care for, it's that the ink dries too slowly and is always susceptible to running if the paper gets wet. Plus you can't apply enough pressure on a 2-part form without puncturing it.
But I'm curious, what are all you fountainers writing? Letters? Do you still send snail-mail? A manuscript? Even luddite authors cling to old manual typewriters (apparently they aren't on deadlines). Or mostly just to sign your name?
"For those that feel fountain pens to be archaic, point me in the direction of another pen with a wide nib and the flow, flair and feel of a fountain pen."
I used mine for signatures. There is a "feel" as described by Warren, that is pretty cool.
I used mine for signatures. There is a "feel" as described by Warren, that is pretty cool.
Everything, but thank you cards to clients look particularly amazing with the shading of a good fountain pen ink and a proper hand. Talk about standing out.
As far as ink drying slowly, or running when wet - there are a variety of inks available if your situation requires permanent ink, or fast drying ink. They're not even hard to find.
I do not collect fountain pens but I do have several from vintage to cheapo modern ones. I use them daily to write in classical Greek. No other pen quite works as well for that type of lettering and accenting.
A week ago I bought a BBB pipe from Ebay seller, judperl, and was pleased to see that he specializes in pipes and pens with many fountain varieties. I guess the "P" in PAD will now have a dual meaning for me.
A week ago I bought a BBB pipe from Ebay seller, judperl, and was pleased to see that he specializes in pipes and pens with many fountain varieties. I guess the "P" in PAD will now have a dual meaning for me.
Exactly. To me fountain pens are more than a writing tool. I enjoy them. Edit: I LOVE how it feels when writing with a quality fountain pen with the right ink. Come on, you know what I mean.
Edit: I'm not trying to convince you to use a fountain pen or anything. I don't care. I just like it, that's all. What's wrong with that?
Because you're a) insane b) condescending or c) defensive
Or, you appreciate the things that fountain pens can do that ballpoints can't, and writing to you is more important than a day-to-day drudgery that we MUST do to communicate with other (probably lesser) humans.
Write on, brother Gordebak.
Or, you appreciate the things that fountain pens can do that ballpoints can't, and writing to you is more important than a day-to-day drudgery that we MUST do to communicate with other (probably lesser) humans.
Write on, brother Gordebak.
OK, I lied. My prior comments weren't parting comments after all.
All of your points about trouble, mess and efficiency are valid and well taken, but I simply prefer an older way to the newer. For example, there have been a variety of quicker and less troublesome paths to physical gratification that have been developed, but I prefer the original way that involves a live woman.
BTW, you made two references to Luddites. I'm not suggesting that you consciously intended to denigrate people who cling to older methods, but the term "Luddite" is not generally used as one of endearment.
I use my fountain pen primarily for taking meeting notes at work, signing documents and for most other writing where I'm the primary reader. All of my business and personal correspondence for years now has been by electronic means, mostly e-mail. My penmanship is a horror show that has the potential to upset the faint of heart. I use a fountain pen simply because I enjoy using it.
All of your points about trouble, mess and efficiency are valid and well taken, but I simply prefer an older way to the newer. For example, there have been a variety of quicker and less troublesome paths to physical gratification that have been developed, but I prefer the original way that involves a live woman.
BTW, you made two references to Luddites. I'm not suggesting that you consciously intended to denigrate people who cling to older methods, but the term "Luddite" is not generally used as one of endearment.
I'm sure it was intentionally derogatory, and I have no problem suggesting it.
Depends on the woman.
- Status