View Full Version : Any one into fountain pens and ink?
I just started using a couple of the fountain pens that I had - nothing fancy, just a pair of Lamy Safaris, one with a Medium nib and one with a 1.1 mm Italic nib. I'm also using some run of the mill ink in Private Reserve Black Magic Blue and Tanzanite.
Of course, being the kind of person that I am, all this has led to actually collecting ink that I may never use just because I like the bottle and/or the color of the ink. I have some Iroshizuku, Caran d'Ache and some J. Herbin 1670 Limited Edition on the way in from France, if planes are allowed to fly soon. I also found a local stash of Visconti ink in the old style glass bottles, one of them pictured below.
Anyone else like pens and/or ink?
http://www.jerzeedevil.com/gallery/files/1/1/8/vis02.jpg
Tinysd
04-17-2010, 03:10 AM
I have always wanted to get a nice one, but I write like shit with them and don't see my penmanship improving.:bwah:
If I ever do get one, safe queen for sure. :ropeman:
That bottle is cool.
i like to write with it and draw as well, something old school about it that i love:ssmile:
Pretty much use F.P.'s exclusively and love em! Carry around some inexpensive Asian made models as edc and have several as safe queens including Cartier, Dunhill, Pelikan and of course the venerable Rolex of fountain pens - Mont Blanc.
Hey ,you maybe feel like selling one of the great Visconti bottles from your stash?
Oliver Mendl
04-17-2010, 04:27 PM
i'm using a SS / gold nib, parker sonnet for EDC. and have a montblanc on my desk at work.
but i don't collect ink.
greetings,
olli
BennytheBlade
04-18-2010, 01:06 AM
Waterman Edson Diamond.
Or a Carene.
Always.
Im pretentious like that.
Or really I just hate writing so when I have to it makes it easier when there is something cool and collectible about it.
waterdogs
04-18-2010, 01:27 AM
I received a Lanier Baron as a gift a few years back....I don`t write all that much, but when I do, I enjoy that pen....it`s kind of elegant, a "days gone by" sort of thing that makes me feel somehow connected to the past, when things were moving at a different pace. My taste in ink is not very exotic, I just have 2 bottles of Private Reserve....Midnight Blue, and Velvet Black.
goldmanglass
04-18-2010, 02:00 AM
I love to draw and used to draw for hours almost every day. as much as i like the idea of having a beautiful writing tool like those you showed, i just havent found anything that writes or draws anywhere near as nicely as the $1 G2 gel pens... Ive tried a bunch of very expensive pens too...
interesting bit of info...fountain pens have been around hundreds of years and when the first ball-point pens were sold, they cost so much only the extremely rich could buy them...they were esteemed as the best writing instruments. Now that we can buy them by the box for almost nothing from china, i guess we take them for granted. not beautiful but they write pretty damn well IMO.
goldmanglass
04-18-2010, 02:02 AM
Or really I just hate writing so when I have to it makes it easier when there is something cool and collectible about it.
:bwah::bwah: now thats an interesting point. wish i had thought of that when i was in college
Hey ,you maybe feel like selling one of the great Visconti bottles from your stash?
PM sent.
... My taste in ink is not very exotic, I just have 2 bottles of Private Reserve....Midnight Blue, and Velvet Black.
How do you like those? I like anything that is blue/black/purple, I really like the Private Reserve Black Magic Blue, it is a dark blue with purple undertones.
waterdogs
04-18-2010, 05:04 PM
How do you like those? I like anything that is blue/black/purple, I really like the Private Reserve Black Magic Blue, it is a dark blue with purple undertones.
My experience with this is pretty limited, so I really don`t have much to compare it to, but these inks seem to flow effortlessly. The Midnight Blue is like a Royal Blue (to my eyes, anyway), I can visualize some VIP signing important documents with it....it gives that kind of feeling. I think it would be a lot more dramatic with a broad nib (mine is medium). After reading this thread, I`m tempted to buy something purple-ish, so I can sign all my documents with that (and maybe splash a drop of red wax onto the page, and press my signet ring into it for an "official seal" :-)
coniferwoodsman
04-18-2010, 10:14 PM
Esterbrooks, Sheaffer and a couple of Lamy. Noodlers ink.
hangtime
04-19-2010, 05:38 AM
Tough little pens and very reliable. I've been using them for years and they may be the best pen on the market dollar for dollar. Pelikan is also a good choice for daily use. Nice find on the old style Visconti bottles. I'm actually partial to Parker inks and music nibs for most of my writing. Welcome to another hobby almost as costly as knife collecting. :devil1:
kayakjax
04-19-2010, 07:21 PM
I've always liked fountain pens. I used a fountain pen or cartridge pen all through high school when everyone else used Bics.
I have a modest collection of low to medium-end fountain pens, mostly Waterman, Sheaffer and Parker.
I always wanted a Mont Blanc, but never could justify the cost. Now that I've moved on to justifying $300 pocket knives and flashlights, THAT barrier is probably down. I'll more than likely get one (as soon as my flashlight budget will allow it).
I work construction, so the only time I use one is at my desk, when I write a personal letter. I use a high quality 100% linen or cotton paper, and I feel it makes the letter's recipient feel a little better too, that I went to the expense to make the experience as pleasurable as possible.
My EDC is generally a Pilot G-2 (or a Pilot Precise V5 if I'm doing a crossword in the paper.)
TacoMan5000
04-19-2010, 11:37 PM
I have an antique Shaeffer on my desk right next to me. I need to have it looked over by a professional before I can use it. In the meantime I've been trying to justify buying a Waterman Phineas or a Pilot Knight.
Guillermo
08-20-2012, 06:32 PM
Any new pens or ink Ross? I did a search on pens and found this older thread. I got a Montblanc 149 Diplomat a few years ago but sold it. I really liked it and it wrote like a dream but when I was offered a chance to double my money I was on it. My mother gave me a larger sterling Parker 75 but I've never used it. I've never used one very much but know that they can make a mess so they usually just sat at my desk.
I've been spending my money on knives and watches, so I haven't upgraded my pens yet. Still using the two Lamy Safaris and still using Private Reserve Tanzanite. I'm going to try some Iroshizuku Murasaki next, when I get around to buying more ink.
My coworker is into pens too and he just bought a new Parker. Nothing too expensive, I think it was +/- of $100. But boy, does it write so much better than my Lamys. My coworker confirmed that it's not my imagination, he picked up a Safari to mess with and he really hates the scratchy nib. I'm going to have to get something better soon, just don't know what.
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