Fountain Pens

[ForresterModern]

I got a beautiful black Mont Blanc set as a fellowship graduation gift 20 years ago which got me started into liking fountain pens (except when flying----pressure changes and ink leaking and all that), and used them regularly for my first few years as a pediatrician, and as a radiologist, where I was writing notes or orders or signing my name literally hundreds of times a day. I graduated to some beautiful Watermans after losing the Mont Blanc (I am a doctor---we lose pens a lot) and liked them even better, although I did not particulalry like their ink, so I used a Pilot (I think) refill that worked spectaculalry. I used to use them for my travel diaries (a day by day blow of people, places, events, dining out, etc... for each trip, as a remembrance for my old age when my memory starts to fail---well already has started) but discovered the hard way that fountain pens were not originally meant for airline travelling, as the cabin air pressure changes can force ink out of the pen tip when you do not desire it to, particularly if the nib is not kept upright, so I ruined a few briefcases/computer laptop bags before learning this lesson. If you do air travel with a fountain pen the best place for it is in your shirt pocket with the nib upright.

In my current practice I no longer sign reports physically as all our dictations are transcribed by voice recognition software and signed electronically, so I rarely need a pen, but I keep one in my desk for special occasions. Unfortunately, as you may already know, if you do not use them regulalry, fountain pens have a tendency to dry up and the nib gets gunked up and not work when you need it to, so alas, I do not get to use it much. I miss those days, but I do not miss the ones where my fingers were various colours of blue and or black for several days at a time.

I currently have a calligraphy set of fountain pens that I keep at home in the desk drawer for writing special letters and signing cards, etc.., with a bit of a fluorish, especially at xmas and special times when lots of cards get sent out---weddings, births, graduations, etc...

j

[mull]

Thank you all for input.

Just as a point of clarification, in the first post I did mean Waterford not Waterman. I am familiar with Waterman, but had not previously seen the Waterford pens. Some appear quite nice.

Maclachlan, do you have a site I can look at pen choices at? I think I would like a ball point and fountain set from you. What "guts" (nibs cartridges, fill system ect)do you use in your fountain pens?

Joe

[NeoDruid]

As a fountain pen user and collector the best advice is to visit the Pentrace and Fountain Pen Network sites. Spend some reading and asking questions. The folks there are very friendly. There are hundreds of excellent sites selling fountain pens: Swisher Pens, Fountain Pen Hospital, Joon, Farhney's, are just a few recommendations.
As to a pen recommendation, heck I have more fountain pens than I want any one to know about. As far as that well known vendor with snow caps, I only use their vintage pens. Enough said about the quality and service of the modern company. In fact, that company is the only one I avoid. Waterman, Parker, Sheafer, OMAS, Lamy, Pelikan, Bexley,Visconti, Edison, Dani Trios, Pilot, Sailor, Platinium, Delta, Nakaya, Yard-O-Led, and dozens more provide a dazzling offering of sizes, shapes, colors, nibs, filling systems, materials, and inks. Some are very expensive, but usually the cheap student pens write very well. You can get a Lamy Safari with virtual any type of nib for about $30, and they will last for years. I have three on my desk all the time.

Hope this gives you some ideas ,
Gary

[NeoDruid]

You didn't say why you're retiring your MB, but if it needs repair, there many experienced fountain pen repair and restoration people out there. Both the pen collector sites I mentioned have links. A fountain pen can be rejuvenated. I'm not a vintage collector, but have several from the 1900's that have been restored and work beautifully.Vintage pens are a huge part of the hobby.
Gary

[vmac3205]

I use a Montblanc Fountain pen for letters, but for work a Montblank rolling ball is perfect. It always writes well, is sturdy enough to use on a three part copy, and feels just right.

[Tobus]

On a side note, when writing personal letters these day--when you care enough to send the very best, write a letter!--I use a couple of dip pens with ink wells given my by my wife for my wife on my last birthday. I thought I liked the feel of my fountain pens until I discovered the wonder and beauty of a dip pen and real ink.

Where does one find a dip pen and ink pot and quills and such? That would be fun to try.

[mull]

On Jan 3, when I returned to work, I bent over and dropped my current pen onto the floor. It was not damaged , but after picking it up and looking it over, I noticed it does show wear from the last 12 years of hard use.

As I have some christmas cash left and the new year just begun, it seemed like a good time to start with a new pen. The old one has been retired to my desk at home for gentler use.

I am unsure what I want in a new pen. Something different, fun, loud, perhaps. Something that when left on the table would be instantly recognizable as mine, and yet durable for daily hard use.

Thanks to all for the continued input.

PS The dip pen does sound like it would be great to try at my home desk!

Joe

[SlackerDrummer]

I'm a Parker Duofold man myself; italic nib in the larger Centennial body.

***

Fantastic pen. I got the special edition orange more than a decade ago and use it every day at work (though I admit I do much more work on the computer).

[BoldHighlander]

Just a few of the ones we've made. We can also do fountain and click top as well as cushion grip. If you can think of a wood or acrylic color chances are we can get it. Prices are typically $25/pen or pencil ($45/set or $100 for a desk set that includes the pen, pencil, letter opener and magnifying glass all from the same chunk of wood). Some acrylics are more because of the time/labor involved (i.e. the first pictured would be $35 because of the two hours and the toll it takes on the tools.

My son (14 years old) is the main character in this play and he uses the profits for his college fund.

Thanks, those are beautiful!
I really like the wood ones!

Maclachlan, do you have a site I can look at pen choices at?

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[ForresterModern]

As a physician, who works regularly with other physicians, who are notorious for stealing other peoples' pens, I have learned a trick to use if you ever are asked by someone to let them use your pen-------keep the cap in your hand when you give them the pen, and if they inadvertently stick it back in their pocket instead of giving it back to you for recapping, even though you lose your pen you at least have the satisfaction of knowing that they are going to have a wake up call of a large ink spot on their shirt or jacket (especially effective on white doctor's coats).

Now we return to your regularly scheduled programming.