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Let the Fountain Pens Flow!
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keyboard_arrow_downkg4giy
40
Jan 23, 2019
Sigh....They tout the Lamy Safari and the Pilot Metro. Two pens that really should be removed from the line ups of two great pen companies. After so many comments about how great these pens are, I bought one of each. They lasted about two pages before I pitched them. I have never had such a rough writing, poor flowing, crappy pens, especially since I already owned several Lamy's and other Pilots. If we want to convince people to use fountain pens, could we make better suggestions? Please?
For those that are interested, any of the Knox pens (at $19). The Jinhao ($30). Retro ($50). Even the Levenger True Writers (which can be had for $40 on sale) are better options, write cleaner, and are not frustrating to use.
If you are getting someone a fountain pen, get them a fountain pen that will encourage them to use them, not frustrate them.
GonzoTGreat
756
Jan 24, 2019
One of my first fountain pens was a Metro with a medium nib. I had been using a large, squishy-gripped pilot gel pen (Dr. Grip, I think) but started blowing through ink cartridges while studying.
I thought I’d give fountain pens a go to mix things up. Others said they could write with less effort & money (refillable from a bottle) than I was using. I was intrigued.
When I started using the Metro, I felt most of my expectations were met - except the grip was too small and it bothered my tendinitis. I also didn’t know how a smooth flowing pen could become scratchy overnight.
After learning more about writing posture, writing pads, pen balance and nib alignment and flossing, these conundrums were made clear.
My daily writer (at home) is my L2K (my 1st Massdrop purchase) using Take-sumi ink. My “red pen” is a Pilot Kakuno. When I’m out, I bring all the pens I mentioned with me (my Lamy Vista also from Massdrop).
One of the things I love to do is give away pens to interested folks.
But I’m incredibly poor. How do I do this? I buy Pilot Varsities when I can get ‘em for a buck, each. If I use them up, I remove the branding and refill them as eye-droppers. When someone asks to borrow a pen, I hand them one without the cap (that way they return it when done). About half the time, they’ll ask about it.
”Is that a real fountain pen?”
”Yep.”
”Wow, that’s really cool. Do you know where I can pick one up?”
”Sure. Here’s the cap. Enjoy. Check out fpn.com if you’d like to know more.”
So what’s my point? Well, I enjoy tangents. Also, if you don’t like the Safaries or Metropolitans then decide if you WANT to like them. If you do, figure out what will work for you. If you’re not that into them, pay it forward. These entry level pens are great workhorses when paired with the right ink and paper (Seven Seas Writer, for me).
When I save up enough, I hope to get a Karas pen. They have some less expensive aluminum offerings that have the right balance, weight and grip for me. They’re made in the USA, are nearly indestructible (when capped) and are occasionally offered as a drop.
Speaking of preferences, I have a Jin-Hao (?sp) I would be happy to trade for a Safari.
The other interesting tidbit: most of these pens were created as a result of the renaissance the New York Times article discusses. Many newly initiated in their use go to fpn (myself included). It would be great to have Massdrop be a bookmarked site for those already involved and those about to be indoctrinated. ;-)
Thanks for humoring my rambling post.
Cheers to all.
G.
GonzoTGreat
756
Jan 18, 2019
While it’s fun to be part of this special (short school bus) group of enthusiasts, the New York Times has an extremely broad nib … er … reach.
Hopefully this provides an additional boost. More people means more options. Unless you’re particularly fond of products that sell like rock-star concert tickets in which case we’re all screwed.
Cheers.
ps. I haven’t been around for a while. I used to have a fairly high endorsement count compared to many around me (Theroc and a few other non-employees excepted).
Has Massdrop really created the enthusiast community they envisioned (with products to sell along with that) or is this conversation just a bit “inside baseball”? Or both?
(Edited)
GonzoTGreat
756
Jan 19, 2019
Odd, in a way. One might think the writing community to be especially prolific..
But you seem to be dead on re:writing vs other communities. As I looked through the writing community, I saw only a slight increase in the mean average of endorsements per member (taking outliers into account). Seems to be still a right skew. (Mmmm, gotta love stats.)
Theroc
2335
Keyboard Club Member
Jan 20, 2019
GonzoTGreatThe main reason being Massdrop exclusives in the other communities vs next-to-none in writing. nothing gets enthusiasts more excited than community-generated products.
If Massdrop were to pull-off a Rotring 800 fountain pen or a modern gold superflex at a reasonable price, they would become the top player in enthusiast fountain pen circles, practically overnight.
GonzoTGreat
756
Jan 15, 2019
It’s not THAT old (yet).
Funnily enough, I was casually fiddling with my Black Matte Safari when I happened across the brightly colored Metropolitans at the top of the article.
A little bit into the article I see:
- Writing with fountain pens is a smoother experience.
- Foutain pens force a kind of ritual to your writing, due to their higher maintenance needs.
- Fountain pens are great if you like to be expressive with color.
- The fountain pen habit can be mighty expensive (except for me - I figured out how to do this hobby on the cheap). Of course, Massdrop helps and hurts in this area. I’ve grabbed some great deals from Massdrop but I’ve also had to “swipe away” some really tantalizing offers that were out of my budget.
RayF
22212
Jan 15, 2019
MrSharkbaitKen, is there anything as satisfying as turning a bundle Metropolitans into a puddle of bubbling-smoldering goo?
No, Bob, there really isn't--hit that purple one a couple more times, just to be sure...
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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/smarter-living/paper-planner-guide.html most of their recommendations come courtesy of thewirecutter.com https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/smarter-living/wirecutter/new-year-gear-gym-pens-notebooks-sleep.html It's old news to most of us, but hey, it's the New York Times.