Fountain pen appreciation

[Opposite Pole]

I was not aware southpaws had an issue using a fountain pen. My mum, who is left handed, uses a fountain pen and has done so most of her life. I know she picked ones with nibs designed for left handed use and I know nib adjustment is offered by specialised shops for left handed use.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I was not aware southpaws had an issue using a fountain pen. My mum, who is left handed, uses a fountain pen and has done so most of her life. I know she picked ones with nibs designed for left handed use and I know nib adjustment is offered by specialised shops for left handed use.

The problem is the hand moving over the newly written text and smudging it.

 

[Woodcarver]

The problem is the hand moving over the newly written text and smudging it.

Bingo. Writing a few words at a time, then using a blotter, followed by a few more words then blotting, is a very slow way to write. Even some rollerballs and ball points have ink that dries too slowly and ends up smudged.

 

[Alistair]

Eh, I'm a lefty and have no issue.

I grew up with fountain pens (still pretty common in the UK school system that you have to learn to write with one in primary school) and have no issues. I just end up as a lefty underwriter, so no smudging issues at all.

Like this (not my image):

If you write lefty and do hold your pen in a way that moves your hand across what you've just written, then a couple of companies make quick dry ink options to mitigate the smudge risk. Dry writing EF nibs also help.

 

[Woodcarver]

Eh, I'm a lefty and have no issue.

I grew up with fountain pens (still pretty common in the UK school system that you have to learn to write with one in primary school) and have no issues. I just end up as a lefty underwriter, so no smudging issues at all.

Like this (not my image):

View attachment 512378

If you write lefty and do hold your pen in a way that moves your hand across what you've just written, then a couple of companies make quick dry ink options to mitigate the smudge risk. Dry writing EF nibs also help.

When I wrote with the paper oriented like this, my teachers all bitched that the slant was backwards and graded accordingly. Thus, another lefty writing from above was created; with smudged ink and a filthy side of the hand as a reward. Never could figure out how to hold my hand off the paper and write, that always resulted in hen scratching.

 

[Alistair]

When I wrote with the paper oriented like this, my teachers all bitched that the slant was backwards and graded accordingly. Thus, another lefty writing from above was created; with smudged ink and a filthy side of the hand as a reward. Never could figure out how to hold my hand off the paper and write, that always resulted in hen scratching.

Yeah, the slant thing is a factor.

My writing is more vertical than the nice elegant script you see calligraphy people do, but then I'm mostly scribbling work notes and it's still legible enough, so what does it matter?

I find if I rotate the paper a little less than usual I can get a much more attractive 30 odd degree slant angle in the 'correct' direction, but it feels weird and I have to be careful to not drift off down the page at an angle so it's mostly for 'nice' letters or the odd signature.

 

[Alistair]

Try one of these inks in a EF if you're still struggling with smudge. I use 'em a lot for quick scribbles during site audits or conferences where I'm writing standing up and it does cut down on that hassle.

Shop All Fountain Pen Ink - The Goulet Pen Company

Shop from our extensive offering of over 800 fountain pen ink colors in bottle, ink cartridge, or ink sample form. Filter by color, ink property, and more.

www.gouletpens.com

Other retailers are of course available, but I like the Goulet shop. Great service!

 

[Alistair]

I wrote to the Holland and Holland gun room and Charlie graciously sent me a lot of information on their new pen. At around £999 it is lower priced than the Purdey and I rather like it.
View attachment 510199

Huh, made by Onoto, I see.

GBP999 is actually quite reasonable then. I think their bog standard models are around GBP500, even without pretty wood, scroll work or the H&H connection.

I might have to consider that. I've already got a MB149, so I don't need the Purdey one, but an Onoto would be a worthy addition to my collection in and of itself, and if I can have a H&H version, even more tempting...

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Huh, made by Onoto, I see.

GBP999 is actually quite reasonable then. I think their bog standard models are around GBP500, even without pretty wood, scroll work or the H&H connection.

I might have to consider that. I've already got a MB149, so I don't need the Purdey one, but an Onoto would be a worthy addition to my collection in and of itself, and if I can have a H&H version, even more tempting...

Yes I have decided to get one too. I prefer the kook to the Purdey one.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Any idea where one can be obtained, preferably in EU?

 

[Tango]

I use a Mont Blanc fountain pen for my hunting and shooting journals.

Safe hunting

I'm ready to buy my first serious/Mont Blanc etc grade fountain pen. Is there a model best suited for field use? Do you bring your good stuff with you for journal entries in the field? Any advice on special care while traveling? I keep a pocket size Kaweco Sport Al with me now and it's been good, but I wonder about the larger nicer pens and how they'd do with travel, flying, field use etc? Going to be in Germany next week and plan to do some shopping.

 

[Pheroze]

I'm ready to buy my first serious/Mont Blanc etc grade fountain pen. Is there a model best suited for field use? Do you bring your good stuff with you for journal entries in the field? Any advice on special care while traveling? I keep a pocket size Kaweco Sport Al with me now and it's been good, but I wonder about the larger nicer pens and how they'd do with travel, flying, field use etc? Going to be in Germany next week and plan to do some shopping.

I put my pen in a leather cover whenever I carry it. Just in case. Other than that, I would not hesitate to bring any of the things that make life beautiful to the field

 

[SFRanger7GP]

I'm ready to buy my first serious/Mont Blanc etc grade fountain pen. Is there a model best suited for field use? Do you bring your good stuff with you for journal entries in the field? Any advice on special care while traveling? I keep a pocket size Kaweco Sport Al with me now and it's been good, but I wonder about the larger nicer pens and how they'd do with travel, flying, field use etc? Going to be in Germany next week and plan to do some shopping.

Yes. Basically what @Pheroze says. I use my good stuff. That is what it is there for. When I fly, I put my nice pens in a zip lock bag as sometimes stuff happens at altitude. However, with over 2 million actual flying miles on AA and probably another million on other airlines, I have never had a fine pen burst or leak.

safe travels

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

For sure take your pen with you Tango, and your journal. I travel with mine in my top pocket so the nib is pointing upwards, you may want to empty it out for travel and refill on site.

 

[mark-hunter]

I see that distinguished community of this forum, likes fine things... fine guns, fine cars, fine scopes, fine cigars, fine whisky and fine fountain pens.
It is little known fact, that fountain pen was invented in my country, Croatia.

See below and on links.
It was in 1906 that Slavoljub Penkala created the first mechanical pencil, and he still had a lot more to contribute to the world. After the mechanical pencil he invented the fountain pen, and later he was also responsible for building the first Croatian airplane, in 1910, the Penkala Monoplane.

Penkala – most successful Croatian brand

www.croatiaweek.com

Croatia: a small country with some big inventions

What would you say if we told you that the rotating toothbrush and and the fountain pen were first patented by a Croatian inventor?

www.letslearncroatian.co.uk

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I didn't know that Mark, thank you for appraising us.

 

[rookhawk]

While not to the standard of elegance as the pens featured here, and certainly not a fountain pen as it does not have a nib, I love the Mont Blanc Meisterzuck le Grande rollerball.

I’ve owned two of them and both were stolen from me. A roller ball is the smoothest writing pen I’ve ever experienced and the Le Grandes are actually large enough to hold in one’s hand for more than a scribble.

I miss the days when fakes were everywhere, In hindsight I should have bought 50 fakes, filled them with real MB ink, and thrown them about my living spaces just to have a pen that actually works.

I think authentic ones are now north of $400 which seems to be a lot for a resin based pen that doesn’t even have a nib.

 

[Trail Rated]

For sure take your pen with you Tango, and your journal. I travel with mine in my top pocket so the nib is pointing upwards, you may want to empty it out for travel and refill on site.

Emptying the pen is the best way to prevent leaks; second best is traveling with a completely full cartridge or ink bladder. If there isn’t any air inside the pen to expand, there isn’t as much chance of a leak. A partially filled pen is the worst option.

 

[mdwest]

Much like Rinehart0050, as another southpaw, use of a fountain pen is a messy affair. That hasn't stopped me from making a few. I do like a good pen that fits the hand well and writes smoothly.
This set is Honduran Rosewood burl, made for a writer
View attachment 512324

Some of you Texans might be surprised with what can be found in a Live Oak. These were made for my brother's FIL from a chunk of wood cut on his ranch in Fredericksburg.
View attachment 512325

My current EDC (mesquite)

I missed this post earlier.... nice work!

I was actually thinking about trying to turn a few pens on my lathe out in the shop.. Ive got a couple of decent pen kits that I bought from a supply house.. and I picked up some absolutely beautiful walnut from a couple of broken stocks that came off some fine british shotguns (Purdy, Boss).. Maybe a couple of pieces of that walnut needs to be given new life in the form of a fountain pen...

Might be kinda nice to make a pen that matches a fine "africa" hunting rifle.. blued steel and fine walnut components.. and maybe some sort of ebony inlay on it somewhere..

 

[Adam S]

@mdwest , please post photos when you make them. Sounds like a great project!