Anybody still use fountain pens?

Yes, as a matter of personal preference.

I rotate between a Waterman Phileas, Lamy Safari, and a Monteverde Invincia.
Everybody who seems to notice that I use a fountain pen has comments that run along the same line: 1. They haven't seen one person use a fountain pen for a very long time; and 2. Why do you use it?
 
rifon2 said:
For many years, Sheaffer used a special cartridge filling system which they called the "Touchdown"; the cartridge was made of brass. It's no longer manufactured since Sheaffer was bought by BIC.
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Grouch said:
Shaeffer's Touchdown filling system isn't a cartridge/converter; it's an integrated filling system.
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Yes, I'm aware of that.

I could have phrased my earlier post more precisely; thanks for the clarification. :)
 
I have a Pelikan M600. Got it as a graduation present to myself about a year ago, and for the past 6 months I've used it every day at work.

I couldn't be happier with it, but unfortunately I don't write much at work (maybe a dozen or so numbers in my trade log, and comments here and there) so it's being vastly underused.
 
If soaking in plain warm water (better not use hot, just in case) doesn't clear that Leman 100 (ok, I'll confess I don't know the model, but I have several Watermans) then try soaking the nib in some ammonia for a few hours. Since you have the pen at hand, see if you can either unscrew or gently pull out the nib section, it will make things much easier. If there are any bizarre materials around the nib, then maybe think about diluting the ammonia with water to be on the safe side. I've gotten some of the worst gunked ink out of old pens with ammonia.



Oh, and never mix bleach with ammonia, unless you want to either kill yourself or make yourself a lot stupider. Just a little PSA.
 
bobofish said:
If soaking in plain warm water (better not use hot, just in case) doesn't clear that Leman 100 (ok, I'll confess I don't know the model, but I have several Watermans) then try soaking the nib in some ammonia for a few hours. Since you have the pen at hand, see if you can either unscrew or gently pull out the nib section, it will make things much easier. If there are any bizarre materials around the nib, then maybe think about diluting the ammonia with water to be on the safe side. I've gotten some of the worst gunked ink out of old pens with ammonia.

QUOTE]

Usually, 1 part ammonia to 9 parts water is recommended for thorough cleaning.
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I have a few Mount Blanc's etc. While nice, my EDC is a Lamy CP1 which I have in both steel and gold/titanium nibs

http://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/cp 1 black/056

Though I also have lamy safaris in front of me I tend to use them less often - it is classic modern design which is in the US Design museum of contemperary art whose name escapes me at the mopment

I find the CP1 is not slippery like many metal pens and yet is not so expensive I'll be upset if it walks. I am an ex consultant so used to losing things every so often. It is also understated - it has justifiably been called the anti bling pen.

I also liked that when doing work with the owners of one large 2nd/3 world conglomerate where serious wealth was accrued when ones daddy ran the country - the owners who, were worth more than a little, and all had Diamond Rolexs to match their watermans and mont blancs - were visibly craning their heads to stare at the pen and try to work out (unsuccessfully)what it was. It is obviously a luxury pen but not one that fitted the standard Asian hierarchy. They would never ask directly of course

I did excellent work for them, but am rather pleased that my pen played with their minds some what

This guy gives good advice, a large selection, and sells around the world

http://www.penshop.com.au/index.html
 
QUOTE]

Usually, 1 part ammonia to 9 parts water is recommended for thorough cleaning.[/QUOTE]

That's probably a good idea, maybe undiluted it would eat away at old feeders and such.

I've used pure ammonia without any problems, but maybe I've been lucky. I also have mostly newer pens.
 
Here's my old dress pen which really hasn't been since I got my first BlackBerry years ago. It's a gorgeous pen even if Oscar Wilde isn't exactly the patron saint of BladeForums.com! :D

 
Hauser said:
Here's my old dress pen which really hasn't been since I got my first BlackBerry years ago. It's a gorgeous pen even if Oscar Wilde isn't exactly the patron saint of BladeForums.com! :D
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Wow! That is really nice! :thumbup::thumbup:

For those recommending ammonia to clean the nib on my Waterman LeMan 100 - it worked! I ended up having to use 100% ammonia, and after a short time using a baby nasal aspirator to push/pull the ammonia thru, I got a cloud of ink and success! Previously all I could get out was strands of dried ink. Its been working properly for several days. Thanks folks!
 
I currently EDC a Lamy All Star and hopefully will have a successful ebay bid on a Pelikan M1000.
 
I'm currently trying to improve my penmanship and writing with a disposable Pilot Varsity fountain pen until I'm worthy of something better. I'm debating between a Bexley Simplicity and a Levenger True Writer. Is anyone familiar with these pens? In the meantime, here's some fountain pen eye candy suitable for bladeforums...

http://www.bexleypen.com/Products/cuttingedge.htm
 
I have decided on a Pilot Vanishing point for college this year. I am pretty excited about getting it. I am buying it from joon pens. I have to wait a week because I just ordered a bunch of maxpedition gear and the wife is somewhat disgusted in my spending habits.
 
I've got to stop reading this forum because everytime I do, I end up spending more money:eek:. I just bought my first fountain pen, a Lamy Studio from Dalys Pen Shop. I've bought my Rotring pens from them and they so happened had the Lamy pens in stock. Oh woe is me...:p.
 
mauiblue said:
I've got to stop reading this forum because everytime I do, I end up spending more money:eek:. I just bought my first fountain pen, a Lamy Studio from Dalys Pen Shop. I've bought my Rotring pens from them and they so happened had the Lamy pens in stock. Oh woe is me...:p.
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And what inks do you have? Wait till the urge to sample the many nice inks hits ya! :) I have a few of Noodlers, and a sample of J. Herbin's. I also have another two bottles of Noodlers due in soon...
 
jlfletcher83 said:
I have decided on a Pilot Vanishing point for college this year. I am pretty excited about getting it. I am buying it from joon pens. I have to wait a week because I just ordered a bunch of maxpedition gear and the wife is somewhat disgusted in my spending habits.
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What color VP? What nib? They've certainly been tempting me...:cool:
 
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