anyone else use fountain pens?

It was a little tricky, and it took a fair bit of fine tuning, and it wrote scratchy for awhile :D
But it was fun!
(Grinding the nib)
I used dmt diamond stones
 
This is the one I plan on getting myself after I finish my master's.

montegrappa_fountain_pen_nerouno_linea_chrome_trim_isnlc_ac.jpg


Not too cheap, but not too expensive. About 5 bills.

Also comes in gold, but I prefer a subdued look, so I'll get the chrome. The top pic makes it look like gunmetal, but it's actually chrome.
montegrappa_nerouno_linea_red_rose_gold_fountain_pen_isnrc135ac.jpg
 
conklin1uc.jpg


I have collected and repaired many. Really enjoy the Parker 51 series -they were the most precise built pens with high machining tolerances and some of the last mass produced fountain pens until ball points came on the scene . My best writer seems to be a Sheaffer Targa. (The Meisterstück 149 in the upper right can't touch it for smoothness)

My first real love is a Conklin Endura Senior in the pic above. I gave it a new bladder and replaced the filler hinge pin
 
I think they are entertaining to write with, but I've always had problems with consistency and reliability.

I find I write slower with them, so they aren't always practical for note taking in class.
 
My EDC fountain pen is a Waterman Boucheron. I also pack a Parker T-1 Titanium ball point pen in case I need to put a waterproof address on an envelope. The fountain pen is filled with washable ink.
 
Daily. I use a Smoke colored TWSBI Diamond 540 with an extra fine nib. Noodlers Bulletproof Black ink.

Going to get a TWSBI VAC700 demonstrator next. There Extra Fine nib let's me write as small as I like.
 
It was a sad moment when my Esterbrook broke.
57E84C97-D9CB-42D9-9F03-3B10405593ED-172-00000020AD1C3B5E.jpg

The bit on metal on my fingertip came out of the slot where the pump lever rides.
Anyone know if this is repairable?
 
I have a few Waterman fountain pens that I like. The cheapest of the three is the best writer.
I've found the same to be true with Pelikans as well. My "lowly" m200, while much cheaper than some of my others, is by far my favorite writer even though I have large hands.
 
Grinding a pen isn't very tough just be sure to use the finest grit, go slow, use plenty of magnification and check your work often. It just takes a lot of practice and a fair bit of patience to get the reuslts you want. The easier way is to send it to a nibmeister and get it professionally reground. I'm curious though, if you want an italic nib why don't you just buy one for your Lamy Logo?, they are quite inexpensive.

the reason I don't just order a new nib is a) I didn't know that the lamy nib was replaceable (last 2 pens were not) and b) I figured I could try and not worry about the pen. I paid like 14 bucks for each of my shaeffer javelins (and got a year's use before getting better pens) and am not really worried about them. I have a set of water stones that I use on my knives that i was considering trying. I would only be messing with one of the 2 that I have. my stones go up to 5000 grit, so i am hoping that is enough. I'll be pullin my stones out top sharpen a few knives tonight so I may try then

if I do, I will post how it goes

oh, and thank you for the links. they will be useful
 
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Esterbrook Pen/Pencil Set

Old school! Great looking group. :)

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Pilot Vanishing Point retractable fountain pens? I saw them on Amazon and the looked interesting but at $130-140 they were a bit expensive to take a chance on sight unseen.
 
Just looked at this picture again and realized something
I need to get a pocket watch to carry...to match my fountain pens...

I like pocket watches and other old-fashioned tools myself, though I'll confess I've never been big on fountain pens. I had a calligraphy class in elementary school (advanced classes), but as a leftie, I always hated writing sideways to keep the ink from smearing.

I do have some Rapidiograph technical pens that I use for art projects, but those aren't exactly what most people think of when you say "fountain pen".:D
 
I like pocket watches and other old-fashioned tools myself, though I'll confess I've never been big on fountain pens. I had a calligraphy class in elementary school (advanced classes), but as a leftie, I always hated writing sideways to keep the ink from smearing.

I do have some Rapidiograph technical pens that I use for art projects, but those aren't exactly what most people think of when you say "fountain pen".:D

Back in the BC days (Before Computers) I had to use rapidographs daily.
Three, red, black and non-repro blue.
All 000... keep them clean and running... don't miss them a bit.
 
It was a sad moment when my Esterbrook broke.
57E84C97-D9CB-42D9-9F03-3B10405593ED-172-00000020AD1C3B5E.jpg

The bit on metal on my fingertip came out of the slot where the pump lever rides.
Anyone know if this is repairable?

Yep, broken J-bar. It is repairable, and easy enough to do by yourself. Basically it's the long U shaped bar that the fill lever presses against that colapses the ink sac and acts as the spring for the lever.

Here is the info to figure out exactly which size/model you have.
http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/profiles/j.htm

And here is a good anatomy of a lever filler, this should help you repair. Also check youtube.
http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/profiles/j.htm


I love FP's, I have many and write with them a bit.

My favorite:

2011-12-30003849.jpg



-Xander
 
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