jimbud
  • jimbud
  • Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter
Monday, January 25, 2016 9:21:40 AM
It looks like this is going to be a new hobby of mine. I've been reading up on relevant forums, but anything that I would post there would be the equivalent of someone here posting "tell me a good cigar to buy." I know that there are some here with this interest from a thread in the picture post. Anyway, I bought an inexpensive Pilot Metropolitan to see if I liked it, and now I'm looking to upgrade and get into inks as well. I would appreciate any suggestions. I'm looking to keep it south of $200, and probably a medium nib, classic look (rather than a Lamy-esque look). I can't stand a scratchy nib FWIW. Also, I am just a beginner, but really like the line differential that some pens provide. Any guidance or advice of any kind (about fountain pens, ink, paper) welcomed and appreciated.
Mr. Jones
Monday, January 25, 2016 9:43:02 AM
ASK MACS..."MASTER C-BID FOUNTAIN PEN GUY"
Thunder.Gerbil
Monday, January 25, 2016 9:47:33 AM

ASK MACS..."MASTER C-BID FOUNTAIN PEN GUY"

Mr. Jones wrote:

You have to ask Ram first.

[ram27bat]

Gene363
Monday, January 25, 2016 1:29:25 PM
I have enjoyed using fountain pens for many years. Most good quality pens will write well on good paper, paper is critical. IMO, above the $80+/- range the differences are cosmetic/aesthetic.

Good paper makes using a fountain a real pleasure. I used to collect trimmings from inkjet plotter paper for notetaking, it is excellent paper.

MACS
Monday, January 25, 2016 1:54:56 PM

ASK MACS..."MASTER C-BID FOUNTAIN PEN GUY"

Mr. Jones wrote:

You have me confused with someone else. I use cheap pens from parker or zebra.

jimbud
  • jimbud
  • Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter
Monday, January 25, 2016 2:28:04 PM
Well, my OCD kicked in and I just ordered a Waterford Kilbarry Edge Emerald Isle. We shall see....
jimbud
  • jimbud
  • Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter
Monday, January 25, 2016 2:29:15 PM
Paired with a bottle of Noodler's Bay State Blue....
itsawaldo
Monday, January 25, 2016 2:55:09 PM
Hey

Medium nib is the way to start until you decide its maybe not for you.

They have the most forgiving characteristics to relearn how to write.

After awhile you may decide to go finer or broader.

I have about two dozen pens, most are Montblanc.

5 FP's, few Writers Series BP's as well as half dozen Special Editions, collecting....we all have needs

I use my 149 everyday, always in my suit coat pocket.

Also own a couple NOS Sheaffer snorkel style FP's from the sixties, maybe fifties, couple Parkers and my latest was the Pelican I got last year.

As to ink? Tons to chose from, manufacturers to ink only companies. Like whiskeys and bourbon open as many as you like and most don't go bad for a few years. I have five open now. The one I haven't bought is Iroshizuku I think it's from Pilot, it's kinda pricy (to each it's own), I don't need ink but the bottle is really nice.

I have yet to really add bottles for collecting.....I don't know enough about ink to recommend. Noodlers and Private Reserve both have many color choices.

Have fun and watch for a remarkable improvement in your handwriting!

jimbud
  • jimbud
  • Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter
Monday, January 25, 2016 3:12:19 PM

Hey

Medium nib is the way to start until you decide its maybe not for you.

They have the most forgiving characteristics to relearn how to write.

After awhile you may decide to go finer or broader.

I have about two dozen pens, most are Montblanc.

5 FP's, few Writers Series BP's as well as half dozen Special Editions, collecting....we all have needs

I use my 149 everyday, always in my suit coat pocket.

Also own a couple NOS Sheaffer snorkel style FP's from the sixties, maybe fifties, couple Parkers and my latest was the Pelican I got last year.

As to ink? Tons to chose from, manufacturers to ink only companies. Like whiskeys and bourbon open as many as you like and most don't go bad for a few years. I have five open now. The one I haven't bought is Iroshizuku I think it's from Pilot, it's kinda pricy (to each it's own), I don't need ink but the bottle is really nice.

I have yet to really add bottles for collecting.....I don't know enough about ink to recommend. Noodlers and Private Reserve both have many color choices.

Have fun and watch for a remarkable improvement in your handwriting!

itsawaldo wrote:

Thanks! This is great info. See above for what I chose for the next addition. That ink is really gorgeous, but I didn't read about how unforgiving it is on some pens and its staining tendencies. I'm enjoying the learning process. I agree the ink bottles look cool (not necessarily the ones from Noodler's).

Abrignac
Monday, January 25, 2016 5:33:27 PM
I've got a pair of Mont Blancs. One a fountain and one a ball point. The fountain doesn't work. I filled it with Parker ink, but it still won't write. It had been lost for about 10 years. I found it last week when we cleaned out the closet.
Mr. Jones
Monday, January 25, 2016 6:18:24 PM
^^ sorry macs...

jimbud...

go to the ... pictures : everything else forum

itswaldo...

"from germany" thread...

all about pens

jimbud
  • jimbud
  • Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter
Monday, January 25, 2016 6:37:00 PM

^^ sorry macs...

jimbud...

go to the ... pictures : everything else forum

itswaldo...

"from germany" thread...

all about pens

Mr. Jones wrote:

Thanks Mr. J -- that is the thread that triggered this for me!

jimbud
  • jimbud
  • Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter
Monday, January 25, 2016 6:38:41 PM

I've got a pair of Mont Blancs. One a fountain and one a ball point. The fountain doesn't work. I filled it with Parker ink, but it still won't write. It had been lost for about 10 years. I found it last week when we cleaned out the closet.

Abrignac wrote:

Well that sucks. Try posting the issue on fountainpennetwork.com. You'll feel like a noob again, believe me.

itsawaldo
Monday, January 25, 2016 11:35:19 PM

I've got a pair of Mont Blancs. One a fountain and one a ball point. The fountain doesn't work. I filled it with Parker ink, but it still won't write. It had been lost for about 10 years. I found it last week when we cleaned out the closet.

Abrignac wrote:

Most feed issues can be corrected with tepid water.

If your pen is a piston filler only, soak the nib and feed overnight in a glass of water, run water over nib and feed then fill and empty, warm water not hot, many times.

With a cartridge optional, soak but then you can force water through the feed system to clean out solidified ink.

If this does not work find a pen shop, nib and feed may have to be professionally cleaned.

Gene is a fan also and could possibly add to this, I write with them, collect some but that's about all I know.

Gene363
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 12:49:29 AM

Most feed issues can be corrected with tepid water.

If your pen is a piston filler only, soak the nib and feed overnight in a glass of water, run water over nib and feed then fill and empty, warm water not hot, many times.

With a cartridge optional, soak but then you can force water through the feed system to clean out solidified ink.

If this does not work find a pen shop, nib and feed may have to be professionally cleaned.

Gene is a fan also and could possibly add to this, I write with them, collect some but that's about all I know.

itsawaldo wrote:

Hot water with a few drops of Dawn detergent works well for me. I try to pump it in and out of the pen after a good a soaking in the cleaning solution. If you have an ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry or reloading it can be used with the same solution. After cleaning, thoroughly rinse out the cleaning solution and shake out as much of the rinsing solution as possible..

Abrignac
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 1:59:21 AM

Hot water with a few drops of Dawn detergent works well for me. I try to pump it in and out of the pen after a good a soaking in the cleaning solution. If you have an ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry or reloading it can be used with the same solution. After cleaning, thoroughly rinse out the cleaning solution and shake out as much of the rinsing solution as possible..

Gene363 wrote:

No ultrasonic cleaner. I'll try the hot water and dawn trick. If that don't work.... I just looked it up. Seems the pen sells for about $350. No sense in it being a paperweight.

Gene363
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 11:51:48 AM

No ultrasonic cleaner. I'll try the hot water and dawn trick. If that don't work.... I just looked it up. Seems the pen sells for about $350. No sense in it being a paperweight.

Abrignac wrote:

There is quite a collector market out there. In a recent auction I watched several artsy hand made pens sell for more than $1,000.

itsawaldo
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 7:15:48 PM

Hot water with a few drops of Dawn detergent works well for me. I try to pump it in and out of the pen after a good a soaking in the cleaning solution. If you have an ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry or reloading it can be used with the same solution. After cleaning, thoroughly rinse out the cleaning solution and shake out as much of the rinsing solution as possible..

Gene363 wrote:

Ultrasonic is a great way, totally forgot, good post Gene.

Abrignac
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 8:00:19 PM

There is quite a collector market out there. In a recent auction I watched several artsy hand made pens sell for more than $1,000.

Gene363 wrote:

Oops looks like I made a mistake. Mine is an off the shelf black and gold Meisterstueck fountain pen. Looks like replacement cost on the Mont Blan website is between $500 & $1000 depending on which one I have.

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