The Fountain Pen

[bburtner@moran]

Have you Fedora guys been watching the resurgence of the classic fountain pen?Ebay has hundreds of them all shapes and sizes and makers.Myself I have never lost interest since my first Parker 51 in 8th grade.Some 48 years ago.I search every little flea market vendor for the "51" sometimes luck is in your favor.Just recently a 50s Parker 51 for 30.00 in box what a find.Montblancs hard to find in that range( snooty pen).Lets get back to taking are time with things.Writing a letter to a friend instead of e mailing,keeping a journal.Life has gotten to fast for this 56 year old guy.I need to slow down,it`s very hard these days.

 

[rbbrock]

I love using fountain pens. They write much nicer, they are much less fatiguing on one's wrists and fingers because you don't use any pressure when writing, and the ink choices are limitless!

I have a small collection with a Visconti, a Sailor, a Lamy 2000 (beautiful Bauhaus pen and writes like a dream), a couple Omas (one custom cursive italic), several Pelikans (one custom stub italic), a 1947 "51" vac, and a 20s or 30s (probably 30s) Waterman Ripple. And a few cheap vintage Sheaffers and Esterbrooks.

Presently I'm carrying the Sailor, filled with Visconti turquoise ink.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

There are LOADS of existing posts here on the Lounge about fountain pens, various types, ink sources, dealers, etc. Try a search - you'll find a wealth of existing information.

 

[John in Covina]

Numerous threads in here on the fountain pen.

When it comes to Fountain Pens, it is a field of endeavor that is just wonderful. THe new pens are extraordinary with some amazing materials and design. BUT vintage fountian pens are just as amazing if not more so. The designs are Iconic and some of the materials are not used (or seldom used) anymore.

Early pens are usualy hard rubber, like old style bowling balls and old combs, it is often called ebonite and you see an occasional modern day use. One of the specialty Japanese makers (CAN'T THINK OF NAME) still makes some today.

They made a lot of pens out of celluloid, which really opens up the variety of colors. Celluloid is extremely flamable still. Later plastics come in and you can find Waterman Hundred Year pens in a type of early plastic that can simply disintergrate, so good ones are treasured highly.

Metal such as brass is often enameled as is silver, they used alot of gold too.

Nibs can be steel, gold or even titanium these days. It can be as flexible as a nail or the proverbial wet noodle. It can be extra fine to a triple broad, stub , music or italic. In the right hands a fountain pen can be the most expressive way to write to this day.

I have probably 70-80 fountain pens in my collection and it is about 3 vintage for every new on. Lately I have been collecting the desk set type, holder and longer body like a quill.

Most older pens, unless totally trashed, can be refurbished. Many private pen stores have the ability to rebuild a pen that needs help. If not try to contact a local pen club or go on line.