fountain pen taboos - don't enter if you're easily offended

[bushido]

...

 

And while I'm on a roll, why anyone would use an ink that wasn't at least waterproof just baffles me! I mean, what is the point? If a splash of water erases the writing you might as well with a pencil!

 

LOve Noodler's and Private Reserve inks. The more saturated, the better!

 

*SIGH* Now I feel better.

 

because it would void your warrenty? because you don't want to worry about your vintage pens?

just sayin'

 

also, and not use my aurora black? no way. waterproof ink is high maintenance i don't need, especially risking my poor pens!

[Sailor Kenshin]

How about when the OP asks for fountain pen recommendations in the under-$50 range, yes, even under-$20 range and everyone rushes to tell him to buy only Montblancs?

 

Or when the OP is looking for a watecolory blue ink and everyone says to get Noodler's Bulletproof Black?

[bushido]

How about when the OP asks for fountain pen recommendations in the under-$50 range, yes, even under-$20 range and everyone rushes to tell him to buy only Montblancs?

 

Or when the OP is looking for a watecolory blue ink and everyone says to get Noodler's Bulletproof Black?

 

i may be one of the culprits, too!

[irbyls]

I haven't posted here yet because I didn't have anything to say, but now I do:

 

I don't think that I like flexy nibs. I'm sorry; don't beat me up! I bought a Wahl Eversharp Skyline with a flexy nib, and I am finding it remarkably difficult to adjust to it. I really wanted to like it, but I just don't. Maybe it'll grow on me, but it's not looking good.

Edited April 3, 2010 by irbyls

[vero]

This is just because I want to post on the longest thread I've ever read through to the end. Very funny. Very enjoyable.

 

1. I like snap on caps. My favorite pens all use them while a pen that I thought was going to get constant use while traveling, a Kaweco AL Sport, has aluminum threads near the grip that can get very uncomfortable after a few minutes use.
2. As to the Montblanc controversy, one boutique has the symbol inlaid in the floor. Buy a Lamy in the place and you know you are not a primary market customer.
3. Lamys are great to use sometimes. My high school classes love that I have to get out my 'signing pen' for notes. You can even lend it to a kid and expect that it will survive the experience.
4. For drawing, I'm most confident with a globe nib and some India ink. I'm presently experimenting with fountain pens and coloured ink after setting up areas of wash, but I'm still troubled by a suspicion that the inks are fugitive as well as not being waterproof. Anyone have any information on sunlight and their ink?
5. BTW ttakacs, open nib pens work fine for prep H if you just take the time to warm them up a bit.

[Feanor]

I haven't posted here yet because I didn't have anything to say, but now I do:

 

I don't think that I like flexy nibs. I'm sorry; don't beat me up! I bought a Wahl Eversharp Skyline with a flexy nib, and I am finding it remarkably difficult to adjust to it. I really wanted to like it, but I just don't. Maybe it'll grow on me, but it's not looking good.

 

Send it to me, I'll enjoy it for you

 

And Vero, I prefer snap caps too.

[Garageboy]

People who say "who cares if it's cartridge converter?"

To me that's like saying a well and running water are the same thing

[Vladimir]

People who say "who cares if it's cartridge converter?"

To me that's like saying a well and running water are the same thing

 

How so?

[79spitfire]

Taboo or annoyance??

 

I can't think of a FP taboo

 

Annoyance, got plenty of those!

 

Just because it's not a MB doesn't mean it's not a great pen, you get bad pens at any price point, and if I run into a salesperson who won't take a bad one back he/she is likely to find out how well it is as a hemorrhoid cream applicator.

 

For goodness sakes, if you got a bad pen from a dealer take the thing back! Don't tell everyone your Lamy/MB/Hero is a pile! I have 2 Lamy's and I love them both. partially hand made products are going to vary in fit and finish and performance! It's one of the reasons I use fountain pens, I got fed up with things that have NO personality, NO feel from their creator's hands (even an incompetent one!)

 

I don't own a MB, don't plan on it at the moment, I'm still enjoying getting "cheaper" pens and fixing them or finding out their quirks! If I had spent $600+ on a pen as my first, chances are it would have been my last (even if it were perfect!)

 

I am NOT going to purchase a pen to please someone else! Snobs annoy me anywhere!

 

I am NOT going to change my "car" avatar, I like advertising the fact I have a small sports car, just as many of you like advertising you have cats (I have one of those too...)

 

I like Noodler's inks! I also like Pelikan, Waterman and Private Reserve inks.

 

Oops, found a Taboo...

 

Ranting on a forum...

 

:bonk:

[impossiblebird]

 

For goodness sakes, if you got a bad pen from a dealer take the thing back!

 

I couldn't agree more; it may well be taboo to say that I frequently find myself scratching my head in puzzlement, reading a post from a member who's bought a pen that's frankly not fit for purpose, and yet they've bitten their lip on it as far as the seller's concerned. If it won't write without you having to go to measures which will invalidate the warranty, it's not a pen: it's simply a refund waiting to happen (sub $10 pens from the other side of the planet possibly excluded, on the grounds of prohibitive p+p, but nothing to stop you emailing a complaint).

 

It's not your responsibility to make the thing function; tweaking it to suit your hand perfectly, of course, is another matter entirely. You may choose to have it customised at your own expense, although, if you buy (especially sight unseen from the internet) a new pen which, though not faulty, simply doesn't suit you, and you'd prefer not to have to bother with it, the dealer should be prepared to take it back, at least in exchange for another. Even some ebay sellers do "no-fault" refunds, even on second hand pens; why should the big brand pen retailers offer an inferior service?

 

I like Noodler's bulletproofs; I don't worry that they might stain or otherwise damage my pen. I may get me some BSB, or BSCranberry, or iron gall, and I'll probably rinse slightly less often than advisable, and my attitude will continue to be "it's a pen; if it dies, it dies".

 

I like a converter (and retain an affection for a sac); I don't spend much on my pens, and I like the fact that if the converter breaks, it can just be replaced at low cost, without the pen needing its vitals reworked. Although I'm scribbling all the time, I don't need massive ink volume; if I run out, I quite like to reach for another pen, a change being as good as a rest for my hand.

 

Other FPNers' preferences are, it should go without saying, equally valid. I'm sorry, was that assertion the opposite of a taboo? Is it taboo to make such an assertion on a thread about taboos? If so, I should be safe... :ph34r:

[Garageboy]

People who say "who cares if it's cartridge converter?"

To me that's like saying a well and running water are the same thing

 

How so?

Members were saying that it is silly to complain about the tank on a pen. Well, a well and a faucet both deliver water, so it'd be be silly to complain about that

[jar]

People who say "who cares if it's cartridge converter?"

To me that's like saying a well and running water are the same thing

 

How so?

Members were saying that it is silly to complain about the tank on a pen. Well, a well and a faucet both deliver water, so it'd be be silly to complain about that

 

Yup. That would be silly.

 

Fortunately that also has absolutely nothing to do with the fountain pen question. Muddy thinking alert.

[rhosygell]

Taboo number one is a pen that does not work when needed. Fix it or get it fixed.

 

The filling system is neither here nor there, c/c fillers work just as well as lever fillers, pistons or whatever else. Certain pen makers have implanted the notion in the psyche that piston fillers are better - yes, they offer slightly better ink capacity but when they go wrong......

 

 

 

The standard fit Bose speakers work just fine in my Alfa - I'm no audiophile though.

 

Some pen makers, without naming anyone have developed an aura of mystique about themselves allowing ludicrous prices to be charged for well made, quite ordinary writers. In my opinion no one needs to spend more than the price of an Aurora Optima to experience excellence. This same theory applies to cars as well - sometimes the "ordinary" marques work better and for longer than their "prestige" alternatives.

[LinusL]

I haven't tried out any MB pens myself, but I'd say there's more value to performance in Sailor pens compared to MB.

 

 

 

Based on...?

 

 

Just asking a question, me.

 

Simply because of the cost. If I ever tried out one of MBs entry level pens, I would still probably value my Sailor Sapporo higher simply because it performs greatly at a low cost.

[acolythe]

This is just because I want to post on the longest thread I've ever read through to the end. Very funny. Very enjoyable.

 

1. I like snap on caps. My favorite pens all use them while a pen that I thought was going to get constant use while traveling, a Kaweco AL Sport, has aluminum threads near the grip that can get very uncomfortable after a few minutes use.
2. As to the Montblanc controversy, one boutique has the symbol inlaid in the floor. Buy a Lamy in the place and you know you are not a primary market customer.
3. Lamys are great to use sometimes. My high school classes love that I have to get out my 'signing pen' for notes. You can even lend it to a kid and expect that it will survive the experience.
4. For drawing, I'm most confident with a globe nib and some India ink. I'm presently experimenting with fountain pens and coloured ink after setting up areas of wash, but I'm still troubled by a suspicion that the inks are fugitive as well as not being waterproof. Anyone have any information on sunlight and their ink?
5. BTW ttakacs, open nib pens work fine for prep H if you just take the time to warm them up a bit.

Glad to see you posting, now how about a review of Omas Purple, Vero

b

[acolythe]

I haven't tried out any MB pens myself, but I'd say there's more value to performance in Sailor pens compared to MB.

 

 

 

Based on...?

 

 

Just asking a question, me.

 

Simply because of the cost. If I ever tried out one of MBs entry level pens, I would still probably value my Sailor Sapporo higher simply because it performs greatly at a low cost.

 

Fortunately my MB was purchased in 1976 in Edinburgh. Good value at the time ( 150.00 dcn I think) The cost is far too prohibitive to buy one now, but it has never given me a lick of trouble. I agree Sapporro and some of the lower cost Pilots give great value and performance for money.

[acolythe]

Such a long topic. I hope no one hjas said this already but Ia m tired of people saying what unsafe ink Noodler's makjes. Other than Baystate blue ( and I suppose all the series like concord Grape) I have had no trouble with anuy of them and have used Noodlers in all of my pens. I do clean out each pen after I use up the ink load and generally swith to another color/ink. But occasionally i have refilled up to 4 timnes with the same Noodlers color and had no issues. I would not let ink dry in pens but Parker Quink ruined one of my pens (it WAS dried up for 30 years

:embarrassed_smile: ) but still....

alittel care goes a long way. Baystate blue is still a bear for clean up, however.

b

[bushido]

Such a long topic. I hope no one hjas said this already but Ia m tired of people saying what unsafe ink Noodler's makjes. Other than Baystate blue ( and I suppose all the series like concord Grape) I have had no trouble with anuy of them and have used Noodlers in all of my pens. I do clean out each pen after I use up the ink load and generally swith to another color/ink. But occasionally i have refilled up to 4 timnes with the same Noodlers color and had no issues. I would not let ink dry in pens but Parker Quink ruined one of my pens (it WAS dried up for 30 years

:embarrassed_smile: ) but still....

alittel care goes a long way. Baystate blue is still a bear for clean up, however.

b

 

my question is: why risk it? there are too many other options! aurora black. namiki black. waterman blue. etc etc

[Feanor]

Such a long topic. I hope no one hjas said this already but Ia m tired of people saying what unsafe ink Noodler's makjes. Other than Baystate blue ( and I suppose all the series like concord Grape) I have had no trouble with anuy of them and have used Noodlers in all of my pens. I do clean out each pen after I use up the ink load and generally swith to another color/ink. But occasionally i have refilled up to 4 timnes with the same Noodlers color and had no issues. I would not let ink dry in pens but Parker Quink ruined one of my pens (it WAS dried up for 30 years

:embarrassed_smile: ) but still....

alittel care goes a long way. Baystate blue is still a bear for clean up, however.

b

 

my question is: why risk it? there are too many other options! aurora black. namiki black. waterman blue. etc etc

 

Risk what? Except for the bad batch of Lamy feeds (and one or two unconfirmed/unique cases), even BSB is no more likely to damage your pen than other inks. It's perhaps a bit more prone to staining, but isn't that the point of inks? And as far as I've heard, no one has had any problems with any other Noodler's inks.

 

And nothing compares to BSB.

[Scrawler]

Such a long topic. I hope no one hjas said this already but Ia m tired of people saying what unsafe ink Noodler's makjes. Other than Baystate blue ( and I suppose all the series like concord Grape) I have had no trouble with anuy of them and have used Noodlers in all of my pens. I do clean out each pen after I use up the ink load and generally swith to another color/ink. But occasionally i have refilled up to 4 timnes with the same Noodlers color and had no issues. I would not let ink dry in pens but Parker Quink ruined one of my pens (it WAS dried up for 30 years

:embarrassed_smile: ) but still....

alittel care goes a long way. Baystate blue is still a bear for clean up, however.

b

 

my question is: why risk it? there are too many other options! aurora black. namiki black. waterman blue. etc etc

 

Risk what? Except for the bad batch of Lamy feeds (and one or two unconfirmed/unique cases), even BSB is no more likely to damage your pen than other inks. It's perhaps a bit more prone to staining, but isn't that the point of inks? And as far as I've heard, no one has had any problems with any other Noodler's inks.

 

And nothing compares to BSB.

 

I received a letter a while ago written in BSB. It is a beautiful color. It is in no way comparable to any of these colors. There seems to be a lot of superstition associated with this ink, just because it is permanent. I have just ordered a bottle to try it myself. As with all permanent inks, I plan to use reasonable caution when filling. I stopped using my towels and bed sheets for this purpose years ago, since I discovered paper towels, so I do not expect to have any problems cleaning up when I fill my pen.