Do you loan fountain pens?

[umenohana]

I don't understand how non FP users are so .. violent with their ways of writing. Did any of you ever break a nib or two before you got used to FP?

 

-Hana

[corniche]

I don't understand how non FP users are so .. violent with their ways of writing. Did any of you ever break a nib or two before you got used to FP?

 

-Hana

Hello Hana,

 

I know what you mean- I've never damaged a fp nib in my life. I think the reason bp users are so "aggressive" is two-fold; sometimes it takes a "firm hand" to get a bp to write and some older people may be used to applying a lot of pressure when they write because of the old style carbon paper.

 

Actually, my biggest problem with lending ANY pen is it seems about 1/3 of the population has an oral fixation- 1/3 of the pens I used to loan wound up in the person's mouth or between their lips; after that, I usually didn't want the pen back.

 

Best wishes,

 

Sean

 

Edited November 7, 2006 by corniche

[Melnicki]

Actually, my biggest problem with lending ANY pen is it seems about 1/3 of the population has an oral fixation- 1/3 of the pens I used to loan wound up in the person's mouth or between their lips; after that, I usually didn't want the pen back.

Strangely enough, I always chewed my BP's (but never my pencils, go figure). I have not chewed a single FP of mine since I started "using"; not even put it in my mouth.

 

 

 

I don't understand how non FP users are so .. violent with their ways of writing. Did any of you ever break a nib or two before you got used to FP?

 

As I get older and more experienced in life, I'm becoming a bit of a misanthrope. I don't know why some people can be so aggressive and harsh and violent and inconsiderate about MANY things in life. (Don't worry I still smile at nearly everyone).

[Melnicki]

(separate post because it's a separate thought).

 

PREDICAMENT: I go to seminars multiple times a week (at Univ. of California) and have to have an hour's worth of ink to last me through the talk. So, thus I usually bring a second or third pen in my shirt pocket as a backup.

 

No one has yet asked to borrow a pen, but if they did, would I just say, "I can't loan you my extra, in case I run out of ink."?

 

I like the "ask someone else" response. I think it's totally fair. After all, THEY'RE the idiot for not bringing the pen (or a backup). Not you for being stingy.

 

Before I got into FP's, I used to lie and just say "I don't have an extra", because at Universities, they NEVER give them back to you anyway. I can't lie anymore, now that I keep them clipped to my pocket, though.

Edited November 7, 2006 by Melnicki

[amh210]

When someone asks to borrow a pen in my office I say "I have several fountain pens inked, would you like to use one or would you rather have a ball point?" About 25% of the time someone is brave enough to ask for the FP so I uncap it and, as I hand it to them, I ask them if they would like some instruction on how to use it. Most agree and I suggest a light touch and keep your fingers out of the ink.

 

I haven't had a problem with this approach though most of my staff colleagues are quite familiar with my pen peccadillo and immediately reach for the ball point closest to them.

 

Civility should always be a high priority.

 

Andy

[girlieg33k]

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on one's perspective), whenever I hand someone a fountain pen as a loaner, I get a very weird or blank stare. So these days, I always carry a ballpoint or rollerball just in case.

[Chris]

I like to have a couple of ballpoints handy - one is a nice Cross model so that people do not feel they are being "fobbed off" when I keep a tight grip on whatever FP is to hand. This pen lives in my jacket pocket so is easy to find.

 

On the desk is another ball point in a pot with the highlighters, bent paper clips and small clumps of staples that never seem to fit. This ballpoint has a big advert for Viagra on the side and people who use the pen seem quite happy to return it to its pot

 

Chris

[maryannemoll]

definitely a ballpoint. i always carry one in my bag specially for loaning to people who need to sign or scribble.

[Green Maned Lion]

Civility has never been a strong point of mine. Even my g/f, with whom i am extremely close, thinks I am a bit of an (oh dear) (she thinks its a becoming quality, go figure). One time in class I had a few pens on my desk and my teacher picked up my old fountain pen (i forget the brand, I got it off a friend of mine for nothing, it was a vintage of no real value) and went to write on a students something or other, with a brisk and closed "can I borrow your pen for a minute", which was very rude. She then proceeded to write with it, nib down, as if it was a malfunctioning Bic Stic. Naturally the nib broke, and she lifted it off the desk.

 

Lots of black noodlers bulletproof black came out and got all over her all cotton dress. She then had the gall to tell me I was going to pay to get her dress cleaned. I told her that, like it or not, 1) she was going to give me $50 for breaking my pen, that 2) the ink bonds with cellulose and is never coming out of that if it is cotton, and 3) I am not going to give her a penny since it was she who chose to steal and abuse my pen. I think the incident hurt my grade and she never paid me.

[Romagno]

I have no problems lending any of my fountain pens to either my wife, who has a beautiful handwriting and writes with a very light hand, or to my sister, who is an artist and calligrapher. In fact, if you were to see my handwriting, you would probably want to ban me from FP usage!

[Melnicki]

I think the incident hurt my grade and she never paid me.

What a horrible story, Gr.M.L.!!! My sympathy for the oppression by cruel teachers! (I never really had one though)

[goodguy]

Usualy I am pretty cool about lending my pens to people BUT since I read the horror stories of people here at FPN that loaned there lovelies to people and they broke it or almost broke it I started to get cold feet.And then when a guy at work took my beloved Omas Paragon and pressed so hard on the nib that I thought he will bent it (thank god nothing happened) I decided to keep a BP cheapo just for people that want a pen for 2 minutes.AND ALL IS WELL AGAIN.

[Meanchime]

I have a modern Parker Duofold Centennial pen with a broad nib that I lend to people asking me for a ballpoint. Along with the pen I give them some instructions on how the nib and ink feed work and why treating it with pressure like treating a rollerball will interrupt the ink flow and destroy the nib. All people I have given the pen to have returned it to me in full working order with the nib still in excellent shape.

I think this is because of the platinum arrow inlay which gives the gold nib some additional stiffness. Or because they see that this is a really expensive one and don`t dare to treat it rough and thoughtless like a rollerball.

[StanSoph]

"It just ran out of ink, sorry."

[Dip Head]

I once read a story in Car & Driver(?) about a man who took his Ferrari to track days to race. Someone asked if he was worried about hurting it, "No", he said, "if you can't afford to drive it - you can't afford to own it."

 

Bringing that around to the pens - I have one $10 pen that stays home now. I can't afford to own it and will have to pass it on one day. To much emotional investment in that pen for me.

 

So now I take my Lami Safari's to work and never think twice about loaning them. I do, however, make the borrower sit through a 20 second dissertation on how to use it/hold it, plus explain the risks of the liquid ink loaded in it getting on their hands or cloths. Many folks move on before I'm finished! And it does cut down on future requests while still appearing polite.

[psfred]

I hand over my $8.00 Dewen all the time. Not really worried if someone drops it, it writes fine, and I like the puzzled look...

 

I don't lend my good FPs to anyone who doesn't know what they are.

 

Peter

[FarmBoy]

Any pen I have is available. I keep a Parker 51 desk set and an Esterbrook 8-ball on the desk loaded and ready for anyone to use. I also keep a box of "project pens" on the desk for the willing to try out. I've even managed to convert a few into customers!

 

Todd

[DWL]

I don't understand how non FP users are so .. violent with their ways of writing. Did any of you ever break a nib or two before you got used to FP?

 

-Hana

Hello Hana,

 

I know what you mean- I've never damaged a fp nib in my life. I think the reason bp users are so "aggressive" is two-fold; sometimes it takes a "firm hand" to get a bp to write and some older people may be used to applying a lot of pressure when they write because of the old style carbon paper.

 

Actually, my biggest problem with lending ANY pen is it seems about 1/3 of the population has an oral fixation- 1/3 of the pens I used to loan wound up in the person's mouth or between their lips; after that, I usually didn't want the pen back.

 

Best wishes,

 

Sean

 

Soooo, you probably don't want these then do ya. :blink:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/DennisLively/Funny%20shit/Picture11.jpg

 

Burgundy Double Jewel Parker vac & a 4th generation Waterman 100 Year pen.

 

:ph34r: :bunny1: :bunny1:

 

I'll loan just about any pen that I carry to anyone that wants to try it. I give them a quick "how to use a fp" lesson. if they damage the nib (only happened once) I'm sure I'll be able to fix it. If not, oh well it's just a pen after all.

Edited November 13, 2006 by DWL

[johnr55]

I never go around with just a fountain pen; I always have another type with me. That's the one I hand out.

[Chris]

Just when I was wondering how best to transport my pens safely, along comes a great suggestion from DWL :roflmho:

 

Just don't try this with a vanishing point - it could make your eyes water!

 

Chris