Stylographs Vs Regular Fountain Pens

[unicornhallow10866]

I recently got a cheap stylograph (for about $2) and I have a few questions. How are stylographs different from fountain pens (except for the nib) and are stylographs "true" fountain pens or are they in a different catagory? Do they write the same? What are the pros and cons of using a stylograph? Thanks!

[Bo Bo Olson]

Stylographs were invented in the 1860-70's and were popular before the fountain pen was perfected...and not just by Waterman.

 

There is a little wire that runs down the 'tube' so was more a primitive ball point.

After the fountain pen became popular, the Stylograph became less, but were made for ages after they were King of Pens.

 

Out side of that I don't know anything.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Bo Bo Olson

[Ernst Bitterman]

On the "true" fountain pen question, that's a matter of definition. In a broad sense, anything with an internal ink supply is a fountain pen (which, yes, includes those wretched Bic Cripplers), but the difference in ink delivery would lead most to say that they're a related but different thing-- like gorillas and orangutans, perhaps. I've got a couple of non-technical stylographs, and they're not terrible to write with, but there is a certain hesitation on upstrokes at the prospect of catching that little central wire on the paper that disinclines me to regular use. When used in drafting (they are still available), they have the charm of a very regular line width, and the mechanical ink control mechanism means the use of some inks that might be fatal to a fountain pen is possible in a stylograph.

 

...but you'll want to give it a VERY GOOD CLEANING if you try that last item.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Ernst Bitterman

[Rose Nibs]

I used stylographs for many years in preference to conventional fountain pens. They deliver a perfect line of unvarying width. The size of the point is the size you get, unlike a fountain pen nib. They should be used with normal fountain pen ink rather than the stuff draughtsmen used and cleaning will be no problem. There are downsides to the stylograph. You have to hold the pen at a steep angle. The tips aren't smooth like a nib, they will easily scratch or dig into paper if you use the slightest pressure, and they need a smooth coated paper to perform well. Also they aren't pretty to look at.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Rose Nibs