Why Do You Use A Fountain Pen?

[Kenlowe]

Now that we are seeing the end of plastic drinking straws I can understand why people are using fountain pens as compared to biros on the basis that fountain pens can last forever, are not generally thrown in the trash and can be refilled. Almost zero plastic waste.

[scunepo]

I simply love writing with a fountain pen. I enjoy writing if I have a fountain pen in my hand and dislike writing if I'm forced to use a ball point. I use a different pen and colour each time I write in my notebook. I will even write the grocery list with a fountain pen.

 

When I was at work each week I would change the colour of the ink in my day book so it was easy to quickly look back to different weeks to find a note from a meeting I had attended. This use of colour was very helpful. As we fountain pen users know taking notes requires some specific qualities in the ink/paper/pen mix. That gave me the perfect excuse to try out new inks and pens!

 

Now I'm retired I search around for reasons to write with my pens. It gives me so much pleasure but I do feel non fountain pen users think it's crazy.

 

I have recently cleaned up my mother-in-law's Montblanc Boheme for my wife to use. I have sourced some black document ink cartridges (she works in the medical profession) and I really hope she derives as much pleasure from using it as I do once she discovers the joy of writing with a fountain pen.

[praxim]

Because I am on a fountain pen web site.

[CoolBreeze]

I voted other. I have beautiful St Dupont rollerballs. I have tried so many refills from a lot of top brands and they all dry out. 7 bucks for a refill to use 1/4 of it or less became crazy to me. I got so frustrated. Once I found fountain pens and realized the act of writing (writing experience) was so much better I haven't gone back. I define better as smoother, easier ink flow, and minimal pressure to write.

[Qoan]

I voted other because I couldn't totally relate with the other options. It is not that I want to improve penmanship, but the writing experience is more comfortable with liquid ink (my second best to a fp is a Pilot V5). Then of course you have the variety of colours *and* the variety of nibs: I regularly put different colours in fp with different nibs for specific uses or for practice. So, in brief I'd say because they are versatile.

[kmcmichael]

Because I am weird. I prefer the term quirky but in all honesty.

I jog and hike barefoot, play ukulele, shave my head with a straight razor, wear a kilt etc. I just like different things. I like fooling with and modifying nibs.

 

I do like the ease of writing with one due to the lack of pressure needed.

 

The BIGGEST REASON is...I believe that our cursive writing evolved with the use of the quill. Line variation adds greatly the the beauty and emotion of words written with an italic style nib.