Do you let others use your FP's?

[lak611]

Today in class, I let my professor borrow my pen. She knew how to use it. It was already uncapped. I was writing, and the professor walked over and asked to use my pen to add a correction to a test. No harm was done.

[Rob G]

Yesterday at work, some delivery guy asked me if I had a pen he could borrow. I was going to say no, but then I looked down at my pocket and there it was.

 

So... I said "No" anyway!

 

He pointed at my pocket and said, "Yeah, what's that?"

 

I said, "It's a very expensive fountain pen which would take you a day's salary to replace if you dropped it."

 

He looked at me as if I were from Mars, and walked away.

 

End of story.

[satrap]

I have a couple of no-name pens that I will now offer to someone, no matter how much the person may want to use my bling pen. I think it would be a good idea to buy a bunch of Hero pens to pass out to people who want to try an FP. Better a Hero than my LeMan 100.

[langere]

No, I don't let anyone else use my fountain pens unless I know they know how to use them. That means it's a very small group! And it's not just the writing, but also the capping and uncapping. Some people just assume that all pen caps snap on and off - not good!

 

Erick

[lak611]

My professor did not mess around with the cap. She just handed the pen back to me after writing two words. She held it at a 45 degree angle and did not press down. She has obviously used fountain pens before. The woman next to me had a roller ball, so the professor could have asked her for a pen.

[kwimberly]

I let my Patent Law professor use a Parker 51, and I still regret it. You would think an engineer would realize that 1) the hood should be oriented upward, and 2) that it doesn't take 200 pounds of force to put the cap on. He capped it and then tried to uncap it - he pulled so hard he stripped the section threads!!

 

For other pens, without fail, people write upside down. I now keep some "honeypot" Parker Jotter pens on my desk for people to steal and or abuse.

[RayMan]

I now keep some "honeypot" Parker Jotter pens on my desk for people to steal and or abuse.

 

I also do this. Jotters and other assorted pens. If someone asks to use the fountain pen in my pocket, I mumble some stupid excuse (usually something to the effect that it was customized for me and they won't like it), and offer them a different pen. Sometimes I'm carrying a nice rollerball as well as a fountain pen, and I offer the rollerball.

[JakobS]

I have been thinking lately of the argument that because of the lack of scratchiness or a specific sweet spot in our vintage pens that nibs are not changed by a writer's hand over a large period of time. What we forget is that most vintage pens that are bought by the fountain pen community are generally those that look to be in the best condition possible. It is unlikely that someone with the knowledge that many of us possess about pens would buy one where the tines are misaligned or bent unless wanting it to repair. Simply because a pen is old does not mean it has been used everyday by the previous owner/s. In fact, I would wager to state that those pens that are close to perfect condition, those that look almost new, have been used the least and thus the influence of a writer's hand on the nib is insignificant. Those pens that were the hardcore daily writers of their day are those showing up on Ebay or at garage sales with their bodies dulled and there nibs certainty impacted by the writer's hand. That steel and gold would not be influenced by the pressure and friction brought upon it by the writing process over a long period of time is an argument that is hard to buy knowing the relative strengths of the metals. They can be readily affected, but this makes it easier to modify a nib back to a usable state as well. Vintage pens maybe old, but that doesn't mean they have been well used.

 

This is not to say that modern writers will not be able to write with pens who have been modified by a previous owner's hand, as similar ways to hold a pen can be universal.

 

As far as answering the question, I let my girlfriend use my pens, and I do not mind in the least if she picks one up and decides to write a quick note, or even if she wanted to a novel. She is far more important to me than any pen, and I love that she wants to use something I think makes the writing process an incredible experience. As far as others using my pens, I have let a variety of people use them, none of them FP users, but who I trusted enough that I would get it back with little injury. But, I always carry around a pack of bic pens, not so much because I fear people will misuse my fountain pens, but to not have me worry if a pen is returned.

 

 

[Judybug]

Do I let others use my FPs? If "others" means the "fountain pen uninitiated, uninterested, clueless, unwashed masses," the answer is NO! Ball points were made for them. That's why I always carry two or three BPs.

 

If "others" means "honest seekers of fountain pen wisdom, knowledge, and experience," I have a few cheap pens (although good writers) I'm willing to let them try.

 

If "others" means fellow FP afficionados, the answer is "maybe - probably - well, yes if you're very careful."

 

Judybug

[ruud2904]

I only let other use my pens if it is for a few words or a small note AND if there is no ballpoint available within 10 meters. So, just in case of emergency. But, most of the people do not dare handling one of my FP's so, it is a rare occasion.

[Robert Hughes]

If I know them and they're going to use it in front of me, I usually let them try one of my Estie J's. But if they're unsure or I'm not comfortable, I'll just hand 'em a ballpoint - and let them keep it, if they want.

 

What the heck, they're free - and worth every penny!

[MYU]

Funny how often this topic keeps coming up. I think there were 3 threads on this last year.

 

I also find that ballpoints do indeed serve a valuable purpose--to avoid lending out your fountain pens. And also to handle tasks requiring permanent waterproof applications (if you aren't a fan of "bulletproof" [waterproof] ink), like signing administrative documents.

 

 

[adichew]

Hi

 

I tend to be highly reluctant to lend out my f/ps, especially since I only have 1 and without it, I have to go back to b/p (which i hate)

 

Once, a good friend of mine asked to try a fountain pen. I initially was going to lend him my Waterman Hemisphere, but decided to lend him a no-name hero pen lying around in my pencil case (which had small feed issues and was generally unused) instead. First, he wrote upside down (very hard) and said "it works!" Somehow he did not damage the nib--yet. Then, when I told him the right way, he took it, held it in an odd way and pressed down so hard as to affect flow and almost ruin the nib. It was 45deg, but much of his pressure was on the index finger, which was pointing downwards. The pen had to be thrown away. Since then, I refuse to lend him any f/p (though we are still good friends). I feel lucky that I did not lend my Hemisphere!

 

In (secondary) school, most people dont really know how to use f/ps, like one user said they always write upside down. However, a few people, who almost always tend to be artists, have been bred with rollerballs, but can use an f/p with a grip even more proper than mine. I trust these ppl and usually lend them my pen with a warning to be gentle. I usually trust the (very few) f/p users in my school--but not all. One student who hails from PR China was brought up on firm hero pens--he seems to use quite some pressure when writing. I hesitate to lend him my hemisphere.

 

Adi

[Robert Hughes]

Last night I had a friend ask for a pen, I pulled out my trusty Pilot Prera and handed it over. She wrote with it, nib upside down. I was a little surprised, but the pen appeared to have not suffered from the odd use. (And I've fixed this nib before, so know it can be straightened if needed).

 

I guess she'd not written with a fountain pen in ages. But she didn't remark about it, so my guess is she used one in school, and didn't really think about it one way or another.

[AndyH]

Once again this question bobs up to the top of the barrel!

 

My SO is an experienced fp writer, has a couple of her own (although she is not a collector, err, accumulator, like me. She enthusiastically supports my accumulating, and tries out each new pen I acquire. She can pick up any pen I own, anytime she wants, and use it as long as she wants. (Our sofa is very uncomfortable for sleeping purposes)

 

I also carry a ballpoint most everywhere for loaner purposes, but I've handed an uncapped, flowing fountain pen to certain colleagues when they need to sign something or make a quick note. One intern became an enthusiast and I'm working on one colleague who has beautiful handwriting and is meticulous about her possessions. I think she'll become a convert - she comments every time I hand her a pen to write a note or sign something.

 

But unless someone asks specifically, "May I try your fountain pen?" I don't lend my pens. If I do, and I have reason to think the borrower hasn't a clue, I explain that one must write very lightly. And I NEVER hand a capped pen to anyone.

Edited February 26, 2009 by AndyH

[Dewyn2211]

I always carry a Parker rollerball around with my FPs just in case someone ask me if they can borrow a pen. I value my FPs too much to risk any damage to them. It's after all almost a days salary in someone elses hands.

[tt32003]

i don't lend people my pens.

Heard some horror stories from flea market sellers on how potential customers destroyed the pen while trying it.

Was shown a vintage Mont Blanc yesterday with a broken nib cuase some over enthusiatic customer applied too much pressure on it.

And another Pelikan 140 with a broken and detachced piston knob because some smart guy tried to pull it out then kept twisting the knob till it came of.

 

Was really surprised that the sellers did not insist that those customers paid for the broken pens.

 

[FarmBoy]

My girlfriend has been eying my pen collection with increasing ardor has it continues to grow. But I have been loath to share because I have always heard that a pen's nib shapes itself to the user's style and shouldn't be used by different writers. Lately she has been asking for corroborating documentation for this position. And I am beginning to wonder if this is a real issue or not. I would really like to share my collection and hobby with her. Any opinions?

 

d.

D-

 

I almost always lend the pen in my pocket to anyone that asks. I will not lend out a pen that came to me for repair that does not belong to me unless I know the user quite well and need a second opinion.

 

My wife uses all my pens and I do not keep track of it.

 

Nibs will eventually wear to the hand but not in the time frame of someone testing a pen.

 

I have "started" "enabled" "pushed" "hooked" or what ever you call it, a lot of people on quality writing instruments by loaning pens and having an inked desk set in my cube. I also give fountain pens as gifts on a regular basis.

 

Just start with a few pointers on pen use and remind her to keep a light hand. I like to (use term above as appropriate) newbies with an Esterbrook with a 2556 or similar nib. Be careful, it can be like fishing in a barrel....

 

Todd

[pensaremadeforwriting]

i would not mind lending my Fountain Pen, the more expensive ones, if they have the time to hear me on the 'to-use' instructions.

 

i would lend out my Lamy Safari and Rotring Newton 'lava', because it's stainless nib and is more hardy for 'heavy pressured' pen-users.

 

so, yes, i don't mind sharing, but if it's the more expensive ones, they would need to listen to the instructions from me, so that they do not damage it.

[lak611]

i would not mind lending my Fountain Pen, the more expensive ones, if they have the time to hear me on the 'to-use' instructions.

 

i would lend out my Lamy Safari and Rotring Newton 'lava', because it's stainless nib and is more hardy for 'heavy pressured' pen-users.

 

so, yes, i don't mind sharing, but if it's the more expensive ones, they would need to listen to the instructions from me, so that they do not damage it.

I don't stop at the "how to use" instructions if I have an expensive pen. I also tell the person how much money he owes me if he damage the pen. After hearing how much I paid, he asks somebody else to borrow a ballpoint. Edited March 2, 2009 by lak611