Do you let others use your FP's?

[Kaptenmork]

 

I have this pen, found it in a flea market, the nib is really super stiff, like a nail!

 

But it writes surprisingly smooth, so this pen I can lend to anyone without problems.

 

I probably can use it to change a rotten plank in my ship also

[ftnpenlover]

I agree with MinasTirithScribe, I always carry a rollerball or ballpoint as to not let other people write with one of my fp. There are a very select few people who are fp users that I would let write with my fp, as they would me. Too many times in the past has damage come to happen when a non user tries a fp.

[Nimmireth]

No.

 

At work, everyone in my area knows not to touch my fountain pens. It's not that I told them not to, it's that they know I ordered the pens with custom ground nibs. No one wants to damage one. I have lots of ballpoints laying around, so there's no lack of loanable pens.

 

I am thinking of letting my husband try a Safari or Pelikan Style. He seems afraid of fountain pens though. And he presses hard with his ballpoints. Now that I really think about it...

 

I do have a story about someone loaning me their FP. I found out a co-worker is a collector. He tells me he has a pen he'd like me to try. A few days later he brings me this sort of fat triangular pen, uninked. I take it home, fill it up, and start writing. Then I decided to see what it was. My friend had loaned me his Omas 360 Venice. As I stood there holding it I realized it was the most valuable thing in my house. I carefully emptied it, cleaned it and gave it back as soon as possible!

Edited April 19, 2011 by Nimmireth

[esterbex]

No. It's hard on me.

[mcg1355]

I also follow the popular carry a ball point to lend people strategy. However, I have ran into a few people that specifically asked because they wanted to try my fountain pen. Usually I will tell them they can try it after telling them how to use it, if it isn't one of my nicer pens, but after a few lines I ask for it back. Recently I have been carrying my new matt black VP and in no way would lend it for someone to try. This was problematic for me since I like to introduce people to FP's if I get the opportunity.

 

So I have started carrying a free noodler's eyedropper preppy filled with noodler's bernanki blue to lend to the FP curious. I just tell them not to unscrew it because all the ink they see (clear pen) will flood all over. Not that I expect them to unscrew it but it tends to make them handle it more gingerly . I've been happy with this as people can try a fountain pen if they want to, the ink is vary friendly for a non-FP user, it's not a huge loss if they trash the nib somehow, and most importantly I satisfy their curiosity without sacrificing my nice pen . I even have made a few converts with this strategy.

[danthemann5]

I've adopted a new policy in light of some of the horror stories I've read. I keep on hand a number of Platinum Preppys specifically to lend to someone in need. If they abuse it or respond with disdain or disgust, I take it away from them. That person will not ask me for a pen again. If, on the other hand, the borrower responds positively, I tell them to keep the pen and encourage them to use it often. It builds good will and may turn someone else on to the joy of fountain pens. The $2 cost of the pen is well worth making someone happy and ensuring that my more expensive pens stay in perfect condition.