Users Of Clipless/roll-Stop-Less Pens...any Rolling?

[casualmerlinconstant]

Hi FPN,

 

I'm considering a clip-less pen (a nakaya portable) at the moment and I'm quite worried about the pen rolling off the table or whatever else it is placed on. So I just wanted to ask about your personal experience in using pens without clips or roll-stops. Have you found that you have to always remain vigilant?

 

I will be using the pens while out and about not just at home so it being placed on a not an entirely level desk will probably be inevitable.

Things it will likely be left on: Desk, Notebook/Notepad - both on and in.

 

So I guess I just want to know if you've found that it is essentially always on the precipice to a fall of certain death or is there still some rolling resistance? How much care is needed to use one?

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

 

[sakayume]

The only clipless pens I have are faceted ones, so they don't tend to roll (much). If I don't post the cap, and I don't usually, I either stand the cap upright on the table out of the way or hold it in my non-writing hand. I have a sloping desk at home, and things do tend to roll a little if I don't place them down gently and carefully.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

When writing on a loose/unbound sheet, fold the top left-hand corner in a way that it forms a wee trough, hence becoming an impromptu pen rest.

 

When writing with a pad/notebook, for the most part simply tucking the pen between the pages will suffice.

 

Using a clipboard/notebook while moving about has seen me resort to a sautoir.

 

That said, I prefer to hold the pen in my hand even when not writing, or else stow it, even for a few moments, upon my person*, or for greater duration in a satchel, handbag, etc.

 

Oh, and always cap your pen before setting it down, so that if becomes airborne at least the nib is likely to survive. If terribly absentminded, post the cap, so that if given an inadvertent flight test, the centre of mass will be towards the rear of the pen, which is preferred landing gear over the nib. But then again, with you being in the antipodes, there might be a tendency for 'jelly side down' landings.

 

Bye,

S1

__ __

* https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/192768-how-do-you-wear-a-clipless-pen/?p=1947807

Edited April 22, 2016 by Sandy1

[zaddick]

A Nakaya portable WILL roll. If you carry it in its kimono then you can use that as a pen pillow and to hold the cap when not in use. Most people would not post a portable.

 

If I am on the road I tend to hold the cap in one had and when not writing put thr capped pen into my notebook with pages over it to trap it in the book.

 

It is fine but just takes a little more planning.

[casualmerlinconstant]

Thanks for all the tips! My main concern I guess is that the one time I absentmindedly cap and put the pen down (which I often do) without all of the great precautions suggested, it'll promptly commit suicide..I can see it in my mind already haha. I suppose I will have to decide between great looks and great risk mitigation with a clip

[vorpal]

Can a roll stop be added after the fact? Any suggestions of something to glue or otherwise fasten onto the cap?

Edited April 22, 2016 by vorpal

[casualmerlinconstant]

Can a roll stop be added after the fact? Any suggestions of something to glue or otherwise fasten onto the cap?

Probably, although that's a very expensive finish to glue something onto

[Sandy1]

Can a roll stop be added after the fact? Any suggestions of something to glue or otherwise fasten onto the cap?

 

Hi,

 

Definitely acquire the habit of capping a pen before setting it down.

 

Kindly consider purchasing another [plain] cap with a clip or roll stop.

 

Or conjure some sort of sabot to gently slip over the barrel that would not mar the finish or interfere with the way you grasp the pen and still be functional.

 

???

 

Bye,

S1

Edited April 22, 2016 by Sandy1

[DustyR]

At your own risk. I once watched a vintage Parker (mine) roll off a drafting table and onto a concrete floor. It cracked.

[TheRealMikeDr]

Ha - I just ordered a Portable and went with the clip for the exact reason you describe. I don't know that it detracts that much from the looks - but rather gives it a "classic" look. Regardless - I plan on writing with it and the last thing I want is to have to send it back with a munged nib for repair!

 

I'm also planning on making a pillow - similar to the old pillows nakaya used to make (http://www.nibs.com/nakaya-pen-pillows.htm) only mine will be made out of wood then stained and finished with polyurethane.

 

Alternatively you can get an Eboya pen pillow to set it down on:

 

http://www.nibs.com/eboya-pen-pillows.htm

 

Cheers!

Edited April 22, 2016 by TheRealMikeDr

[ac12]

Several of my pens have relatively heavy caps, so I do not post them. In this condition, there is nothing to prevent the pen from rolling on the table, and off the edge of the table. I hold the cap in my left hand. When I stop writing, even for a minute, I automatically put the cap on the pen. It might be a 'soft cap,' but the pen is capped. Do this enough, and it becomes an automatic action, where you don't consciously think about capping the pen.

 

Use one of your pens, and hold the cap in your left hand, and cap or soft cap the pen every time you stop writing for more than a few seconds. Do this for a few weeks, and it will become automatic. It is just a matter of training your muscles so it becomes an automatic reaction to the action of when you stop writing.

 

Or get a pen stand or a chopstick holder, to rest the pen on, and it won't roll away from you.

 

Finally, I am not in your shoes, as I would NOT take a Nakaya out of the house. I would be too scared of damaging or loosing it. All my 'good' pens stay at home, where they are safe. Outside the house, I only carry pens that I can afford to loose, as I lost one pen too many when one was stolen from my desk at work.

Edited April 22, 2016 by ac12

[vorpal]

I already do that. I have a cat. Enough said. I need to add a roll stopper of some kind to the pen.

[FPFan]

The Nakaya pens look very lovely with there standard clips on them and really do serve the purpose you are concerned about. I have Nakaya's with and without clips. They are both very nice, however, there is a definitive learning curve to get yourself into the frame of mind where you never lay your clip-less Nakaya down without a wrap or other item or device to secure it from rolling or falling off the desk/table/whatever! (Yes, there was a cat involved!) My first Nakaya was a long cigar with no clip and it took me no time to adjust to keeping it in my hand, capped, when not in use or to keep it in the leather case I bought with it.

 

The portable Nakaya is a beautiful pen either way you go. Mine has a gold clip and a god nib! Good luck with you choice and do enjoy every minute of the process in obtaining yours and using it!

 

No affiliation to Nakaya or any dealer! Just one very happy user!

[Runnin_Ute]

I already do that. I have a cat. Enough said. I need to add a roll stopper of some kind to the pen.

Cat. Makes a roll stop even more important. Or the stand/rack ac12 mentioned.

[zchen]

A roll stop can be added easily, look for adjustable rings on eBay and other venues.

 

Ranga Model 5, Ranga Bamboo, Edison Pearlette, ASA Nauka

 

[vorpal]

Those are terrific! How do you stop them from sliding off?

[zchen]

Those are terrific! How do you stop them from sliding off?

 

The rings can be adjusted for fit to the pen, as they were intend for adjust to fit a person's finger. I just slide them on a bit first on to the pen to determine if too loose or tight then take off, press or pull to widen or tighten the ring itself.

[vorpal]

That's perfect! I will go get one right now! Thank you so much!

[vorpal]

What's the one on the top? It looks like a frog.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have an early Lamy Persona, it will roll, capped. It has a retractable spring clip; with no dot bump on the clip.. They put a minuscule little dot bump on newer ones....I guess it works or it would be bigger.