Hello From North Carolina, Usa

[MG66]

Hello Everyone. I discovered this wonderful group and hobby at about the same time. I'm looking to improve my handwriting and learn about penmanship and fountain pens.

 

It looks like a great environment here, and I look forward to learning and socializing with you all!

 

- MG

 

 

[Clancy]

Greetings from northern California and a warm welcome to FPN. It's great to have you here with us.

[mitto]

Greetings and welcome to FPN from Islamabad, Pakistan. Hope you enjoy your time here with us.

[inkstainedruth]

Greetings from Pittsburgh!

I generally suggest that new people click on the "View New Content" button at the top of the page when they log in. That will get a range of topics in a manageable format -- this place is huge! And to have a look at the pinned Index to the Ink Reviews Forum (the index is alphabetical by brand).

Of course you should also know that we are all shameless enablers, who will happily help you spend your discretionary budget on pens, inks, paper, books, repair tools, ephemera, pen shows.... BTW -- there is an annual pen show just outside Raleigh (think combination antiques fair, trade show, swap meet and repair shop).

So, what pen(s) and ink(s) are you using so far?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[OCArt]

Welcome to our little corner of the universe from a pen user in San Diego.

[Wahl]

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome, MG !

 

Good, serviceable fountain pens do not have to be expensive !

 

Writing with a fountain pen can be smooth and very pleasant. Slow your writing. Take time to shape each letter, as you wish it to appear. Don't hesitate to usurp any written character that you like better than your own. All of it will evolve into YOUR handwriting. Find excuses to write --

letters to friends and family; grocery lists; memos to self; journal; copy interesting phrases that you want to remember. There are others in you situation, who would welcome exchanging a few letters.

 

What do you use for daily writing ?

 

Enjoy your time at FPN !

[ThomasB]

Hello and welcome from Baton Rouge, Louisiana...Enjoy your time here

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!!

[DaveT]

Hello and welcome from Indiana!

[jar]

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. It's been too long since I last made a pilgrimage to JugTown. I did have a 1967 "Safety Fast".

Edited October 22, 2017 by jar

[MG66]

Greetings from Pittsburgh!

I generally suggest that new people click on the "View New Content" button at the top of the page when they log in. That will get a range of topics in a manageable format -- this place is huge! And to have a look at the pinned Index to the Ink Reviews Forum (the index is alphabetical by brand).

Of course you should also know that we are all shameless enablers, who will happily help you spend your discretionary budget on pens, inks, paper, books, repair tools, ephemera, pen shows.... BTW -- there is an annual pen show just outside Raleigh (think combination antiques fair, trade show, swap meet and repair shop).

So, what pen(s) and ink(s) are you using so far?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

Thanks for the tips, Ruth.

 

So far, I have 2 Pilot Metropolitans. I ordered one, then bought another at a store before the first got here. Interesting fact: the Pilot Metropolitan packaging no where says "Metropolitan". At least mine didn't. It said "MR".

 

I also have a Jinhao X750 that I just got in. The only ink I have is the black in the Pilot cartridges and a bottle of Noodlers black. To paraphrase Henry Ford, I write in every color you can think of, as long as it's black.

 

I have a pad of Rhodia paper and just got in a Traveler's Notebook. Since I don't draw, I immediately ordered a lined insert for the notebook, which should arrive this week.

 

I had no idea we had a pen show in Raleigh! I will certainly attend the next. I live near last year's venue and about equidistant from next year's.

 

Thanks for the warm and informative welcome. Also living in the world of fine cigars, firearms, and ammunition reloading, I'm quite used to enablers - lol.

 

 

- MG

[MG66]

Welcome, MG !

 

Good, serviceable fountain pens do not have to be expensive !

 

Writing with a fountain pen can be smooth and very pleasant. Slow your writing. Take time to shape each letter, as you wish it to appear. Don't hesitate to usurp any written character that you like better than your own. All of it will evolve into YOUR handwriting. Find excuses to write --

letters to friends and family; grocery lists; memos to self; journal; copy interesting phrases that you want to remember. There are others in you situation, who would welcome exchanging a few letters.

 

What do you use for daily writing ?

 

Enjoy your time at FPN !

 

 

Thanks for the tips and encouragement, Sasha. I was the kid who literally got points taken off my spelling tests simply because my teacher couldn't read my handwriting. Which she announced to the class. And other teachers. And the principal who happened to be walking down the hall when she apparently could take no more of my chicken scratch and academically snapped.

 

Along with practicing letters, etc... I am trying to journal now, which gives some opportunity to write. I definitely have to force myself to slow down and form each letter I'm trying to write. This is a challenge for me on several levels, but also therapeutic.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome!

 

- MG

[inkstainedruth]

 

Thanks for the tips, Ruth.

 

So far, I have 2 Pilot Metropolitans. I ordered one, then bought another at a store before the first got here. Interesting fact: the Pilot Metropolitan packaging no where says "Metropolitan". At least mine didn't. It said "MR".

 

My understanding is that they're basically the same pen, but take different converters/cartridges. I think they might be called "MR" in Europe, and take International Standard cartridges.

Oh yeah, that's something *else* to learn about, especially if you're using c/c (cartridge/converter) pens (which is a LOT of modern pens). Some pens take the International Standard size (I believe Pelikan is one, but all of mine are piston fillers); but other brands, such as Parker use propriety cartridges, and other styles won't fit. Even the same brand might use different style/size converters between models: I have a couple of discontinued model Cross pens: the Verve takes the screw-in style converter, and the Solo takes the push-in type, although the connection between the the back of the feed and the front of the converter might be the same otherwise...).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[MG66]

I should add that I'm a left-handed writer, which I'm sure adds some challenges to fountain penmanship, but from what I've heard, may be over-exaggerated.

 

- MG

[yeepers]

Welcome!

 

Definitely plan a visit to the Franklin-Christoph HQ in Wake Forest. They're awesome folks and you get to see some super cool stuff as well as testing out ALL of the nibs. Wooohoooo!

[Henricum_Tropen]

Hello and welcome to FPN, from Cape Town, South Africa.

[Chrissy]

Hello and welcome to FPN.

[Carrau]

Welcome aboard, MG, from a neighbor a bit to the south, in Charleston. If you are a newbie, you might look at the Reference Pages on a website called Richard's Pens: it has a wealth of info about the basics of fountain pens, their use and care, and it will help you avoid making some mistakes. A couple of other websites with useful information for newbies include PenChalet, Jetpens and the Goulet Pen Company. Goulet has made quite a few videos available on their website and on YouTube, which are helpful with some procedures related to FP use. Bear in mind that how your writing appears on the page is a complex interplay of pen, paper, nib, ink, and handwriting, so be patient as you experiment with these variables. Enjoy, and good luck.

Mike

Edited October 27, 2017 by Herrjaeger

[PenChalet]

Welcome to the Fountain Pen Network! We're glad to have you with us!