Don't Just Tell Us About The Pen You're Using *show* Us!, 2018 + 2019 + 2020

[Houston]

[Houston]

A question: I've recently returned to this board after a couple of years being otherwise distracted. This was always one of my two favourite threads -- along with Stub o' The Day.

 

Back when I was previously a regular lurker and occasional poster, this thread was so active that it could be hard to keep up with it, at times. It seems to have slowed down quite markedly. Is that just my impression, or is it true? Or is it just that it's the meandering pace of August? Or was there some colossal dust-up that saw most of the regulars quit the field in a huff, walking away with their pen-rolls tucked firmly under their arms? Or has it just been the natural waning of interest, over time, given the human desire for novelty?

 

Or, most darkly, is it just that all us old fountain pen fuddy-duddies are shuffling off this mortal coil and, therewith, this thread?

 

Curious.

 

Those that remain, it's lovely to see you here.

 

--h

[Tas]

A question: I've recently returned to this board after a couple of years being otherwise distracted. This was always one of my two favourite threads -- along with Stub o' The Day.

 

Back when I was previously a regular lurker and occasional poster, this thread was so active that it could be hard to keep up with it, at times. It seems to have slowed down quite markedly. Is that just my impression, or is it true? Or is it just that it's the meandering pace of August? Or was there some colossal dust-up that saw most of the regulars quit the field in a huff, walking away with their pen-rolls tucked firmly under their arms? Or has it just been the natural waning of interest, over time, given the human desire for novelty?

 

Or, most darkly, is it just that all us old fountain pen fuddy-duddies are shuffling off this mortal coil and, therewith, this thread?

 

Curious.

 

Those that remain, it's lovely to see you here.

 

--h

Its true of me. Ive hardly posted here. No real reason. I will rectify that by the end of this week.

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

Back when I was previously a regular lurker and occasional poster, this thread was so active that it could be hard to keep up with it, at times. It seems to have slowed down quite markedly. Is that just my impression, or is it true? Or is it just that it's the meandering pace of August? Or was there some colossal dust-up that saw most of the regulars quit the field in a huff, walking away with their pen-rolls tucked firmly under their arms? Or has it just been the natural waning of interest, over time, given the human desire for novelty?

Punctual questions.

 

I had noticed the same thing in several threads in the Creative Expression sub-forum, and Freddy replied "Tis an ebb and flow to it." And I believe he's onto something. Our interests and passions sway in strength with time, and there's also everyday and extraordinary matters to take into consideration.

 

As for me, my collection of fountain pens is very humble and inexpensive and I'm embarrassed to show pictures of it. But here's my mother's Pelikan 120 with a Stenographer nib, which she kindly let me use.

[Houston]

[bemon]

 

 

The Kx00's have intrigued me. They stand out I think.

 

I've been looking for a good ballpoint to fit an Easyflow9000 into for a while. I don't mind lightweight as long as it's heavy enough to weigh the Easyflow down so it can write effortlessly with a solid line. Otherwise my hand fatigues more quickly from having to press the pen down.

 

I can just about reach that threshold of effortless writing with a Parker Jotter, but that pen is too small for me for longer writing sessions. It's a great jotter, but it's for jotting.

 

I use the Tikky rOtring-Easylfow often. It's inexpensive, comfortable, but a tad too light to lay down that effortless solid line.

 

I did pick up a Parker Sonnet Ballpoint fairly recently. The lacquer is very lovely, it has a good balance, and it has a heft to write an EF9000 effortlessly and smoothly and I love it. Beautiful writing experience regardless of being a ballpoint. But I do wish it was a tad thicker while retaining the weight it has. I can definitely see why you'd want something on this more substantial side.

IMG_1540.JPG

I wanted that Lamy 2K ballpoint so much, but it doesn't take an Easyflow9000, which has outperformed any other ballpoint I've tried by a wide margin, though I haven't tried to Lamy ballpoint, but I haven't heard enough about it to make me invest in that ballpoint.

 

I wish I could recommend something, but not much comes to mind, especially based on your style.

 

I did see this Karas Kustoms EDK-VII, though, and they said they were working on a Ballpoint/rollerball version of their Metal Decograph.

 

I thought about a Sonnet ballpoint too, but wanted something I could click with one hand. I do have a couple Parker IMs. Not the most stylish pen in the world but it's the perfect weight and as I prefer a click over a twist.

 

I think you may find the K400 to be a little light- you'll need to apply some pressure. For me I don't mind because if I'm going to write for a long time it's with a fountain pen. The ballpoints are back ups. Either for signing something, or just making quick meeting notes.

 

I use Lamy's own broad refill in the L2K, and it's by far smoother than the Schmidt or the Pelikan. If you like a broad line I'd recommend it. Unfortunately it won't write on receipt paper so the odd time I've got to sign a receipt I'm still left having to borrow whatever communal disease stick is hanging around the register.

 

That's not often though. Usually when I shop it's online and/or on my own time and I've got my Fisher Bullet in my pocket. When I run out to grab something during work there's a 3/5 chance that I have my K400 with me instead of the L2K.

 

Re: the Karas pen. I've had my eye on one for a while, but was gifted a Tactile Turn Slider and really enjoy it. It's heavy- maybe a little too heavy for daily use but I love the look and feel of it plus it takes that universal "Parker Style" refill. Currently have a broad Schmidt in it. So I think that's settled my want for a heavy steel pen.

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

By the way, Houston, your penmanship is superb.

[Tas]

As promised, and with a view to making a more concerted effort to post here more often, one of only two pen purchases this year, a PenBBS 3008 EF (even though I did order a 309 from the eBay seller)

This cost me just £2.98 delivered and apart from the nib it looks and feels like my TWSBI 540. ( I think it's a love child of a 580 clear and a 580 AL ). Whatever it's lineage, for £2.98 it is incredible value and a wonderful writer. I'm pretty sure the nib is a LAMY clone and it writes every bit as well my original LAMY EFs. It's seriously smooth and one of the best "reverse writers" I own producing a consistent XXXF line should cheap paper or sketches require such lines.

 

A good friend here on FPN, with perfect timing, sent me some PenBBS 223 and the two have been inseparable since meeting . . .

 

http://www.taskyprianou.com/fpn_penbbs_3008_pen_with_penbbs223_ink_.jpg

[Houston]

As promised, and with a view to making a more concerted effort to post here more often, one of only two pen purchases this year, a PenBBS 3008 EF (even though I did order a 309 from the eBay seller)

 

This cost me just £2.98 delivered and apart from the nib it looks and feels like my TWSBI 540. ( I think it's a love child of a 580 clear and a 580 AL ). Whatever it's lineage, for £2.98 it is incredible value and a wonderful writer. I'm pretty sure the nib is a LAMY clone and it writes every bit as well my original LAMY EFs. It's seriously smooth and one of the best "reverse writers" I own producing a consistent XXXF line should cheap paper or sketches require such lines.

 

A good friend here on FPN, with perfect timing, sent me some PenBBS 223 and the two have been inseparable since meeting . . .

 

 

 

Hooray!

 

I've been away from the game so long, I didn't even know what a PenBBS was! Had to use The Google to find out more!

 

Loving your photo, and the watercolour in the background. Delightlful.

 

--h

[Houston]

[Tas]

 

 

I'm in agreement with royalbluenotebooks.

Your handwriting has a natural flair to it and its beauty, for me, is that it's seemingly effortless. You're not trying to make your writing look beautiful which makes it beautiful

 

Thank you for kickstarting this thread for me again and for your kind words.

[KaB]

[Houston]

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

My vintage Pelikan (most likely) MK10. I'm not sure because the cap is from a MK21 and the body is similar to another model, MK480 or something of the sort.

My first vintage used pen. I was so worried it needed restoration I nearly gave myself an attack. But when it arrived the piston mechanism worked smoothly and it only took a bit of water to clean out the old dry ink.

The tip of the nib has been worked or it's worn out due to heavy use, so it's more of a medium than a fine, and it's super smooth.

The feed leaks a bit, so I put RK Scabiosa now, which is an iron gall ink, and it should compensate for the tendency to leak.

I'm glad I snatched it away so cheaply. It's a lovely pen, light-weight but well-balanced, and overall is a reliable writer.

 

[Inky.Fingers]

[Tas]

My vintage Pelikan (most likely) MK10. I'm not sure because the cap is from a MK21 and the body is similar to another model, MK480 or something of the sort.

My first vintage used pen. I was so worried it needed restoration I nearly gave myself an attack. But when it arrived the piston mechanism worked smoothly and it only took a bit of water to clean out the old dry ink.

The tip of the nib has been worked or it's worn out due to heavy use, so it's more of a medium than a fine, and it's super smooth.

The feed leaks a bit, so I put RK Scabiosa now, which is an iron gall ink, and it should compensate for the tendency to leak.

I'm glad I snatched it away so cheaply. It's a lovely pen, light-weight but well-balanced, and overall is a reliable writer.

 

I have the very same pen! I bought it as an M30 but have never gotten to the bottom of its real identity. I think its a beautiful reliable writer and it has never ever dry started on me.

[FOUR X FOUR]

Just inked my new pen :

 

Lotus Shikhar

 

You can check more images: here

 

 

 

That’s a goodlookin pen

[sansenri]

yes, the M30 is a nice pen, and so are some other Pelikans which are similar.

 

the P30 is similar but cartridge filler

 

but also the P4.. series (this is a P478, or possibly a P482 chrome brushed)

 

I have used one of these for years without ever an issue.

 

these cartridge model should be checked here

https://www.pelikan-collectibles.com/en/Pelikan/Models/Cartridge-filler/first-models/index.html#heading_toc_j_3

 

 

[Houston]

[Penman222]

A couple of old favorites...