What pen(s) are you using today?

[Just J]

Ooh! Never imagined one day I'd be writing this but, [for this thread], my MONTBLANC! LOL 

And thereinunder lies a kind've funny happening I can share. 

 

I saw, & bought a Model 221 (sure, not a 'Masterpiece' but still, an MB, right?) from a dealer in Japan. Frankly, disappointed in its appearance both inside and out....looked like it's been rode hard & put up wet. But I bought it not so much to show off or brag about, but more to hopefully experience the much-acclaimed 'magic' of writing with one, as glorified by their many fans. So, i got one! 

 

The ink 'snorkeling' section was completely frozen up, with what appeared to be dried up ink. As was pretty much the nib assembly, like it had suffered super-creep so had gotten itself tossed into some drawer & forgotten. For years, if not decades. Enter, me. 

 

I was ready to start the paperwork to return it, but decided before I did, to see if a good soaking might benefit it.  4 days, nib & section-deep in distilled water, in an empty green tea bottle pressed into service & set by a heat vent to keep warm but not overly so. 

 

Without adding a DROP of ink, that thing has been writing like crazy ever since I pulled 'er out, dried off the exterior & started scratching paper!  Think I might have a keeper!!  My $115 MB! ~8》 

 

[DiveDr]

43 minutes ago, Just J said:

Ooh! Never imagined one day I'd be writing this but, [for this thread], my MONTBLANC! LOL 

And thereinunder lies a kind've funny happening I can share. 

 

I saw, & bought a Model 221 (sure, not a 'Masterpiece' but still, an MB, right?) from a dealer in Japan. Frankly, disappointed in its appearance both inside and out....looked like it's been rode hard & put up wet. But I bought it not so much to show off or brag about, but more to hopefully experience the much-acclaimed 'magic' of writing with one, as glorified by their many fans. So, i got one! 

 

The ink 'snorkeling' section was completely frozen up, with what appeared to be dried up ink. As was pretty much the nib assembly, like it had suffered super-creep so had gotten itself tossed into some drawer & forgotten. For years, if not decades. Enter, me. 

 

I was ready to start the paperwork to return it, but decided before I did, to see if a good soaking might benefit it.  4 days, nib & section-deep in distilled water, in an empty green tea bottle pressed into service & set by a heat vent to keep warm but not overly so. 

 

Without adding a DROP of ink, that thing has been writing like crazy ever since I pulled 'er out, dried off the exterior & started scratching paper!  Think I might have a keeper!!  My $115 MB! ~8》 

 

 Now that's a great story!

[ajoe]

I have used the ever-popular and trust-worthy MB 149 and the always-dependable and pleasurable Sailor 1911L with Mystery Black and Sailor Black respectively.

[DiveDr]

1 hour ago, ajoe said:

I have used the ever-popular and trust-worthy MB 149 and the always-dependable and pleasurable Sailor 1911L with Mystery Black and Sailor Black respectively.

 I never use either of my 149s. They are terrible...

[ajoe]

1 minute ago, DiveDr said:

 I never use either of my 149s. They are terrible...

 

OK, you piqued my curiosity. What is wrong with them, if you don't mind.

[mallymal1]

2 hours ago, Just J said:

Ooh! Never imagined one day I'd be writing this but, [for this thread], my MONTBLANC! LOL 

And thereinunder lies a kind've funny happening I can share. 

 

I saw, & bought a Model 221 (sure, not a 'Masterpiece' but still, an MB, right?) from a dealer in Japan. Frankly, disappointed in its appearance both inside and out....looked like it's been rode hard & put up wet. But I bought it not so much to show off or brag about, but more to hopefully experience the much-acclaimed 'magic' of writing with one, as glorified by their many fans. So, i got one! 

 

The ink 'snorkeling' section was completely frozen up, with what appeared to be dried up ink. As was pretty much the nib assembly, like it had suffered super-creep so had gotten itself tossed into some drawer & forgotten. For years, if not decades. Enter, me. 

 

I was ready to start the paperwork to return it, but decided before I did, to see if a good soaking might benefit it.  4 days, nib & section-deep in distilled water, in an empty green tea bottle pressed into service & set by a heat vent to keep warm but not overly so. 

 

Without adding a DROP of ink, that thing has been writing like crazy ever since I pulled 'er out, dried off the exterior & started scratching paper!  Think I might have a keeper!!  My $115 MB! ~8》 

 

 

Excellent.

[Doug C]

Gravitas Micarta.

[inkstainedruth]

Today it's been the pink Parker Vector, F nib, with Van Dieman's Moonflower; and the Poseidon Pearl Noodler's Konrad, flex nib, with Noodler's 54th Massachusetts.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Penguincollector]

4 hours ago, Just J said:

Ooh! Never imagined one day I'd be writing this but, [for this thread], my MONTBLANC! LOL 

And thereinunder lies a kind've funny happening I can share. 

 

I saw, & bought a Model 221 (sure, not a 'Masterpiece' but still, an MB, right?) from a dealer in Japan. Frankly, disappointed in its appearance both inside and out....looked like it's been rode hard & put up wet. But I bought it not so much to show off or brag about, but more to hopefully experience the much-acclaimed 'magic' of writing with one, as glorified by their many fans. So, i got one! 

 

The ink 'snorkeling' section was completely frozen up, with what appeared to be dried up ink. As was pretty much the nib assembly, like it had suffered super-creep so had gotten itself tossed into some drawer & forgotten. For years, if not decades. Enter, me. 

 

I was ready to start the paperwork to return it, but decided before I did, to see if a good soaking might benefit it.  4 days, nib & section-deep in distilled water, in an empty green tea bottle pressed into service & set by a heat vent to keep warm but not overly so. 

 

Without adding a DROP of ink, that thing has been writing like crazy ever since I pulled 'er out, dried off the exterior & started scratching paper!  Think I might have a keeper!!  My $115 MB! ~8》 

 

That’s awesome! I love when neglected pens find a good home! Enjoy your find!

 

Today I’m contemplating on whether I should ink another pen in yellow or orange or wait until at least one of the currently inked pens runs dry.  I have 8 going currently, which is 2 too many for my pen rack.

[TgeekB]

I’ve been enjoying some smaller brand pens Hinze, Mr. Cypress, Opus, etc. I’m finding you can get a great experience without spending hundreds on a fountain pen. 

[Doug C]

38 minutes ago, TgeekB said:

I’ve been enjoying some smaller brand pens Hinze, Mr. Cypress, Opus, etc. I’m finding you can get a great experience without spending hundreds on a fountain pen. 

I agree.  I don't have a Hinze but I have both Cypress and Opus 88 and like them both. 

[DiveDr]

6 hours ago, ajoe said:

 

OK, you piqued my curiosity. What is wrong with them, if you don't mind.

 They have issues with flow and overall nibs smoothness, they would never write well out of the Box and I bought them from the Mont Blanc store directly. This was back in the late 90s.  Overall bang for the buck is a fizzle, they are duds as is, sadly, my Edgar Allen Poe...😢

[TgeekB]

1 hour ago, Doug C said:

I agree.  I don't have a Hinze but I have both Cypress and Opus 88 and like them both. 

Jim Hinze not only makes a nice pen but is awesome with customer service. Take a look. 

[AmandaW]

A fine Pilot 74 in Wine red filled with R&K Alt-bordeaux.

[Nellie]

Sheaffer Triumph Vac-Fil 1500 that I bought from someone on here in 2008, but have only recently come to appreciate - a lot 💙

[PAKMAN]

These guys in use today

[kazoolaw]

15 hours ago, DiveDr said:

 They have issues with flow and overall nibs smoothness, they would never write well out of the Box and I bought them from the Mont Blanc store directly. This was back in the late 90s.  Overall bang for the buck is a fizzle, they are duds as is, sadly, my Edgar Allen Poe...😢

DD-

That's quite a disappointment, to have 3 high level pens and none of them work as they should.

I gather that you tried with MB and received no satisfaction.

May I suggest that you send one of the 149's to a nibmeister, with a writing sample.  Describe what is wrong, and how you would like the pen to write and see what they can do for you.  The 149's I've owned, both bought used, have been daily users, and the Poe is too gorgeous to languish.

Good luck!

[inkstainedruth]

So far today it's been the newly refilled black Parker Vector, IF nib, with Noodler's 1984 (v. 3, according to the label).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[jandrew]

ystudio resin with nemosine ef nib

[AmandaW]

Pelikan M205 Petrol Marble with a fine nib and Edelstein Topaz. It was the only Pelikan that wasn't dried out.