Hello from (currently) Cambridge, United Kingdom!

[Silly Logic]

Hi everyone,

 

I am a 25-year-old graduate student from India (am I too young to be on this site?). I am currently pursuing my Master's in Law at Cambridge.

 

Ink pens got me at a very young age, and they were fun! I remember writing with a  Pilot Petit1 early on and still use it for much of my writing. I know it is technically not an ink pen, but hey - If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably an ink pen! Along with the Petit1, I used the Pilot Metropolitan along with a few basic ones you get in the local markets in India.

 

I very recently bought a Conklin Minigraph Fountain Pen, which I am quite enjoying as well. So while my pen collection is in its infancy, I hope the elders here can guide me in building one on a shoestring budget to start with - remember, I am still a student, and will probably be one for some more time as I plan on further graduate studies.

 

I also love mixing inks and creating new and unique colours to write with. Unfortunately, as I did not measure or follow any proper procedure initially, I am struggling to recreate the one with a perfect shade of ocean green when it dried. That is probably going to be a lifelong effort now, I suspect.

 

Also, I know this is an introductory blog, but I have one question. I like reading and writing down notes on paper, and I was struggling to find good quality affordable paper (apologies for the oxymoron) that does not feather. The Petit1 rarely feathers on any paper, but some of my other pens do. I was trawling through this website and found mixed reactions about HP Premium 32. So I would really appreciate any advice! The sooner this 'problem' is solved, the sooner I hope to run out of excuses for procrastinating reading books critical to my course.

 

Looking forward to this new and exciting corner of the internet I have just come across!

 

[Wahl]

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! So glad to have you as a member!!

[OCArt]

[CasmiUK]

Welcome!

 

This is a very friendly place. You'll enjoy your time here.

 

I lived in Cambridge from September 2019 until I moved back to my home state in March 2023.

[Claes]

Namaste @Silly Logic [or is it perhaps Namaskar?]

 

Welcome.

 

> (am I too young to be on this site?)

 

No, I don't think so: this is quite a civilized forum, as are most of the forumers 😉

 

>suitable paper?

 

That subject is quite an interesting abyss. Here is a good list (albeit a trifle old, which means that you will not find any present day favourites): https://fountainpenlove.com/paper/the-massive-list-of-fountain-pen-friendly-paper-ratings/

 

Oxford has, of course, quite a few stationery shops.

Why not pay a visit to Ryman's and check out their range of fountain pen friendly papers. As a very good start, try the Optik+ paper quality used in these notebooks: https://www.ryman.co.uk/oxford-touch-hardback-wirebound-notebook-a4-pack-of-5-1

 

Or simply begin with a refill pack to get to know the Optik+ paper quality: https://www.ryman.co.uk/oxford-campus-refill-pad-300-page-a4-1

 

Dont forget your 10% student discount...

 

Have fun!
Claes in Lund, Sweden

 

 

[Mark from Yorkshire]

3 hours ago, Claes said:

Namaste @Silly Logic [or is it perhaps Namaskar?]

 

Welcome.

 

> (am I too young to be on this site?)

 

No, I don't think so: this is quite a civilized forum, as are most of the forumers 😉

 

>suitable paper?

 

That subject is quite an interesting abyss. Here is a good list (albeit a trifle old, which means that you will not find any present day favourites): https://fountainpenlove.com/paper/the-massive-list-of-fountain-pen-friendly-paper-ratings/

 

Oxford has, of course, quite a few stationery shops.

Why not pay a visit to Ryman's and check out their range of fountain pen friendly papers. As a very good start, try the Optik+ paper quality used in these notebooks: https://www.ryman.co.uk/oxford-touch-hardback-wirebound-notebook-a4-pack-of-5-1

 

Or simply begin with a refill pack to get to know the Optik+ paper quality: https://www.ryman.co.uk/oxford-campus-refill-pad-300-page-a4-1

 

Dont forget your 10% student discount...

 

Have fun!
Claes in Lund, Sweden

 

 

Hamelin brands Oxford paper is not “cheap” or “budget” they are around £5+ a time last time I bought one. 
 

I would try anything by Pukka which is slightly more wallet friendly. 
 

welcome from West Yorkshire UK

 

[Stompie]

Hello, Welcome and all the best with your studies!

 

Right, pens on a limited budget:

 

Check out Jinhao pens, aa shop called Erofa is doing great deals on their Amazon site, 5 pens that are copies of the Lamy Safari which is about £25 per pen, well, he does you 5 for £9.99. He tests his pens before he ships them out so always flush them before you fill them. He calls them Jinhao 619 pens. Even if one pen only lasts you a year, you have 5 years stock write there for a tenner! 

 

Paper, look for Silvine paper a British company that does very fountain pen friendly paper. You can also, at Rymans, get Oxford paper, Rhodia or Clairfonteine paper notebooks. Black and Red notebooks are also good.

The Cult pens website is also good to look through for both pens and paper but the prices are a bit higher, however, you also have a huge ink selection you can draw from as well.

Nero's Notes is a good source for paper.

Muji online and Awesome Pens are 2 more good sites at good prices.

If you ae anywhere near The Range shop, they often have good deals on pens and paper - specifically Manuscript Pens for calligraphy/Italic writing.

[Mark from Yorkshire]

3 hours ago, Stompie said:

Hello, Welcome and all the best with your studies!

 

Right, pens on a limited budget:

 

Check out Jinhao pens, aa shop called Erofa is doing great deals on their Amazon site, 5 pens that are copies of the Lamy Safari which is about £25 per pen, well, he does you 5 for £9.99. He tests his pens before he ships them out so always flush them before you fill them. He calls them Jinhao 619 pens. Even if one pen only lasts you a year, you have 5 years stock write there for a tenner! 

 

Paper, look for Silvine paper a British company that does very fountain pen friendly paper. You can also, at Rymans, get Oxford paper, Rhodia or Clairfonteine paper notebooks. Black and Red notebooks are also good.

The Cult pens website is also good to look through for both pens and paper but the prices are a bit higher, however, you also have a huge ink selection you can draw from as well.

Nero's Notes is a good source for paper.

Muji online and Awesome Pens are 2 more good sites at good prices.

If you ae anywhere near The Range shop, they often have good deals on pens and paper - specifically Manuscript Pens for calligraphy/Italic writing.

I will echo what @Stompie has said sorry @Stompie I’d forgotten about my favourite UK brand of paper that is made by a Leeds Company using a Cumbrian paper mill so is truly British. Pukka is also a uk company but it’s paper is made in far east.

[Stompie]

17 hours ago, Mark from Yorkshire said:

I will echo what @Stompie has said sorry @Stompie I’d forgotten about my favourite UK brand of paper that is made by a Leeds Company using a Cumbrian paper mill so is truly British. Pukka is also a uk company but it’s paper is made in far east.

👍👍