How often do you see people using fountain pens?

[doodlesinink]

I'm sure there's a judge or two somewhere in the Judicial Branch who uses a fountain pen, but generally I see them using rollerballs or ballpoints. I'm also sure some attorneys carry them, but I never see them where they'd be writing.

 

I'm the only person in my department of ~200 who uses one, but I do have a few friends who use them.

 

This begs a question, if FP users are so rare -- <i>who is buying all these many thousands of fountain pens sold every year?</i> Who's helping the big companies sell out their limited-editions of 3000, 5000, 40000 fountain pens? Weird, huh?

 

It must mean that the rare FP users are unbelievable hoarders.

[shockzor]

I am in college, and I NEVER see anyone except for me writing with a fountain pen in class.

[AloofObserver]

I had an exam on the 8th and the man sitting next to me was using a Montblanc Meisterstuck 146 with a turquoise ink. Well, from what I could tell. I didn't look for too long because the invigilator would have caught me.. but it was definitely a Montblanc!

 

I would have been stunned but the guy was in his 50's. The oldest among us by far. It was cool to see nonetheless.

[deansellers]

Almost never! When I do it feels like I'm a member of some secret club. Most times when I uncap my pen in front of somebody, they say "what is that?!"

[awc]

I assume my grade 8 long-term supply teacher used an FP with a Stub since he taught us all calligraphy, but I can't recall him writing with one.

 

My father has an MB that he uses to write thank you notes. Otherwise I'm the only guy I know.

 

All the employees at the convenience store in the basement of our dormitory have come to recognize me, but only after I pull out my CdA Ecridor. I had to apologize to a prof after I wrote a quiz in orange ink as I had forgotten that most profs don't like anything but blue or black ink; she was ok with it -- orange just happened to be her favourite colour. In retrospect I probably should have written my exam in orange, she might have been more lenient...

[vicidius]

Just once. Although it was Kermit in The Muppets movie, so I'm not sure if that counts.

[shockzor]

Almost never! When I do it feels like I'm a member of some secret club. Most times when I uncap my pen in front of somebody, they say "what is that?!"

 

I couldn't agree more! It's really fun explaining to people why I prefer to take notes with a fountain pen rather than a Bic or something!

[Pen2009]

To date, I still have not seen a living sole in my own eyes to use a fountain pen. But, I don't really pay too much non-business-related attention around me; so, I might have missed the sighting.

[rfranca]

Very rarely .

 

Once I had a meeting with this laywer.

I could se a nice Mont Blanc clipped at his pocket.

I kept an eye on it but when he uncapped the pen...

 

 

... It was a ballpoint

[Phormula]

I recently changed job. In my new company there are some FP users, so I am not alone any longer.

Actually, I was note taking in a meeting some days ago, and one of my new colleagues said: "Hey, that is Waterman blue-black and the pen is a Faber Castell Ambition!"

WOW!

[Mike Schutz]

Once in a blue moon I will run across someone else that uses fountain pens. They are usually older (like me) and started using them at a young age when they were more common. My daughter will use one occasionally but not regularly. My other daughter will not touch one. They seem to be used by people with either an artistic bent or people that are into historical items.

[WOBentley]

Well I see someone use one every day..but as with most other posters...it is just me!

I do get some comments though...especially when people come in my office or me to sign something and I use my Eversharp Doric Deskpen with the adjustable flex nib...that seems to really draw their interest...much more so than the regular FPs.

[Merrib]

I live in a small southern town and the only person that I know that uses a FP besides me is

my Doctor of all people and he uses a MB. Ah the joy of someone to talk with in person, or at least when

I have an appointment.

[USMCMom]

No one. I think I'm the only fountain pen user in my county, as well as a couple counties near me.

[pajaro]

These days the only time I see anyone writing with a fountain pen is when I look in the mirror while writing.

 

Scares me out of what wits are left. Who is that old fool?

[AndyLa]

I've spotted a few here and there. About five months ago I saw an 18 year old at a doctors office with one. Needless to say I was very excited. I've gotten quite a few people addicted, so I'll see them using. Last Saturday I walked into a shop that sells pens and that was coincidentally having a sale on certain pens. There was this older man who I guess was shocked at my age and that I actually knew about fp's. We ended up talking for over half hour about pens. It was great. He is a very fascinating man and has a real passion for fp's. It was very refreshing.

[jprochnow]

I'm the only one at my work to use one. I do have a few people interested in getting their first one though.

[doodlesinink]

Me, my sister ('cause I gave her one), and my soon to be converted friend..mwahahaha..

[Defacto]

Well I use a fountainpen at the office, our chief of the medical department uses a fountainpen and the quality manager of our ambulancedepartment uses one.

In my study group of MPA's there are three others using fountainpens :thumbup:

 

Ofcourse my husband uses one and a close friend, who is also a doctor has a fountainpen addiction :ltcapd:

 

But in the Netherlands it isn't very strange to use a fountainpen so the chance to see one being uses is pretty good.

[Fanatyk]

There are a couple of people I see at my university writing with fountain pens (usually parker vectors etc.) - but I'm studying in Edinburgh, so a lot of people appreciate traditional stuff here.

 

Back at home (I'm from Poland) my girlfriend, her sister and 2 of my best friends write with fountain pens (they all use pens they received from me, but only my girlfriend didn't really use one before - a couple of decent pens (two Sailors and one Waterman), but they also have cheaper pens (usually Parker Vectors etc.). Also a doctor I've had some consultations with writes with a nice Pilot Capless - black GT - and although he is not that much into pens in general, he loves writing with one.

 

I tried to trick my father into using one (Sailor with Titanium plated nib) by putting it in his bag for one of his business meetings and taking out other pens :-P but although he liked it he sticks with BP for everyday use.

 

Finally my grandmother loves my pens, but she doesn't write with one - and since she doesn't write much, it wouldn't be the preferred option either. But she's half way there - I gave her some decent Sheaffer (don't remember exact model, it was one of gold plated pens).

 

And besides that I meet people writing with fountain pens quite often in Poland. Not everyday, but I don't really see people in writing anyway.

 

So slowly converting people around me :-P

 

Cheers,

Adam