How often do you see people using fountain pens?

[camoandconcrete]

There's a professor in my department that uses them almost exclusively, usually a Lamy or a couple of Visconti's. For a while, we were the only ones until more and more people saw us using them. So now, there is a fair amount of people that use them, all of them Lamy Safaris or Vistas.

[awc]

Fairly often, but those are only my converts. A friend of mine now uses a Lamy Studio exclusively. I'm working on converting my girlfriend; I loaned her my TWSBI 540, and she is getting her brother a Lamy Safari for his high school graduation after he asked her, and tried, the 540.

[Audit This]

Never until last week. Years of using FPs and never once saw another. But the computer controlls my world and phones/tablets are being issued to all. Even the pencil is almost dead in the accounting world! MB roller balls are Abundant as a fashion statement.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Audit This

[chris.hale]

Spotted one in the wild this week: A lady sitting next to me on the tube was making notes with a Vista, filled with a vibrant fuchsia ink. It was all I could do not to comment.

 

Good spot! On the TV programme "The Fixer" a couple of weeks ago, Alex the presenter was using a Lime Green Lamy Safari to make some notes.

 

The Truth is out There, it seems.

 

I noticed that too! I was oddly pleased that Alex Polizzi not only uses a fountain pen, but uses one that I use too! (Albeit in a different colour)

 

I'm the only one in our office that uses a fountain pen, but I have seen a few others around the hospital. It's mainly the consultants, but one of the directors had a Mont Blanc bottle on his desk.

[saikrishna]

I've been using fountain pens for the last 20 years and I've come across only one person who uses a fountain pen - a colleague who recenlty joined the firm. The first thing we did was to compare my Waterman and his Shaeffer.

[Wish]

Nope, never. Other people tend to think of my pens as oddities, often sneaking glances when I use them haha. But I've learned my lesson in lending pens to other people, especially when they write with the nib in the wrong position, pressing too hard or gripping the pen on the nib (especially when said pen is filled with BSB ) etcetera. And usually they grab my pens and attempt to write with them before I can instruct them on the proper way of using the pens, sigh. Or they attempt to forcibly yank off a twist cap . The pens are often returned to me with an offhand comment of how "They don't write!" and then they don't show much interest in my pens anymore LOL

So now I leave my favourite pens at home, and just bring a bunch of Hero 616s and other cheap knockarounds to school.

[Gcouch]

Never. FP's sure draw a lot of attention here at school... people are usually amazed!

[poxy51]

I probably have not see someone using a FP in the wild for about 10 years. I live in Milwaukee. So they seen rare, considering we have Daly's a big pen shop here. I try to use them all the time if I am out, just to see if someone notices or comments. My daughter thinks I am the only one in the world that uses fountain pens (she's 25).

 

About 10 years ago though I worked at a small company in Fort Atkinson and there was a colleague that often used one.

[poxy51]

I probably have not see someone using a FP in the wild for about 10 years. I live in Milwaukee. So they seen rare, considering we have Daly's a big pen shop here. I try to use them all the time if I am out, just to see if someone notices or comments. My daughter thinks I am the only one in the world that uses fountain pens (she's 25).

 

About 10 years ago though I worked at a small company in Fort Atkinson and there was a colleague that often used one.

[Nic13]

I know one person who uses fountain pens but he works at a pen store so that does not really count. Everyone in college who asks me about my pen I let them try with a lamy or a preppy I carry for that reason. I have converted a few people along the way so cheers!!

[t.payne93]

My friend from school who was an English exchange student always used a Parker Jotter FP. I used one also. At uni, I don't think anyones too bothered about what they write with, as long as its easy to use and is able to get down lecture notes quickly. I am yet to see someone with a Fountain Pen, I think I am the only one who uses a FP on a daily basis.

 

I solved the ink issue by having a small emergency (what used to be a medicine) bottle in my bag (holds about 20mL approximately). And it has a rubber stopper thing on the bottom of the screwtop lid, so i never run out of ink in one day.

[madzaxmax]

I think this topic should be pinned. The last time I read this, I was motivated enough to "convert" a colleague.

 

Status Report: Conversion successful; subject has not used a ball pen or roller-ball in 3 months.

[scrapsandbones]

I have a friend who uses a cheap generic from WH Smiths and another friend who uses a Parker Vector but that's it really.

[Parse Error]

Surprisingly, fountain pens are somewhat common in math departments.

 

Pencils smudge. Mechanical pencils need to be clicked or shaken all the time, which can easily break your work. Wooden pencils need constant sharpening.

Biros require too much force to use, tiring your hand, curling up your scratch work, and ruins your pad of scratch paper. Gel pens and rollerballs still make your paper curl up.

 

Using a computer for scratchwork is more or less out of the question.

[pmhudepo]

Just when you think the Ballpoint Brigade rules the world, you meet someone who uses a Montblanc Starwalker Metal Rubber... nice! We might be working together on a project during the next few months.

[zuerincolour]

No one, which saddens me

Most people at my university take notes on their Macbooks.

[teenytina]

I have converted one daughter and one son, and am working on the other two.

[RuiFromUK]

At the moment I work in an office with 30-40 people and I am the only one that uses a fountain pen regularly.

[fountainpenjunkie]

I think this topic should be pinned. The last time I read this, I was motivated enough to "convert" a colleague.

 

Status Report: Conversion successful; subject has not used a ball pen or roller-ball in 3 months.

 

Madzaxmax,

 

I never expected this topic would have this number of responses. Congratulations on the conversion! I have given pens to a number of family and friends, but I've learned. The recipient usually stores the pen, finding wet ink too messy and refills too cumbersome.

 

I would like to thank everyone for responding. It is always a special joy to see this topic show up in my FPN emails. I've read every one.

[Pensfan]

I cannot remember seeing another FP in the wild outside of FP gatherings. After using them myself for several years, I finally found a pen my wife likes. It took a special blue ink (Diamine Majestic Blue) and a TWSBI 1.1mm Stub for her. She loves it now and hates writing with a ballpoint. I think I have another friend convinced to try a Lamy Safari / Al-Star as well.

 

Hopefully I will see more in the wild soon.

 

Edited April 16, 2013 by Pensfan