How often do you see people using fountain pens?

[UK Mike]

I see someone every single day using a fountain pen - because I have a mirror beyond my writing desk.

[240KAR]

While at work the other day I saw a guy come through some metal detectors I have to monitor and he had a cool looking pen, so I geeked out and asked him what kind and he said it was a waterman, so i proceed to show him my Twsbi and tell him about my pelikan m800. Then the "your weird" look on his face, I quickly said "have a nice day" and went on with my day.

[georges zaslavsky]

I have seen one person at the post office using one last week

[fountainpenjunkie]

Hey - it happened again! I was sitting in Lodge during a stated meeting and noticed out of the corner of my eye, a Brother was taking notes. Sitting in the Senior Stewards chair, I caught it in my peripheral vision, but could easily recognize the Pilot Varsity. After the meeting, I asked if that was the pen he was using and we had a brief chat, in which he mentioned that I must know, since I have a few pens, that "you don't let others use your pen since it forms to your writing style." I just said, "Right!", though personally, I wonder how there could ever be a market for used fountain pens, especially vintage pens, were that truly the case.

 

Anyway, it is still a rare sight to see a fountain pen in use here in Sacramento, so I thought I'd share.

[Nashten]

My closest friend uses fountain pens.

 

He's a fan of Sheaffer pens and has around 6 in total, of all kinds of models. He also has a couple Waterman Hemispheres.

 

Other than him, I have not seen anyone else use them in my neck of the woods.

[NibNibbler]

Had to stop and give this some thought and the answer is... None. Coincidentally the same number of people I have seen using a pocket watch in my adult life. I think there are a lot of people missing out on a great experience but the desire and necessity for electronic communications in this era is killing off everything but the most immediate need to write in ink.

[GabrielleDuVent]

I actually see it every day, because my flat mate uses it at all times except when writing in music, and my family uses them all the time.

 

Outside, however, I've only seen them in use about a dozen times apart from my year 3 when we learned how to use them.

[N2theBreach]

There is a woman on a software project for which I am providing requirements who uses a MB Boheme.

 

I saw a guy about three months ago doing crosswords with a Lamy (not Safari) while we waited for a shuttle bus.

 

Other than that, I don't remember seing one in the last few years

[saaj]

I have only 2 know others beside me that use fountain pens exclusively at my school. Although I have seen to many cheap BIC pens...

[Unky]

Recently one of my 4th grade students was using a vintage Parker 51 to check a study guide. I think it used to belong to one of his grandparents, who didn't use it anymore.

[Colin8]

I've only seen one other person using a fountain pen, which is weird because there is a store on my campus that sells fountain pens and inks. He was a guy in one of my classes and he always had a yellow Lamy Safari, which was cool because my first pen was a Safari. I've had a few people in class ask me about my pens and where to get them, but I haven't seen anyone else with one.

[GabrielleDuVent]

I have only 2 know others beside me that use fountain pens exclusively at my school. Although I have seen to many cheap BIC pens...

 

But, but, Bic makes FPs too!

[saaj]

 

But, but, Bic makes FPs too!

Ok... You know what I mean. Those death grip inducing cheap ballpoints.

[Ecriveur]

"How often do you see people using fountain pens?"

 

Every day, if you count me seeing myself using one

 

Otherwise, I can't remember the last time I saw another person using a fountain pen, apart from the LA annual fountain pen show I attended last February.

[Tom Aquinas]

With my job and colleagues, everyday. Outside of my job...rarely.

[moylek]

"How often do you see people using fountain pens?"

 

Well, for the first time in many moons, I saw another fountain pen in the wild - an undergraduate working on some math with a charcoal Lamy Safari.

 

The Math & Stats department at McMaster University is particularly fountain-pennish (I could name six other fountain-pen users off the top of my head), but I've never seen an undergraduate with one.

[antirealist]

The other day I was on the subway In Toronto in rush hour. There was a guy in a crowded carriage, jammed up against the doors, doing the crossword. He was using a blue Pilot Custom 74 demonstrator.

[mori45]

I can't recall an instance. Then again, when I use them in day to day life people look at me like it's sorcery, so no real surprise I guess.

[UncleNick]

Here in the US it is very rare. I have a colleague I see occasionally who has a VP. Another colleagues wife uses FPs (she is German). and I have a customer in Michigan who uses a Parker Vector (I think?) - she is French.

[I like mango cheesecake]

Never, not once in my professional career.