What pen are you waiting for in the mail?

[Stratman351]

Visconti Homo Sapiens Blue Swirl with a 1.3 stub nib. It's actually coming UPS and will be here tomorrow.

[Baric]

I'm a lefty overwriter, so the nib was essentially being pushed diagonally...

 

Could be a simple case of "baby's bottom" on the nib tipping, but I'm the same way (lefty overwriter) and I had similar problems with a lot of "standard" round nibs. Tried different angles, pens, inks and still had troubles. I finally ordered a new nib from John Mottishaw with a left oblique cut on it. Wow, night and day difference. It's VERY common for lefty overwriters to hold the pen at a steep angle with a definite counter-clockwise rotation which means the nib's left tine is taking the brunt of the usage and sometimes you won't get good flow since the slit is too far off the paper and you might not have ANY right tine contact. This is easily corrected for with a regular round nib, but you have to be pay close attention to your rotation. I prefer the left oblique solution. Try using a soft or flex pen as a lefty overwriter and watch your nibs scream in pain. YMMV.

 

As for the hand cramping, it's might be as simple as you're pressing and holding the pen too hard. Those of us who never learner with fountain pens have some bad habits due to ballpoints. It takes practice but you will learn to ease up on the pressure. Another common problem is the pen may just be too big or too small for your hand size and grip style. I have medium sized hands and find I tend to get hand cramps using slimmer pens, so I prefer larger diameter sections with a nice convex shape. To date, the Pelikan M800 is the the best I've found although I'm itching to try an M1000.

 

I like my pens to have a little weight to them, which is why I like my Pelikans and Conway Stewarts so much. They tend to be heavier due to the brass internal hardware.

 

Goulet Pens has great service and that nice personal touch. Did you get candy as well? I usually find a tootsie pop in the box. I get most of my ink and paper from them.

 

Classic Fountain Pens is my pen vendor of choice due to the wonderful nib tuning available on purchases (not to mention the vast array of gorgeous pens). Now if they would only start carrying Conway Stewart, I'll be very happy.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Baric

[mallymal1]

My Pilot Metropolitan arrived today. My first real time spent with a fountain pen. I used the cartridge because the ink I want to try is in another order that hasn't arrived. First impression: My hand got tired quickly. I was writing with it posted, so I removed the cap and it was obviously lighter and still easy to use. Had a tendency to not start on letters beginning with down strokes (I'm a lefty overwriter, so the nib was essentially being pushed diagonally). This wasn't consistent, though, and seemed to get a little better as I used the pen more. I suspect part of both the tiredness and problems starting were also due to poor form on my part, so learning good technique may help. I was also writing in cursive for the first time I can remember in about 25 years. Maybe too many variables all at once. But I did print in all caps some (my usual writing style) and the pen hated that. I also wrote with the pen upside down and it worked, though only for a few words before the ink stopped flowing. Which is a shame because the line was very nice and fine until the ink got thin. It's a medium nib, and I assume the ink provided is Pilot Black. I was writing in a Moleskine and it bled through pretty badly. But I was writing slowly which might have contributed.

 

Anyway, lots of jumbled thoughts there. Not a discouraging first half hour with the pen, but I am looking forward to getting the blacks I've ordered and trying some different papers.

 

Sailor Pro Gear M/F will arrive Friday, and I should get my Lamy Safari (with both F and M nibs) either tomorrow or Friday. The adventure begins!

 

Edited to add: I received the Pilot from Goulet and they wrote a nice note on the invoice and even noted the name of the ink they were writing in. That kind of touch, though very simple, is the kind of thing that will keep me coming back.

 

Matt

 

Congratulations on that first pen, Matt. Welcome to the adventure.

[Green Ink]

So! I got a grey Lami Safari today that my husband has already happily usurped. It's one great pen.

 

No worries, because a Pelikan tortoise 400NN comes to me tomorrow and I think it's going to be unbelievable.

[Baric]

So! I got a grey Lami Safari today that my husband has already happily usurped. It's one great pen.

 

No worries, because a Pelikan tortoise 400NN comes to me tomorrow and I think it's going to be unbelievable.

 

That's wily of you, offering the Safari as bait and misdirection. Good work!

 

[Green Ink]

Bwahahaha!

[Vlad72]

Got my Reform 1745s today! Very retro, very light, I already filled a couple of pages and it looks like it's already doing good to my handwriting. I'm definitely keeping one at hand.

 

No worries, because a Pelikan tortoise 400NN comes to me tomorrow and I think it's going to be unbelievable.

That one looks amazing!

[RonLyke]

P 45 Flighter

[firebug]

Well

 

A montblanc black and gold 146 le grand and dumas writer's edition fountain pen.

 

Also, 7 of the rainbow colors, marlens are on the way.

 

A LE OMAS 360 in black color possibly. if the deal goes thru.

[Thuja]

I did the customs declaration and paid the VAT on my Pendleton Brown Micarta today and it should arrive tomorrow. It's my first TWSBI and also my first non-factory nib. I'm really excited!

[blackcat99]

An Edison Collier and a twsbi 580

[Hallel]

I ordered another fistful of Chinese pens again last night. An assortment of Duke and Hero and Jinhao in various styles and colours. I regret nothing! However, they only had the standard shipping option which means they will be arriving by paddle boat, or possibly by seagull, either way, I shouldn't expect to see them until October probably.

[mtbradley]

 

Could be a simple case of "baby's bottom" on the nib tipping, but I'm the same way (lefty overwriter) and I had similar problems with a lot of "standard" round nibs. Tried different angles, pens, inks and still had troubles. I finally ordered a new nib from John Mottishaw with a left oblique cut on it. Wow, night and day difference. It's VERY common for lefty overwriters to hold the pen at a steep angle with a definite counter-clockwise rotation which means the nib's left tine is taking the brunt of the usage and sometimes you won't get good flow since the slit is too far off the paper and you might not have ANY right tine contact. This is easily corrected for with a regular round nib, but you have to be pay close attention to your rotation. I prefer the left oblique solution. Try using a soft or flex pen as a lefty overwriter and watch your nibs scream in pain. YMMV.

 

As for the hand cramping, it's might be as simple as you're pressing and holding the pen too hard. Those of us who never learner with fountain pens have some bad habits due to ballpoints. It takes practice but you will learn to ease up on the pressure. Another common problem is the pen may just be too big or too small for your hand size and grip style. I have medium sized hands and find I tend to get hand cramps using slimmer pens, so I prefer larger diameter sections with a nice convex shape. To date, the Pelikan M800 is the the best I've found although I'm itching to try an M1000.

 

I like my pens to have a little weight to them, which is why I like my Pelikans and Conway Stewarts so much. They tend to be heavier due to the brass internal hardware.

 

Goulet Pens has great service and that nice personal touch. Did you get candy as well? I usually find a tootsie pop in the box. I get most of my ink and paper from them.

 

Classic Fountain Pens is my pen vendor of choice due to the wonderful nib tuning available on purchases (not to mention the vast array of gorgeous pens). Now if they would only start carrying Conway Stewart, I'll be very happy.

 

I did get the tootsie pop! That was a surprise that made me smile. My youngest was opening the box with me so I gave it to him.

 

I spent more time with the pen last night and this morning. I think the issue with the poor starting is that the pen slowly rolls in my hand as I write until the nib is not contacting the paper as it should. Since I recognized this it hasn't been a problem. The tired hand is beginning to feel like a pen size issue. I think it's perhaps too small. I'm not pressing hard - writing with a light touch is a pure joy that I'm relishing. But I may be gripping it too hard. Anyway, thanks for the help thinking through it.

 

My Sailor is coming from nibs.com and it's been nice to see how highly he is thought of in this community. Makes me more confident that I'll be receiving an instrument in good order.

 

Matt

[blackcat99]

Just been told the Edison is out of stock - but should be shipped middle of next week from sweden (I wonder how long it takes post from Sweden to arrive in the UK?) -

[gweimer1]

I got the Sheaffer Snorkel yesterday, and it will need work. This is the one I got today, and I'm excited. This one is going to be restored and will be a Christmas gift for my girlfriend, who likes a pen that writes well, and also loves yellow.

 

The added bonus is that I think this is a nurse's pen, and she is a retired nurse.

Edited August 23, 2014 by gweimer1

[Thier.]

I should receive an old Montblanc tomorrow . I dońt know the model but for the price I paid, it cannot be a bad purchase ...... The question is now. And what about the next one ?

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/267952-which-one-will-be-your-next-fountain-pen/

[PabloAU]

I have a Yard-o-led Viceroy Grand Victorian (F) on the way from the UK, and a Pilot Custom 845 in vermillion (WA) on the way from Japan. I had the day off work sick yesterday and was keenly listening for the delivery guy to arrive at the door... but alas, no delivery guy came...

 

I can be patient, really I can...

[Tessy Moon]

I caved. TWSBI Diamond Mini Rose Gold in white. Whose bright idea was it not to have Sunday mail delivery? :-/

 

 

I am jealous!! I am so craving that pen!!!!

I am planning on ordering one fro Pendleton in October....I'm saving up every cent for that pen!!!

 

Please post pics and tell us what you think about it!!!!

 

What nib did you get?

[Bookman]

I've orderd another Pilot Metropolitan F so I can use it as my dedicated BSB pen.

[TeaHive]

My new red and black Parker Challenger arrived in the mail yesterday. It's gorgeous!! But I just went ahead and purchased what I hope will be a good replacement nib (in terms of the right size) for my black Challenger. The nib is a smaller Parker Vacumatic semi-flex nib. So, if it doesn't fit.. I guess I'll just be building a second Vacumatic for myself later on. As I'm waiting on for repair tools for the Vac' I do have, as well.

 

Still waiting for my Kaweco Skyline pens, Lamy Safari Neon Coral, and Wing Sung 237 to get here. I should at least get the Lamy tomorrow! And I'll be loading it up with the sheen-a-licious Diamine Wild Strawberry.