Thread: Foutain pens vs Rollerballs

Cisco, I have just made a few and use a Churchill FP (gift from Amos-Woodenink) as my daily writer. So I guess that shows my age!

This one is sitting right next to my keyboard here now, it is the one I use here at home everyday

I've got one in the works and a growing number that I rotate around for work. Much nicer to write with IMHO.

I use bottled ink what's more...

Originally Posted by Dangermouse

I've got one in the works and a growing number that I rotate around for work. Much nicer to write with IMHO.

I use bottled ink what's more...

So what ink do you use DM? I use Sheaffer Skrip, has made a huge difference from the original cartidge, you'd think you were using a different pen.

I'm using Noodler's. noiice.

Agree with the cartridge, not a patch on the good stuff.

Been trying to get some Private Reserve to try, but no luck so far.

I box sets for a gallery. Originally I was using the JR Gent fountain in the sets, but the gallery commented that it was turning lots of people away from buying it. They have asked me to use the roller ball, which is what I am now doing. One in five customers would say "Ahhhh. A fountain pen. I love it" but the other for would say "Owwww. A fountain pen. Too much trouble"

People either love or hate them. I use the fountain everyday as my daily pen that I keep in my pocket. Unfortunately one day the lid came loose and the shirt now has a big ink patch. This shirt has now been demoted to a workshop shirt.

Another thing I noticed is how often you have to refill the suckers. I find that I am refilling the pen every 2 weeks. I now keep a reserve pen handy because I hate running out of ink at important meetings or when I am on the phone.

Dammit , you just reminded me that I negleted to include a fountain pen in an order I placed last night. Havn't made a fountain pen yet and keep meaning to give them a go. I might pick one up off Jim at the Working With Wood show in a couple of weeks.

I still make them when I see a nice piece of timber that warrants it, but don't use them as much as I used to when I did calligraphy. (but that pen had a left hand oblique nib not suitable for everyday use)

I also got another workshop shirt because of a fountain pen. rather than clip it in the pocket, I clipped it to the neck (it was a tee shirt with no pocket) When it unscrewed itself and fell inside the tee shirt, I didn't think much of it, since that happens now and then when I'm using tools in the workshop. Then it occurred to me .. the CAP is still attached near my neck .. that was a FOUNTAIN pen!

Sure enough, the shirt was black .. and so was my skin.

My favorite tee shirt, too. It said:

. VERMONT
. What happens here, stays here.
But nothing ever really happens here ..

I being a leftty, found when you buy F/P from the shop you could get left and right handed pens, but since buying kits have not seen any advertise as having left handed nibs... I wonder if there is not the market ??/

I like the idea of writing with a fountain pen but the actual feeling of the nib scratching the page sends shivers down my spine. I do like making them though but generally its just for orders.

SWMBO said make a fountain pen, why argue, So I made one
She rightly said that some still like them and why limit the market

I use a mass-manufactured fountain pen every day - a Lamy - but I also have a few others that don't get past the front door.

My biggest problem is leakage, especially whilst flying. The Lamy is the only pen that hasn't leaked (yet!!).

I definitely prefer writing with a pen to a ball.

Originally Posted by corbs

the nib scratching the page sends shivers down my spine

Corbs, you can fix that by tuning the nib.

There's an excelent series of articles by Lou Metcalf over at the IAP forum that's worth checking out if you want to try it:

Just Click Here

I make both, like them all, found that you need to display both because of the diversity in the tastes of buyers, in a workshop situation rollerball is less likely to "run", thoughn I have managed that also. Amos