Pen-Fi (FPs, RBs, BPs, etc...) [56k Warning]

[DrBenway]

Originally Posted by monolith

Handwriting is definitely a declining art form. I personally use a weird hybrid of printing and cursive. It's basically printing where I'm too lazy to lift the pen a lot. Sometimes it looks great, other times it's messy.

I wish I had tried harder when I was being taught cursive in elementary school.

Me too. The only D I got in elementary school was in the first grade, for penmanship. At the time, I hated the very idea that I was graded on my handwriting. Now, I wish children were still taught script, and graded on their progress.

My current hand, when I'm paying attention, is pretty much the Palmer method, loops and joins included. When I'm scribbling, for instance when I'm taking notes rapidly, my hand tends to deteriorate into a wierd combination of script (without ornamentation) and block print.

At least I know the difference.

[porfryrieggwo]

I see those pens are great for pro signatures, but whats the best pen for a College student?

I use the White and Blue Bic pen that has buttons for Black, Blue, Red, and Green colors so I can underline, emphasize, and star information in my notes.

[milkpowder]

I'm using a Faber Castell Ambition (fine nib) to take my notes atm. It's relatively inexpensive and write well.

[appophylite]

Originally Posted by porfryrieggwo

I see those pens are great for pro signatures, but whats the best pen for a College student?

I use the White and Blue Bic pen that has buttons for Black, Blue, Red, and Green colors so I can underline, emphasize, and star information in my notes.

I used to use a Parker Vector FP during college to take notes in classes where I didn't need to add drawing to my notes.

[milkpowder]

Originally Posted by appophylite

I used to use a Parker Vector FP during college to take notes in classes where I didn't need to add drawing to my notes.

That's a basic but very decent fountain pen too. I prefer it over the Frontier and 45s.

[appophylite]

Originally Posted by milkpowder

That's a basic but very decent fountain pen too. I prefer it over the Frontier and 45s.

I totally love how smooth it was straight out of the box, and it's much smoother now since I have been using it for almost 9 years straight. I definitely recommend them as good, cheap starter FPs for people.

[milkpowder]

It's IMO the nicest budget Parker FP. I used to have a whole arsenal of Jotters, Frontiers, 45s but would always reach for the Vector before any of the other ones. Iirc, the Jotters have a more flexible nib.

For something slightly more refined, I would recommend the Faber Castell Ambition which I'm currently using. I have to say it has a slightly flawed design in that it isn't terribly comfortable to grip. The section is too short and the end of the barrel a bit too sharp. I tend to grip quite close to the nib and the short section forces me to grip the barrel, which is just on the border of comfort. Obviously, YMMV.

[TheAnomaly]

Originally Posted by SuperNothing

I am getting a cartridge converter for my Lamy Safari. Does anyone have any recommendations on inks to use with it? Anything work particularly well with it/is awful? I have a medium nib on the pen if that makes any difference. I also want a really dark black and a nice green and brown or red would be good to have. Secondly, I know the Safari nib is user replaceable. How hard is this to do?

my first FP was a yellow Safari with an M nib. i used PR avocado (my first ink) for a long while; i don't really like the ink though. it seems to thick and sometimes it had problems starting. i just went on an ink buying spree: i now have PR avocado, PR lake placid blue, Aurora black, quink blue, sailor red-brown, and waterman blue-black.

i have put the Sailor red brown into the Safari and it works very nicely. it is really quite a bit smoother than the PR inks, despite being a "boutique" ink. i bought the ink on the pretense of it being more of a blood red/rust color. it is actually closer to brown, i would say, but there is a strong presence of red too. i am pleased with it, but it appears different than the scans i have seen. it is a pretty color with good shading and is not too "out there" for normal use.

the Aurora black i have only used in another FP, but it is VERY smooth. many people say it is the smoothest/best flowing black on the market...i haven't used any other blacks, but its flow is definitely good. very black, very smooth. very high praise so far. a bit pricey at $10 for 45 mL.

as for changing the nib: it is as simple as firmly pulling on the sides until it comes out. i have removed the nib myself just to see how it works...it is not very difficult, but you would obviously want the pen to be empty of ink. i don't know off hand where you would find a replacement nib, though.

[appophylite]

Originally Posted by milkpowder

For something slightly more refined, I would recommend the Faber Castell Ambition which I'm currently using. I have to say it has a slightly flawed design in that it isn't terribly comfortable to grip. The section is too short and the end of the barrel a bit too sharp. I tend to grip quite close to the nib and the short section forces me to grip the barrel, which is just on the border of comfort. Obviously, YMMV.

You've got me intrigued about the Faber Castell Ambition, but the short grip will probably be a bit of a problem for me. I also grip my pens really close to the nib. I actually used to have problems when I had to write full time with cheaper Hero fountain pens because I used to grip so close to the nib and ink well that it would often stain my finger-tips with ink.

[Uncle Erik]

Originally Posted by porfryrieggwo

I see those pens are great for pro signatures, but whats the best pen for a College student?

I use the White and Blue Bic pen that has buttons for Black, Blue, Red, and Green colors so I can underline, emphasize, and star information in my notes.

I used a mechanical pencil and a Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph through undergrad. I thought I couldn't use a fountain because I'm left-handed. Shortly after graduation, I went to a pen show and realized that I could.

I got through two graduate degrees with fountain pens after that. They may be good for signatures, but there's nothing better for countless pages of notes and drafting papers. I continue to use them for note-taking and drafts at work, as well.

My collection is about 50 pens from a wide variety of manufacturers. Most work well. However, the one I keep going back to is the Parker 51. Right now, my beater is a plain Vacuumatic model I got for $35 at the LA Pen Show in February.

If you want something that will write and keep writing, try a 51 Aerometric. The Vac models are good, but the filler isn't as durable as the Aero. If you buy an Aero, you're almost guaranteed that it'll work after cleaning. The Vac occasionally has to go to the shop for a new diaphragm, but is an excellent performer otherwise. I'm partial to the WWII Vacs with the blind cap and Blue Diamond clips, but all other models work just as well.

I'd recommend looking around eBay for a 51. Black and gray with silver-colored caps are common and inexpensive. I like Noodler's inks with them. I occasionally use Waterman inks, too.

Once you try a good fountain you will not go back. Nothing writes as smoothly and I've tried a variety of writing instruments. A 51 never leaks, either. Best of all, if you don't like it, you can always sell it for about what you paid.