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

[Zodduska]

Thanks for the heads up tnmike1! I bought a bottle of Tanzanite a couple weeks back and just emailed PR to see if they can replace it.

[Callous]

Originally Posted by Callous

Yeah, I can hear the chuff sound when I push down. What does that mean, exactly?

Any help?

Thanks!

[tnmike1]

Originally Posted by Zodduska

Thanks for the heads up tnmike1! I bought a bottle of Tanzanite a couple weeks back and just emailed PR to see if they can replace it.

Emailed Private Reserve today. they said they hadn't heard anything but would respond if they did. Honessly, I'm using this ink in two vintage Sheaffers and three Conway Stewarts so I'm not concerned with staining in a converter or demonstrator. What I am concerned with is damage to their sacs and filling systems. We'll see.

[Uncle Erik]

The chuff sound means a few things - and good ones. That's air coming out of the barrel as it compresses. Meaning that the air hole near the blind cap isn't clogged (that can be a problem) and the pen is in reasonably good shape. Cracks in the barrel will hurt compression as will other problems with the seal. It might not be working, but it's close. Maybe one seal needs fixing, maybe the sac is bad, maybe the snorkel is clogged. Maybe it'd be fine with some silicon grease applied to the plunger.

I didn't get any new pens at the shop on Saturday, but was highly tempted by a few red Lucky Curve Duofolds. I've always wanted one. Maybe for Christmas, might hold off for the pen show in February.

And I think I found an ink I'll stick with for awhile: Noodler's Blue. I've tried a number of variants, but the writing properties are what I like and the color is about right, too. I can't believe I overlooked it for something "more interesting" all these years.

[ExtendeD]

Hey all, I have a similar question to what I posted in the Pencil-Fi thread. . I'm a student, and I'd like to invest in a decent pen. What I asked in the other thread was "Is there a Koss KSC-75 of pens?" Something cheap, nice, and easily obtainable?

Thanks. (Sorry if this has already been discussed, didn't have time to search this massive thread.)

[vibin247]

Got a Parker 45 w/ B nib from Richard Binder the other day and man, what a bargain...It's a real wet nib, but smooth. It's not a practical pen to use everyday, but a bargain nonetheless. I've also ordered a new F nib for my Pelikan M605. I sure do miss the reliability of that pen. Unfortunately, I've "experimented" with my previous M and F nibs, and they just went terribly scratchy. I'll eventually get them fixed. I've got my eye on an M800, though it would have to wait after X-mas.

One thing I'm torn about is my MB 146. I love the way it writes with Waterman Black, but the reliability of the piston mechanism is just terrible. Sent it in twice when the piston seizes, and after a while, the problem returns. I'm thinking of keeping it and using it just as a dip pen, or just circumventing MB service and using it as a subject for learning how repair it myself. This is one of the reasons why I love my Pelikan...user-serviceability.

[leftnose]

Originally Posted by ExtendeD

Hey all, I have a similar question to what I posted in the Pencil-Fi thread. . I'm a student, and I'd like to invest in a decent pen. What I asked in the other thread was "Is there a Koss KSC-75 of pens?" Something cheap, nice, and easily obtainable?

Thanks. (Sorry if this has already been discussed, didn't have time to search this massive thread.)

Lamy Safari. Available in a wide variety of colors and nib sizes:

Lamy Safari Collection At JOON New York

If you do buy one, get a converter for it at the same time so that you can experiment with bottled ink which, for me, is much of the fun.

[tnmike1]

Originally Posted by leftnose

Lamy Safari. Available in a wide variety of colors and nib sizes:

Lamy Safari Collection At JOON New York

If you do buy one, get a converter for it at the same time so that you can experiment with bottled ink which, for me, is much of the fun.

X2 on the Lamy. Wonderful pen,have the Safari and the Vista. BUT another idea: buy it from The Writing Desk in UK--you can google the name and come up with it. They have many more nibs than you can get in the US and the nibs easily slide on and off so you can change them yourself. Writing Desk has online instructions on how to do this. Currently have three nibs for the Lamys and they're fun to play with to see the different results between "f" "m" and italic nibs.

And Leftnose is right: forget the cartridges. There are hundreds of inks in a rainbow of colors and formulations. Buying the pen is only 1/4 the fun: 3/4 of the fun comes in playing with inks

[Zodduska]

I'll third the safari recommendation, but it really depends on your budget. The safari is a very sturdy good writing utilitarian pen with unique styling but it's not really a fancy pen. Another good cheaper starting pen is the Waterman Phileas, the design is a bit more traditional compared to the Safari

If your budget falls in the $50-100 range I would take a look at the pelikan M200 which is a piston filler, the super cool Pilot Vanishing Point or a vintage aerometric Parker51 from a reputable seller.

as in audio equipment used is normally the most cost effective way to get the most bang for your buck, you can check www.fountainpennetwork.com for-sale section.

edit: no affiliation with the seller, but this also seems to be a nice piston filling pen at a very reasonable price
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/fo...howtopic=74126

[jonathanjong]

x4 Lamy Safari.