From timeless designs to artful inks, fountain pens offer much more than a simple method for putting words on paper: They illustrate the lasting values of craftsmanship.
A smooth tipped fountain pen is still a great tool for drawing and since artists who draw know that the right paper makes all the difference they get the advantage over writers who may not know that paper makes a huge difference on how the ink flows.
@Riorimrock (Juan Rio) -- I could not agree more. Being a fountain-pen geek myself, I spend almost as much time looking for good paper as I do for a good pen, or a good ink. Back in the day (like 3 years ago), I could keep my hobbyist calligraphy tuned up while writing checks, because the banks printed their checks on high-quality paper. Today, check paper is so bad that you, and they, can't even read anything written with fountain-pen ink. Ah for the good old days...
Before going digital with Remarkable (all the joy of handwriting and it saves the trees too!) I had a “pen”chant for Pilot gel pens with nice fat grippy necks. David Allen, he of Getting Things Done (GTD) advocated strongly for high quality (?) expensive Rotring pens. Nothing like the process of crafting cognitive artifacts!
@RICHARDMERRICK -- Being a hobbyist calligrapher (as well as the author of this little essay), I am also something of an ink geek. So I'm curious: What color is "Writers Blood"? And have you ever tried Pilot's line of "iroshizuku" inks? Gorgeous, rich colors -- my favs might be a blue-green called syo-ro, and a reddish brown ink, which might be like your "Writers Blood," called "tsukushi." These bottles (50ml) aren't cheap, but they last a long time. Just like the pens they fill...
I know that there are "lefty" nibs but truthfully handwriting was designed to have the pen be pulled across the page the beginning of the word to the end. left to right with a nice slant.
Leftys have to push the pen into the word having the pen tip dig into the paper.
I remember in third grade when learning "cursive writing" having my teacher show me how to contort my hand and arm into a pretzel,
Ditto my above comment to Rich. Even if you were to succeed at such contortions, a fountain pen's ink would smear -- on both the paper and the heel of your hand. Also not fun!
You have got other options if $120 is too much... Parker Vector or Lamy Safari (and the likes) are two nice pens with just one big problem: They work really well and last forever... So you never have an excuse to replace them for something "nicer" !!!
A smooth tipped fountain pen is still a great tool for drawing and since artists who draw know that the right paper makes all the difference they get the advantage over writers who may not know that paper makes a huge difference on how the ink flows.
Great point! The right paper truly makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing this insight!
@Riorimrock (Juan Rio) -- I could not agree more. Being a fountain-pen geek myself, I spend almost as much time looking for good paper as I do for a good pen, or a good ink. Back in the day (like 3 years ago), I could keep my hobbyist calligraphy tuned up while writing checks, because the banks printed their checks on high-quality paper. Today, check paper is so bad that you, and they, can't even read anything written with fountain-pen ink. Ah for the good old days...
And by extension, the whiteboard + dry erase pen replacement of the chalkboard.
I love this. I use a Wingback Brass Fountain Pen with “Writers Blood” ink. The focus it brings is a joy. So many metaphors here. Thank you…
Before going digital with Remarkable (all the joy of handwriting and it saves the trees too!) I had a “pen”chant for Pilot gel pens with nice fat grippy necks. David Allen, he of Getting Things Done (GTD) advocated strongly for high quality (?) expensive Rotring pens. Nothing like the process of crafting cognitive artifacts!
Rijon (@soundslikeryan) -- I hear you loud and clear. My favorite mechanical pencils have always been Rotrings. With a 0.5 lead...
There's something special about the focus and ritual of using a fountain pen.✍️ We're happy to hear you enjoyed this piece!
@RICHARDMERRICK -- Being a hobbyist calligrapher (as well as the author of this little essay), I am also something of an ink geek. So I'm curious: What color is "Writers Blood"? And have you ever tried Pilot's line of "iroshizuku" inks? Gorgeous, rich colors -- my favs might be a blue-green called syo-ro, and a reddish brown ink, which might be like your "Writers Blood," called "tsukushi." These bottles (50ml) aren't cheap, but they last a long time. Just like the pens they fill...
I love fountain pens, the style, the craftsmanship etc. Unfortunately as a lefty and with horrid handwriting I can only admire them
I feel your pain, Rich. For you lefties, the ballpoint and roller ball pens may have been the world's greatest invention...
@RICHHARRINGTON383891 -- I forgot to tag you on my response to your good comment to our fountain pen story, doing so now.
Just wanted to second Rich's comment.
Being a lefty was always a penmanship nightmare.
I know that there are "lefty" nibs but truthfully handwriting was designed to have the pen be pulled across the page the beginning of the word to the end. left to right with a nice slant.
Leftys have to push the pen into the word having the pen tip dig into the paper.
I remember in third grade when learning "cursive writing" having my teacher show me how to contort my hand and arm into a pretzel,
Not fun
Ditto my above comment to Rich. Even if you were to succeed at such contortions, a fountain pen's ink would smear -- on both the paper and the heel of your hand. Also not fun!
@mochafish -- i forgot to tag you on my response to my story about fountain pens, doing so now...
Thanks! Loved the post!
We're glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful.
Thank you, Conor!
"$120 for a pen really is a bargain."...
You have got other options if $120 is too much... Parker Vector or Lamy Safari (and the likes) are two nice pens with just one big problem: They work really well and last forever... So you never have an excuse to replace them for something "nicer" !!!