Do you use a fountain pen?

[Robbo 27]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Bidding is not strong. Most pens are being passed (not meeting their reserve). So looks like they are overpriced.

Edit: And then this happened...


http://datahamster.com/mwsnap-2017-02-21-11_48_24/

Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Tuesday 21st February 12:00

Very rare pen, heard of them but have never seen one. I think that more were made as desk pens rather than with a cap.

Almost certainly this will never be used, bought as an investment by a far eastern buyer.

[Celtic Dragon]

I have a cheap Parker on my desk right now using green ink via a converter, and half a bottle of green Parker ink to use up.

At home I have two Esterbrooks, one a Demi Dollar which looks far more expensive than it is, and a purple and black Esterbrook, both of which have a rubber balloon to hold the ink, which is sucked up via a little silver lever on the side of the pens. The Demi runs on Mont Blanc ink, the other on Parker blue. I really need to find them and get them running again.

Then I also have a Lami Safari using green ink cartridges.

I love using them in the Moleskine not books I have, but have found the Esterboorks to be very paper fussy, for them they prefer very smooth paper.

[Robbo 27]

Celtic Dragon said:

I have a cheap Parker on my desk right now using green ink via a converter, and half a bottle of green Parker ink to use up.

At home I have two Esterbrooks, one a Demi Dollar which looks far more expensive than it is, and a purple and black Esterbrook, both of which have a rubber balloon to hold the ink, which is sucked up via a little silver lever on the side of the pens. The Demi runs on Mont Blanc ink, the other on Parker blue. I really need to find them and get them running again.

Then I also have a Lami Safari using green ink cartridges.

I love using them in the Moleskine not books I have, but have found the Esterboorks to be very paper fussy, for them they prefer very smooth paper.

I guess that you know one of the tricks of the esterbook is that the nib will unscrew so that it can be thoroughly cleaned or that you can put any other Esterbook nib in it. I like the Esterbrook, originally a humble pen for everyman, no great pretentions of style or glamour, and sold for a low price. Still works well today many years after the original maker expected it to have been thrown away.

The current Moleskine range has bad paper for fountain pens, ink bleeds through and it is just not good, pity.

[Celtic Dragon]

That purple one is the same as I have, and it was in my office desk draw, not at home as I first thought, so I've just cleaned it (yes I know the nib unscrews)

This is the same as mu Demi

[Robbo 27]

Celtic Dragon said:

That purple one is the same as I have, and it was in my office desk draw, not at home as I first thought, so I've just cleaned it (yes I know the nib unscrews)

This is the same as mu Demi

Very nice classic Waterman, should have a very flexible nib, unlike the Esterbrooks which are often quite rigid.

[RizzoTheRat]

My 159 turned up but I haven't got round to buying any ink yet. Nice weight to it but it does feel a bit cheap in places, especially the nib to body screw and the pocket clip. Then again it feels a hell of a lot more expensive than £2.39

It looks suspiciously as if a Parker cartridge would fit though, can anyone confirm?

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 21st February 17:31

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 21st February 17:31

[Robbo 27]

RizzoTheRat said:

My 159 turned up but I haven't got round to buying any ink yet. Nice weight to it but it does feel a bit cheap in places, especially the nib to body screw and the pocket clip. Then again it feels a hell of a lot more expensive than £2.39

It looks suspiciously as if a Parker cartridge would fit though, can anyone confirm?

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 21st February 17:31

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 21st February 17:31

I have just tried a Parker cartridge in a 159 and it doesnt work, the cartridge is not held in pace.

The nib section to the body screw is okay, i know what you mean. It feels better when it is nipped up tightly of if you have some silicone grease for the threads that helps or even a little non setting glue such as Pritt on the threads.

[RizzoTheRat]

Thanks, quick trip to Smiths for a bottle of Quink tomorrow then.

[Robbo 27]

RizzoTheRat said:

Thanks, quick trip to Smiths for a bottle of Quink tomorrow then.

If you wanted to use cartridges, then universal cartridges will fit.

You will also have a better choice of ink from one of the online ink sellers mentionned above at very similar prices to the high street shops.

Not that there is much wrong with Parker Quink

Edited by Robbo 27 on Tuesday 21st February 18:18

[ClockworkCupcake]

Talking of ink, I'm quite enjoying the blue-black that is in that Sheaffer I bought, whatever ink it is. I've always been a Quink Permanent Black person up until now.

[Celtic Dragon]

After posting and reading the entire thread, I can see myself getting another couple of pens just so I can run another couple of colour inks!

[Pints]

Celtic Dragon said:

After posting and reading the entire thread, I can see myself getting another couple of pens just so I can run another couple of colour inks!

I'm at the point where I need to buy more inks to run different colours in my various pens.

[Celtic Dragon]

Oh, I need to buy the inks too! The Mont Blanc burgundy red and purple look lovely!

[ClockworkCupcake]

Pints said:

I'm at the point where I need to buy more inks to run different colours in my various pens.

PH man maths is alive and well. We'll be spilling over into the "Frivolous purchases" thread at this rate.

[ClockworkCupcake]

http://datahamster.com/2017-02-21-20-46-04/

[Robbo 27]

If you feel that the Sheaffer is not right for you please let me know

[RizzoTheRat]

Robbo 27 said:

You will also have a better choice of ink from one of the online ink sellers mentioned above at very similar prices to the high street shops.

Not that there is much wrong with Parker Quink

Yeah, I figured I'd keep it simple for starters and see how I get on, not having used a fountain pen much for about 20 years (which must be how old those Parker cartridges I found in a drawer are )

[ClockworkCupcake]

Robbo 27 said:

If you feel that the Sheaffer is not right for you please let me know

Thanks. Yes, it is probably just me as I have not used an oblique before. The 'come and go' flow is my only real issue right now, and we are talking only slightly here - it's within tolerance. But I'm sure it would do no harm to flush it out. After all, it's age and provenance are completely unknown.

[RizzoTheRat]

First go with my new 159



For those who aren't frequenters of the bad handwriting thread...

Comparing the 159 with Blue black Quink
with a pilot v pen in blue
I like the wider grip of the 159 but not so sure about the bilk of the pen body
the pilot seems easier to use with the thinner body
I can see myself getting cramp in my hand with the 159


I'll need to do some more practice with the 159 to see how I get on with it, and have a 599 on the way too.

[Robbo 27]

Its true, the 159 is a big pen, takes its styling from the flagship of the Montblanc range, the 149. I dont notice the weight or size of the pen because I am used to it, I have had a 159 for over a year, being an ex boxer my hands are bit too chunky anyway.

I am sure that you will come to enjoy the pen and the way it works but if it is really not for you i would be happy to trade for a smaller pen.