Do you use a fountain pen?
Discussion
Can someone offer some help!
I'm using a cross ink converter and a pot of ink - I submerge the nib completely and screw the converter to pull the ink up, but am still getting about 4mm or air at the top. Is this usual, or am I doing something wrong? I had thought I'd be filling it completely?
The converter is definitely screwed all the way "down" before it is screwed "up" to fill the reservoir.
I'm using a cross ink converter and a pot of ink - I submerge the nib completely and screw the converter to pull the ink up, but am still getting about 4mm or air at the top. Is this usual, or am I doing something wrong? I had thought I'd be filling it completely?
The converter is definitely screwed all the way "down" before it is screwed "up" to fill the reservoir.
markoc said:
Can someone offer some help!
I'm using a cross ink converter and a pot of ink - I submerge the nib completely and screw the converter to pull the ink up, but am still getting about 4mm or air at the top. Is this usual, or am I doing something wrong? I had thought I'd be filling it completely?
The converter is definitely screwed all the way "down" before it is screwed "up" to fill the reservoir.
Firstly, there are two types of converter for Cross pens, one screw in, the other a push in. Assuming you have the correct one:I'm using a cross ink converter and a pot of ink - I submerge the nib completely and screw the converter to pull the ink up, but am still getting about 4mm or air at the top. Is this usual, or am I doing something wrong? I had thought I'd be filling it completely?
The converter is definitely screwed all the way "down" before it is screwed "up" to fill the reservoir.
To have an air gap is usual, it is the amount of air that is contained in the feed (the black finned thing behind the nib). You can get rid of it, and I will describe how, but to be honest, the amount of ink that that will take the place of the air gap is so small that, for me, it scarcely matters. It is also quite a faff.
To get rid of the air gap. When you have filled the converter, put the nib back in the ink, empty the ink from the converter, watch for air bubbles, then refill. You should have expelled virtually all of the air.
If there is any air left, dry the nib with tissue, hold the pen nib upwards, move the converter so that air is pushed up through the nib, then put the nib back in the ink and refill. This has the potential to be messy.
As I said, if this was a cartridge or a piston filled pen you would not be worried about it being 100% full, I wouldnt worry about a small pocket of air..
Does anyone every get strange looks or questions from the people they work with? I was given a Parker Premier Deluxe (like this :http://www.parkerpen.com/en-US/premier-deluxe-graduated-chiselling-fountain-pen---fine-18k-gold-nib-s0887970--1) when I started my training contract on the basis that "all lawyers need a good pen". It's beautiful and I'd love to use it every day, but I've yet to take it into the office. My fear is that it looks odd when a partner signs something with a 10p biro and I whip out a $450 fountain pen... Should I just use it anyway?
Twin1 said:
Does anyone every get strange looks or questions from the people they work with? I was given a Parker Premier Deluxe (like this :http://www.parkerpen.com/en-US/premier-deluxe-graduated-chiselling-fountain-pen---fine-18k-gold-nib-s0887970--1) when I started my training contract on the basis that "all lawyers need a good pen". It's beautiful and I'd love to use it every day, but I've yet to take it into the office. My fear is that it looks odd when a partner signs something with a 10p biro and I whip out a $450 fountain pen... Should I just use it anyway?
Occasionally. Mostly it's interest and there'll be a pleasant conversation about how they had to use one at school but haven't since and how bad their handwriting has become. The most recent comment though was when I offered someone a Jinhao x750 to someone but he said he didn't want to use my posh pen in case he broke it.Typically I dropped it later that day and broke the inner cap.
Most of my pens are either Chinese cheapies or vintage Parkers and Conway Stewarts. The vintage pens aren't ever offered but the Chinese ones are.
Twin1 said:
Does anyone every get strange looks or questions from the people they work with? I was given a Parker Premier Deluxe (like this :http://www.parkerpen.com/en-US/premier-deluxe-graduated-chiselling-fountain-pen---fine-18k-gold-nib-s0887970--1) when I started my training contract on the basis that "all lawyers need a good pen". It's beautiful and I'd love to use it every day, but I've yet to take it into the office. My fear is that it looks odd when a partner signs something with a 10p biro and I whip out a $450 fountain pen... Should I just use it anyway?
Certainly you should. I know that I have a huge bias on this subject but I would expect a professional person to have respect for his words and thoughts and that this should be shown by way of a good pen and a good notebook. That good notebook should be kept neatly and you can expect it to be seen and noted by others. I was once asked by a judge to provide contemporaneous (his word, not mine) notes of a meeting that I had attended, some seven years prior. Even though I had minuted that meeting and could produce hard and soft records. Thankfully, I had kept my notebooks, and could produce evidence as to what had been said.Using a fountain pen, IMHO is all part of the discipline of record keeping.
The other thing is that I see others take notice and usually approve, this seldom does you any harm.
I always try to us mine if I can, heres a photo of them,
Here is my Parker 100, I bought this back in 2012, seems to have a nice fine nib which is nice. Certainly seems to be worth more than I paid which I didn't expect...
My dad is a collector of Fountain pens, here is the 100 next to the Parker 51 he gave me as a gift, all in working order, muck smoother to write with than the 100
Here is my Parker 100, I bought this back in 2012, seems to have a nice fine nib which is nice. Certainly seems to be worth more than I paid which I didn't expect...
My dad is a collector of Fountain pens, here is the 100 next to the Parker 51 he gave me as a gift, all in working order, muck smoother to write with than the 100
Thats a very nice pair of Parkers.
The Parker 100 wasn't made for too long, not sure why, I think it was an attempt at a modern Parker 51. I suspect that you enjoy using both these pens and get a good return on them financially, I have seen just the nib section on the Parker 100 sell for £65.
The Parker 100 wasn't made for too long, not sure why, I think it was an attempt at a modern Parker 51. I suspect that you enjoy using both these pens and get a good return on them financially, I have seen just the nib section on the Parker 100 sell for £65.
Twin1 said:
Does anyone every get strange looks or questions from the people they work with? I was given a Parker Premier Deluxe (like this :http://www.parkerpen.com/en-US/premier-deluxe-graduated-chiselling-fountain-pen---fine-18k-gold-nib-s0887970--1) when I started my training contract on the basis that "all lawyers need a good pen". It's beautiful and I'd love to use it every day, but I've yet to take it into the office. My fear is that it looks odd when a partner signs something with a 10p biro and I whip out a $450 fountain pen... Should I just use it anyway?
Definitely take it in and use it. I use a couple of fountain pens at work all of the time, a Waterman Hemisphere, a Lamy filled with red ink and most recently a Jinhao 159. I get the odd comments, mostly about how people haven't used a fountain pen for x number of years but mostly positive comments. As Robbo said, people also comment how much their handwriting has deteriorated since using a proper pen at school and the rise of computers and the typed word.Take the pen to the office and enjoy using it
Desiato said:
Definitely take it in and use it. I use a couple of fountain pens at work all of the time, a Waterman Hemisphere, a Lamy filled with red ink and most recently a Jinhao 159. I get the odd comments, mostly about how people haven't used a fountain pen for x number of years but mostly positive comments. As Robbo said, people also comment how much their handwriting has deteriorated since using a proper pen at school and the rise of computers and the typed word.
Take the pen to the office and enjoy using it
Its also an icebreaker if you are in a sales meeting or a meeting with persons from other companies, it is an opportunity for others to make a comment, usually favourable, on fountain pens. Every little helps. Take the pen to the office and enjoy using it
Twin1 said:
My fear is that it looks odd when a partner signs something with a 10p biro and I whip out a $450 fountain pen... Should I just use it anyway?
Surely anyone who will recognise that it's a $450 fountain pen rather than $20 one will probably be using a fountain pen themselves?Robbo 27 said:
Firstly, there are two types of converter for Cross pens, one screw in, the other a push in. Assuming you have the correct one:
To have an air gap is usual, it is the amount of air that is contained in the feed (the black finned thing behind the nib). You can get rid of it, and I will describe how, but to be honest, the amount of ink that that will take the place of the air gap is so small that, for me, it scarcely matters. It is also quite a faff.
To get rid of the air gap. When you have filled the converter, put the nib back in the ink, empty the ink from the converter, watch for air bubbles, then refill. You should have expelled virtually all of the air.
If there is any air left, dry the nib with tissue, hold the pen nib upwards, move the converter so that air is pushed up through the nib, then put the nib back in the ink and refill. This has the potential to be messy.
As I said, if this was a cartridge or a piston filled pen you would not be worried about it being 100% full, I wouldnt worry about a small pocket of air..
As ever - many thanks. My ability to cover myself in ink is prize-winning without trying to expel the air, so I'd discounted that as an option. Its a screw in cross, so the right one for the pen. I'll leave it at "they all do that sir" which is a phrase I'm well acquainted with further to hearing it most of the times I visit my local dealer... To have an air gap is usual, it is the amount of air that is contained in the feed (the black finned thing behind the nib). You can get rid of it, and I will describe how, but to be honest, the amount of ink that that will take the place of the air gap is so small that, for me, it scarcely matters. It is also quite a faff.
To get rid of the air gap. When you have filled the converter, put the nib back in the ink, empty the ink from the converter, watch for air bubbles, then refill. You should have expelled virtually all of the air.
If there is any air left, dry the nib with tissue, hold the pen nib upwards, move the converter so that air is pushed up through the nib, then put the nib back in the ink and refill. This has the potential to be messy.
As I said, if this was a cartridge or a piston filled pen you would not be worried about it being 100% full, I wouldnt worry about a small pocket of air..
Celtic Dragon said:
Can anyone recommend a good retailer that stocks vintage pens either online or in London? I have come to the thought I'd like one from 1976 if I can find one.
Presumably the year you were born. There are many different sellers on line, very few B and M shops.
Penfriend on Fleet street and Burlington Arcade has recently closed
One B and M shop is andys pens in Tonbridge, not a huge stock but there may be something for you
http://www.andys-pens.co.uk/vintage
A broader range is Vintage fountain pens in Hornsea, Yorkshire
https://vintagefountainpens.co.uk/category/product...
another is Classic Pen Engineering
http://www.classicpenengineering.co.uk/sales-fount...
A problem that you may find is buying a pen that the seller knows was made in 1976, he may be able to say that production was 72-79 but not specifically 1976, pens are not usually datemarked.
In addition, these people know how to charge when it comes to pricing their stock, possibly double what you would pay on eBay, you may have some comeback against a professional seller but I know from experience that it is not easy getting your money back if your expectations have not been met.
My 599 showed up today... but my bottle of ink is at work and I'm not in the office tomorrow. D'Oh
Fortunately I realised my 159 was in my jacket pocket and they take the same converter, so I've swapped them over.
First impression is I prefer the slimmer body of the 599, but I'm not so sure about the way the grip flares out a bit at the bottom, forcing my fingers to hold it a bit higher up than I would otherwise. Writes well though and I'm sure I'll get used to the grip.
Cleaning out my desk drawer looking for something the other night and found several more V pens stashed at the back, so I'm overrun with the things
Just need to find a decent notebook now, been at an industry supplier day today and taking notes in my work issue "5 star office" book I've only been writing on 1 side of each page as the V pen I was using bleeds through quite badly.
Fortunately I realised my 159 was in my jacket pocket and they take the same converter, so I've swapped them over.
First impression is I prefer the slimmer body of the 599, but I'm not so sure about the way the grip flares out a bit at the bottom, forcing my fingers to hold it a bit higher up than I would otherwise. Writes well though and I'm sure I'll get used to the grip.
Cleaning out my desk drawer looking for something the other night and found several more V pens stashed at the back, so I'm overrun with the things
Just need to find a decent notebook now, been at an industry supplier day today and taking notes in my work issue "5 star office" book I've only been writing on 1 side of each page as the V pen I was using bleeds through quite badly.
RizzoTheRat said:
My 599 showed up today... but my bottle of ink is at work and I'm not in the office tomorrow. D'Oh
Fortunately I realised my 159 was in my jacket pocket and they take the same converter, so I've swapped them over.
First impression is I prefer the slimmer body of the 599, but I'm not so sure about the way the grip flares out a bit at the bottom, forcing my fingers to hold it a bit higher up than I would otherwise. Writes well though and I'm sure I'll get used to the grip.
Cleaning out my desk drawer looking for something the other night and found several more V pens stashed at the back, so I'm overrun with the things
Just need to find a decent notebook now, been at an industry supplier day today and taking notes in my work issue "5 star office" book I've only been writing on 1 side of each page as the V pen I was using bleeds through quite badly.
The grip follows the pattern of the Lamy pen, I hold the 599 at the tip and its comfortable, it may just be a case of 'feels different at first', but if you would like another 599 in place of the 159 I have no problem swapping.Fortunately I realised my 159 was in my jacket pocket and they take the same converter, so I've swapped them over.
First impression is I prefer the slimmer body of the 599, but I'm not so sure about the way the grip flares out a bit at the bottom, forcing my fingers to hold it a bit higher up than I would otherwise. Writes well though and I'm sure I'll get used to the grip.
Cleaning out my desk drawer looking for something the other night and found several more V pens stashed at the back, so I'm overrun with the things
Just need to find a decent notebook now, been at an industry supplier day today and taking notes in my work issue "5 star office" book I've only been writing on 1 side of each page as the V pen I was using bleeds through quite badly.
In terms of a notebook, I dont usually go into Rymans, I just seem to buy most stuff on line but I went in yesterday and they have many good notebooks to chose from, all the sizes you might want too. In particular, they stock Rhodia books, superb pen friendly paper, and some very nice journals for home or travel use. Rymans sell ink but only Parker in the branch I went to and very overpriced.
Avoid Moleskine and Leuchtturm, which is a pity because they are well made. They both have bad paper.
For travel purposes there is a brand called Seawhite which makes some very good notebooks for the art market, their books use good quality cartridge paper and are well made and low priced.
http://www.seawhite.co.uk/online/index.php?route=p...
Rymans also sell on line if you dont have a nearby branch:
http://www.ryman.co.uk/stationery/pads-books/noteb...
There's a Rymans near work so I'll go and have a look. Those Seawhite ones look to be a good price though.
We used to use Black and Red at work so I'll dig out an old one and try it.
ETA: Just found a Niceday shorthand notebook among the lower strata on my desk. Despite being very thin paper it doesn't seem to bleed at all.
We used to use Black and Red at work so I'll dig out an old one and try it.
Robbo 27 said:
it may just be a case of 'feels different at first'
Yeah, that's my thinking, been using V pens a bit recently with a smooth grip so probably just need to get used to it.ETA: Just found a Niceday shorthand notebook among the lower strata on my desk. Despite being very thin paper it doesn't seem to bleed at all.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Thursday 23 February 18:30
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