Do you use a fountain pen?

[GreenDog]

Robbo 27 said:

I doubt think that Parker cartridges will fit, some have said they are ok but I keep trying them and they dont work for me, maybe if I used a hammer!

The cartridge was loose and didn't feel as though it would stay in place but it all seem to be working. I think that perhaps the cartridge is held in place by the body of the pen once screwed back together.

[Robbo 27]

The Mad Monk said:

Dear Marjorie Proops

Can you help me please?

Some months ago, I started out, in what I thought was an innocent way by buying a Jinhao fountain pen. I am not sure how much it was, but let's say less than two of your English pounds.

I have now bought six. One I sold to a friend, who, in turn, has bought three more. I am now thinking of buying more!

Where can I go? Is there a branch of FPAA (Fountain Pen Addicts Anonymous) in Surrey?

Personally I blame the Chinese, if they didn't make such cheap pens with free postage, I wouldn't have become addicted.

P.S. My handwriting is still appalling!

Compulsive isnt it. The annoying things are that they work well and will last a very long time.

I like my vintage pens most of all, especially from the 1930s, but I cannot resist these Jinhao pens, under £3. There are other Chinese makers at the same sort of price but the same build quality isnt there.

How long these pens are going to be at that money I really dont know, I bought one for 45p delivered the other day, less than the cost of a UK stamp.

Marj

[Justayellowbadge]

Robbo 27 said:

Fanatastic pen, really impressive.

I know its a bit OCD but you may want to think about staying with the pen makers ink:

https://www.thepencompany.com/product/montegrappa-...

But MB cornpoppy red would also look superb.

Thanks, have ordered in black and blue.

However, given I haven't touched a fountain pen for years, I'm finding the idea of kicking off with the Montegrappa a little intimidating. Should have thought that one through. It's a truly lovely thing but I'm worried about buggering it up.

So, for a novice, what's the best Jinhao to practice with?

[The Mad Monk]

Robbo 27 said:

Compulsive isnt it. The annoying things are that they work well and will last a very long time.

I like my vintage pens most of all, especially from the 1930s, but I cannot resist these Jinhao pens, under £3. There are other Chinese makers at the same sort of price but the same build quality isnt there.

How long these pens are going to be at that money I really dont know, I bought one for 45p delivered the other day, less than the cost of a UK stamp.

Marj

45p!!!

Link please!

[Robbo 27]

Justayellowbadge said:

Thanks, have ordered in black and blue.

However, given I haven't touched a fountain pen for years, I'm finding the idea of kicking off with the Montegrappa a little intimidating. Should have thought that one through. It's a truly lovely thing but I'm worried about buggering it up.

So, for a novice, what's the best Jinhao to practice with?

I really like the Jinhao 750 for quality build and price, also the 159 but not everyone likes that larger size of that pen.

Many colours and finishes to choose from but this is £2.37 BIN including postage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SA-jinhao-X750-Deep-Red-...

I appreciate that you have already spent some serious money on the pen but a leather pen case would keep the pen looking good. The Montegrappa cases would be ideal but they are not cheap and not everyones style, I have had one of these below for about 10 years and it is perfect, you may want to check that a Montegrappa will fit before deciding

http://www.abclloyd.co.uk/product/two-pen-leather-...

[Robbo 27]

The Mad Monk said:

45p!!!

Link please!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282380720381?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I think it was a one - off, most of these sellers dont put their pens into auction as opposed to BIN.

[ClockworkCupcake]

Robbo 27 said:

I really like the Jinhao 750 for quality build and price, also the 159 but not everyone likes that larger size of that pen.

Yes, I'm a big fan of the X750 - great little pen. The X450 is very similar and has scallops on the nib section making it slightly triangular, if you like that sort of thing, but the X750 just feels like the better pen to me. I have two X750s so far and a third on the way.

[The Mad Monk]

I have just had one of my fantastic ideas!

Yes, really!

Everyone is going to receive a fountain pen as their gift from me this Christmas. What do you think of that? Eh? Brilliant idea, or what? From the age of 5 upwards, whether at school, college, university, working or retired everybody can use a fountain pen! At around £2 each, I can't go wrong?

I can't go wrong, can I?

[Hosenbugler]

What a fascinating thread, those Montegrappa pens are incredible. Others too.

Currently salivating over this, in Coral : https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/montblanc/fountain-...

This could get costly !

P/S Could somone post more links to specialist pen retailers?

PPS. Does anyone know of any brand(s) which offer .925 silver bodied fountain pens?

Edited by Hosenbugler on Friday 21st April 13:13

[Justayellowbadge]

Hosenbugler said:

What a fascinating thread, those Montegrappa pens are incredible. Others too.

Currently salivating over this, in Coral : https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/montblanc/fountain-...

This could get costly !

P/S Could somone post more links to specialist pen retailers?

PPS. Does anyone know of any brand(s) which offer .925 silver bodied fountain pens?

Edited by Hosenbugler on Friday 21st April 13:13

Montegrappa!

Something like this is a steal:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Montegrappa-Italia-Memor...


I have the Memoria in ballpoint and pencil varieties which I think are gorgeous.

Edited by Justayellowbadge on Friday 21st April 13:47

[Robbo 27]

Hosenbugler said:

What a fascinating thread, those Montegrappa pens are incredible. Others too.

Currently salivating over this, in Coral : https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/montblanc/fountain-...

This could get costly !

P/S Could somone post more links to specialist pen retailers?

PPS. Does anyone know of any brand(s) which offer .925 silver bodied fountain pens?

Edited by Hosenbugler on Friday 21st April 13:13

Much to choose from in terms of retailers including those selling silver pens

http://www.penbox.co.uk/

http://www.penheaven.co.uk/gift-ideas/sterling-sil...

http://www.yard-o-led.co.uk/

https://www.dunhill.com/gb/men/writing-instruments

ETA I should also have mentionned Henry Simpole. Henry makes bespoke pens usually using a silver overlay on pens and will do a bespoke design to your specification, even include a name within the design.

His work is amazing and the website is worth a browse.

Henry has a stall in Portobello Road each saturday where he sells mainly vintage pens.

http://www.henrysimpole.com/

Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 21st April 14:05

[Robbo 27]

Hosenbugler said:

What a fascinating thread, those Montegrappa pens are incredible. Others too.

Currently salivating over this, in Coral : https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/montblanc/fountain-...

This could get costly !

P/S Could somone post more links to specialist pen retailers?

PPS. Does anyone know of any brand(s) which offer .925 silver bodied fountain pens?

Edited by Hosenbugler on Friday 21st April 13:13

That pen looks fantastic in Coral.

If ever you buy it never post the cap (on the other end of the pen), you will scratch the barrel.

Also you will see there is no choice of nib, Medium or nowt.

[GreenDog]

Robbo 27 said:

ETA I should also have mentionned Henry Simpole. Henry makes bespoke pens usually using a silver overlay on pens and will do a bespoke design to your specification, even include a name within the design.

His work is amazing and the website is worth a browse.

Henry has a stall in Portobello Road each saturday where he sells mainly vintage pens.

http://www.henrysimpole.com/

Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 21st April 14:05

You're a bad, bad man !

Those pens are stunning. Absolute works of art.

[Hosenbugler]

Justayellowbadge said:

Hosenbugler said:

What a fascinating thread, those Montegrappa pens are incredible. Others too.

Currently salivating over this, in Coral : https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/montblanc/fountain-...

This could get costly !

P/S Could somone post more links to specialist pen retailers?

PPS. Does anyone know of any brand(s) which offer .925 silver bodied fountain pens?

Edited by Hosenbugler on Friday 21st April 13:13

Montegrappa!

Something like this is a steal:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Montegrappa-Italia-Memor...


I have the Memoria in ballpoint and pencil varieties which I think are gorgeous.

Edited by Justayellowbadge on Friday 21st April 13:47

Oh lordy, what have you done ! Great pens you have there. On another tack, in your experience is the RRP mentioned in the Bay listing a realistic figure? I know some in an attempt to promote a sale can be a little idealistic upwards with such things.

Edited by Hosenbugler on Friday 21st April 15:53

[Robbo 27]

Just done a search on ebay.it and one of these sold for $512.

Even with duty to be added by HMRC and the Royal Mail handling fee the listing looks very good value.

There is a B and M store in Kent called Andys Pens, he is an agent for Montegrappa although I cannot see that particular pen on his website, before making your decision it might be worth getting in touch with them and seeing if they can source the pen at the price you want to pay.

A lot easier taking the pen back to Kent in the event of a warranty issue.

http://www.andys-pens.co.uk/montegrappa.shtml

[Justayellowbadge]

Hosenbugler said:

Oh lordy, what have you done ! Great pens you have there. On another tack, in your experience is the RRP mentioned in the Bay listing a realistic figure? I know some in an attempt to promote a sale can be a little idealistic upwards with such things.

Edited by Hosenbugler on Friday 21st April 15:53

On that listing I think it's conservative! $999 was the rrp on the pencil and ballpoint, iirc, the fp was closer to $1300.

The memoria range was discontinued a year or two ago - go into any Montegrappa store now and ask for an all silver fountain pen and I think they'll start showing options at 2 grand or thereabouts. I don't believe they have any in the main range, only the limited editions.

I think that price is very good - I'm looking for the Lozenge finished fountain pen to match my other two and haven't found it any less than twice the price of that striped one. Dammit.

[D-Angle]

I have just ordered this Jinhao 699 for Mrs D-Angle, as she loves all things green and my 159 is a bit hefty for her:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311321634090

Anyone got the 699 that can give me some feedback? And can anyone recommend a nice dark green ink to go with it?

[ClockworkCupcake]

D-Angle said:

I have just ordered this Jinhao 699 for Mrs D-Angle, as she loves all things green and my 159 is a bit hefty for her:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311321634090

Anyone got the 699 that can give me some feedback? And can anyone recommend a nice dark green ink to go with it?

The hooded nib looks quite similar to the Jinhao 126. I'd be interested in knowing how you get on with it.

[Robbo 27]

D-Angle said:

I have just ordered this Jinhao 699 for Mrs D-Angle, as she loves all things green and my 159 is a bit hefty for her:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311321634090

Anyone got the 699 that can give me some feedback? And can anyone recommend a nice dark green ink to go with it?

I think that the 699 is the metal version on the 599, which is generally pretty good. The nib looks very fine, so would suit people with smaller handwriting.

Huge choice here from the Writing Desk, to my eyes the Writing Desk Umber looks good if you like a dark green.

100ml with a fine nib will last you an eternity.

https://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/showproduct.php?b...

Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 21st April 18:42

[D-Angle]

The umber looks like just what I'm looking for Cheers.