Do you use a fountain pen?

[Robbo 27]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Yes, I use Black n Red also. It's 90gsm and doesn't bleed through on any of my fountain pens.

Pukka pads used to be quite resistant to bleed through and I used to buy them in bulk from Costco. However, the latest batch bleed terribly - I don't know if I just got a bad batch or if they have changed the paper formulation.

Yup, Pukka pads are bad, bleedthrough and feathering, about £2 at supermarkets for an A4 pad but not worth it.

[Robbo 27]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Indeed. Which is why I was surprised they bothered sending anything at all.

If I'm required to post it back at my expense I'll probably keep it (perhaps that's the scam) because it's actually quite a nice little pen.

You will not need to post the pen back, I asked Amazon to check out this seller, and there were others, the amazon Fraud team authorised repayment very quickly, instantly if you will accept a credit as opposed to repayment on a credit card. The seller was kicked out of amazon but a new name took their place very quickly using the same images and pricing but pretending to come from America.

This selling scheme is bad practice and reliant upon large orders being made and amazon paying the seller before the pen has been delivered, the seller hoping that a good percentage of buyers will not object.

Edited by Robbo 27 on Thursday 3rd August 13:07

[Robbo 27]

For those that are interested in repairing old Parker pens, going back to the 1920s up to the Parker 51 you may want to know that the Parker Service manual, produced for the Parker technicians is available on line, it is 79 pages and available as a pdf if you google Parker Service manual 6996, tells you how to take things apart and common faults

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Chaps - I recall that the subject of inks has been done before, but I can't recall the recommendations. I've been using washable Parker Quink in black, and am after more black and a blue. Is Quink the way to go?
Recommendations on where from, or just the usual Amazon sellers?

ETA - It's for use in a couple of Watermans and some Jinhaos.

[Robbo 27]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Chaps - I recall that the subject of inks has been done before, but I can't recall the recommendations. I've been using washable Parker Quink in black, and am after more black and a blue. Is Quink the way to go?
Recommendations on where from, or just the usual Amazon sellers?

ETA - It's for use in a couple of Watermans and some Jinhaos.

There is a lot to chose from, I wouldnt argue with any of the big name brands but especially Parker and Waterman,

The Writing Desk is one seller offering a good range and service

https://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/fountainpenink.ph...

They are more expensive but some of the Japanese makers such as Pilot, Sailor and Namiki are highly regarded. If you want the best value then the 100ml own label brand at £5.99 looks good.


The only brands that I would avoid on that page are Private Rreserve, Diamine and Kaweco.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

That's really helpful Robbo, thank you. I'll probably try some of the own brand inks in more daring colours than I'm used to.

[Robbo 27]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

That's really helpful Robbo, thank you. I'll probably try some of the own brand inks in more daring colours than I'm used to.

I dont think you can go far wrong there. The business has opened a retail shop in Bury st Edmonds and the owner is an enthusiast and a nice bloke so its great if you can give him a bit of support.

There was an earlier question on notebooks, the Writing Desk has a good range including Rhodia

https://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/notebooks.php

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Thanks Robbo. Inks and notebook ordered from them.

[ClockworkCupcake]

I must confess that my default ink is Parker Quink Permanent Black, and you can't go far wrong with it. It also has cleaning agents in it.

I have Waterman "Absolute Brown" and "Tender Purple", which are nice too.

Parker do a Quink Blue-Black if that's your thing. I always associate blue with school though, and don't like it. I remember the joy of getting to the 6th form and being allowed to use black.

[Robbo 27]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Thanks Robbo. Inks and notebook ordered from them.

Thanks CdG, I always try and support small businesses rather than the High Street chains, especially when they get the price and service right.

[ClockworkCupcake]

Robbo 27 said:

This looks like a direct copy of the Lamy Vista, as opposed to the Jinhao 599 which is similar to the lamy, it actually looks well made.

Yes, it's a really nice little pen actually. Writes well with a precise Fine* nib, and is comfortable to hold. I can see me using it a lot for general note taking and the like.

I'm starting a new job on Monday and am already thinking I will take one with me to keep at work, along with a Jinhao X750.

* - that's a Western fine rather than an Eastern fine.

[Robbo 27]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Yes, it's a really nice little pen actually. Writes well with a precise Fine* nib, and is comfortable to hold. I can see me using it a lot for general note taking and the like.

I'm starting a new job on Monday and am already thinking I will take one with me to keep at work, along with a Jinhao X750.

* - that's a Western fine rather than an Eastern fine.

Good luck with the new job. I am still waiting to see if anything arrives, the only thing I know is that it will not be what I bought.

[dapprman]

Not sure I've posted here before (this thread), but I'm a semi-regular on FPN and FPGeeks.

For those who may be interested, the next meeting of the London Uk Pen Club is this Saturday at the Bierschenke pub near Liverpool St Station. Roughly a midday start. Good mix of ages and pen interests - been there a few times, seems there's generally between about 12 and 20 people.

On Blue/Black ink and Thewritingdesk. Get a syringe and somes samples to see which you prefer, then get drawn in to the wodnerful world of lots of samples (only managed to finish 3 or 4, still got about 20 to go, boguht over various occasions, not all at once).

[Saddle bum]

Robbo 27 said:

Saddle bum said:

Just added a Parker 61 Cumulus f/p to my collection. Mint condition. Nib may be considered halfway between medium and fine. It will thicken up with use.

Very nice and very rare.



For the benefit of others, Parker produced a whole range of pens in rolled gold in their clouds series, very sought after now and very limited supply, some people collect this series and nothing else, stunning pen, thanks for posting.

Thanks for that. I am trying to track down a complimentary ball point, proving quite difficult. Naturally, I would like the others in the Cloud series, but they are quite expensive. Regarding the ball point, I only ever use these on forms as form designers never give enough room for a proper (fountain) pen. This is another reason for writing every second line on lined paper - never enough room.

[Robbo 27]

Saddle bum said:

Thanks for that. I am trying to track down a complimentary ball point, proving quite difficult. Naturally, I would like the others in the Cloud series, but they are quite expensive. Regarding the ball point, I only ever use these on forms as form designers never give enough room for a proper (fountain) pen. This is another reason for writing every second line on lined paper - never enough room.

Best of luck in your search, the clouds edition fountain pen is rare and collected, let alone the ballpoint.

You might want to check this site.

http://www.heritagecollectables.com/parker-6165/

I havent dealt with this company before but I am aware of complaints on other sites, caveat emptor.

[ClockworkCupcake]

I'm liking this fake Lamy so much that I'm considering buying a genuine one.

[Robbo 27]

ClockworkCupcake said:

I'm liking this fake Lamy so much that I'm considering buying a genuine one.

You can have mine, I dont have any cartridges, they only take Lamy cartridges, I will put it in the mail on Monday.

[ClockworkCupcake]

Robbo 27 said:

You can have mine, I dont have any cartridges, they only take Lamy cartridges, I will put it in the mail on Monday.

That's incredibly generous of you, Rob. Thank you so much.

It will be very interesting to see how the genuine compares to the fake.

[alorotom]

Thanks for the recommend on the Writing Desk

Just ordered a Lamy Safari in Neon Lime, converter and some of their own Imperial Purple ink

All for the price I nearly paid for the Lamy alone in Rymans yesterday!

[Robbo 27]

alorotom said:

Thanks for the recommend on the Writing Desk

Just ordered a Lamy Safari in Neon Lime, converter and some of their own Imperial Purple ink

All for the price I nearly paid for the Lamy alone in Rymans yesterday!

Thats good news. the other good thing about Lamy pens is that it is very easy to swap the nibs, takes a few seconds, and replacement nibs cost £4.50.

Also good to support a small and specialist family business.