Do you use a fountain pen?

[Celtic Dragon]

If any of you felt so inclined, the acrylic that that those pens are made from can be had quite cheaply from knife making suppliers, so you could have a bash at making your own.


http://brisa.fi/handle-materials/acrylic.html

Ok, having a lathe would make the whole process easier, but I'm sure with a bit of lateral thinking it could be overcome.

[Robbo 27]

Link attached for the FPR Himalaya site

https://fprevolutionusa.com/products/fpr-himalaya?...

I think these are made in India, I saw a few for sale about 5 years ago and they were a matt finish and indifferent quality, didnt really appeal to be honest, perhaps things have improved.

[Robbo 27]

Celtic Dragon said:

If any of you felt so inclined, the acrylic that that those pens are made from can be had quite cheaply from knife making suppliers, so you could have a bash at making your own.


http://brisa.fi/handle-materials/acrylic.html

Ok, having a lathe would make the whole process easier, but I'm sure with a bit of lateral thinking it could be overcome.

Thanks for that CD, some of these materials look fantastic.

There is a company that sells pen kits,

http://penkitsdirect.co.uk/

The only thing that would put me off would be a chrome finished section.

[Celtic Dragon]

Robbo 27 said:

Thanks for that CD, some of these materials look fantastic.

There is a company that sells pen kits,

http://penkitsdirect.co.uk/

The only thing that would put me off would be a chrome finished section.

I've used Brisa for quite a few years because I also make knives, hence how I know the acrylic is available, I've also got access to lathes, so for me its quite easy. Some of the acrylic I've seen at shows is absolutely stunning, but not sure I could live with looking at it all the time.

[Robbo 27]

Celtic Dragon said:

I've used Brisa for quite a few years because I also make knives, hence how I know the acrylic is available, I've also got access to lathes, so for me its quite easy. Some of the acrylic I've seen at shows is absolutely stunning, but not sure I could live with looking at it all the time.

I know what you mean about the looks of some of the acrylics, such as the blue and yellow job on this page, charges all the money too.

http://www.handmadefountainpens.co.uk/

[Celtic Dragon]

Ouch! They are expensive as well for acrylic pens. If blanks are more than £10 each I'd be surprised.

[dapprman]

Robbo 27 said:

Link attached for the FPR Himalaya site

https://fprevolutionusa.com/products/fpr-himalaya?...

I think these are made in India, I saw a few for sale about 5 years ago and they were a matt finish and indifferent quality, didnt really appeal to be honest, perhaps things have improved.

The pens are - the company started up as the owner got in to fountain pens while living in India before moving back to the USA. Many pens he sells are under the actually manufacturer names, but there are some made specifically for him. He does check them so perhaps he provides quality control.

Not the best of pics, but I was ina hurry

[alorotom]

Advice and guidance required ...

I have started buying bottled ink and am currently using a wonderful Imperial Purple from The Writing Desk in my Jinhao 159 and it writes superbly with it - however it being a 100ml (I think) bottle and the cartridge only taking a small amount I am constantly covered with ink when filling it - how do you chaps and chapesses do this without ending up with it everywhere??

[Robbo 27]

alorotom said:

Advice and guidance required ...

I have started buying bottled ink and am currently using a wonderful Imperial Purple from The Writing Desk in my Jinhao 159 and it writes superbly with it - however it being a 100ml (I think) bottle and the cartridge only taking a small amount I am constantly covered with ink when filling it - how do you chaps and chapesses do this without ending up with it everywhere??

I presume that you are filling the cartridge from a bottle, are you using a syringe?

If you dont then The Writing Desk sells a kit

https://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/?r=2a12

Although I think that Boots will also sell syringes, not sure if they sell them with blunt needles however. I think I would squirm a bit asking for a syringe in Boots but thats probably just me.

If you dont have a converter, which is almost mess free, then The Writing Desk will also sell you a converter

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

Although the crazy thing is that you can buy another 159 with converter for less money than you can buy just the converter from TWD.

I hesitate to suggest one particular converter from TWD for the 159 because I have found that not all the converters that are supposed to be a universal fit are actually suitable for the 159 and other Jinhaos.

If you dont want to buy another 159 or you dont have the converter that came with the original, let me know and I will see if I have one.

[alorotom]

No I just have a couple of converters that came with the jinhaos I have that I put into my big bottle of ink and then twist the bottom bit so the plunger sucks up the ink!

A syringe is a marvellous idea though ... it shouldn’t be a problem getting hold of some blunts either as I’m always in and out of hospitals for work etc...

[dapprman]

Robbo 27 said:

Celtic Dragon said:

I've used Brisa for quite a few years because I also make knives, hence how I know the acrylic is available, I've also got access to lathes, so for me its quite easy. Some of the acrylic I've seen at shows is absolutely stunning, but not sure I could live with looking at it all the time.

I know what you mean about the looks of some of the acrylics, such as the blue and yellow job on this page, charges all the money too.

http://www.handmadefountainpens.co.uk/

I picked up a John Twiss pen at the last London pen Show - his prices are comparable to Edisson Pens and Franklin-Christoph, which is the market segment he sits in. I'm sure i only paid £125 for a pen he sells similar ones to on his site for £195. His nibs are hand tuned as well.

Be aware, along with OMAS rods I believe he also buys from Jonathan Brooks (Carolina Pen Company).

[dapprman]

On syringes - well worth it - these days I tend to buy samples (from TWD), only pens they won't work with are my OMAS and Lamy piston fillers. In fact will be buying a second syringe next time I place an order. Did have two (One came with my Adaptive double helix 3-d printed pen) but one (which came with the Adaptive pen) failed.

BTW when filling a cartridge or a converter make sure you've not got a bubble at the top else as soon as you starting filling you get ink on your fingers. Also careful about overfilling (as i did yesterday).

[Robbo 27]

Happy Christmas to all who have taken part in this thread, it has been enjoyable and interesting.

[Desiato]

Robbo 27 said:

Happy Christmas to all who have taken part in this thread, it has been enjoyable and interesting.

And to you Robbo, a very enjoyable and friendly thread.
May Santa bring everyone nice inks and quality paper.

[Sway]

Desiato said:

Robbo 27 said:

Happy Christmas to all who have taken part in this thread, it has been enjoyable and interesting.

And to you Robbo, a very enjoyable and friendly thread.
May Santa bring everyone nice inks and quality paper.

Merry christmas to all.

Was chuffed to win this in my firm's Christmas raffle. Nice leather folio - hopefully the paper will be OK!

[Robbo 27]

Sway said:

Merry christmas to all.

Was chuffed to win this in my firm's Christmas raffle. Nice leather folio - hopefully the paper will be OK!

Thats really good, looks superb, a very smart Parker Duofold.

[Sway]

Thanks Robbo, this was one of the very last to be made in the UK - a current colleague used to be middle management there and obtained quite a collection in the final days of the factory (as I understand many did, with approval from the bosses).

I do want to send it off for nib tuning - it starts of quite wet when refilled, then gradually dries as the ink level falls. The outside of the converter gets pretty wet too. I think I'd like those two things sorted and a very slight 'stub' applied to the medium nib I currently have.

[Robbo 27]

Sway said:

Thanks Robbo, this was one of the very last to be made in the UK - a current colleague used to be middle management there and obtained quite a collection in the final days of the factory (as I understand many did, with approval from the bosses).

I do want to send it off for nib tuning - it starts of quite wet when refilled, then gradually dries as the ink level falls. The outside of the converter gets pretty wet too. I think I'd like those two things sorted and a very slight 'stub' applied to the medium nib I currently have.

The converter sounds like it has a fault, I think an air leak which may be the cause of the flow problems in the nib.

If you dont have a spare converter then my advice would be to try a Parker cartridge in the pen, I think you will see a big difference.

If you still need the nib to be fixed let me know and I will give you the email address of an expert.

[Sway]

I'll get another converter on order - thanks.

Slightly irritatingly, this was a brand new 'premium' converter. Ah well, not like they're expensive.

[C&C]

Sway said:

Desiato said:

Robbo 27 said:

Happy Christmas to all who have taken part in this thread, it has been enjoyable and interesting.

And to you Robbo, a very enjoyable and friendly thread.
May Santa bring everyone nice inks and quality paper.

Merry christmas to all.

Just to add a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all on the thread.
It's been very interesting, and given me a new hobby as well as significantly improving my handwriting!

Thanks Robbo.

ETA

Thanks also to bhstewie (OP) for starting the whole thing.

Edited by C&C on Saturday 23 December 16:00