PB Fountain Pens

[dsanch1120]

Someone on a different thread mentioned ballpoints (and specifically the BIC) replacing fountain pens. This made me curious if anyone here is still a regular fountain pen user and what they like to use most and why.
Personally, I'm still getting into the broader fountain pen world and haven't really moved beyond budget pens (my most expensive one is around $40). I use an extra-fine Lamy Safari and a fine Pilot metropolitan, usually for journaling and taking notes on sermons, seminary, and in my own time in the Word. I especially like the Safari since it's relatively refillable and cheap to replace as I am a chronic loser-of-items, but I do appreciate that the metropolitan as feeling more high quality and being nice to write with, though a bit heavier.

 

[michael_topple]

Fountain pen user here, brother. I find writing with anything else makes my already poor handwriting even worse!
The one exception is when underlining in my Bible, where I use an ultra fine archival pen - and a ruler!

 

[dsanch1120]

The one exception is when underlining in my Bible, where I use an ultra fine archival pen - and a ruler!

Never thought to use a ruler before for Bible annotations! I'm not much of a Bible-annotator, but if I ever change that I'll have to start using one.

 

[michael_topple]

Never thought to use a ruler before for Bible annotations! I'm not much of a Bible-annotator, but if I ever change that I'll have to start using one.

That or, more commonly (I should have been clearer), my library card serves as both a bookmark and a handy ruler for those neat underlinings that I find so helpful. Bless you.

 

[J.L. Allen]

I'm a big fan of the Pilot Metropolitan. It's at a decent price point and feels good in the hand. They are durable, but don't have a replaceable nib. My three-year-old dropped it while it was open and crunched the nib. I replaced the pen but then gave it to my wife (a recent convert to fountain pens). I have a Kaweco Sport for my journaling right before bed. My favorite pen up to this point, though, has been the Traveler's Company brass pen.

I do keep a non-fountain pen around to write on receipts or other things not friendly to fountain pen ink. I use a Zebra F-701 ballpoint. I have it on my person at all times along with a Field Notes pocketbook.

 

[TheInquirer]

I use the exquisite Zebra F-301 .7mm blue pens - only the finest is good enough for me!

 

[Ye_Olde_Heidelberger]

I was into fountain pens a while ago, and got some good use out of the Lamy Safari. Nowadays, I use a Lamy 2000 rollerball for my writing needs.

 

[MyCrows]

Swat tactical pen all the way!

 

[Logan]

Uniball Signo RT 0.38mm. I prefer fine points.

 

[J.L. Allen]

Swat tactical pen all the way!

That the pen is mightier than the sword is easy to see when you can kill someone with it.

 

[Kinghezy]

Pilot Precise V7 RT Retractable Rolling Ball Pens, Fine Point

 

[VictorBravo]

I once found a large osprey feather and made a decent quill pen. Then I learned of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that regulates possession of feathers. I took no pictures.

 

[Edward]

I've used cartridge pens in the past, and I played with calligraphy for a while with dip in the inkpot nibs. But these days I generally look for giveaway pens with advertising on them.

 

[Polanus1561]

just popping by to say Jetstream ballpoints (oops). Hands often a bit tad moist for fountain pens (have a Safari)

 

[J.L. Allen]

I've used cartridge pens in the past, and I played with calligraphy for a while with dip in the inkpot nibs. But these days I generally look for giveaway pens with advertising on them.

Ah yes. Because it's never awkward when you loan someone a pen that has "Viagra" emblazoned on the side.

 

[Flowin’JOwen]

Lamy Safari for me. Also like a Sharpie 0.7mm S-Gel with the matte black metal barrel for other jobs.

 

[JP Wallace]

Wordsworth and Black fountain for early sermon prep. medium
Kaweco Sport fountain and various gel pens and fineliners for journalling.

 

[Edward]

Ah yes. Because it's never awkward when you loan someone a pen that has "Viagra" emblazoned on the side.

Never had one of those. But my father was a gynecologist. So I have had some promoting medical products and pharmaceuticals over the years.

 

[ZackF]

My pastor loves them. About 15 years ago I bought some and experimented with different tips and so on. They are elegant and beautiful. However, I ruined shirts and otherwise made messes. I ran out of patience.

Swat tactical pen all the way!

I have one similar. It is a “bolt action.”

 

[No Other Name]

However, I ruined shirts and otherwise made messes. I ran out of patience.

Are you saying the Swat tactical pens messed your shirts? Or was that first part attached to the previous ballpoints advertising meds?

 

[ZackF]

Are you saying the Swat tactical pens messed your shirts? Or was that first part attached to the previous ballpoints advertising meds?

No, the fountain pins did.

 

[dsanch1120]

However, I ruined shirts and otherwise made messes. I ran out of patience.

I've unfortunately lost a shirt and pair of pants to a leaky pen. If anything would get me to switch to ballpoints, it probably would be that

 

[J.L. Allen]

Pocket protectors, brothers, are your solution. Not only does it protect your shirts, but you look great doing it.

 

[ZackF]

Pocket protectors, brothers, are your solution. Not only does it protect your shirts, but you look great doing it.

Every bit gained to “look great” via a fountain pen is lost by a pocket protector. This is my low tech data capture system. It has worked well. Retractable mini gel pen and note taking wallet.

 

[J.L. Allen]

That's a nice set up, Zack! I have a waxed canvas cover. I like leather a lot, but my perspiration doesn't. Things in my pocket take a beating all day long. My wallet has suffered much in that way.

 

[dsanch1120]

Pocket protectors, brothers, are your solution. Not only does it protect your shirts, but you look great doing it.

I can already picture my wife's face if I got one

 

[ZackF]

I can already picture my wife's face if I got one

Get one and a short sleeve dress shirt with a tie. Don’t forget Brylcreem. Tell her you are going to 1966 to work trajectories for Gemini.

 

[dsanch1120]

Get one and a short sleeve dress shirt with a tie. Don’t forget Brylcreem. Tell her you are going to 1966 to work trajectories for Gemini.

Even better!

 

[J.L. Allen]

Get one and a short sleeve dress shirt with a tie. Don’t forget Brylcreem. Tell her you are going to 1966 to work trajectories for Gemini.

If you have the right accessories no one will question your intelligence.

They ask, "Sir, we see that you wear glasses and a pocket protector. Where did you get your PhD? And what was your dissertation?"

Tenure at respected institution of higher learning, here I come...

 

[GulfCoast Presbyterian]

I am a constant fountain pen user, and casual accumulator. I have used FP's pretty much exclusively (other than for bible underlining since I tune my pens pretty wet) since I got out of law school in 1991. I would not call myself a "collector" as my tastes are too eclectic to settle on one type or brand. I have "accumulated" quite a few. I know there are a few PB users of FP's, as I have pen pal exchanged with a couple. I won't out them, though. In general, I like Sailor and Pilot FP's, Pelikans, and Pilot and Papier Plume (local NOLA shop) inks. I used to be an "M" guy, now I like Japanese fines and extra-fines tuned wet.