Period Correct Writing Instrument

[John in Covina]

How many of the Loungers have considered using a period correct writing instrument.

Of course a #2 pencil is pretty correct for a large part of the last century, but the average household did use a pen of some type.

Pen & pencil sets were given as gifts and an execuative often had an impressive desk set for use.

Fountain pens were purchased by schools , businesses and government agencies alike. Dip pens continued in use for quite a while and you will often see a dip pen used for hotel registry in older movies.

[Baron Kurtz]

I use a 30s mechanical pencil (distributed by a life insurace company), but i haven't yet found a fountain pen worth buying.

bk

[Nick Charles]

I don't know whay but when ever I write in pencil it always seems nice than in pen. I have a Parker 48 fountain pen, I like it and it just need a new supply of ink. Pencil though doesn;t offer the long term readability that pens do.

[Miss Neecerie]

I use a 30s mechanical pencil (distributed by a life insurace company), but i haven't yet found a fountain pen worth buying.

bk

There are many worth buying, what are your requirements?

[Baron Kurtz]

Cheap, testable and not online.

bk

[Hemingway Jones]

You need a nice vintage pen shop like the one bink speaks of in Washington, DC. We have one in Boston, but I haven't been there. I have been told that they sell pens from a few dollars on up; so if you could find a similar place, you would be all set.

[John in Covina]

I have a Parker 48 fountain pen, I like it and it just need a new supply of ink.

*********************
If you can't find a local supply, do a web search and you'll find many of the pen shops have a website and sell a wide variety of inks.

[LizzieMaine]

I used a vintage Esterbrook fountain pen all thru high school -- our local drug store still had some old ones in stock! -- and I became quite skilled in the use of a dip pen during my cartooning days.

Somewhere around here I still have a couple bottles of old-stock Shaeffer ink, which came in bottles with a little well inside that you'd tip to fill --just right for dipping!

[Miss Neecerie]

There is

Makielski Inc.,
3838 N. Main St.
Mishawaka, Indiana
Tel: 219.259.2500

A large selection with heavy emphasis on Montblanc, Cross and Sheaffer. Knowledgeable pen specialist. Impressive store with full service.

Obviously, living in CA never been there...but does not look to be completely across the state from you.

In Indianapolis there is

http://www.paradisepen.com/paradise/text_1.asp

and

http://www.avapen.com/

[John in Covina]

Cheap, testable and not online. bk

*******

I don't know of shops in your area, but most big cities have a pen shop. Pilot makes a disposable Fountain Pen called the Varsity, and can be found in some office supply places. It is inexpensive and every one i have used wrote well.

In new look for what is refered to as Student Pens which can be found in the $20 to $100 range.

In used, ask around friends and relatives if they have any old FP's tucked away. If not disaterously damaged any where from just a cleaning to some fixing ($0-35) will often get a vintage pen back in the writing well mode.