What pens are we carrying today?

[Dave E]

The pilot 78g turned up today. I filled it with Parker quink and away I went. Writes beautifully, but is very fine. Half an hour in and I am considering something with a slightly heavier line....

Thanks for your advice guys. The fountain pen will join my everyday carry items along with my marbles compass, Beattie jet lighter and pocket knife...

Japanese pens like Pilot are well known for putting down a finer line than western pens. The M nibs in my Pilot Vanishing Points (great pens, by the way) are closer to a F from a Pelikan.

If you're looking around at other pens, Lamy are always well regarded and make some very affordable and good quality pens. I'm a fan of Pelikan, and the M200 is a good entry point (I use an M800 a lot, lovely pen).

[James71]

I've been using it every day since I bought it and I love it.

[Dennis Young]

I have a Crossfountain pen but I have never been able to get it to write smoothly. I have followed the instructions in the booklet but it will write a couple of letters, then stop, then start writing again. I've cleaned it and all that. My frustration with it has led me to give up and just use rollerball or ballpoint pens.

I also have a vintage David Kahn Pioneer fountain pen my grandfather used prior to 1936. (He died in '36). It is plastic or Bakelite or something similar. It has a lever on the side to load the pen with ink. I'm not sure, but the nib looks to be plastic! Or maybe its just a piece where a nib screws onto it, I dunno. Cant see how ink would flow through this bit of plastic. I'll try to make a photo and load it up for you guys if you want.

[John in Covina]

I have a Crossfountain pen but I have never been able to get it to write smoothly. I have followed the instructions in the booklet but it will write a couple of letters, then stop, then start writing again. I've cleaned it and all that. .

Flush the pen out with 1/4 non-sudsing amonia and 3/4 cold water a bunch of times. You can substitue regular 409 for the ammonia. If it still skips try Private reserve Tanzinite.

[Dennis Young]

Thanx! I'll try that.

[fabiovenhorst]

My Sheafer's Snorkel mod. "Statesman" (Made in Australia).




Paladium Silver Nib

[Shangas]

Today I am using this:



1942 gold-filled Conway Stewart

[John in Covina]

I am using an older Esterbrook (Dollar Pen?) the ones with the 2 holes in the clip. It's a sliver color body and i had replaced the nib with a medium point. I am using a mix of Private reserve Velvet black with their midnight blue.

[MikeBravo]

My Sheafer's Snorkel mod. "Statesman" (Made in Australia).

You could sink a battleship with that pen!

Nice shape and the wide gold band really adds to it

[John in Covina]

Flush the pen out with 1/4 non-sudsing amonia and 3/4 cold water a bunch of times. You can substitue regular 409 for the ammonia. If it still skips try Private reserve Tanzinite.

Flush with clean cold water afterwards.