Geekhack Handwriting Thread and Fountain Pen Thread

[terrpn]

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Pilot Elite...............nice

[brimborion]

On the Letter G:



Not that I think my handwriting is great. I have long struggled with my nemesis "G" however.

[Binge]

"I" is a tricky little ****.  I hate the standard cursive version so much.

[FrostyToast]

"I" is a tricky little ****.  I hate the standard cursive version so much.

If you look at mine, it's a squished ampersand.

[clacktalk]

I really don't like how a bunch of lowercase alphabits look like in cursive, but this pen is encouraging me to write fully in cursive. I'm at a crossroads. I also decided non-cursive looking G's are the best G's.

LAMY SAFARI FINE NIB w/ PARKER QUINK. I also cleaned out the pen with a decent amount of water and a dash of dish soap because I noticed the pen was scratchy and inconsistent straight out of the box.

Some scribbles. Also decided really early into the page that I'd just write at my normal pace as a baseline and also because I like the organic feel. For the most part, this is how I write normally.

[tigersharkdude]

I don't have any Menlos, but here is a Collier and a Hudson.

(Attachment Link)

That transluscent material is lovely.  Which pen is that?


I both love and hate the upper case G. I feel like if its on point and right, it looks so good. And when I **** it up, it looks disgusting. Was playing around with it tonight. Please excuse the railroading.

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For u bro,

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TIL that the G we were taught in elementary school is not the only cursive variant

[CPTBadAss]

On the Letter G:

(Attachment Link)

Not that I think my handwriting is great. I have long struggled with my nemesis "G" however.

Ha that is great! Kinda reminds me of my own struggle with G and F.

I really don't like how a bunch of lowercase alphabits look like in cursive, but this pen is encouraging me to write fully in cursive. I'm at a crossroads. I also decided non-cursive looking G's are the best G's.

LAMY SAFARI FINE NIB w/ PARKER QUINK. I also cleaned out the pen with a decent amount of water and a dash of dish soap because I noticed the pen was scratchy and inconsistent straight out of the box.

Some scribbles. Also decided really early into the page that I'd just write at my normal pace as a baseline and also because I like the organic feel. For the most part, this is how I write normally.

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Are those S or G at the bottom? Can't tell if it's Seek or Geek.

[clacktalk]

BOTH

[Jixr]

just bought my first fountain pen, been trying to snag a rotring 600 off ebay, but they were just too expensive for me, so I found a levenger clone for $40 new, and it comes in a nice case.

First time ever using a FP, so when it comes in we will see how it is.

[brimborion]

just bought my first fountain pen, been trying to snag a rotring 600 off ebay, but they were just too expensive for me, so I found a levenger clone for $40 new, and it comes in a nice case.

First time ever using a FP, so when it comes in we will see how it is.

Nice. Sadly Austin is a tough place to try pens locally. There is a stationery place near Central Market on Lamar that has like, a half dozen, and a few J. Herbin inks, and then there is Paradise Pen Co. at the Barton Creek Mall. The fellow who works there is awesome and also deals in vintage in his off hours, but the selection was such that they had everything but what I wanted, except paper and ink.

[Jixr]

just bought my first fountain pen, been trying to snag a rotring 600 off ebay, but they were just too expensive for me, so I found a levenger clone for $40 new, and it comes in a nice case.

First time ever using a FP, so when it comes in we will see how it is.

Nice. Sadly Austin is a tough place to try pens locally. There is a stationery place near Central Market on Lamar that has like, a half dozen, and a few J. Herbin inks, and then there is Paradise Pen Co. at the Barton Creek Mall. The fellow who works there is awesome and also deals in vintage in his off hours, but the selection was such that they had everything but what I wanted, except paper and ink.

Thats good to know, I was actually at the mall today, and figured that it was nothing more than a snobby shop with dumb retail people.

I have a few rotring pens and pencils, but never used a fountain pen before. I'll check the stationary place and see what they have, as my FP will come with a cartrige thing and I wanna get some ink. I only really care about the rotring style stuff, everything else isn't for me.

[terrpn]

someone here wanted to see a sample of how fine a "Platinum UEF" (ultra extra fine) was, so I just dropped in a bunch of nibs (mostly thin) for comparison

in no way shape or form am I trying to glorify my pathetic handwriting. I do not cursive...........probably haven't since college easy- so everything is print

so here you go

[Jixr]

Hey guys. I've been wanting to get an actual rotring fountain pen, and I really don't want to pay $200 for one.

I found this on ebay, its gold which is cool, but its really beat up.

Cosmetically, its rough, but seller says it does not leak ink and writes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROTRING-600-18-K-GOLD-NIB-FOUNTAIN-PEN-/121558395019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4d71e88b

I'm okay with the cosmetic issues, but not sure about buying used pens in this condition.

[FrostyToast]

someone here wanted to see a sample of how fine a "Platinum UEF" (ultra extra fine) was, so I just dropped in a bunch of nibs (mostly thin) for comparison

in no way shape or form am I trying to glorify my pathetic handwriting. I do not cursive...........probably haven't since college easy- so everything is print

so here you go

I like those thin lines.
I might get a Pilot vanishing point with a uef nib just to use for quick notes that can be used with cheap paper.
Hopefully uef nibs wouldn't just cut up the paper instead )

Although I will have to get the nib ground for me as it doesn't actually come with uef.

[HalfSharkAlligator]

Hey guys. I've been wanting to get an actual rotring fountain pen, and I really don't want to pay $200 for one.

I found this on ebay, its gold which is cool, but its really beat up.

Cosmetically, its rough, but seller says it does not leak ink and writes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROTRING-600-18-K-GOLD-NIB-FOUNTAIN-PEN-/121558395019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4d71e88b

I'm okay with the cosmetic issues, but not sure about buying used pens in this condition.

You mentioned a few posts up that you haven't used a FP before. I highly recommend against a vintage FP for your first one. And furthermore, the one you posted on eBay, the Rotring FP, is in really rough shape.  I see rust damage too which means water, it might be a bad one. 

Instead, look at getting into a decent entry level FP for your first one, I guarantee your tastes will change over the first few months of using them (and aquiring too many of them).  Vintage will be finicky, modern pens are just more reliable and user-friendly. 

A few good entry level FP's are:


TWSBI Mini
Kaweco Sport
Pilot Metropolitan
Lamy Safari (although the nibs can be hit or miss, some are misaligned from factory causing scratchiness and turning off new users who don't know how to adjust it)
Also if you want a metal body instead, Lamy AL-Star is the aluminum version of the Safari and Kaweco AL Sport is the aluminum Sport.  And Lamy Vista is a clear Safari (demonstrator)

[CPTBadAss]

Totally agree with those introductory pens Half Shark Alligator. I would suggest the same pens to people. But I'd also add the Pilot Varsity and Platinum Preppy.

[Jixr]

I actually just got my first true FP in the mail the other day.

Since the rotrings are so expensive ( I mostly love their build quality and design ) I picked up a levenger L-tech, and while its not the same as a rotring, its pretty close.

$50 and it came with a fancy box case, a cartridge refiller thingy, and some other little goodies.

It has a screw on cap which is awesome, but the edges are a bit round ( not sharp like rotring ) and its a bit fatter than the rotring.

Right now i'm just using a black cartridge, but I ordered some brown ink of amazon that should be here on friday.
( I Love the old timey look of brown ink )

[CPTBadAss]

Writing sample time Jixr!

[Jixr]

ha, i'm not an artist, just a draftsman by trade. which kinda is how i ended up spending more money than any normal person would on pens.

Started with a nice mechanical pencil that I used in college, and it broke, so I bought a rotring one, loved it, and now have 2 pencils, 4 pens, and this levenger I just added. Pencils were $30 a pop, and the pens were from $25-140 ( i HAD to have one that was new in box for when my current one ever breaks, I love it ) and this levenger.

Ideally I would like to have one of everything from the rotring 600 series. Those things are amazing.

So My writing is basically standard all caps writing.

[Binge]

ha, i'm not an artist, just a draftsman by trade. which kinda is how i ended up spending more money than any normal person would on pens.

Started with a nice mechanical pencil that I used in college, and it broke, so I bought a rotring one, loved it, and now have 2 pencils, 3 pens, and this levenger I just added.

So My writing is basically standard all caps writing.

Excuses are worse than not even doing it   PEER PRESSURE C'MON MAN

[Jixr]

the pen may be mightier than the sword, but my writing is as sharp as a butter knife.

[CPTBadAss]

ha, i'm not an artist, just a draftsman by trade. which kinda is how i ended up spending more money than any normal person would on pens.

Started with a nice mechanical pencil that I used in college, and it broke, so I bought a rotring one, loved it, and now have 2 pencils, 4 pens, and this levenger I just added. Pencils were $30 a pop, and the pens were from $25-140 ( i HAD to have one that was new in box for when my current one ever breaks, I love it ) and this levenger.

Ideally I would like to have one of everything from the rotring 600 series. Those things are amazing.

So My writing is basically standard all caps writing.

I too did drafting for a while and found the 600s to be amazing for work. I've got two 600s right now. And my standard writing is all caps. I'd like to get the standard which shows you how your letters are supposed to be so I can improve my print.

Anyways, let's see that lovely drafting print. I'm betting yours looks on point and like a printer. Mine was always sloppy but the older guys on my team had incredible print.

[Jixr]

I can write much better with a pencil than I can this pen. I guess I'm still getting used to it.


Levenger FP
Rotring 600 .5mm pencil
Rotring 600 .7mm pencil
Rotring Rapid Pro ( its sucks and I hate it )
And my cherry, the rotring 600 pen, which is amazing.

( not shown, my other 600 pen, and a big fat 600 pen that looks like the levenger )

[genkidama]

Hey guys,
I'm sorry I was ill for some time and lost track of the thread and my pen search. I'm sorry to CPTBadAss as I kept you waiting.

So now I'm kind of back and I tried some fountain pens at a local store. I tried Lamys and Parkers, wrote with medium, italic and fine nibs. Was very fun to write with those and you notice Parker being a very good pen. The essence of my endeavor is that I fear if I get a Pilot Metropolitan "fine" it'll be too fine and scratch the paper while writing. The salesman told me that I need to watch out for that as I tried a extra-fine nib from Parker or Cross (not quite sure anymore) and it kind of scratched while I wrote swung "f"'s. You guys told me that a japanese fine nib is comparable to a european extra fine nib, so I fear it'll scratch like I tried at the store. What do you think guys? I know it all depends on how you write and watching some of Goulet vids on YouTube, it was never mentioned that it scratched whatsoever. But the thinner the nib the more likley it'll scratch right?

[CPTBadAss]

The finer the nib is in general, the scratchier it will feel. Scratchy feel =/= will tear paper. I believe the Pilot Metro one isn't bad but I also don't do anything below Pilot Medium nibs and I'm tending towards broads or stubs now. So I might not be the best person to ask. Since you've already tried XF and you didn't like it, I suggest you stick with a F. Pilot or otherwise.

[genkidama]

I thought that the scratchy feeling will break the nib more quickly? I also tend to put more pressure on the pen than necessary.
But as I was consulted by that salesman person, I thought that the Pilot F is an Extra-Fine I tried on a Parker/Cross which I disliked. So is it better to get a Pilot M rather than a Pilot F? This is was I meant, I'm not sure if that came across in my initial post.

[FrostyToast]

I thought that the scratchy feeling will break the nib more quickly? I also tend to put more pressure on the pen than necessary.
But as I was consulted by that salesman person, I thought that the Pilot F is an Extra-Fine I tried on a Parker/Cross which I disliked. So is it better to get a Pilot M rather than a Pilot F? This is was I meant, I'm not sure if that came across in my initial post.

Yeah Japanese nibs are generally ground one degree finer than European nibs.
That means you should either get a European fine nib or medium Japanese nib.

[CPTBadAss]

I feel like the Japanese vs European nib width thing is a bit overblown and simplified. Look up some writing samples. I find it varies more by company and the Pilot Medium isn't a true fine in my opinion. It is certainly thinner than say a Pelikan Medium but not so much so that I would call it a fine. My Lamy Fine is much much finer than the Pilot Medium. I suggest instead of listening to what people have to say, go to the Nib Nook on Goulet and find the nib width pictures or look up writing samples and decide for yourself what you would like.

I don't know what context you mean by "better". Again, it's up to you what you're looking for in a pen and how you write with it. You did your own research by going to the store so trust what you liked and didn't like. Because in the end you're the one that's writing with it, not me or anyone else. If you didn't like how scratchy it was, maybe you should go back and try a nib size up.

Your nib won't break because it's scratchy. It's just how it feels.

[skcheng]

There's a LOT more to it than size of the nib.   The material of the nib, the thickness.   How it's ground etc...   A well tuned XF can write smooth as butter, whereas a very hard, damaged M nib could be scratchy as hell.   I personally feel that "most" stock nibs on new pens are not nice to write with at all.   Too hard, too stiff, and too similar to a ball point pen.   And then ..... why bother?   But a properly adjusted/tuned nib for flow and writing style can result in writing bliss.   Even though most of our writing these days involves banging on keycaps or thumbing letters on our phones   

[CPTBadAss]

There's a lot of truth to skcheng's post. I've smoothed a lot of the nibs on the pens I have. I fixed the misaligned tines on my Pelikan M605 as well when I got it. Obviously shouldn't have come like that but it was fun to fix it.

[Binge]

There's a lot of truth to skcheng's post. I've smoothed a lot of the nibs on the pens I have. I fixed the misaligned tines on my Pelikan M605 as well when I got it. Obviously shouldn't have come like that but it was fun to fix it.

CPT knows I have a lot of fine/ef nibs and they aren't "scratchy" most of that is either poor penmanship or a cruddy nib.  If you want to learn how to work with a mediocre nib buy a pen that will accept #6 sized nibs, and then purchase a tuning kit and some noodler's flex nibs.  They are mostly the worst right out of the box, but you can make them write nearly as well as the most expensive pens you own.  It really goes to illustrate the value of a good tuning.

[CPTBadAss]

I wouldn't even go that far in terms of learning to work on your own pens. I started smoothing my own nibs with a brown paper lunch bag. You rip off a square, hold the pen like you normally would, then draw figure 8s on the lunch bag with the pen inked up. Every so often, try writing a line on normal paper to see if the nib is as smooth as you want it.

I've now got a special nib smoothing kit that I use but honestly, the brown paper bag trick is pretty easy and effective. Just gotta watch for paper fibers getting stuck in your nib.

[Binge]

CPT doesn't like diving too deep >.>  Guess we gotta build up his game some more.  This is a fancy chart I ripped off of a neat FB group.  Puts the whole fountain pen thing into perspective.

[FrostyToast]

Ha. I went straight headfirst into my Pilot elite...
I don't need a gateway drug.

[Jixr]

is there any way you can make a fine tipped pen more fine? It still seems really wide to me, and I really like more hair line type writing since I usually write so small.

[FrostyToast]

is there any way you can make a fine tipped pen more fine? It still seems really wide to me, and I really like more hair line type writing since I usually write so small.

You can go up to an extra fine and an ultra extra fine.
Again, Japanese nibs are a tad finer, but apparently not a full degree as was pointed out.
You can also have a nibmeister grind an existing nib.

[CPTBadAss]

is there any way you can make a fine tipped pen more fine? It still seems really wide to me, and I really like more hair line type writing since I usually write so small.

Try writing with the pen upside down. I've heard people doing that to get finer lines. I don't think it can go finer unless you retip it but I have seen Ultra extra fine or needlepoint nibs.

[skcheng]

CPT doesn't like diving too deep >.>  Guess we gotta build up his game some more.  This is a fancy chart I ripped off of a neat FB group.  Puts the whole fountain pen thing into perspective.

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I'm fully entrenched in the "I've Lost My ****" section.   My favorites are completely custom made pens, Montblancs 149s, and Nakayas.  I have a Sailor King of Pen as well ..... big beast of a pen!! 

[Jixr]

yeah, after doing some research, it seems like its a common thing with this brand, that all the nib labels are a step up in size.

My $40 pen is about to turn into a $75 pen with buying a new nib. :/

[Binge]

CPT doesn't like diving too deep >.>  Guess we gotta build up his game some more.  This is a fancy chart I ripped off of a neat FB group.  Puts the whole fountain pen thing into perspective.

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I'm fully entrenched in the "I've Lost My ****" section.   My favorites are completely custom made pens, Montblancs 149s, and Nakayas.  I have a Sailor King of Pen as well ..... big beast of a pen!! 

Yeah I've gotten into that category with my Sailor, Onoto, and Visconti pens.

[terrpn]

The Sheaffer Triumph............conical nibs were made to be written upside down. A medium, fine will write an extra-fine, hairline, etc.



I really have not had any problem with my extra fine, etc. nibs ripping into the paper, even my Platinum 377 with UEF is very smooth............



I guess I am off the deep end as far as Binge's Chart............, I've lost it all

As far as bang for the buck you cannot go wrong with a Parker 45 with an XF nib on it. Just make sure it comes with a converter. I know they are pretty vanilla, but they can be had for a song with a 14k nib still



BTW..........it is not that hard to bring a fine down to an extra fine............just watch the corners are somewhat rounded off

[brimborion]

The Sheaffer Triumph............conical nibs were made to be written upside down. A medium, fine will write an extra-fine, hairline, etc.

I have a Ranga with one of those nibs that I got from Peyton Street Pens, and it does truly write a nice, clean, fine line.

[CPTBadAss]

How do you like that hybrid pen from Peyton Street Pens brimborion? I was going to snag one of the Ranga's with the flexible Evershap nibs.

[Jixr]

Yeah, I ended up just ordering a extra fine nib to replace mine.

I attempted to sharpen it a bit, but didn't notice any difference. Don't want to break it or mess it up though, so i'll see how the new nib does.

[terrpn]

I have a couple of these which write fairly thin, wet and depending on where you check are not very expensive

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROTRING-CORE-LYSUM-FOUNTAIN-PEN-FINE-PT-NEW-IN-BOX-22454-MADE-IN-GERMANY-/141563862048?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20f5dd1c20

[tigersharkdude]

Bought these off amazon, basically just to see if I like the Ultra-fine nib. If I do, I plan to pick up a nicer model to carry
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KRXPN5W/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVHPCG21UKS8

[Binge]

Bought these off amazon, basically just to see if I like the Ultra-fine nib. If I do, I plan to pick up a nicer model to carry
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KRXPN5W/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVHPCG21UKS8

Awesome man.  I saw your PM but I have not had time to respond to much.  Glad you were able to get sorted

[clacktalk]

I can write much better with a pencil than I can this pen. I guess I'm still getting used to it.

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Levenger FP
Rotring 600 .5mm pencil
Rotring 600 .7mm pencil
Rotring Rapid Pro ( its sucks and I hate it )
And my cherry, the rotring 600 pen, which is amazing.

( not shown, my other 600 pen, and a big fat 600 pen that looks like the levenger )

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I have the rapid pro, and I really enjoy writing with it! I considered the 600 and 800 before picking it up, but there were crazy mixed reviews for the 800 and the functionaltiy/sturdiness of the rapid pro over the 600 won me over. I'm thinking of getting the Lamy Scribble next just because it looks so fun to write with. Or the Uni Kuru Toga bc I'm curious about how all the tech in the pencil handles. If only there were a sturdier version of the Kuru Toga, that would probably be my dream pencil.

I already have my next nice fp purchase lined up. The Pilot Vanishing Pro has caught my attention, but I'd rather eat more burritos at Chipotle than drop over a hundo for a pen. It may forever quench my desire for more, HOPEFULLY.

[terrpn]

Bought these off amazon, basically just to see if I like the Ultra-fine nib. If I do, I plan to pick up a nicer model to carry
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KRXPN5W/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVHPCG21UKS8

looks like a hero?

[tigersharkdude]

Bought these off amazon, basically just to see if I like the Ultra-fine nib. If I do, I plan to pick up a nicer model to carry
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KRXPN5W/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVHPCG21UKS8

looks like a hero?

Title says it's a Hero 9296

With that said, I don't think they come with ink. I have a bottle of Brothers Stamp Ink .. would that be OK to use?