The fine art of writing: pens, inks, papers, correction fluids

[SmallFry]

HAH! If I ever buy something from Glissant I'm not sure which will be more exciting, the package or the doodle. I love your art!

You shouldn't be flirting on the interwebz bro.

While I respect his doodles and handwriting... You know... There's a good chance moonprismpwr is a guy with mad photochop skillz.

Lolwut? Not flirting? ROFL!

[tp4tissue]

HAH! If I ever buy something from Glissant I'm not sure which will be more exciting, the package or the doodle. I love your art!

You shouldn't be flirting on the interwebz bro.

While I respect his doodles and handwriting... You know... There's a good chance moonprismpwr is a guy with mad photochop skillz.

Lolwut? Not flirting? ROFL!

IRL, AFK, it wouldn't be flirting, but on the internet, that's flirting.

[moonprismpwr]

Sorry to disappoint you tp4tissue, but I am just a girl. Though I do think its funny someone would ever go to the extent of taking a bunch of pictures of a girl just to use her as their internet identity. And I don't think Smallfry liking my art is flirting, either He is just being kind and he liked the avatar I drew for him.

[Glissant]

I haven't seen tp4tissue trolling in a while. Have you been ill or something, tp4tissue?

wifey; don't feed the trolls
Oh and your first sentence brought this back to memory:

[tp4tissue]

I haven't seen tp4tissue trolling in a while. Have you been ill or something, tp4tissue?

wifey; don't feed the trolls
Oh and your first sentence brought this back to memory:

My suspicion now is that Glissant and Moonprismpwr may in fact be the same person. hm......   

[moonprismpwr]

Is this guy for real?

[longweight]

Is this guy for real?

Sadly I think he is.

Aren't you distantly related to Glissant?

[moonprismpwr]

Is this guy for real?

Sadly I think he is.

Aren't you distantly related to Glissant?

haha yea, i think so. i believe somewhere down the line we got married xD

[longweight]

Ohhh yeah that was it!

[metalliqaz]

I don't always write with pens, but when I do, I prefer whatever is rolling around in the drawer.

[tp4tissue]

Hrrrmmmm...... still suspicious...

[Quarzac]

So, since starting to use fountain pens, I have bought 2 vintage Esterbrooks, a Hero 9075, Pelikan M200, Sheaffer No Nonsense, won a Platinum Preppy, and given a Waterman Expert. It's kind of a problem.

[longweight]

I've developed a nice little Mont Blanc ink collection! I have 6 now

[CPTBadAss]

So I always liked Uniballs and Pilot pens but I want to make the jump to a fountain pen. But I'd like to start in the shallow end and buy an affordable one before I get something like tsangan or longweight. Can anyone recommend me an affordably price fountain pen?

[longweight]

How good is your hand writing? The size of the nib makes a huge difference, I have very cramped / small handwriting so I use an extra fine nib, if I use a medium or think nib then you cannot read my writing!


What is your budget?

[CPTBadAss]

I write like a draftsman, smaller hand writing but in all caps. I think on the pens 0.7 thickness works fine for me. Budget? I'd rather not spend more than $50.

[tp4tissue]

How good is your hand writing? The size of the nib makes a huge difference, I have very cramped / small handwriting so I use an extra fine nib, if I use a medium or think nib then you cannot read my writing!


What is your budget?

Um... perhaps start at changing your cramped handwriting first?

That's weird cuz, a fountain pen usually really helps people "Open Up" as they explore the use of a Pen..

I beseech you to relax and feel the gentle smoothness that is to GLIDE a nib vs what you may be doing now, by stabbing the paper.

[longweight]

I have heard very good things about Lamy: http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-Fountain-Charcoal-Medium/dp/B00133X1V8/ref=pd_sbs_op_4

[longweight]

How good is your hand writing? The size of the nib makes a huge difference, I have very cramped / small handwriting so I use an extra fine nib, if I use a medium or think nib then you cannot read my writing!


What is your budget?

Um... perhaps start at changing your cramped handwriting first?

That's weird cuz, a fountain pen usually really helps people "Open Up" as they explore the use of a Pen..

I beseech you to relax and feel the gentle smoothness that is to GLIDE a nib vs what you may be doing now, by stabbing the paper.

I am changing it, slowly it is opening out and starting to flow more. In a year or so I will sent my pen off to have the nib changed.

[tp4tissue]

I write like a draftsman, smaller hand writing but in all caps. I think on the pens 0.7 thickness works fine for me. Budget? I'd rather not spend more than $50.

Ah... I don't think fountain pens would be a good fit for your "draftsman" style handwriting. Fountain pen is designed for fast ink delivery and smooth curls.  If you write like a draftsman, the fast ink rate would be more of a hindrance.. Vs PENCIL...

There's a whole elitist culture behind Pencils too.. Maybe give that a go instead of Fountain pen..

[tp4tissue]

How good is your hand writing? The size of the nib makes a huge difference, I have very cramped / small handwriting so I use an extra fine nib, if I use a medium or think nib then you cannot read my writing!


What is your budget?

Um... perhaps start at changing your cramped handwriting first?

That's weird cuz, a fountain pen usually really helps people "Open Up" as they explore the use of a Pen..

I beseech you to relax and feel the gentle smoothness that is to GLIDE a nib vs what you may be doing now, by stabbing the paper.

I am changing it, slowly it is opening out and starting to flow more. In a year or so I will sent my pen off to have the nib changed.

I see you're also British... Now that's out in the open, I must reiterate that you're held responsible by society towards high mastery of the written hand.

[longweight]

Fountain pens are so nice that it encourages you to write in a nicer and smoother way so definitely give it a try.


Oh and once you get a fountain pen you will need to start using decent paper!

[tp4tissue]

Fountain pens are so nice that it encourages you to write in a nicer and smoother way so definitely give it a try.


Oh and once you get a fountain pen you will need to start using decent paper!

ah, paper..

Word of Caution, because more Expensive paper doesn't mean "better" for fountain pens.

Paper that's good for fountain pens are LESS absorbent, and has a smoother denser surface texture.

[longweight]

Fountain pens are so nice that it encourages you to write in a nicer and smoother way so definitely give it a try.


Oh and once you get a fountain pen you will need to start using decent paper!

ah, paper..

Word of Caution, because more Expensive paper doesn't mean "better" for fountain pens.

Paper that's good for fountain pens are LESS absorbent, and has a smoother denser surface texture.

I have found that Red & Black paper is excellent whilst Moleskin paper can be a bit touch and go.


Any recommendations?

[tp4tissue]

I have heard very good things about Lamy: http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-Fountain-Charcoal-Medium/dp/B00133X1V8/ref=pd_sbs_op_4

The lamy line is a good starter fountain pen..

I recommend getting the Lamy Joy with the Italic nib, because if you just get the regular pen, it gets kinda boring fast.

Don't bother getting the Lamy Joy $40 version with the aluminum cap, they used to have a nice metal piece at the end of that pen portion, but now they used the same complete plastic version just like the cheaper $30 model...  10 for just the aluminum cap is NOT worth it...

But Italic Nib is very cool, and more fun for longer.

[CPTBadAss]

I write like a draftsman, smaller hand writing but in all caps. I think on the pens 0.7 thickness works fine for me. Budget? I'd rather not spend more than $50.

Ah... I don't think fountain pens would be a good fit for your "draftsman" style handwriting. Fountain pen is designed for fast ink delivery and smooth curls.  If you write like a draftsman, the fast ink rate would be more of a hindrance.. Vs PENCIL...

There's a whole elitist culture behind Pencils too.. Maybe give that a go instead of Fountain pen..

I don't really like pencils =(  I don't really use them at all. Oh well.

[longweight]

Give a fountain pen a go

[tp4tissue]

Fountain pens are so nice that it encourages you to write in a nicer and smoother way so definitely give it a try.


Oh and once you get a fountain pen you will need to start using decent paper!

ah, paper..

Word of Caution, because more Expensive paper doesn't mean "better" for fountain pens.

Paper that's good for fountain pens are LESS absorbent, and has a smoother denser surface texture.

I have found that Red & Black paper is excellent whilst Moleskin paper can be a bit touch and go.


Any recommendations?

Well, clairefontaine 90+ gsm is the tried and true, very smooth surface, and slow absorption/less feathering, very little Echo.

Everything else usually does OK, but are too thin, so you can only use 1 side, because of the echo.

[longweight]

Thanks I will have a look, Moleskine pads are lovely but pretty poor for fountain pen or pencil.

[tp4tissue]

I write like a draftsman, smaller hand writing but in all caps. I think on the pens 0.7 thickness works fine for me. Budget? I'd rather not spend more than $50.

Ah... I don't think fountain pens would be a good fit for your "draftsman" style handwriting. Fountain pen is designed for fast ink delivery and smooth curls.  If you write like a draftsman, the fast ink rate would be more of a hindrance.. Vs PENCIL...

There's a whole elitist culture behind Pencils too.. Maybe give that a go instead of Fountain pen..

I don't really like pencils =(  I don't really use them at all. Oh well.

You can still try fountain pen... but it "will" influence the way you write, because you'd be adapting to a new tool.

There's 2 distinct lines with Western Calligraphy.

You've got the Gothic letters which are derived from Stone Carving...

and you have the Flowing Scripts which seems purely designed to be aesthetically pleasing, as it is slower than gothic for sure.


note that, while Script looks like "cursive", the letters are NOT written completely connected.. There are starts and stops between letters while writing script, much like writing Print...

While cursive emphasizes completely connected letters.

[tp4tissue]

Thanks I will have a look, Moleskine pads are lovely but pretty poor for fountain pen or pencil.

I bought another moleskine recently, the pages are very very thin, works fine for ball point, but anything that's remotely WET would go right through several pages.

I believe I was given a moleskine in 1992 by a French lady,  an ambassador visiting my home city in China. She must not have been very smart because I was only 4 years old. I remember ripping out 3 pages of it to make paper air planes, and then I completely lost track of the notebook.

Now I'm only basing the fact that it may have been a moleskine because she was french and the paper was lined and thick, which were rarely made at that time in my country, so it was unlikely a "domestic" product.

[CPTBadAss]

That Lamy looks pretty cool. I'll have to give that a test run. And maybe change up my handwriting lol

[tp4tissue]

That Lamy looks pretty cool. I'll have to give that a test run. And maybe change up my handwriting lol

The lamy also has interchangable Nibs.. I recommend getting a Broad nib, an EX-fine, and an Italic..

the EXfine and Broad, either one, not both, will come with your first pen.

So you'll be buying 1 Pen, and 2 nibs...

I recommend Jetpens, because they ship very very fast, and they have all the stuff in one place..

Lamy Safari, Vista color (Transparent), and White are the best color choices IMO, because they blend into the environment, and are not distracting when you write.....

while if you get the Bright yellow.. it's Glaring in the corner of your eye... and may distract you from focusing on your letters.

http://www.jetpens.com/Lamy-Vista-Fountain-Pen-Extra-Fine-Nib-Clear-Body-Chrome-Clip/pd/1929


http://www.jetpens.com/Lamy-Safari-Fountain-Pen-Broad-Nib-White-Body-Chrome-Clip/pd/7485


http://www.jetpens.com/Lamy-Calligraphy-Pen-Nib-1.9-mm/pd/4364

[CPTBadAss]

O.o   Thanks for all the knowledge! I actually think I found shops where I live that sell them so I might go check em out.

[longweight]

Moleskine:





Plain 100 GSM:

[tp4tissue]

O.o   Thanks for all the knowledge! I actually think I found shops where I live that sell them so I might go check em out.

wtf, you lucky bastard,,

[metalliqaz]

Uhm... your handwriting is much better than mine!  I type.

[bace]

I used to collect pens and pencils throughout highschool and tried to develop my handwriting. I also had a cheapish fountain pen but I lost it. My handwriting is still terrible.

[spm]

I bought my first pen about a half year ago. Before that I used some "fountain pen" as a child but that was some very cheap plastic pens. I bought Cross ATX with F nib (is really fine in comparison to others pen) and I definitely love it I don't remember when I write on paper with something else )

[tp4tissue]

Moleskine:

Show Image

Plain 100 GSM:

Show Image

Old Dried Ink + Water... 90g clairefontaine, See how it holds up to basically JUST WATER, consistent fountain pen paper.  )

[longweight]

It's not old ink, I changed it about a week ago!

[tp4tissue]

It's not old ink, I changed it about a week ago!

Nono, I'm refering to My pic.. It didn't post before you responded. LOL

[longweight]

Ahhh ok! You have very nice writing!

[tp4tissue]

Ahhh ok! You have very nice writing!

That is not writing my friend.. I wish it were.. That's script.. A slowwwwww process.. More like drawing...

[spm]

That is not writing my friend.. I wish it were.. That's script.. A slowwwwww process.. More like drawing...

Yeah but still nice. My writing or drawing looks terrible. If I take time then it someone can read it but still it looks like if I suffer from Parkinson's disease :-) (I hope that I don't )

[Quarzac]

So I always liked Uniballs and Pilot pens but I want to make the jump to a fountain pen. But I'd like to start in the shallow end and buy an affordable one before I get something like tsangan or longweight. Can anyone recommend me an affordably price fountain pen?

Go for a Pilot Metropolitan or a Pilot 78G. Both are cheaper than the Lamy, and good quality. If you have small writing, go for the 78G, as you can get different nibs, and grab a fine. If you're gonna abuse the pen, get the Metro, because it's metal.

[CPTBadAss]

So I always liked Uniballs and Pilot pens but I want to make the jump to a fountain pen. But I'd like to start in the shallow end and buy an affordable one before I get something like tsangan or longweight. Can anyone recommend me an affordably price fountain pen?

Go for a Pilot Metropolitan or a Pilot 78G. Both are cheaper than the Lamy, and good quality. If you have small writing, go for the 78G, as you can get different nibs, and grab a fine. If you're gonna abuse the pen, get the Metro, because it's metal.

Ooo, more options. Thanks!

[bace]

after reading this thread and then watching this video a couple hundred times I caved and bought a twsbi mini clear. I would like to get a flex nib pen when I get better.

[tp4tissue]

after reading this thread and then watching this video a couple hundred times I caved and bought a twsbi mini clear. I would like to get a flex nib pen when I get better.

I am not a fan of straight flex Nib fountain pens, because to conveniently produce an authentic "copperplate" look, You need an angled Nib holder.. There's No way around it.

With the straight flex nib, you have to write side ways and upwards for copperplate..

What you see in the video is a good demonstration of the ability to vary lines, but at no point do you see him actually reproducing copperplate, because it would be extremely tedious with paper turns on capitals.. Takes FOREVER.....


BUT, that said, if you don't give a $h** about doing copperplate exactly as designed... then Yea, that's still a cool pen to have.

[bace]

I am not a fan of straight flex Nib fountain pens, because to conveniently produce an authentic "copperplate" look, You need an angled Nib holder.. There's No way around it.

With the straight flex nib, you have to write side ways and upwards for copperplate..

What you see in the video is a good demonstration of the ability to vary lines, but at no point do you see him actually reproducing copperplate, because it would be extremely tedious with paper turns on capitals.. Takes FOREVER.....


BUT, that said, if you don't give a $h** about doing copperplate exactly as designed... then Yea, that's still a cool pen to have.

As a complete noob I was really unaware of any of this. Thank you for the explanation.