Pen/Ink/Paper Collecting Thread

Wetness/dryness is a non-concern of you get it from a place that gives you a free tuning with the pen, like nibs.com, nibsmith.com, and the like.

Though you'd have to pay shipping to India.

Are you married to that laquer-like classic look?

There's a lot of very nice, very cheap ebonite cartridge/converter pens made locally to you that can be chosen with a standard bock or jowo #5/#6 attachment, and then order 2-3 stock nibs tuned just how you want them from a nibsmith.

 

@Lyer25
Cool, that's reassuring. I guess I'll go with the 823 then.

@Taverius
Yea, shipping from US to India is a pain. USPS+Indian Post is unreliable and private shipping services are expensive. I am interested in the Japanese pens because, one of my friends is visiting Japan in August and I could ask him to pick one up for a good price.

Are you referring to Lotus and Ranga pens? Are there any models you would recommend?

 

I have a Ranga and an Asa. Both with standard nib threading, one Bock and one Jowo.

I think they both have kinda classic pen models?

If you prefer a Japanese pen by all means, I have a few, but its usually harder to get replacement nibs except for the most popular models.

 

Oops, somehow I missed this last post.

@Taverius , any particular model you would recommend from Ranga or Asa?

 

I have an Asa Maya, which is a sort of classic square-ended pen, but they also make several cigars of you're into rounded finiols.

My Ranga is a pretend-bamboo stick i use for my one crisp italic nib, but they make other stuff too. They're having a group by right now on fountainpennetwork.com for classic designs in acrylic.

Obviously if you want the Japanese lacquer style finish, you have to look elsewhere.

 

Some decades apart, turns out my Grandfather (long deceased) and I both use the same brand of pen - Sheaffer. His is the gold ballpoint, mines a fountain.

Found it neat, mostly because my mom likes pointing out how much of him I've been reminding her of lately.

Tough man. Taught himself to write with his left hand after he lost the use of his right side of his body (after his SECOND major stroke).

 

Went to my first pen meet in maybe two years? Audio's been taking up a lot of my time since 2017 came around and all but it was nice meeting new people and seeing some old friends in person for the first time in ages. Got to try some exceedingly nice pens that are Yggdrasil-priced (i.e. wtf territory), sadly forgot to take photos of those ones. There were others of interest at hand, especially custom nibs from a local nibmeister. Also, rare Tibaldi Imperio celluloid!

Pelikans are definitely gushers, but damn if they can't do beautiful bindes. Also the MB Le Petite Prince LE is pricey as f**k but lovely in person. New local ink brand I've never heard of before, performance is... erm.

Namiki's "budget" maki-e designs are nicer than you'd think for their being mass-made. Good depth that makes up for the relatively simple designs. There's a nice heft to the pen that might not suit everyone, but I personally like it, just not for essays.

 

I was thinking of getting a Fountain Pen and paper so I can get my thoughts out of my head without using an electronic device. Any recommendations on what's on Amazon to start off with? Not trying to be crazy fancy about it.

 

Pilot metropolitan is a pretty staple starter, as far as pens go. Variety of different colors and styles (just make sure you're picking a fountain tip variety and not a rollerball!)

Any paper that is marketed towards inkjet printers will work, rhodia has some good options if you're looking for more of a journal/work book.

 

So something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Metrop...opolitan&qid=1564018973&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Rhodia-Class...055&s=gateway&sprefix=rhodia+,aps,365&sr=8-10

Trying to do it right so it could help with any depression issues. But in order for this to work for me, I need to go back to the legacy methods.

 

Yeah, for a cheap solution those two should be great for a starter's kit.

Once you've gotten used to the pen, I'd highly encourage you to find a local store where you can try out different pens and inks. Writing is as addicting as audio once you get into it, and don't be afraid to try and get more into it, especially as a creative outlet to help with mental status

 

I want to keep it on the cheaper end, for now.

I'll have to see if I can find a local store that allows you to try fountain pens.

 

Edit: @FallingObjects did the order for the Black Pen with Medium Nib with four 12 packs (two blacks and two blues). I keep my color conservative since it is for writing. If I like it that much, then get another fountain pen with table ink and use the ones that I order for work. That was easy, actually makes sense.

 

You don't even need another pen. You can get a converter to use bottled ink.

https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Fountain-Converter-Screw-Value/dp/B00WE6658O

 

Obligatory bottled ink is better than carts. You pay more overall, but even accounting for fancier packaging each mL of ink usually costs appreciably less than when in cart form. It's also (kiiiiiinda) more eco-friendly, especially the glass bottles, not to mention there's just an absolute shit-ton more choice for when you use bottles, both in colour and features alike (light and waterfastness, mostly); there's also how the ink feels on the page, and what kind of synergy it has with the pen.

I'm not bullshitting, it does make a difference after a while )

 

I'm aware of the benefits of using bottle ink, that's something down the road. Now let me start easy. I also don't have a real non electronic desk so I don't want to get the bottle ink when I have my meows knocking over everything. Things do take time, so let's not rush it.

Also I don't normally like carrying pens. I would ok put this pen at my office with it cartridge (bottle ink would not be a good idea at my office). And at home nicer pen and real bottle ink.

 

Took @FallingObjects advise and attempt to find a store that allows you to try Fountain Pens. Came up with none in my area. Florida after my research is really lacking of Fountain Pen/Paper Stores. Unless you go down to South FL there's a Fountain Pen club. I'm not willing to do a four hour drive since I hate South FL with a passion.

Getting my pen goods tomorrow. I have a feeling that I might like Medium Nibs for my all rounder. After watching some videos, Fine Nibs can be good as well. But then again I just think Fines might be a little too little link for writing.

We'll see about that.....

 

Depends on the make too.

Jap nibs are (usually) finer, as well as Lamy, while Italian nibs tend to be slobs - my B Pineider Arco is wider than some specialty triple layer Sailor dealios that look like they come from a mega-robotto anime.

Goulet Pens has a nib comparison page on their site, all written by the owner with the same ink on the same paper, and they cover most pens, so that's useful once you have one pen to compare to.

 

I prefer fine nibs for writing in journals or letters. It's closer to a ballpoint pen to me, which is what I'm used to. Medium is a bit too large, but it has its uses when I want to display a nice ink color.

 

Hsssss! Unclean! Unclean!