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Fountain pens 2K18 (and notebooks, and inks) |OT| - the rabbit hole is DEEP
- Thread starter Deleted member 7878
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Got a Lamy Joy today. Was taking it for a spin when I tried to compare it to how my other fountain pens feel and realized I've lost my AL-Star yesterday :c
I'm bummed as fuck now. Fuck me for carrying a nice pen out of the house I guess.
I'm bummed as fuck now. Fuck me for carrying a nice pen out of the house I guess.
Ouch, that bites! I have yet to lose any pens, but I carry around expensive pens all that time, so the potential is always there. However, my Safari has always sucked so it's pretty much dead to me so I feel that Lamy loss.
On a slightly different note, I have to admit that I've really fallen out of love with Noodler's inks. On paper, they're pretty cool and have all sorts of neat properties. But in practice, they leave quite a bit to be desired. First off, they're all mixed in batches so there can be sometimes inconsistencies between batches. For example, Heart of Darkness is supposed to be an extremely deep black, but my particular bottle ended up looking like a watered-down black. It's not necessarily bad, but it's not what I was looking for.
The other issue is that Noodler's inks can have odd performance issues so I'm disincentivized from putting it in a nicer pen. But at the same time, most of my cheaper pens are snap caps, and snap caps will dry up faster so they will exacerbate any performance issues. And as I'm trying to cut down the number of pens I have inked up, I'm running low pens to house Noodler's in.
I have only two Noodler's inks: Black Swan/Aus Roses and Apache Sunset. Both are pretty inks that never dry. I'm not exaggerating; no matter the paper or pen I've never been able to not smear the ink. Black Swan is such a beautiful color that I wish I could find a well-behaved clone.
Lately, I've been in love with the Sailor Studio inks. 123 especially. I'm also looking forward to seeing what the special edition of 3776 looks like this year. I still regret not getting Kumpoo when I had the chance, especially seeing what it goes for on the secondhand market.
My favorite Sailor inks are the ones they make for Bungubox. For such a tiny set, there sure are a lot of awesome inks - with 4B and Ink of the Witch being the big standouts. The problem? They're exclusive to a single store in Japan so they are very hard to get, and extremely expensive if you do manage to get them. I only have a single bottle of Bungubox ink, and it was about triple the price of any of my other bottles.
On a similar note, Bungubox Sweet Potato Purple is probably as close as you're going to get to Swan/Aus Roses, except probably with even more personality. But it's Bungubox so I don't know how useful that is.
Hi all! Since I have no burning desire to jump over to a designated pen forum yet, I'll stick here. So thanks for the enthusiasm on the subject-I've been into pens a while, but kind of avoided Fountain Pens because....honestly, since I never gave 'em a fair shot? But I did give them a shot, and now I'm oversaturated with options. I like the nibs, I like the inks, I like writing with them even though my handwriting leaves a lot to be desired, and I like the trivia, but I've found the thing I mostly don't like is the actual pens.
Initially I was into Lamy (ballpoints + rollerballs) because I liked their design aesthetic, but now that I've hopped over to Fountain Pens, I'm curious who does designs other than them in the same vein? I like some of the Opus 88 designs (Fantasia particularly) and a lot of the materials used in Franklin Christoph, but was curious if there's any 'fancy' (ie: USD200+ or so, since I can't think of a better comparison metric) pens that avoid the usual 'cigar' shape standard design in lieu of either something more modern in shape or design. Terribly vague question I realize, but wanted to pick your brains. Cheap-ish pens I like and have are the Kaweco Perkeo (color, shape), Pilot Kakuno (same), Lamy Al-Star (good writer, distinctive design), Lamy CP1 (stealth fountain pen, very modern looking), and I dig the Faber Castell Ondoro in orange, just since it's such a distinctive shape (and apparently smooth af nib too), although I haven't gotten one yet.
Initially I was into Lamy (ballpoints + rollerballs) because I liked their design aesthetic, but now that I've hopped over to Fountain Pens, I'm curious who does designs other than them in the same vein? I like some of the Opus 88 designs (Fantasia particularly) and a lot of the materials used in Franklin Christoph, but was curious if there's any 'fancy' (ie: USD200+ or so, since I can't think of a better comparison metric) pens that avoid the usual 'cigar' shape standard design in lieu of either something more modern in shape or design. Terribly vague question I realize, but wanted to pick your brains. Cheap-ish pens I like and have are the Kaweco Perkeo (color, shape), Pilot Kakuno (same), Lamy Al-Star (good writer, distinctive design), Lamy CP1 (stealth fountain pen, very modern looking), and I dig the Faber Castell Ondoro in orange, just since it's such a distinctive shape (and apparently smooth af nib too), although I haven't gotten one yet.
You have probably heard and/or seen the TWSBI-line, but they have a more pronounced angular design in some of their pens. And I freaking love my TWSBI Eco.
But you also have the Conid Bulkfiller, which is very pricy. That is probably my most wanted pen after I got my Pilot Vanishing Point.
But you also have the Conid Bulkfiller, which is very pricy. That is probably my most wanted pen after I got my Pilot Vanishing Point.
I did scope out the TWSBIs a little-the shop near me apparently isn't carrying them anymore, so I didn't get to demo it, but there was a Chinese company making piston filler FPs that are a lot like the Eco, so I got a four pack of those for like 16 dollars to sample. Those Conids are nice, I don't think I'd ever seen those before.
Hey there, pen ERA. I was hoping perhaps you'd be able to help me with something that I've been looking for a while now. See, I vastly prefer the way fountain pens work for actually drawing compared to dip pens, but there's a kind of pen nib that only seems to exist for dip pens-- namely, crow quill nibs and mapping nibs. They basically represent the finest possible nibs for dip pens, and they're of major interest to me because I love fine detail work.
Whenever I try to find a fountain pen that can house mapping nibs, though... I can't. It looks like whatever the term for ultra-fine pens is in the fountain pen world is completely different from dip pens. Attempts to just look for the finest fountain pens possible suggest that an Esterbrook or Sailor Saibi Togi would be what I'm looking for but I'm hoping to get the advice of pen afficionados. Please let me know what you all think!
Whenever I try to find a fountain pen that can house mapping nibs, though... I can't. It looks like whatever the term for ultra-fine pens is in the fountain pen world is completely different from dip pens. Attempts to just look for the finest fountain pens possible suggest that an Esterbrook or Sailor Saibi Togi would be what I'm looking for but I'm hoping to get the advice of pen afficionados. Please let me know what you all think!
If you are willing to put in some work, you might want to look into some vintage stuff. Nibs have generally gotten broader as fountain pens have transitioned from something that ordinary people write with everyday to a luxury good. The finest nib I've ever used is an Accountant nib from a 1920's era Wahl pen, its much finer than even modern Japanese EFs that I've used. I've also found some really fine nibs on slightly more recent vintage Sheaffers. Since you're talking about Esterbrook, I guess you're already considering that? I personally find Esterbrooks overpriced in the current market, they were cheap school pens that became widely collected and now command higher prices than better pens of the era.
I left work abruptly on paternity leave, failing to grab my bottle of Iroshizuku Shin-kai, which I absolutely love. Now, at home, my Platinum 3776 will be running out of ink in a matter of days. Instead of getting the same ink, is there anything else out there that might sway me? I tend to prefer rich blues, but I'm trying to keep an open mind.
I am currently fixated on Diamine Oxford Blue. Not the most exciting blue but it's got a solidity to it that I really like. I have several other blues that I like. Diamine do some nice, strong blues. However, my favourite other blue would have to be Private Reserve DC Electric Blue. Dammit splash wave, I'm going to have to go and ink up a pen with that now!
Not a blue, but lately I've been rocking Kyoto ink Yambukiiro.
That ink is pretty as fuck.
As for blues, I like my blues to be predictable: Eclat de Saphir is my choice.
That ink is pretty as fuck.
As for blues, I like my blues to be predictable: Eclat de Saphir is my choice.
I'm still in love with the Emerald of Chivor by J. Herbin after all these years.
Bought some notebooks, ink and pens from jetpens.com.
These notebooks below are possibly the best notebooks i have ever used.
Bought a few TWSBI ECO fountain pens and one TWSBI GO fountain pen and also some pens from Korea.
Lamy red and pink ink. Took a photo of the TWSBI ECO box and TWSBI GO Box.
Lastly I went to Oomomo in Scarborough Ontario two weeks ago and bought a bunch of notebooks and kanji practice books.
These notebooks below are possibly the best notebooks i have ever used.
Bought a few TWSBI ECO fountain pens and one TWSBI GO fountain pen and also some pens from Korea.
Lamy red and pink ink. Took a photo of the TWSBI ECO box and TWSBI GO Box.
Lastly I went to Oomomo in Scarborough Ontario two weeks ago and bought a bunch of notebooks and kanji practice books.
Bought some notebooks, ink and pens from jetpens.com.
These notebooks below are possibly the best notebooks i have ever used.
Bought a few TWSBI ECO fountain pens and one TWSBI GO fountain pen and also some pens from Korea.
Lamy red and pink ink. Took a photo of the TWSBI ECO box and TWSBI GO Box.
Lastly I went to Oomomo in Scarborough Ontario two weeks ago and bought a bunch of notebooks and kanji practice books.
Pen porn! \o/
I have never heard of 'Campus'. What makes them so good?
How do you like the TWSBI GO? I have two: one blue barrel like yours and one with a clear barrel, both with stub nibs. They are so beautifully smooth to write with :D.
Good lord! I just looked this up and it looks like a more complex version of my beloved Shin-kai. Shoutout to everyone who has posted suggestions so far, but I think this is the winner...
Campus is a brand of notebooks from Kokuyo. These particular notebooks have high grade MIO paper. here is the link from jetpens. When i write with my fountains on it the ink and pen strokes flow feel seamless. I usually use these notebooks to study Mandarin. I want to buy more but i have so many notebooks that I feel i should stop buying stuff for a while.
Speaking of buying stuff. I forgot to add some brush pens i bought on amazon.co.jp
Campus is a brand of notebooks from Kokuyo. These particular notebooks have high grade MIO paper. here is the link from jetpens. When i write with my fountains on it the ink and pen strokes flow feel seamless. I usually use these notebooks to study Mandarin. I want to buy more but i have so many notebooks that I feel i should stop buying stuff for a while.
Speaking of buying stuff. I forgot to add some brush pens i bought on amazon.co.jp
Thanks, they do look very nice. I have just been having a google since I had never heard of the brand and it seems like they are starting to dip their toe into the UK market with some of their products. Not the notebooks yet but fingers crossed.
I know what you mean about feeling one should use up what one already has before buying more but it's so hard to resist! I recently organised all my pens and notebooks and was shocked at just how much stuff I have. It hasn't stopped me adding to it though. Oh well, there are far worse addictions I suppose :).
Whooo nice haul! I like those campus notebooks a lot too. The paper is nice, especially for the budget price.
The ink suggestions made me realize I don't have many dark blue inks. I'm just too attached to bright colors. The next ink purchase will be a coral shade and Lemur Inks' Lime.
The ink suggestions made me realize I don't have many dark blue inks. I'm just too attached to bright colors. The next ink purchase will be a coral shade and Lemur Inks' Lime.
I forgot to answer this. I like the GO its nice. I usually buy EF nib fountain pens but the orange ECO and the GO i bought the stub 1.1 mm nibs and I like them so far. I wish the GO fountain pens had more colors to choose from. I would buy a broad nib on my next fountain pen.
And now you get to play the Bungubox lottery!
The top two look pretty cool. Are they cartridge filled and how well do they write? The ones I have are pretty soft so they are a bit hard to learn with.Speaking of buying stuff. I forgot to add some brush pens i bought on amazon.co.jp
The top 3 and the last one are cartridge filled. The first one is a bit hard to use but I like it. The third and last ones are my favorite ones to write with. They are all from kuretake.
EF to a stub?! That's some nice contrast there! :) Glad you like the GO, it's a nice little pen. Agreed on the barrel colours. There are only three to choose from so far: charcoal grey, the blue you already have and a new, clear one. I have one each of the blue and clear both with stub nibs and I like them a lot. I usually go for a broad nib but am really enjoying these stub nibs.
Bungubox is a pen store in Japan and all Bungubox inks are made for them. This means that to buy the ink you'd either have to buy it directly or from someone who does that. The latter probably would work better but there is very little availability, and the most popular inks will sell out very quickly. Jetpens used to carry it but I don't think they do any more, but if you're in North America you might be able to get from Wonder Pens. It's too bad Bungubox is so expensive because there's a bunch more I'd love to get.
Well, it looks like some 3rd party sellers on amazon carry it, so I may just grab a bottle from there.
Unrelated: any reason why a pen would be writing dry/scratchy after a refill? I'd do a full cleaning but my infant daughter leaves me with no time for that.
Who knows.
Pens are finicky. I just accept it and move on xD
If it's the same ink you've been using without troubles on that pen, give the pen a thoroughcleaning, might help.
I find that can happen to me too even if I refill with exactly the same ink. I put it down to the feed not being as saturated with the ink. It could also be that the previous load of ink may have partially evaporated and left residue that causes it. However, even a full clean first can still lead to this so I suspect my first hypothesis is probably the likeliest cause. Force some ink through the feed or let gravity do the job before using the pen would be my suggestion. Either that or use it and it will naturally smooth out as more ink flows through.
There are a number of different possible causes. The above is a pretty good idea, but rinsing the nib can get rid of a bit of residue so it's worth trying if you don't have time to do a full cleaning.
The 2020 Hobonichi Techo goes on sale from next month, so this month (as usual) they're releasing a little taste each day.
So my brother (who gifted me my first fountain pen that I posted about earlier in this thread) came to visit yesterday and gifted me two more pens.
First thing he handed me was a Kaweco Sport Skyline in the Fox color (F nib), which I had told him I was thinking about purchasing as my second pen now that I've been using my AL-Star daily for a few months now and totally love. The Kaweco seemed like another good inexpensive option and I love the small size. He also included the optional clip that is sold separately, perfect. Now I just need to get a small Kaweco converter so I can get a quality ink in it. Perfect new daily driver.
As I was looking it over he handed me a second item. It was a Lamy box. Only, unlike the cheaper cardboard box that the AL-Star came in this box felt a lot nicer, almost felt-like. It was a Lamy 2000. Holy shit. I'm so ridiculously pumped. He is a collector so he had a vintage Pilot pen that he was looking to get rid of so he traded it for this barely used 2000 so he could gift it to me. I loaded it up with some Lamy Crystal ink in Topaz and boy does it write well. I doubt i'll be taking this one to work (i'm a chef so i'm on the go all day and pens get banged up/dropped, which is why the Kaweco is perfect) but I'm going to get some more quality pads and use it to really practice my handwriting while I'm at home.
First thing he handed me was a Kaweco Sport Skyline in the Fox color (F nib), which I had told him I was thinking about purchasing as my second pen now that I've been using my AL-Star daily for a few months now and totally love. The Kaweco seemed like another good inexpensive option and I love the small size. He also included the optional clip that is sold separately, perfect. Now I just need to get a small Kaweco converter so I can get a quality ink in it. Perfect new daily driver.
As I was looking it over he handed me a second item. It was a Lamy box. Only, unlike the cheaper cardboard box that the AL-Star came in this box felt a lot nicer, almost felt-like. It was a Lamy 2000. Holy shit. I'm so ridiculously pumped. He is a collector so he had a vintage Pilot pen that he was looking to get rid of so he traded it for this barely used 2000 so he could gift it to me. I loaded it up with some Lamy Crystal ink in Topaz and boy does it write well. I doubt i'll be taking this one to work (i'm a chef so i'm on the go all day and pens get banged up/dropped, which is why the Kaweco is perfect) but I'm going to get some more quality pads and use it to really practice my handwriting while I'm at home.
Congratulations on the new pens!
I mean now that you have that Lamy 2k your kaweco is probably languish in the box but... as a fellow kaweco sport user, here's a recommendation: ditch the converter, J Herbin makes cartridges that fit the kaweco sport.
I mean now that you have that Lamy 2k your kaweco is probably languish in the box but... as a fellow kaweco sport user, here's a recommendation: ditch the converter, J Herbin makes cartridges that fit the kaweco sport.
Thanks guys!
What's the benefit to the cartridges vs. converter?
What's the benefit to the cartridges vs. converter?
Like twice the ink capacity.
I guess if you're running an extra fine it doesn't matter but that Kaweco BB is like a brush hahaha.
Can anyone recommend a good pencil for doing little sketches and doodles? I often find myself with a little bit of extra space in my techo, pages, and I've had the urge to start drawing lately (though I am quite bad).
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