Fountain pen - recommendations
- Thread starter HackneyE9
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Throbbing Angel
this is no longer a place of honour
Cheers
Callum91
Let them eat cock
Try Clairefontaine Triomphe, I found some in Waterstones awhile back. Like writing on greased clingfilm.
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
I've been using fountain pens a lot more than usual recently - partly to fill my journal with endless pages about how I got up and had breakfast and turnips in Animal Crossing went down in price again and also fuck the Tories, which I'm sure I'll look back on in years to come and treasure.
Their other use is that you can fill, test, empty, clean and refill them basically all day. All the inks that I'd entirely forgotten about have come out and been written with for a bit and then I remember why I never really used them much and they go back. But that passes the time too.
I actually ordered a new pen yesterday - a Lamy 2000 with EF nib, which I've been wanting for a while. I imagine it will arrive Monday or Tuesday, plus a load of random ink that I bought at the same time. I mean online stationery shops need support in this economic climate - it's a struggle but I am prepared to make that sacrifice.
Their other use is that you can fill, test, empty, clean and refill them basically all day. All the inks that I'd entirely forgotten about have come out and been written with for a bit and then I remember why I never really used them much and they go back. But that passes the time too.
I actually ordered a new pen yesterday - a Lamy 2000 with EF nib, which I've been wanting for a while. I imagine it will arrive Monday or Tuesday, plus a load of random ink that I bought at the same time. I mean online stationery shops need support in this economic climate - it's a struggle but I am prepared to make that sacrifice.
Callum91
Let them eat cock
The Lamy 2000 EF is a lovely pen indeed! If possible grab yourself a bottle of Manuscript Noir fountain pen ink, it's one of the most lubricating inks I know of and makes the 2000 really glide.
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
To be honest I have 2000s in F, M and B as well, but that was from a time when I liked to write a lot larger than I do now - currently my journal has 4mm ruled lines. Lamy nibs run so wide that even with quite dry, non-spready ink (Pelikan 4001 or an iron gall) even the F is impractical there. They are such nice pens though that I hoped an EF would work. We'll see I suppose.
Callum91
Let them eat cock
I've had an EF, F and B Lamy 2000. There was very little difference between the F and EF in terms of line width but the EF definitely wrote nicer, so I sold my F nib 2000.
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
I found another 2000 unexpectedly and removed the nib unit to check what size it was. Of course, the tiny metal bit that keeps the cap on then popped off and is impossible to find now. 
it was an M for the record, iirc I lost one and claimed on insurance then found it a few months later.
it was an M for the record, iirc I lost one and claimed on insurance then found it a few months later.
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
It actually arrived earlier today - I guess special delivery does still arrive the next day even in these times.
I loaded it with J Herbin Violette Pensee but it was a firehose, so I put in some Pelikan Blue Black and it is much better behaved now - though new pens always take a little time to behave themselves anyway, it probably isn't the fault of the ink.
I find it noticeably finer than the F one, but not as fine as a normal EF nib, which is good as that was what I was after. I put a blob of yellow nail polish on the end so that I could tell which 2000 I was using because otherwise who knows what nib is on them without taking them apart and losing the little metal bit? Anyway I am having fun using it to fill my expensive journal with complete trash, and that's what counts.
I loaded it with J Herbin Violette Pensee but it was a firehose, so I put in some Pelikan Blue Black and it is much better behaved now - though new pens always take a little time to behave themselves anyway, it probably isn't the fault of the ink.
I find it noticeably finer than the F one, but not as fine as a normal EF nib, which is good as that was what I was after. I put a blob of yellow nail polish on the end so that I could tell which 2000 I was using because otherwise who knows what nib is on them without taking them apart and losing the little metal bit? Anyway I am having fun using it to fill my expensive journal with complete trash, and that's what counts.
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
So the Lamy 2000 EF has now become one of the few pens I've actually written dry - normally I get bored with the ink and change it, or decide to use another pen. I couldn't decide on an ink so I just used bog standard Lamy Black which is at least designed for Lamy pens.
It's an odd one. The nib is a pretty unique shape - a little taller than it is wide with my grip ("architect"/"Hebrew" style, odd for a western nib in itself) but also maybe, I dunno, triangular? Writing at speed it makes my handwriting look like complete shit, but if I'm more careful it has a distinct character. It's also a lot more flexible than the nail-like Safari nibs, which can be both good and bad.
I'd still take a Safari with an M nib to the office but then that isn't an issue these days.
It's an odd one. The nib is a pretty unique shape - a little taller than it is wide with my grip ("architect"/"Hebrew" style, odd for a western nib in itself) but also maybe, I dunno, triangular? Writing at speed it makes my handwriting look like complete shit, but if I'm more careful it has a distinct character. It's also a lot more flexible than the nail-like Safari nibs, which can be both good and bad.
I'd still take a Safari with an M nib to the office but then that isn't an issue these days.
Callum91
Let them eat cock
I agree with the triangular nature of the nib tip, makes your writing just alittle different without encroaching on italic territory. I find I have to hold it in a very specific way to stop the line coming out fuzzy and skippy.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I've bought a couple of Lamy safari pens with M nibs, also Lamy do notebooks too, which are lovely. I've also bought a couple of Lamy safari pens with italic nibs to brush up on my calligraphy. I've been buying from cult pens sland Nero's notes since the demise of bureau direct (which I'm still sad about 
)
)
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
I didn't realise that the Lamy notebooks had both a 4mm dotted-line grid and 8mm solid horizontal lines. How well does that work?I've bought a couple of Lamy safari pens with M nibs, also Lamy do notebooks too, which are lovely. I've also bought a couple of Lamy safari pens with italic nibs to brush up on my calligraphy. I've been buying from cult pens sland Nero's notes since the demise of bureau direct (which I'm still sad about
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
It's not too bad once you get used to it, I use a grid notebook most of the time anyway. I'll post a sample later on.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
FridgeMagnet here is some sample handwriting on a Lamy notebook
The more obvious lie I use for full height letters, the dotted line for smaller non-capital letters.
Top writing is Lamy Crystal Ink in Beryl using a 1.9 mm italic nib on a Lamy Black Purple Al-star pen. Bottom writing is Lamy Black cartridge ink using a broad nib Lamy Gloss Pink safari pen.
The more obvious lie I use for full height letters, the dotted line for smaller non-capital letters.
Top writing is Lamy Crystal Ink in Beryl using a 1.9 mm italic nib on a Lamy Black Purple Al-star pen. Bottom writing is Lamy Black cartridge ink using a broad nib Lamy Gloss Pink safari pen.
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
Right, I see - more useful for larger nibs really. I'd probably stick with 5mm squares for a notebook but I wouldn't mind an A4 pad or book with that sort of ruling.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
They only do A5 and A6 sizes at the moment, but it's good quality heavy paper and a cover that's somewhere in between a softcover and a hard rigid ciover. Roughly the same price as a similar size rhodiarama or moleskine.
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
You have very nice handwriting, equationgirl !
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Thanks existentialist! I always get compliments on it!
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
I actually got out some of my Safaris on the basis of this and they are really comfortable pens to write with - sometimes the nibs need slight smoothing* but they just have a great feel to them. I feel a bit embarrassed that I enjoy using a <£20 pen more than I do ones costing ten times that. But on the other hand, sod it. I now have a blue Safari (F) loaded with Monteverde Horizon Blue and a Vista (M) - basically a transparent Safari - with a Lamy Petrol cartridge.
* My top tip for smoothing nibs which feel slightly rough is to buy a nail buffer and draw circles and spirals on the smoothest surface it has, the stage three mylar one.
* My top tip for smoothing nibs which feel slightly rough is to buy a nail buffer and draw circles and spirals on the smoothest surface it has, the stage three mylar one.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I've ordered a vista, I've also ventured into Lamy's crystal inks and bought one that's a very bright pink and a very bright blue one.
I'm happy using the Safari pens, they're great, and thanks for the tip smoothing suggestion, will bear that in mind.
I also found an Osmoroid pen from my childhood which still works after decades of non-use, and isn't scratchy.
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
If you want to explore different coloured inks, Diamine is the way to go, a traditional ink company from Liverpool that's adapted well to the modern market. They make an absolutely absurd range of coloured fountain pen inks, as well as sheening inks, sparkly inks, and sheening sparkly inks. Their ink is also very easy on pens (though with the sparkly stuff, I would advise washing them out every now and then) and inexpensive and even comes in little 30ml bottles as well as big 80ml ones.
If there's an issue it's that very few of their inks are significantly waterproof, apart from the Registrar's Ink which is certified for use for official documents, but that's not really a problem if you just don't write in the rain, and it means they're easier to get out of clothes and fingers if you spill some.
Most stationery sites sell Diamine or you can buy direct from them.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Funny you should mention Diamine, I've ordered a bottle of their purple ink from Cult Pens and some 30ml bottles of the iridiscink they make.
I should have taken up crack during lockdown, it might have been cheaper than fountain pens...
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I really want to write letters to someone to play with inks and pens and none of my family would appreciate it
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Here's the blue ink, the pink ink at the top is also a Lamy crystal ink:
FridgeMagnet
Administrator
I just mentally shrug and think "well, at least it's cheaper than cameras".
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
God yes, you have a good point.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
News inks have arrived, expect more scintillating photos of handwriting showcasing them later...
Nikkormat
Well-Known Member
Diamine Imperial Purple is my usual, it's beautiful. As for pens, I have only two: a standard Kaweco Sport and a Kaweco Sport Luxe, both fine nib.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Here's some ink samples:
One thing I have noticed is that the Diamine inks smell funny, like a damp/mould type of smell.
One thing I have noticed is that the Diamine inks smell funny, like a damp/mould type of smell.
