August 31, 2017

Fountain Pens

When I was first learning to write in cursive, we used fountain pens. I know, it sounds like something out of the Victorian era, but it’s true. I’ve always maintained a fondness for fountain pens, but they’re quite difficult to find in the States.image

Try going into a Staples and looking for one. Oh, you might find a nice Cross Fountain Pen, but I tend to lose things, so that’s not an option. Also, people always ask to borrow pens, and if you’re a real fountain pen person, you know that the nib adjusts to your writing, so you NEVER lend your fountain pen. EVER.

When I was in Montreal, I remembered having bought a set of disposable fountain pens and a great pad of paper there a number of years ago. Although I could neither remember the name of the store, or find it again, it gave me the tiny little push I needed to hunt for fountain pens again.

The first set I bought because I couldn’t resist the name: Platinum Preppy! The set came in seven colours of ink, which was a huge change from my childhood, black, blue-black or blue ink. They’re Japanese, as so many fun things are,and come in a fine point. The colours are great, except yellow, which you can barely see!image

Then I bought a set of Thornton's Fountain Pens which had a fine nib. Again with the yellow! If I buy these again, I think I will get a medium nib instead of fine. thorntonsBecause I have so many meetings, and need to keep track of all of the various things I do, I devised a system a number of years ago that works for me. Each conversation is written in a different colour ink. So leafing through my myriad notebooks, I can see where a new conversation beging with just a glance. These pens are perfect for that.

I am thrilled that I’ve once again discovered fountain pens and that they don’t leak and feather on the paper like in the old days.

15 comments:

  1. I have one (expensive) fountain pen and I've seen some less expensive ones at a store here in Victoria, B.C. and also one I regularly go to in Vancouver.

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  2. Hello Meg, I have been through many set of colored pens and pencils, and have similarly wondered about the yellow color, which (except for highlighters) is always invisible or nearly so.
    --Jim

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    1. I have such a collection of coloured pens and pencils. It's a disease.

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  3. My husband has a beautiful Mont Blanc. Although not as pricey, I treasure my pens more. My dad gave them to me when I was still in high school. The pens must be over 70 years old. I still remember the first pen I bought (long gone). It was a "cartridge" pen. I chose it to learn cursive in third grade (a required school supply). It was emerald green. Susan

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    1. I remember cartridge pens! You could sometimes find peacock blue.

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    2. Me too! Loved that peacock blue, but my teachers hated it.

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  4. Good pens are a wonderful thing. I always look for something nice when writing thank-you notes, particularly. People email me after receiving them to remark upon the good handwriting (which looks better because of the pen used.)

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  5. Peg, try Fahrney's in DC. I think they still even repair fountain pens!

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    1. I used to get their catalogue, but not any more. Must remedy that. I think that there's also a place just across from Columbia Mall for ink and paper. On my list for the weekend.

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  6. Hello Meg, I've been collecting fountain pens for years and finally have close to 60: cartridge as well as bladder, dip, and desk sets + a quill and a portable dip - really cool. We need to talk . . . Rosemary

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  7. In 6th grade we were supposed to use only cartridge ink pens; being both clumsy and left handed it was a great trial not to drag my hand though the wet ink. Peacock blue was so desired, but not allowed in school - had to be blue or "blue black" what ever that is...... Anyway, it was so hard and looking back needlessly cruel to add complications to that dreadful pre-adolescent year!

    These new colors look fun though....

    ceci

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