Fountain Pens

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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by suicidal_orange »

missF wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:07 pmAnd most special of all, there apparently exists someone who goes by the title of:
welshlad wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 3:04 pm nibmeister.....
:clap: Outstanding! :D
A nibmeister is someone who makes or modifies nibs so there are ... more than one of them. Definitely one of the best job titles in the world :thumbup:

The only thing I miss in a bad way from my office job is having a reason to use a fountain pen.
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by missF »

*tries to resist disappearing down a whole new rabbit hole*..... :lol:
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by welshlad »

missF wrote:*tries to resist disappearing down a whole new rabbit hole*..... Image
Don't let this picture I've just taken of one of the pens I've been using today influence you in any way....


Image

;)
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by ajax87 »

I’m not into any of this (thankfully- my wallet can’t handle another hobby), but I’m thrilled to learn that the word “nibmeister” exists. I gather from context that it’s a person who works on nibs or makes custom nibs or something along those lines. Just a cool word. Ya learn something new here every day.
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by welshlad »

ajax87 wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:32 pm I’m not into any of this (thankfully- my wallet can’t handle another hobby), but I’m thrilled to learn that the word “nibmeister” exists. I gather from context that it’s a person who works on nibs or makes custom nibs or something along those lines. Just a cool word. Ya learn something new here every day.
Typically, nibmeisters customise existing nibs rather than create new ones from scratch (that is a REALLY specialist skill, akin in many ways to being able to make your own in-house watch movement). They will take a standard nib and regrind it into something more specialised. They can also adjust nibs so that the ink flow is wetter or drier, as well as making nibs smoother or more flexible. There is a whole range of things they can do. Once you find a good nibmeister you can trust it's such a relief, as for regular fountain pen users it can be soooooo easy to ruin a nib if you try the wrong types of adjustment yourself.
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by jkbarnes »

I’m fascinated by fountain pens. Being left handed has kept me from going down the rabbit hole. My old department had used a fountain pen. He carried it in his shirt pocket without fail. I distinctly remember when another department member asked if she could borrow his pen to jot something down:

“Walter, can I borrow your pen?”

“No, you cannot.”

He didn’t miss a bit or even lift his head. And nor did he try to explain why. The look of shock and disbelief on Madeline’s face was priceless. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by exHowfener »

And nor did he try to explain why
There is a belief that nibs come to "fit" a writer in the same way that a pair of shoes or boots become "yours". And another writer using the pen/nib will ruin that. Probably true if they write a novel with your pen, unlikely if they just jot down a few words - unless of course they are heavy handed or left/right handed and you are not.
Of course it may just be the equivalent for your colleague of asking a tradesman or woman if you can use their tools - expect a "no".
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by jkbarnes »

exHowfener wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:56 pm There is a belief that nibs come to "fit" a writer in the same way that a pair of shoes or boots become "yours". And another writer using the pen/nib will ruin that. Probably true if they write a novel with your pen, unlikely if they just jot down a few words - unless of course they are heavy handed or left/right handed and you are not.
Of course it may just be the equivalent for your colleague of asking a tradesman or woman if you can use their tools - expect a "no".
It was definitely what you described, as he explained to me later when I asked. I initially thought it was just cockiness on his part, as this would not have been out of character for him at all.
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by missF »

I noticed that Barryboy hasn’t been back to this thread. I hope he got the answer he was looking for before I kind of deviated a bit.... :oops:

To deviate again - I do have an interest of sorts in the subject of pens (and pencils). These days the joints in my hands are stiff and sore. I can’t write for long before my handwriting gets smaller and smaller and my hand gets sore. So I’ve just been taking a look at ‘ergonomic’ pens and pencils, and it’s a whole subset of a whole new world! :thumbup:
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by jkbarnes »

missF wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:37 am I can’t write for long before my handwriting gets smaller and smaller and my hand gets sore. So I’ve just been taking a look at ‘ergonomic’ pens and pencils
When I first started researching fountain pens and their usability as a lefty (there’s always research), I was fascinated to learn how much the mechanics of how one writes effect not only the the quality of the hand writing but also the comfort, or discomfort, one might feel while writing.

My writing mechanics are not good, which I suspect explains both my poor hand writing and my hand fatigue, but they’re so ingrained I find it impossible to adjust.

Interestingly, when writing on the board, my mechanics, and my hand writing, are much better!
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Re: Fountain Pens

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I know this isn’t a pen forum, but I just thought I’d add to the secondary conversation that has sprung up. I won a beautiful Cross fountain pen a few years back and, at the start of 2020, decided to give it some protracted use by keeping my first ever journal. Soon after starting those first daily entries the virus broke; still I kept on writing filling two journals, despite the world largely shutting down. The daily routine was incredibly creative and cathartic; something that was made all the more of a sensory pleasure by writing with this gorgeous pen. A lovely fountain pen brings a whole new dimension to writing.

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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by exHowfener »

I know this isn’t a pen forum
It isn't, but we have threads on motorcycling, walking and cars amongst other non-watch threads so why not on pens if members are interested? That Cross pen looks like a great prize, I write my diary and sign documents with a Platinum #3776 LE 'Shoji' and I agree that it does add to the experience in much the same way as using a nice watch is somehow more than just about knowing what time it is.
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by cincfleet »

exHowfener wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:43 pm
I know this isn’t a pen forum
It isn't, but we have threads on motorcycling, walking and cars amongst other non-watch threads so why not on pens if members are interested? That Cross pen looks like a great prize, I write my diary and sign documents with a Platinum #3776 LE 'Shoji' and I agree that it does add to the experience in much the same way as using a nice watch is somehow more than just about knowing what time it is.
I really have to agree exHowfener and it is a post "Offtopic". You are so astute with the comments too, reading the time with a nice watch and writing with a nice pen, kinda go hand (or wrist) in hand LOL :lol: :thumbup:
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by suicidal_orange »

strapline wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:10 pm I know this isn’t a pen forum, but I just thought I’d add to the secondary conversation that has sprung up. I won a beautiful Cross fountain pen a few years back and, at the start of 2020, decided to give it some protracted use by keeping my first ever journal. Soon after starting those first daily entries the virus broke; still I kept on writing filling two journals, despite the world largely shutting down. The daily routine was incredibly creative and cathartic; something that was made all the more of a sensory pleasure by writing with this gorgeous pen. A lovely fountain pen brings a whole new dimension to writing.

Des

C470C3CF-70C2-4060-95F6-4FC1836B32CB.jpeg
Is that a cap on the bottom? Doesn't look long enough but it's a very interesting design if it's not...

Looks nice and fat anyway which is always a good thing for a pen :thumbup:
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Re: Fountain Pens

Post by strapline »

suicidal_orange wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:50 pm
strapline wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:10 pm I know this isn’t a pen forum, but I just thought I’d add to the secondary conversation that has sprung up. I won a beautiful Cross fountain pen a few years back and, at the start of 2020, decided to give it some protracted use by keeping my first ever journal. Soon after starting those first daily entries the virus broke; still I kept on writing filling two journals, despite the world largely shutting down. The daily routine was incredibly creative and cathartic; something that was made all the more of a sensory pleasure by writing with this gorgeous pen. A lovely fountain pen brings a whole new dimension to writing.

Des

C470C3CF-70C2-4060-95F6-4FC1836B32CB.jpeg
Is that a cap on the bottom? Doesn't look long enough but it's a very interesting design if it's not...

Looks nice and fat anyway which is always a good thing for a pen :thumbup:
No it's not a cap, just a decorative end. The pen top has the same spotted gold finish as the pen barrel. It's the only fountain pen I own and it's a joy to write with.

Des
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