Fountain Pen Starter Guide | For Absolute Beginners!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 มิ.ย. 2024
- Fun fact: I filmed this video twice because I didn't like the first version... why do I do this to myself? I don't know... I hope this was helpful though!
My top favourite fountain pens:
♥ TWSBI Eco $32-$40
♥ Lamy Safari or Al-Star $35-$40
♥ Pilot Vanishing Point $160
♥ Lamy2000 $220
♥ Sailor Pro Gear $350
♥ Pelikan M800 $650
Intro 00:00
Cartridge vs. Bottle Ink 01:55
Filling Mechanisms 06:36
Steel vs. Gold Nibs 10:49
Japanes vs. European 15:31
Nib Sizes 16:42
Paper 18:29
Ink Properties 21:03
Pros & Cons 23:23
My Recommendation 26:18
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Website: thecoffeemonsterzco.com/
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♥ Planners I Use ♥
Hobonichi cousin
Hobonichi weeks
Leuchtturm pocket soft cover bullet journal
♥ Pens I Use ♥
Energel Clena 0.5mm (for bullet journals and most planners)
Energel Clena 0.4mm (for Hobonichi planners)
Muji Gel Pen 0.5mm
Mildliners
Tombow dual brush pens
Tombow fudenosuke brush pens (usually the soft brush tip)
♥ Frequently Asked Questions ♥
Q: Do you plan before, during, or after the week?
A: It varies from video to video, but typically I plan 2-3 times during the week and stitch the clips together. I rarely plan the entire week in advance or the entire week retroactively.
Q: Do you use all of these planners?
A: Yes and no. Every week, there is something in my life that takes priority over the others whether it be school, work, or something personal. Depending on the week, I select a few planners that will help me achieve my tasks! So not every planner is used every week.
Q: How do you get so much done in a day?
A: If you watch any of my journaling vlogs, you’ll realize that I have very poor sleeping habits and so naturally I’m able to fit more things into the day. It’s something I’m trying to fix but admittedly this is the only reason. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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I love you 🤣🤣 "it depends on how you use it" ... if you buy a bunch of bottles and don't use them it doesn't save you money... me: so if you want to save money, never watch a video featuring Ferris Wheel Press Ink 🤣🤣🤣
LOOL it's trueeee hahaha.
It is wonderful to see the young using fountain pens! I have been using and collecting fountain pens for over 50 years. I have tried to teach my children the use of fountain pens and cursive writing who are much older than you to no avail..." Que sera, sera". Good luck in your journey and kudos from NYC🗽.
If your children don't want your pens you can send them to me.
@@user-zj8ss3sw1dHahaha pass them onto me as well haha
Helen, I've watched several hundred pen videos, and this covers most of what you need to know. Especially for a beginner. Your presentation is very concise and fun to watch. Thanks....
Thank you so mcuh Dan! I appreciate this!
This video is so great, I can't thank you enough for this. As a child I lived in Europe for 2 years and in school we were required to use fountain pens for homework and in writing class. (Pencils only for math). And so I have always loved fountain pens from an early age, but didn't keep up with them past the age of 10 or 11 when I returned to the US. Back then I only knew about the small plastic cartridges. When I got older, and doing my MBA, my group won a competition for a marketing class, and as a prize, each of us was gifted a really beautiful Cartier fountain pen, with our names engraved! This one has the piston type, which I never understood how to fill, and even so, this pen was too special for me to even dare to try and use. I have been saving it, since my MBA graduate school days, back in 2008. Yep, 15 years. Since finding your videos a week or two ago, I bought my first Hobonichi cousin, and you reminded me how much I loved fountain pens as a kid, and also water coloring since my college days. Well, just now, I was courageous enough to take out my pen, and now I finally understand the piston thing (thank you!) and when I look at the nib... sure enough, it says "18K" in very tiny letter! (I had to take a photo of with my phone and zoom in to see it better b/c I could hardly believe my eyes...) so.... I THINK this might be a gold nib pen, (although the exterior color of the metal is silver..) I always felt it was a magical treasure in my desk draw all these years, but now, I think it's even more special. Thank you for this helpful video! I'm going to get ink and just start using it. Treasures should be enjoyed! ^__^
There is a thing called white gold. It looks like silver but is actually gold. It is supposed to be a lot stronger than regular gold, and it often asked for for wedding rings/bands.
Wow what a treasure indeed! Hope you enjoy using this extra special pen🫶
What a FABULOUS breakdown of the topic. Very well-organized and such a soothing voice. Very impressed! Thank you for sharing.
Lot of truly useful information. There’s always something to learn. One day you will be a very kind teacher. 😊
omg i just wanna say i genuinely love ur videos so much. they're so comforting and easy to watch but i wish u weren't so hard on urself helen :( u dont even have to post videos at all but u put so much into ur videos when ur so busy otherwise so thank u for providing us with content !! i wish u could see urself the way we do
Oh goodness, thank you so much! I appreciate you
Super helpful! One of THE BEST intro videos out there! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
This is by far the best video I ever saw about the basics of fountain pens. You explain it very clear and in a quiet way. Thank you!
I've been immersed in the world of fountain pens for the past 4-5 months, and everything I've learned during this time is perfectly summarized in this video. If this had been my first introduction to fountain pens a few months ago, many questions (and a significant amount of money) would not have been spent since then.
Currently, my daily workhorses are the TWSBI Diamond 580 with a medium nib and another one with a fine nib. At home, I prefer using a Lamy Safari with a Z53 Medium Nip to avoid carrying my TWSBIs everywhere each day.
I hope that fellow ink and fountain pen enthusiasts come across this video sooner in their journey down the rabbit hole of ink. It could save them from the same questions and expenses I encountered when I first delved into this fascinating hobby.
The Post Its were beautifully illustrated and designed - great work!
I will share it with the little group of Ink-Friends (there are not many of them, the most of my friends dont understand whats up about Ink)
Such a great, easy-to-understand, creative and informative video! For someone that knows absolutely nothing about fountain pens, this was the BEST starter guide. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge! ❤ You're the best Helen!
Aww thank you so much Abi! I'm glad it was helpful!!!
Thank you for making this video! I went down the fountain pen rabbit hole a few years ago and was overwhelmed by the amount of resources and terminology😅 I like that your tips and explanations were very concise and very understandable, especially when comparing the different forms of fountain pens (which I couldn't grasp in the past)! I really like your more informative videos and I hope you do more in the future😊
I want to say that I got back into my fountain pens and now exclusively use a fountain pen to write every day because of you Helen. The twsbi fountain pen is the most beautiful and comfortable fountain pen I have ever used. I didn’t start out with this pen and so I quickly fell off using fountain pens but since I bought these new pens (oh yeah I purchased another one right after my first one cause I loved it so much lol) I have not been able to put them down. Best recommendation ever! Thank you so much Helen.
I'm so sooooo so happy to hear this! Glad you love the twsbis as much as I do!
I also bought my first fountain pen for myself, a TWSBI, because of Helen. Prior to that I only used a European dip pen from ages ago for drawing. I’m thrilled that I’m now thoroughly addicted.
This was a fantastic primer to the hobby! Well organized, great flow, just a treat! Thank you for making this.
I have never used a fountain pen but due to many planner/journal videos, I’ve become interested in trying one out but had no idea where to start. This video was amazing and so informative and easy to understand!
Fun and informative video. I really appreciate how you broke down each of the points as well as adding pros and cons for everything. This is for sure beginner friendly (I know nothing and am curious!) so thank you for taking the time to make this video
i've been considering getting my first fountain pen because when i asked about law school essentials they recommend fountain pens and also you can apparently only use fountain pens for some exams so this was super helpful!! i've learned so many new things about fountain pens too and it appeals to me that they decrease hand cramps and are a bit more eco-friendly (considering you only have one)
Great video and lots of good information for someone who’d like to venture into using Fountain pens. And like I said before, that white sticky needs to be made into a sticky note pad with the Emoti and fountain pen doodle! Love it!!!❤
YES!!! Hehe love yah Helen!!
Precious information and discussions on fountain pens.
Thanks a lot for bringing to light many unknown facts about fountain pens.
Benefitted quite a lot
First of all, I'm a veteran fountain pen user. I got my first fountain pens in the early 60s when I was in fifth grade.
But the main reason I wrote was because I was super impressed beginning at about 0:25 of this video when you showed pages from one of your journals, even if only for a second or two. Your handwriting is superb! Now that I'm retired I have plenty of time to practice my penmanship. I do cursive, while your journal is all printing. I guess it's a style you chose to use all caps.
I started in the 1960s with inexpensive Sheaffer cartridge fountain pens, which at the time were under $1.00. I have an Eversharp fountain pen, which takes the same cartridges as Waterman pens, of which I have two. I also have a Parker Sonnet. But starting this year I discovered Platinum pens. I have several Preppy pens which cost under $7.00. Then, to get "elegant," I bought a Platinum Plaisir, whose innards can be interchanged with my Preppy pens.
What I like about the Platinum pens is a feature called slip 'n seal, which Platinum claims will let ink stay wet for up to a year of non use. I never go more than two days so I don't know how true that is. My Parker Sonnet and Waterman Phileas pens will start to go dry after two days, so Platinum is my go-to pen.
In this video I only have one disagreement with you, and that's in regard to gel pens. If I'm careful about only pressing the point to the paper gently, I get the same feel as with a fountain pen. I use Pilot G-2 pens and refills, extra fine (0.05) and ultra fine (0.038). What you were saying about gel pens was how I would describe ball point pens. I only get writer's cramp from ball points.
Well, this 73-year-old curmudgeon will stop now. I enjoyed your video immensely. Thank you for helping beginners enter the fountain pen world.
I’m new to fountain pens and I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you!!
Thank you Helen, because of your love for fountain pens I started to use mine more often.
And for testing if I really want a piston fountain pen I bought a converter for my Lamy Safari to try it out. I‘m really excited.
Thank you so much for sharing this love.
This was awesome Helen! Would you eventually make a video on how to clean them?
Ooo yes I can definitely do that!!!
Stares at my ink drawer… yep, still “economical” 😂 that’s my story I’m sticking to it. 😅
I get an immemse amount of joy from putting away holiday decorations; so it is nice to hear someone say they enjoy cleaning & maintenance of fountain pens 😄
Thanks for a terrific introduction to the hobby!
I think it's a big miss to overlook Chinese pens, especially for a beginner. The prices on pens from brands like Jinhao, Wing Sung, Majohn etc are just unbeatable. PenBBS also makes beautiful and unique pens at affordable prices.
Nice video. Great information and presentation! You covered exactly what I needed. And I didn't even know WHAT that was! So your knowledge is appeciad. Very nice voice. It is very relaxing and easy to listen to. It is very important when a beginner is taking in new and complicated information. I'm an artist, so I appreciate ink and pen. I haven't used a fountain pen for 50 years. And today, it's all very different. But I love to learn new things, and I appreciate nice tools.
Thank you very much for the great video. BTW, you have beautiful writing. TFS. Austin TX USA
Please do more fountain pen how to videos (cleaning/filling etc.). I love the post-it breakdown. It's a very cool style.
Love how informative and sincere this vid is! =D
Something I learned as a beginner is that some brands offer a little bit of flexibility to you with interchangeable nibs or a lot of cartridge colors, which could be really useful for you depending on what you need the pen for!
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I am still new to them (Pilot Kakuno and Twsbi Eco new, lol) and I appreciate you breaking down types of nibs and inks along with filling mechanisms. I am still using samples while I figure out which ink I like and your video was very helpful!
It's my pleasure Juanita!!! It sounds like you are on the right track hehehe. I hope you love your fountain pens!
This video was so well put together and thought out. Even not being a beginner I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a few things, you are amazing 💕
Thank you Melissa! This means a lot!
Thanks for taking the time! Great guide. I’m coming back to fountain pens after many years (we were forced to use them at High School, so I wasn’t keen on them when I left)! I just ordered a Lamy Al Star and a converter - should arrive this week!
Thank you for this video! I have recently decided to learn calligraphy by using a fountain pen (something I've always wanted to learn since I was a kid). This video was very helpful and easy to follow.
Wow! What a nice video! I really loved the presentation - with those Post-it notes as a sort of menu/index - Great! I also envy your handwriting
Thank you very much!!!! This comment made my day ^_^
I like the set up this video. Very educational and artistic
Very thorough video. Thank you for your unbiased opinion.
Wonderful video. You were very through with explaining about fountain pens and all that goes with this wonderful hobby. I love your blue Pelican.💕
Watching this again after getting into fountain pens 3 months ago. I now have 15 pens and just got my first gold nib last week...pilot vanishing point in gunmetal 🖤
This was exactly the video I needed!!!! I’m a brand new fountain pen person looking to buy my first pen! Thank you♥️
Great video. Thanks for all the information. I’m new to fountain pens and am really liking them but have a lot to learn. Thank you for all the great tips.
Just in time! Started out getting interesting in fountain pens and this video popped up near the top search results. This video clarified all questions that I have, thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you!! Very awesome and simplistic video. I have been wanting to try my first fountain pen. ✒️
OMG your handwriting is awesome!
Thank you for all of the clear information. As a bonus, your voice is very soothing. :-)
This is a very complete and thorough video actually, it's literally everything a new user will need to get into fountain pens, one thing that is missing though is talking about royal blue inks, I made the mistake of buying a 50ml Lamy blue bottle as my first ink, ignoring that it fades easily by design and it's really intended for school kids only (like most blue inks), had some trouble at work when I found that out (missing signatures are a real problem).
Not a bad ink but it has been sitting in my drawer for the past 4 years and I don't plan of using it again in the near future, that ties to your explanation regarding the economical aspects of inks, that only counts if you use them otherwise you are really better off with cartridges.
I can't wait to see what you do with the post-it notes, they are so dang cute! As a follow up, I think folks would love a deep dive into inks. I LOVE shading inks but only use them in my journals. I am on my second bottle of Sailor 123 and 224 and have used almost a whole bottle of Yurameku Yoi. I amaze myself because I don't share samples, lol!!
Hahaha you will see in my february planner update I think!
Ooo great video idea, that will be next on my series! Light shading inks like 123 are definitely my favourite when it comes to personal journaling, and a good dark shading ink is also perfect for more "functional" writing hehe
Those are awesome inks. I blame Drew from Goulet Pens for why I call these Rain Fluff and Thunder Fluff, respectively 😂
What size is your nib, f,m or broad, since you said you are on to the second bottle
@@san2881 For Sailor 123 and 224, I use fine nibs with custom grinds. I journal and plan a lot and only use fountain pens for everything else. 😅
@@amyalphabet722 thanks
Not new to fountain pens but new to your channel. Great job! Subscribed and looking forward to watching all you have to offer.
Awesome! Thank you Lester!
So informative and helpful! Thank you SO much!!
thank you so much for this! i've been wanting to get into fountain pens but they're really intimidating lol. this was really comprehensive and helpful! xx
Best beginner's guide that I have seen. Well done! :)
Glad it was helpful!
Your writing is incredible!
Your voice is so relaxing.
Thank you Helen, you shared some great information and just enough that it wasn’t overwhelming. I really enjoyed it. My handwriting is not great but I’m slowly working on it. If I ever decide to try a fountain pen I will be referencing this video for sure 😊
Yay I'm glad it was helpful!!!! You definitely don't need "great" handwriting to try fountain pens, but I totally understand!
🤍very informative. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Am excited to try one myself and give one to my nephew that shows interest in it 🙏🏻
Wow Helen! Thank you for sharing all the fountain pen information!!
My pleasure!!
I was taught to write with fountain pens as I went to a church school.
I have therefore been using fountain pens for 51 years now and I would never change. I love the variety of inks available from bottles.
I'm 21 seconds in and I need to comment I LOVE your handwriting!
Very very helpful. Thank you Helen! 😊
If someone is looking for a convenient fountain, I highly recommend the Traveler's Company brass fountain. It's a little bit more pricey as a starter pen, but as I have continued my collection, I find myself going back to over and over again as a great everyday carry. It's small and compact but because its made out of brass it has a good weight. It's very easy to clean and while you will have some plastic waste from the ink cartridges, it's certainly less than a full pen body. The design is lovely and simple and the brass looks gorgeous as it patinas. I think that my handwriting in the fine nib is comparable to 0.7 mm gel pen. If you see it in a store definitely give it a try! Lovely video as always Helen
This was really helpful! I always wanted to use a fountain pen and bought a cheap one to practice, before buying the more expensive ones. You really explained the different types of fountain pens clearly, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
An amazing video for me, a true newbie! Thank you 😊
This was so amazingly helpful, thank you!! I've been waiting for a fountain pen to be in the budget and will definitely be referring to this video when it is. :)
I hope you get to try a fountain pen one day!!!!
Because of you I pulled out my fountain pens. ♥️♥️♥️♥️
I'm just getting into fountain pens and this video is SO useful!! 💗
Ahh I'm so so happy to hear this! Thank yo uso much Michelle!
This is so helpful and timely! Im starting to like FP and thinking of getting one. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
I don’t want fountain pens, but because it’s a Helen video I still watched LOL. Also this video has the cutest thumbnail pic ever.
Aww haha thank you so much!!!
Very informative video. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing this, I just recently got a twist thingy pen from an advent box and did not know how to fill it up and was about to do it the wrong way 😢. Lucky I have not made an attempt yet but I do know from the first part of your video is that I need to find a good ink bottle to try and play with. ❤
This video really helped me to get started with fountain pens. It
takes the intimidation out of their complexity.
Loved this intro and how simple you made a massive topic (that freaks me out, to be honest) - when I'm ready to dive in I'll do so with your rec and this video in mind!
I'm glad it was helpful Audrey! I do hope you give it a shot!
Thank you so much for this video. It has answered so many questions I have about fountain pens.☝☝
Your video is sooo helpful! I just started down the fountain pen rabbit hole, with a TWSBI Swipe, as I wanted to start with cartridges but have an option to go into bottled inks with a converter. I do love it. Already shopping for my next pen! There are so many pen choices, it's overwhelming, not to mention the inks. Would love to hear about your experience with inks. Thanks, as always ❤️🤗❤️
Ooo I'm glad you're loving it Denise!!! Definitely take things slow and figure out what you like!
Great and very educational video!
Appreciate this video! New to fountain pens and was searching for info 🖋️❤
It was a rather fantastic video. Cheers for that!!!
Many thanks Alberto!
Excellent! Thank you very much.
I used to use fountain pens (very cheap ones) in my school years (in communist Czechoslovakia in seventieths), later on I of course switched to ball pens and now, becoming rather old, I am switching back and looking for some information. Yours are, once again, excellent.
Oh, and as for your fun fact: being a perfectionist is a virtue, not a sin. ;-)
As a new Fountain Pen user I really appreciated this video. My first pen is the Lamy Al-Star and so far, I'm really enjoying it. I can see this becoming a rather expensive hobby that I'll be getting into as I love customization and colour. Thanks to your vid I'm now looking at Twsbi Eco!
Welcomeee! I love Lamy Al-Stars ^_^
Thank you for this. Even though I've been a fountain pen user since elementary school, I always have problems filling the converters to the max. I thought it was just me. I love your Pelikan.
Me too!!!! So annoying haha
Very helpful and well done. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Thank you. Very informative.
I enjoyed this, even though I've been using fountain pens for decades! Back when I was in high school we only had access to big-name brands like Parker - it's amazing how it's become a whole hobby in recent years, with so many beautiful inks to choose from. I definitely have more than I could use in a lifetime 😅
Aww thank you Anne!!! Hahaha Parker is definitely a classic!!!
Years ago, my first fountain pen , in 6th or 7th grade, was a Shafer, with cartridges... I also remember having another pen that filled with a little lever on the side of the barrel that folded out and drew up the ink as you moved it outward. Don't know why I walked away from them in college. Perhaps because I couldn't take class notes fast enough with that quality level of pen. So happy to have found the fountain pen rabbit hole, this TCMC community, and the fountain pen enthusiasts within it.
great video Helen! very informative and easy to understand!
Glad it was helpful Nixi!!
You are so self aware i love it 😂
Amazing. Thank you!
I am so glad you did this video. I just buy a fountain pen 🖋️ and I love writing with it. I believe I have a steel nib. Thank you for this video I now know what to look for.
Yay I hope you love it Jayjay!!!
ur voice is so soothing
Wow your hand writing is crazy, it is so so neat, wish i could write like that.
This video is relaxing. 😄
Thanks for the informative vid
Excelente apresentação. Obrigado pelas dicas.
Excellent video! Thank you.
Thanks for watching William!
Excellent presentation. The accompanying drawings were fun too. I am just beginning trying fountain pens. I will try Pilot Varsity and TWSBI to start.
Hehe thank you so much Vickie!!! I hope you enjoy your fountain pen journey!
I bought a Twsbi after seeing one of your videos. This is a great informational video for beginners. I'm not a Total novice but I still learned a few things. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!!
Love this video! Learned a lot!Need to get me a piston now!
Thank youuuu! And yes you do hehe
Hi , love your handwriting , i'm also impress by your preparation , all your notes on posit, you video must take for ever to plan. Nice dedication , Awesome
Great overview video!
Thank you Helen! I just bought a Platinum Preppy in the fine (0.3) nib and it's really fun. I do find it to be easier on my hands as well. It uses cartridges like the ones you displayed. I would like to try the piston loading pens with bottled ink - I just haven't gotten that far yet. Take care!
Yay I'm glad you're enjoying it!!!
Something else to perhaps add is that some pens make great drawing pens, while others are maybe more suited to writing. For drawing, one might also want to consider whether an ink is waterproof or not, especially if watercolours or other wet mediums will be used in the drawing. 😊
What a beautiful voice and caligraphy :D
Subscribing!
Happy Sunday Helen❤❤❤
Happy Sunday Kimiko!!