Fountain Pen Mistakes All Beginners Make & How To Avoid Them - Gentleman's Gazette
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
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00:00 Introduction
7 Beginner Fountain Pen Mistakes
01:02 1. Not using a fountain pen at all.
Even if you own it, you may just have it in your desk drawer and it never sees the light of day. In my opinion, a huge advantage of a fountain pen is your signature. Not only does it make it look more sophisticated but it's actually much harder to fake because the lines vary in thickness depending on the pressure you put on to the nib. Of course, it's easy to forget about handwriting in a digital world, you can take notes with your phone, you can use Google home assistant or Alexa but at the same time, it has been proven that writing down things by hand especially if you take notes, enhances your memory and you learn faster.
01:56 2. Using the wrong paper.
Most regular paper is rather thin and sometimes flimsy and when you use a fountain pen, you encounter something called bleeding. Basically, it's just ink bleeding into the paper leaving a very undefined line that doesn't look as nice as if you write with the same fountain pen on a thicker paper that absorbs the ink better. So instead, go with a slightly thicker cardstock or go with fountain pen paper which hardly costs more at all but it's specifically made for fountain pen ink.
02:53 3. Pushing too hard on the nib.
If you have a regular ballpoint pen or a rollerball, you can really push hard, even push holes into your paper. Now with a fountain pen, you can also add pressure, and the more pressure you add, the wider your pen stroke gets. That can be really nice for a signature or you want to get a calligraphy effect when you write. Now with nibs, you have to pay a little more attention because they're split in the middle so the ink can get to the paper and if you push too hard, you may damage or break the nib, and then you'll have to exchange it.
03:45 4. Using the wrong ink.
If you have a fountain pen, you should always go with a specific fountain pen ink. Why? Basically, they have a different chemical composition that is best for fountain pens because if you get something that is too thick and it dries too quickly, it will clog up your fountain pen and you'll have to constantly clean it.
05:14 5. Not cleaning your pen when it has dried on the inside.
Generally, if you keep writing a pen and you use high-quality fountain pen ink, chances are you hardly ever maybe never have to clean your fountain pen, over time, however, there may be dust or something gets clogged up and then it's time to clean your pen. So how do you do it? Basically, there are two ways. One, the simple way is to simply drop your entire pen in water. The second and best way to clean a fountain pen is to use an ultrasonic cleanser.
07:23 6. Dropping a fountain pen on the nib.
I know you don't drop your pens intentionally but unlike with a ballpoint pen if it falls right on the tip of the nib it may break or it may deform and then it's time to have the nib replaced.
08:07 7. Not keeping the nib up when you travel.
Especially if you're on a plane, the cabin pressure changes over time and if your nib faces down or if it's horizontal, chances are ink is pushed outside of the pen and either you get a stain on your jacket or the next time you open your pen, all your fingers are going to be full of ink.
So overall, you have to pay a little more attention to a fountain pen and you have to be a little more deliberate than with a ballpoint pen or a rollerball. On the other hand, a fountain pen enhances your handwriting and the look of it in a way no rollerball a ballpoint can compete with.
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Thank you for this video. I love to write with a fountain pen.
Mountain Mettling same here
I got fountain pen from my grand father
I just got one today
I love my fountain pens. I hope we don't lose the art of writing in this day and age. We all used them in school way back when!
I also like to write with a fountain pen. I have parker beta standard fountain pen
same here i have dozens
I should be sleeping i dont even have a fountain pen what am i doing here
The Biscuit man same
You really should get one. They're great!
Do yourself a favor and get one.
He forgot to mention mistake no.8 - trying to eat your biscuits with a fountain pen!
John Flynn HAHAHAHAHA🤯🤣😂😅
"shorter is always better" - This made me feel a lot better. Thanks.
Same... same
Lol
same
Looooool
It got the job done. So who’s complaining.
When it’s 2 in the morning and you have discovered a weird fascination with fountain pens for no apparent reason
DistortedPulse bruh thats what i did a couple months ago and now im gonna start buying fountain pens
Noah Blenkhorn
LoL weak , I am in to quill pens now
I feel this
actually me
Fountain pen world is a rabbit hole. . Once u fall, there is no stopping. Then again, welcome to the community 🙂🙂🙂
In Germany we learn how to use fountain pens in primary school. We weren't even allowed to write with other kind of pens until ninth grade (for various reasons).
We only until 5th grade though I still love to write with one haha
In India too
They make you think your strokes before you make them, if you are using "cursive", thus they improve everithing that has to do with writting reading in your brain, those exercices are in the hopes that you retain that skill with an easier to digest script writting
For me in the UK too. It’s paid dividends with my handwriting since.
When I lived in the UK in the early 80's we learned to write with a fountain pen. Still use one to this day, a joy to use.
I really hope fountain pens get more attention these days in particular. They're a far more sustainable option compared to disposable, unrecyclable pens that mix plastic parts with metal.
That's why I've adopted fountain pens! Also, ~fancy.
Except for the fact that it’s hella expensive for most people?
@@roselalonde6900 I bought a fountain pen off wish for $5 and it's very weighted and works great.
I recently switched to using fountain pens for all purposes. I am a student and I used to throw out one disposable, single-use pen every week on average. That would be make around one kg of plastic mixed with metals and oil-based ink every year. I hope this little change helps to save the planet.
@@roselalonde6900 How is it expensive? Bought a Parker Vector for $20 15 years ago, the seller was so nice that threw in the converter for free (normally about $7), a Montblanc ink for another $20, and... that ink container is pretty big, i still haven't used it up, it lasts several years of daily writing for sure. I found that this ink soaks through the paper a lot less than usual ones, and i found the Vector (which is technically identical to Jotter, which is only $12 or so) to be the easiest one to write with if you're filling like 40 pages a day. The reason i got into it is specifically because of how little effort the writing is compared to anything else.
I also have a bunch of other fountain pens. I think the Herlitz $7 fountain pen is just fine. I am personally not fond of Lamy ones, not sure why. Overall cheap fountain pens are a very mixed bag, some are OK, some are trouble, but expensive ones are not to my taste either.
Feathering... not bleeding... when the ink spreads on the paper its called feathering... when the ink goes through the paper its called bleed through...
And better paper does not absorb ink "better". It, in fact, absorbs ink worse
XopcLabs exactly right!!!
more absorption means more feathering.
Know-it-all
Carlos Quinones it can be called bleeding, though, people understand what you mean if you say it bleeds and more people call it bleeding than feathering.
Fountain pens are actually pretty environmentally friendly as well since things like ink bottles are actually reusable since they are often high quality glass.
My environmental science teacher was the reason I got one.
indeed, at least until you buy 20 pens and 100 lifetime supplies of ink bottles
Curious, what do you fill your empty bottles with/use them for when they are out of ink? :)
@@bige809 I typically use them as pencil holders, or as storage for other smaller objects
although I have seen them repurposed for some really cool things online, like mini display cases
Can I ask you a question?
Im planning on buying a fountain pen online but this is my first time.
How do I tell if the fountain pen is decent? The reviews says its a good product but im still not sure if its the one I should buy.
Im not looking for a high quality fountain pen just a decent one.
@@Uclid_Not_Euclid The cheaper pens sometimes are low quality. Most would recommend some beginner pens like Kakuno and Pilot. Student-grade Japanese brands are usually pretty inexpensive but writes well if you just want to dip your toes into fountain pens
You forgot one common mistake: being left handed.
Eh, I'm left-handed and can write with fountain pens just fine. I pick a pen with a finer, less wet nib and stick to the quick drying inks. Overall I don't experience more smudging with fountain pens than a ballpoint pen
You can get left hand nibs.
Imagine writing in a language that goes the other way, like Arabic. Yeah, learn a new language.
Lol, sad but funny 😂
Lyn R but they’re symmetrical, how are they right or left handed?
Yes, a common mistake the "all beginners make" is ruin their $500 fountain pen nib. Got that beginners? Don't ruin your $500 fountain pen nib.
common? $500 ? not so common in my world. most people i know scream already at a ballpoint costing $10...
@@LordOfTec r/whooosh
@@LordOfTec good fountain pen cost around $10 in India and ball point pens are like few cents.
Beginners who can buy $500 fountain pens are enviable.
It's called a gift. Or a rich shmuck.
Nobody really mentions my favorite thing about fountain pens.
The friction. The friction has a far better feel than a ball point.
Spot on! Me too.
expecialy with RSI (repated string indury) hands from making too many autocad drawings at work, foutains are floting / gliding on the paper, almost no friction. Love use fountains pens
and i stand by that
Isn’t that the reason ball point was invented? It’s not messy. Not scratchy. Not pretentious… although it wasn’t at the start.
@@eswing2153 My point was about the friction. Nothing else. I like the feel of them.
Fun fact: when I was in elementary school (early 1980s Germany), we were actually forbidden from using ball pens in school. We had the choice between pencil and fountain pen (well, fountain pens with cartidges mostly). That may be why I've always enjoyed using fountain pens a lot more than ball pens. I learned writing with one, so it's the most natural way for me to write down stuff by hand. Ball pens were not allowed until secondary school.
almost the same in India. Only pencils till grade 5, and then fountain pens were encouraged over ball point pens.
saame! no ball pens allowed in our school, either a gel pen or fountain pen
same! im from germany and i got to use fountain pens too... they were so cool to use, and i still use them despite not being in primary school anymore :]
Same thing in India
Up till 5th grade it's pencils but from then fountain pens are encouraged
Same in Argentina back in 1997
I remember one of my teachers saying children should write with fountain pens relatively early, because it would help them have nice and tidy handwriting. There definitely is something to it.
and my teacher suggested me to shift from fountain pen to gel pens for a better handwriting...i dislike the teacher coz if this. i love fountain pens, and i broke the nibs of 2 pens (fell down), one was expensivw, parker pen.... I'll be getting one soon (hopefully) ..perhaps a cheaper one this time, my dad kinda scolds for breaking the nibs....
@@akankshaalsi7885 I hope you do get your new pen soon. There is just this... I don't know... charm?... about fountain pens. And they are definitely easier on the hand if one is unused to handwriting. I got myself a Lamy and a Duke when I realised my hand hurts a lot when I write more than two sentences by hand. I use keyboards a lot at work, do it's kind of a rehab for me.
even tho i learned to write with a fountain pen and we had to use it till 5th grade, i still don't have a very readable handwriting lol
No. The French use fountain pens young in school as well & not one of my French friends has nice or even legible handwriting.
"Most ppl never come in contact with a fountain pen unless you actively persude them" might be true in America but here in Europe and especially Germany they are actively used in school
Siplexus yeah i still remember having to buy this wood lamy fountain pen when i was 7/8 years old
I live in romania and at school we are mostly obligated to use a fountain pen sooo yeah
That’s why he said “in America most people don’t come in contact with them”
@@charlottes. i bought a metalic lamy for 35 dollars in romania and i do not regret it
Its really good
A few observations:
"The more pressure you add, the wider you stroke gets." This is ONLY true of flex nibs, increasing pressure on a stiff nib will not result in a wider line, it will likely result in a sprung nib.
In the video, he takes a beautiful Montblanc 149 with an 18K gold nib and wipes the surface of the nib against the edge of the ink bottle. This is a surefire way to scratch a nib, as glass is harder than gold.
Soaking an entire pen is water is not a good idea for many pens, particularly those with internal metal components that can corrode.
I know! Poor Montblanc :(
Honestly these guys are just pretentious snobs who think objects represent class. Using a fountain pen, to them, is a status symbol. To actual enthusiasts, it's like any other hobby, something we enjoy because of its qualities, rather than the qualities it represents. It's like the way some people work out just so they can shove it in other people's faces rather than working out for self-improvement.
Oof
Yeah, there's a bit of that out there... but I'm not sure we can lay this charge against this fellow. He (at least) *was* one of us, after all.
Mind you, the way he went down this entire path was through pen collecting. I think it's clear he's an "old school" fountain pen man stuck with some myths that went around the pre-internet FP community in Germany. Some English terminology is a bit off but at the same time he *is* dealing with the topic better than your average "chap culture" fountain pen newbie ever would.
I used them regularly when I was teaching for grading papers. Improves the handwriting tremendously and that's why I love fountain pens. I also use a glass dip pen, rollerballs, and yes, gel ink for a quick signature. None of these go bad instantly like ballpoints.
I have been writing with fountain pens since I was a boy. You would be surprised at how people react to receiving a hand written note or letter especially when written with a fountain pen. I like to write thank you notes for a number of different occasions. First is when ever I’ve been invited to dinner at a persons home or any gathering really. When I get home is the best time to write a thank you note while the evening is still fresh in my mind. People appreciate that I didn’t simply say thank you but actually took the time to hand write a note and mail it to them. This way several days pass before they get my note and they are reminded of the evening in question. Second is any time I receive a gift wether it be my birthday or an anniversary or whatever. People enjoy the thoughtfulness that goes into writing a personal thank you acknowledging the time effort and expense that went into the gift they gave me. As a side note each year on my birthday I give a gift to someone else. This is a tradition I learned from my father and grandfather. It reminds me to be humble and not everything is about me lol even on my birthday lol
Try it on your next birthday, you don’t have to make a big deal out of it and make it a different person each year. You’ll be surprised at the persons reaction and you just might inspire them to incorporate this tradition into their life as well.
Cheers
What a beautiful habit to get into and pass on to your children. 😊
I bought a fountain pen today. I would have just taken the cartridge that came with it, or a classic color of ink like black or blue.
Your advice to get like your "personal color" led me to ask the guy for his catalog of colors. I spent a good 5-10 minutes looking at the colors before settling on a Faber Castell Moss Green ink. I'm so much happier with it because of that!
@BentoBuff I have about 20 bottles of ink of all kinds of colors.
@BentoBuff I think all the Noodler's inks enjoy certain security properties.
TH-cam's recommended section strikes again.
Not that I'm complaining, I really enjoyed this video. :3
The best pen for the money is the Vanishing Point, with a tiny but still 18K gold nib. Because it's so small, it's affordable. I will never pay hundred(S) of dollars for any pen!!!
yo, pay for sledge hammer... it' art
Soo annoying...
Well till even after a year
Magic remain same
The problem you mention at around second minute in the video is called feathering. Bleeding is when the ink is visible on the other side of the page. Also, Tomoe River Paper is excellent for foutain pens, while being incredibly thin. Thickness isnt the best indicator of whether or not the paper will be ok with fountain pens. Alot of the thick ones have terrible feathering problem. As for cleaning pen, nothing beats good old syringe. I think ultrasonic cleaner is a bit of an overkill, unless you have alot of pens and you change inks alot.
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, Tomoe is my go-to.
But another element is the ink itself, of course. There are some inks that just feather like crazy, especially with a broad nib. But Noodler's X-Feather black ink is designed not to feather, even on cheap paper, so I always keep a pen filled with it, just in case I need to jot something down on some copier paper.
Need to try this ink. Quink is my workhorse ink. Not sexy at all but dependable to get the job done. My experience is that it feathers and bleeds on really cheap paper though. One thing my pens have taught me is the feel of a good paper under the nib is quite pleasant.
Verithiell bleeding is when the ink has *bled* onto the page behind it. *_ghosting_* is when the ink is visible on the back of the page
Ultrasonic cleaning is comprehensive. Gets every last bit of gunk out of that pen.
In Germany every student has at least one fountain pen. You use them from second grade and in elementary we weren't allowed to use any other pen. We also have this thing called "Tintenkiller" (ink-killer) which you can use to erase your ink. It only works for blue ink though.
Yes and some teachers wouldn’t allow it for some reason
@@frankmeyer8359 my teacher said its because her fountain pen wouldn't write on places we erased. Tbh I remember even weeks after erasing your ink wouldn't be able to write on the erased places.
Lamyfüller💪 oder die Frage "Brauchst du Lamy-Patronen oder normale?"
I know a German guy that told me he had to write with a Pelikan fountain pen, basically the same model that I prefer to use. This model has not changed in 100 years.
@@marciocorrea8531there were three student fountain pens in 70s/early 80s (west) Germany: The "Pelikano" in blue and red, and the Geha in green. I used the Pelikano until Lamy hit "the scene" in the mid 80s.
The Pelikano pen has changed a lot in the last couple of decades. A plastic cap on a Pelikano, kidding me? 😅
I have found that the best way to clean my pens is to soak them in water over night. Then I use a bulb syringe (baby size) and push warm water through the nib from the inside of the pen until the water runs clear, then I dab the nib on paper towel to absorb the water and clean up any leftover ink. It's cheaper than an electric device and does a pretty good job of removing built up ink. I load the converter with a bit of water, shake, and empty once or twice.
I have been using a dark purple ink in my pens for 20 years. I try using other colors, but I always go back to the dark purple as my signature color. It's dark enough for a fine nib and unusual enough for others to recognize my writing. I practice my writing from time to time. I practice capital letters, the letters that have unusual joins (b, o, v, w), and I practice my signature. I try new ways of writing letters to see if they please me and I adopt if they do.
Fountain pens are great for note taking because the pens are bigger than ball point so your hand doesn't cramp as much and because they glide over the paper so you don't have to push on the page as you would with a ball point pen. I have given fountain pens as gifts and introduced friends and family to the experience.
thanx for your thorough and sensitive comment, I agree with all you said, including the purple. I like trying sample inks from Goulet Pens, but usually after a few whirls with a marine turquoise or a brown, I am back to purple. Back in the day it was avant grade to use and wear purple, but today everything has been hijacked and in our faces 24/7 LOL!
I dont think most of us will have the problem of runing into people wanting to fake our signature...
Business owners might have this problem.
@@haris8853 a.k.a. not most of us
@@rodolfoe.8019 To be honest, the ink dries in 10 seconds, 20 max. I use the bulletproof noodlers, and it works pretty good.
@@rodolfoe.8019 I signed every page of the documents to buy my house with one, no issues.
Well if you for some reason have money for a 500 euro pen not counting all your ink and stuff id say you could have to worry about signature stealing
The most common mistake is to spend too much on a pen. I have found it to be almost axiomatic that the more you spend the worse it will be at writing. My favorite pen is a handmade Ebonite pen from India. It's beautiful and cost me about $50. Tip: India makes great inexpensive pens.
I completely agree. You can burn through too much money on a pen where they all function the same. I have a Wordsworth and Black that has the sexiest feel and presentation, and it cost $26. I have a very good Hondigan Forest Series that is perfectly weighted and was under $20. I am content with these. The collectors and Dom Perignon crowd can have the ones over a hundred.
He doesn’t seem to know as much as he thinks he does.
Calling feathering “bleeding” and saying you can just apply more pressure to the nib. Good way to ruin a nib.
You caught on to that, huh? :-)
Just a little more presure if you have a flex nib (not too much).
Shading, fether, railing and bleeding 🩸 are different things 😂
Thank you!
Aren't you and your sub-commenters a smart bunch. Yet we are here watching HIS video, not the other way around. You might be correct, yet please show some respect when pointing out his inaccuracies.
I went to a junior school that gave us handwriting lessons whereby we learned how to use a fountain pen *and* how to write in a beautiful script. I still use a fountain pen now and have been asked to write people’s wedding invitations etc.
Wow
Can you share how to do that?
@@ittybittyinnovations5983 buy a fountain pen , practice...
OMG clean your pens regularly even if you always use the same ink and even if you're using it every day! Waiting till it clogs up before you clean it is bad practice!
In 35 years with the same pen I might have cleaned it a half dozen times. Regular use with decent ink is beneficial.
Ain’t nobody got time for that
Him: Have you ever wondered why people write with a fountain pen rather than with a ballpoint pen?
Me, nodding and pointing at the screen: Aesthetic.
When I was at school in the early 70's (United Kingdom) we were not allowed to use anything but fountain pens with the exception of engineering drawing and art classes. To this day I use nothing else. One little tip that's helped me over the years is when you're not using your pen, store it 'nib-down' so it doesn't dry out. I have seven pens here on my desk in a small drinking glass stored this way and they all work first time every time however long they've been there. Excellent video by the way.
I have found this to be really helpful. Thank you very much
Pens with bodies made from ebonite, celluloid or casein should not be cleaned by soaking these parts in water as it will cause them to deform or crack. Simply dip the pen up to the section in water and operate the ink filling lever, button or piston knob as many times as needed to flush the pen clean then dry the pen off thoroughly.
When it comes to bleeding, the ink makes a difference as well, not just the paper. I've the same pen/ink combination on different papers and there can be a big difference.
I remember going to a German school in Australia and in year 2 this one kid had Perfect old English handwriting that would put adults to shame his writing was always consistent 😂
I bought my first fountain pen. The Pilot Metropolitan. I love it so much.
I definitely agree with the part that writing helps enhance memory, for sure!
Oh god, those poor nibs! They are NOT flex nibs, and should not have nearly that much pressure put on them! Unless the pen is specifically advertised as a flex pen, do NOT use pressure of any kind; that's how you end up with unfixable sprung tines!
It very much depends on the nib, most pens have a tiny amount of flex and many old ones have a bit more, but it's generally better to be safe than sorry. If you are good at regulating the pressure you put on things (like most artists and such would be) it's usually not going to hurt if done carefully, but in other situations or when writing quickly I'd suggest not flexing the nib.
They're metal dude. They don't have zero elastic range.
It's a GOLD nib. They're designed for flex without breaking and can be used for calligraphy.
IMO the biggest danger is really in pushing the nib away from the feed, which can usually be fixed by popping both out and resetting them. Sure, the tines could get pushed out of alignment or apart from each other with excessive heavy use, but if you only apply pressure when making a straight downstroke, and make sure *not* to use pressure on other strokes, there's really not much to worry about. For that matter, using an *improper* grip or angle will result in misaligned tines pretty quickly even without using much pressure or flexing at all. To a limited extent this can be fixed in just a couple of minutes with a loupe, cell phone camera with a zoom lens, or just a sharp eye.
I have a cheap, no-name fountain pen and i never applied so much pressure as he did. once or twice should be ok, and the clip was repeated, but my heart did skip a beat seeing it. :/
I own a few beginner fountain pens and I really like them. I rarely write with a regular ballpoint pen these days. But a fountain pen will _not_ make your handwriting better than it already is, or it might only make it marginally better.
So I'm not alone having a fascination with fountain pens at 3:37 in the morning.
Last time it was automatic watches that took my nights.
My mother, G-d rest her, learned to use a fountain pen in grade school. Mama used them throughout her 94 years. Her penmanship was almost flawless. She favored a fine nib. Mama also used ball-point pens, with fine ink.
Her favorite fountain pen was a Waterman.
While I’m by no means a collector, I do have several fountain pens in a range of prices. What I’ve found is that I always keep coming back to my Pilot Metropolitans. At around $20 US, there’s really no excuse NOT to use a fountain pen! My Iroshizuku inks cost more than the pens do but the proprietary cartridges work just fine.
JefferyK they’re even available in a stub nib now! While a Metropolitan will never be a “wet noodle” pen, you can really get some nice line variation with the stub.
I just started using a Pilot Metropolitan after using a Jinhao 750 for years. I am really enjoying my Metro as my daily writer. It's much lighter than the Jinhao and the fine nib is fantastic on cheap paper!
Hey, I love the snap cap on my Metropolitan, especially because I'm a newspaper copy editor, so I'm constantly taking the cap on and off. The only drawback for me is that the grip is a bit small for my large hands. It's not a huge deal because I just use it to make quick notes or insert commas. But for longer writing, I have to go with a pen with a more substantial section, otherwise my hand cramps up a bit.
But my Metropolitan and Platinum Preppy will always stay in my desk drawer and get used five days a week. They're just really solid pens.
JefferyK Hey, which J. Herbin colors do you have? I really like Lie de The and Bleu Pervenche.
You can swap Plumix and Prera nibs with Metropolitans.
I bought a pilot metropolitan as my first fountain pen, and I will say, it is the best pen I have ever owned
They are great-reasonable price and super consistent.
I'm new to collecting fountain pens and I automatically keep the lid on and the nib in the upper position. I've done that with every pen I've ever owned. And with fountain pens being of much better quality and style I always want my investment to last for years to come.
This guy complicates things. It does not change your writing you must do it yourself. I practice calligraphy for lettets and have used FP from middle school. Unless a special nib (maniflex, semi-flex, fex, or super-flex, or soft or gold or sping steel) do not press at all. Get a manifold (nail hard stainless steel) round piont nib in med as first. The med will seem too thick at first but best to start. The weight of even a plastic pen is enough, use zero pressure. Use Rhodia or Clairfontain to start. Other FP paper has special properties. Use Pilot, Scheaffer, Quink, J Herbin, or Diamine ink to start, just there standard non fancy to start. Is more forgiving on copy paper. Good starter pen is Pilot or Lammy. Get used to those before moving on. Also you won't be afraid to carry and use the pen alot or even attempt DIY nib fix if it needs it. A fun hobby a recomend that can get expensive.
Michael Ferguson DIY?
"It does not change your writing you must do it yourself." Very true! It is like riding a bicycle, I think. You must become accustomed to writing with a fountain pen. When I was in high school, I'd pick up a cheap fountain pen to use at school. I learned how to write with those, and later on it was not at all a struggle to use a more flexible vintage gold nib. Even if you don't use a fountain pen for a while, you'll remember how to use one. Practice with a lower grade one and work up. Get to know how it moves on paper, and before long you'll develop a distinct hand that can be quite beautiful and distinct.
I have to say, I do think writing with a fountain pen changes your writing--in my case, it made it worse in the short-term. I used to have very straight ascenders and descenders on my letters, but with a fountain pen that doesn't allow me to twist the pen as much to keep the lines straight my writing got more...flourished-looking. I've since adapted that style and made it look nice, but I can't easily go back to my old handwriting unless I use a different sort of pen, because my old way of forming letters depended on a pen nib that worked at a wide variety of angles, and a fountain pen doesn't afford that variety.
What are lettets?
Yeah... first of all if you're a beginner don't get a $500 gold nib pen. There's your first mistake in and of itself.
Nice video but nobody takes the converter out of a pen to fill it. That's way too messy. Simply unscrew the barrel, dip the pen into the ink and fill the converter. Then put back the barrel and wipe the nib. Filling the converter separately is only advised if the ink level in the glass is too low to dip the pen. Take a look at Brian Goulet's videos. They contain a lot of information about using fountain pens. There are also good fountain pen reviews by Matt Armstrong (penhabit), Stephen Brown (sbrebrown) and Dave Parker (figboot on pens).
Stephan Feinen actually, I fill my converter fountain pens by taking out the converter and filling it up with a syringe. I find that it fills all the way like this and for me it’s better than simply dipping the pen in the inkwell. It’s not messier than a “regular” filling. Also, every now and then I remove the converters for cleaning. I’m a long time fountain pen user, I’ve never had any problems with the converters or the fountain pens.
Plus, switching colours, you can have a gradual shift!
@@doctorpc1531 yeah mixing in inside a pen is not a great idea. Granted most of the time it's no big deal but some inks don't play well with others.
@@narkoid On yeah, wouldn't do it in your most amazing grail pen you love and treasure.
I take the converter off and use a syringe and needle to fill it again, because I like the tip of the pen to be clean and shiny, and not stained in dried ink ;)) works for me ;))
Yes. Fountain Pens can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
However, you can get good fountain pens for under $5 to $30. Jinhao makes a very reliable pen that writes well for under $5, to $50 depending on the model - with an ink converter. A set of six 992 or 599 (acrylic pens) is under $15. A set of four X450 (lacquered brass with gold plated trim and clip) is $19.95. All the Jinhao use long or short International cartridges. The 992 can be converted to eye dropper fill using bottled ink.
A Lamy Safari (acrylic) is around $20 without a converter. The same style Lamy Allstar (aluminum) is around $30, again without a converter. I believe the Lamy do come with two of the proprietary Lamy cartridges. A Lamy converter for bottled ink is $7 and change. There is a dealer who sells these two Lamy with 5 ink cartridges and a converter for $29 and $39 respectivly.
Line width can vary.
However, only if you have a flex nib that actually flexes, a stub nib (several widths and grinds are available), or a Fude (foo-day) bent nib.
A standard "Extra Fine"/"Fine"/"Medium"/"Broad"/"Double Broad" nib has a consistent line width.
The main advantage of fountain pens over ballpoints, gel pens, and rollerball pens is a choice of over 100 different colors, including shimmering and sparkling, and even some that are scented, as well.
I love the "what I'm wearing" section at the end. haha I was not expecting that.
Paper thickness actually has little to do with the propensity to feather with a fountain pen.... I have card stock that feathers like a sponge and very thin paper (Tomoe River for example) that doesn't feather or bleed at all.
what they are not telling you is for the same thickness you can get different densities ... they both matter.
If one cleans their nib(s) & cartridge(s) by soaking & flushing (with a bulb syringe) every two weeks, as generally recommended, then one will never have to purchase an expensive ultra-sound machine. Also, I would suggest that the body and cap of a fountain pen never be soaked. A flush of the cap with warm water and a "scrub" with a Q-tip or soft pipe brush should be sufficient to clean any ink that has accumulated in the cap or the body, if the cartridge has been damaged.
I have an ultrasonic machine and use it when changing inks. Mixing inks from different suppliers can lead to problems.
We were required to use fountain pens. I had no idea including uniform, we were being taught the gentlemans way. I am grateful.
I have watched your other content on the pens too. Thank you once more.
"Fountain pens can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars"
Umm... am I the only person who got it for $2.80 at Daiso 😂
i bought one last week for a couple of cents
Can cost, not do cost. You can definitely get a fountain pen for $2000, and you can also definitely get one for $2.80.
*wheeze
Just bought one at Staples 20$ I LOVE IT
Some fountain pens are art itself. That doesn't mean that there are no cheap pens. There is 1$ fountain pen and 10,000$ fountain pen.
Great video.
Owned a number of FP's but currently only two (Lamy Safari & Lamy Vista). Even though they're quite low range in the price scale, they're a pleasure to write with, you can't tell if the line was done with a $500 Mont Blanc or a $25 Safari but certainly not with a ballpoint (or even a gel ink for the connoisseur), and most times people are in wonder of the whole contraption, they're really curious about them. These Lamy's I keep because they have one of THE best grips I've tried, light body and soft iridium nibs; which means you'll never get tired of writing and the pen "breaks into" your handwriting, also, let me admit they got the looks. Actually, you'll want to write more often.
Only clean them 1-2 times a year and yes, no soap, only water. The best method I've tried was a piezoelectric K+E stylograph cleaner. 1 minute bath in there and what a beauty! It's like when you go and have your car serviced, that you can feel it running smoother, have you ever felt that? Paper is key too; Moleskine's they're nice but I've moved on to notebooks that serve my needs better.
If you haven't, give FP's a try.
>One Love<
-A
... In Germany you are forced to write with them in school from 2nd to 4th grade and after that you can decide on your own... And they are freaking cheap
someone Depends, in countries like America, some people aren't even taught cursive, let alone how to use something like a fountain pen. In America, fountain pens are a niche market, and as such are more espensive and difficult to get. There's just not a big market here beyond hobbiest. If I ever go to Europe, I do plan on buying a ton of fountain pens and inks as they will be so much more affordable. Of course, we do have Platinum Preppy's and (some)Jinhao's which run like $3-4 USD (~€2.70-3.61) here, but most other pens you're jumping to $20 or higher. A Lamy Safari runs about $20-25 (€18-23) here for example.
Even here in India when we stopped using pencils at 3rd Grade they forced us to use fountain pen for 2 years and they were not cheap but not at all expensive. Now I have 13-14 11 year old fountain pen laying around which I am never gonna use.
This video reflects the exact craze I have inside for fountain pens and their care. I clean them joyfully and treat them diligently.
Back in the 50’s, we learned to write using a fountain pen
So did we. in the 90s. in east europe.
I'm lucky to have my grandfather's conway stewart 70 from the 50s.
We had a nib pen at junior school when I was 8. We had an inkwell in the desk and learned to how to dip and regulate pressure on the nib. I remember my first Parker fountain pen (Flighter 45) at 17 years old - heaven. Ballpoint was not permitted for exams or official tests. Wrote all my O and A level exams with the Parker as well as University notes, exams and Finals. Still use it 50 years on - nib still good! Dad bought me a posh gold Schaefer but it leaked from the start (still does). Not a patch on the Parker. I always feel ballpoint sacrifices individual expressiveness in scripting for mere convenience (and commerce...👎).
Thank you, Sir.
I’ve been using a fountain pen for years now.
Thank you! i have spend over an hour trying to get my pen to start and all i had to do was rinse the tip with water and started to flow immediately after.
Thanks!
I’m 72 and been writing with a FP since I was 6..love my FPS....and all my different colors of inks..such fun!
Jeannine Thames Wow, Do you have your own unique, handwriting? or do you copy calligraphy or that very slow perfectly placed childlike single letter script? I want to keep writing fairly fast, I don’t like all the cursive OTT fonts.
Wendy Bendy just my own writing. Plus in past calligraphy. Many different styles..each different with all my different moods.
Thanks..love my fountain pens, have many I’ve collected over the years. Even one that was my moms.
Enjoy your own style. That’s what makes writing with FPs so special.
My favorite part other than writing is filling my pens with all my different inks and different ink colors.
Again..let your own unique style come out and embrace it.
Happy writing!
@@jeanninethames2523 oh what a lovely reply, do you think all inks are universal in size and will fit every pen? I accidentally got a blue ink when I wanted a black one?
@@TheWendable all inks are not same, some are not for fountain pens, India Ink is one. Make sure your ink says for fountain pens.
Personally I love blue ink better than black. If I remember correctly. Blue ink can’t be copied on a copier. That may be from older times and could now be copied. Haven’t tried.
I just know writing with a fountain pen is so much better than a ball point. Closest thing I’ve found to a FP is a Pilot G-2 10. I prefer it in blue also.
Enjoy writing.....it’s relaxing. Takes stress away. Just get a journal and copy poems, or sayings. Enjoying the process of writing again.
I've much preferred fountain pens for several years now. The myriad ink choices available are fantastic, especially if you need a very 'secure' ink such as Noodler's Bad Black Moccasin which I use for signing my professional stamp per state requirements. They're also good for arthritic hands as you need to apply very little pressure compared to a ballpoint pen. They help reduce landfill, too, which is my contribution to ecological soundness.
I just bought my first fountain pen, this video is pretty inspiring.
I bought a diplomat magnum, and a set of 3 iroshizuku ink bottles. $50 total!
Great deal!
Oh, it sounds like you got one of the Iroshizuku 15 ml 3-packs? Which colors? I got the set with Ama-iro (bright blue), fuyu-gaki (red), and syo-ro (green), and I really like all three so far. I'm probably gonna get a big bottle of the ama-iro.
I took the Spring set. The Murasaki-Shikibu(violet), Asa-gao(Navy blue), and Chiku-rin(Dark Yellow-green).
I've only tried out the blue so far, and I really like it. The color is surprisingly different when compared to a ball point pen. It's very nice. I especially like the box it came in.
Andrewx8 88 you should try ink samples since they are less expensive and you can try lots of inks such as shimmering or shading inks for a low price
Do you have any Brand suggestions?
Price is not a issue, I Prefer quality over amount.
Of course, I do have a price limit, so don't recommend me ink with gold flakes in it.
This is a great into to FP's. Wonderful that you've added it. As a longtime FP user/collector I say you're right on track with your advice for novices.
I bought Lamy Safari and never expected to like it so much. It is very well made, lasts for a very long time, never have a problem with it and it is relatively inexpensive, around $20.00 Those of you who never tried a fountain pen, this would be a.good choice.
True. The cheaper Lamys are standard school pens in Germany
I bought my first fountain pen about 5 years ago to keep a photography journal. Never looked back, I feel weird when I have to write with a standard pen these days.
There’s a little bit of a learning curve on the front end, but I would definitely agree that once you hit your stride (especially with a particular fountain pen) the writing is not only easier on your hand but also more than a little enjoyable. It was enough to finally get me writing letters back and forth with my grandmother and two friends who closet fountain pen lovers.
Another thing you can do when flying with a fountain pen is to make sure it is full of ink. Any air in the fountain pen expands if the air pressure in the cabin is less once the plane takes off, which can push ink out of the pen.
You're better travelling with an empty pen and an inkwell or bottle.
@MichaelKingsfordGray Air dissolved in the ink would be a chemical property, how about you take a chemistry class??
@@CoWinkKeyDinkInc actually you are both wrong ... there is oxygen in ink ... because there is water in the ink but regardless as pressure changes so does the temperature and so the volume of the liquid ... physics 101 ... i would say you are better off with a half full pen that you keep tip up ...
Thank you and I just bought two fountain pens and bought the ink too...
I’ve been using a fountain pen for nearly 40 years, I bought my first one at a drugstore as a kid and used it through middle and high school. I’ve always loved to draw and doodle and fountain pens are the best for that. They got hard to find in the 90s, you’d have to pay $30 bucks or more for one at an office supply store but it’s easier now with the internet.
It‘s so weird to me that people need videos like this because I‘ve been using them since 1st grade. But I think it‘s really nice that people want to learn how to use them
In my opinion you have the best menswear channel on TH-cam, you have a video for every topic that I can think of, you deserve way more subscribers, keep up the great work!
Agreed. Nowadays you have crappy channels like Alpha.M, RMRS, and TMS that make videos with crappy advice only to sell you some overpriced trash.
Finally... My first starters video!! Thank you💋💋
I inherited a fountain pen from my great uncle that I didn't really know what to do with, so thank goodness for these videos! I've learned a lot already and have started writing with it!
In my experience, when (not if) you drop a pen, and it lands on the nib.... get a different pen. I've had some Pilots that will ALWAYS land on the nib TWSBIs, Nemosines have never landed on their nibs. How a pen lands has a lot to do with how they are balanced. The Pilot that used to do this would slip out of the cap when it was posted.
If you're new to fountain pens, or a student, start with cheap pens. Two reasons first it's less expensive, but also it takes a lot of experience to know which expensive fountain pen you'll like best. And after years of experience I can tell you which is your favorite pen-- it's the one you switch to next. It's always fun to switch to another pen. If you own a few, that next pen doesn't have to be a new one.
A good pen to start with is a Platinum, they cost less than $5, you can fill up the whole barrel (called eye dropper) or with a craft syringe (blunted needle) just refill the little cartridges. If you're a student have 2-3 of these pens filled and ready and use them for taking notes. You'll be amazed how quickly and effortlessly it is to use a fountain pen for note taking. No hand cramps.
To keep your pens clean and working... I don't know about the ultrasonic cleaner. I take mine apart and rinse them. For the slit in the nib. I've found that using one of those flossers-on-the-stick are great for cleaning dried ink out of the slit (use it on your teeth first, then on your pen...) Nothing I've tried can get into that slit more easily than one of these flossers.
For ink I've had great luck with Noodler's Polar (blue but it comes in other colors). It seems to clog less than other inks I've used, and when you spill that entire Vente coffee on your notes, it doesn't bleed.
If you get a cheap pen that has a scratchy nib, There are these Revell 12000 grit sand paper pads, Amazon or local art/hobby supply. I few figure 8s usually will take care of a nib that's not been polished. If two minutes of this doesn't solve the scratchiness-- it's something else. Good luck and have fun.
Good video . Maybe an additional tip on making sure your signature is less fakeable . If you use a fountainpen with a hard small nib to sign with , you produce the result , that when you sign you not only sign your signature onto the paper with the ink , but you also scratch with your nib your signature into the paper with an indentation . The "mark" of that indentation is also a signature that has to correspond with your "ink-written" signature , and makes your signature less changeable and thus fakeable , either to remove it or to produce it . Erwin , Belgium .
This sounds like it would be a wonderful way to teach discipline to a school student. With as much care that needs to be taken using these pens the amount of discipline needed can also provide good habits for other areas of life. Teaching people to be more responsible, careful, and even more methodical.
You were right about falling in love with it, I purchased one of the pens from the video about "5 Great Fountain Pens that Won't Break the Bank" (I got the Pilot Metropolitan), and I was quite impressed with its construction, but most of all, I think it writes so much better than a regular ballpoint pen.
i use a dip pen for calligraphy and my cursive as well as print handwriting has greatly improved
Great video Sven Raphael! Thanks for the information!
I love it when he says”pacific ink”
i think that ultrasonic fountain pen cleaner is a must have item in any respectable household. i have one in every room in the house.
I grew up in the sixties in Texas and until my last year of high school, we only used fp's--normally Sheaffer but also some Parkers and Esterbrooks. Skrip washable blue...
Thank you so much for making this video! I've just gotten a fountain pen👌And I didn't wan't to waste the ink, on something i'm gonna throw away anyway😂Thanks!!
We had to use fountain pens in primary school for notes and back then we only used the cheaper kinds. They were made of plastic with metal nibs and costed us lesser than a dollar(3 -20 dirhams). They broke easily too...
you lived in the uae yeah in some schools like al diyafah we had to use fountain pens
@@boymcfacto5832 I was in a GEMS branch of schools.
+Maryam Khan isn't winchester if i can remember right a gems school?
@@boymcfacto5832 probably? There were too many branches for me to remember.. .....
In Austria you usually write with fountain pens when you're in elementary school too.
Thank you so much - I have been trying to clean my expensive fountain pen for over 10 days now - it seems pink ink was caked dry. I soaked it and cleaned it every day, but the pink kept coming and it just wouldn‘t write without scratching even at the end of 10 days. I put it for 3 x 2 minutes in my ultrasound cleanser and... voila... it writes perfectly again.
I am a female and ran across your channel by looking up some pronunciations but I absolutely love it, from manners to fountain pens even even the horn style gazette music interlude. Keep it up.
You have an excellent taste for music as well. It's a baritone saxophone. I love my bari sax as much as my (inherited) Montblanc Meiserstück fountain pen. I use it every day.
Thank you so much sir.
Respect you.
I used to write with fountain pens, and love fountain pens too. It is my vital writing instrument.
Provide us more and more knowledge as you have provided in this video.
Please refer Cleaning techniques from "Goulet Pen Company" videos, they are just simply awesome.
Dear sir: this has been my first foray into your channel. I do like the way you presented your information.
I'm afraid, however, that unless you're heading out for a sail, a game of squash, or other sport, shorts & deck shoes appear too informal, to me.
My father (b. 1922) dressed nicely, when the occasion demanded it, even though he worked with his hands.
He definitely influenced my idea of how a man should dress.
All in all, a good presentation. I look forward to reading more.
Following on from watching this vid last week, I finally put some ink into a lovely fountain pen that I had made by Cotswold pens 2yrs ago and hadn't ever used. It's lovely to use such a beautifully crafted pen! Not used a fountain pen for years!
Thanks for all the information. I especially liked the information about the type of paper that should be used and about how the finer the nib, the less the ink bleeds into the paper. My major problem has been ink bleeding through to the other side of the paper making it difficult to read both sides.
I've always used cheap paper I've never had feathering or bleeding problems I found when I first got in to fountain pens my writing was terrible I realized it was just that I needed to get used to fountain pens and learn to control em after writing with em for years now my handwriting has improved greatly and my joining letters is getting better and better occasionally when I pick up a ballpoint it feels so weird and now my writings worse with a ball pen and when I try joining letters with ballpoint I can't get it to work hardly
@MichaelKingsfordGray you are the only one who gives a ! about it.
Great video!!! I have recently started collecting fountain pens. A true joy to write with such a piece of art. Keep up the good work! Cheers!
John the Voice That's awesome. So which pens are your favorites so far?
I really like the Twsbi Diamond 580 with a stub nib and the Lamy 2000 with an oblique broad. They make my handwriting have way more flair.
I really like my Parker 45, because it really allows my hand to write so easily, without pressing on the paper. Also, I prefer vintage pens, because in a way they are better from the new due to the fact that they write better and sometimes smoother. One tip, the older the pen the better will be the nib when writing. Cheers!
Still use my Parker I bought 40 years ago. Started with them when I was in Junior High even longer ago (Sheaffer pens). Helped me improve my handwriting and they're just plain fascinating! I now have my grandfather's 1940's or 50's fountain pen (Parker) Going to restore it to service. Have used Osmiroids also. My main go-to's right now are the Franklin-Coveys given to me as a present. Nice feel and they work great for cheap! Have both cartridge and refill.
Thanks for the video. I have just gotten back into using a fountain pen to write with. I used one most of the way through school, including college and grad school. I did get out of using a fountain pen for a very long time, and now I'm back to using one. I'm really glad to see the new interest in fountain pens. When I started using one recently, I forgot how much I enjoy writing with one.
I have a cheap fountain pen and it always leaks and when I press with a little amount of pressure it just makes a massive dot.
Lol
Did anyone else found the clothing advice as a joke?
Why would you reveal you are wearing those shorts? hahaha.
Amazing info otherwise! :P
I think he was showing us the clothes because that's what the channel is for. "Being a gentleman".
Everywhere else i've seen his vids are about clothes. He's an apperal enthusiast. his standards come off as snobby to most but, i like it.
I was confused as well
@@wesleypearson7619 Thanks! I agree with you. His taste in things is likely to resonate with people who like vintage fountain pens and some of the charming (and maybe colonial) aspects of British aristocratic life. It also seems to me, judging by the comments that I have read here, that too much was read into his depiction of the Montblanc 149 pen. He showed few affordable pens as well: the Lamy Safari for example.
I agree, but his legs are so gentlemanly eh?
I started using fountain pens in the 70s with the Parker 25 Flighter "Space Pen". I have a nice collection of the 25 variants. I usually use flex or stubb nibs as I love the variety in my writing.
I just discovered fountain pens about two months ago. I have four pens and I use them everyday. Thanks for the tips.
@Beelzebub I know what you mean. I’m in my 60s and think how could I have missed such a delightful writing experience.
lol my primary school in holland forced all students to learn with fountain pen. because of this i get told by woman i have beautiful handwriting and by man feminine handwriting. don't use think paper learn on thin paper as it will help you with the press
Dang, he‘s so rich he has touch gloves for his phone 😂😂
This was so helpful! Thanks for taking the time to give advice for fountain pen care!
Hold the pen at the top of the grip, press lightly, and always be light handed on the writ. Pens will always flows. Always wash the pen per refill.
This guy is always super detailed, love it
Thanks for your informative videos. Being Deaf the actual captions are appreciated.
I just bought my first Lamy and I am positively in love.
BlackSkullArmor me too!! what kind did you get? i got the Joy 🖋️💜
HENRY FORSTER yes! it's a calligraphy pen. i love how it writes
@@arielcherie I just bought one a few days ago, I cannot wait for it to arrive =D
What ink are you using? I'm getting some Lamy Azurite to go with mine.
i had a teacher on year that made us use fountain pens. it was to make us learn how to write good. (we had some kids that had unreadable handwriting) the school provided a cheap fountain pen, but if you wanted a better one you had to buy one yourself. and i love it. in a rebel action i bought purple fillings, i love it 🥰
i’m happy that i found this video now, to better learn more about the use of it