Once upon a time, I had a bottle of ink, happily used this and that was it. Then I met Mountain of Ink. Haven't finished a bottle of ink in a long time...
I do,,, just into the hobby since Christmas and up to six pens. The wife has two and a granddaughter has two. Ink count over??? 20 or so. Is there a vaccine against this?
Hi Tom. I miss your reviews with Pen Boy Roy. I have a question. “Do we have to worry about being charged extra on purchase because of the Pres tariffs on imports?” Thanks!
I like to think of "wet" vs "dry" ink based on 3 distinct points: Feedback while writing => With the same pen/nib, if you can feel more feedback then it is a dry ink Writing width => Can you notice how your pen went from (example) Fine to Medium writing width? Then you're dealing with a wet ink And this is a personal point: If you are writing with a light source directly/near the paper, can you see the ink being absorbed by the paper? If you can, then it is a wet ink, if not / it's really quick... Then it's a dry ink My question is: Is there an easy way to tell which writing width will fit your writing style? So, for example: with this trick/thing in mind I know I shouldn't go below a Fine nib or above a Broad
What are your thoughts on mixing inks together to get a new color? Besides the inks specifically designed for this purpose, are there any you'd most recommend for a successful experiment, and are there any that probably wouldn't go well together?
I am a sucker for fully metal pens but I can never decide which metal I should look for. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different metal types? Aluminum, brass, stainless steel, copper?
I’m a newbie to the fountain pen world too. I’ve used a LAMY and Kaweco (inexpensive versions) for a couple of years of and on but now I’m 100% in! I am loving trying new and different inks and experimenting with different nibs and various ink combinations. Thank you for doing these reviews! They are so helpful. How do I know how to choose the nib that suits me? When I write with ballpoint or gel pens, I have preferred a broader pen but I’m trying to figure out what is appropriately broad (not bleeding or feathering) versus the correct ink for that broader nib. I currently have several different options and still am not completely sure what I’m doing. So far I think I prefer the stub nibs for showing ink properties and with my handwriting. Help please? 😊
I am wondering, and apologies if you addressed this before, what is the best way to keep my pen nibs “wet” so I don’t have to dip them in water to get them flowing again? Or is this just the way it is for some pens?
The cap of the pen should provide a vapor tight seal. The nib requiring wetting before restarting indicates that it doesn’t. Some models have that as a constriction flaw even. Try and blow air through your cap. If it it is possible, there is a leak in the cap. If not, there might be a fault in the surfaces supposed to provide the seal.
Esterbrook recently came out with their push style or piston style button fountain pens, I love them, I have the Raven model and Jurassic model, why don’t more fountain pen companies come out with this type of ink filling mechanism, it’s fun to watch the ink get sucked up into the pen. Love your videos!! Hope you have a great day!!
When a nib gets dry while in use, like, if the phone rings or there's a delivery or for some other reason the pen is not on the paper, what are the pros and cons for getting the ink flowing again? Is it really dangerous to lick the nib? Usually I dip it in my tea. Been doing it for years, and yes, I've been this way ever since. Seriously, though, is it necessary to put the pen back into the bottle to prime it again? How might one manage that if using a cartridge? Thanks for saving me from an early death by ink poisoning, Tom.
What are your thoughts on the Chinese fountain pens. I cannot afford a Pilot Vanishing point so I bought a knock off version from Amazon and I have to say, I love the pen so much. I find myself using it more than my Lamy Safari or Allstar.
…last week I bought my third Pilot CH92 and received it today from you! (previous ones are FM & M, this one’s a F) I’ve been holding off for ages on it and I’m so grateful that I finally pulled the trigger. Have a wonderful day!
Maybe this is a bit of a silly question, but do you "have" to write in cursive to really appreciate a fountain pen? And if not, is there a nib you'd recommend for print writers?
Where can I find a list of all the pen shows happening in 2025? I always seem to miss them. I didn't realize the first one of the year was happening in my state.
Oh, so tempting these pens. I see there are no pens listed in the Schon brand. Will this change? I enjoy supporting younger entrepreneurs through retailers.
What are some of your favorite smaller ink providers? Do you have some very specialized inks for use in very specific situations? (like I always use Noodler's Heart of Darkness to sign, for poetic reasons)
Are you using the "Tomoe River S Paper" manufactured by Sanzen Paper Manufacturing or the original (and no longer available) "Tomoe River Paper" from Tomoegawa Paper.
I just got back into fountain pens after two decades of just typing. I’m looking for an ink that matches my favorite ink - Omas Triratna. Noodler’s Apache Sunset is too yellow. Iroshizuku Ya-yake is close but still not it. Any recommendation?
No buy January, is that a thing in the States? I thought it was a no drinking, healthy food, more exercise kinda deal. Appelboom had a 'Blue Monday' deal day this month and I learnt later that day is not a thing in the US, that it originates in the UK. I bought the blue ARTsport to mark it though.
Hi Tom! first, you didn't ruin my no buy January because I can't afford the ones you highlighted in this video HAHAHA but curious about the giveaway inks you mentioned. I have a few of those iconic Jacques Herbin inks. What really is the difference between the short-formed J. Herbin and the full form name aside from the price range, the packaging and the logos on it. They are of the same company right? Hope you'll notice this. Thanks!
I’m a fairly newbie to the world of fountain pens. I’m registered to attend the Chicago Pen Show in Apr./May. Is this a good first-time show for me to dip my feet into….pardon the pun?
How on earth are Renaissance art scholars supposed to resist this gorgeous Medici propaganda? Oh and real question: how to thoroughly clean a pen without a ultrasonic cleaner?
It always makes me happy when someone gives a shout out to Mountain of Ink. It's been an invaluable source for me in my fp journey.
Once upon a time, I had a bottle of ink, happily used this and that was it. Then I met Mountain of Ink. Haven't finished a bottle of ink in a long time...
I was so surprised when I heard you say my name and answered my question of the week!! Thanks so much. I have learned so much watching these videos.
Congrats on the new pen prototype!
Man that Sailor looks amazing!! Did you make a video regarding best budget pens with gold nibs? I would love to know.
I don’t need any more pens. I don’t need any more pens. 🖊️
I do,,, just into the hobby since Christmas and up to six pens. The wife has two and a granddaughter has two. Ink count over??? 20 or so. Is there a vaccine against this?
A bottle of ink won't hurt. Maybe some paper.
You will need a pen to go with all that, of course.
Happy to come back to this channel and watch the most well made, relevant, informative channel for my writing hobby! Thank you!
I’d like to know why some nibs are dryer than others even in the same brand and size?
Oof. That brown Visconti Medici Palazzo. 😍
Hi Tom. I miss your reviews with Pen Boy Roy. I have a question. “Do we have to worry about being charged extra on purchase because of the Pres tariffs on imports?” Thanks!
Yes
Idk what part of sales is confusing.if their prices go up, then so will the end price to the consumer
I like to think of "wet" vs "dry" ink based on 3 distinct points:
Feedback while writing => With the same pen/nib, if you can feel more feedback then it is a dry ink
Writing width => Can you notice how your pen went from (example) Fine to Medium writing width? Then you're dealing with a wet ink
And this is a personal point:
If you are writing with a light source directly/near the paper, can you see the ink being absorbed by the paper? If you can, then it is a wet ink, if not / it's really quick... Then it's a dry ink
My question is: Is there an easy way to tell which writing width will fit your writing style? So, for example: with this trick/thing in mind I know I shouldn't go below a Fine nib or above a Broad
What are your suggestions on Yellow or Pink ink that are true to color, but not too light?
Those are so hard for find.
What are your thoughts on mixing inks together to get a new color? Besides the inks specifically designed for this purpose, are there any you'd most recommend for a successful experiment, and are there any that probably wouldn't go well together?
I am a sucker for fully metal pens but I can never decide which metal I should look for. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different metal types? Aluminum, brass, stainless steel, copper?
I have a pen with misaligned tines - is there anything I can do to fix it?
I’m a newbie to the fountain pen world too. I’ve used a LAMY and Kaweco (inexpensive versions) for a couple of years of and on but now I’m 100% in! I am loving trying new and different inks and experimenting with different nibs and various ink combinations. Thank you for doing these reviews! They are so helpful.
How do I know how to choose the nib that suits me? When I write with ballpoint or gel pens, I have preferred a broader pen but I’m trying to figure out what is appropriately broad (not bleeding or feathering) versus the correct ink for that broader nib. I currently have several different options and still am not completely sure what I’m doing. So far I think I prefer the stub nibs for showing ink properties and with my handwriting. Help please? 😊
Im not having a no buy but even if i was i dont think a $632 pen would be the reason I break it
I am wondering, and apologies if you addressed this before, what is the best way to keep my pen nibs “wet” so I don’t have to dip them in water to get them flowing again? Or is this just the way it is for some pens?
The cap of the pen should provide a vapor tight seal. The nib requiring wetting before restarting indicates that it doesn’t. Some models have that as a constriction flaw even. Try and blow air through your cap. If it it is possible, there is a leak in the cap. If not, there might be a fault in the surfaces supposed to provide the seal.
@ crud. Thanks. It is probably the design of the pen. The ones I have issues with don’t have a tight seal. Thank you.
Is there anyway you can determine the pen is wet or dry before trying it? Like the nib feed size etc
Esterbrook recently came out with their push style or piston style button fountain pens, I love them, I have the Raven model and Jurassic model, why don’t more fountain pen companies come out with this type of ink filling mechanism, it’s fun to watch the ink get sucked up into the pen. Love your videos!! Hope you have a great day!!
When a nib gets dry while in use, like, if the phone rings or there's a delivery or for some other reason the pen is not on the paper, what are the pros and cons for getting the ink flowing again? Is it really dangerous to lick the nib? Usually I dip it in my tea. Been doing it for years, and yes, I've been this way ever since. Seriously, though, is it necessary to put the pen back into the bottle to prime it again? How might one manage that if using a cartridge? Thanks for saving me from an early death by ink poisoning, Tom.
I appreciate the transparency of the title 😂 I clicked on the video anyway
the Visconti Medicis are stunning! and well beyond my fountain pen journey budget. what is your current favorite pen under $200?
What is a good flex pen to start with when getting into flex nibs?
What are your thoughts on the Chinese fountain pens. I cannot afford a Pilot Vanishing point so I bought a knock off version from Amazon and I have to say, I love the pen so much. I find myself using it more than my Lamy Safari or Allstar.
What exactly is done when you have a nib adjusted?
I would love a breakdown episode of less pricey EDC pens that would surprise even the most elite collectors with expensive taste.
Tom, my question is do steel coated like on a Twsbi Diamond 580 in rose gold write different from a non-coated steel nib?
Are there any legal reasons no one makes round replacement sections for Lamy pens? I bet they would sell like hotcakes.
I saw you in Philly but you were talking with someone so I figured I'd catch you later and then never did! So bummed I missed the chance to meet you.
Ah! Feel free to interrupt. I was talking a lot that day. Next pen show sometime in the future!
What tips do you have for someone that wants to start journaling?
…last week I bought my third Pilot CH92 and received it today from you! (previous ones are FM & M, this one’s a F)
I’ve been holding off for ages on it and I’m so grateful that I finally pulled the trigger.
Have a wonderful day!
I love, LOVE Schmidt nibs. What are all the pen brands that use these nibs, and do you know the history of the Schmidt brand?
What causes ink to shimmer, and does that have a negative effect on the pen, like making a clog or stop writing?
Thanks Tom O. That Visconti Medici Palazzo Pitti I have no adjetives for it how good it looks.
Maybe this is a bit of a silly question, but do you "have" to write in cursive to really appreciate a fountain pen? And if not, is there a nib you'd recommend for print writers?
What are your top 5 pens that are made by a company that also makes its own nibs?
Why is there so much variation in Lamy nibs? I have multiple fine nibs that do not write the same way or feel the same.
Where can I find a list of all the pen shows happening in 2025? I always seem to miss them. I didn't realize the first one of the year was happening in my state.
That Moonbeam Meadows looks delightful!
Oh, so tempting these pens. I see there are no pens listed in the Schon brand. Will this change? I enjoy supporting younger entrepreneurs through retailers.
Go ahead. Ruin my run of "no buy"! 😅
What are some of your favorite smaller ink providers? Do you have some very specialized inks for use in very specific situations? (like I always use Noodler's Heart of Darkness to sign, for poetic reasons)
Love it! Nice job.
Metropolitain is the perfect green IMHO.
Are you using the "Tomoe River S Paper" manufactured by Sanzen Paper Manufacturing or the original (and no longer available) "Tomoe River Paper" from Tomoegawa Paper.
Already did that, just got in moments ago my third order this month, lol
What is grinding exactly?
Lately I’ve been wondering about the background of various ink companies. Is this a future video idea?
I just got back into fountain pens after two decades of just typing.
I’m looking for an ink that matches my favorite ink - Omas Triratna. Noodler’s Apache Sunset is too yellow. Iroshizuku Ya-yake is close but still not it. Any recommendation?
@@mindflayer Don't mean to butt in, but I love ink colors... Diamine pumpkin?
@@NameLikeNobodyElse It's not butting in if you have recommendations! I'll check that out.
Also butting in... Diamine Buck's fizz. It has shimmer, but you can easily avoid it by not shaking the bottle. Good luck! 🍊
I spent too much money at the Philadelphia Pen Show. I think my husband will divorce me if I get another pen. LOL 😂 8:38
On the positive side, u wld have a new pen to sign the divorce papers! 😂
Those Visconti's are unreal. I don't know the price but I am sure I can't afford one by the looks. Haha
On sale for $956.00. Reg $1195.00.😭
@@NameLikeNobodyElse Lmao!
Do you prefer more or less saturated inks for your daily writing?
No buy January, is that a thing in the States? I thought it was a no drinking, healthy food, more exercise kinda deal. Appelboom had a 'Blue Monday' deal day this month and I learnt later that day is not a thing in the US, that it originates in the UK. I bought the blue ARTsport to mark it though.
Hi Tom! first, you didn't ruin my no buy January because I can't afford the ones you highlighted in this video HAHAHA but curious about the giveaway inks you mentioned. I have a few of those iconic Jacques Herbin inks. What really is the difference between the short-formed J. Herbin and the full form name aside from the price range, the packaging and the logos on it. They are of the same company right? Hope you'll notice this. Thanks!
What is the pen you are using to write "The Write Stuff?" Thank you!
Are any pen makers or companies coming out with hooded nibs anymore?
Pretty sure Pilot Capless and Lamy 2000 are both classified as hooded.
On the topic of ink, what inks are best suited for calligraphy? Big fan!
I’m a fairly newbie to the world of fountain pens. I’m registered to attend the Chicago Pen Show in Apr./May. Is this a good first-time show for me to dip my feet into….pardon the pun?
u ship in India ?
No buy January…. No. I’m buying stuff.
fish
How on earth are Renaissance art scholars supposed to resist this gorgeous Medici propaganda? Oh and real question: how to thoroughly clean a pen without a ultrasonic cleaner?
It's pronounced Meh-di-ci