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#1430489 - 08/18/10 04:47 AM Fountain Pens - favs?
Princess Romeo Offline

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Where the heart is
So recently, hubby and I have developed an interest in fountain pens. I got a relatively cheap Cross (Cross Aventura - $39 at Staples) and husband got a slightly more expensive Cross (Cross Townsend) from eBay.

The cheaper Cross is apparently a fine point nib, and the Townsend has a medium nib. Both are neat to write with, but I have to wonder about some of the really expensive fountain pens - and are they worth that money for the way they write, or are they just a status symbol.

Anyone have a favorite Fountain Pen?
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#1430494 - 08/18/10 12:03 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Princess Romeo
FBH Offline
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The Land of Tax Free Shopping!
I've used the Sanford Uniball Micro Blue or Black since high school. My dad used to bring them home from work; they've always been my favorites. Not too expensive, but I love them!
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#1430501 - 08/18/10 12:32 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? FBH
Bank Angler Offline
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I'm a lefty, so fountain pens are out for me. The ink doesn't dry fast enough so I end up with a blue palm and smeared writing.
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#1430508 - 08/18/10 12:38 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Bank Angler
Retired DQ Offline
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I used to love fountain pens, until one founted all over my favorite suit... eek
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#1430537 - 08/18/10 01:06 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Princess Romeo
Hrothgar Geiger Offline
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Well, this one is made from warthog tusk... laugh

Actually, there's a decent crossover between watch collectors and pen collectors, so I've learned more about them than I ever wanted to know.

Like a poster wrote earlier, I also write left-handed, and can't use fountain pens at all. Even with gel pens, I need one with quick drying ink.

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#1430544 - 08/18/10 01:16 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Hrothgar Geiger
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Wow, I had no idea there are websites solely selling pens!
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#1430545 - 08/18/10 01:17 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Bank Angler
FBH Offline
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Originally Posted By: Bank Angler
I'm a lefty, so fountain pens are out for me. The ink doesn't dry fast enough so I end up with a blue palm and smeared writing.


I'm a lefty too - I've just learned to live with it. wink laugh
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#1430555 - 08/18/10 01:23 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? FBH
RR Joker Offline
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I used to LOVE writing with fountain pens!
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#1430556 - 08/18/10 01:23 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Hrothgar Geiger
FBH Offline
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Originally Posted By: Hrothgar Geiger
Well, this one is made from warthog tusk... laugh

Actually, there's a decent crossover between watch collectors and pen collectors, so I've learned more about them than I ever wanted to know.

Like a poster wrote earlier, I also write left-handed, and can't use fountain pens at all. Even with gel pens, I need one with quick drying ink.


Wow! My uni-balls are like $9.99 for a dozen! $195.00 for a pen seems ridiculous to me.
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#1430557 - 08/18/10 01:24 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? FBH
RR Joker Offline
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But, yours are not made out of warthog tusk either! wink
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#1430569 - 08/18/10 01:38 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? RR Joker
Dlynn58 Offline
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A friend gave me an engraved Mont Blac pen...I had never heard of one before. Needless to say, I am horrible about losing pens, so when I found out how much they cost, I put it up, because I am so paranoid that I will lose it or one of our customers will accidently carry it off. So it has a special place in my desk drawer. I only use it when he comes in. Don't want to hurt his feelings that I am not using it all the time.

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#1430620 - 08/18/10 02:20 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Dlynn58
RVFlyboy Offline
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We had a local economist and business professor who was subsequently convicted of running a ponzi scheme and bilking millions of dollars from local citizenry. He apparently shuttled some of those millions into a fountain pen collection that included one diamond-studded Montblanc fountain pen that was reportedly worth $170,000. You can read about it and see a picture here: http://old.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/11/22/met_105439.shtml
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#1430649 - 08/18/10 02:49 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? RVFlyboy
Pale Rider Offline
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under the Lone Star
I stopped using them because of being left handed and needing to run to the bathroom to run the darn thing under hot water to get the ink flowing again....
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#1430653 - 08/18/10 02:51 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Pale Rider
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I use the Bic 10 pack, on sale now at Walgreens for $1
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#1430759 - 08/18/10 03:54 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Peepers
#Just Jay Offline
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Did you grab a Snickers as well?
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#1430761 - 08/18/10 03:58 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? #Just Jay
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no I didn't, but we have vending machines on the first floor so I can get my fix later without having to venture outside and risk getting the bottom of my shoes damp
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#1430832 - 08/18/10 05:17 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Peepers
Skittles Online
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My husband also uses a Montblanc, but I don't think it cost $170,000. He's had it for years.
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#1430835 - 08/18/10 05:18 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Skittles
EliComply Offline
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I wouldn't pay over $10,000 for anything I couldn't either drive or live in.

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#1430959 - 08/18/10 07:22 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? EliComply
Bartman Offline
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#1431699 - 08/19/10 07:37 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Princess Romeo
Jay Bruce Offline
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I use a Mont Blanc, as well as a couple of vintage Sheaffer pens that belonged to my grandfather (and I'm a lefty, though I don't write like a typical lefty, so smudging is not an issue for me). I like all three pens, but don't think I would pay the money for a MB (mine was a gift). If I were buying a new pen, I'd probably look at a new Sheaffer like this pen.

In fact, I might get one to carry for day-to-day use so I don't risk losing one of my older pens.

Happy writing.
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#1431728 - 08/19/10 07:52 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Princess Romeo
Jay Bruce Offline
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As a side note, one of my vintage Sheaffer pens is a blue/silver Snorkel like the first one pictured here.
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#1431729 - 08/19/10 07:52 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Jay Bruce
BurntSienna Offline
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I own both a Mont Blanc and a Waterman. The Mont Blanc was inherited, and the Waterman was my college graduation present. I love writing with them both, but they never leave the house because I would be devastated to lose either one. There's nothing quite like writing longhand with a fountain pen.
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#1433024 - 08/23/10 10:56 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? EliComply
BurntSienna Offline
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Originally Posted By: EliComply
I wouldn't pay over $10,000 for anything I couldn't either drive or live in.


Oh and for what it's worth, neither of my fountain pens cost anywhere near $10,000.00.
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#1433034 - 08/23/10 11:55 PM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? BurntSienna
Princess Romeo Offline

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I have found I enjoy writing with the cheapie Cross that has the fine point nib. It is easier to write in a compact space with a fine point FP that it is with a FP ball point or roller ball.

FWIW - I would never pay $10,000 for a fountain pen - but then again, I don't see the point of Rolex watches either.
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#1433049 - 08/24/10 02:18 AM Re: Fountain Pens - favs? Princess Romeo
Kathleen O. Blanchard Offline

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Never ever take a left handed person's fountain pen and write with it if you are right handed. You will ruin the nib!!! Just some advice to you righty's out there.

Love fountain pens but usually use my alternate left handed style so my hand doesn't cross over the writing. Ruined many white uniform blouses that way.
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