Pens - Page 2

From my knowledge no. Since all fountain pen inks are all water based with essentially just dye, excepting cleaning agents, etc. added in. However there is a whole spectrum of ink colors available. There is a book, The Ink Sampler that has most every single manufacturer's ink, and the pH, shade, and various other details. For writing things like addresses on letters, etc. it is better to use a petroleum based ink pen, i.e. ballpoint.

One can have the nib changed to a fine point. As well as ground. Yes, S.T.Dupont's are reputed to have one of the best snap caps.

OK so i recently discovered what is like to write with a nice pen and now i'm hooked and looking to get my own (i'm even passing up a pair of shoes to get a decent pen).  I was wondering what Dunhill pens are like?  Just a name or are they any good?  Also i was looking on ebay and found this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....80&rd=1 Thoughts?  I like the look?  Looking into other brands just dunhill caught my eye first?  Also is there fake pens on ebay?  there were a few from hong kong but i really don't trust buying anything from chinese sellers as i've bought a few fakes (clothing) and have been tainted by that expereince. Also what are people thoughts on used pens?

i used to work in a fine arts store that sold high end pens during college so i learned a few things about pens.... my personal fave for value/looks/function were Watermans. esp the rollerballs. simple, classy designs, thin, and had a brass barrel body underneath the exterior finish which makes them more durable (and heavier). Mont Blancs were popular (esp their rollerball which we used to have pre-wrapped at xmas and they sold like hotcakes for $150 ea) but imo pretty overhyped and not made very well. our biggest brand of returns for breakage were Mont Blancs. another brand i really liked are Pelican pens, esp the fountain pens. Very elegant looking and priced reasonably for a quality writing instrument. my personal fave pen are Lamy. made in Germany and very modern/minimal looking. i have 3 retractable rollerball (back then when this came out, was very rare as all rollerballs til recently had caps so the ink wouldnt dry out) Lamys that are gun metal/stainless/black in finishes with what looks like a machine gun carbine at the top where you hold it. I also have a Lamy fountain pen in a ribbed titanium finish and 18kt nib that is AWESOME. these pens look as good as they write one thing about fountain pens is the gold nibs get "customized" depending on the users grip, pressure applied when writing etc. so if you have a new fountain pen, it isnt a good idea to let others use it for extended periods of time until it gets broken in to your handwriting idiosyncracies.

I own this Montblanc Boheme Bleu fountain pen, which is nothing really distinctive I'm sure to those who takee pens seriously. However, I like its uniqueness. It is shorter than most pens and you have to use the pen cover and fix it at the opposite end of the pen to "twist" the nib out of its shell. Very unique but very cumbersome. However, I am not really using the pen for everyday writing. It also feels like a secret weapon each time I twist the nib out of its shell. I remember doing this once at a conference and the eyes of an attendee almost popped out. I kind of like doing this in front of people to surprise and mildly fascinate them (hopefully not repulse them.) http://www.websterspenshop.co.uk/746/fountain-pen.htm

Aurora pen like mine This is the one I use (no relation to the seller but $50 is silly cheap) WHOA - just looked at his other pens... this guy has some good stuff closing tonight wayyy under value. For those who like a fat pen with a little heft it is wonderful.  My favorite feature aside from the dimensions is the fact that the cap screws on tightly and doesn't explode in flight.  I got this back when I was flying 200k miles/year and fell in love with it. If I manage not to lose a pen for 5 years you know I really love it. NewYorker - that is a gorgeous pen.

I forgot to mention that i wanted a fountain pen. Have looked at pelikans and cross and liked both will check out the others? ANyone have any comments on dunhills though? I'm not looking for a montblanc as i don't want people to know that i spend a substantial amount on a pen, as you've probibly noticed from other threads and hate that with a passion. LV bags :Shudder:

My favorite pens: Montblanc 149 Aurora Hastil Lamy 2000 Parker 51 (buy vintage on Ebay) Parker 75 (sterling silver, buy vintage on Ebay) Pelikan 1000 All classic designs and first rate quality.

Parker Duofold.

Here is a $90 Fountain Pen that gets lots of attention when I pull it out.

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I use this Parker which was my dad's:



It's great and never skips or anything. But when other people want to borrow a pen I keep some extra cheap ballpoints around.

I second the Waterman suggestion. I use this rollerball most often:



I like it because it's a nice pen, but not so precious I'd be overcome if it were lost. Good for regular daily use.

Also, this pen thread may be of interest to those who haven't seen it:

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...light=Waterman

My favorite pens are by a defunct German manufacturer named Elysee. They're thin and their medium nib is perfect for my writing style. (I don't like thick pens.) They're cheap now because they're unknown. I found some NOS ones at a souk in Dubai, and bought them for a song. Also, the venerable Parker 51. I inherited one, made out of silver recovered from a sunken Spanish galleon. Because of its value I am a scared to carry it, though I use it on my desk at home regularly.

Michel Perchin makes by "hand" top quality pen in sterling silver and enamel in merry ole Germany.

I love my Conway Stewart, which I acquired from Levenger when they were discontinuing them. The model is, of course, the Dandy!