REQ: Post your favorite pen!

[Aaron W. Hsu]

Hey Everyone,

So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens, either
their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to write
with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone uses, as
well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen enough action in
alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)

Aaron W. Hsu

[Alan J]

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hey Everyone,
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens, either
their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to write
with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone uses, as
well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen enough action in
alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)

No picture, but I'm using a Sailor 1911 14K as my everyday pen. I got it in
2008, and it soon became a favourite.

[Aaron W. Hsu]

Post by Alan J
No picture, but I'm using a Sailor 1911 14K as my everyday pen.

Maybe a link to a picture somewhere? :-)

Aaron W. Hsu

[Alan J]

Post by Aaron W. Hsu

Post by Alan J
No picture, but I'm using a Sailor 1911 14K as my everyday pen.

Maybe a link to a picture somewhere? :-)

It's like the second one down in this link (the red one), but with a medium
nib:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/80187-fpn-sailor-gallery/page__st__15

[Brian Ketterling]

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens...
...I haven't seen enough action in alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)

I've posted pics, not of a purdy show-off pen, but my real daily writer.
It's a Cross Radiance (M), showing the signs of the ~5 years it's spent in
my pocket. I treat my pens gently, but 4 years of jacking it in and out of
its pouch finally snapped the stem of the derby, due to the slight levering
action of the Radiance's fat cap band. The pen now wears a flat-banded Solo
cap -- and that's wearing away, too.

The top of the pellet is smoothed into an approximate XF, and the pen is
always filled with Noodler's Black. BTW, the other side of the pouch
carries a Radiance SelecTip with a liquid roller refill. It's intact,
albeit with a funky patina, because it's never used.

-- Brian

[Aaron W. Hsu]

On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:00:46 -0400, Brian Ketterling

Post by Brian Ketterling
I treat my pens gently, but 4 years of jacking it in and out of
its pouch finally snapped the stem of the derby, due to the slight levering
action of the Radiance's fat cap band. The pen now wears a flat-banded Solo
cap -- and that's wearing away, too.

I don't know, that's looking pretty good to me! Thanks for sharing. I
thought I had some photos of my daily writer around here, but I guess not.
I'll have to get some new ones up.

Aaron W. Hsu

[Brian Ketterling]

I thought I had some photos of my daily writer around here, but I guess
not. I'll have to get some new ones up.

Why not add a second pen to the compendium?

-- Brian

[Aaron W. Hsu]

Post by Brian Ketterling

I thought I had some photos of my daily writer around here, but I guess
not. I'll have to get some new ones up.

Why not add a second pen to the compendium?

Granted. I'm posting them to alt.binaries.pens-pencils now.

Aaron W. Hsu

[Brian Ketterling]

...I'm posting them to alt.binaries.pens-pencils now.

(on ABP-P:)

I've finally gotten around to posting my daily writer. It's a MontBlanc
Meisterstuk Le Grande. Unfortunately, it has gone through the dryer
once before, which necessitated the replacing of some parts, including
the nib. You can see a slight misalignment of the turn-knob on the
back of the pen. It's a great writer, and I love to use it. It's an
Extra Fine nib, and has Noodler's Midnight Blue in it at the moment.

Thanks for posting -- great pen! Have you previously mentioned running one
through the dryer?

I can't see the knob misalignment, but I have a couple of questions
regarding the nib closeup (pen3.jpg): is that a (crack/scratch/line of ink),
or an image artifact, and how does it write inverted?

Brian
--

[Aaron W. Hsu]

Post by Brian Ketterling

...I'm posting them to alt.binaries.pens-pencils now.

(on ABP-P:)

I've finally gotten around to posting my daily writer. It's a MontBlanc
Meisterstuk Le Grande. Unfortunately, it has gone through the dryer
once before, which necessitated the replacing of some parts, including
the nib. You can see a slight misalignment of the turn-knob on the
back of the pen. It's a great writer, and I love to use it. It's an
Extra Fine nib, and has Noodler's Midnight Blue in it at the moment.

Thanks for posting -- great pen! Have you previously mentioned running one
through the dryer?

Yep, this is one and the same.

Post by Brian Ketterling
I can't see the knob misalignment, but I have a couple of questions
regarding the nib closeup (pen3.jpg): is that a (crack/scratch/line of ink),
or an image artifact, and how does it write inverted?

Hrm, do you mean the "capillary" line that ends in the air hole? If
so, that's an actual divide in the pen nib. The nib is not actually
split or cracked though. There are some dots of ink along the nib if
you look closely.

As for writing inverted, I assume that you mean with the top, engraved
part of the nib facing towards the paper? I actually have not spent
much time analyzing that, as I always write the other way with it.
It does write, but the feel is most certainly different. There isn't
as much inkflow that way, and you don't get any sort of smoothness out
of it at all. The "give" in the pen is also all off if you try to
write that way.

Aaron W. Hsu

[Brian Ketterling]

Post by Aaron W. Hsu

Have you previously mentioned running one through the dryer?

Yep, this is one and the same.

It came through it pretty well. You must have felt sick when you found your
pen in there!

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hrm, do you mean the "capillary" line that ends in the air hole? If
so, that's an actual divide in the pen nib. The nib is not actually
split or cracked though.

Interesting, if it's not a scratch -- I'd expect to find a feature like that
in cast, rather than rolled, metal.

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
As for writing inverted, I assume that you mean with the top, engraved
part of the nib facing towards the paper?

That's it. It's what I was referring to earlier with my Cross, when I said
that "the top of the pellet is smoothed into an approximate XF".

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
There isn't as much inkflow that way, and you don't get any sort of
smoothness out of it at all. The "give" in the pen is also all off if
you try to write that way.

I see -- so pretty normal for a modern pen. I think I've noticed before
that Montblancs have the top of the pellet flattened, and wondered whether
they addressed inverted writing while doing the grind. That flat face could
be the start of a sort of needlepoint cursive italic, too. I like
duo-pointed nibs, but they're more characteristic of vintage pens.

Brian
--

[Aaron W. Hsu]

Post by Brian Ketterling
It came through it pretty well. You must have felt sick when you found your
pen in there!

Oh, it was not a good feeling, I can assure you. The resin was remarkably
preserved, and I don't think any of that had to be replaced, it was
mostly the nib and the internal mechanism that were busted. That is,
of course, the most expensive part of the pen. :-)

Post by Brian Ketterling
Interesting, if it's not a scratch -- I'd expect to find a feature like that
in cast, rather than rolled, metal.

Hm, you know, I couldn't really answer that, I've never not seen a
pen without the vein, and I've always just assumed they were there in
most pens.

Post by Brian Ketterling
I see -- so pretty normal for a modern pen. I think I've noticed before
that Montblancs have the top of the pellet flattened, and wondered whether
they addressed inverted writing while doing the grind. That flat face could
be the start of a sort of needlepoint cursive italic, too. I like
duo-pointed nibs, but they're more characteristic of vintage pens.

The range of angles at which this pen will write are pretty good,
especially, IMO, for an Extra Fine nib, but the top of the pen
definition isn't what I would call "ready" for normal use. It would
work if you had something extremely fine that you needed to adjust, and
just needed the smallest of ink flows to do it. I have, now that I
think about it, done this before, so I guess that the inverted
writing does have its uses, but they seem limited to me, especially
on a nib that wasn't designed for it. I can see the utility for a
dual-head nib though.

Aaron W. Hsu

[kwhiner]

I have two favs: The first is my everyday pen I carry at work and
general purpose a Waterman Expert II Ballpoint. The other is a Black
with Palladium Shaeffer Legacy II.

kwhiner

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hey Everyone,
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really  
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens, either  
their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to write  
with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone uses, as  
well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen enough action in  
alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)
        Aaron W. Hsu
--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.

[Aaron W. Hsu]

Post by kwhiner
I have two favs: The first is my everyday pen I carry at work and
general purpose a Waterman Expert II Ballpoint. The other is a Black
with Palladium Shaeffer Legacy II.

Hey, thanks for posting. I was wondering, do you find the transition
from ballpoint to fountain pen and back difficult? I always found it
difficult, which was why I moved to using a fountain pen as my daily
writer.

Aaron W. Hsu

[Kent Brockman]

My favorite is the Bic Banana; but, I haven't been able to find them for a
while. Wish I had a gross of them tucked away in the supply cabinet.

[Brian Ketterling]

Post by Kent Brockman
My favorite is the Bic Banana; but, I haven't been able to find them for a
while. Wish I had a gross of them tucked away in the supply cabinet.

Wow. That's going back a ways. If you find that store with Bic Bananas,
please pick up some colored porous-point refills for my Parker Big Reds,
too!

Brian
--

[l, not -l]

On 11-Apr-2010, "Brian Ketterling"

Post by Brian Ketterling

Post by Kent Brockman
My favorite is the Bic Banana; but, I haven't been able to find them for a
while. Wish I had a gross of them tucked away in the supply cabinet.

Wow. That's going back a ways. If you find that store with Bic Bananas,
please pick up some colored porous-point refills for my Parker Big Reds,
too!
Brian
--

And LiquidLead refills for my Parker pencil

[Brian Ketterling]

Post by l, not -l
And LiquidLead refills for my Parker pencil

There were some "liquid lead" pencils from China on the market recently.
I'd wondered whether the fluid could be transferred into Parker refills.

If I could figure out what solvent Parker used in their porous-point
refills, I'd try rewetting my dried-out ones so I could play with them.

Brian
--

[Alan J]

Post by Brian Ketterling

Post by l, not -l
And LiquidLead refills for my Parker pencil

There were some "liquid lead" pencils from China on the market recently.
I'd wondered whether the fluid could be transferred into Parker refills.
If I could figure out what solvent Parker used in their porous-point
refills, I'd try rewetting my dried-out ones so I could play with them.

If you mean the discontinued Parker "Felt Pens" (circa 1980?), plain water
should work OK. Do any modern refills fit in these things?

[Brian Ketterling]

"Brian Ketterling"... wrote...

Post by Brian Ketterling
If I could figure out what solvent Parker used in their porous-point
refills, I'd try rewetting my dried-out ones so I could play with them.

If you mean the discontinued Parker "Felt Pens" (circa 1980?), plain water
should work OK. Do any modern refills fit in these things?

I guess "porous point" was the wrong term; Parker called them "Soft Tip Pen
Refills". They were essentially little markers that fit inside a pen body,
and were about 4-1/2" long and 1/4" in diameter. I don't know what pen
models were made in that version, except for the Big Red and "45". The
refills are no longer made.

I've tried water, which partially dissolves the ink, alcohol, which
dissolves another part, and a combination, which still doesn't do it. The
ink (in the one or two refills I have that are still good) has a distinctive
tang to the smell that I can't place, but associate with old
watercolor-style markers.

-- Brian

[Alan J]

Post by Brian Ketterling

"Brian Ketterling"... wrote...

Post by Brian Ketterling
If I could figure out what solvent Parker used in their porous-point
refills, I'd try rewetting my dried-out ones so I could play with them.

If you mean the discontinued Parker "Felt Pens" (circa 1980?), plain water
should work OK. Do any modern refills fit in these things?

I guess "porous point" was the wrong term; Parker called them "Soft Tip Pen
Refills". They were essentially little markers that fit inside a pen body,
and were about 4-1/2" long and 1/4" in diameter. I don't know what pen
models were made in that version, except for the Big Red and "45". The
refills are no longer made.
I've tried water, which partially dissolves the ink, alcohol, which
dissolves another part, and a combination, which still doesn't do it. The
ink (in the one or two refills I have that are still good) has a distinctive
tang to the smell that I can't place, but associate with old
watercolor-style markers.

I just tracked down mine - it is the brushed steel type, so it's probably a
"45". The dried-up refill says "Parker Fibre-Tip Refill" on the side. From
time to time, I've tried various refills, without finding a good
alternative. The Pilot G2 rollerball inserts are about the right length, and
good quality. It should be possible to use a cone-shaped spacer to centre
the point properly, but I don't have the right tools to make one from
scratch.

Might the mystery solvent be isopropyl alcohol? That's miscible with water.

[Brian Ketterling]

...It should be possible to use a cone-shaped spacer to centre
the point properly, but I don't have the right tools to make one from
scratch.

That's good thinking on your part! Parker made a set of adapters to do
exactly that with their ballpoint refills. One part is a centering adapter
that slips over the point and front of the reservoir, and the other is an
extender that goes onto the back of the refill. Parker doesn't make those
anymore either, but you might be able to pick up a pen that still has them.

Might the mystery solvent be isopropyl alcohol? That's miscible with water.

It's probably one of the things I've tried, but I'll double-check. I think
the vehicle is mostly water, plus *something*.

Brian
--

[Bluesea]

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hey Everyone,
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens, either
their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to write
with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone uses, as
well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen enough action in
alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)

No pics, but my favorite is still the Namiki Falcon (fine) and I'm quite
attached to the Kaweco Sport Ices.

[d***@dcn.org]

Glad you found the Falcon; I think it is a great pen. I have four of
them now. Can't bring myself to buy the new metal one though.
Favorite pen would be a tie between the Pelikan M600 and an Aurora 88.
Glad to see people still frequent here. Still like the format better
than FPN. Just seems easier to use.

Don

Post by Bluesea
No pics, but my favorite is still the Namiki Falcon (fine) and I'm quite
attached to the Kaweco Sport Ices.

[Bluesea]

Post by d***@dcn.org
Glad you found the Falcon; I think it is a great pen. I have four of
them now.

Me, too.

I have one for blue-black, one for black, and one for Bay State Blue - all
fine.

Plus, a medium. I lucked out and snagged a blue one after they were
discontinued.

Post by d***@dcn.org
Can't bring myself to buy the new metal one though.

<ears perking up> New metal one? I guess I haven't been paying attention.
The metal pro'lly means it's heavier, though.

Post by d***@dcn.org
Favorite pen would be a tie between the Pelikan M600 and an Aurora 88.

I like my Pel a lot, just don't use it as often. Haven't tried an Aurora.

Post by d***@dcn.org
Glad to see people still frequent here. Still like the format better
than FPN. Just seems easier to use.

Agree.

[Brian Ketterling]

Post by d***@dcn.org
Glad to see people still frequent here. Still like the format better
than FPN. Just seems easier to use.

And the subject is writing instruments, not a celebration of obsessive
shopping.

Brian
--

[Alan J]

Post by Bluesea

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hey Everyone,
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens, either
their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to write
with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone uses, as
well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen enough action
in alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)

No pics, but my favorite is still the Namiki Falcon (fine) and I'm quite
attached to the Kaweco Sport Ices.

I'm enchanted with the medium Falcon, black plastic type. It is so light,
you could write with it all day. If I had a time machine, I would send one
of these back to my younger self, ready to take all those wretched lecture
notes...

[Bluesea]

Post by Alan J

Post by Bluesea

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hey Everyone,
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be
really cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens,
either their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to
write with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone
uses, as well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen
enough action in alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)

No pics, but my favorite is still the Namiki Falcon (fine) and I'm quite
attached to the Kaweco Sport Ices.

I'm enchanted with the medium Falcon, black plastic type. It is so light,
you could write with it all day. If I had a time machine, I would send one
of these back to my younger self, ready to take all those wretched lecture
notes...

Yes, I had a hard time choosing between the fine and the medium because the
medium is so smoooooth. The fine won out because I prefer the way the line
looks, but my second Falcon was the medium.

[Alan J]

<snip Aaron's request for favourites>

Post by Bluesea

Post by Alan J

Post by Bluesea
No pics, but my favorite is still the Namiki Falcon (fine) and I'm quite
attached to the Kaweco Sport Ices.

I'm enchanted with the medium Falcon, black plastic type. It is so light,
you could write with it all day. If I had a time machine, I would send
one of these back to my younger self, ready to take all those wretched
lecture notes...

Yes, I had a hard time choosing between the fine and the medium because
the medium is so smoooooth. The fine won out because I prefer the way the
line looks, but my second Falcon was the medium.

I liked the fine one too, but it felt more fragile, and less smooth. I
wonder if the metal-bodied ones are any good? I doubt if a heavier version
would be an improvement.

[Bluesea]

Post by Alan J
<snip Aaron's request for favourites>

Post by Bluesea

Post by Alan J

Post by Bluesea
No pics, but my favorite is still the Namiki Falcon (fine) and I'm
quite attached to the Kaweco Sport Ices.

I'm enchanted with the medium Falcon, black plastic type. It is so
light, you could write with it all day. If I had a time machine, I would
send one of these back to my younger self, ready to take all those
wretched lecture notes...

Yes, I had a hard time choosing between the fine and the medium because
the medium is so smoooooth. The fine won out because I prefer the way the
line looks, but my second Falcon was the medium.

I liked the fine one too, but it felt more fragile, and less smooth. I
wonder if the metal-bodied ones are any good? I doubt if a heavier version
would be an improvement.

I know. Having missed out on the burgundy and getting (maybe) the last blue
available through a regular retail store with an online presence (i.e. not
eBay), I like the idea of different colored pens. However, the other metal
pens that I have are heavier and hand fatigue becomes an issue with long
writing sessions.

[doug00i]

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hey Everyone,
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really  
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens, either  
their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to write  
with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone uses, as  
well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen enough action in  
alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)
        Aaron W. Hsu
--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.

[IMG]http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx314/dougc001_photo/
ElegantMedium02.jpg[/IMG]

[Aaron W. Hsu]

Post by doug00i

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
Hey Everyone,
So, it's been quiet here, but I was just thinking that it would be really=

=A0

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
cool if everyone could post up pictures of their favorite pens, either =

=A0

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
their favorite no-use pen or their favorite pen that they use to write =

=A0

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
with, maybe both? It would be interesting to see what everyone uses, as =

=A0

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
well as the condition of the pen. Besides, I haven't seen enough action i=

n =A0

Post by Aaron W. Hsu
alt.binaries.pens-pencils. :-)
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Aaron W. Hsu
--
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.

[IMG]http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx314/dougc001_photo/
ElegantMedium02.jpg[/IMG]

Oh, nice, and interesting. Is this what you use daily? Is it a
rollerball or a ballpoint? It reminds me of those large width rollout
pencils that I used to see in some magazines. I never did get one.

Aaron W. Hsu