Christmas Gift for a Fountain Pen Collecting Friend

[Jim Dalin]

I hate to be one of these dorks who shows up to ask a question and not
participate, so I ask your forgiveness in advance.

My music (guitar) teacher is an avid fountain pen collector and I'd
like to get him something nice for Christmas. I'm willing to spend
$25 - $40 or so. I welcome all your suggestions but I was thinking of
possibly a selection of inks. Are there any special inks that any of
you would be happy to get as a present, something too expensive to buy
for regular use? Or some other accessory? I'd love to get him a pen
with a music nib but I can't find one in my price range.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

Jim

PS Actually, I do have a few fountain pens in good working order.
Before I retired I used them at work all the time. As you all know,
it's much less strain on the hand than a ballpoint pen. I just don't
collect them (although I admire people who do).

[Alan J]

Post by Jim Dalin
I hate to be one of these dorks who shows up to ask a question and not
participate, so I ask your forgiveness in advance.
My music (guitar) teacher is an avid fountain pen collector and I'd
like to get him something nice for Christmas. I'm willing to spend
$25 - $40 or so. I welcome all your suggestions but I was thinking of
possibly a selection of inks. Are there any special inks that any of
you would be happy to get as a present, something too expensive to buy
for regular use? Or some other accessory? I'd love to get him a pen
with a music nib but I can't find one in my price range.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Jim
PS Actually, I do have a few fountain pens in good working order.
Before I retired I used them at work all the time. As you all know,
it's much less strain on the hand than a ballpoint pen. I just don't
collect them (although I admire people who do).

Noodlers do a good range of inks - have a look at
http://www.noodlersink.com/
or google a supplier near you. I use their plain blue (boring I know)
but they do kinds that dry waterproof, and a large number of colours.
Maybe you could find out what colours your teacher likes, without
spoiling the surprise. If someone gave me more of their blue range to
try, I would certainly be pleased with it.

[Sparafucile]

On Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:04:06 -0800 (PST), Jim

Post by Jim Dalin
I welcome all your suggestions but I was thinking of
possibly a selection of inks. Are there any special inks that any of
you would be happy to get as a present, something too expensive to buy
for regular use? Or some other accessory? I'd love to get him a pen
with a music nib but I can't find one in my price range.

Here's an online retailer with a wide range of
inks, all of which are good:

http://www.isellpens.com/

You will not find a nib at that price, and
besides, nibs are not necessarily interchangable
between fountain pens.

However, your thought about inks is a good one,
and you will find a good selection online. I
personally use Proivate Reserve and Noodlers,
though all of the ones offered on that web site
are good inks.

I'm sure that he will appreciate your
thoughtfullness.
--
Ciao,

Serge

“I love cats because I take pleasure in my home;
and little by little, the cats become its visible
soul.”
Jean Cocteau, 1889-1963

11/13/2010 11:09:31 PM

[Jim Dalin]

Post by Sparafucile
On Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:04:06 -0800 (PST), Jim

 I welcome all your suggestions but I was thinking of
possibly a selection of inks.  Are there any special inks that any of
you would be happy to get as a present, something too expensive to buy
for regular use?  Or some other accessory?  I'd love to get him a pen
with a music nib but I can't find one in my price range.

        Here's an online retailer with a wide range of
http://www.isellpens.com/
        You will not find a nib at that price, and
besides, nibs are not necessarily interchangable
between fountain pens.
        However, your thought about inks is a good one,
and you will find a good selection online. I
personally use Proivate Reserve and Noodlers,
though all of the ones offered on that web site
are good inks.
        I'm sure that he will appreciate your
thoughtfullness.
--
Ciao,
        Serge
                ´I love cats because I take pleasure in my home;
and little by little, the cats become its visible
soul.¡
                                Jean Cocteau, 1889-1963
        11/13/2010 11:09:31 PM  

Thanks to you and to the other kind responder. I'll check out the
inks you both recommended.

Thanks again.

Jim

[Alan J]

Post by Jim Dalin

Post by Sparafucile
On Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:04:06 -0800 (PST), Jim

 I welcome all your suggestions but I was thinking of
possibly a selection of inks.  Are there any special inks that
any of you would be happy to get as a present, something too
expensive to buy for regular use?  Or some other accessory?  I'd
love to get him a pen with a music nib but I can't find one in my
price range.

        Here's an online retailer with a wide range of
http://www.isellpens.com/
        You will not find a nib at that price, and
besides, nibs are not necessarily interchangable
between fountain pens.
        However, your thought about inks is a good one,
and you will find a good selection online. I
personally use Proivate Reserve and Noodlers,
though all of the ones offered on that web site
are good inks.
        I'm sure that he will appreciate your
thoughtfullness.
--
Ciao,
        Serge
                ´I love cats because I take pleasure in my home;
and little by little, the cats become its visible
soul.¡
                                Jean Cocteau, 1889-1963
        11/13/2010 11:09:31 PM  

Thanks to you and to the other kind responder. I'll check out the
inks you both recommended.
Thanks again.
Jim

I forgot to mention in my previous post, but Diamine inks are pretty
good too. Their Royal Blue is a very pure blue colour, without that
purple cast you often see. I found some colour swatches here (though on
a monitor, they are only an approximation):

http://www.theonlinepencompany.com/pencompany/product.php?cat1=Diamine&c
at2=Inks%20and%20Cartridges&cat3=80ml%20Bottles&gclid=CIGF256joaUCFVEA4w
odtzkxHw

[Brian Ketterling]

Post by Jim Dalin
Are there any special inks that any of
you would be happy to get as a present, something too expensive to buy
for regular use?

Noodler's, Private Reserve, Diamine and J. Herbin have tons of colors, and
Noodler's has just come out with a new ink, "Black Swan in Australian
Roses," which appears to have very unusual shading. Those brands aren't
actually terribly expensive, although they cost more than, say, Sheaffer
Skrip or (regular) Pelikan.

There also "boutique" inks with price tags to match, such as Pilot's
Iroshizuku and Sailor's Jentle seasonal limited editions from Japan, or
Caran d'Ache's "colors of the earth", from Switzerland.

Brian
--