think tank forum

general discussion » Pens

phi_'s avatar
16 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Does anyone else enjoy a good pen as much as myself? I recently bought a Conklin Mark Twain Signature Edition pen, http://www.conklinpen.com/product/signature.html , in green with a fine nib. Bought a bottle of Waterman blue-black ink and an extra converter--sexy.
 
16 years ago
link
Trent
I enjoy my blue inked, ball point, Quills.
lucas's avatar
16 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i exclusively use the uniball vision fine black.

except for grading, when i use the uniball gel impact red.
Chiken's avatar
16 years ago
link
Chiken
Don't Let Your Walls Down
haha larz remember that night requel was puking and were just sittin there talking about pens!
lucas's avatar
16 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
almost forgot about the pen part, but i think so

in the bathroom, right?
asemisldkfj's avatar
16 years ago
link
asemisldkfj
the law is no protection
I love a good pen. I have trouble finding one I really like, though. the last model I found was from Zebra. they updated them though and they kind of suck now.
 
16 years ago
link
Trent
lol or in the blue barrel of pop cans
lucas's avatar
16 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
well, i meant where we were talking about pens, not everywhere raquel puked :o
phi_'s avatar
16 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
This post has gone OT so fast my neck hurts...
Chiken's avatar
16 years ago
link
Chiken
Don't Let Your Walls Down
yeah she was in the bathroom
lucas's avatar
16 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
phi_: :D

so back to pens...
 
16 years ago
link
dbrown
me, i'm all about the blue or black paper mate med. i'd normally prefer fine but they're free from work so i can deal with it.
phi_'s avatar
16 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
I'm totally in love with: http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/oma … 203-80.jpg
phi_'s avatar
16 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
And this might be my next pen purchase: http://www.carandache.ch/products/writing/hex … t=5882.485
dannyp's avatar
16 years ago
link
dannyp
dʎuuɐp
Cool I was going to get this one for my pocket: http://www.carandache.ch/products/writing/ecr … ct=404.286
bluet's avatar
14 years ago
r1, link
bluet
this post has been archived.
bluet's avatar
14 years ago
link
bluet
i have the montblanc meisterstück platinum line hommage à frédéric chopin with a medium nib and montblanc blue-black ink: http://tinyurl.com/5unl3k

i think it's the cheapest montblanc pen you can get, but when i tested it in the store, i liked the nib of this one the most. i use this for most of the things i write

for my filofax i have a pilot g-tech at 0.4 mm because i've got the smallest size filofax: http://tinyurl.com/5ddco3

for colouring i have one pilot green glitter pen i found on the ground outside the school cafeteria, a seven-pack of pilot pastel pens and a twenty-pack of stabilo felt tip pens:
http://tinyurl.com/5e7oe6
http://tinyurl.com/6r48ts (mine came in a hexagonal tin can)

i also have lots of pilot g-2 gel pens and a single bic medium that i let people borrow
nestor's avatar
14 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
pilot v5 - black.

i need to get myself a fountain though.
bluet's avatar
14 years ago
link
bluet
yeah, i've got three black v5s as well
phi_'s avatar
14 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
I miss my Lamy Vista fountain pen in XF. :(
lucas's avatar
14 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
today i bought a sakura pigma micron 08 (0.50mm) black pen. it is both archival and waterproof. i'll use it to write on the back of my fiber-base photos in the darkroom.

i was so impressed with the pen that i also bought the 01 (0.25mm) version for typical writing use.

http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Archival
 
14 years ago
link
dbrown
live and die by these:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/pilot-g2-gel-pen/
that said, when i'm directing a show, i swear by the:
http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Product/Sharpie_F … arker.html
red and only red.
Étrangère's avatar
14 years ago
link
Étrangère
I am not a robot...
@ luke: I like those pens a lot :D
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-200-in-2 … ds-Best-W/
lucas's avatar
11 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
does anyone have opinions on lamy blue-black or violet-purple ink?

thanks!
bluet's avatar
11 years ago
link
bluet
> does anyone have opinions on lamy blue-black or violet-purple ink?

They're cartridges. I don't like cartridges.
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
agree with bluet. i find converter fill much more economical and convenient.
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
i need to get the nib holder on my first safari fixed. the nib is loose :(

i think i can send it to lamy usa with $7 and they will fix it.
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
i tightened up the nib with a binder clip... works perfectly.

currently running:
vista, F nib - waterman south seas blue (daily driver right now)
safari charcoal, F nib - noodler's walnut
safari white, EF nib - noodler's baystate blue (keep this one at home - with the awesome rhodia notebook lr got me!!)
phi_'s avatar
11 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Nice!

I've currently got:
Vista, XF nib - Waterman Havannah Brown
Conklin Mark Twain, F nib - empty (just fixed)

Have a bottle of J. Herbin's Vert Empire on the way, though. :D
bluet's avatar
11 years ago
link
bluet
Mostly pencils nowadays.

Staedtler Mars Lumograph 3B
Staedtler Mars Lumograph 4B
http://www.staedtler.com/Mars_Lumograph_eng

Faber-Castell GRIP 2001
http://www.faber-castell.de/38238/Katalog/fcv … aid=183440

KOH-I-NOOR Versatil 5207
http://leadholder.com/lh-non-kin_cz-versatil-color.html
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
I find the EF way too fine and dry. F is just right for me.

Would love to get some J. Herbin Rouge Hematite, but the drying time is just too slow for a daily ink in my job.
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
> Mostly pencils nowadays.

Are you worried about the archival quality of pencils?
bluet's avatar
11 years ago
link
bluet
>> Mostly pencils nowadays.
>
>Are you worried about the archival quality of pencils?

No.
lucas's avatar
11 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i'd like to buy a fountain pen. which should i go with? maybe the lamy safari (in charcoal with the z28 converter)?

i want a dark purple ink, similar to the uniball rollerball purple.

i like sb+cp the most on this chart, i think.
bluet's avatar
11 years ago
link
bluet
The Safari has a peculiar grip. You should try one with your hands before you buy. The nibs are great. My Al-Star writes the smoothest of all pens I've tried.
phi_'s avatar
11 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
I really like the Safari (and, in turn, the Vista and Al-Star) line. They're inexpensive, the nibs are smooth, and they're rugged.

As for ink ... I just got some of the Private Reserve Tanzanite ink, and it looks (and writes) beautiful.

Here's some color samples, though they aren't very good samples. http://www.privatereserveink.com/colors.html
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
> maybe the lamy safari

just get one. they're so cheap! the biggest issue i can see you having is the nib - i agree with bluet, but lots of people might prefer more flexible nibs.
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
man, noodler's baystate blue has really stained my white safari.

it also stained my sink(!)
phi_'s avatar
11 years ago
r1, link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
The Private Reserve Tanzanite is a lot brighter than that picture would lead you to believe, though. I hadn't really looked at it under good light until yesterday and wow... bright!

Mixed it up with some other ink, here for posterity:

10 parts - Private Reserve Tanzanite (base color)
2 parts - Waterman Havannah Brown (to darken)
1 part - Pilot Iroshizuku shin-ryoku (to retard/eliminate feathering)
 
11 years ago
link
karpet
awesomeness!
What great timing. I recently made the decision to own and use 1 pen and 1 pencil.

I have a Lamy that I think is a safari, with an EF nib. I have two inks at the moment: Private reserve velvet black and Quink Blue Black. My pencil of choice is a Staedtler Elite Fineline Pencil.

I enjoy only carrying a small pencil case with me everywhere I go. I also like that "in theory" I'm making less waste. I haven't done any calculations on the waste thing so I can't say for certain that I am, but again it "feels" like I am, or at the very least I like minimalist/functionalist element of 1 pen and 1 pencil.
lucas's avatar
11 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
how does owning fewer tools lead to more functionality?

usually the cost to my minimalism is loss of function
 
11 years ago
link
karpet
awesomeness!
Specific situations and circumstances would make "less" more for some individuals and not others. For my situation I take notes, and I journal. That is it. I'm not a heavy user of pens so I have one that I really like, I take care of it, and as a result it works every time I need a pen, and because I like my pen and only have one, I know where it is. I'm never without a pen. However, I am sure someone else's unique situation leads them to needing another solution. So I cannot say with absolute certainty that less tools leads to more functionality for everyone. I can say though for this moment in time for me, less pens makes my life easier.
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
i hear ya, karpet
phi_'s avatar
11 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Want
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
read a bunch of reviews, this looks like an awesome pen!

i just ordered a clear F with a twbsi diamond bottle and a fresh bottler of noodler's aircorp. i'm a bit tired of the noodler's squeteague that i've been using as a daily ink with my vista for a couple months now.
phi_'s avatar
11 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Let me know how it is!
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
will do

useful tool for this thread: http://www.gouletpens.com/Nib_Nook_s/1114.htm
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
swab shop is also a good tool.
phi_'s avatar
11 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Oh man, oh man. Thanks, nestor!
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
it's AWESOME. it's less stiff and wetter than the lamy vista fine. really, really smooth writer with the air corps blue-black.

huge piston fill mechanism is nice and fills with less air than the vista. i need to spend a bit of time figuring out how to use the diamond bottle properly.
nestor's avatar
11 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
check out the huge flex on this custom ground namiki... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRebkWHsHC0

this guy has other videos on knives that may interest people here
lucas's avatar
10 years ago
r2, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i like the polar bear

i just bought the twsbi 540, a bottle of noodler's bad belted kindfisher, and a clairfontaine pad from goulet pens.

this pen hobby is getting expensive.

--

anyone want to buy my lamy joy 1.1 aluminum cap for cheap? i don't think it's for me.
phi_'s avatar
10 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
TWSBI + Clairefontaine! <3

Got a bottle of Private Reserve Dakota Red and Montblanc Midnight Blue recently. Not digging the red too much at the moment, but I have some ideas in my head to tweak it.
nestor's avatar
10 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
i want some of this http://www.gouletpens.com/Pilot_Iroshizuku_Ts … n69205.htm
lucas's avatar
10 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i just bought a green pilot parallel, a bottle of salix, a bottle of scabiosa, and a bottle of carbon black.

i have a blue twsbi 540 f and a smoke twsbi 540 ef.

i use clairefontaine (in a variety of forms) exclusively.
nestor's avatar
10 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
paper is stressing me out these days. i don't like the latest clairefontaine notebook i picked up.
nestor's avatar
10 years ago
r1, link
nestor
nestor
i'm in love with the nakaya decapod.
nestor's avatar
10 years ago
r2, link
nestor
nestor
confirmed: my dream pen is the nakaya decapod in kuro-tamenuri, probably with a regrind to italic or stub... with the iroshizuku tsuki-yo ink
 
10 years ago
link
karpet
awesomeness!
I lost my Lamy :( I picked up an Esterbrook (with XF nib, so nice) for $20 cad and I'm on a waiting list for the iroshizuku line to come into the province.

@nestor, how is the dry time on that stuff?
nestor's avatar
10 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
sorry, don't know - i don't own any yet.

unless you really want to support your local shop, you can always order online. goulet pen co runs a really tight ship.
 
10 years ago
link
karpet
awesomeness!
I dig supporting the locals. Brick and mortar is a dying breed, and the place that I go to does it really well.
lucas's avatar
10 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
goulet pen company is not local to anyone because it doesn't have a brick-and-mortar store, but because it's a mom-and-pop, it's as "local" as it gets for an online-only store. they are very involved with the online community.

i understand and appreciate your support for local brick-and-mortars, though.
phi_'s avatar
10 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Got a new (glass!) converter for my old Conklin Mark Twain ... no more leaks/clogged nibs! :D

Filled it up with Mont Blanc Midnight Blue (a permanent ink).

And, lucas, I used some in the ink I'm still working on for you ... hopefully it improves the staying power of the ink. Drying time is fairly quick too at the moment. :)
nestor's avatar
10 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
my twsbi 540 broke. the internal part of the feed that plugs into the ink chamber snapped in two, and so now i can't screw the feed piece back onto the pen.

:(
lucas's avatar
10 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
that's happened to me before. it just happened again less than ten minutes ago!

another $20 repair. :( maybe i write with too much force.

twsbi diamond 540 nib units
nestor's avatar
10 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
damn. i should have been happy with my lamy.

i love the look of the micarta but not sure i want to support these guys.
lucas's avatar
10 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
it's only happened to me once on each pen. i have two. no regrets. the good news is that each time you buy one, you get another size of nib. i was an idiot before and just tossed the entire thing! i didn't save the feed or nib! :[
lucas's avatar
10 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
hey, check out the pilot metropolitan. it's on my christmas list.
lucas's avatar
9 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
welp, i'm selling some fountain pen stuff if anyone's interested.
nestor's avatar
9 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
not interested in the joy, but you have lots of other fp gear i'd like :)
lucas's avatar
9 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
like what?
nestor's avatar
9 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
your diamond 540 :)

i never emailed them! i really ought to just do that
lucas's avatar
9 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
sheesh. i think i've already destroyed the extra spare i had them send me, so i don't have an extra to give you anymore.
nestor's avatar
9 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
i love fountain pens to death, but sometimes i wish i had a pen i could bring on a plane.

http://www.bigidesign.com/welcome/solid-aluminum-pen-stylus/

looks nice and has lots of cartridge options.
phi_'s avatar
9 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
(Carry the pen nib up?)
lucas's avatar
9 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i brought my pilot metro and my diamond 540 on the plane with me this trip! i just put them in a plastic bag, and nothing terrible happened on the flight from SBA (elev. 3 m) to MSP (elev. 356 m).

what typically happens to one of these pens in flight?
nestor's avatar
9 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
http://www.gouletpens.com/Articles.asp?ID=451

it sounds like you can do it fine. i retract my frustration
phi_'s avatar
9 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Someone stole my fucking pen today.
lucas's avatar
7 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
pilot g2 lovers--I think this pen looks really cool:

karas kustoms retract pen in copper
phi_'s avatar
6 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
I've been rocking the Precise v5 as my EDC. I wish I could find a refillable pen with that fine a point.
lucas's avatar
6 years ago
r5, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
that pen i linked can accept these as refills:

ohto ceramic rollerball in 0.5mm (which i think writes very nicely), 0.4mm
pilot hi-tec-c refills in 0.4mm (would also be pretty nice, i think, after trying bluet's)
pilot gel pen refills in 0,38mm and 0,5mm
platinum gel pen refills in 0,5mm
lucas's avatar
6 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
also, i bought a lamy 2000 makrolon ef in june when jetpens had a good promotion going on. it seemed scratchy, and after a couple months of trying to break it in and polish the nib, i finally returned it for a replacement. just got the new one. it's a pretty nice pen. i don't really deserve it, probably. oh well
bluet's avatar
6 years ago
link
bluet
I've been using pencils lately, but this weekend I repaired my Pilot Preppy . The barrel had cracked where the threads are. I machined a new one out of polyoxymethylene. It's a little heavier now, but a lot more sturdy. I want to make fancy barrels for all my cheap pens now!

I also settled on a notebook, and got the Maruman A5 spiral notebook grid ruled 40 sheets N247 10-volume set
nestor's avatar
6 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
i got a pilot custom heritage 92 this year, my first gold nib pen, and promptly broke the clip off the cap.

otherwise still rocking the lamys previously noted.
phi_'s avatar
4 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Bumping this just to show my Conklin some love again. <3
bluet's avatar
4 years ago
link
bluet
what inks do you guys like?

i like the dark gray look of the black platinum ink: https://www.jetpens.com/Platinum-Black-Ink-Fo … es/pd/1456
phi_'s avatar
4 years ago
r1, link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
noodler's heart of darkness is the best black ink ever.

j. herbin's emerald of chivor is amazing if you want some unf to your ink

pilot/iroshizuku's yama-guri is a daily driver for me ... I like brown ink

revision... if you like gray inks, check out noodler's lexington gray
asemisldkfj's avatar
3 years ago
link
asemisldkfj
the law is no protection
I'm not super into pens or ink but I looove the stabilo point 88s. they're pretty nice to write with but I mostly love the colors :P https://www.stabilo.com/com/products/writing/ … -point-88/
bluet's avatar
3 months ago
link
bluet
i bought a lamy 2000 f recently. i write more pages on the days when i use it than when i use my other, cheaper pens

i've filled it with kaweco purple summer. it dries fast. i want to try pilot kon-peki in it next