tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554789357687368043.post2415645313531735155..comments2023-10-12T04:46:19.699-04:00Comments on The Gold Standard: Top 5 Beginner Fountain Pens (and Top 3 for the Risk-takers!)Goldspot Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04388520620911301783noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554789357687368043.post-29347126174855964772016-06-29T23:02:51.884-04:002016-06-29T23:02:51.884-04:00I have been using fountain pens for a few years no...I have been using fountain pens for a few years now, and I agree with you on preferences. I own several Pilot Metropolitans in the M nib (which is like an American F point) and I like them very much. They are all nice writers. My Lamys, however, do not get as much use. I even changed a couple of them out to 1.1 mm stub nibs, because I love writing with stubs. However, my Lamys just don't give me quite the pleasure I get from other fountain pens. They're just not as smooth or something. <br /><br />I do recommend you try Kaweco Sport; they are fun little pens. Rather than fussing with converters or cartridges (because I love using a wide variety of bottled inks), I have converted mine to eyedroppers. Find some clear silicone grease (available on fountain pen websites) and fill the barrel of the pen with ink. Then, while holding the barrel up (so you don't spill the ink!), put a little of the silicone grease on the threads and then join the barrel with the section. Wife off the excess from the outside and *lo and behold!* you can see the ink sloshing around inside the Sport (if you got a demonstrator, which most of mine are), and you can always tell how much ink you have left. Just be careful not to get grease on your nib; it won't write with grease on it, and you'll have a big mess. <br /><br />Other than being careful with the silicone grease, turning pens that are suitable into eyedroppers is fun and practical, plus it lets you use bottled ink on some pens that would otherwise only take cartridges. This practice just requires that you check your pens once in a while to make sure everything is screwed together properly so you don't have leaks or any other problems. <br /><br />Have fun with your fountain pens!Debinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554789357687368043.post-9659901191794701342016-06-26T12:01:24.877-04:002016-06-26T12:01:24.877-04:00I'm relatively new to fountain pens, been usin...I'm relatively new to fountain pens, been using them about a year. I, like many others, followed recommendations like these to get started. I have two Pilot Metropolitans and like them both. They're solid writers for me and I don't mind throwing them in my bag. On the other hand, I have three Lamy's - a Safari (broad - previously a fine), an Al-Star (medium), and a Vista (medium). I rarely use them and simply don't find them enjoyable. Can't say why, but I almost never ink them up. For the same pricepoint, I prefer the Platinum Plaisir or Pilot Prera, or my even less expensive little Pilot Kakuno. I don't have a Kaweco Sport, but have been wanting to try one. <br /><br />Thanks for the tip about the Nemosine Singularity and the Noodler's Konrad. They've both been on my would-like-to-try list for quite a while, but I haven't pulled the trigger. This list has given me just the nudge I need. <br /><br />Appreciate you taking the time to put your thoughts online. JFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05152430746614981648noreply@blogger.com