My growing collection of… fountain pens

[BloominCookie]

Parker had a factory in England specifically to make pens for the UK market. This was before parts were routinely shipped all over the world I guess, so many things would have been sourced and manufactured locally. Marketing / advertising seemed to be done locally too.

Thanks. That all makes sense. And mktg/advertising would have to be local too. Wouldn't have come off quite right if you had American hacks doing all that for the Brits. Somewhat related, but it reminds me that years back, NBC set up some kind of deal to finally show episodes of "The Tonight Show, Starring Johnny Carson" (the official title; everyone would just refer to the show as "Carson") in the U.K..
Once it started being shown, it landed like a lead balloon, or, as Keith Moon famously said "a Lead Zeppelin".
The Brits sat there stone-faced, clucking at the "sensibilities" of the Yanks.

 

[Fledegg]

Fascinating subject and I can see the beauty and pride in ownership. I am not sure how or when you use them in this digital age. Or is it just for the pleasure of calligraphy?

 

[SeikoForum]

Fascinating subject and I can see the beauty and pride in ownership. I am not sure how or when you use them in this digital age. Or is it just for the pleasure of calligraphy?

I sign many documents, and I also use them to plan my day. The tactile feel of the nib on paper greatly increases my productivity, and they are a pure joy to write with.

 

[neeble]

I just use them for everything most people would use biros for, which nowadays is mostly just quick notes, to-do lists, addresses on envelopes etc.

I've always found them easier to write with than biros as I was originally taught to write with a fountain pen and got used to writing with less pressure and at a more sloping angle (biros are scratchy unless held at quite an upright angle).

But I have awful handwriting and my use of pens is by no means calligraphic.. Which is why I use Parker 51s with their firm nibs that are sheathed (cleaner and more suited to jotting).

 

[SeikoForum]

I just use them for everything most people would use biros for, which nowadays is mostly just quick notes, to-do lists, addresses on envelopes etc.

I've always found them easier to write with than biros as I was originally taught to write with a fountain pen and got used to writing with less pressure and at a more sloping angle (biros are scratchy unless held at quite an upright angle).

But I have awful handwriting and my use of pens is by no means calligraphic.. Which is why I use Parker 51s with their firm nibs that are sheathed (cleaner and more suited to jotting).

Practice makes perfect. Perfecting one’s handwriting is an ongoing work in progress.

 

[neeble]

It's not a priority for me, and I suspect it's incompatible with my personality..

I think to write more neatly I would need to write more slowly, and would be too involved with the process of writing itself rather than the thoughts I was trying to record.

I actually wonder how long it will be before kids aren't taught to write with pens (as opposed to keyboards) at all. It takes a lot of time and application to learn and is increasingly (if not yet entirely) redundant.

I can see the arguments either way for any such development.

 

[Fledegg]

Practice makes perfect. Perfecting one’s handwriting is an ongoing work in progress.

In my career long long time ago I had what would be described as a vintage set of draphting equipment, pens, compass, vernier set square etc. I loved them and used them daily for decades. I've no idea now what became of them.
I miss them.

 

[SeikoForum]

It's not a priority for me, and I suspect it's incompatible with my personality..

I think to write more neatly I would need to write more slowly, and would be too involved with the process of writing itself rather than the thoughts I was trying to record.

I actually wonder how long it will be before kids aren't taught to write with pens (as opposed to keyboards) at all. It takes a lot of time and application to learn and is increasingly (if not yet entirely) redundant.

I can see the arguments either way for any such development.

I’m extremely adept with a keyboard, as well. My typing speed is in excess of 150 words per minute. Both skills are important and useful, IMO.

 

[neeble]

Both skills are important and useful, IMO.

For how long though? It could be argued that at some time in the not so distant future kids could benefit more from spending the time required to learn how to write learning something else instead.

There’s a theory that traditional education in Japan and China doesn’t encourage creativity because huge amounts of time has to be spent learning the thousands of ideograms that are the basis of writing in these cultures. Maybe kids in Europe and the US would benefit from not having to learn how to write with a pen. Or maybe the process of learning to write has less obvious secondary benefits that we would miss if we lost them.

 

[SeikoForum]

For how long though? It could be argued that at some time in the not so distant future kids could benefit more from spending the time required to learn how to write learning something else instead.

There’s a theory that traditional education in Japan and China doesn’t encourage creativity because huge amounts of time has to be spent learning the thousands of ideograms that are the basis of writing in these cultures. Maybe kids in Europe and the US would benefit from not having to learn how to write with a pen. Or maybe the process of learning to write has less obvious secondary benefits that we would miss if we lost them.

Based on what you just wrote, it comes as no surprise to me that the finest fountain pens in the world originate from Japan -- specifically from the Sailor brand.

 

[neeble]

And of course there’s a very long tradition of calligraphy as high art in Japan.

 

[prajaofetra]

Sailor, Pelikan, Montblanc, and Namiki are brands that are covered in my collection. I may create future threads detailing the various custom Nagahara nibs I own. They are a pleasure to write with. Tagging @thetimecollective

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I have MontBlanc and Pelican as well as some Parkers. My father is into the Namiki. Too much for my blood but I understand the attraction.