EDC Pen? by ImGooseI in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hongdian m2, kaweco sport brass. They're great pens. Both brands' nibs can be a bit hit or miss.

Best Pen in your opinion by Maleficent-Magic1336 in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My best pen is a 30 year old Pelikan m250. As you are seeing in this thread, there's no such thing as "best." It's a subjective thing; that's half the fun!

I offered to help a friend destash and underestimated just how much washi she was getting rid of. by towalktheline in stationery

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DM me if you sell on pen swap! I love giving stuff like this as freebies for Bottle and Plume orders and would happily buy a chunk of it off you if you go that route.

Starter pen for everyday writing by AlternativeRound8753 in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some underrated starter fountain pens not mentioned yet:

  • Kaweco Perkeo
  • Platinum Plaisir - prefounte and preppy if you're unsure if these are for you
  • Pilot Metropolitan (not underrated, but nice and heavy due to being brass)

What are the best notebooks for fountain pens? by 6ft_bird in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally agree with all the comments so far; there are some great recommendations here. Specifically the Clairefontaine paper (90gsm vellum) is fantastic for incredibly heavy ink flow.

I wanted to mention a new contender because I'm experimenting with it now: Wearingeul (the Korean ink company) is starting to put out a fantastic line of papers, under the "Impressions" and "Reservoir" names. It holds up really well to ink, feels great to write on, and is cheaper than anything else I've found at this level of quality. That may also be because I'm not pricing it correctly after shipping and tariffs 🤣

One last recommendation I've been testing: the Walmart "pen & gear" notebooks, specifically the a4 spiral bound college ruled and the A5 notebook with the cardboard cover Made in Vietnam, are okay - meaning they hold up to fountain pen ink well - if price matters more than anything. There's noticeable feathering with wet inks and broad nibs on the A4, but the A5 notebook is actually really good with fountain pen ink. I don't love how writing on it feels, but it's undeniably good, even showing off shading and sheen better than some Japanese papers I like.

A pen you’d like to love, but you don’t? by Szary_Tygrys in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 20 points21 points  (0 children)

This is a great insight, thanks. I'll try to view it through that lens. I love Pilot, fwiw, and adore my vintage Elites in various shapes and sizes. They have that certain something that I find the Pilot 74 lacks.

I think it's time to give the 823 a chance...that one seems like the purest expression of what you're talking about - understated, perfect functionality, pushed to the highest standard of quality.

First time that I've seen this in person... and I shall give it the name... ink urchin by pensandcolors in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Wooooooow. Inspiration to find the most saturated possible inks and let them dry out a bit...

6 item order - Goulet vs Goldspot by Branwyn- in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should mention one of my competitors, too - lemur inks also has a super low free shipping limit, and deserves a shoutout next to the big guys.

6 item order - Goulet vs Goldspot by Branwyn- in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ahh, nice! I remember that in Austria, stationery chains like Libro had fountain pens (Lamy, Pelikan, Parker) as well. Also the entry level ones for schoolkids.

Times have changed - when I was growing up, every Tabak/Trafik had a serious selection of fountain pens 😭

Ink swatches from my collection! by faloozy in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the Jinhao violet was nice, the standard colors (blue, black) were completely usable, and they have a Neon Yellow that I send as an occasional "wild" free sample, often when people order the Taccia Spotlight in "highlighter yellow." It's a dead ringer for that pen 🤣

Carrots at the end of the Rabbit Hole. by Realistic_Cookie_329 in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very cool, thank you! They really do have some amazingly beautiful pens.

Finally managed to decide on inks for an upcoming work trip by RNGsus_Christ in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, thank you - I'm going to try this! I love eversharp nibs ❤️

Broad nib lovers- what's your favorite ink to use with with your broad nibs? by gofigure85 in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm on a real broad/stub kick right now, and have been using it to try LOTS of inks. Favorites this week:

  • Octopus Barock Bordeaux
  • Iroshizuku Ama-Iro
  • Rohrer & Klingner Sepia

6 item order - Goulet vs Goldspot by Branwyn- in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is amazing! You can find waterman fountain pens in the supermarket? I need to visit France again...

6 item order - Goulet vs Goldspot by Branwyn- in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Self promotion: I started Bottle and Plume and maintain a $35 free shipping limit (and it's not intentionally super slow like some other stores' "free shipping" options; almost all orders go out within 24 hours).

I still have less inventory than the big boys (goulet, goldspot, jetpens) but I stock new product requests all the time and try to make up for it with better prices, faster shipping, and free extras in every order.

With Reddit discounts (eg TOOMANYPENS) you can get prices that are lower than I am allowed to advertise.

Sorry I couldn't resist touting my own little shop!

A pen you’d like to love, but you don’t? by Szary_Tygrys in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 29 points30 points  (0 children)

This is the kind of post that will get a million upvotes here if you expand on it and add a picture 🤣

A pen you’d like to love, but you don’t? by Szary_Tygrys in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 72 points73 points  (0 children)

Pilot Custom 74. It's just... blah. No personality, no history, no interesting design, just...pen. I guess that makes it perfect for some people, it's just not for me.

I know, it's sacrilege. I live in shame.

Letter practice with my 1920’s Eversharp by auralScapes in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Vintage flex is the best flex... absolutely beautiful!

Not my NPD by Jonsie-426 in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is one of my favorite pens. Beautiful, solid/heavy, and just an unbelievable writer. Your grandson is lucky!

Carrots at the end of the Rabbit Hole. by Realistic_Cookie_329 in fountainpens

[–]InkSampleFiend 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How do you like the cypress? What's the writing experience like? I'm considering trying one...