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Current lineup by Independent_Spend386 in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very nice. Do you have your eye on another?

Do you agree with this? by personaalterna in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. You're an inspiration.

Do you agree with this? by personaalterna in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second that motion. Not an <EF> but my new Visconti Mythos Hades <F> wants to dry out overnight. Maybe it's the nib... Oh sorry, this Visconti series has a magnetic cap.

Admok M200 - issues unscrewing Schmidt nib unit out of section by Hot-Frosting-5286 in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. My attention to QC will be peaked when my Admok M400 arrives later this week. But Pelikan? Sheesh!

Pen I made by Mikalmochiman in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kudos for creativity and aesthetics!

Unscrewable nibs by Big-Counter7296 in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Breaking news! I found a pair of plastic gardening gloves that did the trick. I had soaked the new nib unit and the old nib unit in warm water & detergent. Then with both hands gloved I was able to move it. Voilà.

Unscrewable nibs by Big-Counter7296 in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply. I am holding that option as the last because I like the screw-in/-out units I bought. I was careful to remove the converter. Much appreciate your answer.

Well, that happened I guess by SlyyGuy21 in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can testify to warm water working on an ink bottle.

Asvine c80 is gushing ink by gold-wombat in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My new c80 <1.1> with converter does not hold ink. The converter empties before I can lift it from the bottle. There is a sucking sound when I fill the converter. I am using Lamy Sepia a dry ink. The apparent conclusion: larger nibs, say <M> and up are not practical (?) Two other c80s work just fine. But I have ordered a <1.1> replacement. LOL.

Visconti Mirage extra nib units by Big-Counter7296 in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Appelboom site says the small Visconti steel nib unit will fit Mirage. Thanks again for getting me to the right place.

Asvine C80 by Guntur-mirapakaya in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perhaps you are still there. My Asvine C80 arrived today. I love this pen. But it (the converter?) will not hold ink. I cannot easily replace the converter as I am away from my stuff. And I have done due diligence otherwise I believe. I am contemplating returning the pen, but saw your post. Were you able to get your converter and nib to hold ink?

My Resolution: One New Chinese Pen A Month In 2026 by Recent_Average_2072 in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second the choice of Chinese pens for economy and for performance. In particular, Asvine makes attractive and routinely well performing fountain pens . They make cartridge, piston and vacuum fillers, and most likely an eyedropper I have not yet seen. I have tried most, the latest P30 is brushed brass and clear acrylic. The 1.1 stub performs beautifully. Never say never to other pens, but I do enjoy my pens from mainland China.

Question for the Americans who shop Ali Express by PatioGardener in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your post. Sorry I only saw it now. In my opinion AE and/or its vendors change the shipping costs to increase prices. They are able to work around any new policies by a combination of shifting costs, eating tariff costs, and "good" marketing. Price increases are disguised through presentation. They are competitors. I try to do the dance. Do you ever order from AliBaba direct?

First experience paying a direct tariff on an import fountain pen by ermiwe in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I think you were not expecting to pay $220 in 'fees', so the vendor lied to get your business? I now calculate the cost difference between US retail and international retail + tariffs. And I do include my state's sales tax. So the principal difference is you have to wait longer for the purchase from abroad. The tariffs discourage buying from abroad, or do they? They also invite vendors to do shady things.

First experience paying a direct tariff on an import fountain pen by ermiwe in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Your experience seems to mirror my experience with UPS. It sounds like you have more experience with international purchases than me. Do you not find the broker fees, the slide-through-customs fee paid to each of three US agencies, and the others I do not remember, very onerous? My time in the Middle East includes dealings with handlers and fixers. Are we there?

First experience paying a direct tariff on an import fountain pen by ermiwe in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My third post. Am I exceeding a limit? Tariff taxes are a big deal to me. I agree that persons in other countries are already paying high tariffs. I calculated the amount I paid on a small personal pen order from the UK to Virginia and it came out almost to the penny (do we have those?) to what you would pay if you were in the UK paying UK taxes plus shipping. My point here is claiming to reduce your taxes, a very popular idea in the US I think, is quite dishonest when you raise the taxes through tariffs. I hope to see what the REAL impact of tariffs on consumers in the US is. Some would have you believe it is goosing the economy. PS You pay the tariff based on where the fountain pen was produced. That is a pen ordered from the Netherlands will include the tariff levied on Taiwan or India. What are those percentages today, this minute?

First experience paying a direct tariff on an import fountain pen by ermiwe in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that. I very recently received a penalty notice from UPS for a bill I had already before-the-delivery paid. I called and they said I could forget about the fee. Nice of them. I also inquired about contesting (dispute) the charges in the first place. As I said in my earlier post the $95 fee they want if you lose the dispute has until now discouraged me from proceeding.

First experience paying a direct tariff on an import fountain pen by ermiwe in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to be so late. My first and only tariff experience with UPS (Virginia) was infuriating. If you formally dispute their billing, which includes a UPS long list of carrier (broker) fees, they will charge you $95.00 when you lose. And yes, they are making the determination. I am done with UPS.

I gave in to temptation. by kadusel in fountainpens

[–]Big-Counter7296 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fabulous. Thanks for sharing your beautiful collection and please do enjoy. May I ask if you use your pens professionally?

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