Fountain Pens and Tips for Shopping for One
Should you be a handwriting fan, you absolutely must buy a fountain pen. The fountain pen is a distinctive writing device that contains ink without the use of a cartridge, as a ballpoint pen does. Furthermore, fountain pens are beautiful, often handmade works that are often hailed as works of art. Fountain pens serve two purposes- they are attractive and they write well. Owning a high-end fountain pen has become a status symbol.
The fountain pen has become quite highly developed since its introduction in the middle of the 19th Century and still serves as a helpful tool to all kinds of writers even in today’s PC age. Several of the better-known makers of fountain pens are Parker, Mont Blanc, Sheaffer and Namiki. Prices can vary from just a few dollars to $50,000 or more limited-production collectors editions. Parker fountain pens, for example, come in a wide range of prices to appeal to both typical users and fountain pen collectors.
Even though fountain pens are very costly in comparison with other types of pens , many writers still prefer these pens because of the unique advantages that these pens offer. Unlike other pens, fountain pens do not need replacing. In fact, they improve with use. The more the pens are used, the better they become. Strokes turn out to be simpler and smoother over time. Since these pens come in various styles and makes, one can simply select the style of pen which his or her individual taste and writing style. Most of all, fountain pens reduce the tendency of writer’s cramps since the ink easily flows out onto the paper, allowing additional writing to be done without difficulty.
Here are a few things to consider when buying a fountain pen:
1. Size – Pick up a pen and hold it in your hand to check for comfort and an simple grip. If your hand is small you may want to select a pen with a smaller barrel for additional comfort.
2. Weight – If a pen feels heavy when you pick it up and feel it, you may wish to consider a smaller pen if you’re planning to write for an extended period of time. The extra weight could trigger strain and fatigue on your wrist and could cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Nib – This is the point of the pen that does the actual work. Depending on personal preference, there are nibs for various composing styles and strokes. An oblique nib provides a thicker line on the downward stroke and is also good for left-handed writers. An italic or stub nib gives a slanted stroke and is usually utilized for calligraphy, instead of regular handwriting. You won’t be able to write as rapidly with an italic nib.
4. Ink Capacity – Some pens have an integrated piston enabling it to hold more ink than pens utilizing a cartridge or converter. Cartridges are fantastic for convenience, but are known for other problems, such as skipping or occasionally not properly dispensing ink.
5. Cost – Although you will find numerous fountain pens in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs and colors to match your personality, a pen doesn’t have to be expensive to be of high quality and to write well. If you find a cost that you’re comfortable with and compare pens in that price range, you will likely find a wonderful pen that will suit you and last for decades.
Anyone who enjoys “old school” writing will find writing with a fountain pen to be a different and rewarding experience. With some looking, you can find a wide assortment of pens in prices and styles to suit both the novice and the collector.
About the Author
©Copyright 2010 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to affiliate marketing.
Magic Writer Penetrating Pen
|
|
GREAT THE WRITER FOUNTAIN PEN NIB SHAPED w/RHODIUM PLATED SHIRT SLEEVE CUFFLINKS $7.93 |
|
|
Nice Writer Calligraphy Fountain Pen Set, 33 Pieces W/Cartridges, Pens, Ink NEW $26.99 |
|
|
CUFFLINKS SILVER WRITER FOUNTAIN PEN QUILL INK SCHOOL TEACHER PROFESSOR AUTHOR $9.99 |
|
|
NEW Black Beauty Pilot Fountain Pen – BOLD or MEDIUM Nibbed- Great Writer! $19.99 |
|
|
NEBO LIGHT-WRITER PEN, LIGHT & LASER POINTER W/GIFT TIN SHIPS DIRECTLY FROM NEBO $9.99 |
|
|
1991 Press Photo Pen Densham Prince of Thieves Writer $13.88 |
|
|
LEVENGER TRUE WRITER KYOTO FOUNTAIN PEN- MEDIUM *MONOGRAMMED* $20.95 |
|
|
Pens Ball Point Writer push wholesale lot 50 pcs New !! $11.95 |
|
|
Pentel Rolling Writer Ball Pen Medium Black – 12 ct $15.94 |
|
|
cdv: Henry Gréville, pen name for Mrs. Alice Durand, born Fleury – writer $23.90 |
|
|
Americolor “Gourmet Writer” Food Decorating Pen $19.95 |
|
|
Americolor Gourmet Writer Food Decorating Pens. Black $8.49 |
|
|
RARE! MONT BLANC ALEXANDER DUMAS WRITER FOUNTAIN PEN 14950/23000 $800.00 |
|
|
Pentel Rolling Writer Ball Pen Medium Blk 12 ct New Pen $15.50 |
|
|
LEVENGER TRUE WRITER GOLDEN TORTOISE FOUNTAIN PEN -FINE *NEW* $64.95 |
|
|
LEVENGER TRUE WRITER GOLDEN TORTOISE FOUNTAIN PEN-BROAD *NEW* $64.95 |
|
|
THE WRITER FOUNTAIN PEN SILVER LAPEL PIN BADGE HAT PIN TIE TACK PIN BROOCH $6.99 |
|
|
Handcrafted Olive Wood Gel Writer pen Gold plated $16.50 |
|
|
Hand Made Gel Writer Click Bocote Wood Pen $16.50 |
|
|
AmeriColor 10 GOURMET WRITER PENS Food Color Decorating $12.99 |
|
|
The Pilot’s Pen – World’s Best LED Night Writer Ink Pen, Medical, Aviation $19.95 |
|
|
AmeriColor 10 GOURMET WRITER PENS Cake Decorating Color $12.99 |
|
|
10 Cake Decorating Food Color GOURMET WRITER PEN SET $12.99 |
|
|
AmeriColor 2 Black GOURMET WRITER Cake Decorating Pens $4.96 |
|
|
THE WRITER FOUNTAIN PEN SILVER LAPEL PIN BADGE HAT PIN TIE TACK PIN BROOCH $6.99 |
|
|
NEBO Light Writer 3 in 1 Pen – Laser – Flashlight- 5571 $11.50 |
|
|
GREAT THE WRITER FOUNTAIN PEN NIB SHAPED w/RHODIUM PLATED SHIRT SLEEVE CUFFLINKS $6.99 |
|
|
Professional Digital Writer Wireless Electronic Pen $99.44 |
|
|
GREAT THE WRITER FOUNTAIN PEN NIB SILVER CUFFLINKS NIB $11.73 |
|
|
Sanrio Keroppi Zebra Series 3 Way Writer Ball Point Pen Mechanism Pencil 2008 $14.00 |
|
|
Americolor Food Marker Writers- 10 Color Pack $8.59 … |
|
|
Wine Glass Writer Metallic Pen -3 Pack Yes that glass is yours. Wine Glass Writers are markers for your glasses both stemware and tumblers. Write your name; get creative with a design. (Great for writing on wine bottles given as gifts.) No more jangling wine charms tangled in the drawer. No need to worry how to identify tumblers and other stemless glasses. Stays on for the party and washes off with a sponge or in the dishwasher. Wa… |
|
|
AmeriColor 2 Pack Gourmet Food Writer Set, Black Marker $3.99 Americolor Gourmet Writer Food Marker Pens -Black 2 Pack. Will write on any firm food surface in true and vibrant colors. Pen set packaged in a sturdy zipper pouch for convenient storage. U.S. Certified Food Color…. |
|
|
Writer Without A Pen $6.93 … |
|
|
Vol. 1-Intergalactic Soap & Soda Experience Instru $13.58 … |
|
|
Intergalactic Soap & Soda Experience Instrumentals, Vol. 1 $8.99 … |
|
|
POLICE EMS TACTICAL SWAT NIGHT NITE WRITER II LIGHT UP GREEN LED PEN $6.75 … |
|
|
EMI NIGHT NITE-WRITER PEN WITH GREEN LED LIGHT (EMS STAR-OF-LIFE LOGO MODEL) $16.49 … |
|
|
EMI NIGHT NITE-WRITER PEN WITH GREEN LED LIGHT (POLICE LOGO MODEL) $14.64 … |
|
|
Out of Africa $6.19 Sydney Pollack’s 1985 multiple-Oscar winner is a sumptuous and emotionally satisfying film about the life of Danish writer Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep), better known as Isak Dinesen, who travels to Kenya to be with her German husband (Klaus Maria Brandauer) but falls for an English adventurer (Robert Redford). The film is slow in developing the relationship, but it is rich in beautiful images of Af… |
|
|
Elegant Writer Calligraphy Pens $7.95 This set of four black pens and instruction booklet will help you master calligraphy writing in no time. Each pen creates a line in a different width allowing you to write in varying styles from delicate to bold. |
|
|
Elegant Writer Fine Point Calligraphy Pens – Assorted Colors $11.5 This set of 6 Elegant Writer Calligraphy Pens features an assortment of colors each with a 2.0mm chisel nib. Includes 2 black, 1 brown, 1 blue, 1 green, and 1 red calligraphy pen. Size – 5 3/4″ each |
|
|
Set of Four Dog Pens $19.95 The write stuff! Unleash your inner writer with this brightly colored "pack" of ballpoint pens, complete with jingle bell collars. Black ink. Set includes Orange, White, Green and Fuchsia pens, each in its own gift box. |
|
|
All Pens Blazing: A Rock & Heavy Metal Writer’s Handbook – Volume II $21.48 Ever wondered what it takes to be a rock journalist? In this extensive collection, Neil Daniels has interviewed a staggering 69 of the world’s most successful rock and metal scribes. With a foreword by the legendary rock writer Mick Wall, All Pens Blazing is a worthy historical document for the serious enthusiast and can be used as a handy reference tome for the aspiring rock and metal writer. Volume I – which collected 65 interviews – was published in 2009. Both collections make essential reading for the rock and heavy metal fan. |
|
|
Staedtler Techset Pro Pens $29.99 0% 0.25 mm 4 / Set 712 C4SBK 1 x Barrel 4 x Refills of different sizes Technical Drawing Pen set combines classical elements of technical drawing and writing to offer the ideal tools for sketching, graphic design and writer. Packaged in a sturdy reusable plastic case. Refill cartridges are easy to exchange through pen sleeve. Smudge-proof, resists bleeding. Black pigmented ink is water-based, fast-drying and acid-free. Set includes one barrel with four different line width cartridges: .25mm, .35mm, .50mm, .70mm. The barrel is refillable with new cartridges that include a new ink supply and a new tip. Tips won’t clog even when caps are left off for up to eight hours. Black No Porous Point Pen Silver Staedtler Staedtler Mars GmbH & Co. Techset Pro Pens Water Based Yes www.staedtler.com |
|
|
Pentel Rolling Writer Pen $9.99 0% 0.40 mm 12 / Dozen 53% Rolling Writer Pens penetrate carbons like a ballpoint and writes at any angle. Cushion ball tip never skips or smears. Barrel color indicates the color of ink. Nonrefillable pens are made with 53 percent recycled plastic, excluding consumable content. Black Cushioned Tip Medium No Pentel Pentel of America, Ltd Plastic R100A Rollerball Pen Rolling Writer Rolling Writer Pen Skip-free Smear-proof Ink Yes www.pentel.com |
|
|
Inside the TV Writer’s Room $18.71 “Inside the TV Writer’s Room takes you inside the heart and soul of television writing and what really makes a show, and its writers, tick. With more than a peek into some of the best brains (and pens!) in television, Meyers’ insightful book shows why the |
|
|
Pens,Calligraphy,2nib/Set $16.99 PENS,CALLIGRAPHY,2NIB/SET |
|
|
Poisoned Pens $12.19 Poisoned Pens |
|
|
Hen’s Pens $4.24 Hen’s Pens |
|
|
A Writer’s Resource Update + A Writer’s Resource Student Catalyst Card $75.1 With the 2008 MLA Update edition, A Writer?s Resource, 2/e continues to set the bar for contemporary handbooks. Writing and research have changed dramatically since the first hardcover handbooks appeared. Today’s students don’t rely on pens or typewriters |
|
|
Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper by Edition ILL, 0 $20.99 “SARK is a sparkler who jump-starts the creative process. Her ideas are user-friendly, innovative, and pragmatic.” –Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s WayWrite and share what’s in your heart! Let SARK show you how. Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper is your non-judgmental witness, resoundingly supportive friend, and practical guide to the craft of writing and storytelling. For anyone who knows that a writer lives within them but doesn’t know how or where to start; for writers who need new ways to work past their blocks and be reinspired; for anyone who loves SARK’s wise words and art, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper will help start the ink flowing and keep it going. |
|
|
The Writer $49.99 Gabriel Metsu The Writer – Giclee Print |
|
|
Lipstick Pens $11.08 Includes (12) 3 pens. |
|
|
Poisoned Pens by Dexter, Gary Edition , 1 $13.49 Mark Twain once said of Jane Austen, Every time I read Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her up and hit her over the skull with her own shin-bone. And then there’s George Bernard Shaw on the Bard: With the single exception of Homer, there is no eminent writer, not even Sir Walter Scott, whom I can despise so entirely as I despise Shakespeare. Twain and Shaw were both known for their coruscating wit, but they were far from the exception in terms of charity toward their peers. Literary one-upmanship is the subject of this hilariously evil book. Those who delight in literary malice can enjoy Cocteau’s damnation of Victor Hugo, and Edith Sitwell’s denunciation of D. H. Lawrence. Drawn from the popular Writers on Writers column in the The Guardian, Poisoned Pens captures those moments when major authors’ talents are turned toward the petulant, abusive, mocking, and downright mean. |
|
|
All Pens Blazing – A Heavy Metal Writers Handbook $20.98 Ever wondered what it takes to be a heavy metal journalist? In this comprehensive collection, Neil Daniels has interviewed a staggering 65 of the world’s most successful writers of heavy metal and hard rock. Many of these writers are successful biographers, editors and long-standing freelancers who have interviewed some of the genre’s leading artists from KISS to Metallica and Black Sabbath to Slayer. They’ve travelled the world over, lived in tour buses, got drunk with their idols, attended some of the greatest gigs in history and are still alive to tell the tale. It’s all here; the wild stories, the anecdotes.. .and the advice All Pens Blazing offers a potted history of the genre as well as the publishing industry from the legendary Sounds and Melody Maker to metal bibles Kerrang and Metal Hammer to modern day magazines like Terrorizer, Powerplay and Classic Rock. There’s also a wealth of information on fanzines and webzines as well as long-gone magazines like Metal Forces, RIP and RAW. With a foreword by the Canadian metal historian Martin Popoff, this collection makes essential reading for the heavy metal fan. It is also a worthy historical document for the serious enthusiast and can be used as a handy reference tool for the aspiring metal writer. NEIL DANIELS has written about classic rock and heavy metal for a wide range of magazines and fanzines. He has penned books on Judas Priest, Robert Plant, Linkin Park and Bon Jovi and co-authored Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life In Judas Priest & Heavy Metal with Al Atkins. More information is obtainable at www.neildaniels.com |