I used to loathe ballpoints, and I still do. Now it doesn't matter because I rarely use a writing instrument. I do use my finger a lot. And I type a lot. And I have been trying dictation lately. Too soon to say if that will be a ’keeper’. Next up will be an Apple Pen. Back in the day I had a callous on the side of my finger from all the drafting/writing. That hasn't been an issue for at least 20 years, even though I used a pen every day until early 2013. There was less and less to write down every year. Replaced by software and mobile devices. Before 2014 I didn't even own a shirt that didn't have a breast pocket. If you like ballpoint pens, or use them daily, you may not be able to relate to this next part. Fountain Pens That's right I love fountain pens. For twenty-five years I carried one every day. Even during periods when I was into graphite there was a fountain pen in my shirt pocket. I'm too practical to own a lot of fountain pens. I have about ten that I have accumulated over those 25 years. It started with a Parker, silver barrel pen that I used up. The internal part of the snap-on cap broke. I ’fixed’ it with the cap from the matching roller ball pen. I broke that cap too. So I took it to a specialty shop. They cleaned and fixed it with parts from the roller ball pen. And I received the sad news that when that broke, I was done, because parts weren't available. Unless I wanted to have someone make parts. I don't love fountain pens that much. During that period I acquired a Mont Blanc. The fat one. I really liked that pen, but it was high maintenance. Under-filling or over-filling the pen had consequences. No ink or **plenty** of ink. The specialty shop couldn't find anything wrong. Pilot error was the verdict. Next was a classic Pelican. I think it cost more than the Mont Blanc, which I had received as a gift. No complaints about the Pelican. But I always thought of it like it was the good china - special occasions. Silly. Of course, I got the Levenger catalog monthly, and kept up with developments in the fountain pen scene.
* My pens, left to right.
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Craig
5/9/2016 05:49:00 am
Great to hear of another fountain pen lover. I have a few vintage pens (mostly Esterbrooks, and a couple of newish Pelikans. I really like what Franklin-Christoph is producing these days- I have about three of theirs with a new model on the way today for my birthday. Cheers!
Rick Wolnitzek
5/9/2016 07:04:07 am
Craig, Comments are closed.
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