Welcome to- The Fountain Pen Community!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
The Fountain Pen Community -> Modern Pens @1970 to Current -> New and would appreciate some help
Post Info TOPIC: New and would appreciate some help
tomsin


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:
New and would appreciate some help
Permalink Closed

I'm brand new here and to fountain pens.  I bot my first one, a Lamy Safari, med point a week ago.  While I like writing with a fountain pen I find my experience very frustrating with this Safari.  Very often it skips on start up and while in the middle of writing.  Also, it puddles on the bottom of strokes so my writing is often blotchy and uneven.  When it works or I use it correctly, though I really enjoy using it.  My question is,

1st:  Am I getting what I paid for?  It's not an expensive pen and maybe that's all I should expect?  

2nd:  Could it be my writing style and maybe I have to become more accustomed to using a fountain pen?  The non starts are especially annoying.  Am I doing something wrong?  Any tips for avoiding these annoying beginning and middle skips?

3rd:  I'm using the Lamy ink in the cartridge it came with.  Would performance be improved with a different ink & use of a converter?   Any recommendations? 

Finally I know I will always want to write with a fountain pen.  Does any one have any recommendations for a more expensive pen for my next step up when I'm ready to take it.  Probably sooner than later, because I'm not going to do this much longer.  

Some where in the 50-100 dollar range.   Thank you.



__________________
Chthulhu


Rawr.

Status: Offline
Posts: 774
Date:
Permalink Closed

Welcome aboard! Generally with a new fountain pen, it's a good idea to flush the ink system with clear water with just a drop of dishwashing liquid in it. If you have a converter, it will do the job nicely to force water through the feed channels under a little pressure. Then force a little air through by the same means to get most of the water out, *then* ink the pen.

With a liquid ink pen, fountain or rollerball, you need to move the nib over the paper with a consistent speed and very light pressure, just guiding it, really, while the ink flows onto the paper. If you're getting skips and blots, you're probably applying too much pressure on the nib. This prevents the ink from flowing properly along the slit in the nib and allows it to pool up beneath the nib. Then when you stop and release the pressure, it squeezes out in a drop.

For your next new pen, I would recommend a TWSBI 540, or choose a good vintage pen instead; lots to choose from there!

I have a couple of Safaris and they worked well for me with Lamy inks, right out of the package. They're a good value for the price, if a little light in weight, at least for my tastes.


__________________

Mike Hungerford
http://goo.gl/dUVnUZ
Frank


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 1212
Date:
Permalink Closed

Welcome to The Community tomsin!

I can say that Safaris are sometimes tough on startups, especially if they have not been used in 24 hours! The skipping and the blotching in mid-stream is a little surprising though. I have not had a blotching experience with one, and I have a medium as well. Your writing style could have something to do with it- but the more you use FP"s, the lighter your force on paper will become!

The next pen I would recommend would be either a TWSBI pen, or a Pelikan M200. You can also consider a Pilot Knight FP. Any of these pens are under $100, and do offer a good writing experience!

Regards,
Frank


__________________

"When, in the course of writing events, it becomes self-evident that all pens are not created equal" (Federalist Frank)

We sell quality, known brands at reasonable prices!!

Visit our Store Federalist Pens and Paper!  (TFPC Sponsor!)

(5% Discount for Forum Members! Use Code "FPC" at Checkout!)

Follow our discussion group(s) at www.linkedin.com!  (Fountain Pen Community/Federalist Pens)

Like Us on Facebook!-  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Federalist-Pens-and-Paper/821331454601577?fref=ts

 
tomsin


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:
Permalink Closed

Thank you for your suggestions.



__________________
tomsin


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:
Permalink Closed

Thank you very much.



__________________
freddy


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 16
Date:
Permalink Closed

Tomsin, I have a TWSBI 540, TWSBI Vac 700, and a TWSBI Mini. The 540 and Mini are great pens and a pleasure to write with. However, I would not recommend the Vac 700. Ironically, of the three, it's the most expensive (though still under $100.00).

If you can get your hands on one, try a Sheaffer 100. It's a classy looking pen, a beautiful writer, and is under $50.00 (though costs more than the Lamy Safari).



-- Edited by freddy on Sunday 18th of November 2012 09:05:04 PM

__________________
lreiley


Rookie

Status: Offline
Posts: 22
Date:
Permalink Closed

After countless hours spent reading about Chinese pens and having used a few, I'm a big fan of the $5 Chinese pen that looks like a $200 and writes as well as some in that pricepoint. I have a Jinghao 9009 and have just ordered another Jinghao for the cousin who got me into fountain pens but who didn't realize they still made cartridges!

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
The Fountain Pen Community -> Modern Pens @1970 to Current -> New and would appreciate some help
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard