Stupid Pen
This morning while writing in my journal I had a frustrating time with my latest pen. I’d selected it for the fat nib, smooth flow of ink coming from the pen, the comfort of holding it in my hand and the colour. When I tested it the pen in the store it worked fine. But once I began writing with it this morning the ink flow went through times of thick richness and others of pale scratching that left a mere whisper of the words I was trying to create. At least I had stand-by pens, just regular ones I keep in my little suede pencil case. I feel a bit disappointed in my pen, though. I will have to go looking for another now. I’d love to hear any of your suggestions?
Heather
Journaling Tools - Go deeper and reach higher with hundreds of journal writing resources.
Life Journal Software
Related Stories
POSTED IN: General: Journal Writing, Journal Tools
15 opinions for Stupid Pen
penman2
Nov 21, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Pens can be a little like cars: they need running in. It might be best to return the pen - if it’s a good pen shop, they should be able to fix it for you.
Otherwise, try emptying and filling the pen a few times, flushing occasionally with tepid water. If that doesn’t show any improvement, add a little washing-up detergent to the water you are using for flushing, then flush it a couple of times with just water.
Then persevere with writing with it for a couple of days. It should improve the more that you use it (remember to store it vertically, cap up, so ink doesn’t dry in the feed and clog the pen).
If none of that works, definitely take it back to the store.
Heather Goldsmith
Nov 22, 2007 at 5:19 am
Hi Penman2,
Thanks for the tips on getting the pen working well. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for commenting, too. ;-)
penman2
Nov 23, 2007 at 12:18 pm
My pleasure.
Has it made any difference ?
Are you prepared todisclose the make ?
Heather Goldsmith
Nov 24, 2007 at 12:30 am
Hi Penman2,
I can’t really try what you’ve suggested as the pen isn’t refillable. I purchased it at a local newsagency, so won’t bother taking it back. The brand was Pilot, one I haven’t used before. I will probably hesitate to buy another, though my daughter loves their pens. ;-)
penman2
Nov 27, 2007 at 11:03 am
Ah ! It’s one of their disposable sealed pen units, then, rather than a cartridge (where you can use an empty cartridge to help flushing0.
You should be ashamed of yourself - that’s not a proper fountain pen ! :-)
Seriously, though, Pilot are makers of some of the greatest fountain pens in the world under their other name: Namiki, but you can’t expect much from what is little more than a biro with a nib.
You don’t have to spend much to get a fountain pen that will be a pleasure to use for the rest of your life. In your country, I’d recommend a Shaeffer. I’ve always found them to be good writers, from the bottom of their range to the top. Parkers are too variable in writing quality.
Once you are used to writing with a smooth writing fountain pen, everything else (including gel) seems second rate - and you become much ‘greener’ (no more disposables) AND it will work out cheaper in the long run.
Heather Goldsmith
Nov 28, 2007 at 5:52 am
Hi again Penman2,
I kind of had the feeling you’d feel this way. ;-) I really have been meaning to get a decent pen, so perhaps this will be a good thing for my Christmas wish list. Thanks again for the info. ;-)
penman2
Nov 29, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Wonder what gave me away ? :-)
Before you splash out on a new pen, it has occurred to me that there might be another reason for the Pilot skipping. Those who are not used to using a fountain pen and are more accustomed to biros and gel pens can press too hard. This pushes the tines of the nib apart and stops the ink flow. With a fountain pen, it barely needs to touch the paper once the ink has started to flow. It can take a while to re-adjust one’s writing pressure, but it’s worth it: writing can be less tiring.
Alternatively, experiment with different types of paper. Less well made nibs may only work properly on better quality paper.
In the meantime, this might be interesting for you:-
http://www.diyplanner.com/node/5057
Heather Goldsmith
Nov 29, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Hi Penman2,
It looks like you’re the absolute expert when it comes to pens. I’ll let you know when I get myself a decent one. Thanks for the link to the article. Very good reading. ;-)
penman2
Dec 2, 2007 at 9:01 am
Not an expert (there are quite a few out there), but an enthusiast.
Enjoy the hunt (always try them out - everyone holds pens differently, so what is a good pen for one person, may not be for another). Experiment with different nibs - medium is boring and one of the areas where fountain pens win hands down over other writing implements is the variety of nib types (eg. stub, oblique, ultra fine etc.)
Have fun with different colours of ink too. Many ink producers (not Parker, nor inks from other pen makers) have an increasingly wide range of colours. You can even mix your own to create your own ‘personal’ colour.
Heather Goldsmith
Dec 3, 2007 at 1:55 am
Hi Penman2,
Thanks. I will definitely be getting more into my pens, so I appreciate any advice, even from enthusiasts like you. I think I’ll need to try different nibs, for sure. I love a nice fat rolling feel when writing, so it will be interesting to see what I do come up with. Thanks again. ;-)
penman2
Dec 5, 2007 at 8:08 pm
It might be best to consider a Lamy, then. They produce a nib known as the MK for those who are not used to writing with a fountain pen nib. I like the Accent range, but the 2000 is held to be a superb writer in pen circles. A good pen shop should be able to order an MK nib if they don’t have one in stock.
Here are a couple of links about the variety of nibs available nowadays and what they can do for your writing:-
http://www.nibs.com/writing_samples.htm
http://www.pelikan.com/pulse/Pulsar/en_US.CMS.displayCMS.2368./nib-widths
Heather Goldsmith
Dec 6, 2007 at 1:24 am
Hi Penman2,
Oooh, you’re opening up a new world to me with all these pens and nibs. I’ve just been making do, it’s clear now. This might be my new obsession for next year. Thanks again. ;-)
More on Finding the Right Pen
Dec 7, 2007 at 12:06 am
[…] few weeks ago I posted an entry about my Stupid Pen. I wasn’t expecting such a fount of information from one generous reader. But take the time […]
Phil
Dec 24, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Heather,
If you seek expertise and input on fountain pens, you’ll find all you need where I hang out, at http://www.fountainpennetwork.com
Over there I’m known as captnemo.
Phil
Heather Goldsmith
Dec 25, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Hi Phil,
Thanks so much for that. I really appreciate you offering your expertise. Thanks again. ;-)
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: