Intro to Fountain Pens

[UKMike]

As a long time fountain pen user I can confirm that some of the Japanese nibs are noisier than European or US nibs. This is normally classed as a feature and people move on. Any "scratchiness" however is probably due to a misalignment of the nib tines, simple enough to cure with care and a magnifying glass so you can see what you're doing - don't progress to using abrasives until you know what you are doing!

THIS is a useful guide from probably the best-known nibmaster >>> http://www.richardspens.com/pdf/workshop_notes.pdf

For clean pen filling, even using removable piston fillers (aka "converters"), I would recommend getting a plastic syringe and blunt hypodermic needles which make the process clean and enjoyable. At the same time, look on Amazon for a rubber ear-syringe - extremely useful for flushing out the pen and when you want to change ink colour.

[captain_hx]

Just ordered another Jinhao and had a look locally to see if l can find an entry lever fp for about 50 euros. I've been to 3 bookshops and they only had Parkers. I will visit a couple more shops that I have in mind but l am not too optimistic about finding what I am looking for. I think Cyprus is a very small market for pens so l will be also looking online. This place is full of enablers :)

[72bpm]

As a long time fountain pen user I can confirm that some of the Japanese nibs are noisier than European or US nibs. This is normally classed as a feature and people move on. Any "scratchiness" however is probably due to a misalignment of the nib tines, simple enough to cure with care and a magnifying glass so you can see what you're doing - don't progress to using abrasives until you know what you are doing!

THIS is a useful guide from probably the best-known nibmaster >>> http://www.richardspens.com/pdf/workshop_notes.pdf

For clean pen filling, even using removable piston fillers (aka "converters"), I would recommend getting a plastic syringe and blunt hypodermic needles which make the process clean and enjoyable. At the same time, look on Amazon for a rubber ear-syringe - extremely useful for flushing out the pen and when you want to change ink colour.

Noisy was what I meant rather than scratchy. I would have thought Namiki will inspect their nibs before installing them. Had a look under a 30 X loupe couldn't see any misalignment!
Thanks for the link, downloaded and saved! I will NEVER have the guts to fool around with a nib, no sir! If anything goes wrong off to a professional it goes.
Have glass syringes and blunt 16G needles to fill the pens up. If the nib is user removable then it gets removed and cleaned before changing ink, if not then I pressure wash it with a 50 ml syringe attached to a 16G needle a few times and let it rest nib down in a narrow container lined with blotting paper ( kitchen towel) for a few hours and repeat the process till it runs clean. Yes I have too much time on my hands!

[tenpasten]

PSA: WHSmith have the Lamy 2000 back in stock here:

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/pws/Produc...uctID=35315971

However, I would recommend spending a little more and buying it from smaller retailer who is willing to test the nib before sending it. I bought mine earlier this month from here:

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk

A fantastic personal service and entirely worry free (no affiliation).

[amnesia]

I've just read through this from the beginning and I now NEED a Pilot Capless / VP to go with my other pens.

Question is... what version ?

http://www.cultpens.com/c/q/brands/p...-fountain-pens



Anyone know of a 2017 LE version yet ?

[72bpm]

I've just read through this from the beginning and I now NEED a Pilot Capless / VP to go with my other pens.

Question is... what version ?

http://www.cultpens.com/c/q/brands/p...-fountain-pens



Anyone know of a 2017 LE version yet ?

IMO There are quite few pens in the 130 - 169 range, I chose the Red with rhodium trim (£149) because I didn't have a red pen!
I quite like the Raden but can't buy it right now (SWMBO will kill me)! 378 -149=229 you can buy a nice Sailor 1911L for the same money and have 2 nice pens!! Save a bit more and get this https://www.iguanasell.co.uk/collect...hst=collection
I didn't know there was a 2017 LE. I personally am not too keen on limited editions to be honest, most seem to be marketing gimmicks.

[jeepie]

IMO There are quite few pens in the 130 - 169 range, I chose the Red with rhodium trim (£149) because I didn't have a red pen!
I quite like the Raden but can't buy it right now (SWMBO will kill me)! 378 -149=229 you can buy a nice Sailor 1911L for the same money and have 2 nice pens!! Save a bit more and get this https://www.iguanasell.co.uk/collect...hst=collection
I didn't know there was a 2017 LE. I personally am not too keen on limited editions to be honest, most seem to be marketing gimmicks.

I got a yellow fine one directly from Japan via eBay. Love it

[Phil Lee]

I love my Stormtrooper Vanishing Point/Capless.

[Apersonofsorts]

I love my Stormtrooper Vanishing Point/Capless.

Same here. In the spirit of watches I call it panda coloured, but really I bought it because it looked like a storm trooper, especially with the high gloss white.

[amnesia]

IMO There are quite few pens in the 130 - 169 range, I chose the Red with rhodium trim (£149) because I didn't have a red pen!
I quite like the Raden but can't buy it right now (SWMBO will kill me)! 378 -149=229 you can buy a nice Sailor 1911L for the same money and have 2 nice pens!! Save a bit more and get this https://www.iguanasell.co.uk/collect...hst=collection
I didn't know there was a 2017 LE. I personally am not too keen on limited editions to be honest, most seem to be marketing gimmicks.

The Raden is gorgeous, but I might lose it if I put it on the kitchen worktop.

I got a yellow fine one directly from Japan via eBay. Love it

i have a yellow and rhodium and love it. I'm looking for 2004 Vibrant Red LE, current red is a bit more maroon and not my cuppa...2017 LE hasnt been announced as far as Im aware.

The yellow is nice - I am sure there will be a 2017 LE announced 5 minutes after I've received my non-LE version.

I love my Stormtrooper Vanishing Point/Capless.

YESSS - black and white looks amazing.

[LuBee]

I've just read through this from the beginning and I now NEED a Pilot Capless / VP to go with my other pens.

Question is... what version ?

http://www.cultpens.com/c/q/brands/p...-fountain-pens



Anyone know of a 2017 LE version yet ?

i have a yellow and rhodium and love it. I'm looking for 2004 Vibrant Red LE, current red is a bit more maroon and not my cuppa...2017 LE hasnt been announced as far as Im aware.

[72bpm]

PSA: WHSmith have the Lamy 2000 back in stock here:

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/pws/Produc...uctID=35315971

However, I would recommend spending a little more and buying it from smaller retailer who is willing to test the nib before sending it. I bought mine earlier this month from here:

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk

A fantastic personal service and entirely worry free (no affiliation).

I wish it was fine nib..........
This is one of the brands I don't have. Shhhhh! Don't let SWMBO know!

[Si]

PSA: WHSmith have the Lamy 2000 back in stock here:

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/pws/Produc...uctID=35315971

However, I would recommend spending a little more and buying it from smaller retailer who is willing to test the nib before sending it. I bought mine earlier this month from here:

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk

A fantastic personal service and entirely worry free (no affiliation).

Leaving the lack of nib choice aside, is there much of a risk of getting one with a less than perfect nib? While http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk is indeed excellent (and I believe the owner is a member here), £100 vs £150 does tempt me as I’d like to have one of these (again).

[LuBee]

Leaving the lack of nib choice aside, is there much of a risk of getting one with a less than perfect nib? While http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk is indeed excellent (and I believe the owner is a member here), £100 vs £150 does tempt me as I’d like to have one of these (again).

mine from whsmiths was great. there is much detabate about the nibs On th L2k and i was a bit aprehensive but watched the goulet pens video and they have a particular sweet spot and alot of the problems people perceive are down to the way they hold or tilt the pen

[Joyce]

PSA: WHSmith have the Lamy 2000 back in stock here:

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/pws/Produc...uctID=35315971

However, I would recommend spending a little more and buying it from smaller retailer who is willing to test the nib before sending it. I bought mine earlier this month from here:

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk

A fantastic personal service and entirely worry free (no affiliation).

Thanks very much for the heads up, Ten Past.
I have availed myself of the facility at WHS.
I've put this one off for many years - not being a fan, as a rule, of hooded nibs (despite the P51 religion on FPN !)
But recent (ish) Vanishing Point experiences (x2) have made me a little more open-minded :)

Fingers crossed.

Cheers, once again.