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[Patrick Rhone]

Thanks, Patrick for the pointer.

Hmmmm.  This looks quite interesting.

Plumpster Fountain Pen

http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=Category=8-831|Level=2-3|pageid=6081


PS: I HATE Levenger's site design. I cannot get the URL to resolve correctly. It is lowercasing parts of the URL that are UPPERCASE and truncating the end. You will have to go to Levenger's site and search for the terms. My apologies. Michael

Not to keep pimping my friend Ryan but... He did a video review of the Plumpster, Check it out here.

[rroossinck]

I feel so...violated...er, that's not it.  Thankful!  Yes, that's the word!  Thanks Patrick, as always, for your support. 

Hey Jason, send me a note b/c or straight to my email.  Might be able to help you out with the Plumpster a bit.

Best,
Ryan

[Jason Echols]

I feel so...violated...er, that's not it.  Thankful!  Yes, that's the word!  Thanks Patrick, as always, for your support. 

Hey Jason, send me a note b/c or straight to my email.  Might be able to help you out with the Plumpster a bit.

Best,
Ryan

email sent.

[Michael Ramm]

Ok, I am ready for my next FP purchase. I have settled on a Lamy Safari Al-Star XF nib in Graphite. I am going with a Z24 converter for this one (my original Safari is cartridge).

I am an Ink n00b! I am looking for a black ink, and I write in Moleskine's and Lev Circa paper mainly. I know that Noodler's is a good brand, but outside of that, I don't know of any good ink/paper combos that are any good.

Please, hit me with your recommendations, for ink's that would be good with Moleskines/Circa, etc.

Thanks,
Michael

[Patrick Rhone]

I think that, even with an XF nib and a fast hand, you may find Noodlers a bit to "bleedy" on the Moleskine paper. That being said, I recommend Pelikan 4001 ink (In Black if that is what you prefer). It is very thick yet smooth, dries fast, and works very well on both paper types you mention (Trust me, this is a subject I have tested fully on both paper types myself)

[rroossinck]

Good call, Patrick.  Other suggestions from me would be Waterman and Visconti.  These three seem to behave really well on Moleskines.  I recently picked up a bottle of Private Reserve Lake Placid Blue that's really impressed me on Moleskine paper. 

[Michael Ramm]

Thanks for the advice and the email advice from Ryan. I just placed an order with Swisher Pens for:

• (1) XF Safari replacement nib
• (1) Z24 Safari ink converter
• (1) bottle of Brilliant Black Pelikan 4001 ink (62.5 mL)

I am very excited about getting these. Hopefully it will hold me over until I can get some fundage up for another new FP.

Michael

[Jason Theiss]

You know...I have been having that though that I need to purchase a new FP soon to add to my collection.  Any ideas or recommendations.  I prefer a XF nib and medium to large width body.  Heavier pens feel better in my hand.

Not sure what your price range is, but I would highly recommend trying a Pilot Vanishing Point, which runs about $100.  I think it's the best XF nib out there and the full sized version is pretty fat. Another plus is that it's retractable.  The only downside is that the clip is placed on the nib end and may interfere w/ your grip (which is why I'd recommend giving it a try first).

If the clip placement throws you, try the Lamy Studio.  It's not a very thick pen, but it's got great weight to it and a really great steel XF nib.  While many have said that it's the same nib as the less-expensive, plastic Lamy Safari, I notice a pretty big difference, but maybe I'm just trying to justify that extra $.

I've also got a couple of vintage fine-nibbed Sheaffers that write extremely well, just be mindful that most of the vacuum fillers will require restoration.

Just be warned that these things are very, very habit forming.

[Patrick Rhone]

I own both the Pilot Vanishing Point (VP) and the Lamy Studio. Love them both.

The VP was actually my first fountain pen. I have a Richard Binder custom XXF nib on mine. Simply fantastic pen but does not get as much love as my Lamy Studio or "51".

[rroossinck]

Not sure what your price range is, but I would highly recommend trying a Pilot Vanishing Point, which runs about $100.

+1.  The VP is an outstanding value.  Look for it on my "All about the Benjamins" post on Brassing.  The clip initially threw me, but after about a half hour with it, my hand got used to it and I've owned about six of 'em since.  My wife uses one every day - black carbonesque with a 0.8 Richard Binder stub.  I rotate mine into the mix quite frequently, too (a blue carbonesque with one of three different nibs to choose from depending on my mood).
 

Just be warned that these things are very, very habit forming.

Uh-huh.   Horrifyingly true.

[rroossinck]

[selfpromotion]Finally got a new post up on Brassing![/selfpromotion]

[esc.lt]

I've never been into FP's. I use a Pilot G2 .07mm Black. I find sticking with this pen helps me keep from fiddling and allows me to not worry about losing an expensive pen, like I did with my Retro 51 pen. :\

Same, except .05mm for the black and .07mm for the blue G2.
Not really into FP's either, but I've never seriously used one...

There is a first time for everything, though 

[Luther]

I have used FPs off and on for years.  I used a Rotring Black solid steel FP for years.  I joked it doubled as an assasination weapon for a while (in the old days when an offhand comment like that in the airport lounge WOULDN"T get you a double date with the Security goons) and once dropped in down two decks into the bilge of a naval destroyer.  Luckily I later got it back by volunteering to do a bilge clean with the ratings as a show of leadership.  Then a few years ago, I got a beautiful Mont Blanc La Boheme - very sweet - with a certain telescopic action.  I loved it and still have it, but I dropped it, damaged the nib, and the repair bill would have been over $500.  So a few weeks ago I found my grandfather's gold and red Shaefer FP.  It still works like a dream.  I use it almost exclusively now since it writes so beautifully.  I would love to get that Mont Blanc fixed but it is a bit too nice to be true.

[rroossinck]

Hey Luther, I might be able to help you out on that Montblanc deal.  While I'm not an enormous Montblanc fan, I do know that their customer service team in Bethlehem can perform miracles for (comparatively) little cost.  I sent in a 149 that had been dropped and cracked in half, and they fixed it for $75 after shipping.  Shoot me an email and fill me in a little more on what happened to the Boheme and I might be able to give you some better advice.