Fountain pens? Aren’t ballpoints easier? To some extent, ballpoints are easier to use than fountain pens. No ink, no refilling, generally inexpensive and disposable, but for many, they are not as interesting, collectible, or fun. The writing experience with a fountain pen is very different than that you’ll get with a ballpoint. A fountain pen can be a lot more enjoyable if the pen is suitable for your hand and style. Readers, which do you prefer?
I see BCHR on eBay a lot with vintage pens – what’s that? Black chased hard rubber. These are some of the abbreviations we use in our Catalogs: LF – Lever Filler HR – Hard Rubber BCHR – Black Chased Hard Rubber RBHR – Red & Black Hard Rubber CF – Cartridge Filler ED – Eyedropper Filler CPT – Chrome Plated Trim NPT – Nickel Plated Trim PF – Plunger Filler (ie. Sheaffer) PIF – Piston …
What is special about the Montblanc Hemingway? The Montblanc Hemingway was released in 1992, the first of Montblanc’s Writers Edition pens. 20,000 of these pens were released, and they are not always easy to find today. For Montblanc collectors, it’s a pen to have because a new Writers Edition is released annually. For non-collectors, it’s a lovely looking pen that can be dear to many for various reasons. Used models are more affordable. Mint models go …
Can italic nibs be flexible? I like the variation but I also like flex nibs. Yes they can be, and you can find several examples in our Catalogs. Catalog #79 has a stunning Parker Red Giant in Cardinal Hard Rubber, with a broad flexible italic nib!
Is an oblique nib good for a left handed writer like myself? It can be, if the left-handed writer rotates the nib into the paper as they write, which is the intent of having a nib with the oblique tip. For left-handed writers, the oblique slant is typically in the opposite direction of those for right-handed righters (left oblique), so you would likely need a right oblique! If you haven’t already tried one, it’s a …
My dad just gave me some of his old fountain pens. Is it safe to polish the silver cover on them? The silver cover on the barrels is usually overlay. Some people like to polish the metals on their pens to keep them looking new, and others like them to develop a patina. It’s entirely up to you. Polish gently with the appropriate cloths for the materials on your pen, and you’ll have a shiny pen …
I saw one of your previous On Point questions where someone asked about a semi flex nib. What’s the difference between a semi flex and a rigid nib? A stiff nib is a nib that doesn’t feel soft – when you write with it, it doesn’t yield with any pressure. It remains rigid against paper as you write. Semi flex or any flexible nib has a varying degree of softness, and the tines will spread …
Do you have any tips for someone new to semi flex nibs? Of course, and we’re happy you asked. You’ve probably read up on flexible nibs and if it’s the first in your hands, it takes some getting used to. First, we suggest using washable inks in your pen until you get the hang of it. Why? If you feel discouraged as you get used to the nib, a highly saturated ink might dry out …
What is the white dot on my Sheaffer? That white dot is, according to Sheaffer, the globally recognized symbol of writing excellence and quality and prestige. It is an unmistakable mark of a Sheaffer pen!
If a pen is stained, does that mean it’s completely ruined? Not at all! Although visually, it may be damaged, the pen is not entirely ruined. It’s possible it can be restored and the stain(s) can be removed, and it also depends on the condition of the rest of the pen – the filling system, the trim, the material of the pen, and especially the nib. If it still works, and the stain cannot be …
