Buying A Fountain Pen
Should you take handwriting seriously, you simply must own a fountain pen. The fountain pen is a unique writing device that contains ink without the use of a cartridge. Furthermore, fountain pens are beautiful, often handmade works of art. They look good and they write well. A quality pen has become a status symbol.
The fountain pen has turn out to be very highly developed since its introduction in the mid-19th Century and still serves as a useful tool to all types of writers even in today’s PC age. Several of the better-known manufacturers of fountain pens are Parker, Mont Blanc, Sheaffer and Namiki. Prices can range from just a few dollars to $50,000 and much more for limited collectors editions.
Although fountain pens are very costly compared to other kinds of pens , many writers still prefer these pens simply because of the unique benefits that these pens offer. Unlike other pens, fountain pens do not need replacing. Actually, they improve with use. The more the pens are used, the better they become. Strokes become simpler and smoother over time. Because these pens come in various designs and makes, one can easily choose the style of pen which his or her individual taste and writing style Most of all, fountain pens reduce the tendency of writer’s cramps since the ink simply flows out into the paper allowing longer writing to be done without difficulty.
Here are a few things to think about when purchasing a fountain pen:
1. Size – Pick up a pen and hold it in your hand to check for comfort and an easy grip. If your hand is petite you may wish to choose a pen with a smaller barrel for additional comfort.
2. Weight – If a pen feels heavy whenever you pick it up and feel it, you may wish to consider a smaller pen if you’re planning to write for a longer period of time. The extra weight could bring about strain and fatigue on your wrist and hand and could lead to repetitive stress injury.
3.Nib – This is the point of the pen that does the actual writing. Depending on your preference, there are nibs for different composing styles and strokes. An oblique nib provides a thicker line on the downward stroke and is also good for left-handed writers. An italic or stub nib gives a slanted stroke and is usually used for calligraphy, rather than regular handwriting. You will not be able to write as fast with an italic nib.
4. Ink Capacity – Some pens have a built-in piston allowing it to hold much more ink than pens utilizing a cartridge or converter. Cartridges are great for convenience, but are known for other difficulties, for example skipping or occasionally not dispensing ink evenly.
5. Price – Even though you will find numerous fountain pens in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs and colors to fit your personality, a pen doesn’t have to be expensive to be of good quality and to write well. If you find a cost that you are comfortable with and compare pens in that price range, you will most likely find a good pen that will work well and last for a lifetime.
Anyone who enjoys writing by hand will find using a fountain pen to be a unique and rewarding experience. Here at FountainPenStore.net, we offer a wide variety of pens in price ranges to suit both the novice and the collector. We carry pens by Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Montblanc, Pelikan, Lamy, Pilot and Esterbrook.