I seem to recall reading somewhere that dipping dried out magic markers in toluene will work, but can't seem to find it in the local hardware stores, though I thought I've seen it in the past. Any ideas? Thanks.

I recently came across some video clips of Frank Dubiel lecturing at a Washington D.C. pen show (1999). Does anyone know if there are any better quality videos on line of Frank teaching or lecturing? Please let me know if you do. Thank you. -- Cliff Reynolds

What is the largest capacity fountain pen that is not eyedropper fill?

Just bought a Namiki Falcon Fine, and "flexible" of course. Despite all I have seen on the Web that the Falcon fine nibs are supposed to be smooth, mine is very scratchy---it emits a scratchy sound and feels scratchy. But I really like the variable width of the stroke. I sent it back to the seller...

The Cross icon is a strange pen. It looks and operates strange (to me at least). But it has some of the best gel color that I've ever seen. It writes smooth, wet and the color shines. Now, if only I could use that gel in my fountain pens...

After reading all the positive comments about Noodler's black ink, I am going to give it a try. I'm intrigued by the fact that the ink is more impervious to water than are all the others. Does Noodler make a blue that has similar characteristics? I am quite happy with the translucent, Wedgwood...

I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a miserable experience with cartridges, I switched to using the converter and Mont Blanc's ink (available easily locally at the Beverly Center store). So far so good, but, I've noticed that the pen gets successively harder to write with unless I keep...

It's been a year. I'll have a drink of Scotch, and write in my journal with a pen he sold me. Miss ya, Frank. C.

I'm slowly building a collection of inks, only up to about six bottles now. But I've noticed a problem with my Private Reserve Dakota Red. It builds up a dried crust all around the nib. It looks real crusty and of course it doesn't flow at all after that. I have used it in several pens but mostly...

Hi, I bought an old Sheaffer and need help to identify and may be to fix it. On the body is written W.A. SHEAFFER PEN CO FORT MADISON. IOWA, USA MADE IN USA The nib is two colors (gold and silver) and is written SHEAFFER'S REG.U.S. PAT.OFFICE MADE IN USA 14K

Well, I have had a great many people offer pens AFTER I had mine out, sometimes after I had begun writing. Usually it is an automatic response on their part, and a polite smiling "I've got my own" doesn't hurt any feelings. If you already have your pen out, they are far less likely to be insulted...

Hi everybody, someone on ThePuristS.com pen forum is wondering what the value of a plum colored P51 might be- I'm not really sure as I don't collect them and my books are all a little out of date. Can anyone help out with a very ballpark figure, just based on the color? Thanks in advance, Jack...

I can´t throw away things and so I´ve kept all the turds of my life in hundreds of battles. I still know what the **** was before digesting. I also collect my urine in bottles. This is a great hobby. Does anyone want to trade some turds or some urine with me?

I've been wondering about some inks I haven't tried and would appreciate any comments. 1.) Greg Clark has examples of Caran d'Ache blue and black in his sampler. Has anyone tried the turquoise or brown? What are they similar to? Is it a green or blue turquoise? What are the Caran d'Ache inks like...

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hello, I am looking for greyish black fountain pen ink. The ink should be noticably grey, but not any less readable than black ink. I find totally black ink produces too great of a contrast to be readable easily. A board member suggested Waterman...

While looking on various sites to purchase my first fountain pen I noticed that the majority of pens are cartrdige/converter filled. Why is this? Are piston filled pens better than cartridge/converter?

What are the main differences between the Parker 51 and 45? Parker 51 pens seem to have a huge following and command quite a premium, while the 45s (even unused old stock) are pretty inexpensive. Thanks, Tim

I was about to mail in a medical form to my DMV ( I have to get doctors permission to drive ), when I reread the instructions and it said "print your doctor's name and address". I usually use a ( clearly legible ) version of copperplate. I quickly turned the form over rewrote the name and address...

(If this isn't the appropriate forum, my apologies.) I have an Aurora Ipsilon fountain pen I use for daily writing; I picked it up from Levenger, who also supplied an $8 set of 12 refill cartridges alleged to fit this pen. They don't; they leak into the barrel. The Aurora refills themselves sell...

In article , (GB) writes: I think I will be buying a nice pen as a gift. I know NOTHING about pens and really need some links to good information on what to look for. Recommendations are great too. I'll spend up to $200...