Mike's Rollerball and Fountain Pen Review Note: the version of this article with hyperlinks can be found at: http://mikeshea.net/articles/001271.html Mike Shea, 12 March 2005 Over the past year my pen obsession grew from the Pilot G2s at the grocery store to the finer fountain pens found only...

How do nibs get out of whack? I can see the need to tune a nib when it comes from the factory/dealer without proper checking or when it changes hands and graphic idiosyncracies, but how does a pen get out of tune through everyday use? Or does that happen only through...

I've begun consolidating all my pens into my new cabinet and I'm finding pens I didn't know I had, many of which I have never used. In the early days of my affliction, I just bought pens. Now, I focus on a few brands and many of those early purchases should find new homes. 1. One such pen is the...

I've looked through some posts here over the years but I haven't been able to find an answer to my question (which might mean it's so obvious I'm the only one who's actually gone so far as to post it). I discovered today that my MB Meisterstuck, which I don't really use any more, has very fine...

Hello I was wondering whether there were any collectors who owns one of these Star Trek: First Contact Metal Pen: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6518031634&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT Any idea what its worth, and whether it's worth my while bidding for it? Are they as rare...

I posted the following message on Pentrace yesterday: "I unscrewed the nib unit on my wife's Pelikan 140 to soak it & then started to unscrew the nib on the other 140 I recently received from my father. The 2nd nib came out readily enough, but it wasn't a threaded unit. That is, the nib separated...

Will Noodler's permanent inks (black and/or colors) harm the cork seals in certain vintage pens?

Though I've been using a few of the Noodler's colors for about two months, I just now tried the black ink for the first time -- in a pen with an XF nib. I've never seen the nib lay down such a fine line before. On both good and trashy paper. I'm inclined to attribute this to the ink's...

Hi again all I asked some time ago for people's experiences with Noodler's on Clairefontaine or other similar paper. I got no real answers, so I just went ahead and bought some. For me, Noodler's inks, both the blue and the black, work just fine on that paper despite its slick appearance. (And...

I am curious how many reading or posting to this newsgroup are left-handed; also how has it has affected your use of fountain pens. I have read that a large percentage of fountain pen users are left-handed. There is a good bit of information about this on John Mottishaw's excellent...

Have the following, more reductions, a couple of new items, paypal preferred, $2 shipping in US, at cost to other countries, shipping combined on multiple item purchases, more info at . Thanks! 1) Mont Blanc Noblesse Series II Silverplate FP, made circa 1992, no longer made, fine...

The Chinese government is obviously behind all of the fake pens. They are trying to undermine truth, justice and the American way. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=967&item=6517412519&rd=1

I just watched this film again, starring Robin Williams and Annabella Sciorra. There's a scene, about a quarter of the way into the film, where Sciorra's character writes in her journal with either a burgundy Hero '329' or more likely a '330'. It's a bit hard to see the shape of the barrel end, and...

These make wonderful gifts, are great additions to a collection (buy the lot and have an instant Bombay collection!), or striking user pens. All fountain pens take standard international cartridges. Shipping is $3 in US, at cost to other countries; happy to combine shipping on multiple...

Hello - Pardon the newb. Are there any places that you know of that sell Parker 51 parts? There's always the chance that I'd be better off purchasing another pen, eBay or otherwise, but I'd just like to refurbish one I already have. I am not only referring to the Vac, but other parts as well -...

Dear Googlers, Day 20 of the contest results are posted; only 10 days remain! http://www.ramblingsnail.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=558 The last leg of the contest is going to be my favorite. All you need to do is post the most captivating and unique fountain pen experience. Post your story...

I recently replaced a much-loved Parker 75 that I'd lost many, many years ago. However, the nib that came with it is a 'Broad' (marked 'B' on the feed). I've done a search and can only seem to find replacements that are calligraphic or that are unclear as to the place of manufacture. As a...

I've got some slightly old Shaeffer Skrip blue/black cartridges. I guess I bought the box of cartridges ten years ago or so, and just got around to using them lately. I refill cartridges, so I notice what's going on in them. Well, this Skrip blue/black isn't all liquid. While in use there are...

Well, they couldn't repair my Waterman Laureat I, but they sent me a Harmonie GT to replace it, for only $10. So now I have a Waterman Laureat that only needs a new clip. Anyone have one? And how do I remove the tassie that holds the clip in place?

I received a Parker 51 "Special" pen in 1962. I used it very infrequently at that time. Unfortunately it once to a nose dive to the floor and wrote very scratchy after that. I stored it since the early 1960's and came upon it recently. I would like to know if this pen is worth repairing so that I...