Advice for a newbee

KCat wrote:

Sonam Dasara wrote:

I disagree with you concerning the 250 - I believe that it's the same
nib as in the 400, but even if it is not, it is an excellent nib with some
nice flex. Perhaps yours was damaged?


The only difference is that the 250 nib is almost always single-tone and the
400 nibs vary (single or two-tone.)

Otherwise, there should be no quality difference other than individual
variation.

I actually prefer steel nibs most of the time. There are a few exceptions -
the two-tone 400 nib in EF for example.

Richard Binder's customized nibs are interchangeable among 200, 400, and
600 series (including 700). He explicitly states that they aren't
interchangeable with the 150, and he doesn't mention the 800's or larger.

David

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 17:47:25 +0800, "Free Citizen"
schreib am:

Free I don't know what your problem with your 250 is but mine
Free works like a song. And the nib is not a cheapy. It is solid
Free 14K and slightly flex. If you don't like that kind of feel
Free of course you can opt for the steel ones. for me, those
Free write like a door nail.

hmmm... my 200 nib is more flexible than any of my gold pelikan nibs,
including the vintage ones that are supposed to be somewhat flexible.
what's especially nice about the flex on my m200 nib is that it
doesn't make the nib any more scratchy. so not only is it more
flexible than the gold ones, it's just as smooth. at any rate, it's
much softer than the steel nibs on other cheap pens (and some not so
cheap pens).


--


Once upon a time, four AMPHIBIOUS HOG CALLERS attacked a family of
DEFENSELESS, SENSITIVE COIN COLLECTORS and brought DOWN their PROPERTY
VALUES!!

Mebsuta wrote:

Hello all,

Simply, what would be a good fountain pen for a beginner? I have no
experience at all with these, but I must have one. I'm leaning toward
Pelikan because of the great reviews I've read, and their esthetics.
Love that blue and silver 805!


I have numerous Pelikans ranging from the 200s up through the M1000
(think nib the size of at least your thumbnail). I've been exceedingly
happy with all but 2. They're both demonstrators and it has nothing to
do with the actual function of the pen and everything to do with the
fact that you see every scratch and scuff from posting the cap and
capping the pen. It makes the material appear "cloudy".

Also check out the Aurora Ideals. They run in about the same price
range as the Pelikan 800s, are very attractive, and excellent writers.
I would be hard pressed to decide what went to the desert island, if I
were going to be stranded.

I started researching pens for my wedding guest book because I wanted
a good signature pen (which is not a FP I learned)

Some people are very reluctant to write with a fountain pen. I work in
a decent size office and several of my employees won't touch my pens.
They always ask for a "real pen, not one of those things you write
with". (No I haven't bothered with a history lesson. Most aren't sure
how to hold it, are afraid of damaging them or just don't want to try.)
This is probably a good thing for some of my pens since I write with ALL
of my pens including the higher end pens.


I'd love to get a Pelikan M805 but I'm just a working stiff and can't
justify the cost. So my question is how do the experts like the
Pelikan 200 Demonstrator series?

The Deutches Telephone Pelikan (grey and fuschia) is a flashy pen
without a high price. You can generally pick the lower end models up
for a decent price on the ePlace.

As far as being a working stiff, it all depends on what you are
comfortable with. Unlike others who have responded to you, I prefer the
pens with the larger girth. I find I get much less "writer's cramp"
writing with a beefy pen, something akin to writing with those extra
large crayons from Kindergarten.

If you have reason to be in the DFW area in October there will be a pen
show with numerous dealers and good prices. There are both new and used
pens available for the test driving as well as some really neat
ephemera. (I wasn't really into some of the older pens, refurbing the
older pens and pen related stuff until after my first show.) If you are
interested, I'll send you the date.

--
Regards,

Angela

Remove "not" from address to reply.

"Mebsuta" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

Simply, what would be a good fountain pen for a beginner? I have no
experience at all with these, but I must have one. I'm leaning toward
Pelikan because of the great reviews I've read, and their esthetics.
Love that blue and silver 805!


Okay, felt a little like goldilocks today at Dromgoole's but I found a pen
that suites me well. They're great people BTW, and I appreciate their time
to let me play. I think she spoiled me though, my first experience with a FP
was with a Dupont, S.T. Orpheo and man was it like butter! Tried the
Pelikans, loved everything but the 200 demonstrator. It's a safe bet I'll be
owing a Pel 805 or an Athens at some point though, VERY nice FP's. Among all
the others, a Cross ATX felt really great, and wrote like a higher end
model. So that's my first fountain pen! Can't wait to get it. This could be
dangerous though, my taste is waaaay to high for this working stiff. Ah
hell, you only live once.

Now for a book or two
http://www.epica.com/

Mebsuta wrote:

Well, I thought I might use a FP as a guest book pen, but with all the
different people using it (up to 200) maybe the chance it could get
damaged would be to high. I'm sure they great signature pens for one
owner, but for 200?

Now I'm thinking maybe a roller ball would be a good signature pen for
about 200 people.

You've had some good advice from others. I wouldn't give up
on using an FP. It just needs to have a stiff nib for
heavy-handed folks used to BPs and, IMO, have at least a
semi-hooded nib so it stays wets a bit longer. Folks have
recommended a couple of stores. Another, that I didn't see,
is Pendemonium: http://www.pendemonium.com (no connection)

If you'd still like to have a FP for your guest book, I'd
call one of the stores mentioned here. They're all good
shops, and the folks are knowledgeable and very willing to
help. They'd have an idea for you, I'm sure.

HTH,
Mark Z.

On 27 Aug 2004 09:28:34 -0700, (svejk) wrote:

OK, if others have had good experiences with 250 nibs then let me
withdraw my comments. I only have one 250, maybe someone palmed off a
dud nib on me. This nib is not just very stiff but also 'dead' in
feel. Smooth and good feed, though. It is the only Pelikan nib that
I have that I dislike, from Pelikanos to my 405. Had I bought the pen
new I am sure that I could have gotten a replacement. My milege has
varied.


I don't know what your problem with your 250 is but mine works like a song.

No, please don't withdraw your comments, just because they're
atypical! This usenet/community/discussion thing doesn't work if
everything has to be unanimous. I think there's value in your
contribution, even if it doesn't match mine. It leads to a conclusion
that either tastes are different (I know, shocking! , or that
Pelikan's quality control isn't perfect. (Although judging from the
volume of replies to the contrary, it still looks pretty good.)

Pat

Email address works as is.

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 12:30:34 GMT, "JP"
2) Levenger's catalogue (that pen version of Peterman's catalogue)
makes reference to nib flexibility in many of their blurbs.
Does anyone know if they really do, specifically that titanium nib.

Anything that Levenger's sells, by definition, has some flex in the
nib. You may have to swing John Brown's 10-pound hammer to make it
bend, but if it bends, Levenger's calls it flexible.

Before you get hung up on flexible, you need to try a really flexible
nib. I tried one at Atlanta (can't remember who had the table set up,
a little help here?), and it took me about 2 minutes to decide it
wasn't for me. I think flexible is similar to true italic -- it may
be fun, but it's not practical for most of us in normal writing. If I
have to make a quick note, I don't have time to make either flex or
italic work right. OTOH, if you're decorating something (like
professional calligraphers routinely do), I guess either could be fun.

Let the flames begin.

Pat

Email address works as is.

"Angela Moak" wrote in message
news:dvRXc.103055$TI1.65585@attbi_s52...

If you have reason to be in the DFW area in October there will be a pen
show with numerous dealers and good prices. There are both new and used
pens available for the test driving as well as some really neat
ephemera. (I wasn't really into some of the older pens, refurbing the
older pens and pen related stuff until after my first show.) If you are
interested, I'll send you the date.

Hey, I'm interested! I'm in OK and have never attended a pen show. Will need
date, location, admission details, and maybe directions if I can't find it
on a map.


--
~~Bluesea~~
Spam is great in musubi but not in email.
Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply.

"JP" wrote in message
news:KPFXc.26822$rT1.12664@trndny02...
PS Questions for the group

2) Levenger's catalogue (that pen version of Peterman's catalogue)
makes reference to nib flexibility in many of their blurbs.
Does anyone know if they really do, specifically that titanium
nib.

Yeah, what's the deal with "flex" as a description? I'm used to it meaning
that it will yield a variable line, thin to thick, according to the pressure
applied while writing normally but I'm getting the idea that it (also?)
means a springy feel w/ no line variation from a few advertised-as-flex pens
that I've tried which lines don't vary a whit.

--
~~Bluesea~~who thinks if you have to press THAT hard, you oughta use a bp
Spam is great in musubi but not in email.
Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply.

Anything that Levenger's sells, by definition, has some flex in the
nib. You may have to swing John Brown's 10-pound hammer to make it
bend, but if it bends, Levenger's calls it flexible.

From what I understand, the titanium nibs are probably semi-flex at best.

Before you get hung up on flexible, you need to try a really flexible
nib.

I kinda disagree here because if you're new to flex and try one that's a wet
noodle and it doesn't work for you, then you might be unwilling to try
semi-flex nibs which can be used as daily writers quite easily for most
folks. I think a range of flex should be tried if you're interested in it.
I've got a Pelikan 120 that is semi-flex by most standards probably. two
Esties which aren't wet noodles but are darn flexy, and the Namiki Falcon
which is flexible (I won't get into the mechanics of "real flex" or "modern
fake flex" but still great for daily writing. Semi-flex allows a person
with a light hand to write quite comfortably and get minor variation. Or
write more heavily and get considerable variation.

but don't just all flex by either end of the spectrum.

have to make a quick note, I don't have time to make either flex or
italic work right. OTOH, if you're decorating something (like
professional calligraphers routinely do), I guess either could be fun.

Let the flames begin.

shoot - no flames, Patrick. Everyone is different. I love obliques - but
have a friend who just can't handle the left-footed obliques even though
she's right handed. Something in how she was taught (the true "Palmer"
method apparently) has made such nibs miserable experiences for her. But I
love 'em and in fact much prefer to write with a pen with an oblique stub or
what I call a "sharp" oblique stub. (these are about 6-8 degrees vs. the
standard 15-deg seen in most stock obliques such as Pelikan or MB.

I have one of Richard Binder's Cursive Obliques - no problem with it at all.
But it gave my friend fits. so.... I just think that try before you buy is
the best answer of all. And I have a cursive italic that I often use for
daily writing as well. just depends on what *You* like to use. For
high-speed,
gotta-get-this-info-down-as-fast-as-possible-before-my-brain-quits-working
writing - either an oblique stub or a standard nib is usually best (for me.)
But even my sharp stubs don't hinder my speed much. An italic does somewhat
and a 15-degree oblique does a tad too.

Funny thing - despite all those varieties of nibs - I can't use a straight
stub comfortably - this is just a soft version of an italic which I can use!
go figure.

I wouldn't take levenger's word on flexibility definitely - but I have heard
the titanium nib of the Samba is more flexible than a nail at least. :-)