It is wonderful to see the young using fountain pens! I have been using and collecting fountain pens for over 50 years. I have tried to teach my children the use of fountain pens and cursive writing who are much older than you to no avail..." Que sera, sera". Good luck in your journey and kudos from NYC🗽.
This video is so great, I can't thank you enough for this. As a child I lived in Europe for 2 years and in school we were required to use fountain pens for homework and in writing class. (Pencils only for math). And so I have always loved fountain pens from an early age, but didn't keep up with them past the age of 10 or 11 when I returned to the US. Back then I only knew about the small plastic cartridges. When I got older, and doing my MBA, my group won a competition for a marketing class, and as a prize, each of us was gifted a really beautiful Cartier fountain pen, with our names engraved! This one has the piston type, which I never understood how to fill, and even so, this pen was too special for me to even dare to try and use. I have been saving it, since my MBA graduate school days, back in 2008. Yep, 15 years. Since finding your videos a week or two ago, I bought my first Hobonichi cousin, and you reminded me how much I loved fountain pens as a kid, and also water coloring since my college days. Well, just now, I was courageous enough to take out my pen, and now I finally understand the piston thing (thank you!) and when I look at the nib... sure enough, it says "18K" in very tiny letter! (I had to take a photo of with my phone and zoom in to see it better b/c I could hardly believe my eyes...) so.... I THINK this might be a gold nib pen, (although the exterior color of the metal is silver..) I always felt it was a magical treasure in my desk draw all these years, but now, I think it's even more special. Thank you for this helpful video! I'm going to get ink and just start using it. Treasures should be enjoyed! ^__^
There is a thing called white gold. It looks like silver but is actually gold. It is supposed to be a lot stronger than regular gold, and it often asked for for wedding rings/bands.
I love you 🤣🤣 "it depends on how you use it" ... if you buy a bunch of bottles and don't use them it doesn't save you money... me: so if you want to save money, never watch a video featuring Ferris Wheel Press Ink 🤣🤣🤣
I just bought a Lamy LX and a bottle of Emeraud de Chivor. I'm not going to buy anything besides this pen and ink, since I just wanted a nice feeling pen with teal ink. Might buy a nib or two if I feel like medium just won't cut it.
I literally just bought 4 bottles of FWP ink and am currently on their website looking at how I can throw more money at this hobby that I don't need. LOL
Helen, I've watched several hundred pen videos, and this covers most of what you need to know. Especially for a beginner. Your presentation is very concise and fun to watch. Thanks....
As a 30-year fountain pen veteran, I learned everything the the hard way. This is an EXCELLENT primer on fountain pens. Especially the "economics" of bottle ink. :)
omg i just wanna say i genuinely love ur videos so much. they're so comforting and easy to watch but i wish u weren't so hard on urself helen :( u dont even have to post videos at all but u put so much into ur videos when ur so busy otherwise so thank u for providing us with content !! i wish u could see urself the way we do
I have never used a fountain pen but due to many planner/journal videos, I’ve become interested in trying one out but had no idea where to start. This video was amazing and so informative and easy to understand!
I was taught to write with fountain pens as I went to a church school. I have therefore been using fountain pens for 51 years now and I would never change. I love the variety of inks available from bottles.
I've been immersed in the world of fountain pens for the past 4-5 months, and everything I've learned during this time is perfectly summarized in this video. If this had been my first introduction to fountain pens a few months ago, many questions (and a significant amount of money) would not have been spent since then. Currently, my daily workhorses are the TWSBI Diamond 580 with a medium nib and another one with a fine nib. At home, I prefer using a Lamy Safari with a Z53 Medium Nip to avoid carrying my TWSBIs everywhere each day. I hope that fellow ink and fountain pen enthusiasts come across this video sooner in their journey down the rabbit hole of ink. It could save them from the same questions and expenses I encountered when I first delved into this fascinating hobby. The Post Its were beautifully illustrated and designed - great work! I will share it with the little group of Ink-Friends (there are not many of them, the most of my friends dont understand whats up about Ink)
I want to say that I got back into my fountain pens and now exclusively use a fountain pen to write every day because of you Helen. The twsbi fountain pen is the most beautiful and comfortable fountain pen I have ever used. I didn’t start out with this pen and so I quickly fell off using fountain pens but since I bought these new pens (oh yeah I purchased another one right after my first one cause I loved it so much lol) I have not been able to put them down. Best recommendation ever! Thank you so much Helen.
I also bought my first fountain pen for myself, a TWSBI, because of Helen. Prior to that I only used a European dip pen from ages ago for drawing. I’m thrilled that I’m now thoroughly addicted.
Great video and lots of good information for someone who’d like to venture into using Fountain pens. And like I said before, that white sticky needs to be made into a sticky note pad with the Emoti and fountain pen doodle! Love it!!!❤
I tend to obsessively research things before taking the plunge and fountain pens have been no exception. Through all the videos and articles I've read, this is the single best beginner guide I have seen! So many videos are loud and in your face OTT enthusiastic *cringe*. While that energy is fine sometimes, it's a bit grating when they're all like that! This video is such a calm and soothing introduction to fountain pens 😌 Thank you! 💙✒
Bravo and thank you for a clear, comprehensive video. Very good for one about to shop for a fountain pen and paper. I especially appreciate that you don’t present the information as a fountain pen know it all, but as an ordinary person.
I can't wait to see what you do with the post-it notes, they are so dang cute! As a follow up, I think folks would love a deep dive into inks. I LOVE shading inks but only use them in my journals. I am on my second bottle of Sailor 123 and 224 and have used almost a whole bottle of Yurameku Yoi. I amaze myself because I don't share samples, lol!!
Hahaha you will see in my february planner update I think! Ooo great video idea, that will be next on my series! Light shading inks like 123 are definitely my favourite when it comes to personal journaling, and a good dark shading ink is also perfect for more "functional" writing hehe
This was super helpful, I know it is an older video but I am finally finishing my fountain pen ink cartridges and wanted to see what else was out there, thanks again.
Such a great, easy-to-understand, creative and informative video! For someone that knows absolutely nothing about fountain pens, this was the BEST starter guide. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge! ❤ You're the best Helen!
Nice video. Great information and presentation! You covered exactly what I needed. And I didn't even know WHAT that was! So your knowledge is appeciad. Very nice voice. It is very relaxing and easy to listen to. It is very important when a beginner is taking in new and complicated information. I'm an artist, so I appreciate ink and pen. I haven't used a fountain pen for 50 years. And today, it's all very different. But I love to learn new things, and I appreciate nice tools. Thank you very much for the great video. BTW, you have beautiful writing. TFS. Austin TX USA
Thank you for making this video! I went down the fountain pen rabbit hole a few years ago and was overwhelmed by the amount of resources and terminology😅 I like that your tips and explanations were very concise and very understandable, especially when comparing the different forms of fountain pens (which I couldn't grasp in the past)! I really like your more informative videos and I hope you do more in the future😊
Hello, Thank You so much for this amazing video. I am not a beginner anymore but this is super helpful as I have a variation of dip pens for writing use but mostly I like to use them for sketching! Sometimes is super hard to find basic information and just get the full explanation of where you are in your pen journey. I often come across videos where they do deliver the information but for a specific pen or real basic pen. Maria
Thanks for this video Helen even though it’s a year old! I’ve just got into fountain pens. I went back to fix my Noteworthy basket after watching this video. Now I can place my order 😬. I’ll have to save up to buy an expensive one for my birthday 😅. Awesome video 💜.
Its beyond nice, truly amazing - I'm very jealous! I recently acquired some Pilot Kakuno pens which I think are brilliant for the price and IMHO great for both beginners and fossils like me. Their steel medium nibs have a beautiful feel and are comparable to European fine nibs but their CON-70N converters need to be purchased separately which almost doubles the purchase cost (my converters are in the mail so I'm yet to try them but the reviews I've seen are positive). I do have several more expensive pens and love the Visconti 23K Paladium nibs but I find that, whilst the piston fillers can be very good, pens with converter fillers make thoroughly flushing ink between fillings easier and more effective which makes the pen work better for longer.
If someone is looking for a convenient fountain, I highly recommend the Traveler's Company brass fountain. It's a little bit more pricey as a starter pen, but as I have continued my collection, I find myself going back to over and over again as a great everyday carry. It's small and compact but because its made out of brass it has a good weight. It's very easy to clean and while you will have some plastic waste from the ink cartridges, it's certainly less than a full pen body. The design is lovely and simple and the brass looks gorgeous as it patinas. I think that my handwriting in the fine nib is comparable to 0.7 mm gel pen. If you see it in a store definitely give it a try! Lovely video as always Helen
Thank you for this video! I have recently decided to learn calligraphy by using a fountain pen (something I've always wanted to learn since I was a kid). This video was very helpful and easy to follow.
FWIW, if you’re new to fountain pens I’d recommend using another blue ink besides the Carts you have. This ink is water resistant which can also mean it can also be a pain to clean out when you are ready for another color. And difficult to clean up when you spill some… Pilot makes another dozen or so blue inks that would be far less difficult to deal with. Waterman’s is solid bet, if you just need a ink to work and easy clean up.
First of all, I'm a veteran fountain pen user. I got my first fountain pens in the early 60s when I was in fifth grade. But the main reason I wrote was because I was super impressed beginning at about 0:25 of this video when you showed pages from one of your journals, even if only for a second or two. Your handwriting is superb! Now that I'm retired I have plenty of time to practice my penmanship. I do cursive, while your journal is all printing. I guess it's a style you chose to use all caps. I started in the 1960s with inexpensive Sheaffer cartridge fountain pens, which at the time were under $1.00. I have an Eversharp fountain pen, which takes the same cartridges as Waterman pens, of which I have two. I also have a Parker Sonnet. But starting this year I discovered Platinum pens. I have several Preppy pens which cost under $7.00. Then, to get "elegant," I bought a Platinum Plaisir, whose innards can be interchanged with my Preppy pens. What I like about the Platinum pens is a feature called slip 'n seal, which Platinum claims will let ink stay wet for up to a year of non use. I never go more than two days so I don't know how true that is. My Parker Sonnet and Waterman Phileas pens will start to go dry after two days, so Platinum is my go-to pen. In this video I only have one disagreement with you, and that's in regard to gel pens. If I'm careful about only pressing the point to the paper gently, I get the same feel as with a fountain pen. I use Pilot G-2 pens and refills, extra fine (0.05) and ultra fine (0.038). What you were saying about gel pens was how I would describe ball point pens. I only get writer's cramp from ball points. Well, this 73-year-old curmudgeon will stop now. I enjoyed your video immensely. Thank you for helping beginners enter the fountain pen world.
Love how informative and sincere this vid is! =D Something I learned as a beginner is that some brands offer a little bit of flexibility to you with interchangeable nibs or a lot of cartridge colors, which could be really useful for you depending on what you need the pen for!
Just in time! Started out getting interesting in fountain pens and this video popped up near the top search results. This video clarified all questions that I have, thank you so much!
As a new Fountain Pen user I really appreciated this video. My first pen is the Lamy Al-Star and so far, I'm really enjoying it. I can see this becoming a rather expensive hobby that I'll be getting into as I love customization and colour. Thanks to your vid I'm now looking at Twsbi Eco!
I enjoyed this, even though I've been using fountain pens for decades! Back when I was in high school we only had access to big-name brands like Parker - it's amazing how it's become a whole hobby in recent years, with so many beautiful inks to choose from. I definitely have more than I could use in a lifetime 😅
Years ago, my first fountain pen , in 6th or 7th grade, was a Shafer, with cartridges... I also remember having another pen that filled with a little lever on the side of the barrel that folded out and drew up the ink as you moved it outward. Don't know why I walked away from them in college. Perhaps because I couldn't take class notes fast enough with that quality level of pen. So happy to have found the fountain pen rabbit hole, this TCMC community, and the fountain pen enthusiasts within it.
Fun and informative video. I really appreciate how you broke down each of the points as well as adding pros and cons for everything. This is for sure beginner friendly (I know nothing and am curious!) so thank you for taking the time to make this video
Precious information and discussions on fountain pens. Thanks a lot for bringing to light many unknown facts about fountain pens. Benefitted quite a lot
Thanks for taking the time! Great guide. I’m coming back to fountain pens after many years (we were forced to use them at High School, so I wasn’t keen on them when I left)! I just ordered a Lamy Al Star and a converter - should arrive this week!
This was really helpful! I always wanted to use a fountain pen and bought a cheap one to practice, before buying the more expensive ones. You really explained the different types of fountain pens clearly, thank you!
I get an immemse amount of joy from putting away holiday decorations; so it is nice to hear someone say they enjoy cleaning & maintenance of fountain pens 😄
I understant if you tossed them, but I you turned those postits into a little zine. I would definitely buy it to store into the little pocket on my fountain pen case as a reference. This was so concise and informative. Thank you for posting it!
Thank you Helen, because of your love for fountain pens I started to use mine more often. And for testing if I really want a piston fountain pen I bought a converter for my Lamy Safari to try it out. I‘m really excited. Thank you so much for sharing this love.
Excellent! Thank you very much. I used to use fountain pens (very cheap ones) in my school years (in communist Czechoslovakia in seventieths), later on I of course switched to ball pens and now, becoming rather old, I am switching back and looking for some information. Yours are, once again, excellent. Oh, and as for your fun fact: being a perfectionist is a virtue, not a sin. ;-)
Thank you for this. Even though I've been a fountain pen user since elementary school, I always have problems filling the converters to the max. I thought it was just me. I love your Pelikan.
I haven't fully delved into fountain pens yet, I'm afraid to go down that rabbit hole 😆. I do have some cheap ones that I've bought from Five Below and Pop Shelf and I do like writing with them. Love your videos Helen.
I am so glad you did this video. I just buy a fountain pen 🖋️ and I love writing with it. I believe I have a steel nib. Thank you for this video I now know what to look for.
I got a Parker IM Black/Gold fountain pen for christmas (which is my first fountain pen ever) cause I wanted tobtry them out. It looks great, but there was nothing even close to an instruction on how to use it properly. Fortunately, that lead me to go here on youtube to search for a video for us noobs, which lead me to this amazing video. You broke down the basics for these fountain pens very well and dor that I will subscribe to your channel! Thanks for all the info!
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I am still new to them (Pilot Kakuno and Twsbi Eco new, lol) and I appreciate you breaking down types of nibs and inks along with filling mechanisms. I am still using samples while I figure out which ink I like and your video was very helpful!
Fantastic beginner fountain pen guide. Thanks for all of the information. Funny you should recommend the TWSBI pen; that was one of the fountain pens I was leaning towards.
This is a very complete and thorough video actually, it's literally everything a new user will need to get into fountain pens, one thing that is missing though is talking about royal blue inks, I made the mistake of buying a 50ml Lamy blue bottle as my first ink, ignoring that it fades easily by design and it's really intended for school kids only (like most blue inks), had some trouble at work when I found that out (missing signatures are a real problem). Not a bad ink but it has been sitting in my drawer for the past 4 years and I don't plan of using it again in the near future, that ties to your explanation regarding the economical aspects of inks, that only counts if you use them otherwise you are really better off with cartridges.
I bought a Twsbi after seeing one of your videos. This is a great informational video for beginners. I'm not a Total novice but I still learned a few things. Thanks!
i've been considering getting my first fountain pen because when i asked about law school essentials they recommend fountain pens and also you can apparently only use fountain pens for some exams so this was super helpful!! i've learned so many new things about fountain pens too and it appeals to me that they decrease hand cramps and are a bit more eco-friendly (considering you only have one)
TWSBI it is! I will probably buy a cerulean one or dark blue. Blue and black are my favorite colors. Thank you for making informative videos for beginners like me. ❤
Firstly. Just wow, excellent video. The effort is noticed. Secondly, your handwriting is superb. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I’m a little jelly. Probably so much you could spread me on toast. Finally, this video does weird things to my heart, and I appreciate you for that. I’ve been an admirer of fountain pens… I won’t divulge that information as it would date me at the tender age of thirty-three. 😉 But honestly, I was, at first, forced into them. I was homeschooled, and Dad always thought writing and cursive were essential skills and ones that were being lost. So he forced us to ALWAYS write in cursive and with fountain pens. It was part of my English lectures. It was one of my favorite classes as it would unfold, though I didn’t know it then. So, let’s flash forward a decade or so later… Plot twist: the old man wasn’t crazy! Did you know that they don’t teach cursive anymore in America? 😢 But I digress. I appreciate that the skill is making its way back. It’s my favorite part of the workday other than obsessive amounts of coffee. I sit down, pull out my pocketbook, and write out my daily tasks. It’s the small things in life. 🖊
Awesome video, Helen! Since you show the Vanishing Point, I'd also say ... if you are a lefty, consider how you hold your pen before you make that purchase -- and if you have the opportunity to test it out, do so before buying. That clip really interferes with some left-handed methods of holding the pen.
Loved this intro and how simple you made a massive topic (that freaks me out, to be honest) - when I'm ready to dive in I'll do so with your rec and this video in mind!
Thank you Helen, you shared some great information and just enough that it wasn’t overwhelming. I really enjoyed it. My handwriting is not great but I’m slowly working on it. If I ever decide to try a fountain pen I will be referencing this video for sure 😊
thank you so much for this! i've been wanting to get into fountain pens but they're really intimidating lol. this was really comprehensive and helpful! xx
Thank you Helen! I just bought a Platinum Preppy in the fine (0.3) nib and it's really fun. I do find it to be easier on my hands as well. It uses cartridges like the ones you displayed. I would like to try the piston loading pens with bottled ink - I just haven't gotten that far yet. Take care!
Thank you Helen this was very informative! I started getting interested in fountain pens when I watched yours and many other videos of the Stationary Fest in New York. I am excited to choose my first ever fountain pen.
Thank you for sharing this, I just recently got a twist thingy pen from an advent box and did not know how to fill it up and was about to do it the wrong way 😢. Lucky I have not made an attempt yet but I do know from the first part of your video is that I need to find a good ink bottle to try and play with. ❤
I always had to write with fountain pens in primary school and I kinda miss the act of refilling the ink and keeping the empty cartridges... this video has made me consider going back to fountain pens
Your video is sooo helpful! I just started down the fountain pen rabbit hole, with a TWSBI Swipe, as I wanted to start with cartridges but have an option to go into bottled inks with a converter. I do love it. Already shopping for my next pen! There are so many pen choices, it's overwhelming, not to mention the inks. Would love to hear about your experience with inks. Thanks, as always ❤️🤗❤️
Great video, Helen! I would add one thing about nibs: if you write heavy/hard (like me), I prefer a medium nib as it looks more like my “normal” handwriting. 🙂
I started my fountain collection last summer. The first one I bought was a Pilot Kakuno not knowing if I would enjoy the experience. Recently I upgraded to the Pilot Prera. To me, this pen feels very elegant and luxurious.
A very fine introduction to fountain pens, ink and paper. I have been using and collecting fountain pens for years! I love cleaning and filling my pens and testing all those different inks. It is so satisfying to write a pen dry, clean it and then choose another fountain pen and ink. Though I must admit I've started buying Clena pens since I watched all your videos. I love that writing experience as well!
This was so amazingly helpful, thank you!! I've been waiting for a fountain pen to be in the budget and will definitely be referring to this video when it is. :)
Something else to perhaps add is that some pens make great drawing pens, while others are maybe more suited to writing. For drawing, one might also want to consider whether an ink is waterproof or not, especially if watercolours or other wet mediums will be used in the drawing. 😊
Hi , love your handwriting , i'm also impress by your preparation , all your notes on posit, you video must take for ever to plan. Nice dedication , Awesome
Hi Helen! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this can of worms🤣 I have one fountain pen, I’ve had for years, and only since mid-January I took it out of my drawer to use on my first Hobonichi. I have always loved the experience of writing with it. In France, it’s encouraged to use fountain pens since primary school and there’s a correction marker that erases the ink for when typos happen. I’m looking at getting one or two more pens as I want to experiment with other colours of inks. I use cartridges at the moment and have a lot of them in blue. I will take your advice and keep in mind the points you have made.❤
Hehehe my pleasure and thank you for watching!!! I know fountain pens are so much more popular in Europe! I'm jealous of all the fountain pen brands Europe has haha
I am curious which fountain pen do you have? What size nib is it? I am always curious about writers who have only one pen. I bought one pen and the another and another.😅
Helen- great work on this fountain pen video for beginners! I agree that fountain pens can be eco-friendly (e.g., think of how many disposable pens end up in landfills, though there are programs for recycling these).
One pen option that you didn't mention and I didn't see when I quickly glanced through the comments is the Jinhao X750. They're available for just under $10 at Goulet Pens and are even less on eBay. While the Jinhao X750 isn't a piston fill pen (it takes both cartridges and converters) the Goulet #5 steel nibs fit this pen. At $14 a nib and six different nib sizes, I wish I had known about this option before I'd fallen very far down the fountain pen rabbit hole.
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It is wonderful to see the young using fountain pens! I have been using and collecting fountain pens for over 50 years. I have tried to teach my children the use of fountain pens and cursive writing who are much older than you to no avail..." Que sera, sera". Good luck in your journey and kudos from NYC🗽.
If your children don't want your pens you can send them to me.
@@Hez-r7hHahaha pass them onto me as well haha
Vintage Fountain pens? Can you adopt me?
This video is so great, I can't thank you enough for this. As a child I lived in Europe for 2 years and in school we were required to use fountain pens for homework and in writing class. (Pencils only for math). And so I have always loved fountain pens from an early age, but didn't keep up with them past the age of 10 or 11 when I returned to the US. Back then I only knew about the small plastic cartridges. When I got older, and doing my MBA, my group won a competition for a marketing class, and as a prize, each of us was gifted a really beautiful Cartier fountain pen, with our names engraved! This one has the piston type, which I never understood how to fill, and even so, this pen was too special for me to even dare to try and use. I have been saving it, since my MBA graduate school days, back in 2008. Yep, 15 years. Since finding your videos a week or two ago, I bought my first Hobonichi cousin, and you reminded me how much I loved fountain pens as a kid, and also water coloring since my college days. Well, just now, I was courageous enough to take out my pen, and now I finally understand the piston thing (thank you!) and when I look at the nib... sure enough, it says "18K" in very tiny letter! (I had to take a photo of with my phone and zoom in to see it better b/c I could hardly believe my eyes...) so.... I THINK this might be a gold nib pen, (although the exterior color of the metal is silver..) I always felt it was a magical treasure in my desk draw all these years, but now, I think it's even more special. Thank you for this helpful video! I'm going to get ink and just start using it. Treasures should be enjoyed! ^__^
There is a thing called white gold. It looks like silver but is actually gold. It is supposed to be a lot stronger than regular gold, and it often asked for for wedding rings/bands.
Wow what a treasure indeed! Hope you enjoy using this extra special pen🫶
I am brand new to fountain pens and I can't thank you enough for the valuable information you provided.
I love you 🤣🤣 "it depends on how you use it" ... if you buy a bunch of bottles and don't use them it doesn't save you money... me: so if you want to save money, never watch a video featuring Ferris Wheel Press Ink 🤣🤣🤣
LOOL it's trueeee hahaha.
I just bought a Lamy LX and a bottle of Emeraud de Chivor. I'm not going to buy anything besides this pen and ink, since I just wanted a nice feeling pen with teal ink. Might buy a nib or two if I feel like medium just won't cut it.
I literally just bought 4 bottles of FWP ink and am currently on their website looking at how I can throw more money at this hobby that I don't need. LOL
Helen, I've watched several hundred pen videos, and this covers most of what you need to know. Especially for a beginner. Your presentation is very concise and fun to watch. Thanks....
Thank you so mcuh Dan! I appreciate this!
As a 30-year fountain pen veteran, I learned everything the the hard way.
This is an EXCELLENT primer on fountain pens. Especially the "economics" of bottle ink. :)
omg i just wanna say i genuinely love ur videos so much. they're so comforting and easy to watch but i wish u weren't so hard on urself helen :( u dont even have to post videos at all but u put so much into ur videos when ur so busy otherwise so thank u for providing us with content !! i wish u could see urself the way we do
Oh goodness, thank you so much! I appreciate you
I have never used a fountain pen but due to many planner/journal videos, I’ve become interested in trying one out but had no idea where to start. This video was amazing and so informative and easy to understand!
I was taught to write with fountain pens as I went to a church school.
I have therefore been using fountain pens for 51 years now and I would never change. I love the variety of inks available from bottles.
What a FABULOUS breakdown of the topic. Very well-organized and such a soothing voice. Very impressed! Thank you for sharing.
I've been immersed in the world of fountain pens for the past 4-5 months, and everything I've learned during this time is perfectly summarized in this video. If this had been my first introduction to fountain pens a few months ago, many questions (and a significant amount of money) would not have been spent since then.
Currently, my daily workhorses are the TWSBI Diamond 580 with a medium nib and another one with a fine nib. At home, I prefer using a Lamy Safari with a Z53 Medium Nip to avoid carrying my TWSBIs everywhere each day.
I hope that fellow ink and fountain pen enthusiasts come across this video sooner in their journey down the rabbit hole of ink. It could save them from the same questions and expenses I encountered when I first delved into this fascinating hobby.
The Post Its were beautifully illustrated and designed - great work!
I will share it with the little group of Ink-Friends (there are not many of them, the most of my friends dont understand whats up about Ink)
I don’t want fountain pens, but because it’s a Helen video I still watched LOL. Also this video has the cutest thumbnail pic ever.
Aww haha thank you so much!!!
Please do more fountain pen how to videos (cleaning/filling etc.). I love the post-it breakdown. It's a very cool style.
I want to say that I got back into my fountain pens and now exclusively use a fountain pen to write every day because of you Helen. The twsbi fountain pen is the most beautiful and comfortable fountain pen I have ever used. I didn’t start out with this pen and so I quickly fell off using fountain pens but since I bought these new pens (oh yeah I purchased another one right after my first one cause I loved it so much lol) I have not been able to put them down. Best recommendation ever! Thank you so much Helen.
I'm so sooooo so happy to hear this! Glad you love the twsbis as much as I do!
I also bought my first fountain pen for myself, a TWSBI, because of Helen. Prior to that I only used a European dip pen from ages ago for drawing. I’m thrilled that I’m now thoroughly addicted.
Great video and lots of good information for someone who’d like to venture into using Fountain pens. And like I said before, that white sticky needs to be made into a sticky note pad with the Emoti and fountain pen doodle! Love it!!!❤
YES!!! Hehe love yah Helen!!
I tend to obsessively research things before taking the plunge and fountain pens have been no exception. Through all the videos and articles I've read, this is the single best beginner guide I have seen! So many videos are loud and in your face OTT enthusiastic *cringe*. While that energy is fine sometimes, it's a bit grating when they're all like that! This video is such a calm and soothing introduction to fountain pens 😌 Thank you! 💙✒
Wow thank you for this high compliment!!! I appreciate your support
Bravo and thank you for a clear, comprehensive video. Very good for one about to shop for a fountain pen and paper. I especially appreciate that you don’t present the information as a fountain pen know it all, but as an ordinary person.
Super helpful! One of THE BEST intro videos out there! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
I can't wait to see what you do with the post-it notes, they are so dang cute! As a follow up, I think folks would love a deep dive into inks. I LOVE shading inks but only use them in my journals. I am on my second bottle of Sailor 123 and 224 and have used almost a whole bottle of Yurameku Yoi. I amaze myself because I don't share samples, lol!!
Hahaha you will see in my february planner update I think!
Ooo great video idea, that will be next on my series! Light shading inks like 123 are definitely my favourite when it comes to personal journaling, and a good dark shading ink is also perfect for more "functional" writing hehe
Those are awesome inks. I blame Drew from Goulet Pens for why I call these Rain Fluff and Thunder Fluff, respectively 😂
What size is your nib, f,m or broad, since you said you are on to the second bottle
@@san2881 For Sailor 123 and 224, I use fine nibs with custom grinds. I journal and plan a lot and only use fountain pens for everything else. 😅
@@amyalphabet722 thanks
This was super helpful, I know it is an older video but I am finally finishing my fountain pen ink cartridges and wanted to see what else was out there, thanks again.
You’re welcome! So glad it helped!
This is by far the best video I ever saw about the basics of fountain pens. You explain it very clear and in a quiet way. Thank you!
Superb intro video to fountain pens. I found it really helpful - thank you!
Such a great, easy-to-understand, creative and informative video! For someone that knows absolutely nothing about fountain pens, this was the BEST starter guide. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge! ❤ You're the best Helen!
Aww thank you so much Abi! I'm glad it was helpful!!!
TWISBI fans unite! I got the black rose gold as my 1st TWISBI and it's a staple in my little collection. Highly recommend as well!
Ohhhhhh that is a beauty!
@@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo also just scooped up the Jade and rose gold ECO T...I need a pen for my green inks. lol
This was awesome Helen! Would you eventually make a video on how to clean them?
Ooo yes I can definitely do that!!!
Nice video. Great information and presentation! You covered exactly what I needed. And I didn't even know WHAT that was! So your knowledge is appeciad. Very nice voice. It is very relaxing and easy to listen to. It is very important when a beginner is taking in new and complicated information. I'm an artist, so I appreciate ink and pen. I haven't used a fountain pen for 50 years. And today, it's all very different. But I love to learn new things, and I appreciate nice tools.
Thank you very much for the great video. BTW, you have beautiful writing. TFS. Austin TX USA
Thank you for making this video! I went down the fountain pen rabbit hole a few years ago and was overwhelmed by the amount of resources and terminology😅 I like that your tips and explanations were very concise and very understandable, especially when comparing the different forms of fountain pens (which I couldn't grasp in the past)! I really like your more informative videos and I hope you do more in the future😊
This was a fantastic primer to the hobby! Well organized, great flow, just a treat! Thank you for making this.
Hello,
Thank You so much for this amazing video. I am not a beginner anymore but this is super helpful as I have a variation of dip pens for writing use but mostly I like to use them for sketching! Sometimes is super hard to find basic information and just get the full explanation of where you are in your pen journey. I often come across videos where they do deliver the information but for a specific pen or real basic pen. Maria
Thanks for this video Helen even though it’s a year old! I’ve just got into fountain pens. I went back to fix my Noteworthy basket after watching this video. Now I can place my order 😬. I’ll have to save up to buy an expensive one for my birthday 😅. Awesome video 💜.
Your handwriting is nice. That is what makes the fountain pens attractive
Its beyond nice, truly amazing - I'm very jealous!
I recently acquired some Pilot Kakuno pens which I think are brilliant for the price and IMHO great for both beginners and fossils like me. Their steel medium nibs have a beautiful feel and are comparable to European fine nibs but their CON-70N converters need to be purchased separately which almost doubles the purchase cost (my converters are in the mail so I'm yet to try them but the reviews I've seen are positive). I do have several more expensive pens and love the Visconti 23K Paladium nibs but I find that, whilst the piston fillers can be very good, pens with converter fillers make thoroughly flushing ink between fillings easier and more effective which makes the pen work better for longer.
If someone is looking for a convenient fountain, I highly recommend the Traveler's Company brass fountain. It's a little bit more pricey as a starter pen, but as I have continued my collection, I find myself going back to over and over again as a great everyday carry. It's small and compact but because its made out of brass it has a good weight. It's very easy to clean and while you will have some plastic waste from the ink cartridges, it's certainly less than a full pen body. The design is lovely and simple and the brass looks gorgeous as it patinas. I think that my handwriting in the fine nib is comparable to 0.7 mm gel pen. If you see it in a store definitely give it a try! Lovely video as always Helen
Thank you for this video! I have recently decided to learn calligraphy by using a fountain pen (something I've always wanted to learn since I was a kid). This video was very helpful and easy to follow.
FWIW, if you’re new to fountain pens I’d recommend using another blue ink besides the Carts you have. This ink is water resistant which can also mean it can also be a pain to clean out when you are ready for another color. And difficult to clean up when you spill some…
Pilot makes another dozen or so blue inks that would be far less difficult to deal with.
Waterman’s is solid bet, if you just need a ink to work and easy clean up.
First of all, I'm a veteran fountain pen user. I got my first fountain pens in the early 60s when I was in fifth grade.
But the main reason I wrote was because I was super impressed beginning at about 0:25 of this video when you showed pages from one of your journals, even if only for a second or two. Your handwriting is superb! Now that I'm retired I have plenty of time to practice my penmanship. I do cursive, while your journal is all printing. I guess it's a style you chose to use all caps.
I started in the 1960s with inexpensive Sheaffer cartridge fountain pens, which at the time were under $1.00. I have an Eversharp fountain pen, which takes the same cartridges as Waterman pens, of which I have two. I also have a Parker Sonnet. But starting this year I discovered Platinum pens. I have several Preppy pens which cost under $7.00. Then, to get "elegant," I bought a Platinum Plaisir, whose innards can be interchanged with my Preppy pens.
What I like about the Platinum pens is a feature called slip 'n seal, which Platinum claims will let ink stay wet for up to a year of non use. I never go more than two days so I don't know how true that is. My Parker Sonnet and Waterman Phileas pens will start to go dry after two days, so Platinum is my go-to pen.
In this video I only have one disagreement with you, and that's in regard to gel pens. If I'm careful about only pressing the point to the paper gently, I get the same feel as with a fountain pen. I use Pilot G-2 pens and refills, extra fine (0.05) and ultra fine (0.038). What you were saying about gel pens was how I would describe ball point pens. I only get writer's cramp from ball points.
Well, this 73-year-old curmudgeon will stop now. I enjoyed your video immensely. Thank you for helping beginners enter the fountain pen world.
I’m new to fountain pens and I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you!!
Wow! What a nice video! I really loved the presentation - with those Post-it notes as a sort of menu/index - Great! I also envy your handwriting
Thank you very much!!!! This comment made my day ^_^
Love how informative and sincere this vid is! =D
Something I learned as a beginner is that some brands offer a little bit of flexibility to you with interchangeable nibs or a lot of cartridge colors, which could be really useful for you depending on what you need the pen for!
Just in time! Started out getting interesting in fountain pens and this video popped up near the top search results. This video clarified all questions that I have, thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
As a new Fountain Pen user I really appreciated this video. My first pen is the Lamy Al-Star and so far, I'm really enjoying it. I can see this becoming a rather expensive hobby that I'll be getting into as I love customization and colour. Thanks to your vid I'm now looking at Twsbi Eco!
Welcomeee! I love Lamy Al-Stars ^_^
I enjoyed this, even though I've been using fountain pens for decades! Back when I was in high school we only had access to big-name brands like Parker - it's amazing how it's become a whole hobby in recent years, with so many beautiful inks to choose from. I definitely have more than I could use in a lifetime 😅
Aww thank you Anne!!! Hahaha Parker is definitely a classic!!!
Years ago, my first fountain pen , in 6th or 7th grade, was a Shafer, with cartridges... I also remember having another pen that filled with a little lever on the side of the barrel that folded out and drew up the ink as you moved it outward. Don't know why I walked away from them in college. Perhaps because I couldn't take class notes fast enough with that quality level of pen. So happy to have found the fountain pen rabbit hole, this TCMC community, and the fountain pen enthusiasts within it.
Fun and informative video. I really appreciate how you broke down each of the points as well as adding pros and cons for everything. This is for sure beginner friendly (I know nothing and am curious!) so thank you for taking the time to make this video
Precious information and discussions on fountain pens.
Thanks a lot for bringing to light many unknown facts about fountain pens.
Benefitted quite a lot
Thanks for taking the time! Great guide. I’m coming back to fountain pens after many years (we were forced to use them at High School, so I wasn’t keen on them when I left)! I just ordered a Lamy Al Star and a converter - should arrive this week!
This was really helpful! I always wanted to use a fountain pen and bought a cheap one to practice, before buying the more expensive ones. You really explained the different types of fountain pens clearly, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I get an immemse amount of joy from putting away holiday decorations; so it is nice to hear someone say they enjoy cleaning & maintenance of fountain pens 😄
I understant if you tossed them, but I you turned those postits into a little zine. I would definitely buy it to store into the little pocket on my fountain pen case as a reference. This was so concise and informative. Thank you for posting it!
I second the zine idea
Best beginner's guide that I have seen. Well done! :)
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you Helen, because of your love for fountain pens I started to use mine more often.
And for testing if I really want a piston fountain pen I bought a converter for my Lamy Safari to try it out. I‘m really excited.
Thank you so much for sharing this love.
Excellent! Thank you very much.
I used to use fountain pens (very cheap ones) in my school years (in communist Czechoslovakia in seventieths), later on I of course switched to ball pens and now, becoming rather old, I am switching back and looking for some information. Yours are, once again, excellent.
Oh, and as for your fun fact: being a perfectionist is a virtue, not a sin. ;-)
Thank you for this. Even though I've been a fountain pen user since elementary school, I always have problems filling the converters to the max. I thought it was just me. I love your Pelikan.
Me too!!!! So annoying haha
I haven't fully delved into fountain pens yet, I'm afraid to go down that rabbit hole 😆. I do have some cheap ones that I've bought from Five Below and Pop Shelf and I do like writing with them. Love your videos Helen.
Same here and I know it's inevitable now that I'm hooked on the cheap ones on my 160gsm journals -how would a $45+ one work compared to my $5? 😂
I am so glad you did this video. I just buy a fountain pen 🖋️ and I love writing with it. I believe I have a steel nib. Thank you for this video I now know what to look for.
Yay I hope you love it Jayjay!!!
This video was so well put together and thought out. Even not being a beginner I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a few things, you are amazing 💕
Thank you Melissa! This means a lot!
Lot of truly useful information. There’s always something to learn. One day you will be a very kind teacher. 😊
Not new to fountain pens but new to your channel. Great job! Subscribed and looking forward to watching all you have to offer.
Awesome! Thank you Lester!
I got a Parker IM Black/Gold fountain pen for christmas (which is my first fountain pen ever) cause I wanted tobtry them out. It looks great, but there was nothing even close to an instruction on how to use it properly.
Fortunately, that lead me to go here on youtube to search for a video for us noobs, which lead me to this amazing video. You broke down the basics for these fountain pens very well and dor that I will subscribe to your channel! Thanks for all the info!
I'm glad this was helpful!! Enjoy your fountain pen Jonathan!
I like the set up this video. Very educational and artistic
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I am still new to them (Pilot Kakuno and Twsbi Eco new, lol) and I appreciate you breaking down types of nibs and inks along with filling mechanisms. I am still using samples while I figure out which ink I like and your video was very helpful!
It's my pleasure Juanita!!! It sounds like you are on the right track hehehe. I hope you love your fountain pens!
Fantastic beginner fountain pen guide. Thanks for all of the information. Funny you should recommend the TWSBI pen; that was one of the fountain pens I was leaning towards.
Glad it was helpful!! I hope you love it, if you decide to pick it up ^_^
This is a very complete and thorough video actually, it's literally everything a new user will need to get into fountain pens, one thing that is missing though is talking about royal blue inks, I made the mistake of buying a 50ml Lamy blue bottle as my first ink, ignoring that it fades easily by design and it's really intended for school kids only (like most blue inks), had some trouble at work when I found that out (missing signatures are a real problem).
Not a bad ink but it has been sitting in my drawer for the past 4 years and I don't plan of using it again in the near future, that ties to your explanation regarding the economical aspects of inks, that only counts if you use them otherwise you are really better off with cartridges.
I bought a Twsbi after seeing one of your videos. This is a great informational video for beginners. I'm not a Total novice but I still learned a few things. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!!
This was exactly the video I needed!!!! I’m a brand new fountain pen person looking to buy my first pen! Thank you♥️
i've been considering getting my first fountain pen because when i asked about law school essentials they recommend fountain pens and also you can apparently only use fountain pens for some exams so this was super helpful!! i've learned so many new things about fountain pens too and it appeals to me that they decrease hand cramps and are a bit more eco-friendly (considering you only have one)
This video really helped me to get started with fountain pens. It
takes the intimidation out of their complexity.
TWSBI it is! I will probably buy a cerulean one or dark blue. Blue and black are my favorite colors. Thank you for making informative videos for beginners like me. ❤
Wow Helen! Thank you for sharing all the fountain pen information!!
My pleasure!!
Wonderful video. You were very through with explaining about fountain pens and all that goes with this wonderful hobby. I love your blue Pelican.💕
Firstly. Just wow, excellent video. The effort is noticed. Secondly, your handwriting is superb. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I’m a little jelly. Probably so much you could spread me on toast. Finally, this video does weird things to my heart, and I appreciate you for that.
I’ve been an admirer of fountain pens… I won’t divulge that information as it would date me at the tender age of thirty-three. 😉 But honestly, I was, at first, forced into them. I was homeschooled, and Dad always thought writing and cursive were essential skills and ones that were being lost. So he forced us to ALWAYS write in cursive and with fountain pens. It was part of my English lectures. It was one of my favorite classes as it would unfold, though I didn’t know it then.
So, let’s flash forward a decade or so later… Plot twist: the old man wasn’t crazy! Did you know that they don’t teach cursive anymore in America? 😢 But I digress. I appreciate that the skill is making its way back. It’s my favorite part of the workday other than obsessive amounts of coffee. I sit down, pull out my pocketbook, and write out my daily tasks. It’s the small things in life. 🖊
Thanks for a terrific introduction to the hobby!
Your writing is incredible!
I'm 21 seconds in and I need to comment I LOVE your handwriting!
Awesome video, Helen! Since you show the Vanishing Point, I'd also say ... if you are a lefty, consider how you hold your pen before you make that purchase -- and if you have the opportunity to test it out, do so before buying. That clip really interferes with some left-handed methods of holding the pen.
Thank you for the tip!!
I'd say it interferes with right handed people too.unless it's just me.
Excellent presentation. The accompanying drawings were fun too. I am just beginning trying fountain pens. I will try Pilot Varsity and TWSBI to start.
Hehe thank you so much Vickie!!! I hope you enjoy your fountain pen journey!
Absolutely spectacular skill. You are a fountain pen virtuoso. Your presentation skills are wonderful too.
Loved this intro and how simple you made a massive topic (that freaks me out, to be honest) - when I'm ready to dive in I'll do so with your rec and this video in mind!
I'm glad it was helpful Audrey! I do hope you give it a shot!
Thank you Helen, you shared some great information and just enough that it wasn’t overwhelming. I really enjoyed it. My handwriting is not great but I’m slowly working on it. If I ever decide to try a fountain pen I will be referencing this video for sure 😊
Yay I'm glad it was helpful!!!! You definitely don't need "great" handwriting to try fountain pens, but I totally understand!
thank you so much for this! i've been wanting to get into fountain pens but they're really intimidating lol. this was really comprehensive and helpful! xx
Thank you Helen! I just bought a Platinum Preppy in the fine (0.3) nib and it's really fun. I do find it to be easier on my hands as well. It uses cartridges like the ones you displayed. I would like to try the piston loading pens with bottled ink - I just haven't gotten that far yet. Take care!
Yay I'm glad you're enjoying it!!!
Thank you Helen this was very informative! I started getting interested in fountain pens when I watched yours and many other videos of the Stationary Fest in New York. I am excited to choose my first ever fountain pen.
Thank you for sharing this, I just recently got a twist thingy pen from an advent box and did not know how to fill it up and was about to do it the wrong way 😢. Lucky I have not made an attempt yet but I do know from the first part of your video is that I need to find a good ink bottle to try and play with. ❤
Lovely video, thank you! May be next time think about including a comparison between modern and vintage nibs and flex vs stiff nibs? Great voice too!
I always had to write with fountain pens in primary school and I kinda miss the act of refilling the ink and keeping the empty cartridges... this video has made me consider going back to fountain pens
Your video is sooo helpful! I just started down the fountain pen rabbit hole, with a TWSBI Swipe, as I wanted to start with cartridges but have an option to go into bottled inks with a converter. I do love it. Already shopping for my next pen! There are so many pen choices, it's overwhelming, not to mention the inks. Would love to hear about your experience with inks. Thanks, as always ❤️🤗❤️
Ooo I'm glad you're loving it Denise!!! Definitely take things slow and figure out what you like!
Wow your hand writing is crazy, it is so so neat, wish i could write like that.
Great video, Helen! I would add one thing about nibs: if you write heavy/hard (like me), I prefer a medium nib as it looks more like my “normal” handwriting. 🙂
Ahh good tip!!
I started my fountain collection last summer. The first one I bought was a Pilot Kakuno not knowing if I would enjoy the experience. Recently I upgraded to the Pilot Prera. To me, this pen feels very elegant and luxurious.
The Pilot Preras ARE gorgeous!!!
I love my Kakuno.❤ What color Prera did you buy? I think you can swap nibs with the Kakuno and the Prera. Happy writing.
I heard the kakuno and prera use the same nib ❤😊
Thank you for all of the clear information. As a bonus, your voice is very soothing. :-)
A very fine introduction to fountain pens, ink and paper. I have been using and collecting fountain pens for years! I love cleaning and filling my pens and testing all those different inks. It is so satisfying to write a pen dry, clean it and then choose another fountain pen and ink.
Though I must admit I've started buying Clena pens since I watched all your videos. I love that writing experience as well!
Thank you Nathalie, this means a lot!!! There is room for both gel pens and fountain pens hehe
This was so amazingly helpful, thank you!! I've been waiting for a fountain pen to be in the budget and will definitely be referring to this video when it is. :)
I hope you get to try a fountain pen one day!!!!
Something else to perhaps add is that some pens make great drawing pens, while others are maybe more suited to writing. For drawing, one might also want to consider whether an ink is waterproof or not, especially if watercolours or other wet mediums will be used in the drawing. 😊
ur voice is so soothing
Hi , love your handwriting , i'm also impress by your preparation , all your notes on posit, you video must take for ever to plan. Nice dedication , Awesome
Hi Helen! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this can of worms🤣 I have one fountain pen, I’ve had for years, and only since mid-January I took it out of my drawer to use on my first Hobonichi. I have always loved the experience of writing with it. In France, it’s encouraged to use fountain pens since primary school and there’s a correction marker that erases the ink for when typos happen.
I’m looking at getting one or two more pens as I want to experiment with other colours of inks. I use cartridges at the moment and have a lot of them in blue. I will take your advice and keep in mind the points you have made.❤
Hehehe my pleasure and thank you for watching!!! I know fountain pens are so much more popular in Europe! I'm jealous of all the fountain pen brands Europe has haha
I am curious which fountain pen do you have? What size nib is it? I am always curious about writers who have only one pen. I bought one pen and the another and another.😅
This is so helpful and timely! Im starting to like FP and thinking of getting one. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Helen- great work on this fountain pen video for beginners! I agree that fountain pens can be eco-friendly (e.g., think of how many disposable pens end up in landfills, though there are programs for recycling these).
My pleasure Jacqueline!!! Hope to lure more people into this fun world hehehe
Thank you for this intro to using fountain pens. Please do a video on all things clean when using ink and how to keep your hands clean. Thank you.
Thank you, your writing is beautiful!
Thank you!! Very awesome and simplistic video. I have been wanting to try my first fountain pen. ✒️
One pen option that you didn't mention and I didn't see when I quickly glanced through the comments is the Jinhao X750. They're available for just under $10 at Goulet Pens and are even less on eBay.
While the Jinhao X750 isn't a piston fill pen (it takes both cartridges and converters) the Goulet #5 steel nibs fit this pen. At $14 a nib and six different nib sizes, I wish I had known about this option before I'd fallen very far down the fountain pen rabbit hole.
I just never owned a Jinhao before so I couldn't give a recommendation for them! Thank you for the informative comment!
JinHaos can be wonderful starter pens. There are Jinhao 82 that one can be a couple and then swap the bodies and caps for a different color pen.
You know what?? I've been wondering when will you make another video about fountain pens and I received notification of this video!!!
Aww I hope you enjoyed it!!!