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🗽.
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....
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
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 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! 💙✒
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 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.
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!
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!!!❤
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.
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😊
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!
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
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 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.
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.
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 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 😄
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.
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 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.
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
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 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.
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!
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. ❤
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
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)
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. ;-)
Precious information and discussions on fountain pens. Thanks a lot for bringing to light many unknown facts about fountain pens. Benefitted quite a lot
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
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!
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. ❤
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!
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 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.
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
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!
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.
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!
This is a great introductory video! I just want to say that using fountain pens is absolutely more sustainable than regular pens. How much just depends on how much you write. I think you'd need to buy a stunning number of fountain pens for it to ever be worse. Why? Because a well maintained foundation pen could last 100 years or more. And because of the investment you're unlikely to lose it. You're probably discounting just how many pens the average person touches/uses in their lifetime. At school. At the bank. At the airport. At work. Anywhere and everywhere there are tons of disposable pens which are lost, found, and thrown away. They hardly last that long and whenever the ink clogs/dries/runs out, you throw the entire pen away. I still have all the fountain pens I've bought, unless I give them away as gifts. I have lots of ink - I've hardly ever run out. But I've never thrown anything in the bin. All the ink is spent in notebooks. Nothing is wasted. Yes, I own a fair few, and you could call that gratuitous, but it's likely still the same as the number of rubbish pens most people have in drawers and nooks that they picked up someplace. When you buy a fountain pen, you take something disposable and ephemeral and you make it permanent and concrete - a beautiful fixture in your life and perhaps the lives of many people after you.
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 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!
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 ❤️🤗❤️
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!
Fountain pens have been around only 140 years. Dip pens go back several more decades. Before that was feather quills or reeds or bamboo etc. Thanks for providing a good starter video. I’ve been using fountain pens since 1990 and support their use for many reasons.
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 😊
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. 🖊
As someone who worked a stationery counter… your video is a fabulous primer for beginners! Almost everything I’d cover when I had to explain how a fountain pen works to customers - especially those who are buying for their friend/boss/colleague because “it looks high class” 😂
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!
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.😅
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.
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.
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. 😊
1. Fountain pens (as opposed to dip pens) came about in the late 1800s (max 150 years ago). 2. “Hobby came about in the last 20 years” is interesting. I’d say fountain-pens-as-hobby have two waves. The first wave predates my involvement, and I’d say started in the 1980s (as they were replaced by the masses by ballpoints), and ended at the turn of the century. Focus of this was on vintage and moderately high end. The second wave is what you describe, as a younger crowd got into it. Gen Xers like me straddle the line. Neat intro for the current state of affairs.
Thank you for your comment Charles! I made these notes off the top of my head without any prior searching so definitely not too accurate. Interesting insight about the waves of hobbists! I think you are right!
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
9:45 A pen of this type is called "Cartridge/Converter" as it is basically a pen that takes factory pre-filled cartridges. But a converter can take the place of the cartridge, that "Converts" the pen into the established style that self-fills from a bottle.
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).
Twsbi is an awesome first fountain pen. I second the recommendation. I heavily caution against buying a Noodler's Ahab as your first pen. It is what I got, and it was a strange experience. After one week all the ink in the barrel was gone. Not because I wrote so much, but it just evaporated. I filled it , and again, in a week, the ink had gone. I use it now exclusively as a dip pen. Oh, and the barrel has a weird, unpleasant smell as well. It was a cheaper pen, about $20, so I guess I got what I paid for. The Twsbi in a fine nib is amazing, the extra fine is kind of scratchy, the broad is great for shimmer inks. I also have a Pilot Falcon medium gold nib and it is so soft and smooth, real joy to write with, especially on the Tomoe River Paper. The Conklin flex nib is a finicky beast and we don't get along very well. Also have a pen with a coarse nib, broad writer, picky about what angle it's held at, don't recommend that one for beginner.
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 for introducing me to fountain pens and in a practical as well as "hobby" way. I loved seeing you use them in your videos to take notes. And I loved seeing them used in your planning as well. I loved to see the ink shade on the page, too. I think that is actually what made me want to try one. Glitter and sheen doesn't thrill me, but shading... 🥰. I've gathered a few (x3!) pens now, and have a few (x infinity!) more on my wish list, but I am really trying to spend some time focusing on enjoying what I have before I add any more. Except that I have all EF and F nibs, so I might choose an M nib to add to my collection before I close it down for awhile. :)
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
A HUGE pro that you didn’t mention about using bottled ink is the sustainability. You buy a fountain pen hopefully for life and then just glass bottles, resulting in a huge reduction of disposable plastic waste. Plastic waste is a monumental issue for us and the planet and this way we’re keeping tonnes of plastic out of the ground and the waterways and our bodies (it’s now been proven that the plastic waste has gotten into our blood through our water, food, and air). For people who do still use disposable pens and highlighters and markers and such, I would at least encourage that these items always be brought to recycling drop-offs made precisely for such materials. In Canada, Staples/Bureau en Gros has drop-offs for all disposable writing utensils; Omer de Serres has them for old or used up art supplies; Wal-Mart has them for old makeup and makeup packaging; Best Buy has them for electronics; and so on. I scrupulously collect everything when it’s finished, sort it into bins I keep in my closet, and do a drop-off whenever I’m going to be near a drop-off store. Sending lots of hugs, Helen, and thanks for the video! I’ll be thinking of you when I’m picking up a new fountain pen later this week. ❤
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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?
Your handwriting is nice. That is what makes the fountain pens attractive
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!
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 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
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!
What a FABULOUS breakdown of the topic. Very well-organized and such a soothing voice. Very impressed! Thank you for sharing.
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)
Please do more fountain pen how to videos (cleaning/filling etc.). I love the post-it breakdown. It's a very cool style.
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
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 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!!!
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!
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
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.
This was awesome Helen! Would you eventually make a video on how to clean them?
Ooo yes I can definitely do that!!!
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!!!
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!!
Super helpful! One of THE BEST intro videos out there! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
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.
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😊
ur voice is so soothing
This video really helped me to get started with fountain pens. It
takes the intimidation out of their complexity.
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 ^_^
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
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
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.
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.
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!!
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 😄
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
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 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!!!
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
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.
This was a fantastic primer to the hobby! Well organized, great flow, just a treat! Thank you for making this.
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? 😂
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!
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. ❤
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 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)
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. ;-)
Precious information and discussions on fountain pens.
Thanks a lot for bringing to light many unknown facts about fountain pens.
Benefitted quite a lot
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
Lot of truly useful information. There’s always something to learn. One day you will be a very kind teacher. 😊
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!
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. ❤
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!
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.
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.
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
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!!!
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 ^_^
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!
This is a great introductory video! I just want to say that using fountain pens is absolutely more sustainable than regular pens. How much just depends on how much you write. I think you'd need to buy a stunning number of fountain pens for it to ever be worse. Why? Because a well maintained foundation pen could last 100 years or more. And because of the investment you're unlikely to lose it.
You're probably discounting just how many pens the average person touches/uses in their lifetime. At school. At the bank. At the airport. At work. Anywhere and everywhere there are tons of disposable pens which are lost, found, and thrown away. They hardly last that long and whenever the ink clogs/dries/runs out, you throw the entire pen away.
I still have all the fountain pens I've bought, unless I give them away as gifts. I have lots of ink - I've hardly ever run out. But I've never thrown anything in the bin. All the ink is spent in notebooks. Nothing is wasted. Yes, I own a fair few, and you could call that gratuitous, but it's likely still the same as the number of rubbish pens most people have in drawers and nooks that they picked up someplace. When you buy a fountain pen, you take something disposable and ephemeral and you make it permanent and concrete - a beautiful fixture in your life and perhaps the lives of many people after you.
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!
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!
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 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!!
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!
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!
Wow your hand writing is crazy, it is so so neat, wish i could write like that.
Wonderful video. You were very through with explaining about fountain pens and all that goes with this wonderful hobby. I love your blue Pelican.💕
Fountain pens have been around only 140 years. Dip pens go back several more decades. Before that was feather quills or reeds or bamboo etc. Thanks for providing a good starter video. I’ve been using fountain pens since 1990 and support their use for many reasons.
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!
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. 🖊
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.
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 ^_^
Because of you I pulled out my fountain pens. ♥️♥️♥️♥️
I like the set up this video. Very educational and artistic
As someone who worked a stationery counter… your video is a fabulous primer for beginners! Almost everything I’d cover when I had to explain how a fountain pen works to customers - especially those who are buying for their friend/boss/colleague because “it looks high class” 😂
Thank you so much Lysandra!!! This means a lot hehe. It does look high class 😂😂
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
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.😅
Wow Helen! Thank you for sharing all the fountain pen information!!
My pleasure!!
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 ❤😊
Thanks for a terrific introduction to the hobby!
Best beginner's guide that I have seen. Well done! :)
Glad it was helpful!
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.
Your writing is incredible!
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. 😊
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!
Absolutely spectacular skill. You are a fountain pen virtuoso. Your presentation skills are wonderful too.
1. Fountain pens (as opposed to dip pens) came about in the late 1800s (max 150 years ago).
2. “Hobby came about in the last 20 years” is interesting. I’d say fountain-pens-as-hobby have two waves. The first wave predates my involvement, and I’d say started in the 1980s (as they were replaced by the masses by ballpoints), and ended at the turn of the century. Focus of this was on vintage and moderately high end. The second wave is what you describe, as a younger crowd got into it. Gen Xers like me straddle the line.
Neat intro for the current state of affairs.
Thank you for your comment Charles! I made these notes off the top of my head without any prior searching so definitely not too accurate. Interesting insight about the waves of hobbists! I think you are right!
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!
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
9:45 A pen of this type is called "Cartridge/Converter" as it is basically a pen that takes factory pre-filled cartridges. But a converter can take the place of the cartridge, that "Converts" the pen into the established style that self-fills from a bottle.
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
Twsbi is an awesome first fountain pen. I second the recommendation. I heavily caution against buying a Noodler's Ahab as your first pen. It is what I got, and it was a strange experience. After one week all the ink in the barrel was gone. Not because I wrote so much, but it just evaporated. I filled it , and again, in a week, the ink had gone. I use it now exclusively as a dip pen. Oh, and the barrel has a weird, unpleasant smell as well. It was a cheaper pen, about $20, so I guess I got what I paid for. The Twsbi in a fine nib is amazing, the extra fine is kind of scratchy, the broad is great for shimmer inks. I also have a Pilot Falcon medium gold nib and it is so soft and smooth, real joy to write with, especially on the Tomoe River Paper. The Conklin flex nib is a finicky beast and we don't get along very well. Also have a pen with a coarse nib, broad writer, picky about what angle it's held at, don't recommend that one for beginner.
Ooo yes I have heard very mixed reviews about the Ahab pens >.
This is so helpful and timely! Im starting to like FP and thinking of getting one. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
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!! Very awesome and simplistic video. I have been wanting to try my first fountain pen. ✒️
Thank you for introducing me to fountain pens and in a practical as well as "hobby" way. I loved seeing you use them in your videos to take notes. And I loved seeing them used in your planning as well. I loved to see the ink shade on the page, too. I think that is actually what made me want to try one. Glitter and sheen doesn't thrill me, but shading... 🥰. I've gathered a few (x3!) pens now, and have a few (x infinity!) more on my wish list, but I am really trying to spend some time focusing on enjoying what I have before I add any more. Except that I have all EF and F nibs, so I might choose an M nib to add to my collection before I close it down for awhile. :)
Aww I'm glad you found it useful Tricia! Shading definitely is gorgeous and I can't wait for you to get into it more! Keep me updated!
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
Great overview of fountain pens!
A HUGE pro that you didn’t mention about using bottled ink is the sustainability. You buy a fountain pen hopefully for life and then just glass bottles, resulting in a huge reduction of disposable plastic waste. Plastic waste is a monumental issue for us and the planet and this way we’re keeping tonnes of plastic out of the ground and the waterways and our bodies (it’s now been proven that the plastic waste has gotten into our blood through our water, food, and air). For people who do still use disposable pens and highlighters and markers and such, I would at least encourage that these items always be brought to recycling drop-offs made precisely for such materials. In Canada, Staples/Bureau en Gros has drop-offs for all disposable writing utensils; Omer de Serres has them for old or used up art supplies; Wal-Mart has them for old makeup and makeup packaging; Best Buy has them for electronics; and so on. I scrupulously collect everything when it’s finished, sort it into bins I keep in my closet, and do a drop-off whenever I’m going to be near a drop-off store.
Sending lots of hugs, Helen, and thanks for the video! I’ll be thinking of you when I’m picking up a new fountain pen later this week. ❤
Such a nice, calming voice. I think you should read fantasy books, like 'song of fore & ice' or 'the Belgariad' etc.
I would definitely listen.
You should have an audio podcast.
Very thorough video. Thank you for your unbiased opinion.
I'm 21 seconds in and I need to comment I LOVE your handwriting!