Trends in the Fountain Pen World
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- Опубликовано: 3 июн 2018
- Let's talk about trends in the fountain pen world and how they can affect your participation in this hobby.
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Perfectly said. A “hobby” is supposed to be fun. There IS invisible ink. I introduced my daughter and a couple of her friends to fountain pens by giving them Platinum Preppy pens eye droppered with Noodler’s Blue Ghost and mini black light keychains at the beginning of their week of Girl Scout camp so they could write secret messages to each other. They loved it and my daughter has refused to use ballpoints at school since. Eventually I will get her a “good” pen, but for now her fountain pen of choice is an inexpensive Pilot Kakuno. Ink of choice? Noodler’s Black Swan in Australian Roses. She is literally the only kid at her school who uses a fountain pen...but she enjoys it, and that’s the whole point.
There’s so much to enjoy in the FP community. And trust me, I’ve jumped in with both feet. Flex - done. Shimmer, sheen, shading - done. It’s just fun trying out new stuff!
Thank you for taking the time to just talk to us ☺️. It doesn’t always have to be about a pen. It good to remember that we are all here because we love fountain pens
Thank you for making this video Dr Brown. Even I was feeling lost sometime back when I found that my lovely Pelikan M800 is actually panned by the old timers who prefer the M1000 because its softer nib provides line variation. M800 is regarded as a 'boring nail'! As has been rightly summarized by you, this hobby (or any hobby for that matter) is all about the joy it brings to you in your own small/personal way. One should feel happy pursuing it and not get distracted by the thoughts & opinions of the wider public. Please keep making such videos. It helps to know that whether you are sitting in Canada or The Netherlands or even in India, the thoughts and insecurities of people are generally the same. Cheers.
Stephen, I would like to see more videos like this. Reviews are very useful, of course, but not everyone is on the brink of making a pen purchase. I enjoy this kind of 'video-essay' if you like, where a pen is not reviewed but you discuss various aspects of the fountain pen hobby. Good video!
Thank you, that is good to know. I intend to do more of these!
Thank you to both of you. Good to hear it, Stephen!
Great advice for all of life!!! It makes me think of clothing too - I've never cared what the trends are. I really like this type of conversation video!!!! Thank you!!!!!
I confess! I prefer blue-black inks and will now hold my head high and make eye contact again;-)
I just like black.
Exellent video that more people need to see! Thank you!
I used to try to match ink to pen and write with stubs or flex nibs and all of that stuff. One evening while trying to pick an ink to write a letter I just gave up and decided I would use only blue and black ink for a week to give myself a break from the silly frustration of picking colors. This was when I discovered that I don't particularly care for fancy colors...I actually value behaviour over anything else now...same thing with nib sizes--my handwriting is most compatible with finer nibs. I am always reading opinions that fine, round nibs are boring and defeat the purpose of a fountain pen to begin with; it's a shame that people fall into that trap.
My favorite inks are Rohrer und Klingner Königsblau and Aurora Black and I like fine, rigid nibs and I am not ashamed!
I am also baffled that so many in the fountain pen community think ballpoint pens are stupid, or inferior. Sometimes a ballpoint is better for the task at hand.
Another interesting trend: modern pens are huge by vintage standards...I have a vintage Sheaffer Balance Oversize that would be considered a standard sized pen by modern standards, if that. Perhaps this is because fountain pens have moved from a strictly practical role into a luxury one?
Thank you, Stephen. The vast array of possibilities (at various price points) is one of the most interesting things about this "hobby" of handwriting. Footwriting on the other hand is getting a leg up as a specialist trend.
Now looking forward to blippety-blue blue as your next SBRE ink! 😊
Let me add my encouragement to those other commenters who enjoyed this video. Of course, I like your pen reviews and encourage you to continue those as well, but these general topic videos I especially appreciate. You have a very pleasant and uncontrived presentation style that I find enjoyable and interesting.
Thanks for making this, and all of the other videos come to that. It’s good to see that someone can combine knowledge, flair and passion with being a decent bloke.
This is excellent. I came to this conclusion a couple of years ago as I looked at all my inks and realized I was using only good old black, blue and red inks. I got a Noodler Ahab to try flexing and found it was not my cup of tea. I like to write with a fountain pen, and it’s the words, not the look of the words I was after. The same with pens. I found I was gravitating to specific brands. I thought, hey, I’m ok Kay with this. If others want flex, shimmer, glitter, then fine. But I was happy with what I was doing. Excellent, excellent video, Stephen. This needed to be said.
Stephen excellent talk about fountain pen trends you hit the nail on the head exactly. I have been in to the fountain pen hobby for many, many years and have seen the changes you described. Also when i first started out the only ink i would by was Parker black Quink and now a have a full array of different colours, also different nib types ranging from very stiff to soft and fex. Thanks again for another awesome video as usual.
Lovely video - great to listen to while I get ready for work. Really enjoyed the general chat/thoughts format. Using my first Parker 51 today, that'll be fun!
Absolutely agree. Thanks for sharing my friend. Have an awesome week.
I got into fountain pens during the flex trend and after years of practice I am finally able to use them properly to produce beautiful script. I have to say it has been an immensely pleasurable experience.
Thanks for sharing your analysis on trends here. Being new to using FP (since last summer) and learning lots from your thoughts and sly humor in your videos, this musing enriches the context in this amazing new hobby. Hope you and A are settling in comfortably in Canada. Looking forward to learning more from you both! Groetjes uit Amsterdam.
Truth! - love your perspective Dr. Brown - especially helpful for folks just getting into the hobby. Thanks!
Just binge watched a ton of your reviews. Just want to give you a huge thanks for all this awesome content - has been really helpful, if slightly financially crippling... I also think your slightly off kilter humour is hilarious (and yeah, the intro is definitely some sort musical representation of your “brand”!). My kids hear the intro blast out and know their dad is watching more fountain pen stuff. Anyway - keep the great content coming and thanks for your efforts!
Professor Brown, thank you for this video. It is one of your best! To paraphrase, don't feel impelled to keep up with current fads and enjoy what you yourself enjoy in the pen hobby.
Best fountain pen video of 2018! A shame that I've seen it so late..
Great video - and your timing is really good :)
And truly this kind of videos are very useful - please do make few more!
I love this excellent video. More of this please, Dr. Brown.
Keep up the good work, Stephen. Thanks for the videos.
Yes! Have fun that is what counts!!! There are so many options you can use them all or just one and everything in between! I also really enjoyed this video.
Very good video. You expressed yourself very well and helped out people struggling with something that should be fun. I would encourage you to do more atypical videos.
Splendid presentation of an important and timely topic. So many times people will observe others and judge themselves not on how they feel personally about a topic but how others feel or worse, how others judge them. Sadly leading to feelings of less than or better than.
Well done!
This was a fantastic video and a much needed reminder--thanks!
Love this!!!
Good and much needed video. Thank you. And more of general interest videos and/or pen talks would be nice.
Thank you -- I agree. People should do what they want. Great video.
Great video, and great advice.
I am such a dinosaur. My first fountain pen was given to me as a gift 40 years ago. It was a Lady Shaeffer with a metal body, floral trim and a fine nib (the only one I possess as I prefer medium). I predate flex-nibs and am quite okay with Royal Blue ink.
I would like to add that the "Fountain Pen World" is what you make of it, not some elusive gold standard that one will never achieve due to lack of funds or taste. My foray into this world has been sporadic and personal - not driven by trends.
I think this is probably your most important video to date.
Thanks for saying it out loud and reminding us that this is supposed to be a fun, communal hobby.
Well said Dr. Brown. For me it's all about finding a blue/black that I like. I dabble with other colours, but the quest for my blue/black continues.
Great perspective! I completely agree with it. Shimmer, flex, celluloid, italics, large, small, slim, fat, etc., etc. There is something for everyone out there and that's the beauty of the hobby. I've been in it for over 10 years now and have tried a bunch of things and yet, all I like is a reasonably soft nib (not flex really) with a medium tip and a good dark blue ink preferably made by Waterman, Aurora, Pilot, Sailor or MB. For me it takes the complexity out of the equation as I don't want to deal with the potential problems that too much flex or shimmer would bring. Social media is so full of folks trying out new things and sharing their experiences which is great. Trends will always be there but it is also the manufacturers who want to sell something new, so their distributors, retailers etc. promote the heck out of it to try and create a trend. That's their livelihood so I can't really blame them for it. It is up to an individual to understand that not everything that everyone talks about is good, sometimes there is some amount of bias, sometimes it is just the initial excitement and sometimes it is genuine fondness.
Nothing's boring in the pen world according to me. If I enjoy it and it works for me, it isn't boring! Whoever finds it boring can go find something that interests them!
Such a great video! I feel exactly the same way.
A little late to the party, having just discovered your videos recently. Maybe it's just paying more attention to fountain pens that suddenly makes it seem like the entire world has discovered fountain pens, but watching you is teaching me things I never knew in the lifetime of using fountain pens. I am one of those Europeans who had to use a fountain pen to learn to write. The habit never left me, and I currently own all the fountain pens I can ever have use for, but you're helping me see a whole new dimension to the exploration of my love of writing with fountain pens. Thank you!
Thank you for making this video. It must break your heart a bit to receive those emails. For me, this FOMO around a set of products is tragic. While it doesn't affect me in the area of fountain pens, it causes me to wonder whether I have FOMO around other kinds of products - and thus ask myself - am I being brainwashed by advertising and marketing more than I realize? Thank you for bringing this up and causing me to take a deeper look at this.
Thank you 💖 very enjoyable video.
Well done Stephen, I appreciate what you are saying here. I can imagine Mark Twain flipping out because his shimmer has faded! A great hobby folks; let's keep it that way.
Frank from Boulder, Colorado
I love listening to you so that is what I will keep doing
in my opinion. my favorite video so far. I do feel the "pressure" of getting new inks/paper which i may not necessarily like for the "trendiness". I like my demonstrators, i like purples/pinks/burgundy. AND IMMA STICK WITH IT
I am absolutely SALIVATING over the amount of different inks on your shelves.
Jajaja (spanish) Hahaha (english)
Me recuerdas a mi padre cuando yo queria unos tenis Air Jordan porque era la moda. Yo soy muy bajito para jugar baloncesto. Gracias a sus consejos aprendí a ser feliz con lo que tengo y puedo hacer.
You remind me of my dad when I wanted a pair of tenis shoes, Air Jordan, because it was a trend. I' too small to play basketball.
Thanks to his advices I learn to ve happy with what I have and can do.
Nice video!
I appreciate you giving us your thoughts! And I couldn't agree more. I'm an observer of life like you are.
This was a free therapy session , thanks Stephen :)
This is very useful! Thank you, Stephen
This is such a good video SBRE. There was a similar trend from the 1920-1950's in German fountain pens with oblique nibs matching and giving a nice look to the then current kurrent and sütterlin schrift.
I started to get into the whole fountain pen hobby recently and have just purchased my first pen. It's so good to hear that. In Brazil fountain pens are insanely expensive and difficult to come by. It's nice to know that it's ok to still love the hobby even though I don't have access to most of the trendy new thing on the market. You're amazing. Thanks for the video
Thanks for sharing your opinion and i am totally agreed with you
Awesome video! I personally was caught up in flex nibs when I started out, but later I found out that I prefer hard non flex nibs.. cheers!
Blippity blue blue ... my fave! Great vid, love your work ;)
I agree fully, well said, that man.
I would add my voice to those below which express an interest in more of these generally reflective or observational rambles, Dr Brown. Thank you.
I still love Waterman Serenity Blue, Namiki Blue and Pilot Blue-Black for my everyday writing, and I've never felt like I had to justify that. Sure, I have dozens of other ink colors, many that sheen and shimmer and shade and are iron gall or whatever, in every color of the rainbow, it seems. They're fun to play with now and then, or to have a change of pace.
But when I need to get down to some serious writing, I still prefer my old workhorse inks in a nails F or EF nib. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's what works best for the writing I do.
100% agree Stephen do what works for you and makes you happy that's the point of a hobby to enjoy it your own way but sometimes there are trends that I'd love to try like a nice soft gold nib but well out my price range but yet I enjoy steel nibs its still a wonderful writing experience and it makes me happy thanks Stephen
I'm a big fan of Parker 51 and 45 pens. I wish the trend for the sleek, simple and modern came back, pens nowadays are all about design characteristics, demonstrator models, thicc barrels and good sized nibs poking out of them. Good thing we have Wing Sung and Moonman.
I like your smile at the end of the video. Very welcoming.
Thank You So Much!!!!!
I love Scheaffer Skrip Blue/Black. Have bought other inks and had fun but for some reason love the classic school Skrip.
Second that! Just got into this hobby two years ago and happy with my Jinhao X750 with oblique broad Knox nib. I've enough with sheeny inks after full on Organics Studio Nitrogen and Walden Pond Blue.
I loved the video. It put a big smile on my face - particularly the blippety-bluey-blue (is Serenity Blue the same as Florida Blue? God knows!). Yes, we need to enjoy!
This is very informative! Pen Fashion haha love it
Perfectly said!!
We partake in a hobby to have fun, if one person likes to take the hobby to the utmost level, that does not mean everyone has too. If you shoot archery, you do not have to go out into the woods and chop down a tree and carve your own bow if you do not want to, and other archers will still be happy with what you choose and enjoy.
Well said. Trying to keep up with new pen models/colors and limited editions can cause stress (emotionally and to the bank account) attempting to collect them all, but in the end it is truly all about the hobby and what makes you happy, as you so well stated.
Wonderful video. I use simple cartridges in the pens I use at work. And often thinking, oh no thats wrong. But it is not! Im some situations its just the way be practical. Again thanks for this video.
Its is important i think in this hobby to be open minded and find what truly is what you seek , taking on board peoples opinions but making up your own mind about what you like and dislike , if you do more of what you like then you will find more happiness , don't run with the crowd because things make them happy, find your own way. There is no normal in this world , thank goodness, because if we were all the same it would be a very boring planet indeed.
Thank you Stephen for doing this video , it's an important message.
Nice video. You have Perfectly captured the trends. But more importantly the point you emphasised on JUST PURELY enjoying the FP hobby is too good.
Please do posting such videos once a month.
They do offer some change from routine reviews.
Thanks
Dr. Vikas
Vikas Bargale -- I definitely agree.
Stephen Brown -- Thanks for the video. I enjoy your "ramblings from the heart." Not only might they help some folks, they also demonstrate your passion for both pens ... and people! Please continue them on whatever subject hits you next.
great video... why don't you do more of these opinion videos?... i find them beneficial... i think others do, too...
Well, Stephen, thanks for reminding all of your fans that they have a right to choose without being thrown out of the club. I remember being instructed in the use of dip pens at the age of nine when the school thought that we were of an age to use ink instead of #2 lead. I followed the trend to use a fountain pen. I never mastered ball points, which always left me with blotchy paper and fingers. As I grew into adulthood and had to work, I continued with FP's even when others snickered. I've bought some expensive pens over the years, but have learned that I'm more satisfied with less expensive pens that i believe offer more enjoyment for the dollar. I like to be cheap. Chinese and Indian pens make me happy and the ones from FPR punch above their weight class. So I'm happy!
I really enjoyed the video. I like fountain pens because they are a fun positive way to relate with people. It is something I care about but has no real major consequences or harms. It is fun to visit a world every so often where the biggest worry is what color ink I should try next and opinions are just opinions not beliefs to maximize the potential outcome for the good of the world and society.
I so agree as a young pen enthusiast. university never ends in that sense, even in this wonderful hobby. but we live in a world that needs vibrant, playful personalities expressed with conviction and joy. one of the many things I love about pens and ink is that somewhere out there, there's an ink and pen pairing waiting for you that expresses who YOU truly are and puts the most personal touch on your writing. you're right, I don't think trends should be an obstacle in that search.
Great video Stephen. The fountain pen market has been on the upswing in the time frame you mentioned. Not to be cynical, as the market grows the suppliers are trying to find ways to use that market for business, and so to re-tap that market new trends are explored or launched. That’s great for consumers who are interested and suppliers who want to make money. Different facets of the market interest different people. I’m in the hobby for what interests me, and not for what interests everybody. Thanks
Wow ! Thanks
Absolutely! Great advice!! I really love colourful pens. They give me a lot of pleasure. I have several little clusters of Pilot’s Metropolitan Retro Pop, and shiny Lamy Al-Star pens set out about my house because I really enjoy seeing them. I find them beautiful. They have a bit of weight and are very nice to hold. The fact that they are inexpensive is completely irrelevant. I’ve bought a few expensive pens too, but only because they’re beautiful. Find your joy and follow it.
Great video - should be almost be a mandatory watch for those getting in to pens and inks. I've not really noticed any 'this is the only way' threads on FPN or FPG, but to a new user looking at some of the discussions there certainly is accidental pier pressure.
amazing vid :)
A very honest and Frank feedback
Point well made, Stephen. I have to admit that my wife and I tend to dabble if something sounds interesting. We have a few shimmer inks (which we only use with dip pens), and we’re getting a nib ground for copperplate. These are things that interested us. If you chase every trend for fear you’ll miss out, you run the risk of adding stress to a hobby that should be FUN. So find out what you enjoy, what you find interesting, and do that.
Well said.
This made me smile a bit :D especially that part that might cause misunderstanding in case of people who have some problem with agency :D
BRAVO
Agree fully.
The current trend is that communications should be electronic, via a 'handheld device' with buttons and lots of apps. So using a fountain pen is itself counter to trends.
Solid advice that can apply to all and any field of hobby lol
enjoyed the video
Wonderful... I have stopped visiting some forums as I did almost a very day because I thought got me caught in things I wanted to try because Everyone was talking about it. That is how I learned, flex is difficult, so is calligraphy with dip nibs, etc... simmering inks, I foresaw that it was a trend or a fad as they used to say. Only to be used to specially writers... newbies are caught in this web sometimes harder than the old practitioners. It’s life... thanks for the ideas thrown here for those caught in those trends that are feeling they are frustrated, not having FUN.
Forgive my typos and horrific choice of words, please.... Apple did it.
Someone I knew way back once talked non-stop enthusiastcally about his keen interest in HiFi equipment, the various kinds of amps, pre-amps, speakers, goldplated connectors, recording media, etc. At the end of his enthusiastic talk I realised that he never mentioned the music he was listening. Hifi equipment like pens are meant for a purpose. To record information or to communicate ideas to others.
Iambic Oh boy, am I in trouble! I’m a fountain pen using, hi-fi enthusiast! LOL When all is said and done it IS about the music which I why I love and support the artists and venues of live music. Live will always be best. In the same way, I love writing and the written word and of course indulging in beautiful books. For all my love of geekery, I’m an ‘analogue’ girl at heart. Even from the age of two, just give me pens, ink, pencils, paint, paper and a lush sounding LP to listen to and I’m as happy as a lark. 😊
Good to see you again. Appreciate hearing your thoughts.
I'd consider, trends - by definition, are transient, so, your salient advice cannot be faulted. I think that, by default, any hobbyist, collector, accumulator will be exposed to all that the fountain pen community has to offer - it's inexorable. One might postulate that certain individuals are more susceptible to such trends, but fundamentally, whether you choose to buck those trends, or endorse them, is entirely up to you. There's one particular line in my favourite film ('A Matter Of Life & Death'), where the main protagonist (David Niven) espouses, "Conservative by nature - labour by experience..." & that may go some way in summing up all that you, Stephen, project here, in this production. Flawless dialogue - thank you !! :D
Lovely advice on just being yourself. Personally, I am not into shimmer or sheen. I love my Waterman, Parker, Sheaffer and Graf von Faber Castell inks, especially blue, purple, green and brown. I have only a couple of bottles of black ink. Not really a fan and only use it for documents. Keep up the good work, and your ‘observation’ videos are just as watchable as your reviews.
Trends are fun because they keep people excited. I like some of them, don't like others. the main thing is to keep people interested in this crazy type of pen and to attract new people.
It took you over 10 minutes to say “ do what you like and enjoy” You are going to be a great Grandpa one day 😂
Ur r the best.....
Well, that was almost eleven minutes well spent. Thank you, Stephen!
Only thing, now I want to try that Blippity-Blue blue ink...:) Or, I may, if you will allow me to use that brand name, just make up a label for one of my usual blue inks and see what reactions I get. :)
I do think flex nibs are pretty neat but I also know that my not quite cursive handwriting makes using flex nibs, for me, fairly pointless. So, I am lately finding joy in medium-ish stub or italic nibs. Those give me nice line variation and show my handwriting to best advantage.
Thank you again, Dr. Brown for your ongoing enthusiasm and general encouragement!
Stephen, loved the video! Being into fountain pens since the late 70's / 80's another "trend" which has occurred is the increase in "girthiness" of FP's I have some older models which today are quite slim compared to what is being put out. Still fun to write with and I still enjoy them. So I am happy!
I agree ! Girth and Size, I think. no use to me ... little missis tinypaws! LOL
I've noticed the same thing myself. Seems to be happening everywhere from pens to watches to cars to waistlines!
Same length of time being into fountain pens. In the 80-'s they still had the 149, except they called it the diplomat or diplomat-149. They also had the M1000. You also had lots of other big and girthy pens. Like the Mont Parnese and of course the Duofold.
What I love about fountain pens and inks are that there is such a wide variety. It's customizable according to one's tastes (for good or bad!).
I think that this platform of discussion is promising and rich in possibilities, yet this particular one feels more like a granting of permission to people to like what they like, rather than a discussion of fountain pen trends. I'm sure there are things happening in the world of fountain pens, paper, ink, nibs, which Dr. Brown has observed and can share.. I've always appreciated his wisdom and perspective.
The last 'byeeeee' always makes my day..
great !!!! " don't drown in trends " i really agree, not only about pens. but 1) i hope the rediscovery of water res / bullet inks will be a trend 2) in italy we have an heartfelt discussion about "flexible, elastic and soft" nibs. incoherence ! hehehehehehehe