|
I, uh, may have a developing problem.  Now to wait on my inks to come in...
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 16:41
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 23, 2024 05:17 |
|
|
Doctor Hospital posted:I, uh, may have a developing problem. This is a support group that will cheer on your habits, so please go on buying pens, you have our approval.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 18:53
|
|
|
Doctor Hospital posted:I, uh, may have a developing problem. Just keep buying pens. Keep digging that hole and one day you'll definitely reach the other side.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 19:01
|
|
|
Screw your pens together and make a bridge.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 19:26
|
|
|
I feel better with twenty pens than when I did with three, so clearly buying more is the perennial right choice.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 19:26
|
|
|
Doctor Hospital posted:I, uh, may have a developing problem. You certainly do. TWSBI pens have a habit of spraying boiling acid at the head/groin of their users at random intervals. I know because it happened to a friend of a friend of mine *nods* Also I bought another Delta but it's being shipped regular mail from Italy so I look forward to receiving it in October sometime. madmatt112 posted:I feel better with twenty pens than when I did with three, so clearly buying more is the perennial right choice. I have 80 Deltas and I've never felt better.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 20:41
|
|
|
Buying enough Kon-peki ink that I can bath in it. I MUST BE PURE.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 22:04
|
|
|
Doctor Hospital posted:I, uh, may have a developing problem.  Is that a 580?
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 23:21
|
|
|
Yeah, Diamond 580ALR in Prussian Blue with a 1.1mm Stub nib. I like the way it looks and feels in my hand, but I'm not gonna ink it up in the carbon black I already have. I'm waiting on some diamine inks (Oxblood, Majestic Blue, Green-Black) to show up before I use it.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 23:23
|
|
|
The TWSBI 1.1 is just great. I love using it and it makes my very normal handwriting look pretty good. It writes really well too
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 23:34
|
|
|
The only Eco my local shop had in stock had a 1.1mm nib, so I decided to try it out. I love writing with that thing.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2023 23:44
|
|
|
I've avoided posting in this thread because I have a problem. I'm addicted to what I consider pens in the mid-price range ($200-$1200). My favorite pens are Graf von Faber-Castell, Cross, and recently Visconti. Let me know if you want more detail or images about a given pen. Obviously I have a lot more inexpensive pens in boxes but the "expensive" ones are what I concentrate on at the moment. 
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 02:48
|
|
|
Doctor Hospital posted:Yeah, Diamond 580ALR in Prussian Blue with a 1.1mm Stub nib. I like the way it looks and feels in my hand, but I'm not gonna ink it up in the carbon black I already have. I'm waiting on some diamine inks (Oxblood, Majestic Blue, Green-Black) to show up before I use it. I have one inked with Birmingham Pen Company Ice Rink and it’s so great to write with.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 03:02
|
|
|
Is that a Visconti there at the bottom? It looks similar to the Homo Sapiens Dark Age that I dearly want but not quite exactly the same. e: Wow, the Dark Crystal model is a really beautiful piece. But my wallet would scream in agony if I tried to buy one. Doctor Hospital fucked around with this message at 03:33 on Apr 9, 2023 |
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 03:23
|
|
|
It is the Visconti Dark Crystal. https://www.visconti.it/en/pens/homo-sapiens-dark-crystal-collection/ It is amazing and is my current daily pen.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 03:30
|
|
|
crying myself to sleep because you said the mid range is $200 - 1200. not because you're wrong but because it's true
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 03:37
|
|
|
and because the ink is in the window it is .... Jacques Herbin 1798 Amethyste de l'Oural
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 03:38
|
|
|
Sankis posted:crying myself to sleep because you said the mid range is $200 - 1200. not because you're wrong but because it's true I know. Sorry. What is interesting is that you can look into pens and pick what warrants investing in high-end items. I've tried many Mont Blanc pens and I think they are all poo poo. I like heavy pens. More questions are appreciated.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 03:47
|
|
|
Karl Hungus posted:I've avoided posting in this thread because I have a problem. I'm addicted to what I consider pens in the mid-price range ($200-$1200). Me whispering to my drawer full of cheap rear end twsbi eco, pilot metropolitan, lamy safari and dollar store chinese pens: "you're dirt cheap but you're mine and you're perfect as you are"
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 04:59
|
|
|
really, the biggest problem I have with cheap pens is that they dry out too fast otherwise they aren't that bad
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 05:00
|
|
|
sb hermit posted:Me whispering to my drawer full of cheap rear end twsbi eco, pilot metropolitan, lamy safari and dollar store chinese pens: "you're dirt cheap but you're mine and you're perfect as you are" To be honest, I'm considering eyedropper-ing a platinum preppy and using it as an ink tester or something. Out of curiosity I tried my green one on some trash copy paper and it behaved well enough with the stock green ink. Expensive pens are cool but there's also a place for the cheapo ones, too. I'm just trying to talk myself out of the visconti for now
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 07:05
|
|
|
What was the name of the Pilot Vanishing Point clone again? And is it as convenient as a retractable ballpoint pen? By that I mean does it start with no problem and doesn't leak? If I got one, it would spend most of its time on a desk. I've only got Pilot Metros but I like how they feel. I'm just drawn to the idea of a retractable because I get distracted while writing and clicking to close or open the pen is nicer for that than capping and uncapping.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 14:11
|
|
|
sb hermit posted:really, the biggest problem I have with cheap pens is that they dry out too fast I have a Kaweco perkeo that I only use like - once or twice a week and it is never dried out when I go back to it. Thing is magical.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 14:18
|
|
|
Mercury Hat posted:What was the name of the Pilot Vanishing Point clone again? And is it as convenient as a retractable ballpoint pen? By that I mean does it start with no problem and doesn't leak? Tbh just get a real VP. They’re super reliable and nibs can be swapped out if you’re feeling like a change. Even the cheaper steel ones are great.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 16:10
|
|
|
Karl Hungus posted:I've avoided posting in this thread because I have a problem. I'm addicted to what I consider pens in the mid-price range ($200-$1200). My favorite pens are Graf von Faber-Castell, Cross, and recently Visconti. Let me know if you want more detail or images about a given pen. Obviously I have a lot more inexpensive pens in boxes but the "expensive" ones are what I concentrate on at the moment. How did you gravitate toward those brands? I have also moved toward a similar price range of pens but have focused on Pilot, Taccia, and Franklin-Christoph. I’ve been curious about Visconti for their own bodies but have heard the actual nibs and feeds are so-so, which I would consider unacceptable in that price range. Which Visconti do you like most?
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 16:45
|
|
|
Mercury Hat posted:What was the name of the Pilot Vanishing Point clone again? And is it as convenient as a retractable ballpoint pen? By that I mean does it start with no problem and doesn't leak? Majohn A1 is the metal version, A2 is the new resin version. I have a metal one, I keep it in a case for most of the day. Never have a problem with hard starts or leaking, but I’ve only put one converter of ink through it so far. It’s similar enough to a VP’s grip, so it’s not a bad idea to try it out at $30ish before going all in on a VP ($80-$180 depending on nib).
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 17:34
|
|
|
Doctor Hospital posted:Yeah, Diamond 580ALR in Prussian Blue with a 1.1mm Stub nib. I like the way it looks and feels in my hand, but I'm not gonna ink it up in the carbon black I already have. I'm waiting on some diamine inks (Oxblood, Majestic Blue, Green-Black) to show up before I use it. Diamine Oxblood is a great ink, can't speak for the others but next time you buy ink, check out the Pilot iroshizuku line...Momiji, yama budo and syo-ro is my current daily setup.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 19:58
|
|
|
Kon-peki is such a beautiful sky blue and you can never go wrong with it.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 20:50
|
|
|
Keetron posted:Diamine Oxblood is a great ink, can't speak for the others but next time you buy ink, check out the Pilot iroshizuku line...Momiji, yama budo and syo-ro is my current daily setup. Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, and Shin-Ryoku were on my shortlist, but yama budo is pretty striking, and Syo-ro is beautiful.
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2023 22:10
|
|
|
teraflame posted:Tbh just get a real VP. They’re super reliable and nibs can be swapped out if you’re feeling like a change. Even the cheaper steel ones are great. I have both, the VP doesn't get used. The clipless version of the A1 works way better for me.
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 00:09
|
|
|
Karl Hungus posted:I've avoided posting in this thread because I have a problem. I'm addicted to what I consider pens in the mid-price range ($200-$1200). My favorite pens are Graf von Faber-Castell, Cross, and recently Visconti. Let me know if you want more detail or images about a given pen. Obviously I have a lot more inexpensive pens in boxes but the "expensive" ones are what I concentrate on at the moment. Do you see yourself spending more than that range on any particular pen in the future? I can't really fathom spending significantly more than 1200 USD, not because I can't afford it, but because I can't think of any more pens I want. In roughly that neighborhood I've got a 1990s Pilot Urushi #50 (ie a Namiki Emperor but solid color instead of maki-e), a 1970s Pilot signed maki-e double crane Elite, and a 1950s celluloid Montblanc 146. These are obviously way into the diminishing returns zone for writing experience but I'd say everything else has hit diminishing returns too. Anything nicer seems to me too fancy to use regularly (say an actual maki-e Emperor) or too rare and delicate (a 1950s silver ring 149 or some other vintage treasure). And so it came to pass that after filling a 100-slot pen chest (and accumulating numerous biscuit tins of cheaper pens), I really seem to have wrapped up the buying phase of the hobby. Thankfully I realized some time ago that the only ink anyone needs is Waterman Serenity Blue so I'm done in that department too. Could it be that I now have to actually write to entertain myself?!
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 01:36
|
|
|
I got rid of my TWSBI 580s years ago because they were always leaking ink on my fingers. People love them, but both the ones I had were trap pens. Do y'all not have this problem?Doctor Hospital posted:I would also enjoy this. Have some more anecdote: in ten years of using pens I've never had an ink mold. I don't treat them very special at all other than the respect they demand as a substance designed to stain things. grack posted:I have both, the VP doesn't get used. The clipless version of the A1 works way better for me. Can you say more about this? I own three VPs and the only problems I've ever had with them is they dry out faster than capped pens (this is only a problem when I don't write with one for a few weeks). It seems like even if the pen was executed perfectly, its got a steel nib instead of gold so I'd expect it to write slightly worse. Not to go into whether the difference is worth 120 bucks since you already own both. Dad Hominem posted:Could it be that I now have to actually write to entertain myself?! nah. Jaytan fucked around with this message at 02:13 on Apr 10, 2023 |
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 02:08
|
|
|
Jaytan posted:I got rid of my TWSBI 580s years ago because they were always leaking ink on my fingers. People love them, but both the ones I had were trap pens. Do y'all not have this problem? I have a 580 and I only get ink on my fingers when I'm cleaning it. I don't really hand out my pens unless someone wants to try it because no matter what they use, they get ink on their fingers. quote:Have some more anecdote: in ten years of using pens I've never had an ink mold. I don't treat them very special at all other than the respect they demand as a substance designed to stain things. 
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 06:12
|
|
|
I have a ton of 580s (every ALR with the ridged grip, plus the iris) and no issues with any of them. One sees daily use as a pen for shimmer inks that I can take all the way apart for thorough cleaning. From what I’ve heard, it’s not everyone’s experience, but for me, TWSBI is the most reliable sub-$100 pen brand. But then, I seem to attract cursed Pilots, so YMMV.
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 09:55
|
|
|
Silly question, but I have a lot of cheap pens and a lot of cheap inks that bring me a lot of joy, but some of the inks are *very* wet, which makes them hard to use for journaling/note taking which is my main use case. Do any of y'all use blotters? Have a favored blotter brand/design?
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 11:51
|
|
thunderdome winner
|
The only problem I'm having with my 580 is that it's really hard to unscrew the nib to change it. Any ideas on how to do this without breaking it when it's giving me a hard time?
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 14:07
|
|
|
Doctor Hospital posted:Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, and Shin-Ryoku were on my shortlist, but yama budo is pretty striking, and Syo-ro is beautiful. In the end, you will want all of these and that would be the right thing to do. I prefer aso-gao over kon-peki but both have their place in the world. Basically I would recommend to get small bottles for the inks you will likely not use that much and get big bottles for your dailies. Chernobyl Princess posted:Silly question, but I have a lot of cheap pens and a lot of cheap inks that bring me a lot of joy, but some of the inks are *very* wet, which makes them hard to use for journaling/note taking which is my main use case. Do any of y'all use blotters? Have a favored blotter brand/design? Wet inks are good, they allow for wonderful shading. With a Galen Leather 400 page tomoe river notebook came a little piece of what seems to be leather and I use that as a blotter, it works well but there is of course no shading afterwards.
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 14:07
|
|
|
I use some vintage blotters I got on ebay. Some cheesecake ones from local businesses in my hometown. Edit: this is the one I have at hand right now. 
stealie72 fucked around with this message at 16:04 on Apr 10, 2023 |
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 15:41
|
|
|
Muir posted:How did you gravitate toward those brands? I have also moved toward a similar price range of pens but have focused on Pilot, Taccia, and Franklin-Christoph. I’ve been curious about Visconti for their own bodies but have heard the actual nibs and feeds are so-so, which I would consider unacceptable in that price range. Which Visconti do you like most? I started with a Cross Townsend rollerball pen in high school and still have it 25 years later. I like the various themed Cross pens in that style. They've had a number of Star Wars and ecological themed pens. My first "expensive" pen was a Graf von Faber-Castell classic ebony pen. I bought it because I used to go to an art supply store and they carried a full line of Faber-Castell products. They had a number of other manufacturer's pens but I like the weight of that pen line without posting the cap. I have a few in different types of wood / metal and they consistently work great with cartridges. I just recently bought 2 Visconti. First I got the Homo Sapiens Dark Crystal. I tried the original Homo Sapiens Bronze Age pen in a store years ago and wasn't impressed. I tried the Dark Crystal in a store recently and loved the weight and feel. I ordered one online and the nib was garbage. I sent it into their repair service and it now is the smoothest writing pen I own. I then ordered an Homo Sapiens Arizona Sunset because I like the color scheme and design. It wrote great out of the box with no issues. The double chamber design does take some getting used to and I consistently make a mess refilling them. Gloves are definitely needed. https://www.visconti.it/en/homo-sapiens-arizona-sunset-fountain-pen/
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 17:33
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 23, 2024 05:17 |
|
|
Dad Hominem posted:Do you see yourself spending more than that range on any particular pen in the future? I can't really fathom spending significantly more than 1200 USD, not because I can't afford it, but because I can't think of any more pens I want. I can't see spending anything more than what the Homo Sapiens cost ~$1200. Even that is pushing my limit. It will have to really grab my attention to get me to spend that in the future. I have a Cross Darth Vader pen that they originally tried to sell for something like $1000. I bought it directly on the cross website when they put it on sale for 80% off.
|
|
#
?
Apr 10, 2023 17:42
|
|