Thursday, November 22, 2007

Deo Gratias!

Like most of those I read, I am thankful for life, breath, food, shelter, the love of God, salvation, my family, and my friends. But also, I am thankful that fountain pens persist, more than forty years after they were overshadowed by the ballpoint.

I enjoy writing on paper. And no writing instrument is so comfortable for long stints of writing by hand on paper than a fountain pen. They require almost no pressure or effort, and can be held at a more comfortable angle than other pens. If you prefer to write with a light hand, find one and give it a try! Remarkably inexpensive models can be found at I Sell Pens and His Nibs.

2 comments:

Shakespeare's Cobbler said...

How do these oldies compare in terms of the perpetual problem of ink anti-proliferation, i.e. the way ballpoints always seem to run dry? Also will they actually run out of ink slower or faster and how much easier is it to replace the ink rather than having to carry around a bunch of extra pens just in case?

Arkanabar Ilarsadin said...

The answer to all of your questions is, "It depends on the pen." If you spend enough money to get a reconditioned Parker "51" (NOT the 51 Special Edition, or SE) or Sheaffer Touchdown filler, you will get a pen with a very long write-out indeed. My Dad bought his Parker "51" around 1954, and it is still in use today. Heaps of good, objective info can be found at Richard's Pens, and tons of opinion and advice can be found at The Fountain Pen Network.
I will always prefer a fountain pen to all others, even though they are not always the most convenient.