Going Away To School: A Back To School Thread

[syngent]

So some of you may be leaving the comforts of your home to go away to school, are you bringing your full Nib line up with you ?, or just some key select pieces ?. Do you leave the good stuff at home or take it along the way ?

Now that you may have to live with a complete stranger for a semester or two does it worry you about leaving a bottle of ink and a pen about ? or is it under lock and key at all times

Just curious how you plan on handling it or have in the past

 

[nuclear_shaver]

I'm a grad student, live in an off campus apt. I own one nice pen (an Edison) and a few cheaper ones (Metro, 78g, Safari). I plan on leaving the nice pens home and only bring the cheap ones I don't mind loosing/getting 'accidentally' picked up to campus. Having lived in a dorm I wouldn't recommend leaving 200 dollar pens around, things definitely have a tendency to walk off, especially if your roommate is not somebody you knew previously, or even if they are; they might have study buddies over who are not as honest.

I plan on leaving ink and such in my office, and maybe a nicer pen at some point. There are many things more valuable around my lab, and security is pretty good.

 

[syngent]

The BIG problem with pens is, most people have never seen or used an expensive pen, and thus don't think of pens as an expensive item... and thus don't think twice about walking off with one. Even well meaning co workers have picked one of my pens up not really meaning to steal from me, but then I don't set a pen down while Im not right there... a dorm room may be a different matter all together with people coming and going throughout any given day

 

[nuclear_shaver]

Yeah if it were me going to a dorm again I would recommend some good cheap pens. Also work on spill proofing your ink, don't need some drunk college student knocking it over . Maybe bring one nice pen, but put it in the back of your sock drawn when not in use...

Edit:
Now I'm curious: How many people here are students? Do you guys take notes/do hw with FP?

 

[blary54]

In college, my go to pens were Pilot G2s. Great writers but cheap/disposable.

 

[RichieRich3902]

Yeah if it were me going to a dorm again I would recommend some good cheap pens. Also work on spill proofing your ink, don't need some drunk college student knocking it over . Maybe bring one nice pen, but put it in the back of your sock drawn when not in use...

Edit:
Now I'm curious: How many people here are students? Do you guys take notes/do hw with FP?

I'm a Grad Student but I do not live on campus and I take my same pen case to class as I do to work during the day. I write all of my papers out long hand as a first draft and I keep most of my notes in a notebook or split with the computer.

 

[syngent]

Any problems with fountain pens traveling in a backpack or messenger bag ?

 

[RichieRich3902]

I carry my pen case and two back ups in my soft briefcase everyday. I never have an issue with a leak or damage.

 

[cursethis]

Any problems with fountain pens traveling in a backpack or messenger bag ?

I've had an eyedroppered Preppy in my backpack for months now. No leakage. That said... it's in a pocket that doesn't take a lot of abuse on the top of the backpack.

 

[Purplemonkey]

I am doing a post grad... Usually carry a couple of my FP's with me in a messenger bag.

 

[Artimid]

First, good luck to all students this semester. Hope you get out soon!

I never had any problems with leaking except with.. a cheap Hero. >_< Otherwise, my bag has pretty much been safe as long as the lids stay on nicely. I took all notes with a fountain pen once I got one, especially once I got the XXF pen. The ability to write as small as I want in a more permanent way without worry of fading? Very nice. For the ink, I was carrying one cartridge that was unused, and two sample vials full of ink in case I needed to refill.

As I contemplate going right back again and grabbing another degree (if I can't get out of this job I am in), I will certainly be going back to guarding my pens with my life. I have a varsity if others came to school and forgot their writing instruments. I still have a few of those Staples Eco notebooks to fill up as well so I am good on paper.

 

[jzuzphreek]

My pen is in my pocket if it's not in my hand. It's just a habit that I formed without really trying. I have no qualms using a nice (as nice as any of my pens are ) at school. I do appreciate the looks I get occasionally when I whip one out.

 

[Vercin]

I've traveled with my fountain pens in my messenger bag(s) .. in the slots of the bag itself (which would keep the pens upright as long as the bag is straight) .. and in separate pouch that goes all over the bag .. had no issues in either case.

 

[syngent]

A neck loop may also work for some

 

[milkmanv1]

Fountain pens are a new hobby for me, and I most definitely will be taking a fountain pen to classes with me, which *sigh* start tomorrow. I have 2 parker 45's, one being my mothers and was well loved, and the other belong to someone on my fathers side but found in a random drawer in my house in the box, looking like it was never used (even came with the matching pencil). Parker 45's are workhorses anyway, and they aren't terribly expensive, so it's a good pen for the purpose.

I wouldn't want to use a really fine/expensive fountain pen in any of my classes, IMO it would be like smoking a pipe with a bunch of cigarette smokers, or riding a horse on the highway ahahah.

However, one last thought. This might be a good place to get a good list going of makes/models of pens that are cheap, have a decent ink capacity (big enough that 1 inking should last you the whole day/3-4 classes worth of moderate note taking) and a nice even ink flow that won't require fiddling with while the professor is telling you something important!

I'm no expert however,so I can't think of anything to recommend, (other than a parker 45) just an idea to contribute to the thread, I'll leave the content of that idea to you all.

 

[syngent]

Lamy safaris are built tough, good choice for school

 

[Taproot]

So far my lamy safari has survived 3 months of hospital rotations with no problems- although a couple attendings almost walked off with it at some point. I don't put expensive or irreplaceable pens on jeopardy.

 

[Vercin]

I filled a whole a4 notebook recently while preparing my math exam .. with my Pelikan Mk with EF nib .. still has a bit of ink left in it. The other one I used with Medium size nib and universal cart lasted much less.

For ink conservation I think that finer nib would be better. Plus like someone mentioned smaller scale writing to jam more info on one page. Plus (usually) faster dry time.

 

[Jayk]

I guess it's time for me to admit that I have a pen, ink, and paper obsession as well. I am just finish up my thesis, but though this degree I have taken all my notes with fountain pens. Initially a cheapy, then a lamy Vista, a pilot perra, and a pelican 2.0 nib calligraphy pen as highlighter. The last three are always with me in my messenger bag. I like to have two different colours for editing and revising and reorganizing paper structures. Plus I can go through my stock of ink drop samples quicker.

I live off campus so residence roommates are not an issue. However, if I had to deal with a roommate, I would keep my nice pens in a safe/ unusual pen location. Also, maybe keep some cheep bics on your desk as distraction pens in case your roommate borrows a pen and the forgets about it.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Last fall I began my note taking with a Pilot Varsity, generously given to my by Mikeschu. In the spring, I upgraded to an Esterbrook Double J, a Sheaffer's Touchdown, and a Platinum Preppy. This semester I find myself with a Parker 21 and a Parker 51 almost always on hand. Who knows what my final semester (Spring 2014) will bring. Perhaps a Pelikan?

I can only hope.