Ordered my beginner setup

[Shave_Rat]

I already had the Rhodia webplanner on the way, and just placed a second order (split shipping with a friend that was also looking for a new FP), so in addition to the webplanner I'm getting a Rhodia notebook/journal, the FP cleaning set (cleaning bulb, syringes, bottle of the FP cleaner), a bottle of Noodler's X Feather, and a Pilot Metropolitan (black with the dots pattern on the barrel).

I'll have to decide if I want some good regular type paper or such for letter writing type applications or not, now. The penpal thing is intriguing, just not sure I'd have enough to say to make it worth while getting involved in. lol

 

[Mick]

I'll have to decide if I want some good regular type paper or such for letter writing type applications or not, now. The penpal thing is intriguing, just not sure I'd have enough to say to make it worth while getting involved in. lol

If you have an office super store near you (all carry it). Take a look at the Southworth 32lb cotton bonded paper. Is more of a "pedestrian" paper but it is nice and you can get envelopes in the same heavy weight matching paper. I like the Ivory myself.

 

[Shave_Rat]

If you have an office super store near you (all carry it). Take a look at the Southworth 32lb cotton bonded paper. Is more of a "pedestrian" paper but it is nice and you can get envelopes in the same heavy weight matching paper. I like the Ivory myself.

OK, cool... I'm no where near where I could write decently on paper without some guildlines or grid dots or something though, that's for sure. lol

 

[rockviper]

Just pop a lined sheet underneath and you should be good to go!

 

[Rockminer]

Rat;

I'm trying, real hard, to stay out of the NIB, don't need another vice LOL. Sounds like you have some great gear coming.

I have been intrigued with the penpal idea as well. I think if you send something to Syngent, he can help break the ice. ( i'm not sure this site has uncovered all of the vices he has )

 

[lowjax]

Very cool, ShaveRat. I'm also dancing around the Nib deciding if I want to dip my toe in or not. I think I may take the plunge this year since I have signed up for the Shave Purchase sabbatical. I guess since I can't buy shaving stuff, I have to buy fountain pens.

Looks like a nice starter set.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Just pop a lined sheet underneath and you should be good to go!

OK, after I get into the new year a couple weeks, I'll look into that paper that Turtle suggested, and the lined paper under it idea, see how that works out.

Rat;

I'm trying, real hard, to stay out of the NIB, don't need another vice LOL. Sounds like you have some great gear coming.

I have been intrigued with the penpal idea as well. I think if you send something to Syngent, he can help break the ice. ( i'm not sure this site has uncovered all of the vices he has )

For trying to stay out of the Nib, you are failing badly since you are reading and posting to threads in it... just the fyi there. In another thread Snygent actually said that Brianw is sort of the setup person to pm about getting involved in the penpal thing. While I can't speak for anyone's vices other than my own, I can say with a 100% guarantee no part of this site can uncover all of mine. lol It is a family friendly and orientated forum, after all. hehe

Very cool, ShaveRat. I'm also dancing around the Nib deciding if I want to dip my toe in or not. I think I may take the plunge this year since I have signed up for the Shave Purchase sabbatical. I guess since I can't buy shaving stuff, I have to buy fountain pens.

Looks like a nice starter set.

I know you've heard it before with the shaving, but you can dip your toe in pretty inexpensively, really. That pilot metropolitan is like $15. Even the owner of Goulet pens said he has no idea how pilot is selling that quality of a fountain pen at that price point. You can get ink samples for like $1 or $2 each. After that is just paper, and that is pretty easy, as Turtle pointed out, you can find decent stuff at almost any office supply store. lol

 

[Rockminer]

I said I was trying, I never said anything about succeeding. LOL!! The penpal group seems like a fun way to interact with members, which doesn't involve a keyboard. I only brought up Syngent because he seemed very open to helping, but a PM to Brianw would be the best way to go.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I got a surprise Pilot Varsity in the Neverending PIF a while back. That was enough to get my feet wet. In the course of 4 days, including Christmas I got 2 vintage pens (one is already inked and writing), a Calligraphy set, and a Pilot Preppy (clear). I'll defer to the experts, but I think that qualifies as jumping in head first. Now, I'm just looking for excuses to write.

 

[lowjax]

I know you've heard it before with the shaving, but you can dip your toe in pretty inexpensively, really. That pilot metropolitan is like $15. Even the owner of Goulet pens said he has no idea how pilot is selling that quality of a fountain pen at that price point. You can get ink samples for like $1 or $2 each. After that is just paper, and that is pretty easy, as Turtle pointed out, you can find decent stuff at almost any office supply store. lol

Hmm, I wonder if the wife will buy that. "Honest Honey, I took up using fountain pens to save money". After spending way too much on shaving this past year, I don't think that will get me anywhere. lol

I will be checking out Goulet pens though for some good ideas for my birthday.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I said I was trying, I never said anything about succeeding. LOL!! The penpal group seems like a fun way to interact with members, which doesn't involve a keyboard. I only brought up Syngent because he seemed very open to helping, but a PM to Brianw would be the best way to go.

Then you need to pick up a pen and some paper, and sign right on up for that. No reason to resist any further.

I got a surprise Pilot Varsity in the Neverending PIF a while back. That was enough to get my feet wet. In the course of 4 days, including Christmas I got 2 vintage pens (one is already inked and writing), a Calligraphy set, and a Pilot Preppy (clear). I'll defer to the experts, but I think that qualifies as jumping in head first. Now, I'm just looking for excuses to write.

I know after I'd gotten a calligraphy set, no bday/holiday cards I sent out for a long time after were plain and boring. You are only lacking the wax and a seal to really have dove in full head first. lol

 

[jzuzphreek]

I know after I'd gotten a calligraphy set, no bday/holiday cards I sent out for a long time after were plain and boring. You are only lacking the wax and a seal to really have dove in full head first. lol

Not even. We have a seal with our last initial from our wedding invitations! I just need to pick up some more wax. It's stationary that I need.

When I start the letter exchange though, I'm gonna go downtown and pick up some good NOLA postcards. I'll find some tourist trap 5/$1 deal.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Not even. We have a seal with our last initial from our wedding invitations! I just need to pick up some more wax. It's stationary that I need.

When I start the letter exchange though, I'm gonna go downtown and pick up some good NOLA postcards. I'll find some tourist trap 5/$1 deal.

How well do you think they will work with FP inks? I'd expect them to need extra dry time at the least.

 

[jumper]

That's a nice beginner set up. The Metropolitan is widely touted as a great starter fountain pen and I am sure you will enjoy it. The Rhodia paper will spoil you for anything else but there is a lot of nice paper around just the same.

 

[jzuzphreek]

How well do you think they will work with FP inks? I'd expect them to need extra dry time at the least.

Well, I know there are a bunch with cardstock finish on the writing side. My new Noodler's x-feather should work on those. Any that are glossier, I'll just try blotting and see if that works.

 

[Shave_Rat]

That's a nice beginner set up. The Metropolitan is widely touted as a great starter fountain pen and I am sure you will enjoy it. The Rhodia paper will spoil you for anything else but there is a lot of nice paper around just the same.

I actually didn't pick the Rhodia for the paper, exactly. It was merely the only planner I found in my looking around that was proven to be FP friendly with it's paper, and which I also liked the layout of for the use I had for it. Being slightly OCD, the journal then had to match the planner for looks, so the Rhodia notebook it is. lol

I have some of the Bic disposable FP's, and pilot Varisity for work stuff at my desk, they seem to work OK on cheap post its and the free notepads they give us here.

Well, I know there are a bunch with cardstock finish on the writing side. My new Noodler's x-feather should work on those. Any that are glossier, I'll just try blotting and see if that works.

That was one of the bigger factors in me picking the x-feather after going over several ink reviews and the swab tests they have posted. Nice dark really black, less likely to feather on lower quality paper, just in case I decided to start using the Metro at work. If the dry time on the inks is a bit too long for the journal and such, I'll be looking into blotting techniques as well.

 

[syngent]

Rat;

I'm trying, real hard, to stay out of the NIB, don't need another vice LOL. Sounds like you have some great gear coming.

I have been intrigued with the penpal idea as well. I think if you send something to Syngent, he can help break the ice. ( i'm not sure this site has uncovered all of the vices he has )

Thats not quite accurate,.. I had no idea how many vices I had until i came here, and others helped me discouver them... a trend I like to pass along to others lol

And Rat I have letters to write over the next couple of days, if you want shoot me a PM ill send you one out you can see how i start out things and write back if you want

just the fyi there. In another thread Snygent actually said that Brianw is sort of the setup person to pm about getting involved in the penpal thing.

we just have a group in the group section, no one reallys posts much in it, it just has people like us who wish to write and puts those names into one place. When you get in you just PM people and ask if they would like the exchange if they agree off you go, The Mods and Brian keep it locked to keep it a bit under control, specially from spammers and the like since people are trading addresses and the like

but I certainly have the time on my hands to get you going, and for the record, without lined paper i totally suck at keeping the lines straight, and lined paper doesnt show through the G. Lalo lol

 

[Rockminer]

a trend I like to pass along to others lol

Your evil plan is working quite well my friend. I never wanted an FP in my life until now. Have no fear, I have something in the works that I think will give me the ability to repay the favor.

 

[the_edski]

You will be surprised at how easy it is to write a letter once you sit down and try it. Even if its just writing about the weather or events on your block, the person you are writing to hasn't experienced that and will enjoy reading about it (or at least try to enjoy ). In short, don't worry about it, just write!

 

[syngent]

Your evil plan is working quite well my friend. I never wanted an FP in my life until now. Have no fear, I have something in the works that I think will give me the ability to repay the favor.

crap