Paranoia?

[Samjax]

Okay...I'm a total newb in regards to fine writing instruments. The fanciest things I've owned have been Cross Roller Balls and a Fisher Space Pen. The whole Fountain Pen concept has me intrigued though...and so I figure it's time to give them a try.

My concerns...

I wear a white shirt and white lab coat all day; with a fountain pen, is there any chance of the pen leaking and totally destroying both my shirt and lab coat? Or is that a simple lack of education on my part in regards to how modern Fountain Pens operate?

I haven't purchased one yet...and since I travel a lot, I'm thinking a pen that uses cartridges will be more practical at this time. Of the "cartridge" type Fountain Pens - which have proven to be the "safest" in regards to leakage mishap and the most "idiot-proof" in that they always seem to do a good job with minimal maintenance?

I also use my pen to sign agreements, etc...and also allow my patients to use my pen for their signatures, etc... So, I would need a pen that could be used safely by virtually anyone - if such a thing exists.

 

[Dave258]

I wouldn't be too scared of the ink leaking out of the pen while in your pocket thing. I think the only way you may get ink on your shirt through your pocket is if you put you pen in it and forgot to put the cap back on.

There are many nice pens that take cartridges or converters, just depends on what you want to spend to start. If you buy a nice pen, you may want to think about carrying another pen as a loaner, many people who carry nice pens do that.

Welcome to The Nib!

 

[brianw]

A FP/Rollerball set is great for that or

Just carry a parker Jotter for those times

 

[Samjax]

Well...would a Pilot Vanishing Point be a good start or no?

They look pretty nice and they do have cartridges available.

 

[Dave258]

Well...would a Pilot Vanishing Point be a good start or no?

They look pretty nice and they do have cartridges available.

I like mine. Never heard bad things about them. Plus they come in a plethora of designs and nib sizes. Mine is a medium nib, and smooth as butter!

 

[brianw]

The vanishing point can be a very polarizing pen. Some people like myself love them. Others say the clip gets in the way and absolutely hate them. I would suggest you hold one in your hand before you commit. Do you have a brick and mortar store near you?

 

[Argonaut]

First of all, blotches = character. Secondly, hand your patients a Bic disposable, and anyone else for that matter. Nothing is more uncomfortable than handing your fine fountain pen to an unwitting customer, just to watch them try to use it improperly. There is no correct way that I have found to show them the proper way to use one without coming across as condescending. I fill out my part with my pen, I hand them a disposable when it's their turn.

 

[Samjax]

I'm currently in the Dallas area on business...I was hoping to pick something up from this place.

http://www.paradisepen.com/Default.aspx

I know nothing about them...just that they have a store in the DFW area.

 

[Dave258]

Yes, I forgot about the clip thing. Actually, I was afraid of the very same thing before I bought one. A B&B friend loaned me one to try out, and it was a non-issue for me.
I am actually eyeing the new gun metal and matte black one that recently came out.

 

[brianw]

Paradise is a bit pricey.... go on in and handle a few and then buy online

 

[andrew98]

Well...would a Pilot Vanishing Point be a good start or no?

They look pretty nice and they do have cartridges available.

That was exactly what I was going to recommend. For an environment where you are constantly getting out a pen to make notes, then putting it away, there's nothing more practical than a Vanishing Point. I like them so much, I bought two over the past few years. Be aware that the medium nib is almost as fine as a western (Pelikan, Waterman, Cross, etc.) fine. The fine is between a western extra-fine and fine. To start with, I would go with the medium.

I would also just use the converter instead of cartridges. That way, you can use a permanent ink for your documents, notes, patient records, agreements, etc.. A lot of non-permanent inks fade over time. Noodler's makes some great permanent ink. Don't worry at all about that pen leaking, especially as it will sit in your lab coat chest pocket with the nib facing up. Can you tell I like these pens (a lot)?

Definitely carry a ball point or rollerball for others to use. I like the Zebras, but anything will do.

-Andy

 

[dcobranchi]

Nothing is more uncomfortable than handing your fine fountain pen to an unwitting customer, just to watch them try to use it improperly.

+1 I use FPs exclusively. Any time a colleague, in order to jot a quick note, reaches for one on my desk I warn them that it's a fountain pen. Invariably their reaction is as if I told them they were going to have to slit open their wrist and dip the nib in the blood. Not just clueless on how to use the pen but a bit horrified.

Give your patients a cheap ballpoint pen. It'll be in their comfort zone and it won't kill you if someone drops it (or the pen walks away).

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I really like the sound of the Pilot Vanishing Point, and then I saw the prices. Ouch! (For me, I mean.)
Great looking pen, and it sounds like the fine point would meet my requirements because I write so small. Ah well...

 

[strop]

The only shirts I've stained were because I forgot to cap a RB or FP. The only pens I've had leak were somehow broken, ie cracked section on a WatermanPhileas, and a vintage Parker 51, and old Pelikan that leaked around the piston.

The VP clip only bugs me a little. I carry a bright pink one during October, but they rarely see action the rest of the year, because I have others to choose from.

And I agree, use the converter and bottled ink. I think it always flows better, brand for brand, than the cartridges.

 

[andrew98]

I really like the sound of the Pilot Vanishing Point, and then I saw the prices. Ouch! (For me, I mean.)
Great looking pen, and it sounds like the fine point would meet my requirements because I write so small. Ah well...

I bought my first one about 5 or 6 years ago and paid $100 here (they've gone up in price but still cheapest I could find with a quick search). I bought my second one about a year ago in a sale and paid $80. Sometimes you can find a deal. A used one could be a good option too. There's a used pen sale area on fountainpennetwork.com

-Andy

 

[Slivovitz]

Definitely, if you are going to use this for signatures, pay attention to the inks you use. Actually, I think that Pilot blue or black cartridges, and certainly the Namiki blue or black bottled inks are pretty water resistant, but I would suggest making your own tests on scrap paper so that you can be confident. Quite a few fountain pen inks will not just fade over time, but will wash right off a page. There are good choices other than Noodler's, but at least they make it clear which of their inks are supposed to be waterproof and/or "bulletproof" (chemical resistant).

Although I may let some people try my fountain pens on occasion, I wouldn't make a habit of handing one to just anyone for a signature. People develop a lot of habits writing with ballpoints that can hurt a fountain pen or at least not work very well with it, such as pressing down hard, or writing at too steep an angle. If you want to avoid giving out "I'm better than you" vibes, I'd just get a nice looking ballpoint to hand to other people. Signing with your Vanishing point and handing them a Bic stick might create a bad impression. Use your $140 VP and hand them a $20 Cross ballpoint, and they probably won't know the difference.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I bought my first one about 5 or 6 years ago and paid $100 here (they've gone up in price but still cheapest I could find with a quick search). I bought my second one about a year ago in a sale and paid $80. Sometimes you can find a deal. A used one could be a good option too. There's a used pen sale area on fountainpennetwork.com

-Andy

Thank you so much! I will definitely check that out. I have no problem with a used pen.

 

[andrew98]

Thank you so much! I will definitely check that out. I have no problem with a used pen.

No problem. It's apparently a myth that fountain pen nibs conform to their owner's writing, unless, perhaps, a pen sees heavy use over many years. As long as a pen hasn't been abused or beat up, there's not much to worry about with used pens. Also, there's not much you can't fix.

-Andy

 

[oc_in_fw]

I am going to regret saying this- I have never had a fountain pen leak, even my eyedroppered Parker Reflex. Cartridges may be more practical in your situation, but they are a lot more expensive per quantity of ink, and your ink choice will be limited.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

No problem. It's apparently a myth that fountain pen nibs conform to their owner's writing, unless, perhaps, a pen sees heavy use over many years. As long as a pen hasn't been abused or beat up, there's not much to worry about with used pens. Also, there's not much you can't fix.

-Andy

that is good to know. Thanks!