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Thread: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post
    I find the dipping part is sufficiently slow to allow me to consider the next words carefully. One of the advantages of dip pens (IMNSHO) is that if you do pause for a think, you don't have to put a cap on the nib. So, overall, my writing with the dip tends to be both better constructed from a language and reasoning point view, and usually aesthetically more pleasing too. That's not to say that I want to use them everywhere of course.

    The Esterbrook 048 nibs are okay, nothing special to my mind. I have a ton of 442 stubs that I do like a bit, but there are plenty of non-Esterbrook nibs that offer a more pleasing experience for me.


    Two or three dips per line? Something wrong there, like nib not prepared properly.
    I need to experiment with non Esterbrook nibs.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Paddler View Post
    You can't really decide whether a new technique or technology is for you until you have tried it yourself. A kid's opinion of writing utensils doesn't count at all, and these opinions frequently carry over to adulthood. Many children are taught to write before they have developed the proper coordination for it. When someone wants to borrow my pen and sees that it is a fountain pen, it usually says something like, "Oh, we had to use those things in school. I used to make an inky mess of everything and catch hell for it. I am glad they invented the ballpoint." Well, I have used fountain pens almost all of my life and have yet to make an inky mess with one. I use dip pens, fountain pens, ballpoints, rollerballs, felt pens, quills, reeds, and glass pens. They all have places in the arsenal.

    Some of the "old ways" are still better than the new ones. I do my best cooking in cast iron and my baking in unglazed stoneware. I light my pipe with flint and steel and hunt with a stickbow and homemade arrows. But I used to shave with a cut-throat razor and now prefer the modern Bic. A gas furnace is better than a horse turd fire. And so it goes. You have to keep your curiosity active to find these things out.
    Absolutely, I do think for me it is the curiosity that has lead me to desire tactile experience/learning. I to use a straight razor and have learned to hone. I think the curiousity of using horse hair and pine rosin to excite a gut string led me to learning to fiddle.

    For me, using ink to communicate with a dip pen offers a more tactile experience than merely picking up a ball point pen, but the later has it's advantages in a rush. The use of graphite and wood is similar to a fountain pen or dip pen.

    Perhaps it is the difference in going to eat BBQ and tending a brisket on your smoker for hours. Life for me must be experienced by touching/handling. I think that this is why I love an old Esterbrook I've restored.

    Thank you for your post.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    My take is that *convenience* can't be underestimated. For my use it's key since I write more at work than at home (doodling and practice aside) and a dip pen used in a retail establishment would be untenable at today's expected pace of service.

    Another reason for the ascendance of fountain pens over dip pens is the fact that not only does ink flow continue, unaided, over an extended period, but it's regulated better than with a dip pen.

    I do however own and occasionally use dip pens, including a fantastic tipped gold nib (Mabie & Todd?) in a matching sterling and MOP holder, that came in a beautiful, hinged travel case.

    In short; there are many reasons that *modern* fountain pens are more versatile than dip pens, but as far as delivering ink to paper, with no other concerns, you're exactly correct; they really *aren't* inherently any better.
    David-

    So many restoration projects...

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    Chuck Naill (February 25th, 2020), Deb (February 25th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    I've written a third letter using the dip pen nibs. My favorite is the Falcon 048. Having researched several historical documents where a dip pen were used I noticed it was common to cross out and write above the mistake. Of course, letter writing and precious paper made a less than perfect document necessary and perhaps socially acceptable. I am curious if are not to obsessive over appearance.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    I've written a third letter using the dip pen nibs. My favorite is the Falcon 048. Having researched several historical documents where a dip pen were used I noticed it was common to cross out and write above the mistake. Of course, letter writing and precious paper made a less than perfect document necessary and perhaps socially acceptable. I am curious if are not to obsessive over appearance.
    I would love 💕 to see what your letter looks like...
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Naill View Post
    I've written a third letter using the dip pen nibs. My favorite is the Falcon 048. Having researched several historical documents where a dip pen were used I noticed it was common to cross out and write above the mistake. Of course, letter writing and precious paper made a less than perfect document necessary and perhaps socially acceptable. I am curious if are not to obsessive over appearance.
    I would love 💕 to see what your letter looks like...
    Of course.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Very nice writing.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Deb View Post
    Very nice writing.
    What Deb says!
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    Yep, that's true. Same with a horse and a car.
    Plus, unlike a horse, it's unnecessary to sweep up ink balls from the floor.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    788 oval points on the way. Can't wait to write with them.
    http://theesterbrookproject.com/NIB%...L%20POINT.html

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    This discussion is interesting. While I doubt I'll do a lot of writing with one (you never can tell though) I did order one in ebonite from Ranga. It is the thick dip pen with #6 medium nib and ebonite feed.

    Should be great for testing inks and various #6 nibs.

    Cheers.
    Sg
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Those are egregiously tempting.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Did anyone mention guache, gold and silver ink and various dip inks? Some of the more difficult inks can't be used with fountain pens at all. I use them for more decorative purposes, a few strokes of gold can look very good on cards and in letters.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Those are egregiously tempting.
    I yielded to glorious temptation! I initially looked at other dip pens but nothing caught my eye. When I discovered that Ranga had them, and having experience with their craftsmanship, I knew this was for me.

    I ordered one last week and was advised that due to an upcoming pen show that it would be probably 6 weeks before it arrived. But to me, the wait from Ranga is worth it.

    Cheers.
    Sg
    Last edited by sgphoto; February 29th, 2020 at 08:52 AM. Reason: Ink drops on page

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    IMG_0065.JPG
    I use dip pens as my primary form of writing....fountain pens are second.
    JBBPensPaper an Etsy store

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by sgphoto View Post
    This discussion is interesting. While I doubt I'll do a lot of writing with one (you never can tell though) I did order one in ebonite from Ranga. It is the thick dip pen with #6 medium nib and ebonite feed.

    Should be great for testing inks and various #6 nibs.

    Cheers.
    Sg
    The pause to re-ink has been said to provide the composer with time to think.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Wrote a granddaughter a one page letter on proper stationary using the 048 Falcon and black Waterman. I had always felt a rough texture with this paper before, but not today. Perhaps I am learning to apply less and less pressure. So, this must be the key. The result was a nice fine line script. I feel I've past a milestone using these Esterbrook nibs.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by arrow View Post
    Did anyone mention guache, gold and silver ink and various dip inks? Some of the more difficult inks can't be used with fountain pens at all. I use them for more decorative purposes, a few strokes of gold can look very good on cards and in letters.
    Sometimes I use gouache for addressing dark coloured envelopes. However, not sure how pro calligraphers do it but I mix my gouache and apply it to the nib with a small paintbrush. Works well, but you have to experiment a bit to get the right consistency.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    I've got 788 nibs coming today and look forward to using.
    https://theesterbrookproject.com/NIB...L%20POINT.html

    This is the Esterbrook demi sized Transitional type with a 2788 nib and the 788 dip pen nib. The flexibility is similar.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Chuck Naill; March 4th, 2020 at 03:46 AM.

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    Default Re: Fountain Pens More Convenient, but Not Superior to Dip Pens

    I've been using a dip pen for a while to construct letters. I mostly use the Esterbrook "falcon" and Serenity Blue Waterman.

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