September 26, 2010
“My handwriting is awful….Most people find that using a fountain pen improves their handwriting just a little, as it slows your hand just a bit…a fountain pen can bring out your best.” -Steve Leveen
Choosing a fountain pen is both a vote of self confidence and a commitment to the art of writing by hand. As mentioned earlier, the fountain pen is the most expressive of all the writing implements. The ink flows easily as the nib glides across the page. Some skill and adjustment are necessary to fully appreciate these pens. The Pilot Varsity fountain pens are highly recommended to become acquainted with the feel and the flow of fountain pens. Once you get the hang of it, and are ready to invest in a good fountain pen, Margaret Shepherd offers us the following tips.
- If your fountain pen is expensive, be sure it comes with a lifetime warranty.
- If you easily lose your pens, don’t carry your expensive pen everywhere. Make your working pen a less expensive one.
- Store your fountain pen tightly capped with the tip up. If traveling on a plane, be sure your pen is full of ink.
- Don’t loan your fountain pen, as the nib conforms to your writing angle.
- Lefties? Tired of smearing with rollerball pens? There are left-handed fountain pens!
Fountain pens come with disposable cartridges, or with a converter or an ink bladder. You can choose what suits you best. Always use the manufacturers’ recommended inks. For marvelous diagrams and easy instructions on how to fill your fountain pen, I recommend you go to Levenger.com. Click on PENS & INK, then in the box on the right labeled: LEARN MORE- HOW TO, click on “How To Fill a Fountain Pen”.
References: The Art of the Personal Letter– Margaret Shepherd, & Levengers