More thoughts on the fountain pen

Yes, I know I've already wrote a long blah blah blah about the economy of fountain pens and a beginner recommendation for pens, but I keep having thoughts about this stuff as I dip in and out of the fountain pen community and it's not enough just to journal these thoughts at myself.

Also, yes, I might have gotten an expensive pen on a very, very good deal (like 50% off deal) and I have thoughts now, because I've always found the fountain pen community to be a bit...let's say removed from the rest of the stationary world. Anyway, so I'm ranting a bit. I should probably make a new tag for all my fountain pen ramblings at this point.

( Thoughts on how to introduce beginners to fountain pens. )

( Bargain Hunting Fountain Pens )

( Fountain Pen Myths )

And finally...

Lastly, I want to point out that there are many reasons a person might want to get into fountain pens. Some because they write. Others because they sketch. Still others because they want to collect a bunch of pretty pens. Everyone's motivation is legitimate, but their perspectives are going to be different depending on why they got into fountain pens in the first place.

I come from a point of economy and improved writing experience. Also, the desire to use bottled ink. I like how a fountain pen nib writes over how a rollerball nib writes. I enjoy using bottled ink. I enjoy the way the fountain pen feels in my hand. And finally, I enjoy filling up my pens from the bottles when I write it dry. It makes me feel accomplished and enjoy the process of writing. I also feel less bad about drafting 200+ pages of fanfic. Oh, and also I journal daily for mental health reasons, so I consume a substantial amount of ink pretty fast.

I believed in getting converters for my pens, but I recognize the inherent economy of reusing cartridges by refilling with an ink syringe. I believe someone called converters over priced branded ink syringes and I can't really disagree. I've got a few pens that are cartridge only pens and I refill with a syringe because I'm too cheap to buy the mini-converter. However, I've had enough cartridges break during the refill process that I just feel better having a converter for the pens that can use them. And when I break all of my cartridges, I'm going to convert the pens into eyedroppers so I can do away with cartridges forever.

So, what I'm saying is, I want economical alternative to an enjoyable writing experience. I want to feel comfortable writing, use many ink colors, but also avoid purchasing a bunch of single use pens and avoid plastic waste. Fountain pens fit what I want. I have everything from $1 pens to $150 pens and they all have a place in where and why I use them. (Hint: my cheap pens are the ones that leave the house.)