A Fine Instrument

Mar 24, 2012 @ 10:09 By 19 Comments

I’m a huge fan of fountain pens. (See here.) In fact, I rarely use anything but a fountain pen, even to underline in books. When I travel I use a Waterman pen with blue ink to leave a reminder that blue ink means vacation and travel. Otherwise I rotate through my small collection of fountain pens. I enjoyed this piece:

Here’s something to think about: How many times have you used a pen today?

Maybe you crossed something off of your to-do list or maybe you wrote a check to your landlord or maybe you scrawled “BRB” on a napkin before running out to pick up milk. Maybe you did Sudoku.

Whatever you did, chances are good you did a lot less of it than you did five years ago. Technology has made sure of that.

Still, at a time when the swipe of a touch screen is quickly replacing other modes of communication, not all of the past has been erased. In fact, some surprising vestiges of the pre-digital era are still being churned out and scooped up today.

Enter, the specialty fountain pen.

My favorite? I’m a big fan of Pelikan. Bics clog and pollute our world; fountain pens never get tossed. Nothing like the scratch of a fountain pen on a piece of paper.

 

Filed Under: Writing & Blogging 19 Comments
About Scot McKnight

Scot McKnight is a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. McKnight, author of more than thirty books, is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL.

  • Don

    Amen Scot! My 20+ year old Waterman is my constant companion in real writing. There is something visceral about the nib moving on the paper carving out words.

  • Chuck Eklund

    I love my Lamy. I hate my Mont Blanc–leaks even after tow repairs.

    Long live the fountain pen!

  • Chuck Eklund

    Whoops. My fountain pen did not need to be towed to the shop. Two repairs!

  • scotmcknight

    My Mont Blanc, Chuck, has been a faithful worker. The cap chipped, and maybe some day I’ll get that fixed.

  • Steve Burdan

    I’m a Mont Blanc guy. Thankfully we’re far past the mess and time of quills…

  • JohnM

    I’m a big fan of cheap pens, and free ones when I can get them because:
    a) My penmanship is horrid anyway, no matter what I use.
    b) I lose small things, like pens.

    :)

  • http://mikesnow.org Michael Snow

    The pictured pen is almost exactly like the one laying in front of me here on the desk[mines all blue; no black accents], though it is not a Waterman. It was a gift in Romania. My big problem is finding a bottle of ink in the USA.

  • http://LostCodex.com DRT

    I tried them years ago and realized that my left handed style of writing makes it less pleasurable.

    My wife will come to my home office desk and look for a pen, and never find on. I usually have no pens on my desk nor in my pocket.

  • http://www.ordinarypractice.com Jim Hogue

    I have always loved fountain pens too. In 2005 I discovered that Pilot (a Japanese pen maker) produces the most amazing fountain pens at very reasonable prices. They are unknown in the States.
    I bought a Pilot “Petite” in 2005 in Nagoya and have enjoyed it ever since. What a shame you can’t get inexpensive good fountain pens in the U.S. anymore.
    Parker seems to be the last manufacturer of ordinary plastic fountain pens in the U.S.

  • Elizabeth

    I’m not even 35, but get this: Starting in Grade 3 we did all our school writing in fountain pen. I went to a British missionary boarding school in rural Africa. Our wooden desks had inkwells in them (we used to dip our pens and write before we all got good ink cartridges), we used blotting paper, we frequently went around with ink-stained fingers. It all feels like it was hundreds of years ago!

    I don’t write with a fountain pen now but reading your post made me want to pick one up again.

  • Dana Ames

    Scot, and others,

    I like this site for fountain pens, ink, mechanical pencils and other miscellaneous writing and office tools – and it’s in the US, just “down the road” from me. They answer all my questions, and service has been great.

    http://www.jetpens.com

    Currently using a Pilot Cavalier fountain pen – I like the fine writing line and the thin barrel, rather than a chunky one. Wish it held more ink, but that’s my only quibble.

    Dana

  • http://www.instrument-rated-theology.com Paul Smith

    So nice to see other fountain pen lovers. I have a Waterman, a Cross, and a Parker. The Cross has the finest nib, the Waterman and Parker both have a little wider nibs. They are all a joy to write with, each with its own “personality” and style.

  • http://www.godhungry.org Jim Martin

    I use a Waterman and love it. I think reading these comments about fountain pens on your blog influenced this purchase! :)

  • Reid

    Love fountain pens too. I have several Pelikans .. My favourite is a blue M805 .. Just like the one pictured. There is a deep satisfaction in writing with them. I think it gets the creative juices flowing!

  • http://restoringsoul.blogspot.com Ann F-R

    I inherited my grandmother’s calligraphy pens, inks, brushes & books when I was young. As I learned, I found pens of my own that I liked. Pelikan ink was the best, then, and Staedtler pens were the most dependable in flow from a handy cartridge – so I wouldn’t get a nasty blot in the middle of a piece! Raising children & going to seminary put a stop to my hobby, but the nice flow of ink is still appreciated. I’m picky about Pilot roller balls, which get the closest in feel.

  • Georges Boujakly

    My question, Scot, is what kind of paper best suits a fountain pen?

  • scotmcknight

    Georges,
    Thicker is better. I use the pen in my Moleskine. And on graph paper, on which I take notes when I’m working on texts.

  • Robert

    I never learnt to write properly with a fountain pen. Salvation came when I twigged that the rule wasn’t going to be enforced at school, and swapped to an illegal biro. The rest of the class followed suit soon after.

  • lowefinney

    Scot, that appears to be a Pelikan 600 in the picture. I have the same pen on my stand next to me at this moment. The best everyday, all purpose is a great Pelikan. I have three…and several in my Ebay wishlist… I tend to write better when with a fountain pen, probably out of some sense of respect for the “old ways” of forgotten penmanship. Omas makes a fantastic pen as well. Hope you get to Tennessee some time!