What is India Ink? [Article]
India ink is the blackest ink in the world. It also lasts longer than any other ink. The scribes of Egypt used a crude type of India ink more than 4,000 years ago. They wrote on paper called papyrus w...
- What is the best choice for a calligraphy fountain pen for addressing wedding in... [Article]
I am hand-addressing wedding invitations and would like to use a calligraphy pen to do that. I tried out some ink pens today and found they were too wide. A friend suggested c
- Fountain Pen: Writing With Style [Article]
If you look around your entourage, you will see the eternal gadget freak boasting about the latest cell phone or portable computer he just purchased. There's one in every office, a
- What is a ball point pen? [Article]
Ballpoints date to the early Twentieth Century. Moving from at the time the 'inconvenience' of a fountain pen to a pen which could be clicked to begin writing in just about any env
- What is a Parker Vacumatic (plastic) filler? [Article]
The later "speedline" vacumatic has a plastic plunger under a much bigger blind cap and it no longer locks down. To fill, remove the blind cap, immerse the nib in ink and pum
- What's the difference between a ballpoint and a roller ball? [Article]
While the
- Are there permanent inks? [Article]
Yes there are. But not really because of the ink itself, but because of a reaction of chemicals in the ink to cellulose - one of the properties of paper. These permanent inks use cellulose reactiv
- What is a fountain pen? [Article]
The least understood of all the technologies. If one was to choose the primary reason for the existence of fountain pen writing it would be simply the fun and enjoyment of the inte
- How do you improve inkflow in a fountain pen? [Article]
I you thump, shake, and sometimes resort to squeezing the converter or cartridge, then here is a tip for you. One reason fountain pens clog is there must be an equal
- Why buy a fountain pen? [Article]
Many people buy fountain pens as collector's items. The history is fascinating, the range of different makes and models is huge, the challenge of tracking down a particular p
- How much do fountain pens cost? [Article]
Well with fountain pens, the sky really is the limit. The most expensive pen I've seen sold at auction was around $30,000 - thankfully you don't have to pay such prices norma
- What are nib styles? [Article]
The term "style" is used to describe the shape of the nib, the most common being regular, italic and oblique.
Italic nibs are shaped rather like a ch
- Open Nib vs. Hooded Nib? [Article]
Open nib - traditional pen design, where the whole nib is exposed - often attractively decorated. The nib can feel slightly more flexible but it can dry up quicker if the cap
- How do I use a lever filler? [Article]
With a lever filler, opening the lever completely compresses the ink sac, by means of a flat pressure bar operated by the end of the lever. To fill you simply open the lever
- How do I hold and use a fountain pen? [Article]
When properly held, the fountain pen nib should be upright so you can see the engraving on the nib. Both tines at the tip of the pen should contact the paper at the same time
- How should I store my fountain pen? [Article]
Always store your fountain pen with the nib in an upright position. This allows the ink to drain from the nib when not in use. Doing this will also prevent clogging issues over tim
- How can I clean and maintain my fountain pen? [Article]
Fountain pens should be cleaned once a month and every time you change ink brands or colors. Remove the ink cartridge/converter from the nib and flush with cold water.
- Why does my fountain pen clog? How do I clean my fountain pen? [Article]
It may need cleaning. You should clean your fountain pen at least every two months if used daily. Use lukewarm water only, never hot water, ammonia or any other type of cl
- Are there pen's for left-handers? [Article]
"How can a pen be left-handed?" is a question we hear all the time. Well, writing with a fountain pen can be a real problem for left-handers, as we are pushing the p
- What size fountain pen nib should I use? [Article]
It depends on various factors, including what kind of writing you do most frequently and your personal style. A medium nib is recommended for everyday writing. A fine nib is prefer
