Tony Thomas - Getting Started with Fountain Pens

Why You Need This Book

I decided to write this book to provide a really short guide to the world of fountain pens. I have a longer book called The Fountain Pen Book that has been a best seller for the last few years.

I understand that not everyone is a fountain pen freak like I am. Therefore, I hope that this little book will give you a quick overview of the hobby and allow you to determine if fountain pens are right for you.

It doesnt matter whether you print or write using cursive, if you are a tactile person who is not that comfortable typing everything, you may be able to benefit from using fountain pens.

Writing with a pen allows you to take your time, to think more deeply, and to reflect more before you commit words to paper. Studies have shown that people that write everything down use a different part of the brain that also improves memory retention.

Fountain pens will take you on a journey back to earlier times when people actually wrote letters and mailed them. In fact, if you are like I am, you will find yourself writing letters using a fountain pen just like they did years ago.

I hope you will enjoy this short book. It will take less than an hour to read and is filled with links to websites and other reference sources to help get you started.

I will let you know how I got started with fountain pens, why you should use a fountain pen, how to find the perfect starter pen, and tell you about nibs, inks, paper and more. The fountain pen hobby is a lot of fun and there are thousands of great people involved that would love to connect with you and share their experiences and information.

I would love to hear from you if you decide to join the legion of fountain pen users. My email address is tonythomas@tonythomas.net.

My Story

My name is Tony Thomas and I am the editor of a blog called The Frugal Fountain Pen:

http://thefrugalfountainpen.blogspot.com/ .
I also wrote a bestselling book called The Fountain Pen Book which is a more comprehensive guide on fountain pens. It is available at major e-book retailers.

I am writing this book to create a very inexpensive resource for those who are thinking about getting involved in the fountain pen hobby. As someone who's been involved with fountain pens for many years, I can testify to the fact that it is rewarding as well as addicting. The pursuit of fountain pens is a lifelong quest, although I admit that my case of FPAS (fountain pen acquisition syndrome) has moderated considerably in recent years.
I picked up a cheap Sheaffer school pen when I was 12 years old. Fountain pens were still pretty common back then and were easy to find. Even though it was a really cheap cartridge pen, I really enjoyed the writing experience.
In 1990, I saw a gray Waterman Laureat at an office supply store and decided to buy it and some Mont Blanc black ink. I enjoyed writing with a fountain pen again but, after several years, bottled ink was becoming very hard to find locally. As a result, I was forced to retire my fountain pen.
Then, sometime in the 2000s, I bought a Waterman Phileas. I used it for a while but still had a hard time finding ink. It was a really nice pen and I wanted to use it. Around 2010 or so, I discovered Noodler's Bulletproof Black ink and bought a Lamy Safari fountain pen. Those purchases instantly rejuvenated my love for fountain pens.
I soon realized that others shared my passion for fountain pens. I spent time on The Fountain Pen Network website and also watched YouTube videos by Brian Goulet of The Goulet Pen Company and Steven Brown. Fountain pens were taking off again and I wanted to be a part of this exciting movement!

Why Fountain Pens?

1. They are much better for the environment as they are not disposable. Your fountain pens are unlikely to end up in landfills. If they are nice, they will probably be passed down to future generations or end up in the hands of appreciative users or collectors.

2. They provide an enjoyable writing experience. Try writing with one. It takes a much lighter touch than what you are used to.

3. You can use a wide variety of ink colors. You have the chance to express yourself by picking colors that you identify with.

4. There are a variety of nib sizes and types. I find this useful since sometimes I want to write in large cursive strokes. Other times I want to print my words using tiny letters.

5. They allow you to perfect your cursive writing and practice calligraphy. Cursive writing is becoming a lost art these days. What a shame!

6. You have the ability to match the ink color to the paper. This allows for a great deal of experimentation as well as personalization.

7. Fountain pens make a powerful personal statement. They allow you to really stand out in a crowd. You can get really big, sparkly pens that will make everyone say: Wow!

8. They are attractive and stylish. Some of them are actually works of art. You can put them in a nice leather case, in a cup on your desk or in a display case.

9. When you write, they are far less stressful on your hand than a ballpoint. They make the tendons in my hand happy!

10. Fountain pen ink is very economical compared to expensive refills. The price of refills and cheap pens really adds up over time.

Finding the Perfect Starter Pen

If you are just getting started with fountain pens and want to limit your initial investment, there are a few fountain pens I can recommend:
First on the list is the Platinum Preppy. It will only set you back about $5, accepts ink cartridges, and provides a wonderful writing experience. I have given Preppies to friends in the past and they have enjoyed using them.
Another inexpensive fountain pen is the Pilot Varsity. It costs a bit over $3 but, unlike the Preppy, it is a disposable pen (although some people have found ways to refill them with bottled ink). You can often find them in packs of seven with various colored inks for as low as $12.
If you want to spend a bit more, I recommend the Pilot Metropolitan. At less than $20, it has an attractive metal body, is available in various colors and a few different nib sizes and can be used with cartridges or bottled ink (by using an optional converter).
One other viable option in the same price range as the Metropolitan is the Platinum Plasir. It is essentially the "innards" of a Platinum Preppy in a more attractive and substantial metal body. I like the fact that I can easily replace the nibs and feeds by using ones from my existing Preppies.
Of course, you can start with a more expensive fountain pen (like a Lamy Safari) if you want to. However, if you later decide that fountain pens aren't for you, there is a bit more risk involved.
That said, if you have used fountain pens before and are sure that you will enjoy the writing experience, you can get any pen you like.

My Favorite Fountain Pen Dealers

The Goulet Pen Company: I have followed Brian and Rachel since they were selling fountain pens, paper, and ink out of their house. In recent years, Goulet has grown become the one of the premier fountain pen dealers in the United States, with a strong emphasis on customer service and education. They have a YouTube channel with an exhaustive library of videos on fountain pens, ink, paper, accessories and tips. Goulet also has one of the broadest ranges of products of any fountain pen dealer. Their website is top notch with plenty of custom tools to help you find the best pens, paper and ink for your needs. In addition, they offer great service with a personal touch. I only wish they offered free shipping options and faster fulfillment when they are backed up with orders. https://www.gouletpens.com

Jet Pens: Jet Pens is another great dealer that offers all kinds of writing instruments (fountain pens, ball points, roller balls, dip pens, pencils, etc.) as well as paper, ink and more. Most of their products come from Japan, and I have a great affection for Japanese products. I love the fact that they offer free shipping for all orders over $25. I also really like their online product guides and have found them to be helpful. Jet Pens offers prompt shipping and most of my orders ship the same day or the next. http://www.jetpens.com/