Fountain
pens have been experiencing a revival in recent years. There’s so many reasons
for this, but mostly it’s attributed to people wanting to break away from the
sometimes oppressive nature of our digital world. To get back to basics with
pen and paper. The nature of the fountain pen lends itself perfectly to this;
the history and grandeur, the idealised notion of a handwritten message, the
feel of the nib gliding across the paper.We’ve highlighted our reasons why
fountain pens are fab before, but we thought it was time to ask why you love a
fountain pen. We sent out a call on social media to find out what makes the
fountain pen so desirable. We got back so many great answers that we couldn’t
share them all, but we’ve created this post to show the fountain pen love.
WRITING
Several
of our customers poked fun at themselves and their handwriting; admitting
theirs is pretty shocking, but saying that a fountain pen improves their
handwriting.
“While
each pen is unique they all provide such a wonderfully smooth writing
experience that allows my writing to not only be readable, which is a miracle
in itself, but also allows me to maintain that same standard no matter how long
I write for.”
“I
love using a fountain pen, it actually makes my handwriting so much better,
because I take more time. I also think it's lovely to receive a letter that has
been written with a fountain pen, it just makes it that bit more special.”
Some
of you said fountain pens are easier to write with than other writing types.
“They
have allowed me to continue writing following an injury. Ball pens were too
painful, you have to use pressure. Fountain pens just flow.”
“I
love the way the ink flows and how easy it is to write!!!”
CUSTOMISATION
You
highlighted that there are so many options for fountain pens. You can choose a
sturdy stainless steel nib or a flexible gold nib. You can choose a nib cut and
width to suit your writing style and size. You can choose from the amazing plethora
of ink colours available.
It
allows me to write with the colour and line width that suits me”
“Because
everything about fountain pens is beautiful: the nib options, the inks, and of
course the pens”
“I
love the fun of seeing how different colours of ink look in different nibs!”
THE FEEL
Many
of you said that your love of fountain pens comes from a very personal place;
the way it makes you feel to write with one and how expressive they can be.
“I
take pride in my writing and I find fountain pens let me focus on my words and
flow of the sentence. Fountain pens have requirements they expect from the
writer. First you must hold the pen correctly and apply the right amount of
pressure. When you become familiar with a pen you know exactly how it needs to
be handled to perform perfectly. The second requirement is the paper the pen
will write on. All paper is not created equal and your pen will show you that
right off. After these requirements are met the pen will do marvellous things
for you in an array of different colours, far more than any ballpoint could
dream. So you see writing with a fountain pen isn't like writing with just any
other stick. It has to be treated with the respect it deserves and that is what
makes fountain pens special and why I love to use them.”
“Asking
why I love fountain pens is a bigger question then it seems. Although my love
is relatively new, I love them because they are a handheld marvel that is
capable of a tremendous amount. As a designer and one who enjoys writing, a
fountain pen offers a means to express myself more directly. I'm not one to
type as much so a pen is what I connect to the most. A fountain pen
specifically because it's connection to paper is unparalleled. The way it
writes, the flow of ink and the feeling it gives me as a drawing is drawn or
words are written are even more visceral than any other utensil... But that’s
just me...”
For
some it’s the connection to the people who gave them their stationery
addiction.
“I
use a pen in my everyday work. It is so much better (IMHO) to use a nice pen
rather than a low cost ball pen. It is one small thing that allows me to
differentiate myself. I use my father's and grandfather's fountain pens and
it’s lovely to know that my hand .and fingers are where theirs were.”
“[They]
remind me of my late dad who, although he was a lefty, always used a fountain
pen and had beautiful hand writing.”