What NO ONE told me about FOUNTAIN PENS--a Beginner's Guide.
TLDRIn this video, Dave from Beast Made Reviews explores the intricacies and joys of fountain pens, a hobby that's deeper than he initially imagined. He discusses the fun of writing with fountain pens, the variety of pens and inks available, the importance of using suitable paper, and the need for maintenance and care. Dave also delves into the different nib sizes and materials, the terminology associated with fountain pens, and the potential for customization. He advises beginners to start with easy-flowing inks and avoid mixing them, and emphasizes the personal touch in fine-tuning a pen to one's preference. The video is a comprehensive guide for both newcomers and enthusiasts, offering insights and tips to fully appreciate the world of fountain pens.
Takeaways
- 🖋 Fountain pens are enjoyable to use, offering a unique writing experience compared to ballpoints.
- 🕳️ The world of fountain pens is vast, with a wide variety of types, customizations, colors, inks, and materials.
- 💧 Fountain pens typically have a wetter ink flow than ballpoints, requiring more frequent refills.
- 📜 The drying time of fountain pen ink is longer, and the choice of paper is crucial to avoid bleeding or feathering.
- 🖊️ There are numerous ink options available, and sampling them can help find personal preferences.
- ✍️ Nib sizes and materials vary, affecting the writing experience, from stiffness to flexibility.
- 📝 Fountain pen terminology includes parts like the cap, body, grip section, nib, feed, and converter.
- 🗑️ Fountain pens can be messy, and maintaining them requires attention, including cleaning and changing inks.
- 🔧 Some fine-tuning may be needed for fountain pens, especially cheaper models, to adjust for optimal writing experience.
- 🚫 Mixing inks can be risky and may not always produce desirable results, so it's best to be cautious.
Q & A
Why does Dave find fountain pens fun to use?
-Dave finds fountain pens fun due to the feel, heft, and the unique way of writing with ink. He also enjoys the craftsmanship, beauty, variety of inks, and the ritual of inking up a new pen.
What does Dave mean by the 'rabbit hole' of fountain pens?
-The 'rabbit hole' refers to the deep and extensive world of fountain pens, which includes a wide variety of types, customizations, colors, inks, materials, and price points.
How does the ink flow of fountain pens compare to ballpoint pens?
-Fountain pens typically run a lot wetter than ballpoint pens, which means they require more frequent refilling.
What type of paper is recommended for use with fountain pens?
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How many types of inks are available for fountain pens?
-There are a ton of inks available, more than one would ever need. This can lead to option paralysis, but it also allows for a wide range of color choices and the ability to sample inks before committing to a full bottle.
What is the difference between a nib and the tip of a nib in fountain pens?
-The nib is the metal part of the pen used for writing, while the tip of the nib determines the line thickness and style (e.g., extra fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, italic). The sizes are not standardized across manufacturers.
What materials can fountain pen nibs be made from, and how do they affect the writing experience?
-Nibs can be made from materials like acrylics, metals, and woods. The material can affect the stiffness or flexibility of the nib, which in turn influences the line variation and ink usage.
What are some common terms used in the fountain pen community?
-Common terms include cap, body, grip section, nib, feed, finial, cartridge, converter, breather hole, tines, and eyedropper. Understanding these terms helps in discussing and understanding fountain pens.
Fountain pens are messy due to the nature of ink and the need for more attention during cleaning, ink changes, and the likelihood of having inky fingers.
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What should beginners keep in mind when choosing inks for their fountain pens?
-Beginners should start with easy-flowing inks that write well on paper and avoid archival inks initially. They can explore different inks once they have a better understanding of their preferences and pen usage.
How often should fountain pens be used to prevent them from drying out?
-Fountain pens should be used regularly, especially when inked up, to ensure the ink doesn't dry out. Storing them with the cap on also helps prevent drying.
What is the role of a nib meister in the fountain pen community?
-A nib meister is a professional who fine-tunes fountain pens, addressing issues like scratchiness, misalignment, ink flow, and roughness of the nib tip.
Outlines
🖋️ Discovering the World of Fountain Pens
The speaker, Dave, expresses his excitement about the deep rabbit hole of fountain pens. He shares his love for the craftsmanship, the variety of inks, and the unique writing experience they offer. He mentions preparing a video on fountain pens and encourages viewers to share their knowledge in the comments. Dave also introduces a few fountain pens from Shown Design and provides links to resources for fountain pen products.
📝 The Fun and Depth of Fountain Pens
Dave discusses the fun aspects of using fountain pens, highlighting the tactile pleasure and the aesthetic appeal. He mentions the wide variety of pens, inks, and customizations available. He also addresses the wetness of fountain pen ink compared to ballpoints, the importance of drying times, and the need for suitable paper to prevent bleeding and feathering. Additionally, he talks about the abundance of ink options and the importance of trying samples before committing to a particular ink.
🖊️ Nib Variations and Pen Terminology
In this section, Dave delves into the different sizes and materials of nibs, which affect the writing experience. He explains the concept of flex nibs and their impact on ink flow and line variation. He also covers various pen components and terms, such as the cap, body, grip section, feed, and converter. Dave touches on the potential need for nib tuning and the importance of not mixing inks to avoid damaging the pen. He concludes by advising beginners to start with non-archival inks and shares his personal preference for Yovo nibs over Bach.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Fountain pens
💡Rabbit hole
💡Nib
💡Ink
💡Paper
💡Refill
💡Nibmeisters
💡Archive inks
💡Nib units and converters
💡Maintenance
Highlights
Fountain pens are fun and offer a unique writing experience.
The rabbit hole of fountain pens is deep, with a wide variety of types, customizations, colors, inks, and materials.
Fountain pens typically run wetter than ballpoints, requiring more frequent refills.
Ink drying times and paper choice are important considerations when using fountain pens.
Copy paper is not ideal for fountain pens; specific fountain pen-friendly paper is recommended.
There is a vast selection of inks available, leading to option paralysis for beginners.
Nib sizes vary and are standardized across the industry, but the tip's line width can differ between manufacturers.
Nibs can be made from different materials, affecting their stiffness and writing feel.
Fountain pen terms include cap, body, grip section, nib, feed, finial, cartridge, converter, breather hole, and tines.
Nib issues like scratchiness, misalignment, and feedback can be addressed with fine-tuning.
Fountain pens are messier than ballpoints and require more attention to cleaning and ink handling.
Mixing inks can be risky and may not be suitable for all pens.
Fountain pens can dry out easily, so proper storage and regular use are important.
Nibmeisters are professionals who fine-tune fountain pens for optimal performance.
Archival inks are not recommended for beginners; start with easy-flowing inks instead.
Pen companies often only make the pen body, with nib units and converters being aftermarket.
