MontBlanc Meisterstuck Classique Rollerball Pen Black 163 / 12890

I ordered this pen early for a Christmas present. I had some reservations as the price was excellent, and there are so many knock-offs out there. Much to my delight the pen was everything I expected and more! It is in a beautiful gift box, and because it was shipped from Germany and there was a minor delay, they also included two ink refills and a Montblanc carrying case (so it doesn't get scratched in your purse??!!), or a gent could put the pen, in case, in his jacket pocket. Anyway, beautifully packaged, all the paper work authenticating the product. And I can't wait to give it to my son for Christmas. I would order again.

Pelikan M200 GREEN MARBLE Fountain Pen-Broad

Excellent Pen for the money; smoother than most similarly priced pens. The one drawback is the small size of the 200 which makes it more difficult to hold comfortably for those with arthritic and/or large hands. In that case the 600 or 800 (and similar size pens)will be much better, particularly if writing a lengthy exposition such as a Blue Book or professional exam. Of course, they cost quite a bit more but you do get an even better nib and stronger construction. I have generally found Pelikan pens to be superior to Mont Blanc when is comes to reliability, leakiness, etc.

Montblanc Patron of the Arts - Francois I - Fountain Pen

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Parker Latitude Fine Writing Medium Point Fountain Pen, 1 Black Ink, Silky Black Barrel Pen

I bought one of these to use at work, because 1) it has a steel nib - it takes more abuse than a gold nib, without damage / bending. 2) it's quite inexpensive for a fountain pen. I also use, at work, a Cross Century II fountain pen which I also class as inexpensive even though it was about $25 more than the Parker Latitude. It also has a steel nib. If you leave it uncapped, for just a few minutes, it will dry out - although tapping the nib against the paper will generally restart it. Or, just placing 1 drop of water on the nib will definitely restart it. My Parker Latitude is somewhat lighter than the Cross, slightly wider grip, and I like it better. If anything, it I think it is less problematic to use than the cross. I also have a couple of gold-nibbed fountain pens at home, and honestly, if someone wants a pen that they can leave idle for days and then it writes instantly, well, that's what made ballpoints so popular! If you want a pen that can write a bold solid line without voids, can vary that line width so you can write with expression, they you DO want a fountain pen, and you adapt to it. Fountain pens are beautiful, excellent writing instruments for actually writing, ie, a letter or a journal entry - that will keep the ink flowing. Conclusion: I'm very happy with my Parker Latitude because I bought exactly what I wanted, it writes beautifully and feels good, and otherwise behaves as I expected. It does not behave like a ballpoint, and I've never seen a fountain pen that did.

Mont Blanc Starwalker Black Resin Fountain Pen

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Refilling a Fountain Pen Ink Cartridge

Fountain Pen History

The earliest historical record of a reservoir pen dates back to the 10th century. In 953, Ma'ād al-Mu'izz, the caliph of Egypt, demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes, and was provided with a pen which held ink in a reservoir and delivered it to the nib via gravity and capillary action. As recorded by Qadi al-Nu'man al-Tamimi in his Kitdb al-Majalis wa 'l-musayardt, al-Mu’izz commissioned the construction of the pen instructing:

‘We wish to construct a pen which can be used for writing without having recourse to an ink-holder and whose ink will be contained inside it. A person can fill it with ink and write whatever he likes. The writer can put it in his sleeve or anywhere he wishes and it will not stain nor will any drop of ink leak out of it. The ink will flow only when there is an intention to write. We are unaware of anyone previously ever constructing (a pen such as this) and an indication of ‘penetrating wisdom’ to whoever contemplates it and realises its exact significance and purpose’. I exclaimed, ‘Is this possible?’ He replied, ‘It is possible if God so wills’.