The London Lounge

As I write, my fingers are covered with black ink from a Montblanc Boheme fineliner which has destroyed my jacket, due to the lid still being in place snapped into my pocket...but the barrel having come unscrewed, had been lying in my inside pocket. The same thing happened me a year ago with a Montblanc Le Grand rollerball...it has yet to happen to my montblanc fountain pen, which is an earlier Classic model with a snap on lid. The thing is, I am about to get a new fountain pen...I really enjoy writing with a nice pen...and think it is a stylish accessory for bespoke outfits. I now wonder whether it is worth the risk? I have been told that a ballpoint has a different type of ink, and is much less likely to do any damage, giving you time to replace the refill should it start to blot. There are some nice ones...but they just don't do it for me. I'm thinking perhaps a really nice mechanical pencil might be safer...as there is still something sensual and organic about it.
Do any of you share this problem? Should I just keep my fountain pens for the desk..or for old jackets I'm prepared to risk?...What is your experience and advice?....thanks..

Maybe have your inside pen pocket lined in an inkproof fabric?
I am sorry for your ruined jacket, that is a shame. I am fan of Pelikan nibs - the large ones in 18 K gold (more flexible) - and the high capacity ink well of the M 1000 http://www.pelikan.com/pulse/Pulsar/en_ ... pen-m-1000
The lid did come unscrewed a couple of times (my fault, I hadn't screwed it tight enough), but, being so long, the barrel was sitting at the bottom of the narrow pen pocket with the nib still inside the lid, which was clipped to the pocket mouth. No damage done...
I can't switch between fountain pen and roller balls or pencils, as the technique is different - the pressure, the angle. So I have no options to consider. Never thought of the fountain pen as a nice bespoke accessory, though...

Funny...I've never had a problem with my fountain pen....Thanks for the tip...Maybe the answer is to get one big enough so even if the top comes off...there isn't room for it to fall down in my pocket.

Rowly:

Although you may not be delighted with utilitarian ballpoint pens, they work quite well and never leak,
at least not in my experience. Fountain pens are risky. It doesn't matter if they're made by Montblanc
or an heirloom inherited from grandfather. All of them leak eventually; it's a disaster waiting to happen,
and the spill of ink on clothing is permanent. Head for the nearest office supply store and pick-up a box
of ten or twelve ballpoint pens. I like uni ball Signo medium point 207 pens. Great for signing checks,
contracts and credit card bills. They come with black, dark blue or red ink.

JMB

Jordan Marc wrote:Fountain pens are risky.

...like all things worth doing or having Perhaps that's why I love them so much! Funny, they never betrayed me.

Jordan Marc wrote:Great for signing checks, contracts and credit card bills.

And what about love notes, visiting cards, ten-page letters, a fleeting thought in a pocket notebook?
A fountain pen is not just a writing instrument, its nib is a fine seismograph of the soul.

Costi wrote:A fountain pen is not just a writing instrument, its nib is a fine seismograph of the soul.

You seem to do very well with a keyboard too Sir.

Costi:

Lovely poetic thought, that, the nib of a fountain pen being a fine seismograph of the soul. I'm surprised you haven't resorted to a quill pen. Although it doesn't hold ink well, it lets out the muse in you.

JMB

If you are concerned about leaking ink, why not try a nice leather case:

http://www.joonpens.com/display_collect ... brandid=22

They can make a nice accessory and save a jacket. No need to abandon a beautiful pen or lovely suit.

a fleeting thought in a pocket notebook?
A fountain pen is not just a writing instrument, its nib is a fine seismograph of the soul.

....that's why I enjoy it so much. I like the ritual of using it, and the focus it brings to my thoughts. It has a resonance. I would hate to have to give it up. But, would a leather case not be very bulky in the pocket? Ruining the line of the suit, never mind the line on the page?

I couldn't agree more about a good fountain pen. When I carry a brief case, my pen is in it. The case is a bit bulky for a pocket but that's not an issue in the brief case of course and it helps prevent scratches.

Man at C&A wrote:

Costi wrote:A fountain pen is not just a writing instrument, its nib is a fine seismograph of the soul.

You seem to do very well with a keyboard too Sir.

The keyboard is an earthquake generator

Jordan Marc wrote:Costi:

Lovely poetic thought, that, the nib of a fountain pen being a fine seismograph of the soul. I'm surprised you haven't resorted to a quill pen. Although it doesn't hold ink well, it lets out the muse in you.

JMB

The only quality that satisfies my muse must be plucked from the wings of angels; they are too soft for LL stuff, though... and I'm afraid lesser quills let out the goose in you

Rowly wrote:

a fleeting thought in a pocket notebook?
A fountain pen is not just a writing instrument, its nib is a fine seismograph of the soul.

....that's why I enjoy it so much. I like the ritual of using it, and the focus it brings to my thoughts. It has a resonance. I would hate to have to give it up.

Yes, and it doesn't only register your thoughts, but also your mood, your feelings in the way the line is drawn, finer or thicker, resolute or hesitant...
Would you give up red wine or coffee because they can stain your ties? I think a good cap closing system (screw is better than clip, in my view, if you tighten it firmly enough) should make it a safe experience, while the probability of a disaster happening is relatively low.
Perhaps you should change the brand, it's bad luck if it happened twice

GSC wrote:I couldn't agree more about a good fountain pen. When I carry a brief case, my pen is in it. The case is a bit bulky for a pocket but that's not an issue in the brief case of course and it helps prevent scratches.

GSC, Dupont makes some nice models in Chinese lacquer, which is very durable and virtually scratch-proof. But the nibs are pretty stiff...

Costi wrote:The only quality that satisfies my muse must be plucked from the wings of angels; they are too soft for LL stuff, though... and I'm afraid lesser quills let out the goose in you

Too soft for the LL due, no doubt, to the high thread count from the wings of these italian cherubs. Whereas, these Henry Lesser quills you refer to, have inspired many an amusing post !

Rowly wrote:Too soft for the LL due, no doubt, to the high thread count from the wings of these italian cherubs.

"How many can you count on the head of a pin?" seems to be the motto of these Italian men of the cloth. One of the few languages in which "Arcangelo" is a proper name. Perhaps their cloths are made for angels, lest they should be weighed down in their flight...

Rowly wrote:Whereas, these Henry Lesser quills you refer to, have inspired many an amusing post !

The Lesser quills are... down