FOUNTAIN PENS
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Even though they require some care, the expressive writing of a
fountain pen is well worth it. Most fountain pens use ink cartridges of a
converter; some have piston-fill systems which use bottled ink only.
A pen becomes a very personal possession for most people. The
grace and style of the fountain pen creates a certain aura which is difficult to
describe, but appeals to many, especially in our fast-paced culture. The touch
of pen on paper is an experience of unique pleasure which only a fountain pen
can create.
Selecting a fountain pen is very much like choosing a pair of
glasses. In both cases, you must consider your aesthetic, and technical
requirements. The ideal pen is a perfect combination of form and function: it
should fit your handwriting style. If your handwriting is small and condensed,
select a fine nib. Broad nibs are good for signatures, but can be a little
temperamental.
THE CARE AND FEEDING OF FOUNTAIN PENS
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Remember that, like any fine mechanism, a pen must go through a two to four week
breaking in period.
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Nibs must be held flat and not rotated when writing. This will keep the ink
feeding the nib sufficiently.
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Always use fresh ink. If your ink is over a year old, buy a new bottle.
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Cartridges are fine, but a self filling pen or the use of a converter will offer
fewer problems.
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Never wash a pen in hot water or alcohol. Use cold water only.
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If your pen is to be out of use for several weeks, clean it by flushing in cold
water.
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Cap the pen properly. Hold upright and place the cap on top of it. Do not drop
the pen into the cap, or you may end up with ink in the cap.
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If you fly, either fill your pen all the way or leave it empty. A sudden change
of cabin pressure may cause the pen to leak if you don’t follow this rule.
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If you value a fine pen and it is suited to your hand, do not let someone else
use it.
BALL PENS
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Ball pens have a thick paste ink that is long-lasting and does not dry out when
the point is exposed. This is why most ball pens do not have caps. The points
are activated by either a push-top or twist mechanism. The hard metal ball then
distributes the ink, which makes the ball pen useful when writing on glossy
surfaces or for making multiple copies. Ball pen refills usually come in blue or
black ink with fine or medium points. Some manufacturers do offer broad point in
other colours. There is also a new kind of ball pen refill on the scene – the
gel ink refill, It combines the smooth, vivid writing of a rollerball with the
convenience of a ball point.
ROLLERBALL PENS
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Rollerballs differ from ball point pens in one important area. The rollerball
uses a liquid which has a smooth fluid flow, much like a fountain pen. Most
rollerball pens have caps to keep the fluid ink from drying out. Make sure you
always replace the cap of a rollerball to keep the ink from drying out
prematurely. Because of the increased ink flow, rollerball refills run out
faster than ball pen refills. Rollerball refills are usually available in fine
or medium point and generally have a broader range of colours than ball point
refills.
MECHANICAL PENCILS
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Most of the mechanical pencils made today are equipped with self-feeding
systems. The lead is usually filled into the pencil by removing the cap or
eraser. When not in use, the lead is retracted with the same type of mechanism.
There are many sizes of lead available and it is important to be sure to load
your pencil with the correct size, or the leads may become jammed inside the
mechanism. The most common sizes are 0.5mm and 0.7mm; 09mm can be found in a few
pencils. There is also a new generation of pencils with lead as wide as 5.5mm,
perfect for sketching and drawing.