Thanks. I'm ordering a nib, a Z24 converter and ink from Goulet. Probably the Lamy Joy calligraphy pen as well for the Still budget items at this point, until I figure out what I like.

Élysée Diplomat for everyday use (nice and thin, takes cartridges).

This one for nice use - satinwood:

The good Sisters of Mercy never gave me a grade higher than a D in penmanship. The Palmer Method and I just didn't get along. However the Nuns would not allow us to use ballpoint pens so I love and use fountain pens every day. I currently have a Waterman Expert with a fine nib and have used it daily for over 10 years,

When I thought I had enough expensive hobbies. Thanks. But on a serious note, can left handed people use these?

Sure, leftys can use fountain pens without smearing the still wet ink as your hand advances down the line. You just have to either change your hand position, or change the angle of the paper you are writing on.

Count me among the old school users!

(listed in order of acquisition; favor nibs that provide a big bold expressive line!)

Waterman Cotele Grey Lacquer, B gilded nib
Waterman Exclusive Bordeaux Lacquer, F 18kt nib
Waterman Le Man 100 Black, OB 18kt
Waterman Le Man 100 Opera, ST 18kt nib
Waterman Phileas Green marble, F gilded nib
Pelikan Souverän M1000 Black-Green, OBB 18kt nib
Platinum Composer #3776 Black w/twin tine “Music” 14kt nib
Waterman Liaison Orange-Black Woodgrain (ebonite), ST 18kt nib
Waterman Le Man 100 Clear Briarwood, OB 18kt nib
Waterman Phileas Gray marble, M gilded nib
Italix Churchman's Prescriptor, Black Lacquer, Extra Broad Oblique Italic gilded #6 JoWo nib


Big brown ink fan.
Waterman Havana Brown (Absolute Brown)
Pelikan Edlestein Smoky Quartz 2017
J. Herbin 1670 Caroube de Chypre
Seitz-Kreuznach Chestnut Brown
Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Brown
J. Herbin Lie de The
Private Reserve Copper Burst
Noodler's Golden Brown
Seitz-Kreuznach Cognac
Sheaffer Kings Gold

Others on hand:
Pelikan 4001 Konigsblau (Royal Blue)
Waterman Florida Blue (Serenity Blue)
Waterman Blue-Black (Mysterious Blue)
Montblanc Black
Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black
Diamine Gray
Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Red
Pelikan 4001 Brillant Green

quote:

Originally posted by fatmanspencer:
When I thought I had enough expensive hobbies. Thanks. But on a serious note, can left handed people use these?

I'm left-handed and have no problems.

^^^^^^. I'm also a lefty, my handwriting is fair, not really very pretty but close to decent.

I've got a Lamy Safari V17 and a Pilot Metropolitan, just getting into nicer writing for hand writen letters and birthday cards, etc.

So far I think I prefer the Pilot.

I'd like a slightly better pen, not too expensive, under $50-$75, that will be better suited to filling from bottled ink.

What's a recommendation for a pen and some small bottles of ink? Especially that I'm a lefty and not wanting to spend a lot of money? I just want to be able to write nicer notes, letters and cards.

I have pilot vanishing point pens as well some that are cheaper. I especially like to use the red pilot filled with red ink for grading papers. Refilling this pen is fun too, as I keep a paper towel for blotting red ink on my desk. Invariably, students ask me about the blood on the paper towel.

My "Chicken Scratch" writing doesn't deserve a good Fountain Pen.

I make do with ball point, usually a 40 year old Lamy or quality Japanese. Both take Parker refills.

I use fountain pens almost exclusively.

I have, in various nib sizes, 2 Pelikan m1000s, 7 m800s (3 are 805s) and 1 m100. I also have a Penieder La Grande Bellerazza (probably butchered that name). The m1000s are my narrow favorites.

...and let's not get started on inks!

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
I'd like a slightly better pen, not too expensive, under $50-$75, that will be better suited to filling from bottled ink.

What's a recommendation for a pen and some small bottles of ink? Especially that I'm a lefty and not wanting to spend a lot of money? I just want to be able to write nicer notes, letters and cards.

The TWSBI Eco is a very good budget pen. It is a $30 pen that they could probably sell for $75 if they wanted to. Excellent packaging, even including a small tube of silicone grease. This is a piston fill mechanism, which is extremely easy to fill from bottles. It will not take cartridges at all, this will be strictly bottle fill.

https://www.gouletpens.com/col...bi-eco-fountain-pens

Lamy's house inks are actually pretty good for a house brand, and they are generally thought of as more on the "drier" side, which would be good for a lefty. Very reasonably priced as well.

https://www.gouletpens.com/col...ctions%2Fbottled-ink

Goulet Pens even has a "Lefty Shopping Guide"

https://www.gouletpens.com/col...ons%2Flefty-approved

^^^^^. Thank You Mr Palm!

I see they have ink sample lots. I'll give that a try.