Fountain Pens.

[brihacharan]

Entry No. 20!

Briha

Added in 15 minutes 53 seconds:

Congratulations brihacharan-Ji!
I guess Mack The Knife may have to send a hand-written note to the Postal Dept., now - as to how the scotch got sipped, in anticipation of the parcel!
Very generous gesture sir - lovely work of art!

Thanks CKK
I think the PO did well, Mack mailed it on 28th Saturday.....29th was a Sunday....On Monday 30th it was delivered
Incidentally the 'Scotch' was "Cutty Sark'.....Here's a brief history of this famous brand....
Cutty Sark is a range of blended Scotch whisky produced by Edrington plc of Glasgow, whose main office is less than 10 miles from the birthplace of the famous clipper ship of the same name. The whisky was created on March 23, 1923 as a product of Berry Brothers & Rudd, with the home of the blend considered to be at The Glenrothes distillery in the Speyside region of Scotland. The name comes from the River Clyde–built clipper ship Cutty Sark, whose name came from the Scots language term "cutty-sark", the short shirt [skirt] prominently mentioned in the famous poem by Robert Burns, "Tam o' Shanter". The drawing of the clipper ship Cutty Sark on the label of the whisky bottles is a work of the Swedish artist Carl Georg August Wallin. He was a mariner painter, and this is probably his most famous ship painting. This drawing has been on the whisky bottles since 1955. The Tall Ships' Races for large sailing ships were originally known as The Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races, under the terms of sponsorship by the whisky brand.
Cheers
Briha

[Mack The Knife]

....and was about to take the first sip - when I noticed the blue envelope lying close by....
My heart skipped a beat as I laid the glass down...On opening the package, I was stumped to see the contents...

Don't you just love moments like this?

Glad you liked the pen but the writing samples show it to be on the dry side. I did not flush, floss or test the pen in any way but if there are any issues, do not hesitate to let me know as it's guaranteed so long as the seller is alive.

Try it for a few days with a free flowing ink and please let me have your feedback. Incidentally, what ink have you inked it up with?

By the way, the envelope was light green in colour.

[brihacharan]

....and was about to take the first sip - when I noticed the blue envelope lying close by....
My heart skipped a beat as I laid the glass down...On opening the package, I was stumped to see the contents...

Don't you just love moments like this?

Glad you liked the pen but the writing samples show it to be on the dry side. I did not flush, floss or test the pen in any way but if there are any issues, do not hesitate to let me know as it's guaranteed so long as the seller is alive.

Try it for a few days with a free flowing ink and please let me have your feedback. Incidentally, what ink have you inked it up with?

By the way, the envelope was light green in colour.

Hi Mack,
Yes, indeed...moments such as these are priceless, it's almost like a wish fulfillment
You're right, the writing does appear to be on the lighter / drier side....believe me the anxiety to try it out was more compelling....will take your advice to flush & floss it over the week-end....
The ink I used was 'Camel Permanent Black' (in fact a fresh pack) nevertheless I plan to get Quink / Chelpark in a day or two.
Certainly will keep you posted.....
Re: the colour of the 'envelope' ....it's more towards green than blue
Briha

[Mack The Knife]

Camel black is more of a grey than black ink, so that explains the colour.

However, do floss the nib and then flush the pen for good measure.

Whilst usually only available in the southern states, if you can lay your hands on some Bril Royal Blue, buy a pot and try it. I am pretty sure you will like it.

P.S.: Please do not use that calligraphy ink. Use that for dip pens (without feeds) that can be washed soon after writing.

[Mack The Knife]

I guess Mack The Knife may have to send a hand-written note to the Postal Dept., now - as to how the scotch got sipped, in anticipation of the parcel!

If I did, they are more likely to hold my mail ransom until I gave them a bottle. Just kidding. By and large they are a good bunch of blokes and blokesses. At my local PO, that is.

Decided to gift the brown-black rippled fountain pen above to someone in Germany and I was told to come back tomorrow as the rates had increased yesterday but are yet to be uploaded to their system. Just my ruddy luck! Smart of them to do this just before Christmas.

Incidentally, it's almost two months to the day since you said you would dig out those fountain pens. So how about it and a writing sample to go with each of them?

[brihacharan]

Camel black is more of a grey than black ink, so that explains the colour.

"Never realized that" A real Eye Opener!!!!

However, do floss the nib and then flush the pen for good measure.
Yes! Its on the cards for the week-end!

Whilst usually only available in the southern states, if you can lay your hands on some Bril Royal Blue, buy a pot and try it. I am pretty sure you will like it.

P.S.: Please do not use that calligraphy ink. Use that for dip pens (without feeds) that can be washed soon after writing.

Points noted! Thanks
Briha

[Mack The Knife]

And if that still does not work try point 5 of this article - http://www.nibs.com/Article6.html

I do NOT use this method but that does not mean it does not work. I haven't tried it, that's all.

For my method, I will need someone to take a couple of pics as both my hands will be engaged.

[Mack The Knife]

That is more or less the method I use. However, I pinch the feed and nib together with my index finger and thumb and press down evenly and carefully on the other thumb nail. Start with light pressure and never use excessive pressure. Check on paper after each try.

[brihacharan]

That is more or less the method I use. However, I pinch the feed and nib together with my index finger and thumb and press down evenly and carefully on the other thumb nail. Start with light pressure and never use excessive pressure. Check on paper after each try.

Hi Mack,
It's a miracle of sorts....the video link you sent!
I tried it with the pen you sent me & boy did it work?
Instead of using my thumb nail, I tried it on the Pen's cap (as shown in the video), gave two gentle presses, holding the pen exactly as demonstrated....
Here's the very satisfactory result I achieved.....


You can clearly see the difference - before & after
Thanks a TON Mack
Briha

Added in 19 minutes 57 seconds:
Another ENTRY for the writing competition....Composed after revitalizing the Pen gifted by Mack!

Briha

Added in 2 hours 58 minutes 30 seconds:
Entry No.21
Written with Parker CT Calligraphy Pen - Medium Nib + Camlin Permanent Black Ink

Briha

[Mack The Knife]

Well done, sir!

P.S.: I would rather you press down on your other thumb for two reasons:

1) It gives you a better idea of the pressure being used.

2) Pressing down on older pen caps with thinner walls may crack the material, even with light to moderate pressure.

P.P.S.: It is usually a good idea to use a new pen regularly for a week or two or sometimes more, as I have found the ink flow to get better. My theory is that minute manufacturing debris that were not flushed or flossed out finally get 'washed out' with the ink. The presence of oil or grease on the nib or feed can also restrict or stop ink flow.

[brihacharan]

Well done, sir!
P.S.: I would rather you press down on your other thumb for two reasons:
1) It gives you a better idea of the pressure being used.
2) Pressing down on older pen caps with thinner walls may crack the material, even with light to moderate pressure.

Hi Mack,
I guess I was lucky 'the first time' - when I followed the instructions shown in the video
Your point No:2 is well taken....should such an instance occur in the future!
Allow me to confess....when I did what I did and saw the result...I just could not contain the joy of success & went on to write anything & everything on blank sheets of paper I could lay my hands on
Briha

[Mack The Knife]

Glad it worked out.

Is it now writing the way you would like it to or are their things like smoothness, line width and ink flow you would like to change? Don't stand on any formality.

[brihacharan]

Glad it worked out.
Is it now writing the way you would like it to or are their things like smoothness, line width and ink flow you would like to change? Don't stand on any formality.

Hi Mack,
Touch Wood - The Pen is writing beautifully, smooth with proper line width & ink flow
I desire to leave it at that!!!
Thanks
Briha
PS: Purple Ink is rather difficult to get (most stationary shops here don't stock this shade) - however a friend who works as an art-director with O&M has located a source & I should soon be getting a bottle.
Briha

[Mack The Knife]

Just make sure it's fountain pen friendly.

Bril make a violet. Or you could cook one up but preferably from the same brand.

[brihacharan]

Just make sure it's fountain pen friendly.
Bril make a violet. Or you could cook one up but preferably from the same brand.

Points noted - Mucho Gracias
Briha