Are Fountain Pens Really Practical?

by Tony Thomas

I used my fountain pens quite a bit while I was working for a company that did not allow devices such as cellphones and tablets in the office. 

Now that I am retired and working at home all of the time, I find myself using my devices the majority of the time and largely ignoring my fountain pens. 

And when I don't use devices, I find myself using rollerball pens and mechanical pencils to write with because they are easier to deal with. 

What are the disadvantages of using fountain pens? 

- Removing, replacing, and posting caps is not fun

- Many inks are non-permanent

- Many inks cause feathering on cheap paper

- Fountain pen friendly paper is really expensive

- Fountain pens can dry out if not used quickly

- Many fountain pens are comparatively fragile

- Fountain pens must be cleaned

But there are also advantages:

- Wide range color of inks

- Some ink is less expensive than rollerball refills

- Prestige factor

- Fountain pens are more fun to write with

- They promote better penmanship and artistry

- Wide range of nib sizes and types

Do you use your fountain pens on a daily basis?   If so, how do you use them? 

---

My book, "The Fountain Pen Book", is available exclusively on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3Cd8PAt

I'm Back!

by Tony Thomas

I'm back!  Did you even miss me?

I know that I haven't shown up here in quite a while. I have been retired for the last few years and haven't spent a lot of time with my fountain pens lately, although I hope that will change. I've been doing most of my work on my tablet and my computer.  Dictation is sure a lot easier than writing everything out by hand. And, paper takes up a lot of space and is pretty expensive these days.

I still love my fountain pens although I am not able to buy them at the pace that I once did. That said, I still have a pretty nice collection that I acquired over the years and plenty of pens to put into rotation as long as I can afford the ink and the paper.

I also tend to use pencils quite a bit for drafting because my pens tend to dry out while I am in the thought process.  I have also experimented with using the Apple pencil and styluses with my iPad. There are some good drawing apps that are very good for note taking such as Notability and Good Notes and provide a pleasant writing experience.

My books, "The Fountain Pen Book" and "Getting Started with Fountain Pens" are still selling on Amazon, Apple Books, B&N, Kobo, Sribid, Smashwords, and other stores. I thank the fountain pen community for continuing to support my efforts. Hopefully, one day I will be able to write some more books and revise the ones that are already out.

With the global pandemic going on, perhaps I will be able to spend more time using my fountain pens for enjoyment rather than utility. I do enjoy using them to continue to improve my penmanship.

What about you?  How much are you using your fountain pens lately?

The Fountain Pen Book

by Tony Thomas

"The Fountain Pen Book" is my latest book and has just been released on Amazon.com.  

"If you are interested in fountain pens, this book is a great place to start. It is short, easy to read and filled with valuable information that I have gathered since becoming a fountain pen enthusiast. I have included lots of links so that you can connect with other fountain pen users, dealers and resources. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I have enjoyed writing it! 

Check it out: http://goo.gl/4C9BV6

Happy Fountain Pen Day 2015!

by Tony Thomas

It is Fountain Pen Day!  Is it time to renew our love for fountain pens and writing with them. 

I have been writing with fountain pens on and off for over 40 years.  In the past five years or so, my interest in them has increased due to the efforts of people like Brian Goulet, Stephen BRE Brown and the members of the Fountain Pen Network.  

There is a large and growing fountain pen community and I am proud to be a member.  Pull out your fountain pen and paper and let's celebrate together!

Welcome!

An Airmail eyedropper fountain pen from India.

by Tony Thomas

I have started this blog to share my love of fountain pens with the rest of the world. Since I am a man of limited financial means, I will concentrate my focus on affordable fountain pens.  That is why I chose the name: "The Frugal Fountain Pen". Just sit back and explore the exciting world of fountain pens with me!