Debunking The Myths Surrounding Fountain Pens
Posted on: 17 February 2015
Many people prefer to use fountain pens as opposed to traditional ball-point pens, and for good reason. Fountain pens, when used properly, provide a continuous flow of ink that's more defined. Furthermore, fountain pens are thought to reduce instances of writer's fatigue, since they don't need to be tightly gripped or firmly pushed down upon in order to write. Before you make the decision to purchase a fountain pen, however, there are some commonly believed myths that you should know the truth behind.
Myth 1: You Can Only Use Manufacturer's Ink
One of the most perpetuated myths out there regarding fountain pens is that you must use the original manufacturer's ink; otherwise, you'll end up with clogs and other problems down the road. In reality, this couldn't be further from the truth. As long as you're using ink that's specifically designed for use in fountain pens, you'll be fine. Some manufacturers will claim that their ink is made for "maximum performance" or similar terms, but this is just a marketing ploy.
Of course, some fountain pen inks are more watery or have a different consistency than others, so you'll definitely want to find the ink that you like best and stick with it.
Myth 2: Learning to Use a Fountain Pen is Difficult
Many people shy away from ever using fountain pens because they believe the pens will be too difficult to learn how to use. However, the fact remains that if you know how to write with a regular ball-point pen, you shouldn't have any issues getting used to a fountain pen. The only exception to this is the italic fountain pen, which requires mastery of a specific technique. Regular fountain pens, however, are used for general writing and don't require any different of a technique than what you'd normally use to write.
Myth 3: You Shouldn't Share Your Fountain Pen
Finally, don't fall for the myth that if you let somebody else use your fountain pen, it'll be ruined. In fact, fountain pens are generally meant to last for many generations, which is probably why there are still so many older fountain pens in circulation today. The nibs of fountain pens are very resilient and shouldn't become damaged if you lend you pen to a responsible friend. The only thing you may want to be careful about is the possibility that your friend will love the pen so much that he or she won't want to give it back!
If you're ready to try out a fountain pen, contact a local retailer, like Norfolk Stationery Co.
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