Cyclops

I got a couple of more Pilot Penmanships the other day for less than $18. The aftermarket nibs I got for my Silver Python just didn't work out very well. So I put one of the new EFs on it, and it writes like a dream. Shoulda done that to begin with. As long as the price holds out, I'm going to keep getting more of those Penmanships and stock up on them. For spare nibs and feeds, if nothing else. A little while back,I tried using one as an eyedropper. Worked fine for a while. But then the ink started getting low in it, and for some reason wanted to start blobbing onto the paper. So no more Penmanships as eyedroppers for me. An experiment I wanna try soon is to make one extra long Pilot cartridge out of two...

Most of mine are Pilots and Preppies. A few Chinese in there, but not many.

I've had far too many pens inked at once, but now I just have a few too many. Ones that I thought I would use more than I actually do. Someday... Question: Has anyone here had a Conklin All-American in olive wood, and if so, were you able to keep the nib from drying out, and if so, how? And if I've asked this already, forgive me, I'm old. Sort of, anyway. I recently joined the Double Nickel Club, so I'm an old man.

Ok, then I can't help much.

First question: Are you a lefty or a righty?

Same. Someday...

I wound up having to order a replacement nib for my Jinhao 6016 because the factory nib kept canting to the left when I would write. I had asked others in a flakebook pen group I'm in about it, but apparently I'm the only one who's had that problem. And I couldn't find anyone else on the internet that's experienced it. I am apparently very gifted in that department. Anyway, the replacement was actually a 3-pack of nib/feed sets. Installed the first one; no go, it was way too scratchy. Rather than use the 12,000-grit on it, I just switched it out for another. Second nib works. 3-pack was only @$16. But they took so long to arrive that I forgot about them, and then wondered what the seemingly rolled-up wad of bubble wrap was that came in the mail today. If I had a brain I'd be dangerous.

Well, after further review and work, I have determined that I am a stoopie and an idjit. Several times when I swapped nibs, I rechecked the cartridge to make sure there was still ink in it. It showed about 3/8 of an inch of ink in the bottom. But none of the nibs --not a single one, not even the EF from the Pilot Penmanship I ordered-- wrote worth a flip. I looked at the cartridge yet again tonight. It showed the same as before. But on a hunch I took a blunt syringe and refilled with my Noodler's Bad Black Moccasin, reinstalled the cartridge, and guess what? It started writing. So I put the EF back in the Penmanship, put an aftermarket WS in the Silver Python, and away she wrote. I repeat, I am a stoopie and an idjit. But now I know to NEVER, EVER trust a cartridge to tell me the truth again. Thank you, that is all...

I thought maybe there would be at least one that was usable out of the whole bunch. I was wrong. Pilots are supposed to be here next Monday. Then maybe I can start using my Silver Python again.

Yes, they're Wingsung nibs. All the reviews spoke very highly of them. Either those were plants, or I got a bad batch. Either way, I'm out that money.

I spoke too soon about those aftermarket nibs. Even with some 12,000-grit work, ain't a one of them worth a flip. And because of the "customization" I did on them, they're unreturnable. There's no way I'd send them to a nibmiester for work because that would cost far more than these stoopid nibs are worth. So I spent an additional $18+ for three EF Pilot Penmanships for the nibs. Should'a done that to begin with, I reckon.

The replacement nibs run a little big, and I'm also going to have to run it across some 12,000-grit to lessen the feedback. Otherwise, it works great.

Will do I found this that's apparently intended for fountain pens, and also intended for those who are not "financially challenged". https://thepapermind.com/products/mitsubishi-bank-paper-notebook#:~:text=Why it's special%3A,stitched binding to maximize comfort https://thepapermind.com/products/mitsubishi-bank-paper-notebook#:~:text=Why it's special%3A,stitched binding to maximize comfort This is made for those who are not money-impaired.

They're not Pilot brand. I read the reviews, and they all said that the nibs are a perfect fit for the Metropolitans. That's the only reason I ordered them. They're supposed to arrive within the next week or so.

I've not used any bank paper before, but I have some stashed in a couple of wishlists. On another note, the gift my folks don't know they got me turned out not to be another pen, but instead another bottle of Noodler's X-Feather Black, to replace the one about to empty, and a couple of intra-bottle inkwells, and a box of aftermarket nibs that will fit my Pilot Metropolitan. I bumped the nib on my Silver Python against my desk, and no amount of 12,000-grit work seems to help. The reviews on the aftermarket nibs were extremely favorable.

Yes, I like the Pilot Fine nibs. But I've not tried an EF. Yet, anyway.

Ah, okay.

I've got a "recipe" for a homemade pen flush that I got from someone else. I've used it, and it works well for me. Lasts a lot longer than store-bought flush. I have two Kakunos, both Fine, one smoke and orange, the other solid smoke (or whatever the color is called).

My folks will have bought me a pen, but I don't which kind yet, and they don't know it. Yet.

I've never even attempted NaNoWriMo. Ever. I can't be creative that fast.

From wordpress-dot-com "BBK is a bulletproof ink. An application of water smears enough color to prove the ink was assaulted, but the writing remains legible."

As fat as favorite pens and/or inks of the month, I've never really thought about that. I just use whatever ink(s) strike my fancy at the moment, or use a pen that's already got a different ink in it. My go-to writer is my Grey Houndstooth Metropolitan, inked with Noodler's X-Feather Black. My Eco has Writer's Blood, one Kakuno has Noodler's Bad Black Moccasin, other Kakuno has Noodler's Bad Belted Kingfisher, a Jinhao has Diamine Wild Strawberry, a Wing Sung has Noodler's Marine Green, another with Diamine Aurora Borealis, and a few others with various and sundry inks.

The only paper I've ever used that's sold for fountain pen use are a couple of Clairefontaine 3x5-ish notebooks I bought. Never used Cosmo Air Light, Tomoe River, or anything else like that; can't really justify that kind of purchase at the moment, as much as I like to write. So I use Hammermill and HP papers that are pretty fountain pen-friendly, and a whole lot more affordable for me right now.

Maybe they mean if something happens if too much force is applied to the plunger?

Looks interesting. Would probably work better than my homemade setup.