# Anyone going to to DC Fountain Pen Show this weekend? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 9, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008 "2012-08-09T22:21:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/1 "2012-08-09T22:21:18Z")
I don’t know if anyone around here is into that sort of thing, but I can only assume that \*some \*Dopers must be fountain-penners. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/2 "2012-08-09T23:00:14Z")
. . . . . . maybe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . not . (just having some fun witcha… I do love a good fountain pen, and use them for illustration work as well as writing, but enough to go to a show? Drive to another city and find parking and figure out the Metro and pay more I want to for a hotel room? Naaaah…) (Can you report back on it?) (Now you have to see everything, and buy something!) ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/3 "2012-08-09T23:05:26Z")
Oh, there’ll certainly be some reporting on it over at my blog. I don’t mind the drive, but I’m glad I have family in the area so that I don’t have to get a hotel. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/4 "2012-08-09T23:11:40Z")
I’ll pencil it in. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/5 "2012-08-09T23:58:08Z")
I’m not in to fountain pens, but I very much understand those who are. World enough and time, you know. (And dosh, too.) If you’re in the area, there is what this layman thinks is a pretty nice pen store downtown, on F and 14th NW. (Or at least there used to be – I don’t work in that neighborhood anymore.) –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/6 "2012-08-10T00:03:04Z")
I don’t have the faintest inkling of what you guys are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/7 "2012-08-10T00:05:08Z")
I don’t either. My fountains stay in one place, they don’t need a pen to keep them there. Oh, wait, I get it. You’re talking about the old days when people used a feather to write with. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/8 "2012-08-10T00:34:06Z")
Bravo, Johnny. Bravo. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/9 "2012-08-10T00:35:37Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > I’m not in to fountain pens, but I very much understand those who are. World enough and time, you know. (And dosh, too.) > > If you’re in the area, there is what this layman thinks is a pretty nice pen store downtown, on F and 14th NW. (Or at least there used to be – I don’t work in that neighborhood anymore.) > > –Cliffy If that store is still around in DC, then I’m sure they’ll be at the show. It’s the biggest in the world. There are supposed to be a crazy number of traders and vendors there. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/10 "2012-08-10T03:25:00Z")
I was so excited when [my favorite “doodler”](http://mattiasa.blogspot.com) mentioned what pen he uses… aaaargh! It’s a [$240 fountain pen](http://www.amazon.com/Namiki-Falcon-Fountain-Black-Xtra/dp/B007A3ILZG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1344567829&sr=8-5&keywords=Namiki+Falcon+fountain+pen)! So let us know if you see a _Nimiki Falcon_ for a sawbuck or two… (Hey, he used to use a $600+ Mont Blanc) (I think I’ll stick with using my $3 japanese markers) ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/11 "2012-08-10T03:52:36Z")
> [@digs](#): > > It’s a [$240 fountain pen](http://www.amazon.com/Namiki-Falcon-Fountain-Black-Xtra/dp/B007A3ILZG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1344567829&sr=8-5&keywords=Namiki+Falcon+fountain+pen)! > > So let us know if you see a _Nimiki Falcon_ for a sawbuck or two… Namiki (Pilot). They can be had for around $150 from online pen stores. They’re not usually sold with extra-fine nibs as far as I know, and that would be a bit of a waste. They’re best known for their “soft” nibs, so called because they’re flexible. If you want a non-flexible extra-fine fountain pen, a Pilot 78G costs less than $20. A Platinum Preppy is about $4. I suspect your doodler has a Soft Fine though. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/12 "2012-08-10T03:59:46Z")
If I lived anywhere close, yes, in a heartbeat. I love a good pen and am still in mourning for my lost Waterford and smooshed-by-a-car Parker Sonnet. My win-the-lottery fantasies always begin with a Montblanc Meisterstuck. Even as I write this, I realize what a huge flaming dork I sound… ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/13 "2012-08-10T03:59:48Z")
I’ve never used a Falcon, but I’ve heard good things. I know you can get them for less than $240, though. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/14 "2012-08-10T04:23:52Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Even as I write this, I realize what a huge flaming dork I sound… Bah. Fountain pens are cool. Nothing dorky at all. If you’re looking for a Falcon you can get them [at this site](http://www.gouletpens.com/Namiki_Falcon_Fountain_Pens_s/949.htm) for less than $150. They’re good folks to deal with. I’m not sure what I’m buying, but I know I’m getting my grandfather’s [Parker 51](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hGMnyfNep0Q/UAGrgP7FtGI/AAAAAAAACKc/iSED3_AvXUU/w325-h243-n-k/Parker51%2B%25282%2529.JPG)all fixed up. It was unearthed this summer after not being used for at probably 30 years. I’m pretty handy with the pens, but this isn’t one that I’m willing to mess up. I came away from the NC pen show with a [TWSBI Vac 700](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f4zBqsjAdds/UBlWvV6cKaI/AAAAAAAACfk/3GBs1qVij7s/s679/IMG_8207.JPG). I almost bought a beautiful, white [Namiki Vanishing Point](http://www.namiki.com/collections/pilotVanishingPoint_RA.php) (that Pendleton Brown was grinding), but I didn’t care for the italic nib. It’s a little too fancy for me. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/15 "2012-08-10T04:54:52Z")
> [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](#): > > I came away from the NC pen show with a [TWSBI Vac 700](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f4zBqsjAdds/UBlWvV6cKaI/AAAAAAAACfk/3GBs1qVij7s/s679/IMG_8207.JPG). How do you find it? I nearly bought one recently, but got a 540 with a stub nib instead. It’s great. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/16 "2012-08-10T05:08:16Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > How do you find it? I nearly bought one recently, but got a 540 with a stub nib instead. It’s great. I really like it, **now**. I got a medium nib, and it was super dry. That’s a thing with the 700, apparently. It’ just the nib, though. Speedy has some videos up online showing how to open up the tines (they’re wicked tight), but I never could get them to open. I don’t know why, but they just wouldn’t. I might take the old (I think it’s a Bock) nib to the show with me and see if someone will adjust it for me. Maybe even grind it, I dunno. So, I got a set of three Knox nibs (M, F, XF) (that’s the two-tone nib in the picture), and it’s awesome. That cheap nib-change did the job. Bottom line, though, I don’t regret it. It’s really nice looking, hefty, and it writes beautifully. I do wish it had been better out-of-the-box, though. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/17 "2012-08-10T13:23:25Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I was so excited when [my favorite “doodler”](http://mattiasa.blogspot.com) mentioned what pen he uses… aaaargh! It’s a [$240 fountain pen](http://www.amazon.com/Namiki-Falcon-Fountain-Black-Xtra/dp/B007A3ILZG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1344567829&sr=8-5&keywords=Namiki+Falcon+fountain+pen)! > > So let us know if you see a _Nimiki Falcon_ for a sawbuck or two… > > (Hey, he used to use a $600+ Mont Blanc) (I think I’ll stick with using my $3 japanese markers) I just looked at his site (cool stuff!) and noticed [this post](http://mattiasa.blogspot.com/2012/07/platinum-carbon-desk-fountain-pen.html): [QUOTE=Mattias Inks] I got to try a new fountain pen (thanks to JetPens), the [Platinum Carbon Desk Fountain Pen](http://www.jetpens.com/Platinum-Carbon-Desk-Fountain-Pen-Super-Fine-1-Carbon-Ink-Cartridge/pd/3851). I was very impressed by this pen the nib is very thin, the ink flows wonderfully and the the price is very affordable. The feel is not far from my Namiki Falcon (the nib is extra fine) and the ink that comes in the cartridges is permanent. [/QUOTE] And _that_ pen is just $13.50. Sounds like a winner. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/18 "2012-08-10T13:27:40Z")
I’ve seen a few of those reviewed recently. I think JetPens was sending them out all over the place. I need to get on that list. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/19 "2012-08-10T13:57:30Z")
Damn, I wish I had known about this earlier. I am a daily fountain pen user. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008/20 "2012-08-10T14:17:57Z")
I live near the site but have plans to be out of town. Can’t believe I’m giving up a nib smoothing workshop to visit my mother-in-law. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-going-to-to-dc-fountain-pen-show-this-weekend/631008.md?page=2)