What’s a Pen got to do with it?

Books, writing and fountain pens

Hay-on-Wye is a wonderful place, books everywhere and the odd record shop to boot. I have visited a number of times now and always come away with something. A few Miss Marple’s, the odd Sci-fi book and of course the festival that takes place. A few years ago I went to my first Hay-on-Wye festival, walked around even more books, listened to people reading including Benedict Cumberbatch.

But there was something else that I found of great interest to me, fountain pens. There is a beauty, art and pure joy in using a good well balanced fountain pen. Hay-on-Wye has one really good shop solely dedicated to writing. Downstairs there are thousands of pens, all sorts, all prices, all suppliers. But you dont just look. You get the chance to write, test out the pens as it should be.

A few weeks ago I visited Hay-on-Wye again with the intent on buying a new pen. I already have a few but it was my birthday and I could not resist the draw of another. And so the task began. I wanted to pick something that fitted me, my writing style, me. The choice was vast and at least I set a spending limit. I also wanted a pen that I could refill with proper ink. Another element of using such a tool.

Try, Try and Try again. Then try again.

Choice. So I asked if I could try any of the pens. Answer was of course. The shop is called Bartrums & Co and they completely understood what I wanted and why. Excellent service. I was given the chance to try any pen I wanted within my spending limit. There is a lot to consider when purchasing a fountain pen for me. Looks, feel, weight, how it sits in your hand and how it flows across the paper. Some brands I had researched before I visited others I had no idea about. The first pen I tried was a TWSBI Eco FP, to some a cheeper pen but very fine. It felt good in my hand, the ink flowed over the page. I put that to one side and tried a few more. Each one sort of fitted but just lost a little to the first.

Now I had that complication, each pen sort of gave me something but not that magic feeling. The TWSBI was good and one I wanted. Then a voice said, “Why not have two”. So I asked to try a few more and the staff member gladly helped. There was one that drew my attention, a silver Sheaffer. Not expensive but this one really felt right. You could feel the words being written, you did have to write not just type. I know that sounds odd but it’s how it is.

What makes a fountain pen?

I am not here to promote any fountain pen but here are my reasons what makes a good pen for me. Here is my very short summary. Pick what you like and take with a pinch of salt.

1 – A pen needs to feel right to write. It has to be the right weight, right length (yes that counts) and the right feel.

2 – The pen needs to flow along with the ink. If it scratches or you have to keep shaking it to get the ink out its annoying.

3 – Style counts. It needs to look good.

4 – Sometimes a cheap pen is far better than the most expensive.

5 – Dont just stick to the normal.

Why write?

Writing is a passion of mine. You can create Strange New Worlds, (ok so its 60 years old allow me one line), your writing could live long and prosper, (ok so maybe two lines). Here, I am writing, well typing, but it’s not the black/blue ink you see of white paper. It’s impossible to write a blog like this sadly with a fountain pen unless you do so and take a photograph or snapshot and publish it like that. Maybe thats a challenge I should undertake. After all it’s a form which is not always seen.

Anyway I digress. Thats another story. I had now five pens in my final selection, only two allowed. Tough choice? Sort of but, the two I mentioned had already taken my fancy. They were both fine, flowed well over paper and both could take cartridges or have a convertor. What’s a converter? Well it a device to take ink from a bottle like the good old days. I made my choice, purchased the pens and a bottle of ink. Happy person, now bookshops to explore and try not to buy too many.

Since buying them I have used both often now. My collection is growing, just like my book collection. Writing is a passion, both here or on paper. What I may want to do next is write on paper and then just post it here mistakes and all. Maybe thats my next project and could AI be the way forward? Either way I have two fountain pens, they create anything I want, take me places and just open up worlds. You should try it.

Tagline: Pen & Ink just like Song & Dance, Morecambe and Wise, Bread and Cheese. Well sort of.