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[–] Binksley 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

If the ink doesn't flow, DON'T flick it, or wave it around. Had to buy a neighboring student a new shirt once.

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[–] hajasmarci 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

1) You look for the spot where the ink flows evenly without any pressure applied, you just get a paper and practice. The easiest way is probably getting a lamy safari or something, which forces you to hold it correctly. 2) See 1) :) 3) Once you realise you need no applied pressure it's way easier. I'd just probably do step one over and over again.

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[–] Thegreatandpowerfulr 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Most of these have been answered pretty well, but I''ll offer some advice as well. When your pen is empty and you are putting in the same ink, just refill it. Rinsing it is pointless unless you are changing inks (and then it is very important). You pretty much hold it like a normal pen (with some changes). In normal use I hold it like a Lamy, but if I am using a flex pen I will hold it differently. The proper way of holding it also has your arm only prushing the page and the movement not coming from your fingers but your whole arm, but I still cannot do this. You will have to consciously not bare down at first, but it will soon become a new habit.

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[–] ZenZenWakarimasen 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

You're getting some great advice here. I just added stuff to the sidebar that might be helpful to a new user. Check out the "Fountain Pen 101" playlist on the Goulet Pens YouTube channel, as well as some of SBRE Brown's earlier videos.

Good luck and have fun!

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[–] axissilverhand 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

How to hold the pen: Shiny side up, dark side down, like a motorcycle, thus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlIM2J2Sh8#t=260

At first, try not to "post" the pen, meaning don't put the cap on the end of the pen.

Pressure: Use a mechanical pencil on a single sheet of paper on a table. Try to write in a balanced fashion without causing deep creases, fragmenting the lead, or tearing the paper - that's about how much pressure is good to start off with -- if the pen won't write with that amount of pressure then it needs to be cleaned. Rinse it under running water for a bit, use a paper towel to dry it off.

3 (Out of order, as it goes with #1 better) -- I usually have new writers start by dipping the pen, or I'll start the pen for them to make sure the ink is flowing freely - if the feed is slow in starting many new writers will think they're not pressing hard enough and accidentally damage the pen, or worse yet, get frustrated and quit.

2 -- The ink should dry by the time you get to the end of the line on normal paper with basic ink. Finding paper & ink that play nice together is part of the process, but for starting out I'd use Rhodia paper if you want nice/widely available paper and Parker Quink as a basic starting point -- both are reasonably cheap, but are high enough quality that you'll notice (and hopefully prefer) the experience to a rollerball.

[–] [deleted] ago 

[Deleted]

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[–] axissilverhand 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Yes, try the pen without posting it first (this also keeps someone new from trying to post a pen that isn't intended to be posted), and see what the balance is like. Get used to it, and then you can post it later if the pen allows for it, or you want a different balance. Also, I have a Faber-Castell e-Motion pen that posts with a 1/4 twist - trying to un-post it without twisting it will actually damage the pen.

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[–] Atryum 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago  (edited ago)

The proper way to hold a fountain pen is the same way you would hold any other pen, but you have to make sure that you don't rotate the pen; it always needs to be in an orientation in which the writing surface of the nib (usually a little ball at the very tip) is against the paper. So, the top of the nib, which is the part where you'll see the brand name and the vent hole and the size of the nib and any other information will be facing you at all times. It will only properly work that way. If you rotate it, then the writing will likely become scratchy and the ink flow will be poor.

I'm right handed and have never had an issue with ink smudging on my hand, so i have no idea what advice to give about it.

Writing gently will take practice. I think that, unless you already have, once you try writing with a fountain pen you will find that writing gently is actually pretty easy to do. If it doesn't 'click,' then I would say it just takes practice. Use a nib that isn't soft or flexible at first and get used to writing with less force.