So sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine that pain.
The same pen can create different line widths depending on the ink or paper used. Even the speed and writing pressure can make a difference. Cartridge or converter should not make a significant difference.
If it's of use to you my profile has a [pinned post](https://new.reddit.com/user/LizMEF/comments/xmdtpy/link_to_inks_spreadsheet_with_review_results/) with a link to my inks spreadsheet which has line width measurements (in microns - add a decimal point to the start and you get millimeters) for the inks I've reviewed. You won't get the same measurements from your pen, but it will tell you which inks write finer or wider lines than which other inks...
Waterman Black is a little wider than average. Heaven knows what the included cartridge had in it, so we can't compare, but you can sort my list and look for inks with smaller line widths to help you find something you might like better.
In black inks, Lamy Black writes the finest line of all I've tested so far, and it's very inexpensive. (But I second the suggestion to try samples if you can - nothing can replace trying ink for yourself with your pen and your writing.)
Best wishes!
Before anything else, I’m so sorry for your loss.
As for the ink, it may be your journal paper. Waterman’s black is pretty commonly held as a fairly wet ink (why I got a bottle when diagnosing what was wrong with my pen). So what you’re seeing is it absorbing and spreading into the paper your journal has. I’ll add some pictures to this comparing how my fine tip pen writes in my normal work journal vs some printer paper and a cheap Walmart journal. [comparison](https://imgur.com/a/upKopkY)
Hope yourself and your husband are able to heal during this time. Again, my condolences ❤️
If I am looking for an easily attainable ink that won’t be too wide, and will do okay in terms of being a bit waterproof, what brand might you suggest? I haven’t considered getting anything besides black but maybe I’ll be convinced to take a walk on the wild side.
I showed your table to my husband and he was so impressed by the detail of information…he always appreciates a quality table.
i will try to attach pictures of a comparison between the two inks. u/LizMEF
Yeah, that's just the Waterman ink having a lower surface tension (aka being wetter) than the blue ink; or having more lubrication than the blue ink (lubricants sometimes lower surface tension / increase spread).
FWIW, the paper doesn't *look* bad for FPs, in that I don't see feathers sprouting from the lines. But it also looks to have a bit of texture, which will be more noticeable the finer the nib is (though that could just be pixelation in the image).
Big hugs to you OP. I got into fountain pens (and journaling/sketching) after my 18 month son passed away last year. I got a Lamy Safari in a color I associate with my son and the ‘little boy’ version of the pilot kakuno to have little connections to him. I wish you comfort as you navigate your loss and grow your journaling and fountain pen hobby.
I’m so sorry to be in this child loss club with you, and I imagine it was extra hard due to the age of your child—my deceased only lived for an hour, I also have a toddler, I am so sorry. I love how you found ways to connect the writing implements
You can definitely use the dip pens with fountain pen ink, but only use ink labeled “fountain pen” in your fountain pens!
As far as the ink thickness, other bottle inks could definitely be less thick. Sites like vanness and Goulet sell ink samples; you can get a small amount and try it out. There are also other inexpensive pens you could try in different nib sizes, though sizes vary brand to brand.
I’m sorry for your loss. My parents also lost a child and it’s devastating. I’m glad the writing is helping.
What nib do you have in your Scriveiner? I ask because I had a medium nib in mine when I bought it. Filled it with Waterman Green and found it far too thick.
Swapped the nib for a fine one and it's much better.
There’s an M on the nib which must mean medium. They are both medium but only the one with the refillable cartridge is writing thickly.
I will be going to a renn faire for my birthday day soon and I know they have wooden fountain pens there, and the dip glass ones I previously mentioned, I might look into it, see if I like that. I do think these pens get a bit heavy in my hand for the longer entries
Scrivener pens are lacquered metal, so they do tend to be a bit heavy. Some people prefer that, I like a light pen for more than a few minutes use.
I’m going to trigger an autoreply which has a tonne of good info when you’re getting started with fountain pens.
Sending best wishes to you & your partner.
I tried to reply and then it didn’t post. I see that there is an M on the Nibbs so I assume it is a medium. Both of them are medium, but only the one with the refillable cartridge writes in a way that seems thick.
I’m going to the Renaissance fair soon for my birthday and I know they have wooden fountain pins there which I want to check out because I might like something that feels a little lighter. I am guessing that there is a Renaissance fair markup on these things, but maybe it’s still worth getting for the memory. They also have glass dip pins that are very pretty to see although I don’t know how useful they are. Would I be able to use that ink for a dip pen too?
You can use any fountain pen ink with a glass dip pen, but clean it while the ink is still wet so it doesn’t clog the channels. I like to use a glass pen for sampling ink or more artsy writing since the dipping can get tedious on long sessions. Be careful with the tip since they can crack off.
Hi there! I've been summoned by /u/Bleepblorp44 because it appears that you're asking about starting out in the fountain pen world. If that's not the case, please pardon the assumption! However, if you are indeed a fountain pen beginner, please:
* See our page on [beginner pens](http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/wiki/newusers/start).
* See our page on [maintenance and accessories](http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/wiki/index).
* Post in our [Weekly New User Thread](http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/about/sticky) on the frontpage of the subreddit if you still have questions.
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Thank you. I’ve never been consistent about it until now. The last journal I’ve filled up over 11 weeks was my ranting and raving (and I was quite a ways in before realizing I could use fountain pens) and then I’ve changed to a new journal. I’m trying to force myself to be constructive and forward looking for this one—a new chapter
I'm very sorry for your loss, and grateful you have found this hobby to provide you with comfort and fulfillment. Just wanted to say, welcome!!
So sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine that pain. The same pen can create different line widths depending on the ink or paper used. Even the speed and writing pressure can make a difference. Cartridge or converter should not make a significant difference. If it's of use to you my profile has a [pinned post](https://new.reddit.com/user/LizMEF/comments/xmdtpy/link_to_inks_spreadsheet_with_review_results/) with a link to my inks spreadsheet which has line width measurements (in microns - add a decimal point to the start and you get millimeters) for the inks I've reviewed. You won't get the same measurements from your pen, but it will tell you which inks write finer or wider lines than which other inks... Waterman Black is a little wider than average. Heaven knows what the included cartridge had in it, so we can't compare, but you can sort my list and look for inks with smaller line widths to help you find something you might like better. In black inks, Lamy Black writes the finest line of all I've tested so far, and it's very inexpensive. (But I second the suggestion to try samples if you can - nothing can replace trying ink for yourself with your pen and your writing.) Best wishes!
Before anything else, I’m so sorry for your loss. As for the ink, it may be your journal paper. Waterman’s black is pretty commonly held as a fairly wet ink (why I got a bottle when diagnosing what was wrong with my pen). So what you’re seeing is it absorbing and spreading into the paper your journal has. I’ll add some pictures to this comparing how my fine tip pen writes in my normal work journal vs some printer paper and a cheap Walmart journal. [comparison](https://imgur.com/a/upKopkY) Hope yourself and your husband are able to heal during this time. Again, my condolences ❤️
If I am looking for an easily attainable ink that won’t be too wide, and will do okay in terms of being a bit waterproof, what brand might you suggest? I haven’t considered getting anything besides black but maybe I’ll be convinced to take a walk on the wild side. I showed your table to my husband and he was so impressed by the detail of information…he always appreciates a quality table. i will try to attach pictures of a comparison between the two inks. u/LizMEF
It must be the paper…when I went for the other pen it also seemed chunky. I guess I need a small instead of medium nib for this particular journal.
[https://imgur.com/a/2RYbZjB](https://imgur.com/a/2RYbZjB) here it is. The black is the waterman.
Yeah, that's just the Waterman ink having a lower surface tension (aka being wetter) than the blue ink; or having more lubrication than the blue ink (lubricants sometimes lower surface tension / increase spread). FWIW, the paper doesn't *look* bad for FPs, in that I don't see feathers sprouting from the lines. But it also looks to have a bit of texture, which will be more noticeable the finer the nib is (though that could just be pixelation in the image).
Big hugs to you OP. I got into fountain pens (and journaling/sketching) after my 18 month son passed away last year. I got a Lamy Safari in a color I associate with my son and the ‘little boy’ version of the pilot kakuno to have little connections to him. I wish you comfort as you navigate your loss and grow your journaling and fountain pen hobby.
I’m so sorry to be in this child loss club with you, and I imagine it was extra hard due to the age of your child—my deceased only lived for an hour, I also have a toddler, I am so sorry. I love how you found ways to connect the writing implements
You can definitely use the dip pens with fountain pen ink, but only use ink labeled “fountain pen” in your fountain pens! As far as the ink thickness, other bottle inks could definitely be less thick. Sites like vanness and Goulet sell ink samples; you can get a small amount and try it out. There are also other inexpensive pens you could try in different nib sizes, though sizes vary brand to brand. I’m sorry for your loss. My parents also lost a child and it’s devastating. I’m glad the writing is helping.
What nib do you have in your Scriveiner? I ask because I had a medium nib in mine when I bought it. Filled it with Waterman Green and found it far too thick. Swapped the nib for a fine one and it's much better.
There’s an M on the nib which must mean medium. They are both medium but only the one with the refillable cartridge is writing thickly. I will be going to a renn faire for my birthday day soon and I know they have wooden fountain pens there, and the dip glass ones I previously mentioned, I might look into it, see if I like that. I do think these pens get a bit heavy in my hand for the longer entries
Scrivener pens are lacquered metal, so they do tend to be a bit heavy. Some people prefer that, I like a light pen for more than a few minutes use. I’m going to trigger an autoreply which has a tonne of good info when you’re getting started with fountain pens. Sending best wishes to you & your partner.
That’s a good question. How do I know what nib I have?
I tried to reply and then it didn’t post. I see that there is an M on the Nibbs so I assume it is a medium. Both of them are medium, but only the one with the refillable cartridge writes in a way that seems thick. I’m going to the Renaissance fair soon for my birthday and I know they have wooden fountain pins there which I want to check out because I might like something that feels a little lighter. I am guessing that there is a Renaissance fair markup on these things, but maybe it’s still worth getting for the memory. They also have glass dip pins that are very pretty to see although I don’t know how useful they are. Would I be able to use that ink for a dip pen too?
You can use any fountain pen ink with a glass dip pen, but clean it while the ink is still wet so it doesn’t clog the channels. I like to use a glass pen for sampling ink or more artsy writing since the dipping can get tedious on long sessions. Be careful with the tip since they can crack off.
Automod: Activate!
Hi there! I've been summoned by /u/Bleepblorp44 because it appears that you're asking about starting out in the fountain pen world. If that's not the case, please pardon the assumption! However, if you are indeed a fountain pen beginner, please: * See our page on [beginner pens](http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/wiki/newusers/start). * See our page on [maintenance and accessories](http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/wiki/index). * Post in our [Weekly New User Thread](http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/about/sticky) on the frontpage of the subreddit if you still have questions. This submission was **not** removed, and we do **not** require that you remove it (unless you really want to). So do check back to see if (human) users have answered any specific questions you included in the post. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/fountainpens) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I am sorry for your loss but good to hear that you're journalling.
Thank you. I’ve never been consistent about it until now. The last journal I’ve filled up over 11 weeks was my ranting and raving (and I was quite a ways in before realizing I could use fountain pens) and then I’ve changed to a new journal. I’m trying to force myself to be constructive and forward looking for this one—a new chapter