one thing that always brings me back to fountain pen writing is the smooth, effortlessness of the nibs putting thoughts on paper. Its very environmentally friendly.

So, I think my favorite thing about fountains pens and writing with them is that I kind of feel transported back into the real old days of nostalgia. It’s kind of romantic and using them causes me to be more deliberate about what I’m writing.

Hi Lisa and Brian. Thank you for another entertaining show! At the top of the list as to why I like using a fountain pen is the ease of use, both during and after writing with the pen. When I write with a fountain pen, the feedback from the nib, and the way the ink flows gives me the control I need to write legibly and easily (and avoid cramping during long writing sessions). After I have finished writing the ink is easy to read. Finally, when you run out of ink, you just refill with ink of your choice (bottled ink for me,usually) instead of throwing away the spent refill. For me, ballpoint pens tend to be too hard to control, and the line can be inconsistent, and ballpoint pen ink can be too shiny to easily read in certain light….National French Fry day sounds great! Garlic cheesy fries, or Nacho fries-yum!

My favorite thing about fountain pens is the way the ink flows onto the paper. It's an experience that is very hard to describe and best experienced. With the wax seals, ironically, the process is actually what I enjoy about them. Each blob of wax comes out a bit different, and I like the unpredictability.

I like the variety of personalities in different pens -- different appearances, line widths, and nib styles.

What I like the most about fountain pens: variety. Writers are no longer limited to just one shade of blue ink, for example, but can choose the shade and properties of their dreams that best suits their personality and preferences.

My favorite thing about fountain pens is that they make the act of writing intentional. Uncapping the pen is a little ceremony that gives me time to think about what I am going to write.

What I like about fountain pens? They are just plain cool! They embody the (nearly lost) art of writing. And your hand doesn't get as tired as when writing with a ballpoint pen.

Given the number and variety of inks I have, you would think that my favorite part of writing with fountain pens would be the variety of ink colors available. But I've always said that I'd still collect pens even if the only ink in my collection was Aurora Black. What I love most is that writing with a fountain pen makes the act of writing an end in itself. I feel connected to the paper, to the process of writing, and to all the writers who came before me. It's a very satisfying and intentional way to put thoughts to paper.

I love how expressive my handwriting can be, through line variation, flex, and ink color choice. It makes my written words more "me".

I love how fountain pens make me slow down and be more creative with my writing. The possible combinations of ink, pen and paper are endless and make letter writing so much fun. Thanks for another interesting episode.

Great Show you two. The one thing i love about fountain pens is looking at the materials used in the different brand.

I love the fun inks! Sparkle inks and the endless colors are what drew me into the hobby

Well you can’t use a fountain pen without ink! The ability to write using any ink color that fits my mood, or the topic, subject matter, season… you name it. To be able to write and see my words flow out in color will never get old.

Great question this week. One thing - l love the way the ink flows on the page. It is unique to fountain pens. I look at my writing and fall in love even though my penmanship is nothing to brag about.

Great episode! The most important thing about a fountain pen to me is that it forces me to slow down before I put pen to paper. Uncapping, making sure I don't apply to much pressure, that time right there I can think and clear my mind, that way there I'm not just wasting ink writing nonsense. Have a great week!

My favorite thing about fountain pens is that you can customize the ink color from thousands instead of the boring old ballpoint blue or black.

I like fountain pens because they encourage deliberate slow writing and make my penmanship distinctive.

All of the inks!!! I love the variety of ink colors and also whether the ink shades, has shimmer, or has sheen. The ink gives my script some whimsy and brings joy to writing. I have to hold back from buying bottles of ink. That’s the benefit of ink samples - I can try different inks without having to invest in an entire bottle. Great episode!

I love the nib variety especially when you consider the grinds❤

I got my Thursday FP fix. Thanks APTV!! My favorite thing is the huge variety of pens and inks. I ordered the MB postcards for a pen friend.

What i find most appealing about using a fountain pen is the added level of Intention and Mindfulness that comes into play, coupled with the emotional attachment to a specific pen and its ink. I think one of the reasons I was drawn back into using a fountain pen was because I had noticed how awful some of the penmanship is for a number of younger folks as well as a rebellion against the use of the internet to communicate. I apparently have more issues than I realized.

Thanks for another entertaining episode. I think the thing I like most about fountain pens is the variety of inks and ink colors available. I also like that I don't typically have to press down as hard to put ink on the page. I also find that at least sometimes I slow down a little when I write, something that comes in handy when writing song lyrics.

I love the variety of ink colors available for fountain pens

I enjoy the fact that when I use a fountain pen in a business setting, my customers think of me as a "serious" person. Unless, of course, the pen blows up and gets ink everywhere in which case they think of me as an idiot.

I use fountain pens because it makes me feel like a fancy lad, which encourages me to write more!

There are many reasons, as Lisa said but my best reason is not having to push down on the paper. The ink just flows onto the paper

"German nibs tend to run wide." (Parker enters the chat.)😂 Good morning! Happy 7-11 or Free Slurpee Day! (7/11, of course!) When I was five, my Dad put Snowballs in the blender to make a slushie. I miss Snowballs, she was a good cat... Biggest reason I use a fountain pen? Ultimately it's because they don't hurt me to write with. After my stroke and as I'm getting older and more arthritic, that REALLY matters to me. But, given the option, I'd still use a fountain pen (almost always vintage, so I do get you, Brian). They are just enjoyable to write with, and at this point, I can use them for almost anything, given the right ink and pen. And the few things I can't, it's a permanent marker or Sharpie (plastic, glass or some metals. 😉) I refuse to use anything else, unless under duress. 😂

My top of the list reason for writing with fountain pens is …….. GLIDE. The way a well tuned nib delivers ink-to-paper whether smooth, buttery, glassy, feedbacky etc I lump into a single term, glide. Love your vids. Peace out. Greg

Since you want only one reason I have to agree with Brian, they are not a Ballpoint or Rollerball, and don't require as much pressure to write effectively. My oldest pen in my collection is a Waterman's Ideal 14 Eyedropper from 1900. That makes it 124 yrs. old and writes just as nicely as the day it was produced!!

that they require absolutely no pressure to write

25:32 Uniqueness. They're bespoke.

Really enjoyed this one. Also a big fan of the new TWSBI vac color. I need to figure out whether the 580 or vac 700 has the smaller capacity. I want to change up my inks faster than I would typically use in either a piston or vac filler. For me, the thing about fountain pens is the feel of writing. I always preferred the feel of pencil to ballpoints, but fountain pens give a variety of feedback when writing that is as satisfying or more satisfying than pencil.

I find fountain pens are more comfortable to write with.

If you send wax seals on the outside of US Mail, I recommend paying the extra charge for hand canceling. Basically the total cost is that of a 2oz letter. By hand canceling, the letter is not run through the automatic machines.

Flexing with FPs..one thing I enjoy best.🙂

What do I like most about fountain pens? A fountain pen is like taking care of a baby. You have to feed it, clean it, wipe its mouth, and make sure it's not dropped on its head. This whole process makes me feel closer to the fountain pen. Is the process always fun? No comment.

I use fountain pens to give me the variety of nibs sizes.

I prefer an oblique italic pen. Can’t get that in a ballpoint or rollerball.

Holy moley cannoli! I can't believe all the super-organized (okay, I really wanted to say "almost anal", but this show is rated PG) folks who keep a log of pens and inks. It makes my mind swirl! My favorite thing about using a fountain pen is the deliberateness it adds to my writing and thinking. I enjoy writing letters, and with a fountain pen, I take more time to think about what I want to say before putting pen to paper. Besides, writing with a fountain pen is just fun! I get to choose which pen and nib I want to use, which ink, and which stationery. By the way, I'm on board with the person who commented about the difficulty of using wax seals - I have yet to make one that is centered and contains the whole design from the stamp. A short video tutorial would be appreciated, as you have mastered the art 😃. Thanks for another great show.

The Second Coming Of Christ! Oooooooooohhhhh! Noooooooooooohhhhhh!!!

Each time I pick up one to write, my heart skips with the enjoyment of memory. It is the same feeling I experience when putting on a special piece of jewelry. Each pen was purchased with intention and a memory is attached. For example, I still have my two first fountain pens purchased at Anderson Pens and the memory of meeting Brian and Chris.

That is trashy humor.