Fountain Pens allow me to create things with a connection to the past.

The big fun is restoration. I buy them off e-bay and at pen shows. I have learned a lot and continue to refine my skills at restoring them. I have tools to restore ink systems and to repair feeds and nibs. I am good with shaping tips but do not yet do gold welding on broken ones or re-tipping. I use a nib block tool from John Mottishaw.

My interests are mostly pens from 1907 to 1958. That is the golden age of fountain pens. My favorites are Black Hard Rubber and flexable nibs. I collect Waterman, Sheaffer, Parker, Moore and Whal. I also like to work with off brand pens that used Warrented nibs.

I write with my pens. Many of the ones you see have ink in them right now. I have a pretty good collection of Sheaffer Snorkle pens and my favorite Sheaffers are the Feathertouch Vacuum fill.

Of course everyone needs at least one Big Red. 1926 RHR Parker Big Red. Small imprint barrel, Duofold nib. Medium - no flex - wet.

The Sheaffer on the left is a 1919 BCHR with an italic nib.