As far as I am concerned, another chapter on the Fountain Pen Design site has been completed. The chapter on the cap. You may ask what’s so noteworthy about it? There are some points to consider when designing a fountain pen.
As usual, I have separated the chapter into several pages. The link to the opening page: The Cap – History-Overview
Above all: Enjoy!
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04 March 2019
Fountain Pen Design 
28 November, 2021 at 12:56 am
Hi Amadeus,
I’ve been finding your information very interesting!
I have one point to raise on the use of sand to dry wet ink – it’s often repeated as a historic fact, but it’s actually a common misinterpretation. Gum sandarac was used before writing to prepare vellum, and absorbant paper, to receive ink. Sand shakers held powdered gum sandarac, or pounce, not literal beach sand.
If you experiment and write with a slow drying ink, then sprinkle even powdered gum sandarac over it, you end up with gritty writing. Try it with actual fine sand and you get the same, then once its completely dry bits drop off and leave little spots inside your pen strokes. It doesn’t do anything of much use!
Patricia Lovett is an experienced calligrapher, and has written on this here: https://www.patricialovett.com/sand-sanders-and-writing/
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28 November, 2021 at 9:03 am
Thank you, Robin, for picking this up and informing me. I will change the page and also add the link to Patricia’s website.
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14 March, 2019 at 11:08 pm
Amadeus,
Thanks very much for another fantastic blog. I have read and studied all of them. What a great contribution you make to this wonderful forum. It is easy to love fountain pens but not so easy to truly understand them. That’s where you come into the picture.
Although my daily writer is a Pilot Vanishing Point, I am addicted to cheap Chinese pens. I have a cigar box full (millennials: a box 25mm x 18mm x 8 mm). The best thing about cheap Chinese pens is that most have problems. By following your advice and information, I can understand and correct many of the problems. Those that cannot be corrected, can, at least, be understood.
I like to print out your blogs and sit down at my desk and study them with pen in hand to make notes and underline important points. Sadly, they don’t print out too well on my Brother laser printer using Safari on my Mac. The photos are good but the printing is too light. Still, I don’t care, they are usable.
I have enjoyed your work for quite some time, but have never expressed my appreciation. No doubt, many others have the same opinion as I.
Thank you and keep going.
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15 March, 2019 at 4:50 pm
Thanks, Jay for your kind words. Comments like yours are my incentive. Would you mind telling me your notes and underlinings? It would tell me what is important to you, personally and in general my readers. It helps me to focus and to write from your perspective, the learner. If you would like to do this you can use my contact page.
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4 March, 2019 at 7:55 pm
Another great chapter, Amadeus. Great job! All the best from Holland,
Jorge
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4 March, 2019 at 8:10 pm
Thanks, Jorge, you are too kind. I enjoy very much what I write about and your appreciation keeps me going. Amadeus
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