Ink it! Write it!

I was writing a document recently and thought of this blog.  I had forgotten about it, well...I have to admit I most likely forgot it intentionally so I didn't have to face drafting a post.  So, I felt bad that I opened an account I never made use of.  Since I was debating with someone the use of fountain pens today I thought I would post that topic here.

Essentially my friend and I were debating a range of points surrounding fountain pens.  My friend thought that fountain pens had become ornaments.  In their view, old pens were for antique collectors and new pens were for ornamental display; with perhaps just the occasional ceremonial use such as a special signing or formal letter.  Anything that was less valuable wasn't worth collecting much less using.  They conceded an artist or writer might want an expensive or valuable "special" pen to create something "special".  

Argh!  My friend had cited the two main arguments that always make me cringe. 

The two arguments being:

1. Fountain pens are only purchased as collectible ornaments, or

2. To create something "special" you must possess a fountain that is expensive or "special".

The above statements always result in me debating fountain pens.  Its essentially, the age old debate of tool versus artistic instrument or rather - functional item versus item of display (in other words price and prestige over use and function).  I am always amused though, with the view that something artistic, beautiful and worthy can only come from a so-called instrument of equal beauty.  That you must possess something "special" before you can create something "special".  So much for the creative genius within.

The same applies to inks! 

So many quality inks are overlooked because the buyer reaches (and pays considerably more) for the ink with the excessive packaging and price tag. Noodler's Inks - Link - are one of my favourites and yet they are also one of the most affordable inks you can find. Obtaining a good and appealing pen is an enjoyable experience but so too is inking it with a quality ink and then actually using it! 

(Ink iage sourced from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Blue_ink.jpg)

The pen and the ink are designed to interact, to combine so you may communicate and share with others (and perhaps other generations); yet many a pen has never touched the ink it was designed for.  Many a fountain pen has never quenched its thirst at the ink well.  Sadly, somewhere along the way, it became an ornament.

Ink it!  Write it! (And perhaps you too will write like this - Ink it! Write it!)

TB