Fountain Pen Network
From Penpedia
The Fountain Pen Network is a forum community site with a current population of better than 6800 members from around the world, and over 348,000 posts spread over 28 forum topics. It was started in the summer of 2004 and was originally hosted with quickfox.org.
Fountain Pen Network was founded by Denis Richard. The site was originally started to serve as a backup for ramblingsnail.net, which was having periodic down time. Eventually, the backup grew beyond its original capacity, becoming a version closely resembling what we have today.
FPN has a number of different topic forums, from general chat, to brand specific and general Q&A areas. The site itself is only forums, however, and contains no static help information (the site currently runs on the 2.x version of IP.Board). There is also a highly active Marketplace, where people buy, sell, and trade fountain pens and related accessories.
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[edit] Brand Specific Areas
In addition to a catch all pen help forum, FPN has provided a number of brand forums to get more specific information from board members. This can also make finding information easier.
[edit] FPN Products
[edit] The FPN Pen
The Fountain Pen Network Limited Edition Pen was available for a short run of 114 pens available in the spring of 2007. It was a custom Bexley Simplicity, made from materials not standard to the line: a cap and body made from blue cracked ice, with a solid blue blind cap, section and tassie. This was similar to the materials that the Bexley Prometheus is constructed with. Equipped with a Schmidt steel nib, the pen sold for $95.00 and is no longer available. Of the 114 pens made, 25 came with an 18K gold nib, made by Bock. These sold for $190.00.
The tassie is engraved with "FPN". It is a cartridge/converter pen that could be purchased with a steel nib in fine, medium and broad. The 18K gold nib was also available in a very wide 1.3mm stub. The Pear Tree Pen Company, which fulfilled orders on behalf of the Fountain Pen Network, also worked with individual purchasers who desired custom-ground specialty nibs.
[edit] Custom Inks
FPN has already released one custom ink, and is working on a second and third. These inks are released in a limited run and available through the forums. A schedule for re-release of colors has not been established, although a second run of Galileo Brown has been planned, implying that the custom inks won't necessarily be a one time only thing. The original release of FPN ink took place in October of 2006 and cost $18.00 USD for a 3 oz. bottle.
[edit] Notepads
FPN note pads have been released in two batches, with the second one adding in large, unruled pads that were not available originally. The last batch was made available in September of 2006. The pads were available in two sizes, a small 5.5"x8" pad for $5.00, or a large 8.5"x11" pad for $9.00.
- 28 lb. high quality white paper, smooth finish
- 50 sheets per notepad
- FPN logo is on the front of each sheet
- Available in two styles: Ruled and Blank
- Ruling is 8 mm (1 mm larger than college rule) and on both sides
